Stars Baseball Scout Day: Position Player Scout Blog, Part 2
November 18, 2020
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Over the last weekend of October and the first weekend of November, Stars Showcase Baseball held a series of Scout Day workouts with the PBR VA/DC, PBR MD/DE, and PBR West Virginia staffs in attendance to record stats and video as well as scout the players. The weekends were broken down by age group, with 16U and 17U working out on October 31 and November 1, and 15U working outon November 7. Here is part two of our staff's notes on players who stood out at the 16U and 17U position player workout:
POsition Player scout Notes
(Listed Alphabetically)
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Josh Hand OF / SS / Independence, VA / 2022Hand put on a show all day long, showcasing excellent skills on both sides of the ball. Room to add strength to his 6’1”, 195 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched stance at the plate with hands pre-set. Smooth, rhythmic type back load with nice hand separation and quick, whippy type barrel action through the zone, registering an impressive 25.6 mph max hand speed via Blast Motion. Strong, controlled approach with a direct path to the ball and a slight uphill swing path. Keeps his hands inside the ball well with exident barrel awareness as he consistently peppered the middle of the field during his bp rounds. Present strength and power to the gaps and alleys, showcasing a 98 mph exit velocity per TrackMan and a strong 81.7 mph bat speed via Blast Motion. Also showcased elite speed and arm strength, registering a 6.75 60 yard time and 88 mph outfield velocity. Hand is a guy who can do a lot for a program and will make an immediate impact on the field.
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Cal Henderson C / RHP / Freedom , VA / 2022Strong showing from Henderson all day long. Two-way potential at the next level, hitting from a balanced, slightly crouched stance at the plate. Stays behind the ball well with some hand separation and a smooth, controlled back load. Hands are pre-set at the top of the zone and has a direct path to the ball with quick hands and bat speed through the zone, registering a 20.5 mph hand speed and 71.5 mph bat speed via Blast Motion. Peppered the middle of the field with consistent hard, loud contact. Really liked the approach, as Henderson keeps his hands inside the ball well, showing present gap to gap pop and a 94 mph exit velocity.
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Jayden Hill 2B / OF / Paul VI, VA / 2022Really like the projectability of Hill’s 6’1”, 170 pound frame. Tall, lanky, athletic body type with quick hands through the zone. Hits from a balanced, open stance at the plate with excellent hand separation and quick twitch actions. Smooth gap to gap line drive approach with a more level swing path. Uses the whole field effectively with present barrel awareness and consistent loud contact. Whippy type barrel action, showcasing a 21.1 mph hand speed and a 94 mph exit velocity. Top of the lineup type guy with a strong base hit type approach with some pop present to the gaps and alleys.
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Carlos Irizarry SS / 2B / Paul VI Catholic, VA / 2022Irizarry was an interesting follow all day long, showcasing an explosive swing and a strong arm across the diamond. Hits from a tall, upright stance at the plate with strong balance throughout the swing. Smooth back load, with quick, clean actions through the zone. Quiet approach with explosion out of his lower half with excellent barrel control. Impressed with how fluid and quick Irizarry could get to the inside pitch and turn on it with ease. Stays behind the ball well, showcasing present pull side pop and an 89 mph exit velocity per TrackMan.
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Ethan Jones OF / OF / Oakton , VA / 2022Jones is a 2022 to keep eyes on for years to come. Strong, athletic, projectable 5’11”, 170 pound frame with a physical makeup. Really like the smooth, controlled approach at the plate. Quiet load with a high leg kick and solid hand separation. A lot to like from the fluidity of the swing, utilizing quick hands through contact with a level swing path and an above average hand speed of 20.6 mph. Keeps his hands inside the ball well with really nice extension through the zone and past contact. Strong middle of the field approach with gap to gap strength and power, registering a 95 mph exit velocity.
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Connor Knox RHP / 1B / Colgan, VA / 2022Brute strength and power produced by Knox during his BP rounds. Athletic, physical 5’11”, 170 pound frame with room to add strength. Hands pre-set with a controlled, rhythmic type back load and loose hands at the plate. Some quick twitch and whippy barrel action through the zone with a really nice middle to pull side line drive approach. Showed present pop to the pull side gap with more projected as he adds muscle. Stays behind the ball really well with excellent balance throughout. Registered a 23.3 mph max hand speed and a 92 mph exit velocity. His two-way ability has a real chance to carry over at the next level.
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Connor Krahulec 3B / RHP / WT Woodson, VA / 2022Was very impressed with the strength and power shown from Krahulec during his BP rounds. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched stance with a smooth, rhythmic type toe-tap load. Hands are pre-set with solid separation and quick, whippy type barrel action through contact. Attacks the ball with authority, utilizing strong hip explosion and lower half involvement with really nice extension past contact. Quick hands through the zone showing off a solid 21.2 mph hand speed via Blast Motion and a 91 mph exit velocity via TrackMan. Present strength and power to the pull side gap with a solid middle of the field line drive approach. Room to add even more strength to his already powerful 5’9”, 195 pound frame.
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Jaden Kritsky OF / OF / James Madison, VA / 2022Really liked the quiet, controlled approach from Kritsky. Strong, athletic 5’10”, 180 pound frame with room to grow. Hits from a balanced, square, crouched stance at the plate with hands pre-set. Slight hand separation with quick twitch actions and a shorter, quick stride. Showed a really nice middle of the field line drive approach with present strength and power to the gaps and alleys. Ball explodes off the bat, utilizing quick hands through the zone with a 24.5 mph hand speed via Blast Motion. Consistent loud contact with present barrel awareness and a 94 mph exit velocity via TrackMan. Intrigued to see Kritsky continue to get bigger and stronger, as his solid line drive approach will transfer to the next level with ease.
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Sam Marco 1B / OF / Westfield, VA / 2022Marco impressed with his overwhelming strength and power. Possesses a big, physical 6’4”, 215 pound frame with strong, quick barrel action through the zone. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched stance with a rhythmic back load and really nice hand separation. Quiet body, exploding through the ball with consistent loud contact. Great extension through and past contact, syncing into his hips nicely and strong lower half involvement. Quick hands through the zone, showing off a 22.2 mph max hand speed and 72 mph max bat speed via Blast Motion. Showcases present gap to gap power with a 98 mph exit velocity via TrackMan. Marco is a middle of the order type bat who will continue to put up power numbers at the next level.
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Christopher McCullers 1B / RHP / Woodgrove, VA / 2023West Virginia University commit Christopher McCullers showcased why he is one of the top players at his position in his class in the state. Impressed both on the bump and at the plate, hitting from a tall, balanced stance with quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Registered a 22.2 mph max hand speed and an 85.5 mph max bat speed via Blast Motion. Strong, physical 6’3”, 245 pound frame, creating excellent extension through contact with present pop to the pull side. Keeps his hands inside the ball really well, showcasing solid barrel control and a really nice middle to pull side line drive approach. The ball jumps off the bat, registering an impressive 102 mph exit velocity per TrackMan.
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Jason Mendler OF / LHP / Flint Hill, VA / 2022The High Point University commit had one of the more impressive BP sessions of the day as he consistently peppered the middle of the field with a smooth, fluid stroke. Strong, projectable 5’10”, 180 pound frame with present strength and power to the whole field. Quiet, balanced approach with really nice hand separation and a slightly uphill swing path. Ball explodes off the bat with solid extension through the zone and past contact. Excellent hip explosion with strong lower half involvement, registering a 92 mph exit velocity, 21.7 mph hand speed and 69.1 mph max bat speed. Also showed impressive arm strength from the outfield with an 87 mph outfield velocity. Hard nosed type player with excellent projectability at the next level.
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Victor Nardone SS / RHP / Osbourn Park , VA / 2023Nardone stood out as one of the more impressive 2023 players, showcasing a smooth middle of the field approach with some gap to gap pop. Hits from a balanced, upright stance at the plate with a rhythmic type back load into quick barrel action through contact. Really liked the extension Nardone produced past contact, staying through the ball well with a direct path to contact. Kept his hands inside the ball well with some barrel awareness and a really nice line drive approach. Room to add strength to his 5’9”, 160 pound frame.
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Joshua Ossiander SS / RHP / Allentown Central Catholic, PA / 2023Really like Ossiander’s athleticism and projectable 6’0”, 170 pound frame. Strong, controlled set up at the plate with a smooth back load and solid hand separation. Slightly uphill swing path with quick hands through the zone and really nice extension through and past contact. Gets upright through the swing, producing natural lift and a strong, powerful gap to gap approach. Registered a 93 mph exit velocity per TrackMan, showcasing present and projectable pop to the gaps and alleys.
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Dominic Pancione RHP / OF / Culpeper, VA / 2021The Shenandoah University commit impressed on both sides of the ball, showcasing solid two-way potential at the next level. Strong, lanky frame with a nice gap to gap line drive approach. Hits from a balanced, upright position with hands pre-set at the top of the zone. Some hand separation with quick, whippy type barrel action through contact, registering a 23.7 mph hand speed via TrackMan. Present strength and power to the gaps and alleys with a 91 mph exit velocity via TrackMan. Stays behind the ball well with excellent balance through contact.
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Jack Pokorak 1B / 3B / Forest Park, VA / 2022Pokorak impressed with his evident strength and power during his BP rounds. He flashed his strong, athletic, 6’2”, 205 pound frame with fluid actions with the bat. Really liked his short, compact swing at the dish, keeping his hands inside the ball well with quick hands through contact. Showcased fast bat speed, registering a max of 70.3 mph via Blast Motion. Hits with a smooth, rhythmic back load with really nice hand separation and strong lower half involvement. Pop was evident to the pull side, flashing a max exit velocity of 96 mph via TrackMan with consistent loud contact. Barrel control was evident, as his middle to pull side approach will transfer well to the next level.
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Brendan Ruckle C / SS / Courtland, VA / 2023Ruckle is an interesting follow in the coming years. Athletic 5’7”, 150 pound frame with room to add strength. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched stance with a smooth, rhythmic type back load. Some quick twitch actions with solid hand separation and evident barrel awareness. Peppered the middle of the field during BP, showcasing a strong gap to gap line drive approach. Stays through the ball really well with solid extension through and past contact. 90 mph exit velocity via TrackMan.
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Charles Slaymaker SS / 3B / Fairfax , VA / 2022Really liked the controlled aggression from Slaymaker during his BP rounds. Hits from a balanced, crouched stance at the plate with repeatability in his actions. Big leg kick into a smooth back load with excellent hand separation and some quick twitch. Hits with repeatable rhythm and stays behind the ball really well with quick hip explosion through contact. Slightly uphill swing path, showcasing barrel control and a consistent middle to pull side line drive approach. Strong lower half involvement, showcasing present strength and power to the pull side with a 96 mph exit velocity via TrackMan. Hand speed also stood out, registering a 24 mph max hand speed through the zone via Blast Motion.
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Joey Swekosky RHP / OF / Battlefield , VA / 2023Swekosky had an all around impressive day, both from the bump and at the plate. A 2023 to keep eyes on, Swekosky hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with a smaller leg kick and quick twitch actions. Rhythmic back load with loose, quick hands through the zone, registering a 22.2 mph max hand speed via Blast Motion. Peppered the middle of the field during his BP rounds, showcasing a level swing path and a really nice gap to gap line drive approach. Stays behind the ball well with barrel control. Room to add strength to his already strong, athletic frame.
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Quincy Via OF / Lake Braddock, VA / 2022Via really impressed with his mix of speed, athleticism and power. Possesses a strong, athletic, projectable 6’2”, 185 pound frame with lightning quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Registered a 26.8 mph hand speed and a 72.1 mph bat speed via TrackMan. Hits from a balanced, crouched stance at the dish with a rhythmic type back load and really nice extension through and past contact. Strong lower half involvement, showcasing solid barrel control and a smooth middle of the field gap to gap approach. Power is present, with more projected as his body continues to fill out.
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