Top Performer Spotlight: 2023 C Jackson Cook (Horseheads HS)

March 4, 2019
Dan Cevette
President, New York

Over 600 players attended our Preseason All-State events spanning from Feb. 15 - Feb. 24. 100's of players caught the eyes of our professional scouting staff, all with dreams of playing baseball at the next-level. Over the course of the next few months I will be highlighting "Top Performer Spotlights" on players who really stood-out at the Preseason Events. Let's get started.

top performer spotlight

CEVETTE'S QUICK HIT: Cook had an outstanding performance at the Feb. 15 event in Vestal, NY. The body is starting to develop already showing long lean levers and a frame able to hold weight. At the plate he swings it from the left-side with confidence, showing a smooth load and a quick compact barrel path. What impressed me the most was watching his catching evaluation. Catch and throw, he's the best 2023 we have seen, displaying super fast footwork and a quick clean release on this throws. The ceiling is extremely lofty for the 2023 prospect, especially when he starts to physically develop.

2/15/19

Athletic 5-foot-9, 130 pounds C/OF. Offensively- the left-handed hitter stands in with a wide balance stance. Quick hands, bat path is flat through the zone, slight upward lift at the point of contact and a balanced follow through. Displayed gap to gap pop in the hitting portion with a 79 MPH exit velocity. Defensively- as an OF, active and aggressive footwork towards the ball. Gathers behind the ball and follows the throw through the target. Throws have carry at 72 MPH. As a C, presents a big target for the pitcher, quick footwork and release off the transfer on the throws. Has a live accurate arm with a pop time of 2.06-2.13. The 8th grader projects more as a C in the future. With some added strength and development, the 2023 C has the tools to be a good catcher at the next level.

June 2018

Lean and athletic. Behind the plate receives ball well with quick mechanics to get down into blocking position. Quick transfer on throws to 2nd, will get faster with more strength development. Handles pitchers well and is athletic on his feet. Offensively a lefty hitter, sets up in athletic stance with quick hands through hitting zone. Upward barrel lift through the zone with potential gap to gap power in the future. Projectable offensive catcher in the future.

Rising Stars (February 11, 2018)

5-foot-6 110 pound lefthand hitting catcher that ran a 8.05 60 and 4.72 home-to-1B. Offensively- Slightly open setup with a slight barrel tip towards the mound during the load. Posts up over back side with easy stride back to even. When the lower half is aggressive, swing path shortens. Repeats efforts; exit velocity was 71 MPH. Defensively- Behind the plate Cook sets up in a balanced secondary position; gains ground during pop step with clean transfer. High slot; throws carry some arc at 62 MPH. Until arm strength develops, using a crisp one-hop throw will cut his pop times down from 2.42-2.51 range. Overall, solid foundation to build from.

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