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2019 NPI: 15U Notebook

June 24, 2019
PBR Staff

The National Program Invitational is taking place at LakePoint in Georgia, hosting travel teams in four age groups: 17U, 16U, 15U and 14U. Prep Baseball Report will have quick notes for each level from each day during the event.

Here is more on the action from the 15U division...

Sunday

+ 2022 RHP/3B Calvert Clark (Team Elite Prime)

 

+ 2022 OF Jace LaViolette (Texas Twelve)

 

+ 2021 RHP Aeden Finateri (Avon Old Farms HS, CT) started the 15U semifinal game for Team Elite Scout against a loaded Texas Twelve club. A power arm with a thick, wide-shouldered 6-foot, 205-pound frame, Finateri topped out at 92 mph, working mostly in the 89-91 range through the first three innings. He works out of a high-3/4 with a deep takeaway in the back. Fastball plays mostly true. Breaking ball was 74 mph with erratic shape.


+ 2022 CF Michael Gupton (Team Elite Scout; Rolesville HS, NC) is a top-of-the-scale athlete who possesses game-changing speed. Defensively, he gets advanced reads on balls and covers a lot of ground. In the 15U championship game, he tracked down a deep ball and made it look routine. He also smoked a triple, and kicked it into a gear seldom seen by a player his age. Committed to NC State, currently ranked No. 59 in the 2022 class.


+ 2022 C Sammy Leis (Team Elite Scout; Denmark HS, GA) is a highly athletic 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting prospect. Advanced defensive catcher for his age; sets up low, frames pitches well, has athletic feet and flexible hips. Runs extremely well for his position. High-follow prospect in the 2022 class.


+ 2021 LHP Braeden Karpathios (Team Elite Scout; Lampeter-Strasburg HS, PA) is a 6-foot, 175-pound Coastal Carolina recruit. Closed out the 15U semifinal victory, working his fastball at 84-85 mph with a 69-71 mph breaking ball and 79 mph changeup.


+ 2022 RHP/3B Connor Benge (Texas Twelve) is a high-follow prospect in the 2022 class. Long, lean and athletic, Benge’s fastball ranged between 84-87 mph, and paired it with a tight 72-75 mph curveball that had depth and late bite at times, and also flashed an advanced mid-70s changeup in the semifinal game against Team Elite Scout. Threw a high-volume of strikes with a competitive mound presence. The arm is quick and athletic, long and takes it straight back, coming out of an over-the-top slot. … Earlier in the tournament, Benge topped at 89 mph, sitting 86-88.


+ 2022 C Ryan Williams (Texas Twelve) is a solidly built 6-foot-1, 160-pounder who showed advanced footwork and glove-to-hand transfer. Throws are accurate with finish to the bag. Also singled to left field against Team Elite Scout.  


+ 2022 OF Adam Parzych (Team Elite Prime) is a strong 6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting prospect from Lincoln HS (FL). Makes consistent hard contact with natural lift in the swing. Doubled three times in Team Elite Prime’s semifinal victory - two to left field, one to right field. Has a compact, aggressive approach and looks to get his swing off. Big power potential in the bat; high-follow prospect in the 2022 class.

+ 2022 C RJ Rickabaugh (Team Elite Prime; Coatesville Area HS, PA) is 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitter with some pop. Has rhythm and balance in the swing with an uphill path. Hard-nosed behind the plate, overall solid defensive catcher.  



Saturday

+ 2022 RHP/SS Hayden Murphy (Team Elite Scout) showcased frontline stuff on the mound including a fastball that worked effortlessly at 88-90 to both sides of the plate. He creates some deception stepping noticeably across his body, and possesses the athleticism necessary to find a consistent arm slot. He has a loose, whippy arm, and is polished on the mound with poise. Murphy also showed feel for a 77 mph slider, and flashed a 77 mph changeup. His long-limbed frame will likely add significant strength, and he has a chance to make another jump in the future.


+ 2022 OF Kaden Martin (Team Elite Scout)
+ 2022 INF Conner Weigman (Twelve)
+ 2022 OF Kenskey Thomas (Titans Baseball Blue)
+ 2021 RHP/SS Trent Reddick (Titans Baseball Blue)
+ 2022 RHP/OF Alex Stanwich (Top Tier American) is a physically built athlete at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Got the start on the mound for Top Tier against Titans Baseball Blue in the quarterfinals. Arm worked long and athletic on the back-side, some effort to an over-the-top slot. Works on-line carrying momentum well, lands toe-closed. Fastball sat 82-84, touched 85 with armside run. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth and feel for at 65-66, induced swing and misses. Changeup, used less often as a third pitch, fade action at 73-75. Offensively, hit out of the two-hole, swung it athletically for power, taking hacks with present bat speed, hit a triple to the right center gap in one of his at-bats.
+ 2022 RHP Landon Nease (Team Elite Prime) threw a complete-game shutout to lead Team Elite Prime to a quarterfinal victory over VBA. Nease works from an over-the-top slot, pitching in the early innings at 76-78 mph while shuffling in a low-60s breaker.

+ 2022 3B/RHP/C Jackson Gaspard (Team Elite Prime) showed his versatility at 3B, making several nice plays and showing off a strong arm across the diamond. A wiry-thin 6-foot, 170-pound athlete, Gaspard also singled, exhibiting loose hands at the plate.

+ 2022 SS De’yon Cannon (Team Elite Prime), a 6-foot-1, 160-pound quick-twitch athlete from Grayson HS (GA), looks to be a high-level defender up the middle. Plays well on the move and showed the ability to throw from multiple angles.

+ 2022 SS Tucker Burns (Vipers Baseball Academy) is an advanced defender who showed an ultra-quick transfer, quick, reliable hands and solid range. A right-handed hitter, he also flashed some bat speed at the plate hitting in the leadoff spot.

+ 2022 C/RHP Michael Pfeiffer (Vipers Baseball Academy), a 6-foot, 177-pound two-way player from Huntsville HS (AL), showed quick glove-to-hand transfer and directional footwork. He gunned down a basestealer during the game, and stuck pitches well.


Friday

+ 2021 RHP Luke Rolland (Rawlings Arkansas Prospects - Fullerton) is an interesting prospect at 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, athletically built, offers a different look on the mound than most. Works with a short, quick arm action from a sidearm slot. Fastball sat 82-84 with armside run. Breaking ball featured sweeping action at 69-70, at-times appeared to rise.


+ 2022 RHP McClain Ray (Easley Baseball Club - Thompson) is a projectable 6-foot-1, 150-pounds, long, lanky frame, athletic build, plenty of room for continued physical development. Arm worked clean on the back-side with a low draw, accelerates quickly to a ¾ slot. Works on-line, carries momentum downhill, spins off at finish. Fastball ran up to 85-88 early on, located in and out with effectively. Curveball took an 11/5 shape with late break to it, induced swing and misses at 72 mph. High follow arm.


+ 2022 RHP/SS Samuel Cole (Top Tier Roos American) is a solid combination of physicality and athleticism at 6-foot-4, 190-pounds, still maturing into frame with the potential for continued growth. On the mound works with a clean, efficient delivery. Threw a high volume of strikes in start against Triton Rays on Friday afternoon. Fastball sat 79-82 with armside run, pumped in an 83 mph fastball on the final pitch of the game, a swinging strikeout, mixed in an above average 12/6 curveball at 66-67.
+ 2022 SS Termarr Johnson (Team Elite Scout Team) 
+ 2022 SS Hayden Murphy (Team Elite Scout Team)

+ 2022 SS Brant Baughcum (Team Elite Scout Team)


+ 2022 SS Cooper Kelly (Royals Scout Team)
+ Luke Adams (Top Tier Americans) is a physically impressive 6-foot-3, 197-pound right-handed hitter with proportional strength throughout the frame. Adams has a simple plate approach with minimal negative movement back and utilizes his strength and hand-eye to make consistent hard contact. He smashed a triple to right field - 93-mph exit velocity off the bat - and lined a hard single to right field (also 93 off the bat). He also delivered a sac-fly during Top Tier’s victory over Performance Baseball.

+ 2022 Ethan Patera (Top Tier Americans), a 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander, earned the win against Performance Baseball. His fastball ranged between 83-85 mph, topping at 87, playing mostly true. He also mixed in a 69-72 breaking ball.

+ 2022 OF Braden Ballenger (Performance Baseball) is a 5-foot-6, 145-pound left-handed hitting centerfielder who plays with speed and energy. He got an excellent read off the bat in center and covered a lot of ground in centerfield.

+ 2022 RHP Sam Peterson (Performance Baseball) is a long-limbed 6-foot-3, 170-pounder who pitched at 79-81 mph. As he fills into his frame and refines the delivery, he likely should see velocity gains. Attends Lindale HS in TX.

+ 2022 RHP Kade Woods (Louisiana Knights), a 6-foot-3, 175-pound Alabama recruit, pitched at 88-89 mph, touching 90. Erratic around the zone. Attends Ouachita Christian HS in LA, he’s ranked No. 161 in the 2022 class.

+ 2023 RHP Lance Williams (Louisiana Knights)


Thursday

+ C Brooks Brannon (5 Star National - NC) has a compact build with natural strength throughout a 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame. Took solid at-bats over the course of two games that included multiple hard hit balls. Direct path is short to the ball and provides for coverage of the plate.


+ 2022 RHP Nolan Sliver (BigStix Baseball) is a 6-foot-2, 145-pounder who showed high-ceiling potential. Has a highly competitive demeanor on the mound, works fast, and is athletic from his delivery to his arm action. Fastball worked at 82-84 with occasional sink to the arm side. Ball jumps out of the hand with ease. Also mixed in a 69-71 curveball with depth; showed makings of a swing-and-miss putaway pitch. Comes out of a high-3/4 slot, creates angle and repeats well. The frame is lanky, long and lean. High-follow prospect in the 2022 class who can develop into an elite national prospect.

+ 2022 C Caden Swift (BigStix Baseball) is a solidly built 6-foot, 179-pound right-handed hitter with an advanced defensive game. Highly accurate thrower, on the bag with everything. Cut down a runner stealing, 2.25 in game - 2.03 between innings. Footwork is quick and directional, the arm slot is compact into a quick release.

+ 2022 RHP Grayson Saunier (Easley Baseball Club - Thompson) tossed a four-hit shutout in leading Easley to a 4-0 victory over BigStix on Thursday. The 6-foot-2, 160-pounder filled up the strike zone with his 79-82 fastball and high-60s slurve. He has a clean, loose whippy arm action coming out of a high-¾ slot. Repeats his delivery well. With his athleticism, size and arm action, Saunier should continue to see significant velocity gains as he physically develops.
+ Hitting out of the leadoff position, 2022 CF Emaarion Boyd (Easley Baseball Club - Thompson) set the tone for Easley Baseball Club. An uber athletic prospect, Boyd routinely went with pitches, letting his hands do the work. A very good runner, used his speed to take extra bags as well corral balls in the outfield with relative ease.

+ 2022 SS Jacob Hill (Easley Baseball Club - Thompson) was automatic at shortstop, fielding everything hit his way. The 5-foot-7, 135-pounder ranges well to both sides and plays exceptionally well on the move, showing the ability to throw from multiple arm angles. Hard-nosed baller who brings energy and bounce to the field.

+ 2022 OF Jackson Cheek (Easley Baseball Club -  Thompson) is a 6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitter who has athletic tendencies in everything he does. Singled, walked and drove in a run during the team’s win over the BigStix.

+ RHP Colton Okes (Legends Sun Devils) closed out the game against Ninth Inning Royals, securing the win. Pitching from a ¾ slot with low draw, hides the ball on the back-side, arm accelerates quickly to release point. Fastball played up to 82 mph. Most notable was his feel for off-speed. Located 11/5 curveball, at 67-69, away consistently, getting batters to swing and miss on.
+ An interesting arm to keep an eye on moving forward, RHP Chris Hedinger (Legends Sun Devils) struggled with command, but showed a fastball up to 85 mph.

+ Aiden Moffett (Louisiana Knights Black) strung together multiple QAB’s today at the cleanup role. Made hard contact with every ball he put in play. Applied pressure on the defense with his speed, breaking up a Taylor-Made double play in the 5th.

+ Nick Duplechain (Louisiana Knights Black) went the distance throwing a 2-hit shutout tonight. FB was 79-81 consistently, showing hard sinking action getting in on RHH’s hands. CB was showing 10/5 shape to it and Duplechain had the ability to throw it for strikes all evening long.

+ Left-handed hitting OF Henry Shields (Ninth Inning Royals - Honeycutt) hit out of the three-hole. Line drive type hitter, with added strength will have the ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap and be a real force at the plate.

+ The powerful bat of Aaron Lopez (Ninth Inning Royals - Honeycutt) made hard contact routinely, albeit in foul territory. Uses strength in entire frame to let the bat fly through the zone, looks to elevate the ball to the pull side for power.

+ Had a single look at Levi Cloud (Ninth Inning Royals - Honeycutt) in a pinch hit scenario. Got up and attacked the pitches he saw, made hard contact to the pull-side (right field) for an easy single in AB.

+ One of the most interesting prospects to pitch at the 15U level on the day, 2022 RHP Grayson Murry (Performance Baseball Texas) stands a projectable 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, room for continued physical development. Struggled with command, but there is no denying he has the stuff to pitch at a high level. Ran his fastball up to 86 mph, mostly 82-85 with armside run. Mixed in a 12/6 curveball that flashed late break and swing and miss potential at 63-69. Liked to run fastball under the hands of right-handers and then come back with a curveball away. At the plate, swung a power bat. 


+ An intimidating force offensively, right-handed hitting 1B Roman Tolbert (Performance Baseball Texas) has a physical frame at 6-foot-4, 215-pounds. Taps into his strength well, at the plate. Swings with intent to elevate the ball to the pull-side for power. Clobbered a ball off the left field wall for an RBI double against Team Elite National.

+ 2022 SS Cooper Kelly (Royals Scout Team), a 6-foot, 150-pound switch-hitter, shows advanced glovework up the middle. Quick transfer, feet work well; all-around heady player on the field. Balanced plate approach with average bat speed.

+ Hitting in the leadoff spot, 2022 OF Jordan Austin (Royals Scout Team) is a 5-foot-10, 130-pound left-handed hitting athlete who has yet to physically develop, but showed quick-twitch in the hands, squaring up an 87-mph fastball to centerfield. Generates bat speed with a balanced approach at the plate. Also ran a 4.25 down the line from the left-side.

+ Another top of the order bat, 2022 MIF Brock Kobel (Royals Scout Team) is an athletic 5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter. Generates good power in swing for frame, launched a leadoff home run in the 1st inning against Top Tier. Swings it with intent, using the whole field.

+ 2022 SS Ayden Robinson (St. Louis Prospects) is a quick-twitch athlete who served as the offensive spark plug for the Prospects in their win over Top Tier Roos. The 5-foot-10, 155-pounder floats around the bases, has bat speed at the plate and plays hard. He doubled, singled, walked and swiped several bases.

+ 2022 MIF Romelo Knox (St. Louis Prospects tallied a pair of singles - one up the middle, another to the pullside - and walked. He has a simple, quiet approach and generates easy bat speed with his hands.

+ 2022 1B/RHP Daniel Flier (St. Louis Prospects) has a long, athletic build at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. A left-handed hitter, he has loose easy hands, generating bat speed. There’s considerable length in the swing, but when on time, he showed his power by ripping a big double. He also walked twice.

+ 2022 RHP Andrew Goodwin (Team Elite National) got the start on the night and carried a strong outing into the fifth inning against Performance Baseball. The right-hander was consistently touching 81 mph and challenging batters. Also mixed in a 12/6 curveball in the mid 60s.

+ 2022 OF Stan Zagrodnik (Team Elite National) made consistent hard contact all evening against Performance Baseball. The three-hitter takes a gap-to-gap approach at the plate, remains balanced throughout, showed the ability to drive the ball with relative ease. Quick hand speed allows for him to get the barrel out, generating impressive power from his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame. Still physically maturing, just scratching the surface of power potential.
+ An enormous prospect at 6-foot-5, 215-pounds, 2022 RHP Kaleb Heatherly (Team Elite Prime) has more than a presence on the mound. Did not blow away the opposition at 81 mph, but instead relied on keeping his sinking fastball (1700-1800rpm) low in the zone to get batters to swing over and induce ground ball contact. More velocity to come from frame as he continues to physically mature.
+ 2022 SS De’yon Cannon (Team Elite Prime) is an impressive raw athlete at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, long, lanky limbs on his frame. Offensively was able to generate hard contact to all fields, long arms allow for extension through the zone. Quite a bit of pre-pitch movement, however overall athleticism allows him to stay on time and find barrels consistently. Defensively has good range up the middle with quick, fluid footwork.
+ 3B Jackson Gaspard (Team Elite Prime) caught our attention with his great defensive play at the hot corner. One play in particular stoodout, a soft grounder down the third baseline that Gaspard fielded with soft hands and then showed off a loose/athletic arm action while making the throw on the move.

+ 2021 RHP Aeden Finateri (Team Elite Scout Team) is a Boston College recruit. Compact, durable, 6-foot, 205-pound frame. Worked 87-90 with the fastball and flashed 77-79 slider. Arm pauses slightly in the back with a hook showing quickness out front. Works linear down the mound with normal effort, and struggled at times to find a consistent release point.
+ 2022 INF Temarr Johnson (Team Elite Scout Team) stands 5-foot-9, 145-pounds with twitchy-athleticism throughout, and some natural strength present. Singled in his first at-bat and later drove a ball high and deep to the back side gap. Large, pronounced leg kick works in sync with fluent, downward hands, and the barrel whips through the zone with some strength to all fields. Impressive prospect in the 2022 class.

+ SS Everett Cooper (Team Elite Scout Team) was one of the big winners from the day. Long and lean and 6-foot, 160-pounds switch-hitter, loads with a bigger leg kick and easy hands movement. Quick to the ball with some lag in the zone, and shows the ability to drive line drives from gap to gap. Had multiple hits on the day from the left side.
+ North Carolina State recruit 2022 OF Mike Gupton (Team Elite Scout Team) has elite athleticism in a 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame that produces game-changing speed. Showcased some rawness at the plate with impressively quick hands, and made hard contact all day. Definitely a name to know in the 2022 class as the speed will apply pressure at all times. + C Rylan Galvan (Texas Twelve) has a compact, 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame with natural strength throughout including the lower-half and forearms. The bat speed stands out as he rips the barrel through the zone on a flat path, remaining in the zone for a long period of time. Showcases present gap-to-gap power with more possible in the future. Behind the dish, showcased a strong arm with impressive carry on throws to the bag between innings. High-level prospect in the class.
+ 2022 OF/1B Jace LaViolette (Texas Twelve) has a physically-imposing frame at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. LaViolette blasted a home run to deep right field in his second at-bat of the day. Hands load a bit segmented with a reverse toe-tap, and he exhibits the ability to drive the ball with a flick of his wrists. The frame should continue filling out with even more strength, and he is likely to add even more power. Committed to LSU following the game.
+ Bouncy infielder SS Derek Hernandez (Texas Twelve) plays bigger than his 5-foot-10, 140-pound frame. Hands work at shortstop, and will likely stick up the middle moving forward. At the plate, the left-handed hitter does not get cheated. Hands coil with slight bat wrap before getting the barrel quickly through the zone. Had multiple hits on the day, and hunted pitches in all counts.
+ 2022 LHP/OF Chase Davis (Texas Twelve) stands 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame with proportional strength throughout. Listed as a pitcher first, but found the barrel multiple times from the left side while at the plate. Flat path through the zone with lag utilizing a slight leg kick with handsy load. The swing works, and may have the potential to be a two-way player moving forward.
+ 2021 RHP Trent Reddick (Titans Baseball Blue) impressed in his start against the Royals Scout Team. Long and lean 6-foot, 155-pound two-way athlete has plenty of room for continued physical development. Listed as a primary shortstop, he pitched in the 84-87 range, touching 88. Works out of a high-¾ slot, loose and athletic out fr

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