The World Wood Bat Championship in Jupiter has long been a proving ground for high school seniors to put their full talents on display in front of professional scouts in pursuit of professional dreams, and the forthcoming June draft. Scouts from different regions bounce around to see “their players” perform, and gather names to watch the following spring. However, Day three of the event, this year, was time for the class of 2019 (high school juniors) to give its introduction to the onlooking scouts. The day started and closed with some of the top arms in the class making themselves known, and giving those scouts trying to get a jump on next year an early look. 2019 RHP Jack Kochanowicz (Bala Cynwyd HS, PA), a Virginia recruit, delivered the day’s first pitch a firm, 91 mph. Standing tall on the mound at 6-foot-6, 210-pounds, Kochanowicz utilized his height well by getting on top of the ball and creating a downward plane. His fastball sat 87-91 as he pitched effectively to both sides of the plate while elevating, at times. The long-limbed Kochanowicz featured a smooth, steady delivery which he repeated with ease, and allowed him to strike out eight in six and change scoreless innings. His curveball took 11/5 shape at 74-77, and he showed the ability to throw it for strikes. However, it was Kochanowicz’s fastball that was the difference maker, and it was overpowering at times. Closing out the evening would be 2019 RHP JJ Goss (Cypress Ranch HS, TX), a Texas A&M recruit. The lean and athletic, 6-foot-2, 173-pound right-hander settled the game for the Indians Scout Team, and breathed life into a stagnant offense which put up three runs while Goss was in the game before a time curfew cut the game an inning short. Goss went two innings, and struck out three while utilizing a fastball that sat 88-91, and was countered with a cutter that he used as a changeup, and a slider that showed some depth as it swept across the plate, many times for strikes. Goss has a quick arm, and still looks like he will add a good amount of weight/muscle in the future. His ability to command a fastball to both sides helped him set up his slider late in counts.


Kochanowicz and Goss were just two of the standout 2019’s on the day. Below are more 2019 standouts as well as some 2018’s who had scouts scribbling down notes: