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Summer Collegiate  | Rankings  | 10/6/2014

NECBL prospect reports

Frankie Piliere     
Photo: Maryland

Official League Website: www.necbl.com
2014 summer collegiate top prospect index
New England Collegiate Baseball League top prospect list

As proof that you can never count out the Newport Gulls, one of the most decorated teams in all of summer collegiate baseball, they took home the 2014 New England Collegiate Baseball League championship for the sixth time in the last fourteen seasons. They accomplished this despite finishing six games back of the Southern Division leading Plymouth Pilgrims, who took home of the league’s best regular season record (31-11) by a wide margin.

The league once again showed a well rounded group of underclass talent, boasting well known rising sophomore prospects from major programs like Jordan Sheffield, Connor Jones, and John Kilichowski - arms we’ve come to know from their days as highly touted draft prospects coming out of high school. And, players like Alex Robinson and his 96 mph fastball from the left side, made the most of the July All-Star game stage and turned themselves into viable 2015 draft prospects.


Year Established: 1993
States Represented: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
No. of Teams: 12
Regular Season Champion (best overall record): NORTH—Vermont Mountaineers (27-15); SOUTH—Plymouth Pilgrims (31-11)
Postseason Champion: Newport Gulls
No. 1 Prospect, 2013: Nathan Kirby, lhp, Keene Swamp Bats (Virginia)
First 2013 Player Selected, 2014 Draft: Brett Graves, rhp, Newport Gulls (Missouri; Athletics, 3rd round)

Most Valuable Player: Blaise Salter, c, Newport Gulls (Michigan State)
Pitcher of the Year: Thomas Jankins, rhp, Plymouth Pilgrims (Quinnipiac)

BATTING LEADERS

Batting Average: Stephen Laurino, 1b, Mystic Schooners (.381)
Slugging Percentage: Blaise Salter, c, Newport Gulls (.604)
On-Base Average: Stephen Laurino, 1b, Mystic Schooners (.460)
Home Runs: Blaise Salter, c, Newport Gulls; Brad Zunica, 1b, Mystic Schooners (9)
RBI: Blaise Salter, c, Newport Gulls (42)
Stolen Bases: Kyle Richardson, of, North Adams Steeplecats (23)

PITCHING LEADERS

Wins: Nathan Bates, rhp, Ocean State Wave (6)
ERA: Thomas Jankins, rhp, Plymouth Pilgrims (0.41)
Saves: Vincenzo Aiello, rhp, Plymouth Pilgrims (12)
Strikeouts: Shea Spitzbarth, rhp, Laconia Muskrats (50)

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Blake Tiberi, 3b, Vermont Mountaineers
Best Hitter: Blake Tiberi, 3b, Vermont Mountaineers
Best Power: Blaise Salter, c/1b, Newport Gulls
Best Speed: Michael Martin, of, Plymouth Pilgrims
Best Defender: Tommy Edman, ss, Newport Gulls
Best Velocity: Alex Robinson, lhp, Keene Swamp Bats
Best Breaking Ball: Alex Robinson, lhp, Keene Swamp Bats
Best Command: John Kilichowski, lhp, Newport Gulls


TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Alex Robinson, lhp, Keene Swamp Bats (Maryland/JR in 2015)
The Maryland Terrapins will have no shortage of power arms going into the 2015 season, even after losing their dominant Friday night starter, Jake Stinnett, to the draft. And, it will be Alex Robinson that will likely serve as one of their greatest weapons. Robinson opened eyes in a big way in his NECBL stint, firing 92-96 mph fastballs from the left side, as well as showing good athleticism and a loose arm. Robinson also throws a two-plane slider that resembles more of a hard curveball in terms of depth, which he throws at 81-84 mph. He needs to more consistently spot this breaking ball down in the zone, and the break varies between merely being average to showing true plus downward bite at times. Robinson’s high energy delivery and attack mode approach lead most scouts to believe his home will remain in the bullpen, as he has the type of dynamic raw stuff to potentially close at the next level.

2. Jordan Sheffield, rhp, Laconia Muskrats (Vanderbilt/RS FR in 2015)
If you follow the amateur baseball draft the Sheffield name is more than familiar by now. A highly touted PG All-American and expected first round selection coming out of the high school ranks, Sheffield was only derailed in that pursuit by Tommy John surgery in April of 2013. Sheffield was still drafted in the 13th round by the Red Sox, but instead opted to rehab at Vanderbilt. He did not pitch for the Commodores in 2014, making his summer in the NECBL a key moment in his recovery. Although it was clear that Sheffield’s command had not fully returned, it was more than evident that his electric raw stuff had. He worked consistently at 91-94 mph with his fastball, cranking it up to 96 mph according to reports. His slider flashed above average potential, as it did in high school, and league coaches came away highly impressed with the progression of his changeup. This is a case where you overlook the 5.14 ERA Sheffield posted and appreciate the huge step in his recovery.

3. Connor Jones, rhp, Keene Swamp Bats (Virginia/SO in 2015)
Like Sheffield, Jones was a highly talked about high school prospect. In fact, he entered the 2013 draft ranked the No. 17 high school prospect by Perfect Game. Jones was known for his advanced approach and deep arsenal of pitches coming out of high school, and that is just what he showed while pitching for Keene this summer. While he had some early summer command issues, it was the same Jones scouts have come to know. He posted a 1.98 ERA and struck out 22 over 22 2/3 innings of work. More importantly, he worked at 91-95 mph with his fastball and flashed a hard, late-biting curveball that stood out to coaches around the league. The 6-foot-3 righthander looked every bit the part of an emerging first round favorite for the 2016 draft.


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