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Perfect
Game National Underclass Showcase Workout Highlights |
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Top 60 Times |
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First |
Last |
60 |
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Harold |
Smith |
6.56 |
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Scott |
Robinson |
6.61 |
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Alex |
Hilliard |
6.62 |
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John |
Tolisano |
6.69 |
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Travis |
Borum |
6.71 |
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Craig |
Brisson |
6.73 |
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Chris |
Roberts |
6.74 |
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Auburn |
Donaldson |
6.77 |
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Bennie |
Thomas |
6.78 |
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Cody |
Johnson |
6.79 |
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Evan |
Patterson |
6.84 |
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Bradley |
Morse |
6.85 |
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Steven |
Rosado |
6.85 |
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Perry |
Silverman |
6.85 |
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Lucas |
Momo |
6.86 |
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Brandon (Chico) |
Balser |
6.87 |
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Kentrail |
Davis |
6.87 |
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Trevor |
Hearl |
6.88 |
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Nicholas |
Natale |
6.88 |
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Brett |
Petigrow |
6.88 |
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Ryan |
Durant |
6.90 |
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Corey |
Figueroa |
6.90 |
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Steven |
Brooks |
6.91 |
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NaVarro |
Hall |
6.91 |
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Keith |
Sims |
6.93 |
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Nate |
Holland |
6.95 |
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Jonathan |
Merritt |
6.95 |
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Chris |
Cowart |
6.96 |
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AJ |
Regoli |
6.96 |
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Bobby |
Abreu |
6.97 |
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Hunter |
Ovens |
6.97 |
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Michael |
Smith |
6.97 |
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Brian |
Martutartus |
6.99 |
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Christian |
Rodriguez |
6.99 |
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The thing that stands out from the 60 list
are the times turned in by John Tolisano and Cody Johnson.
Tolisano reportedly hasn’t been hitting or playing in games for the
past two months and instead has been concentrating on strength and
quickness conditioning. It shows. He’s been a 6.9 to 7.0 runner at
previous events, with occasional talk that his best future position
isn’t middle infield but catcher. 6.69 is a big step forward and a
testament to hard work.
Johnson’s speed is noteworthy because he’s a 6-4, 195 athlete whose
other tools are impressive. When you see one spot tools such as arm
strength or raw power, then you see a big athlete who can run, you
start thinking “high ceiling player” if you’re a scout. That’s
Johnson.
Alex Hilliard is a very impressive hitter who has present gap power
and it would be fun to see him use his 6.62 speed stretching a double
into a triple in the gap. We’re sure we’ll get a chance to in the
future.
The fastest runner, Harold Smith, looks like the type of athlete with
excellent first step quickness as opposed to top end speed (like a
Hilliard or a Johnson). He’s shown us very good base stealing ability
in the past and profiles as a top of the order speed player. Jonathan
Merritt and Bobby Abreu are two other players whose first step
quickness makes them base running threats at all times but whose top
end speed doesn’t match with Smith. |
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Catchers |
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First |
Last |
Pop |
C |
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Torre |
Langley |
1.81 |
85C |
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Danny |
Rams |
1.83 |
81C |
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Chris |
Leon |
1.83 |
75C |
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Andres |
Diaz |
1.88 |
78C |
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Joel |
Carranza |
1.89 |
79C |
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Braxton |
Chisholm |
1.90 |
78C |
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Dustin |
Huguley |
1.90 |
78C |
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Dustin |
Spruill |
1.90 |
77C |
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Aziel |
Shea |
1.90 |
76C |
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Chris |
Schaeffer |
1.91 |
80C |
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David |
Lindsay |
1.92 |
77C |
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Cory |
Johnson |
1.92 |
75C |
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Spencer |
Brandes |
1.92 |
73C |
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Jared |
Avchen |
1.95 |
80C |
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Joey |
Manbodh |
1.95 |
78C |
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Trey |
Lucas |
1.95 |
77C |
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Daniel |
Ferry |
1.96 |
76C |
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Hayden |
Casson |
1.96 |
76C |
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Richard |
Teague |
1.96 |
76C |
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Casey |
Jones |
1.96 |
75C |
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Kevin |
Flynn |
1.96 |
75C |
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Micah |
Gibbs |
1.97 |
77C |
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Jeremy |
Weih |
1.99 |
79C |
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Christopher |
Kievit |
1.99 |
77C |
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Chris |
Ramos |
1.99 |
77C |
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James |
Strickland |
1.99 |
73C |
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The catchers were definitely the most
impressive group at the showcase. An incredible total of 27 young
receivers put up pop times at 2.00 or under, highlighted by Torre
Langley’s 1.81 sec/85 mph throw. Langley, in fact, put together four
straight throws between 1.81 and 1.85 and didn’t look very rushed
doing it. We’ve seen Langley play dozens of games as part of the East
Cobb program and he’s not much slower in games. It would be hard not
to consider Langley the top defensive catcher in the 2006 class.
The next 3 best pop times belonged to 2007 catchers, Chris Leon
(1.83), Danny Rams (1.83) and Joel Carranza (1.89). These three
sophomores have different styles. Leon is short (5-6) and his raw arm
strength is average now, but he is very, very quick. Carranza has some
of Leon’s quickness but more arm strength. Rams (who threw 85 mph a
week later) is a power thrower whose 6-2 frame takes a while longer to
unwind.
As impressive as Langley and the large group of defensive catchers
were, perhaps the most impressive catcher and tool was 6-2, 220 lb
sophomore Rams. In addition to throwing 1.83/81, Rams showed peerless
power and bat speed at the plate. During batting practice he hit about
5 balls out of the park, including one directly over the 410’ sign in
centerfield and another to left field that cleared 2 fences, a street
and landed in trees across that street. Rams, who attends Gulliver
Prep in Coral Gables, Florida, is among the very, very top prospects
in the 2007 class right now.
Chris Lindsey and Chris Schaffer were two catchers whose quickness and
catching skills really stood out in the games. |
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Infielders |
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First |
Last |
IF |
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Cody |
Johnson |
88IF |
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Chris |
Casazza |
88IF |
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Jonathan |
Merritt |
86IF |
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Daniel |
Esparza |
85IF |
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Bill |
Henke |
85IF |
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Cole |
Figueroa |
85IF |
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Tim |
Lynn |
85IF |
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Roman |
Grimaldi |
84IF |
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Robert |
Brann |
84IF |
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Victor |
Ramos |
83IF |
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Rafael |
Lopez |
83IF |
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Mike |
McGee |
82IF |
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Matt |
Kallaoun |
82IF |
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Arthur |
Clyde |
82IF |
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It’s a rare occasion for a first baseman
to register the best throw times during infield drills but Cody
Johnson (’06, Panama City, FL) did just that, throwing 88 mph across
the diamond. The 6-4, 190 lb left handed hitting Johnson also put on
one of the most impressive power displays during batting practice and
ran a 6.79 60. Johnson also threw 88 off the mound. He’ll move way up
the prospect charts.
Johnson was joined at 88 mph by Californian Chris Casazza (’06,
Temecula, CA). Casazza is a strong 6-2, 190 lb prospect with solid
tools across the board who will attract both pro and top level college
attention.
5-8 Jonathan Merritt from Georgia was one of the all around stars of
the showcase. He swung the bat with authority, including blasting a
home run in the Prospect Game, hit 86 mph off the mound and ran a 6.95
60. He’s been a star at WWBA events for the past year, so we know his
tools translate to performance as well.
SS John Tolisano (’07), perhaps the top hitting prospect in the 2007
class, threw 81 mph and ran a 6.69 60, a big improvement in his
straight line speed that will not be overlooked by scouts. Roman
Grimaldi, Ryan Jackson, Alex Hilliard, Travis Borum and Tim Emmott
were some of the junior infielders who really stood out offensively.
Jackson might have the best combination of offensive and middle of the
field defensive tools in the class. |
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Outfielders |
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First |
Last |
OF |
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Hunter |
Ovens |
89OF |
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Frank |
Santos |
87OF |
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Joseph |
Inzone |
86OF |
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Tanner |
Robles |
86OF |
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Neil |
Hardon |
86OF |
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Harold |
Smith |
85OF |
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Scott |
Robinson |
85OF |
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Brett |
Petigrow |
85OF |
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AJ |
Regoli |
85OF |
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Glenn |
Goodrich |
85OF |
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Jess |
Louis |
85OF |
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Nathan |
Chavez |
85OF |
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Brayan |
Valencia |
85OF |
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Kevin |
Bishop |
85OF |
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Steven |
Rosado |
84OF |
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Joshua |
Smoker |
84OF |
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Ryan |
Cheatham |
84OF |
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Steven |
Fenton |
84OF |
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Greg |
Hendrix |
84OF |
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Desi |
Perez |
84OF |
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Jack |
Bender |
84OF |
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Matt |
Dunn |
84OF |
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Hunter Ovens is one of the most physically
mature 2007 players on the prospect charts and it’s not surprising
that he easily tops the outfield velocity charts. He has a strong arm
that’s going to keep improving. Ovens resembles 2005 AFLAC
All-American Ryan DeLaughter in many ways and DeLaughter regularly
throws 94 from the outfield.
Two of the very top left handed underclass pitching prospects in the
country showed their arm strength from the outfield. Tanner Robles is
more physical and is likely a high velocity future pitcher than Josh
Smoker and his outfield throws showed a bit of that. But you can’t
change speeds or locate pitches from the outfield, either.
One thing we almost always look for when looking at drill results, and
especially from outfielders, are those prospects who combine arm
strength and speed. Scouts refer to these as “present tools”. Harold
Smith and James Robinson had the two fastest times in the 60 and also
are among the best throwers from the outfield. That combination will
get the attention of any talent evaluator whether pro or college. |
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Pitchers |
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First |
Last |
Fastball |
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Ryan |
Butner |
90 |
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Patrick |
Johnson |
89 |
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Rob |
Whitley |
89 |
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Kyle |
Snyder |
89 |
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Matthew |
Latos |
89 |
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David |
Edwards |
89 |
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Cody |
Johnson |
88 |
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Torre |
Langley |
88 |
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Tanner |
Robles |
88 |
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Michael |
Hunter |
88 |
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Alex |
Koronis |
88 |
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Scott |
Rembisz |
87 |
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Joshua |
Smoker |
87 |
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Dustin |
Huguley |
87 |
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Arthur |
Clyde |
87 |
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Will |
Krasne |
87 |
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The lack of 90 mph pitchers on this list
isn’t surprising at all. The PG World Underclass isn’t the WWBA World
Championships. It’s the off-season and the players are 2-3 years
younger. You can still easily evaluate their talents, though.
There were two pitchers, however, who looked like they have the
physical ability, combined with the projection and pitching mechanics,
to dramatically improve their velocity in the near future, perhaps
into the mid-90’s.
Matthew Latos is 6-5, 200 lbs with a power pitcher’s build and a power
pitcher’s arm strength. He’s also an excellent athlete who can run and
hit and that factor’s into any projection. Kyle Snyder is a strong
athlete as well and his arm is lightening quick. Neither of these
young pitchers is muscling the ball at all when they’re throwing 87-89
mph; it looks smooth and easy. |
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Raw Power |
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1 |
Danny Rams |
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2 |
Cody Johnson |
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3 |
Josh Means |
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4 |
Hunter Ovens |
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5 |
Ryan Jackson |
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6 |
John Tolisano |
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7 |
Jeffrey Lockwood |
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8 |
Jimmy Bailey |
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9 |
Ryan Laing |
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10 |
Scott Rembisz |
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11 |
Jose Rodriguez |
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12 |
Marcus Rodriguez |
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13 |
Todd Brazeal |
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14 |
Kentrail Davis |
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15 |
Braxton Chisholm |
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16 |
Devin Foreman |
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17 |
Wilson Hernandez |
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18 |
A.J. Regoli |
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19 |
Jose Iglesias |
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20 |
Joey Lewis |
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21 |
Alex Hilliard |
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Pro scouts are in constant debate about
“Raw” power versus “Usable” power. Some teams and some individual
scouts put more value on Raw, some more value on Usable. The smart
ones probably make significant allowances for the age of the player
and the level of competition. These are all very young players and Raw
is probably more valuable to look at in an evaluation right now.
On this list from the World Underclass, John Tolisano probably has the
most Usable Power. He hits home runs and extra base hits in games
against top 2005 pitchers and we’ve seen it repeatedly and from both
sides of the plate. Hunter Ovens is in the same group a step down.
But in terms of raw power, this list is Danny Rams and the Rest of the
Field. Rams, a 6-2, 220 lb sophomore catcher from Miami, has the type
of raw power that compares to any high school player in the country of
any age. He hit one ball to centerfield over the 410’ sign with room
to spare in batting practice. He hit another ball to left field over 2
fences and a road and into the trees on the other side of the road.
Everyone watching BP, even the players, were on the edge of their
seats or on their toes waiting for the next swing and the next bomb.
Raw power comes in different sizes. Cody Johnson unwinds his 6-4, 195
lb frame from a deep coil and really extends through the ball with bat
speed. Kentrail Davis, A.J. Regoli and Jeffrey Lockwood are shorter,
in stature and swing path, and quicker to the ball. Jose Rodriguez’
slender arms don’t look like they contain much power but the ball
explodes off the bat. Some players on the list out weigh Josh Means
and Ryan Jackson by 35-40 pounds but are looking up in the rankings.
Ryan Liang and Scott Rembisz can just overpower the ball with
strength. |
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