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By Dennis Healy, Trevor Brown and PBR Staff
Co-Director of Scouting

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New England Insider: Early Signing Period - Division 1 (Out of State) Recruiting Class Breakdown
*In Alphabetical Order

The NCAA early signing period started November 8th, 2017 and ran through the 15th. With the fall signing period upon us, we look to break down each individual Division I commitment from in-state prospects to out of state universities, where they are headed and what tools they will bring with them.

* Schools are listed in alphabetical order

Arkansas

Overview: After decommitting from the University of South Carolina, the Razorbacks pounced on talented outfield prospect Dillon LiFrieri, the 6th ranked player in New England. A premium athlete who stands 6-foot-1, LiFrieri is a true five tool talent, capable of leaving his imprint on the game in so many ways. With serious power, a 100 mph exit velocity off the tee, ability to control runners from the outfield with an arm clocked up to 91 mph, and 6.8 60 time, he checks every box as a prospect. In addition to being the MVP of Prep Baseball Report’s Future Games in 2016, he helped lead his high school team to a conference championship in 2017. A winner with truly jaw-dropping measurables, look for LiFrieri to make an immediate impact in Fayetteville, if he makes it to campus.

Army

Overview: Coach Foster is getting two physical right-handed hitters in Cam Cerruto and Benjamin DeLaubell. Cerruto ranked 137th, is more of power hitting catcher, shows to have good arm strength from behind the plate, pop times of 1.90-2.0. At the plate has lift and leverage to his swing, should compete for time as a freshman, has shown to be able to place some first base well. DeLaubell ranked 124th, is a prototypical third baseman, hands are soft, has good carry to his throws, gets off the blocks well has good actions and flow. At the plate, stance is slightly open, barrel stays in the zone, looks to spray it to all fields. Shows to have good plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone. Potential to pitch as well, a strike thrower, fastball is in the mid-80s. Mason St. Pierre, athletic and quick-arm right-hander out of Western Massachusetts. The stuff is there to pitch right away as he pitches in the mid-80s with a solid spin pitch. Good looking arm who should step in right away and pitch in relief.

Belmont Abbey

Overview: Joe Muzio, left-handed hitting corner infielder who has progresses nicely as the high school years have gone by. The swing is pure and he shows the ability to get the barrel to the ball. The glove is solid and the arm has plenty of strength to stick at third as he gets into college. The telltale sign will be his ability to handle at bats in game play.

Cincinnati

Overview: Nick Murray, 6-foot-6, 200-pound right-hander who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery as he hurt his arm overseas last early spring. The arm is legit and the leverage is plus. The fastball sits in the upper-80s with a feel for a plus slider. The athleticism is tremendous so his ability to make adjustments should be relevant. Should be a starter in college, more than likely a reliever as a freshman until he gets his feet wet.

Columbia

Overview: Danny Regan, Tyler MacGregor, Saajan May all jump on board with perennial power Columbia of the Ivy League. Regan is a left-hander out of St John’s Prep and did showcase at the Future Games. The frame is thin railed and the arm works out of a high-¾ slot. The fastball has been up to 87 mph this past fall. In addition he showed the makings of a plus breaking ball. MacGregor is a left-handed hitting corner infielder from St John’s Prep as well. The athleticism is good and the frame projects. How much the bat comes along will dictate his college career. May is a very interesting prospect, the frame is big and physical. The bat is long and loose, he shows the ability to maneuver the barrel. I like the projection and he can also toe the bump if need be.

Fairleigh Dickinson

Overview: Coach Puccio and top assistant McKay, have landed left-handed hitting Tyler Fote ranked 150th in New England, has above strength and pop from the left side, the top tool is hit bat.  The approach is to all fields, the swing has lift and loft to it, look for him to hit at the next level. Showed extremely well this summer and fall.  Defensively has solid actions with carry to his above average arm, projects more at the hot corner or second base. The knights are getting a big time sleeper in Fote, look for big things from him. Griffin Gilbert, big and thick right-hander who pitches for Bedford High School in New Hampshire is another FDU commit. The righty possesses a 3-pitch mix with the ability to hammer the strike zone. The fastball sits in the mid-80s with arm side run to it. The spin pitch and changeup are both in play. The staff at FDU has done a nice job as they are banging the bushes and getting guys that can help immediately.

LaSalle

Overview: First year head coach David Miller and the LaSalle University coaching staff have reason to be excited about 2018 commit Nico Salvaggio, the 28th ranked prospect in New England. A 6-foot-4, 215 pound right-handed pitcher, Salvaggio should find his way into the mix for innings early as a part of the Explorers program. Salvaggio already boasts an 82-84 mph fastball that is likely to bump up as he continues to fill out his frame. Working from a ¾ slot with quick twitch athleticism, Salvaggio works a four-pitch mix, including two distinct breaking balls and a changeup. With comfort throwing the slider and curveball, each of which flash as out pitches, and a changeup that should progress to the show-me level, Salvaggio should work his way into their starting rotation before long.

Maryland

Overview: Sean Burke and Trevor Labonte lead the way for New England signees into the Big Ten. Burke is a big right-handed pitcher, who pitches in the upper-80s with a plus breaking ball. The frame is big and he is a very good athlete. Labonte is the sleeper of the class, set up at Bridgton Academy with Aaron Izaryk, he is blossoming nicely. The 6-foot-5 righty pitches in the mid to upper-80s now with a wipeout slider. Should be a serious dude is handled appropriately in college.

Michigan

Overview: Steven Hajjar has made a tremendous jump in velocity and stuff since signing with the Wolverines. The fastball has jumped into the low to mid-90s and the secondary stuff has improved. The frame is long and big, projects to be a major dude on the pro level. If he ends up at Michigan, lookout!

Navy

Overview: Zach Stevens, very physical right-handed hitting first baseman out of Lexington. This young man is a worker and the bat has a chance to change the game. As he progresses into college, an approach and the power potential are two things that need to be harnessed. The raw ability is there and he should blossom in Annapolis.

Northwestern

Overview: Mike Doherty, big and long right-hander out of Middlesex in Massachusetts. Pitched in front of Northwestern last year at the Future Games. The arm is legit, the fastball sits mid to upper-80s and is never straight. The breaking pitch is slurvy and big, needs to be shortened but the feel is there. A starter as he advanced in age at Northwestern. I love the makeup on the kid and expect a solid college career from him.

Richmond

Overview: Brian Craven, athletic middle infielder who also pitches from a ¾ slot. The versatility will aid him in playing early for the Spiders. Look for him to find the field in any capacity that fits the team as a freshman.

Siena

Overview: Noah Rubino, ranked 62nd overall in New England, is set to join Head Coach Tony Rossi and Siena College as a right-handed pitcher in 2018. The projectable right-hander has already started making good on his promising 6-foot-4 frame, as the fastball has been clocked as high as 86 mph this past season. Throwing from a ¾ slot, Rubino has shown incremental improvement in commanding his three-pitch mix. His 67-68 mph breaking ball has a slurvy shape and should continue improving under collegiate coaching, while his 72-73 mph changeup projects to be a weapon in the coming years, showing the desired depth and spin. Look for Rubino to be a big part of Siena’s plans during his time in Loudonville.

St. John's

Overview: Geoff Mosseau is a high level left-hander out of Bedford, New Hampshire. The frame is 6-foot-5, 195-pound projectable arm should garner innings immediately for the Red Storm. Mosseau has progressed very well in the last couple years, refining his mechanics and improving his secondary pitches. The changeup is an above average pitch and the spin pitch is solid at this point of his development.

Stony Brook

Overview: Cole Durkan and Matthew Killian go from the New England region to Long Island to join the Seawolves. Durkan is a left-handed hitting catcher out of Wachusett who is one of my favorites. The release is quick and plenty, the ability to receive is solid. The swing is pure and with strength he should be a 5 or 6 hole guy. Killian is a legit athlete out of Lawrence Academy. The bat has plus life and the foot speed is relevant. The arm has plus strength to it so he could bounce to any spot in the outfield.

Tulane

Overview: Right-handed pitcher Spencer Oliver, the frame is large and wide, has strength throughout. The arm action is clean on the back side and works downhill from a higher slot. The fastball is in the upper-80s with a sprinkle of 90 in him. The breaking ball has more slurve break to it, it's hard with late break to it. Look for him to gain innings, command will have to improve to be a frontline starter at the next level, projects more as a bullpen arm at this point.

Vanderbilt

Overview: Dominic Keegan switched his commitment from Virginia Tech to Vandy sometime in the last 6 months. The frame and catchability is solid. Vandy has done well with New England kids and this guy is no exception. Look for him to progress well at Vanderbilt and we will see him on TV in the spring.

Villanova

Overview: Head Coach Kevin Mulvey and the rest of the Wildcats staff look forward to the arrival of New England’s 22nd ranked catcher Will Reiner in 2018. Hailing from Madison, CT, Reiner is a 5-foot-7, 170 pound catcher that Nova pitchers will love as a battery mate. His soft hands behind the dish and pop time range of 1.94-2.04 show that he has the defensive skillset to stick as a catcher at the college level. A lefty bat with a compact, line drive stroke, Reiner has a heady approach to the game. Also heading to Villanova is Dylan McNary, a versatile athlete who plays shortstop in high school. The arm has plenty of strength and the glove is solid. The bat has good life and strength to it. Dependent on how he handles at bats in game play should determine how early he plays in college. I do think he has a chance on the mound as a reliever. Quick arm and the fastball has serious life in the upper-80s. Definite guy to follow.

Virginia

Overview: Mike Vasil is a high level right-hander out of Boston College High School and headed to Virginia. The fastball sits in the low to mid-90s and the secondary stuff is above average. The frame is projectable and the pitchability is there. Plenty of pro attention coming at him, and he may need to make a decision however, the commitment to Virginia usually holds with high school arms. 6-foot-4, 195 pound outfielder Jimmy Sullivan will join Coach Brian O’Connor and the rest of the Cavaliers staff in 2018. The 24th ranked player in all of New England, Sullivan blends projection and present production with his L/L profile. An above average athlete, as evidenced by the 6.72 sixty-yard dash time, with plus bat-to-ball skills and developing power, Sullivan has a chance to be impactful from the jump. Having shown year-over-year improvement at the high school level, it is unlikely this changes under the tutelage of O’Connor and the rest of Virginia’s coaching staff.

Wake Forest

Overview: The Demon Deacons tapped into New England for the second year in a row and really out did themselves this year. Ryan Cusick, is a long and lean right-hander who pitches in the low-90s with the makings of a plus slider. Will certainly have to make a decision between pro ball and college. Shane Smith, another right-hander out of New England is a big and physical arm that pitches 91-93 with a breaking ball. An aggressive approach to pitching should aid his success in college. Grant Lavigne is a legit left-handed bat, power and ability to spread the ball around the field. Big time pro prospect that will have to chose as well. Brendan Tinsman is a big physical right-handed hitting catcher out of Maine. The tools are all there to be a high level guy, plenty of arm strength and the ability to power the bat. Brennan Oxford out of New Hampshire is a left-handed pitcher and right-handed hitting outfielder. Had a huge year on the mound, but it remains to be seen as to do what he will do in college.

West Virginia

Overview: Alec Burns, 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed hitting first baseman who can also toe the rubber. The Souhegan High School product has done the circuit of events across the country and earn himself a shot at Big 12 play. The bat has a ton of potential to it, swings and misses a bunch now but in time he should blossom into a solid RBI producer. On the mound, Burns is raw. The arm works well and pitches in the upper-80s with ease. Needs some higher level coaching to make him game ready. Theo McDowell, a 6-foot-5, 165 pound right-handed pitcher for Salisbury will move on to join West Virginia University in 2018. Ranked the 10th best prospect in all of New England, McDowell is likely to continue making velocity gains on top of his already impressive 87-91 mph fastball with arm side run. Look for his secondary offerings, which include a short slider and changeup, to continue developing with Coach Mazey & Co. McDowell is an exciting arm capable of accomplishing big things at the next level.