Top Performer Spotlight: 2021 OF Itai Spinoza (Fayetteville Manlius)

CEVETTE'S QUICK HIT: First time getting to see Spinoza workout as a position player, and he did not disappoint. Operates in the OF with confidence and a high motor, very aggressive attacking the ball and his arm-strength is really impressive, and there's more velocity in the tank. The bat plays for me. It's loose and repeatable, some natural lift in the path, hard consistent contact from a barrel producing above average speeds. If he wants to play OF at the next-level, I don't see any reason why he won't. He pitched as well for us, and although he was slipping some on the indoor mound, I left excited to see him again. The arm works, there's effort but there's also late heavy action to his pitches. Fun player to watch develop from CNY. 

2/15/19
Stands 5-foot-7, 175-pounds from a strong, thick lower half. At the plate, he's slightly open on his setup, loose hands, strides back to even on the pitch, hands explode to the ball on a short path, barrel is fluid and slightly uphill with above average bat-speed (88). Defensively, he's very active to the ball, keeps lower half moving through his target, throws from a high 3/4 slot with no restrictions, carry on the ball, above average arm-strength (87). Pitching, works with a quick tempo, high leg lift, drives off his back leg down the powerline, uses a three pitch mix, fastball peaked 82 mph with clear signs of more in the tank, curveball was 69-71 with 1/7 shape, changeup was 76-77 on one plane. 2021 to keep eyes on. 

June 2018

Well built athletic frame with broad shoulders, stands 5-foot-6. From the windup, gets full extension to the plate with tilt. Has a high leg kick towards first base, uses lower half well. FB sat 78-81 topping out at 82 MPH. Fastball have above average movement away from RHH. CB was 64-68 MPH with tight sweeping movement that breaks late in the zone. Had a good day at the plate reaching base 3 times with 2 walks and a double in the RC gap.