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High School  | General  | 5/6/2020

Organizational Report: Cangelosi Sparks

Nate Schweers     
Photo: Cangelosi Sparks (Perfect Game)
Hometown: Lockport, IL
College Commitments: 437
PG Championships: 15
Drafted Players: 46
MLB Debuted Players: 8

Owner: Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports
Website: www.cangelosisparks.com
Twitter: @cangelosisparks
Instagram: @cangelosisparks

2020 Uncommitted Prospects:
1. Jimmy Coffey: .396-career OBP in PG tournaments, made the All-Tournament Team at 2019 Kernels Championship
2. Chase Jankowski: Two-hit day at Kernels garnered scouts attention, hit .349 in ’19 at PG Tournaments
3. Connor King
4. Johnny Kubin: Works into low-80s (T83) with FB, stands out on the mound with loaded Marist HS team as well
5. Marty Moloney: Put together seven strong innings of work at PG Midwest Invitational in 2019
6. Alec Murray
7. Cam Nagel
8. Khristian Pieczynski: Made All-Tournament Team at PG Midwest Invitational in ’19, batting .300 w/ 3 runs scored
9. Kyle Waxweiler: Hit .300 at PM 17U Midwest Championship in summer of ’19, two RBI and .417 OBP
10. Conor Wright: 3-time All-Tournament Team selection, FB up to 80 mph & a 3.20 ERA at PG Tournaments in 2019



Top 2020 Prospects:
1. Jack Crowder
2. Drake Westcott
3.  Jack Payton
4.  Zach Hise
5. Christian Knapczyk 

2021 Breakout Potential
1. Bobby Atkinson
2. Mark Brannigan
3. Jon Crowel
4. Danny Durkin
5. Jonas Gulbrandsen
6. Ben Guzek
7. Julian Jimenez
8. Michael Maloney
9. Matt Maloney
10. Ryan O’Neil

2022 Breakout Potential
1. Collin Amsden
2. George Bilecki
3. CJ Byrdak
4. Ean Compton
5. Nick Daugherty
6. William Flanigan
7. Jack Lausch
8. Jimmy Rolder
9. Nick Verzoni

2023 Follow List
1. Tommy Atkinson
2. Krew Bond
3. Luke Brown
4. Ryan Jefferson
5. Grant Tenuta
6. Ryan Nelson
7. TJ Schlageter
8. Clay Schrader
9. Cal Sefcik
10. Trey Swiderski

2024 Follow List
1. Collin Mowry
2. Luke Jurack
3. Landon Mensik
4. Chris Daugherty
5. Cooper Malamzian

Top Historical Perfect Game Moments
• 2008 WWBA World Championship Runner Up. Lost 7-3 in championship to ABD Bulldogs featuring Christian Yelich and 5 PG AFLAC All-Americans
• 2019 WWBA 16u National Championship 3rd Place Finish
• 2019 WWBA Sophomore World Championship Runner Up
• 2017, 2018, 2019 Back-to-Back-to-Back WWBA Kernels Foundation Champions

Program Thoughts:
We’re excited to enter our 4th season as the Cangelosi Sparks. Since the merger of Cangelosi Baseball and the Illinois Sparks in June 2016, we have made several adjustments to both our Youth and High School divisions. It has led to accelerated player and team development. We look forward to continuing to run our organization with focuses on player development, merit based rosters and playing the top competition in the country.

2019 Scouting Highlight:
“The run of performances the Sparks put together at the 2019 Kernels Foundation Championship is what immediately jumps out to me. The Sparks hitters put together a plethora of noteworthy performances during the event to help lead them to a third-straight championship. On the mound, Jack Crowder and Zach Hise absolutely dazzled in a quarterfinal and championship win. Crowder was virtually untouchable over six innings of work against CSA in the quarters and Hise did more of the same to secure the championship.” – Nate Schweers



What are We Looking Forward to Scouting During the Summer of 2020?
“For me, the most exciting thing will be seeing what kind of run the 2021 Black group can put together at some of our marquee events. The 2021 group put together a special run at the 16U WWBA National Championship last summer and will look to repeat that effort again this year. The team is loaded with high-end arms that include Kyle Walter (Louisville) and Ryan Kraft (Indiana), not to mention the electric arm of right-hander Landen Looper. I think this group makes some serious noise on the national stage again this year. Beyond that, this 2021 group will also feature plenty of hitting potential in breakout candidates Michael and Matthew Maloney. In the 2022 class, Noah Schultz is quickly cementing himself as a can’t miss arm in the country and will be featured alongside battery-mate and Michigan commit Nate Voss. This entire 2022 group (guys like Jack Lausch, Jayden Comia, etc.) should be a really fun group to follow. This will also provide our first extended look at a strong 2023 group, and I am most excited to see the strides Ryan Jefferson makes in the middle-infield. Jefferson has a high-motor and clean hands that will certainly standout.” – Nate Schweers

Historical Scouting Notes:

SS Nick Solak (2013, Woodridge, IL) knocked a 2-out triple in the bottom of the 6th inning to provide the only run in a 1-0 Cangelosi Baseball win over the CBC O's.  Solak also showed solid actions at shortstop, with a quick release and good arm strength.

Solak's heroics spoiled an otherwise flawless performance by CBC starter RHP C.J. Harris (2012, Clover, SC).  Harris had a 3-hit shutout going, mixing in 4 different pitches, including a fastball to 84 mph and a big sweeping curveball, from a deceptive low 3/4's release point.

Three Cangelosi pitchers combined on the shutout.  RHP Kyle Funkhouser (2012, Oak Forest, IL) threw 3 perfect innings to start, pitching consistently at 88-89 mph with a sharp late biting 77 mph curveball.  RHP/3B Paul Shuster (2012, Willowbrook, IL) worked 3 shutout innings, relying primarily on a heavy 85-88 mph heater, while RHP Danny Mayer (2013, Downers Grove, IL) worked the 7th for the save, topping out at 87 mph.

Cangelosi Sparks jumped on the Minnesota Blizzard early and often in the championship matchup scoring their first seven runs of the game in the second inning. The Sparks would end up scoring five more runs in the next two frames to beat the Blizzard 12-0 in a run-rule shortened game.

Jack Payton (2020, Orland Park, Ill.), Dylan Post (2019, Lincoln-Way Central, Ill.) and Branden Comia (2018, Orland Park, Ill.) all drove in multiple runs for the Sparks. Comia showed a very balanced approach at the plate with the present barrel control and bat speed to drive the baseball to all fields. The University of Illinois commit finished the tournament collecting nine hits, nine RBI and four stolen bases which was good enough to claim the 2017 WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship Most Valuable Player award.

2022 lefthander Noah Schultz (2022, Aurora, Ill.) is extremely young for this event. He was very good a couple weeks ago during the WWBA Sophomore World Championship and showed some grit here in Jupiter. The 6-foot-7 uber projectable southpaw loaded the bases in the first inning before settling in. He pitched around a big inning, making a couple huge pitches including a full count curveball to record a strikeout. He sits in the mid-80s, with plenty more to come, using a very tough and low three-quarters release point that is very hard to track. His breaking ball has big shape and will continue to firm as he matures and adds reps. Still figuring out his body and the nuances of the game, it’s easy to dream on what Schultz can be as he continues to develop.

Program History
The Sparks organization first formed in 1988 and has really made a jump into travel ball dominance in the last decade. Based out of the Greater Chicago area, the Sparks program has long provided players in the area a chance to compete at the highest level and gain valuable exposure to move on to college baseball. According to their organization website, the partnership between Cangelosi Baseball and the Illinois Sparks in 2016 has greatly accelerated the team and player development process with a focus on personal growth. 



Best College Resumes
• Mark Payton: University of Texas. 101 consecutive games reaching base; BIG 12 record. BIG 12 career leaders in total bases (385), walks (148), triples (19), doubles (50), RBI (122), on-base percentage (.425). 
• Sam Travis: University of Indiana. Batted .327 in 184 with 31 home runs.
• Kevin Duchene: University of Illinois. 2nd team All-American. Career stats- IP: 238.1, ERA: 2.11, W: 24, L: 4, BB: 63, K’s: 191. 
• Kyle Funkhouser: University of Louisville. Career stats- IP: 380.2, ERA: 2.82, W: 35, L: 12, BB: 182, K’s: 376.
• Nick Solak: University of Louisville. Career stats- G: 163, AVG: .346, OPS: .926, H:175 XBH: 47,

Best Pro Resumes
• Mike Foltynewicz (RHP Atlanta Braves, 2018 All-Star)
• Sam Travis (1B Boston Red Sox/Texas Rangers)
• Nick Solak (INF Texas Rangers)
• TJ McFarland (LHP Reliever-7 years in MLB with Baltimore and Arizona)
• Dietrich Enns (LHP New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins)

All-Time Lineup

1

 

Charlie White: 21st round pick in 2014, sub-7.00 runner that came on strong in college as well

RF

2

Nick Solak: Earned ATT honors at 2012 WWBA in Jupiter, drafted in round 2 in 2016 and made MLB debut with Rangers last year

2B

3

Mark Payton: MVP of the WWBA World Championship in 2008, owns multiple Big 12 career records as well

LF

4

Sam Travis: Part of ’09 PG National Championship team and made MLB debut in 2012 with Red Sox.

3B

5

Justin Ringo: ’08 National Showcase alum, showed excellent power projection, 28th round selection in 2018 by Cardinals

1B

6

Phil Wunderlich: ’07 grad that showed a high-end hit tool in PG career, 12th round selection of the Rays in ‘10

DH

7

Branden Comia: Illinois standout was MVP of Kernels in ’17, made 6 ATT in PG career, hit .406 at PG events in ‘17

SS

8

Danny Rizzie: Named Top 5 Hamptons League prospect in ’14, Xavier catcher with some physical strength

C

9

John Ruettiger: ’07 National Showcase alum, high-contact approach, speed plays, MVP of 18U National Championship in ’08, 8th round selection in ‘08

CF

P

Mike Foltynewicz: 1st round selection in ’10, made MLB debut in Aug of ’14, has turned in long pro career

P

 

 

 

Hitting Reserves

Pitching

Mike Hollenbeck
Nick Ratajczak
Mike Madej
Justin Janas
Sam Picchioti
Mike McQuillan

TJ McFarland
Kevin Duchene
Kyle Funkhouser
Cole Kirschsieper
Tony Zych
Dietrich Enns
Kevin Johnson
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