New England 2024s

Gabriel Tirado C / 3B / The Loomis Chaffee , CT / 2024

Tirado recently pledged a commitment to Connecticut, and is the first to do so in what is already looking like a talented crop of players coming out of New England. Durably built at 5-foot-9, 195-pounds with compact strength throughout a frame that shows some signs of maturing slightly more in the future, Tirado carries a heavy barrel that he whips through the zone from the left side. Athletic in the box with the ability to get on-plane early while showcasing elite bat and hand speed, the power potential is evident with some present ability to drive the ball to the pull side including exit velocities as high as 103 mph. Tirado gains ground via a bigger leg kick that loads the hands into a power position before the barrel is whipped through the zone on a flat plane that exhibits some lag. He remains well-connected and athletic throughout the pursuit, and his ability to backspin the ball and get it in the air stands out at a young age. Tirado’s rotational acceleration (24.61 avg.) is eye opening, and clearly visible when watching his aggressive lower-half create torque that allows the barrel to be driven quickly through the zone while producing loud contact. Behind the dish, the arm plays with some carry at 77 mph that helps to produce pop times below 2.0, and he showcases solid ability to block. There is some upside to his defensive ability, especially as he continues receiving high-end arms, but the bat should always keep him in the lineup, especially as a left-handed hitter.