CLASS OF 2023
C
OF
AJ
Malzone
Wabash Valley JC
St. Rita (HS) • IL
5' 11" • 190LBS
L/R • 19yr 4mo
Travel Team: Top Tier American
St. Rita (HS) • IL
5' 11" • 190LBS
L/R • 19yr 4mo
Travel Team: Top Tier American
Rankings
2023 National
Rankings available to Premium Subscriber
2023 State
Rankings available to Premium Subscriber
Commitment
Best Of Stats
21.9
Hand Speed (max)
6/13/21
77.9
Bat Speed (max)
8/09/22
16.5
Rot. Acc (max)
3/27/21
70
Hard Hit %
2/26/22
96.5
Exit Velocity (max)
3/27/21
90.3
Exit Velocity (avg)
8/09/22
354
Distance (max)
3/27/21
89
Sweet Spot %
8/09/22
7.07
60
2/26/22
-
30-yd
-
10-yd
-
Run speed (max)
-
INF Velo
-
OF Velo
80
C Velo
2/26/22
1.94 - 2.09
Pop Time
2/26/22
Positional Tools
2022
2021
60 Yard Dash
The athlete's fastest 60-yard dash time in the given event year. Measured in seconds (s)
7.07
Pop Time
The athlete's fastest pop time in the given event year. Measured from glove to glove, in seconds (s).
1.94 - 2.09
Catcher Velocity
The athlete's maximum throwing velocity from the catcher position in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
80.0
Power / Speed Score
A simple calculation that divides the athlete’s Exit Velocity Max by the athlete’s 60 Yard Dash time for the given event year. For example, 98 MPH / 7.00s = 14.00.
13.6
60 Yard Dash
The athlete's fastest 60-yard dash time in the given event year. Measured in seconds (s)
7.24
Pop Time
The athlete's fastest pop time in the given event year. Measured from glove to glove, in seconds (s).
2.05 - 2.21
Catcher Velocity
The athlete's maximum throwing velocity from the catcher position in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
78.0
Power / Speed Score
A simple calculation that divides the athlete’s Exit Velocity Max by the athlete’s 60 Yard Dash time for the given event year. For example, 98 MPH / 7.00s = 14.00.
13.3
Hitting
2022
2021
Exit Velocity Max
The highest exit velocity of any batted ball in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
96.0
Exit Velocity Avg
Average exit velocity of all batted balls in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
89.8
Distance Max
The highest flight distance of any batted ball in the given event year. Measured in feet (ft).
348
Distance Avg
Average flight distance of all batted balls in the given event year. Measured in feet (ft).
257
Launch Angle Avg
Average launch angle of all batted balls in the given event year. Measured in degrees.
20.8
Hard Hit %
Percentage of batted balls with exit velocities over 95 MPH in the given event year.
Sweet Spot %
Percentage of batted balls in the given event year with a launch angle between 8° and 32°.
Line Drive %
Percentage of batted balls with launch angles between 10 and 25 degrees in the given event year.
Fly Ball %
Percentage of batted balls with launch angles between 25 and 50 degrees in the given event year.
Ground Ball %
Percentage of batted balls with launch angles below 10 degrees in the given event year.
Exit Velocity Max
The highest exit velocity of any batted ball in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
96.5
Exit Velocity Avg
Average exit velocity of all batted balls in the given event year. Measured in miles per hour (MPH).
84.6
Distance Max
The highest flight distance of any batted ball in the given event year. Measured in feet (ft).
354
Distance Avg
Average flight distance of all batted balls in the given event year. Measured in feet (ft).
250
Launch Angle Avg
Average launch angle of all batted balls in the given event year. Measured in degrees.
23.9
Hard Hit %
Percentage of batted balls with exit velocities over 95 MPH in the given event year.
Sweet Spot %
Percentage of batted balls in the given event year with a launch angle between 8° and 32°.
Line Drive %
Percentage of batted balls with launch angles between 10 and 25 degrees in the given event year.
Fly Ball %
Percentage of batted balls with launch angles between 25 and 50 degrees in the given event year.
Ground Ball %
Percentage of batted balls with launch angles below 10 degrees in the given event year.
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 9, 2022
Trackman - Hitting
96.0
Exit Velocity (max)
90.3
Exit Velocity (avg)
276
Distance (avg)
344
Distance (max)
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Preseason All-State: Upperclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Trackman - Hitting
95.2
Exit Velocity (max)
89.4
Exit Velocity (avg)
240
Distance (avg)
348
Distance (max)
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Top Tier Scout Day
Jun 13, 2021
Trackman - Hitting
92.1
Exit Velocity (max)
82.2
Exit Velocity (avg)
220
Distance (avg)
336
Distance (max)
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Underclass Invitational (Invite Only)
Mar 27, 2021
Trackman - Hitting
96.5
Exit Velocity (max)
86.8
Exit Velocity (avg)
278
Distance (avg)
354
Distance (max)
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Hitting
2022
2021
Hand Speed Max
The highest Peak Hand Speed of any swing in the given event year.
21.8
Hand Speed Avg
The average Peak Hand Speed for all swings in the given event year.
20.4
Bat Speed Max
The highest Bat Speed of any swing in the given event year.
77.9
Bat Speed Avg
The average Bat Speed for all swings in the given event year.
73.6
Rotational Acceleration Max
The highest Rotational Acceleration of any swing in the given event year.
Rotational Acceleration Avg
The average Rotational Acceleration for all swings in the given event year.
On-Plane Efficiency Max
The highest On-Plane Efficiency of any swing in the given event year.
On-Plane Efficiency Avg
The average On-Plane Efficiency for all swings in the given event year.
Hand Speed Max
The highest Peak Hand Speed of any swing in the given event year.
21.9
Hand Speed Avg
The average Peak Hand Speed for all swings in the given event year.
20.4
Bat Speed Max
The highest Bat Speed of any swing in the given event year.
75.2
Bat Speed Avg
The average Bat Speed for all swings in the given event year.
70.0
Rotational Acceleration Max
The highest Rotational Acceleration of any swing in the given event year.
Rotational Acceleration Avg
The average Rotational Acceleration for all swings in the given event year.
On-Plane Efficiency Max
The highest On-Plane Efficiency of any swing in the given event year.
On-Plane Efficiency Avg
The average On-Plane Efficiency for all swings in the given event year.
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 9, 2022
Blast - Hitting
21.2
Hand Speed (max)
19.9
Hand Speed (avg)
77.9
Bat Speed (max)
73.4
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Preseason All-State: Upperclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Blast - Hitting
21.8
Hand Speed (max)
21.0
Hand Speed (avg)
75.6
Bat Speed (max)
73.8
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Top Tier Scout Day
Jun 13, 2021
Blast - Hitting
21.9
Hand Speed (max)
20.4
Hand Speed (avg)
71.2
Bat Speed (max)
67.6
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Underclass Invitational (Invite Only)
Mar 27, 2021
Blast - Hitting
21.8
Hand Speed (max)
20.5
Hand Speed (avg)
75.2
Bat Speed (max)
73.6
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Pitching
Pitch Scores
Pitching Velos
Game Performance
Visual Edge
2022
2021
Edge Score
The highest Edge Score within the given year. Edge Score is a comprehensive score that takes the core-six visual skills into account, providing an assessment of an athlete’s overall visual ability.
79.38
Edge Score
The highest Edge Score within the given year. Edge Score is a comprehensive score that takes the core-six visual skills into account, providing an assessment of an athlete’s overall visual ability.
70.34
Pitch Ai
Notes
News
- Illinois State Games: 2023 Position Player Analysis - Oct 31, 2022
- Illinois Class of 2023 Rankings Updated - Sep 7, 2022
- Illinois State Games: Takeaways - Aug 15, 2022
- Preseason All-State Upperclass: Top Overall - Jul 7, 2022
- Preseason All-State Upperclass: Catcher Analysis - Jul 7, 2022
- Midwest Premier Super 17 (Member): Uncommitted Follows - Jul 5, 2022
- Midwest Premier Super 17 (Member): Preview Story - Jun 22, 2022
- Class of 2023 Rankings: Uncommitted Position Players - Apr 28, 2022
- Preseason All-State: Upperclass Blast Motion Board - Mar 7, 2022
- Preseason All-State: Upperclass Statistical Analysis - Mar 4, 2022
- Preseason All-State: Upperclass Quick Hits - Mar 3, 2022
- Best of 2021: Max Exit Velocity Leaders - Jan 11, 2022
- Illinois Class of 2023 Rankings: Risers - Sep 8, 2021
Comments
Draft Reports
Contact
Premium Content Area
To unlock contact information, you need to purchase a ScoutPLUS subscription.
Purchase Subscription OR
Login
One of the top uncommitted 2023s in attendance was C AJ Malzone (St. Rita) who continues to ascend up our board everytime we see him. Long known for his prowess with his bat, the left-handed hitting catcher has made big strides behind the plate, especially with his arm. There were a number of times where Malzone came out of the chute and showed off a well above-average arm that played accurate and with life. His bat continued to look like one of the better still on the market, playing with extreme ease and comfort in the box. Malzone is never in a rush, rarely chases and when he gets the pitch he is looking for, rarely misses. Malzone provided one of the hardest hit balls of the event, a no-doubt home run to deep right-field on the first evening.
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Strong frame, thick lower half.
Hits: LHH. Relaxed, open, quiet setup, fluid load and stride. Easy, smooth swing, stays on-plane, natural loft and works hard contact to the pull-side gap. Took a number of good at-bats over the course of the event, rarely expanding the zone and making loud, powerful contact. Final Line: 2-for-7, HR, 3 RBI, R, BB.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 90.3 MPH. 344' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-79 mph. Short to the ear into a high 3/4 slot, throws play with accuracy and life. Arm has gotten noticeably stronger since the last look. Was willing and able to show it off in-game, making a number of strong, accurate throws; potential weapon moving forward.
Defense: 2.01-2.09 pop times. Steady hands, clean transfer, feet work in-line to the bag, directional footwork while gaining ground.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60.
Vizual Edge: 79.38 Edge Score
Athletic 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame with strength in the lower half. A top left-handed hitting backstop in Illinois that performed throughout the weekend for Top Tier Americans. Maintains a short, direct path to contact with gap-to-gap feel and occasional juice off the barrel. Owns high bat-to-ball skills and athletic hands to pair. Improved receiver behind the plate with arm strength. Advanced runner for the position, too.
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Compact frame with strength.
Hit: LHH. Open, balanced setup. Fluid rhythm and stride. Loose and easy. Strong hands. Quiet in the box. Consistently on the barrel. Hard, elevated contact throughout round.
Power: 95.2 max exit velocity, averaged 89.4 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.09 pop times. Quick feet, clean exchange.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.
AJ Malzone (St. Rita) continues to show a highly advanced left-handed swing to go along with an improved defensive skill set. Malzone hit with authority every time we saw him in 2021 and it looks like it is set to continue in 2022. It's a simple, fluid swing that stays on-plane with natural loft and he flashed pull-side power throughout his round of BP. He registered a peak exit velocity of 95.2 mph and reached a max batted distance of 347 feet. Malzone’s catcher velocity is now topping at 80 mph which helped produce a low pop time of 1.94 at the showcase, which was down from a 2.05 low in 2021. If Malzone can prove he is a lockdown defensive catcher in 2022, his stock will continue to rise sharply. The bat, however, should play no matter where he slots defensively.
Malzone’s pure ability to hit is certainly advanced for someone his age, as the left-handed backstop routinely finds ways to spray the ball across the yard. He’s improved defensively as well, captaining the Top Tier pitching staff for a large majority of the PBR at The Rock Fall Championships and calling a quality game, too.
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, leg kick, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Creates bat speed with an average of 73.6 MPH, whippy swing, path works uphill, consistent hard contact.
Power: 96.54 max exit velocity, averaged 86.76 mph. 353’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.05-2.20 pop times. Steady receiving actions, can work from multiple stances, clean exchanges, quick feet.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60.