WWBA
World Championship Daily Recaps: Day 1
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While
the 2015 WWBA World Championship concluded over a week ago Perfect
Game's scouting staff takes a look at some of the prospects that
stood out the most during the five-day event in Jupiter, Fla. From
players that are already ranked among the top players in their
respective classes to those that made the most of their opportunities
to elevate their current rankings, once again there was plenty of
talent on display at the premier scouting event in baseball.
The
players as listed below are broken down into five categories –
Stars on Display, Hidden Gems, Bats Stepping Up, Arms on the Rise and
the Next Wave of Talent – and are listed alphabetically within each
of those categories.
To
read more about the players that stood out during the 2015 WWBA World
Championship be sure to read the individual daily recaps as linked
above.
Stars
on Display
The
players below are well-known commodities on the scouting scene and
did nothing but cement their status as the top prospects eliglble for
the 2016 MLB Draft.
Carlos
Cortes, 2B/OF, Mets Scout Team/Scorpions
Carlos
Cortes hitting the ball hard is far from a shock as it happened with
regularity throughout the summer. While he hit .583 during the event
perhaps the most impressive aspect of his showing were the five
innings that he suited up as a catcher. Viewed as an offensive second
baseman, Cortes moved well behind the plate and blocked most dirt
balls and even threw out a runner by a full three steps, which only
adds to his already unique profile.
Rian
Haire, LHP, EvoShield Canes
Haire
continues to improve every time he takes the mound, and in Jupiter he
delivered a strong, impressionable start. He refined his balance and
rhythm working heavily off his fastball early in the contest while
painting to either side of the plate. He maintained his velocity
exceptionally well at 89-91 mph while touching 92s throughout,
including one in the fifth inning, and when its at its best his
mid-70s curveball showed hard, downward bite.
Cooper
Johnson, C, Reds Midwest Scout Team
Johnson is exceedingly well built, with the body type and strength that is nearly the picture perfect build for a catching prospect. With a plus-plus arm, lightning quick transfer and excellent side-to-side agility and blocking actions, Johnson is quite easily the best defensive catcher in the country at this point. How far along he comes with the bat, however, will be what ultimately determines his draft stock.
Nolan
Jones, SS/3B, Team Elite Prime
Jones’
performance at the WWBA World Championship may have been the talking
point of the tournament. The Virginia commit was extremely active
this summer, appearing at seemingly every big event, but he took his
game to another level in Jupiter with more strength and physicality
in his athletic 6-foot-4 frame and hit the ball hard in seemingly
every plate appearance. While he may still profile better at second
or third base, Jones’ combination of athleticism, strength and
high-level hitting tools has vaulted him into first-round
consideration.
Charles
King, RHP, Dallas Tigers
Texas breeds hard-throwing righthanders, and King is the
next one up who could get into the first round of the 2016 draft on
the strength of his power three-pitch mix. He’s certainly long and
loose with an arm that works very well, and though there are some
mechanical inconsistencies he needs to straighten out, he’s got the
raw stuff and projection that scouts look for early in the draft.
Alex
Kirilloff, 1B/OF, Baseball U Bonsall Bat
Kirilloff
was very busy this summer, and while he’s listed as a primary first
baseman, evaluators have been impressed with Kirilloff’s defensive
chops in the outfield as well as he displays quality athleticism and
foot-speed (6.67 60-yard dash). At the plate, Kirilloff has seemingly
simplified his swing mechanics without sacrificing any of his
high-end bat speed and power—which may be the best lefthanded raw
in the entire prep class—and he showed a polished, mature and
disciplined approach throughout the tournament.
Matt
Manning, RHP, EvoShield Canes
A
couple of scouts have expressed their issues with Manning's lower
body mechanics, which feature a cross-body release. However, he does
possess functionally the best fastball in the 2015 class when you
incorporate life and command with the velocity. Good hitters don't
take good swings against Manning's 92-94 mph heat.
Delvin
Perez, SS, Astros Scout Team/FTB Tucci
Perez
has been well known for some time now due to his impact tools, pretty
much across the board. Make no mistake, Perez has the tools and
athleticism that usually translates to a first-round pick, but what
has held back his profile a bit is that the game seems to move a bit
too fast for him at times. Scouts were packed deep behind home plate
every time Perez played looking to see if the tools were catching up
to the speed of the game, and in Jupiter they certainly appeared to
be doing so.
Will
Proctor, MIF, GBG Marucci
It
has been written a couple of times in the past few months that
Proctor is one of the most improved prospects in the 2016. That is
due to his very aggressive approach and newfound power on inside half
fastballs, aspects of his game that were on display when he rocketed
a home run to open up a pool play game. A loose comp might be the
Orioles J.J. Hardy.
Nicholas
Quintana, IF/C, EvoShield Canes
Quintana
had an excellent tournament, which is not especially newsworthy in
and of itself with his talent level. Two things are worth mentioning,
however. First is that Quintana has made significant adjustments to
his swing that really work; he's eliminated lots of the hand action
that triggered his swing and left his timing and ability to make
adjustments to off-speed pitches inconsistent at best. Second, and
this wasn't in play in Jupiter, only talked about, is that Quintana
has reportedly been working hard this fall on converting to
catcher. That's a position for Quintana that has long intrigued
scouts due to his below average straight-line speed.
Joe
Rizzo, 3B, EvoShield Canes
Rizzo
hit .364 in 22 at-bats as he continues to employ an all-fields
approach creating line drive contact from foul pole to foul pole and
showed his strength with a couple of long and lofted fly balls that
were recorded for outs. He also showed well on defense, and one play
that stood out was a diving stop to his right during pool play in
which he quickly popped to his feet and showed enough arm strength
and carry to finish the play with a strong throw to first.
Hudson
Sanchez, SS/3B, Texas Scout Team Yankees
There's
no hesitation in calling Sanchez the best position prospect in Texas
right now and a potential top two-round pick. He's always been very
athletic but his transformation from a contact approach to a much
more aggressive mentality at the plate has been noteworthy and
exciting. If he shows scouts that he has a chance to stay at
shortstop that will raise his stock even more.
Hidden
Gems
This
group consists of players that weren't necessarily on the national
scouting map prior to their appearance at the WWBA World Championship
but most assuredly are now.
Drew
Gillespie, RHP, Rays Scout Team
It
is often difficult for players from New Mexico to get exposure but
Gillespie certainly opened some eyes last weekend in Jupiter. The
University of New Mexico commit has a lean, athletic frame and some
deception in his delivery which helps his 87-91 mph fastball play up.
Additionally, Gillespie flashed feel for both an upper-70s slider and
a changeup, and while he’s more projection over polish at this
point he should certainly have area scouts from the Four Corners
checking in on Albuquerque this spring.
Isaiah
Kearns, 3B/RHP, Mid-Atlantic Rookies Baseball
While
Kerns is a primary third baseman with good present strength and feel
for the barrel, he’s also an intriguing prospect on the mound as he
ran his fastball up to 92 mph in a brief relief appearance. While
he’s understandably raw as a pitcher and will need to clean up his
delivery, with his arm strength it will be interesting to see how he
develops as a prospect during the spring and possibly in Morgantown
as a West Virginia recruit.
Christian
Long, OF, Texas Drillers
Long
wasn't ranked in the PG 2016 class rankings prior to Jupiter but he's
a quality prospect with an impressive righthanded bat. Wake Forest
recruited him out of the Houston area and found themselves a good
one.
Dustin
May, RHP, Texas Scout Team Yankees
While
the look at the 6-foot-6, 180-pound righthander was much too short –
only 23 pitches – it was very impressive. May's fastball was
comfortable between 90-93 mph with fairly calm and directional
mechanics and his curveball flashed power and tight spin. He's very
intriguing and will be an early spring priority for area scouts in
Texas.
Andru
Summerall, 1B, Twins Scout Teams/Scorpions South
College
coaches often bemoan the lack of power in the college game, so when
an uncommitted 2016 with strength and bat speed strings together some
good at-bats against good pitching, including a no doubt home run
into the wind, it's notable. Summerall isn't especially athletic but
the power and hitting skills are there.
Bats
Stepping Up
While
this group of position players certainly were far from unknowns, each
one used the big-stage opportunity in Jupiter to improve their
already lofty standings in the eyes of scouts.
Akil
Baddoo, OF, Braves Scout Team/Ohio Warhawks
Baddoo's
combination of running speed and power/strength is very interesting
and he maximizes his tools with an aggressive approach to the game.
Georgia-based scouts probably aren't growing weary of the long line
of toolsy outfielders that have been coming through their state high
school ranks.
Andrew
Baker, OF/LHP, Chet Lemon's Juice
There’s
little denying the athletic ability of Andrew Baker, a legitimate
two-way talent whose upside is a little greater as a position
prospect at the professional level. He was named to the event's
All-Tournament team for his two-way exploits, tossing a complete
game, one-hit shutout in which he struck out 15 while hitting .364
with a pair of triples. A fiery and fierce competitor, the
fast-twitch Baker is able to create next-level bat speed thanks to
his quick hands and shows gap-to-gap strength.
Ulysses
Cantu, 1B/3B, Texas Scout Team Yankees
Cantu
was one of the best and most productive hitters at the Area Code
Games in August and he was the same in Jupiter. Along with his
strength and bat speed, Cantu has outstanding barrel-to-ball skills
and will be a low strikeout hitter. His long home run off a low and
inside curveball was a textbook lesson in how to keep your hands back
on an off-speed pitch. Scouts won't love the 6-foot righthanded
hitting profile but it's one of the better pure bats in the class.
Nick
Derr, SS, Mets Scout Team/Scorpions
Derr
has made huge strides as a hitter and the athletic ability has always
been there. His swing is very short and direct and the bat speed is
very real. Derr had a four-hit game in Jupiter and also put on a
batting practice show on Thursday morning. Look forward to a big
spring from the righthanded hitter.
Kyle
McCann, C, East Cobb Yankees
While
any relationship between Kyle McCann and Brian McCann is unknown at
this point in time, the similarity doesn't stop at the name and the
state of Georgia, as Kyle is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound lefthanded hitting
catcher with bat speed and power. Scouts aren't likely to sleep on
him either after last year's East Cobb Yankees catcher, Tyler
Stephenson, blew up as a first rounder last spring.
Bryant
Packard, 1B, EvoShield Canes
On
a talent-laden Canes team it was Packard, ranked 381st in the 2016 class prior to Jupiter, who had one of the stronger
performances over the weekend. The overall swing is short and plenty
loose to the ball with big bat speed and strength off the barrel that
plays to all parts of the field. After connecting for balls that came
off at 103 mph in each of the first two games, Packard delivered one
of the bigger blows of the entire event with a standup triple to the
opposite field gap.
Arms
on the Rise
Similar
to the Bats Stepping Up as listed above, this group of pitchers
really stood out on the fields at the Roger Dean Complex in Jupiter.
Nate
Brown, RHP, Chicago Scouts Association
The
overall talent in the Midwest in on the rise and Brown is a big part
of that. He has the talent to make noise this spring and jump to the
top of scouts' follow lists given his size, athleticism, looseness,
command and repertoire. Brown attacks hitters with a fastball that
topped at 92 in Jupiter and a tight 80 mph slider and is able to work
either side of the black while staying off barrels and missing bats.
Mason
Cole, RHP, Dallas Tigers
A
very tall, very long righthander, Cole’s arm works very well with
lots of looseness and easy velocity projection. Already working
comfortably in the mid- to upper-80s, Cole’s combination of
projection and arm speed could certainly lead to a velocity jump as
soon as the spring arrives, which could in turn send him flying up
draft boards.
Cal
Coughlin, RHP/3B, Reds Midwest Scout Team
Coughlin
and the Dallas Tigers Ray Gaither might as well be the same player,
as their tools and profiles as two-way players overlap precisely.
Coughlin touched 94 mph in Jupiter and was comfortable working in the
low-90s. His curveball is solid when he throws it hard and he flashed
a nice changeup as well. Coughlin is young on the mound but the
talent is there to really develop.
Davis
Daniel, RHP, Braves Scout Team/Ohio Warhawks
Daniel
was one of the most impressive righthanded pitchers in the
tournament, and his appearance on opening night was watched closely
by many scouts, crosscheckers and directors. The lean and athletic
righty threw his heater in the 91-94 mph range, proving that his
velocity jump in the later part of the summer was sustainable, and he
also showed good feel for a sharp upper-70s breaking ball and pounded
the strike zone consistently.
James
(Alex) Haynes, RHP, Northeast Baseball
Of
the 15 pitchers who touched 94 mph or better in Jupiter Haynes might
be the least known of those, partially since he didn't do the full
summer circuit. Even still, Haynes was ranked within the top 300
prospects heading into Jupiter and did nothing but elevate stock as
he lived in the low-90s over his couple of innings and did so without
much effort. With an extended three-quarters arm slot Haynes was able
to live down in the zone with comfort to locate to either side while
mixing in a low-70s breaking ball for strikes.
Trevor
Holloway, RHP, Florida Burn
Holloway
hadn’t been recognized as of one the Sunshine State’s premium
arms but he may have changed some scouts’ minds the past few weeks.
He was impressive at the Florida Diamond Club Showcase a week prior
to the WWBA World Championship, and in Jupiter he flashed his low-90s
fastball and the ability to throw his breaking ball for strikes with
an easy arm action that should bode well for further velocity as he
matures physically.
Easton
McGee, RHP, Marucci Elite
McGee
has long been one of the more projectable arms in the 2016 class and
he’s taken the first of what could end up being a couple of
velocity jumps while in Jupiter. With a previous top velocity of 91
mph, McGee mixed in several 92's and a couple of 93's early in the
contest before finishing his complete game gem with a 90 mph fastball
on his 100th
and final pitch. He also flashed both a slider and curveball, both of
which became more prevalent in the later innings.
Miles
Sandum, LHP, Marlins Scout Team
Sandum
threw in front of a throng of scouts and the southpaw certainly gives
evaluators plenty to think about. At 6-foot-4, 215-pounds he has
present strength with a quality frame that projects, and he also has
good arm speed and raw arm strength, running his fastball up to 93
mph in the early going of his brief Jupiter appearance. Projectable
high school lefties with that kind of velocity don’t grow on trees,
meaning Sandum will certainly be watched closely during the spring by
Southern California area scouts.
Skylar
Szynski, RHP, Reds Midwest Scout Team
Szynski
is poised for a big jump in the rankings after dominating in his
three-inning Jupiter appearance. He threw mostly 90-93 mph fastballs,
peaking at 94 during that time, allowing just one hit while fanning
five. Although there's some effort in his delivery he has a strong,
athletic frame and could be the next Indiana prep pitcher to creep
into the early round conversation between now and next June.
Connor
Thomas, LHP, Team Elite Prime
Mark
it down, Thomas is going to win lots of games at Georgia Tech. He's a
sub 6-foot lefthander who scratched 90 mph in Jupiter, so he isn't
likely to excite the scouting community right now but he has a very
good true slider that has depth in the low-80s and outstanding
command of the lower part of the strike zone. When he adds a workable
changeup, he'll be a weekend ACC starter.
Spencer
Van Scoyoc, LHP, Iowa Select
Van
Scoyoc may have the most diverse arsenal and advanced pitchability in
the 2016 class outside of any lefthanded pitcher not named Jesus
Lazardo. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native has good command of a fastball
that he ran up to 90 mph and feel for an impressive array of quality
secondary offerings including a curveball, slider and changeup.
Nathan
Walker, RHP/C, San Diego Padres Scout Team
Although
he shows solid defensive skills behind the dish, Walker is most
intriguing to evaluators on the mound. At 6-foot-4, 185-pounds he has
an ultra-projectable frame, and as he gets stronger he should
continue to add velocity to his present 88-90 mph fastball. While his
secondary offerings are still developing he generates significant
downhill plane and a tough angle for opposing hitters and he has the
ability to throw quality strikes with his lively heater.
Bo
Weiss, RHP, Mountain West Slammers
Weiss
has always intrigued scouts thanks to his lean, projectable pitcher’s
build and bloodlines. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound righty has taken the
velocity jump that many saw coming, working more consistently in the
low-90s this fall (and touching 94) after showing an 87-90 mph
fastball for much of the past calendar year. Perhaps even more
encouraging for evaluators Weiss showed improved command and
crispness of his secondary offerings.
The
Next Wave
This
category is dedicated to the underclassmen that performed at a high
level at the 2015 WWBA World Championship and represents the future
wave of talent we expect to play at a high level through this time
next year.
Nick
Allen, SS, CBA Marucci
We
at Perfect Game have long been big fans of Nick Allen, and for very
good reason. Despite being a bit undersized, Allen is arguably the
best defender in his class at a premium position. He’s very
advanced offensively as well, with beyond-his-years ability to
command the strike zone and recognize spin. Add all that to a quick
bat that already sprays liners to all fields and developing
extra-base power, and it’s quite easy to see why Allen is held in
such high regard throughout the baseball community.
Cooper
Davis, OF, Ontario Blue Jays
Davis
may be the next high-round Canadian draft after the country had an
outstanding 2015 class. He led Jupiter with seven stolen bases and
has 6.3 speed in the 60-yard dash according to Blue Jays GM and
Manager Dan Bleiwas. Davis isn't a slap-and-run prospect either as he
has strength in his lefthanded swing.
Russell
Smith, LHP, Dallas Tigers
Smith
is a different prospect than fellow 2017 6-foot-9 southpaw Mitchell
Stone, aside from the obvious vertical similarities. He's almost
strictly a fastball pitcher at present with a loose and fast arm that
produced an 86-88 mph fastball that is hugely projectable. The two
things that stand out about Smith is his athletic and repeatable
delivery, which enabled him to pound the strike zone, and his obvious
positive emotion on the mound. He has the type of projectability that
makes scouts dream.
Mitchell
Stone, LHP, Astros Scout Team/FTB Tucci
As
a 6-foot-9 southpaw with a similar stature and tantalizing upside as
the same stage of their respective careers, Stone will inevitably
hear plenty of A.J. Puk comparisons. He has remarkable body control
and feel for repeating his mechanics, and he showcased improved
fastball velocity, working consistently in the 87-89 mph range.
Stone’s mid-70s curveball projects to be a legitimate out-pitch at
the next level which makes him a fascinating player to watch develop
over the next 18 months.
Alejandro
“Alex” Toral, 1B, Elite Squad Prime
The
No. 1 prospect in the 2017 class is the type of hitter who will stop
all conversations and draw all eyes to the lefthanded batter's box
when he steps to the plate, and he rewarded onlookers with two
monsterous home runs in Jupiter. If there is a point to quibble with
in Toral's approach it's that he can appear too patient and selective
at the plate at times. Of course, that quibble might just be because
scouts like to watch him swing more than take.
Cole
Turney, OF, Texas Scout Team Yankees
Turney
has a very close comp in 2013 Oakland A's first round pick Billy
McKinney, now one of the top prospects in the loaded Cubs system.
Their profiles as lefthanded hitters who are athletic enough for some
centerfield duty but are long-term corner outfielders are identical
and their tools similarly matched. The difference is that Turney has
significantly more power potential than McKinney and impacts the ball
harder at the same age.
Connor
Uselton, OF, Sandlot Scout Team
Uselton
still has another year on the summer/fall circuit which doesn’t
bode very well for the opposing teams that will have to face the
potential five-tool outfielder. His overall skill-set still projects
despite already standing out physically, and his swing is loose and
fluid with present strength. And the performance backs up his tools,
as six of Uselton's eight hits went for extra bases, including a long
home run in which he kept his weight back on a curveball and
connected for a 400-plus foot towering shot.
Mark
Vientos, SS, Elite Squad Louisville Slugger
Vientos
is one of the most well-rounded players in the 2017 class. The Miami
commit has been a known entity in South Florida circles for some time
now, and with his projectable 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame, present feel
for the barrel and top-notch hand speed in the batter’s box, it is
easy to understand why he’s currently the fourth-ranked player in
the 2017 rankings.
Steven
Williams, OF/C, Team Elite Prime
Williams
can impact the ball as hard as any 2017 in the country. He tends to
get too opposite field oriented at times, which lessens his bat speed
and ability to drive the ball, but that will come with time. Due to
the depth of catchers in the Team Elite Prime program it's not easy
to see him log time behind the dish, but he's certainly athletic
enough to stand out there.