Donatello
Badalamenti

Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 6-0, 210-pounds. Sturdy build, present strength.
Delivery: Controlled tempo, short and simple leg-lift, works in-line, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Long out of the glove into a 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 83-83 mph. Sinks to the arm-side with some depth.  T1956, 1797 average rpm.
CB: 71-73 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape, slurvy at times with feel for the zone.  T2021, 1977 average rpm.
SL: 72-72 mph. Short quick breaker with 11/5 shape and break, can land in zone for strikes.  T2024, 1905 average rpm.
CH: 74-78 mph. Thrown with intent, plays with sink.  T1722, 1367 average rpm.

Badalamenti is a rare 2-way prospect as a C/RHP who makes his debut in this update of the rankings. Currently stands at a sturdy 6-foot 205 pounds frame with present strength throughout. On the mound he has a clean arm action and features a cutting fastball that tops out at 81 mph. He also offers two offspeed pitches, a slider that plays with lateral action, and a fading changeup. Offensively, he swings a fast bat with a max bat speed of 76.1 mph which he uses to effectively drive the baseball to all fields. Defensively from behind the dish, Badalamenti possesses a strong arm which has been up to 78 mph out of the crouch to help throw out potential base stealers creating a lows of 2.08 pop-times.

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds. Wide shoulders with a thick lower-half.
Delivery: Side step rocker from first base side into tall and fall delivery, well balanced and directional down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Clean high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 80.1-81.0 mph. Cut fastball. T2067, 2041 average rpm.
SL: 67.7-70.5 mph. Plays with side spin, gets lateral action. T1987, 1920 average rpm.
CH: 74.3-76.1 mph. Gets sink action with slight fade. T1181, 1126 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Narrow with his hands set high and arms spaced. Toe tap rhythm.  Flat path, connected rotation. Works from above. All fields.
Power: 94.1 max exit velocity, averaged 86.8 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph.
Defense: Flips glove into fielding position, under center, late presentation at times, hands cushion the baseball, corner infield type.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds. Thick, strong throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, toe tap from narrow to square with aggressive forward advance.  Short entry with tight hands path. Strong grip on the handle in the palms choking. Short barrel path from above with some pop and throwing his weight into impact.
Power: 93.7 max exit velocity, averaged 86.8 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Average arm action.
Defense: 2.08-2.14 pop times. Average actions behind the dish.
Run: 8.05 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Compact/repeatable delivery, slight drop-and-drive lower-half with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Loose/clean arm circle with a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78.3, 76.6-77.9 mph. Generally straight with the ability to fill up the zone.  T1991, 1878 average rpm.
CB: 68.6-69.4 mph. Short 11/5 action, thrown with fastball intent and for strikes.  T2123, 1975 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly open, toe-taps into a short stride.  Loose arms with an uphill path through the zone, pull-side approach with some bat-strength.
Power: 90.1 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short high 3/4 arm action.
Defense: Plays through the ball with steady hands, clean transfer out of the glove.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60. 

Badalmenti showed off his two-way potential in ISA Stars Royal 15U’s win over CBT Wolfpack Black at our PBR Badger State Battle. On the mound Badalamenti controlled the zone throughout his start, landing over 65% of his pitches for strikes. Fastball sat 81-82 mph early on before settling into a 78-80 mph range. He mixed in a lethal breaking ball at 70-73 mph with depth that caused a handful of sword swings. Finished with 11 K’s in 6.2 IP. Also a physical right handed hitter, batting third for a talented ISA club. At the dish he finished 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored. 

Badalamenti has shown previously as both a follow right-handed hitter and catcher, though his upside may be best on the mound. On Sunday, Badalamenti sat 80-82 mph with both a two- and four-seam fastball, and his four-seamer projects particularly well, as it features true backspin and a heavy profile that he spotted well at the bottom of the zone. His slider feel is raw, but there’s a lot to work with, as he throws it aggressively, 75-77 mph, and it spins at an average of 2,250 rpm with short action that improved throughout his ‘pen. The changeup projects well, too, as he mimics his typical arm speed well, giving the pitch deception.

Positional Profile: C/INF
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat starts over center of body, subtle hand load, quick toe-tap trigger.  Quick hands, short bat path with some uphill leverage, attacks the baseball with intent.
Power: 91.56 max exit velocity, averaged 77.41 mph. 253’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. C - 74 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short and loose arm with above-average arm speed for age, high 3/4 release.
Defense: Worked out as a catcher and infielder at this event. Narrow base from the crouch, upright posture at gather, soft hands, quick and clean to release. Patient to the baseball on the infield, steady two-hand gather, some length to release on the move.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Strong, sturdy build.
Hit: RH. Balanced setup, hands set low and away from body. Simple load back, reverse toe-tap stride, balanced throughout. Easy swings with above-average barrel feel, generates above-average bat speed. Natural strength in lofted contact.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Projectable power potential; topped 90.4 mph exit speed in batting practice at a max distance of 305 feet.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 77 mph. Short, loose throws from a high slot. Above-average arm strength that plays from both positions.
Defense: 2.19-2.30 pop times. Simple exchanges, transfers to target. Maintains balance and direction well. On the infield, tall at gather, packs at exchange. Room to develop into a corner infield profile, too.
Run: 8.27 runner in the 60.