OF/RHP
James “Jae” Skoda (2013, Grand Bay, AL) has the look of a
physical force the minute he steps on a field. One of the strongest
players at the event, Skoda showed some of that strength in batting
practice. But, it was his performance on the mound that made him one
of the event’s standouts. He flashed the top velocity at the event,
touching 91 mph, and sitting 87-90 with good life. His curveball was
also impressive, flashing good downer action. There’s more velocity
on the way with Skoda, as he appears to be just getting things
together mechanically. His command got better as his outing moved
along.
OF/IF
Alexander Melendez (2013, Benjamin Harrison HS, Cayey, PR)
couldn’t have been much more impressive in all facets of the game.
He posted one of the best 60 times, at 6.69, threw 86 mph from the
outfield, and put on quite a show with the bat. He showed some of the
best bat speed at the event, displaying some loud pull power in
batting practice. Melendez also has a large, highly athletic body
with some projection. His upside is as high as any player’s in
attendance, and his ability with the bat is of particular interest.
OF
Luis Touron (2013, Westminster Christian HS, Miami, FL) could
certainly stake a claim to having the best power bat at the event. A
switch hitter who currently shows better skills from the left side,
Touron deposited two long home runs over the right field fence in BP
as lefty. He followed that up with a display of opposite field power
from the right side, bouncing one ball off the fence in right center
field. This power carried into the game as well, as he drove a long
double to straight away center field. This is a strong young hitter
with an idea at the plate and possesses easy power.
OF/LHP
Kevin Garner (2013, Little Rock Central HS, Little Rock, AR)
seemed to pop up everywhere you looked at the World Uncommitted.
Whether it was on the mound, in the outfield, at the plate, or in the
60 yard dash, Garner was consistently among the most impressive
performers. He had five ringing hits over a two game span, and showed
some game ready power from the left side of the plate. He also
flashed an 82 mph fastball from the mound and a solid feel for his
secondaries. His strong arm from the outfield and 6.96 60 yard dash
coupled with his impressive hit tool from the left side will make him
a more attractive commodity as a position player, however.
SS
Michael Landestoy (2013, Saint George School, Santo Domingo, DR)
plays the game like the son of a big leaguer, and as it turns out, he
is. The son of 8-year big leaguer, Rafael Landestoy, Michael was one
the events most well rounded talents. He has a projectable, athletic
body, and shows impressive quickness on the infield. He has shortstop
actions and the arm plays well enough across the infield. At the
plate he showed some quickness in his wrists, flashing some hard line
drives in batting practice. Landestoy looks like he’s just
scratching the surface and should be a very interesting follow.
RHP
William Griffin (2013, Kennesaw Mountain HS, Kennesaw, GA)
unleashed some of most powerful fastballs of the event, sitting
around 86-88 and topping out at 89 mph. He also flashed a hard
curveball and decent command. This is a high upside arm with more
velocity and strength on the way.
OF Zach Elder (2013,
Chanhassen HS, Carver, MN) looked to be one of the most sound, well
rounded hitters in attendance. His hands were quick in BP and game
action, and flashed some impressive opposite field power. Aside from
his good bat speed, Elder also showcased an 82 mph fastball from the
mound and threw 86 mph from the outfield.
C
Omar Figueroa (2013, Carlos Beltran Academy, Ponce, PR) displayed
among the most impressive power strokes at the World Uncommitted,
lining multiple deep drives off the high right field fence. He has a
very strong lower half, and clearly has a swing designed to hit the
long ball.
SS
Davyon Dozier (2013, Brooks Debartolo Collegiate, Wesley Chapel,
FL) was clearly one of the best “hit tool” players at the World
Uncommitted. He needs work on the defensive side of the ball, and he
needs to get a little stronger, and that showed in his defensive
workouts. But, when he took the field for BP, it was clear very early
that he was one of the highest upside bats of the event. His bat
speed stands out, as does his impressive loft to straight away center
field. His power potential is very exciting, considering he still has
a lot of room to grow into his athletic, projectable frame.
RHP
David Contreras (FA, Miami, FL) showcased a sound delivery and a
live fastball at the World Uncommitted, and his athletic frame has
some decent projection to dream on. The ball comes out of his hand
nice and easy, sitting 85-88 mph, and he snapped off a couple good 70
mph curveballs.
MIF
Noel Rosario (2013, Woodrow Wilson HS, Camden, NJ) definitely fit
the description of “toolsy” with his showing in Fort Myers. He
ran a 6.76 60 yard dash and threw 87 mph across the infield. As
impressive as those numbers are, it was his game performances at the
plate that stood out. He made consistent, line drive contact and
found himself on the bases as often as any player at the event.
1B
Michael Avila (2013, Immaculata Lasalle HS, Miami, FL) is the
owner of a large, mature frame and it shows in his batting practice
power. He hit some of the loudest shots off the bat in the event and
showed carry to the middle of the field. There’s some length to the
swing there, but his power should translate well as he moves up in
competition.
SS/RHP
Miguel Angel Riestra Rivera (FA, Caguas, PR) made a lot of
infield workout onlookers very curious to see him on the mound after
tossing an 88 mph rocket to first base. When he got to the mound, he
showed some intriguing things. He touched 86 mph with an easy
delivery, sitting 82-85. And, he’s hitting these velocities without
much lower half involvement right now. With some tweaking, he may be
a 90 mph arm from the mound.
OF
Kyle Wilson (2013, Lake Dallas HS, Hickory Creek, TX) showcased
one of the strongest outfield arms at the event, flashing 87 mph from
right field. His throws were on-line and consistent. His 6-foot-2,
180 pound frame and bat make him all the more intriguing. He showed
an ability to sit on his back leg and lift some long drives in
batting practice, as well as some hard line drives. His offensive
game is one to be watched very closely.
OF
Cristian Bracero (2013, Carlos Beltran Academy, Manati, PR) threw
86 mph from the outfield and showcased some good athleticism there as
well. At the plate, he hit consistent line drives in batting practice
and flashed good bat speed.
1B/RHP
Willie Fabra (2013, Belen Jesuit Prep, Miami, FL) is a strong,
physical righty hitter who flashed some serious power potential in
batting practice. There are some aspects of his swing that need to be
ironed out, but the power to the middle of the field is very evident.
He consistently drove deep shots to right center field in his batting
practice session.
OF
Jake Carr (2013, JL Mann HS, Greenville, SC) had a true standout
moment in game action with his throwing arm. After putting together a
solid BP and some good at-bats, his on the fly laser to third base
from right field made most in attendance do a double take. Carr also
ran a 6.79 60.
3B/OF
Troy Sieber (2013, Salem HS, Salem, NJ) threw 84 mph across the
infield and a pair of good hands. But, his best impression was made
at the plate. He took a solid batting practice round, using a high
leg kick and he doesn’t get cheated when he takes his hacks.
OF/RHP
Spencer Phillips (2013, Bayside HS, Palm Bay, FL) reached 84 mph
on the mound, but was more impressive with his swings in game action.
He displayed a quality approach and a consistent line drive swing.
He’s only going to get better with strength and maturity.
1B
Kevin Cruz-Sanabria (2013, Haines City Senior HS, Haines City,
FL) makes the cut for this list on the strength of what was the swing
the of the event. The big first baseman launched a long home run to
left field on a high fastball, showing big carry and quickness
inside. He’s very raw at this point, but there’s no doubting his
strength after this big swing.
SS/RHP Elijah White (2013, North Cobb HS, Kennesaw, GA) threw 85 mph across the infield and showed a loose arm with good fielding actions and good footwork. He also reached 86 mph on the mound with his fastball and had a good curveball at 76 mph.