Through out the season I will be posting my observations from games in the Insider Notes column. It will be for Exclusive aXcess members only. It will include scouting reports and detailed descriptions of player’s strengths and weaknesses that they show in the game. Today I was at the Sacred Heart vs. NYIT game. Here is the information I gathered based on my conversations with the scouts that were in attendance:
Elias Martinez:
- He is definitely on the draft radar. The Mets, Yankees, Orioles and Phillies were there to watch. He is a big, strong pitcher that throws hard (87-89 MPH in this outing but has thrown 96 MPH in the past) and has command of his breaking ball. In this game, he threw 100 pitches and threw 65 percent strikes.
- He showed a very good ability to throw breaking balls for strikes in any count.
- He sustained his velocity deep into the game. He actually got better as the game went on.
- If we are nitpicking there are two downsides to what he showed: he does not hide the ball very well, which results in batters being able to see the ball fairly well and b) he is a bit too comfortable using his curveball against the bottom of the lineup. I would’ve liked to see him attack those hitters more.
Louis Mele:
- He has big-time power, but he didn’t have his best game. He clearly had trouble against the soft-tossing lefty. He was attacked with change ups and curveballs low-and-away to negate his power. He struck out in his first three at bats. He was frustrated but did not show any negative body-language.
- He singled in his first at bat through the 5.5 hole. He finally got a pitch he liked and ripped it.
- He is a very talented fielder, has smooth hands and a strong arm from his over-the-top angle.
Ben McNeill:
- He is a tremendous fielder. He checks off all the boxes that I look for: quick feet, smooth hands, quick release and a strong, accurate arm.
- He also hit the ball well to left field, but it not known for his power.
Brendan Dowd:
- Big-time power when he gets into one. He hit the home run close to 400 feet to dead-center. Not many hitters put it out in that direction. He just missed a home run in the eighth inning on a ball to left center field.
- He was a DH in this game, but he will see time behind the plate. He has a very strong arm.
