2015 WWBA East Memorial Day Classic Championship Feature
FORT
MYERS, Fla. – There were numerous top players on hand for this past
weekend’s 14u, 16u and 18u WWBA East Memorial Day Classic. Below
are several particular performances that wowed the eyes of fans and
scouts alike.
Ronald
Washington, the
No. 1 player in the 2017 class, took his talents to southwest Florida
and failed to disappoint. When his Elite Squad Prime 17u team was
tied going into the bottom of the eighth he blasted a 0-1 88 mph
fastball over the left field fence for a walk-off grand slam to
advance. The tales of Washington’s power have become something of
legend given his batting practice performances at showcases and he
put every bit of it to use on that swing.
North
East Baseball’s starter, Jesus Gamez,
was one of a handful high end prospects playing the quarterfinal game
against Elite Squad Prime 16u. He pitched a phenomenal 6 1/3 innings
allowing just one earned run on two hits and one walk, while striking
out seven batters. He showed pinpoint command with his fastball that touched 94 mph on the mound with good extension and a quick
arm to go with a smooth delivery. The last time Gamez was seen by PG
scouts was at the 2014 South Top Showcase when he topped out at 88
mph. With a considerable rise in his velocity could help his draft
stock as a 2015 graduate.
Elite
Squad pitchers failed to disappoint as well. Nick McDonald
took the mound to start the game tossing four innings allowing just
two hits and three walks while striking out two batters. McDonald
used an assortment of pitches comprised of an 82-87 mph fastball with a
72-76 mph curve and a 76-77 mph slider.
Gregory
Veliz of Elite Squad Prime 17u entered their Quarterfinal game
from the bullpen to fire three perfect frames, including escaping the
bases loaded one out situation to start the seventh and eighth
innings. Scouts saw his fastball light up the radar guns hitting 96
mph. Not only did he top out at 96, but he saw his fastball climb in
velocity for each inning on the mound. To add to the hysteria that
this game provided, to end the top of the eighth inning Brandon
Chinea threw out Briggs Benson trying to score the go-ahead run.
Parker
Pillsbury dominated on the hill for his GCBA Black Sox throwing
five no-hit innings allowing merely one runner aboard on a walk,
while striking out an impressive 10 batters. He threw 67 percent of
his pitches for strikes, mixing a 78-83 mph fastball with a deceptive
68-72 mph changeup and good 60-63 mph curveball. He showed good mound
presence while attacking opposing hitters inside with his fastball.
His changeup was key for him on the mound, relying on it to put
hitters away with two strikes. At the plate, he collected a base
hit, scored a run and reached base a second time on an error as the
Black Sox leadoff hitter.
16u
MVP honors were handed down to Jordan Butler in part due to
his Sunday performance against the Miami Suns for the Florida Burn
Pennant on Sunday. The Florida commit and ninth overall rated player
for the 2017 class showed off the sweet swing that has scouts
clamoring over him. He went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and
two RBI. If his performance at the plate was not enough, he dominated
on the hill tossing three shutout innings allowing just one hit and
striking out an impressive seven batters. Butler showed good velocity
on the bump seeing his fastball hit 90 mph and he mixed in a hammer
curveball that sat 69-73 mph.
Daniel
Federman took the mound for Elite Squad Prime 16u in their
quarterfinal game earning a dominating win as he tossed four shutout
innings allowing just two hits and recording seven strikeouts.
Federman featured an arsenal of pitches comprised of a 82-86 mph
fastball, a 67-71 mph curveball and a deceptive 75-79 mph changeup.
Pitching
for the Pokers Elite 16u was Max Lazar in their second pool
play game. Lazar dazzled on the mound tossing seven perfect innings
and striking out 13 batters. He threw a little over 70 percent of his
pitches for strikes and saw his fastball top out at 81 mph. Lazar
also mixed in a 64-69 mph curveball and a 70-73 mph changeup.
Matt
Hurley led the offensive charge for the SWFL Player Development
Center 16u team on Saturday. Hurley went 3-for-3 at the plate
reaching base a total of four times on the day with a three-run home
run. He was not done after that though smacking a two-run double
later in the game.
Earning
14u MV-Pitcher honors was Alex Ballard of the runnerup Florida
Burn Pennant 2019 team in large part for his performance on Saturday
against the Bengals Blue. Ballard fired six one-hit innings and
struck out 12 to help his team earn the win. Ballard changed speeds
and was around the plate with all of his pitches including his
fastball that touched 82 mph. He mixed in a good 67-72 mph curveball
that flashed potential and a low-70s changeup.
In
the championship game for the 14u side, Steven Parker Farris
stepped up in the first inning for Florida Burn Pennant and blasted a
two-run home run out of City of Palms Park to give them an early
lead.
Tyler
Burton started for the Caloosa Cats in their game against the
Elite Squad Select 14u and dominated in all facets of the game.
Burton started on the mound and tossed four no-hit innings allowing
just one walk, while striking out eight batters. Burton showed a
smooth delivery and an effortless arm action with his 75-78 mph
fastball and 64-69 mph curveball. He also made an impact offensively
going 1-for-2 with a stolen base.