PGCBL prospect reports

Official League Website: www.pgcbl.com
2016 Summer Collegiate Top Prospect Index
 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League Top Prospect List (25)

While the Amsterdam Mohawks weren’t the clear, dominant team during the 2016 summer regular season – at least according to the standings – they did re-assert themselves as the league champion, their fourth championship in the six-year history of the PGCBL. They swept the Utica Blue Sox in a best-of-three series after failing to advance to the championship series in 2015, the only time in the history of the league they failed to do so despite setting a PGCBL record during the regular season with 40 wins.

Three new teams – the Geneva Redwings, Jamestown Jammers and Oneonta Outlaws – were welcomed to the league during the 2016 season, and one more, the Onondaga Flames, has already been announced for 2017. As the new teams were added the playoffs were also expanded to include eight teams, a format that began with a one-game do-or-die contest pitting each league’s Nos. 1 and 4 and 2 and 3 seeds against one another.

Player of the Year Joe Genord (South Florida) of the champion Mohawks set a league record with 45 RBI. Co-Pitcher of the Year Joe DeSarro of the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs (Herkimer College) tied a league record with seven wins.


Year Established: 2011
States Represented: New York
No. of Teams: 13 (10 in 2015)
Regular Season Champion (best overall record): Amsterdam Mohawks, 34-15
Post Season Champion: Amsterdam Mohawks
No. 1 Prospect, 2015: Kyle Smith, rhp, NC State
First 2015 Player Selected, 2016 Draft: Caleb Baragar, lhp, Mohawk Valley (Indiana; Giants/9th round)

Player of the Year: Joe Genord, c, Amsterdam (South Florida)
Pitchers of the Year: Joe DeSarro, rhp, Mohawk Valley (Herkimer College); Brennen Smith, lhp, Victor (Canisius)

BATTING LEADERS

Batting Average: Chris Givin, 2b, Amsterdam (Xavier) (.383)
Slugging Percentage: Joe Genord, c, Amsterdam (South Florida) (.526)
On-Base Average: Alex Thrower, of, Saugerties (Buffalo) (.535)
Home Runs: Joe Genord, c, Amsterdam (South Florida) (7)
RBI: Joe Genord, c, Amsterdam (South Florida) (45)
Stolen Bases: Joe Spitaleri, ss, Utica (LIU Post); Alex Thrower, of, Saugerties (Buffalo); J.J. Shimko, of, Albany (USC Upstate) (28)

PITCHING LEADERS

Wins: Joe DeSarro, rhp, Mohawk Valley (Herkimer College) (7)
ERA: Cameron Enck, rhp, Amsterdam (Maryland) (0.39)
Saves: Zachary Vennaro, rhp, Mohawk Valley (High Point); Brian Dolan, rhp, Newark (UMass-Lowell) (9)
Strikeouts: Brennen Smith, lhp, Victor (Canisius); Bryan Warzek, lhp, Glens Falls (New Orleans) (52)

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: J.J. Shimko, of, Albany (USC Upstate)
Best Hitter: Chris Givin, 2b, Amsterdam (Xavier)
Best Power: Joe Genord, c, Amsterdam (South Florida)
Fastest Base Runner: Marcus Still, of, Amsterdam (New Mexico State)
Best Defensive Player: TylerFrank, ss, Amsterdam (Florida Atlantic)
Best Velocity: Tim Naughton, rhp, Amsterdam (NC State)
Best Breaking Ball: Sean Hjelle, rhp, Elmira (Kentucky)
Best Command: Chris Haney, rhp, Amsterdam (Florida State)


TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Jeff Belge, lhp, Amsterdam (St. John’s/FR in 2017)
Belge arrived later in the summer to make six appearances, three of which were starts, and one of which was a combined no-hitter with teammate Tim Naughton –the league’s No. 2 prospect – the third no-hitter in the history of the league. Those that saw Belge were quick to point out how much he immediately stood out with a strong and sturdy 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame that prompted one onlooker to say “(that’s) exactly the way you want it to look.” His fastball sat in the 88-91 mph range, peaking as high as 93 and dipping down to as low as 86. His breaking ball and changeup also showed promise, but like his fastball, were inconsistent. All are issues that can be ironed out with time and experience as Belge, who participated in the 2015 Perfect Game All-American Classic, enjoyed a successful tune-up (2.20 ERA in 16.1 innings, 17 strikeouts, six hits and nine walks allowed) before heading to St. John’s for his freshman season.