NECBL prospect reports

Official League Website: www.necbl.com
2016 Summer Collegiate Top Prospect Index
New England Collegiate Baseball League Top Prospect List (30)

After falling to the Vermont Mountaineers in a game three extra-inning matinee in the 2015 NECBL championship, the Mystic Schooners were able to bring home the title in 2016. Perhaps it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise as Head Coach Phil Orbe and his team turned in the best record not only in the Southern Division, but the entire league with a 29-15 mark. Upon entering the playoffs the Schooners went 6-1 with their lone loss coming in the opening round to the New Bedford Bay Sox, 2-1.

The offense and the pitching, just as they had in the regular season, were in full force in the championship round as they swept the Sanford Mariners and outscored them 11-3. Throughout the regular season the Schooners had six everyday players hit over .300, led by rising senior Nick Mascelli of Wagner, who is detailed below.

The rest of the league proved to be just as fruitful with talent and leading the way was top-ranked prospect, both by the league and Perfect Game, Virginia righthander Tommy Doyle. The 6-foot-6 Doyle earned high praise from all who saw him both for his present arsenal and ability to use it.

St. John’s rising senior catcher Troy Dixon took home both the league MVP award and batting title with a .371 average, while Stephen Scott, a Vanderbilt product, was tabbed the Rookie of the Year and showed a potent, middle-of-the-order bat.


Year Established: 1993
States Represented: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
No. of Teams: 13
Regular Season Champion (best overall record): Mystic Schooners (29-15)
Postseason Champion: Mystic Schooners
No. 1 Prospect, 2015: Willie Rios, lhp, Mystic (Florida Southwestern State)
First 2015 Player Selected, 2016 Draft: Tim Lynch, 1b, Ocean State (Southern Miss/Yankees, 9th round)

Most Valuable Player: Tory Dixon, c, Newport (St. John’s)
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Tommy Doyle, rhp, Keene (Virginia)
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Darrien Ragins, rhp, New Bedford (Delaware St.)
Top Prospect (as selected by league): Tommy Doyle, rhp, Keene (Virginia)

BATTING LEADERS

Batting Average: Troy Dixon, c, Newport (St. John’s) (.371)
Slugging Percentage: Keivan Berges, of, Winnipesaukee (Northwood) (14)
On-Base Percentage: Daniel Holst, of, North Adams (Southeast Missouri State) (.509)
Home Runs: Keivan Berges, of, Winnipesaukee (Northwood) (14)
RBI: Keivan Berges, of, Winnipesaukee (Northwood) (44)
Stolen Bases: Daniel Holst, of, North Adams (Southeast Missouri State) (21)

PITCHING LEADERS

Wins: Braxton Wilks, lhp, North Adams (Abilene Christian) (7)
ERA: Ryan Testani, rhp, Danbury (Seton Hall) (1.60)
Saves: Robert Hitt, rhp, Ocean State (Quinnipiac); Tanner Bird, rhp, North Adams (Franklin Pierce) (10)
Strikeouts: Andrew Gist, lhp, Newport, (Georgia) (52)

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Hezekiah Randolph, of, Valley (New Orleans)
Best Hitter: Troy Dixon, c, Newport (St. John’s)
Best Power: Stephen Scott, of, Newport (Vanderbilt)
Best Speed: Daniel Holst, of, North Adams (Southeast Missouri State)
Best Defender: Connor Kaiser, ss, Newport (Vanderbilt)
Best Velocity: Dan Jagiello, rhp, Dabury (LIU Post)
Best Breaking Ball: Darrien Ragins, lhp, New Bedford (Delaware State)
Best Command: Tommy Doyle, rhp, Keene (Virginia)


TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Tommy Doyle, rhp, Keene (Virginia/JR in 2017)
After a 2016 spring season which saw Doyle split time between the starting rotation and as a pivotal piece of the bullpen, the physically imposing 6-foot-6 Virginia native did his second tour in the NECBL and came away as a near unanimous top prospect throughout the league. Last summer Doyle checked in as the league’s No. 9 prospect and this summer he vaulted his status thanks to a fastball that ticked up from the spring and a simply overpowering arsenal which helped punch out 40 batters in just 33 innings for Keene. But perhaps the biggest takeaway from the summer for Doyle was the improved command, an aspect to his game that should help not only his draft stock come this June but also bolster the Cavalier’s weekend rotation for the upcoming season. Over those 33 innings this past summer Doyle compiled an ERA of 1.62 allowing just 14 base hits, numbers that were so minute thanks in part to a full arsenal. Throughout the summer Doyle regularly worked in the 91-93 mph with plenty of natural life while coaches league wide said he could bump mid-90s in shorter stints, a believable feat given the ease in which he produces the velocity. He uses his height to his advantage, creating solid plane to the lower third of the strike zone with heavy life while throwing both a curveball and slider, as well as his changeup. Doyle was able to command both of his breaking pitches as well as any arm in the league while his changeup showed above average, giving him both the repertoire and size that pro scouts look for in a high round talent.