https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5yVp_42nMk
This time of year is crucial for college coaches as they are looking to acquire the top available talent. Events such as the Blue Chip Prospect showcases always get good turn outs because they tend to get the best uncommitted players in the region.
I was in attendance today at the Mitchel Athletic Complex and was impressed by a number of the players. Below are my top five position players and pitchers.
Position Players:
Chris Peralta: 6’1″ 180 lbs
Valley Stream South ’18
Chris Peralta (Valley Stream South ’18) showing off his arm in right pic.twitter.com/nfgMisMDa3
— aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) July 25, 2017
I’m a huge fan of Peralta because he is such a versatile and athletic player. He has gap-to-gap power, with the potential to turn that into home run power when he puts more weight on his 180 lb frame. He runs very well, 6.6 speed in the 60 and it plays well in the outfield. He can really get it. His outfield arm strength was 80 MPH, he threw the ball very accurately. He’s probably best suited to play at the Div-II level locally, but can have a real impact. I’ve seen him hit in games, and he had a great performance.
Will Feil: 6’1″ 195 lbs
Wheatley ’18
Will Feil (Wheatley ’18) putting on a batting practice clinic. One of the top uncommitted bats in the Class pic.twitter.com/HWEK6BKII4
— aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) July 25, 2017
Feil is a Div-I player. He’s well-rounded, plays a very good third base and can really swing it. His lefty stroke is as smooth as it gets. I watched him go 3-for-4 in the Nassau County Finals against Oyster Bay. He was the best player on the field and that field included a couple other Div-I players. When you watch him, you just get the sense the moment is never too big for him.
Kyle Johnson: 5’10” 155 lbs
Newfield ’18
Kyle Johnson (Newfield ’18) on to pitch the third inning for B.A. pic.twitter.com/kkpnvPvRWf
— aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) July 20, 2017
Johnson is a potential two-way player at the next level. He has smooth mechanics, he can run it up to 87 MPH, he has command of a 12-6 curve and he throws strikes. I’ve watched him throw in three games and he was always in control. He even threw a scoreless inning in the Dominican Republic against the Boston Red Sox DSL team. He has developed plenty of power over the past year and it’s above-average for a middle infielder. When you watch him take groundballs at SS, you can just see that he belongs. He has the soft hands, smooth movements, quick transfer and strong arm. He has been getting looked at by some Div-I schools, but it’s uncertain if he will be a pitcher or SS or two-way. Great makeup as well, truly dedicated to improving.
Nicholas Demicco: 6’1 225 lbs
Bethpage ’18
Nicholas Demicco (Plainedge ’18) showing his plus power. He hit 4 HR in the postseason this year pic.twitter.com/9F7xxUuIC3
— aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) July 25, 2017
“Country strong” is the one adjective that comes to mind when describing Demicco. He put his name on the map when he smacked two-run HRs in three consecutive at bats for Plainedge in the playoffs. He has true power. Very intriguing prospect.
Nicholas Fressle: 6’3 195 lbs
Division ’18
Both of these kids put on performances during batting practice. There’s not much power on Long Island, but these are two kids that fit the bill. Fressle put on a nice display in batting practice, ripping line drive after line drive into the power alleys.
Pitchers:
Patrick Hoffman: 6’3 185 lbs
East Meadow ’18
He worked in the 81-83 MPH range, which is plenty for a left-handed pitcher. He showed very consistent mechanics and he had a real devastating 12-6 curveball that he threw at 72 MPH. His change up was inconsistent, but if he improves that he has the chance to be a tremendous starter at the Div-II level.
Will Kennedy: 6’1 157 lbs
Smithtown East ’19
It speaks more to the depth of Smithtown East than his ability that he didn’t pitch much on varsity in 2017. He has, however, compiled an undefeated record of 5-0 on the HDMH Titans with a 1.07 ERA. That should come as no surprise when you watch how effortless his delivery is. The LHP has a smooth over-the-top delivery with low 80s velocity, armside tail and a very advanced change up. Great command, he walked only six batters over 35 IP. Very high-ceiling, once he puts on some weight his velocity will jump.
Dominic Rutigliano: 6’3 180 lbs
Carey ’18
Everyone was impressed with him. Very polished for a high school pitcher. He was working in the 85-86 MPH range. He works quick, threw strikes and had close to flawless mechanics. Lots of interest in him.
Kyle Johnson: 5’10” 155 lbs
Newfield ’18
As I mentioned, he’s a very impressive pitcher that checks off all the boxes. He was definitely one of the kids that turned heads.
Patrick Willix: 6’1 185 lbs
Wantagh ’18
He is coming off a Long Island Championship so obviously he has gained plenty of critical experience in big moments. He showed some very good mechanics. He wasn’t unlike many left-handed varsity pitchers in the velocity sense (79-81 MPH), but he has more in the tank when he engages his backside more. He had good arm action on his change up but it was 75 MPH, which should probably be about 5 MPH less with his fastball velocity. He threw a tight 11-5 breaking ball. Very tough pitcher, and has a high-ceiling.
