Damian
Mantzios

6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder and pitcher. He ran a 7.82 sixty at the event. The approach at third base is under control and the glove showed to be solid. The feet can continue to be smoothed out as he matures in age. He threw 75 mph across the diamond during the defensive portion of the workout. The bat has an exit velocity of 82 mph. The setup is even in base and the front foot steps into the swing. The path is long and strong to contact, showing a 1-handed finish after contact with the baseball. On the mound, the fastball sat 73-74 mph. The spin pitch was 56-58 mph and big in shape. The changeup is a developing pitch still for him. The delivery is online with the feet and the slot is above 3/4 in height. The lift is solid in tempo and he shows glove pull across the hitters face. The tracking of the front shoulder needs to be aligned longer as he comes offline to quickly. 

Exit Velocity- 82 mph

INF Velocity- 75 mph

Mantzios is a young, physical 5-foot-11, 205 pound prospect. The right-handed hitting corner infielder had an impressive exit velocity of 79 mph off the tee. He hits out of an athletic, square stance with quiet hands. He transfers the weight to the back leg and pushes the hands into a good launch position before starting the bat-head into the hitting zone. The hands guide the barrel through the hitting zone on a direct, flat path to and through the hitting zone.

Defensively, Mantzios showed a fundamental skill-set in the infield. The feet move well as he works to get into a balanced fielding position. He breaks down behind the ball and shows soft hands transitioning into the throwing position. He created a direct line with the target and showed a clean arm-swing that produced a velocity of 67 mph on his throws. He finishes through the ground ball, keeping the direct line with the target.

On the mound, Mantzios uses an uptempo delivery to get down the mound. He stays balanced and has consistent direction working down the mound. The arm works out of a high arm slot, creating some run on a fastball that sat 67-72 mph. The breaking pitch is a big sweeping pitch at 60-61 mph. He also showed a change-up with good action at 57-58 mph.

Mantzios has a very polished skill-set at this young age. The swing is balanced, quick and shows potential juice. He moves well in the infield and there is arm talent on the mound. He’s a guy we will be following in the years to come.

JUNIOR FUTURE GAMES

5-foot-9, 185-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder and pitcher. Ran a 9.47 sixty on the laser at the event. The glove is soft in the infield, prep steps needs to remain active during the fielding process. Threw 61 mph across the diamond. The bat has a tee exit velocity of 74 mph. The setup is wide in base, bottom half is under control throughout. The path is long to contact, 1-handed finish after contact. On the mound, the arm is clean, repeats his delivery. The slot is above 3/4 and clean. The glove has pull to it, tracking of the front shoulder needs to be aligned. 

Tee Exit Velocity- 74 mph

INF Velocity- 61 mph