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Quick Hits: RCGC Scout Day

September 30, 2021
Vitaly Jangols
Advanced Scout, PBR New Jersey

The RCGC Roadrunners are consistently one of the top JUCO programs in the nation that attract top talent year in and year out. We headed out to their recent scout day to see some of the talent that will be out on the field in 2022 for the Roadrunners. 

 

QUICK HITS 

 

Hitters

+ JUCO sophomore C John Cristino had a season to remember in 2021, where he was one of three first team All-Americans that RCGC produced. He did it all last season, slashing an incredible .390/.508/.801. Got a good look at him during scout day where he began his day with two loud rounds of BP. Looked as if he was warming up in his first round, spraying low line drives to all fields. He then came back for his second round and put on a show. Blasted six of his eight pitches over the fence, and they weren't wall scrapers. What may be more impressive for a college bat was his ability to display raw power to all fields as he mixed in a couple moonshots over the RCF fence. Showed well behind the dish as well, with pop times routinely at and under two seconds. Strong arm, carry on his throws. 

+ Another guy who was a highlight of the event was sophomore OF Eric Sabato. Intriguing look during BP where he was able to create some uncanny power from his 6-foot, 180-pounds frame. Starts relaxed in his stance with a small stride. Strong thru impact. Aggressive lower half, hips clear through the zone. Overall just had a real fluid approach at the dish. Had his coming out party during live at bats. In his first at bat, Sabato smoked a double into the LF corner. He followed this immediately with a line drive single. Stepped back up to the plate in the later innings and unleashed on a ball that landed well over the LCF wall. Should be a high follow. 

+ First INF we look at is sophomore Jimmy Bruno. Compact build at 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. High energy athlete who figures to be a guy who stays at the top of the order. Starts at the plate in a wider setup, maintaining his balance throughout. Hands stay locked in position with his back elbow parallel to the ground. Easy line drive pop, is able to hit to all fields. Smooth weight transfer, stays in control at the dish. Smooth actions defensively as well, showing some range with an accurate arm. 

+ INF Felix Diaz was another player at this event who shined both during BP and gameplay. Strong, physical build at 5-foot-10, 210-pounds. Crouched stance. Early load and leg kick, stays on time. Created some easy gap-to-gap power from his strong lower half, along with glimpses of true power potential. Those glimpses came to fruition during live AB's. As the scrimmage was winding down Diaz stepped up for his final at bat of the game. He made the most of it, taking a middle-away FB and depositing it well over the RCF wall. Real impressive backside pop.

+ Last guy we will highlight offensively is sophomore Chris Biolsi. Ironically, he was the first round of the day and was able to set the tone. Strong and broad-shouldered frame at 6-foot-3, 225-pounds. Wide setup at the plate with a small stride. Simple approach overall, with minimal movements in his load. Hands stay inside the ball. Maintains feel for the barrel, showing off some easy gap-to-gap pop. Firm contact throughout his round. 

Pitchers

+ On the pitching end the main attraction was sophomore Angel Cespedes. Tall and lanky at 6-foot-5, 210-pounds. Comes at you from a high 3/4 arm slot. Creates some big uphill shoulder tilt. Strong brace leg. Displayed an electric FB that sat 92-93 MPH while touching 94 MPH. Was missing up in the zone to start his outing but was consistently getting swings and misses up there. FB showed some extra life when Cespedes got on top of the baseball and was able to locate down. It was hard to gauge a pitcher's true repertoire in 3-4 hitters but I was able to see Cespedes rip off a couple breakers. His CB's were 78-79 MPH and had sharper downer action when in the zone. Projectable arm who has even more in the tank. 

+ An arm that really impressed me was LHP Devin Sweeney. Not a guy who will blow it by you but is crafty and creates a bunch of swings and misses. Creates some deception in his delivery with a late hand break. Maintains his pace down the mound. Rhythm and tempo throughout. FB had some serious cut-action and sat 85-87 MPH. Righties had a tough time getting to the inside FB, as Sweeney was able to keep jamming them. Had good feel for a CB that worked in the upper 60's with 1/6 shape. Quality arm who will consistently get outs. 

+ Another southpaw who showed well was sophomore Joe Marino. He was the first arm of the day and went right at guys. Strong, compact build at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Worked quickly with good tempo. Strong lower half, drove well off his back leg. Had a shorter arm swing in his AA. Good command of his FB, which sat in the mid 80's. Breaking ball showed as a plus pitch at times, with good late horizontal break. 

+ A big, durable arm for the Roadrunners will be RHP Billy Hoffacker. Physical and broad shouldered at 6-foot-6, 220-pounds. Showed poise and experience, mixing his FB/CB combo effectively. Long, clean arm action. Both halves work in sync. Keeps his stride direction in line. FB had some life to it in the mid 80's, touching 88 MPH on occasion. CB had some slurvy shape with sharp horizontal tilt in the bottom of the zone. Got some awkward takes on the breaker. 

+ We conclude this look at RCGC baseball with a freshman who has a high ceiling and true potential to continue to develop into a high level prospect. That is LHP Krystian Henry. Henry has clear projectability at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Starts his motion coiled into his back hip and is able to explode off it down the mound. Arm action is free and loose, there is definitely more in the tank there. FB showed some run at 86-88 MPH and was dominant when located down. One of the only guys to showcase three pitches during their short stints. Had feel for a CH with sink in the mid 70's along with a bigger CB in the upper 60's. Should be a high follow prospect. 

 

Quick HIts