by Andrew Connors
Showcases are an outstanding place for young ballplayers to put their skills on display for multiple college coaches all at once. On July 13th, local travel organization Batting 1.000 Seminoles put on their own showcase where players in their organization showed off their talents for coaches from various Division-I and Division-II schools.
Some notable colleges that were in attendance include Seton Hall, Mercy, St. Thomas Aquinas and Sacred Heart among others. Once the showcase’s morning session concluded, Sacred Heart’s assistant coach, Wayne Mazzoni, delivered an excellent speech to the players and surrounding coaches. He preached all the things that big-time scouts are looking for when they show up to watch a player, even at regular games when you think nobody is watching. Mazzoni instilled in the players that you need to really put in a ton of work and love what you’re doing to not only make it to a high level, but to succeed there as well.
During the showcase, there were a few standout performances from a couple of very good players.
C Ryan Plocker (Half Hollow Hills East ‘22) looking good behind the plate. He has a strong arm and good mechanics when blocking the ball. pic.twitter.com/odZYDWqOz4
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2021
Ryan Plocker (Catcher, Half Hollow Hills East ‘22) didn’t let a single ball by him in defensive drills, and added to his performance with a strong showing at the plate as well.
Taso Katechis (Center Fielder, Francis Lewis ‘22) also had an impressive day in the field and at the plate. He made a few nice plays in the outfield, but his true strength on defense is his arm strength and accuracy. In individual drills, Katechis made an outstanding throw from deep right field right to the third base bag. As for hitting, Katechis has a nice and smooth swing, and the ball flies when he connects with it.
CF Taso Katechis (Francis Lewis ‘22) showing off the arm strength as he drops one in right on the third base bag. pic.twitter.com/vzmDaJucDj
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2021
Nicholas Farnacci (Shortstop, Half Hollow Hills East ‘22) was eye-opening on defense. Ranging to the left and right for ground balls looked like second nature for Farnacci, as he made every play look easy. He flashed a strong arm on backhand reps to first, and his footwork when throwing on the run was nothing short of impressive. He swings the bat hard at the plate and is a speedy runner as well.
2B/SS Nicholas Farnacci (Half Hollow Hills East ‘22) flashing a lot of pop. pic.twitter.com/D9qs80jIrG
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2021
Nicholas Ramos (Catcher, Minneola ‘21) had one of the strongest performances of the day. He put on a clinic defensively behind the plate, and his arm strength was truly put on display on throw downs to each base. It doesn’t stop at defense for Ramos though, as he looked very good during batting practice as well. He hit a bunch of solid line drives and also put two balls over the left field fence towards the end of his round.
C Nicholas Ramos (Minneola ‘21) builds on a good day with a strong display at the plate. pic.twitter.com/LpvcZO6Vmb
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2021
Aidan Amato (Pitcher / Shortstop, Mepham ‘22) had a good day in the field and at the plate, but his pitching is what really stood out. In his bullpen session, Amato paired a nice fastball with a nasty curveball. He seems to be the kind of pitcher that works backwards, but his hook is absolutely devastating. It has the kind of late 11-5 break that you look for in a finesse pitcher, and that allows him to get his fastball by hitters.
SS/P Aidan Amato (Mepham ‘22) shows off a nasty hook to compliment his fastball. pic.twitter.com/vfhsFVK1bb
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2021
