Prospects Live Articles — Prospects Live

Brian Recca

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Recca's Fall Notebook Part 2: Lafayette v East Stroudsburg Scrimmage

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I joined colleague Jake Bargery on a rainy, overcast day to watch Lafayette College’s scrimmage against DII East Stroudsburg. Not having seen either school in the 2024 season, this was a great chance to get familiar with both Pennsylvania programs.

Lafayette’s baseball program often loses top talent to the transfer portal, with two of their hardest-throwing pitchers, Luke Craytor (Virginia Tech) and Mason Koczwara (Florida SouthWestern), leaving this offseason. The previous year, it was Alex Walsh (Maryland), and before that, future major leaguer Jake Bloss (Georgetown). Building a solid pitching staff will be challenging, but several promising arms show potential for growth. On offense, Lafayette brings more stability with a mix of proven hitters and emerging talent, led by JR Ethan Swidler, a potential Patriot League star and draft prospect. The lineup’s strength should allow Lafayette to compete well in-conference, and if the pitching develops, they could be a dark horse.

East Stroudsburg, a consistent DII contender, competes in the highly regarded PSAC conference alongside top programs like Millersville, Seton Hill, and West Chester. Draft talent coming out of the PSAC in any given year is not uncommon, and it was only two drafts ago that ESU had a player chosen in RHP Tom Reisinger. The Warriors have finished with a winning percentage of 67% or higher in each of the last three seasons. Longtime ace Brent Francisco, hard-throwing Nick McAuliffe, and lockdown reliever Carson Renner (now at Penn State) will be tough to replace, but Coach John Kochmansky and company have a knack for piecing together highly effective pitching staffs. The Warriors have finished no lower than 3rd in ERA from 2022-2024 in the PSAC. Despite some turnover on offense, several veteran players look poised for breakout seasons. Whether future pros are in this ESU squad remains to be seen, but they’re a respected program with strong scouting interest year after year.

Lafayette College

ETHAN SWIDLER

Position: Catcher

Year: JR: | Draft Age: 21.07

B: Right | T: Right

H: 6’1 | W: 200

Photo Credit: Hannah Ally

The Leopards offense will be led by JR catcher Ethan Swidler. Getting a live look at Swidler prior to the 2025 season was a priority after he made the All-Patriot League First Team last spring. Swidler split time between catcher and first base as a sophomore and finished the year with a .327/.460/.572 line which included 9 homers and more walks (39) than strikeouts (35) in 202 plate appearances. Beyond the box score stats, Swidler also stood out in several data categories:

Average EV: 90 MPH | 85th percentile

90th Percentile EV: 105 MPH | 81st percentile

Barrel Rate: 24% | 78th percentile

Contact Rate: 82% | 79th percentile

Chase Rate: 12.7% | 98th percentile

Swinging Strike Rate: 6.1% | 89th percentile

That’s an extremely well-rounded offensive game that covers contact ability, power, and plate discipline. In 2024 there were two other Patriot League hitters with similarly versatile data profiles, Bucknell’s Sean Keys and Lehigh’s Rafe Perich. Keys was drafted in the 4th round by the Blue Jays while Perich went to the Rangers in the 7th. Here’s how the three stack up:

Obviously, Swidler is in good company. A continuation of this level of production will be enough to put him on the draft radar though whether or not he is ultimately a day-two selection like Keys and Perich will depend on other factors. But just looking at Swidler the size, physicality, and strength at the plate are clear. He starts out in a crouched stance, somewhat closed, with high hands, and the bat angled slightly upwards. Swidler coils up with a short stride, really digging in his front foot to the ground to generate good torque and plenty of bat speed. Swidler was walked multiple times during the game and it was evident from my view behind home plate that Swidler was identifying pitches early, allowing him to remain in the strike zone. He did square one pitch (GIF below), a high breaking ball that he lined directly at the shortstop. While a collection of plate appearances resulting in walks isn’t great for content, it was useful information for both myself and Jake. Overall, the physicality, the approach, and the few swings we did see were enough for us to determine that Swidler isn’t just a player who looks good on a spreadsheet, there are legitimate tools for the next level.

Of course, the burning question for amateur catching prospects will be whether or not they can stick at the position. Last year Swidler played 31 games at first base and 19 at catcher. He was behind the plate during this scrimmage and I have to imagine that he spends the majority of his time back there in 2025. Now I’m no catching expert. I never played the position and I rely heavily on other sources such as scouts and coaches when trying to piece together a player’s defensive profile. In other words, take my opinion with a grain of salt. However, sometimes you “know it when you see it” and in this look, I did not see it. Swidler made some good blocks in the dirt but it was a little inconsistent. There were some good flashes on the receiving end but again, it wasn’t consistent. Swidler showed good arm strength but the throwing mechanics were, you guessed it, inconsistent. I included some of his receiving and a throw down between innings in the video below. Context is important here. Swidler is still relatively inexperienced at the position and this was a fall ball scrimmage on a wet, dreary day. Making a firm call on his defensive future based on this single game would be a mistake. The way I look at it, this game sets a baseline. We can compare where he was on this day to what he looks like in April or May. Is there progress? How much? Will it continue? Until we’re able to answer those questions, Swidler’s future defensive home remains up in the air. But going back to Sean Keys and Rafe Perich for a moment, it’s not like those two were defensive stalwarts either. Their bats carried the overall profile and the same will be true for Swidler. He’ll be an early favorite for Patriot League Player of the Year and a player who scouts will check up on throughout the spring.

Outside of Swidler, SR third baseman Michael Zarrillo and SO shortstop Matt Colella should be integral pieces of the everyday lineup. Zarrillo is a switch hitter with superb physicality at 6’1-220. He has well above-average power and a strong arm that fits at the hot corner. He’ll need to reign the swing-and-miss but Zarrillo has 17 homers over the past two years and is a double-digit home run threat for 2025. Colella has a very different profile than Zarrillo with a smaller 5’9-175 build. Colella finished his freshman year with a .252/.368/.329 line and an impressive 89% contact rate. He lacks impact power but he makes pitchers work and puts pressure on the defense with his bat-to-ball ability. He was adequate defensively at shortstop but the profile might be a better fit at second base. Colella is a good bet to improve substantially during his second year on campus.


The final player who stood out offensively for Lafayette was third-year outfielder Bode Grieve. Grieve is the son of nine-year veteran and 1998 Rookie of the Year, Ben Grieve. Bode has made stops at Baylor and New Mexico State but never received game action with either squad. That will certainly change this year as Bode looked like a quality athlete with good size at 6’3. He was on base often with a couple of walks and a pulled line drive double down the left field line. We’ll have to see how he holds up over the course of a full season, but Grieve is a nice wild card for a program like Lafayette. Grieve has some upside and could bolster the top of the Leopards lineup this spring.

SR RHP Joe Skapinetz made the start for Lafayette and received two innings of work. The 6 '5 righty topped out at 92 MPH and sat in the 89-91 MPH range. He also threw what appeared to be a mid-80s cutter, an upper-70s slider that he used to record two strikeouts and one changeup. He moved well down the mound for his size, getting well above average extension in his delivery which allowed his stuff to play up. Skapinetz hasn’t had much success in previous seasons but looked like a potential rotation anchor in this viewing.

A handful of underclass arms showed some positive traits. RHP Sophomore Tristan Helmick is probably the one with the most upside and draft potential. He’s highly projectable with a lanky build at  6’6-185. Helmick gets extended well and flashes a heavy sinker that sits around 87 MPH, topping out at 90. He filled out his arsenal with a low 80s cutter, a mid-70s curveball with above-average depth, and a low 80s changeup. None of his secondaries stood out in this appearance but there is potential with each offering as he continues to grow and begins to harness his pitchability. Helmick is a work in progress, but there’s loads of development potential, making him a good name to follow. Joining Helmick as potential follows are righties Ben Waterman and Kellen Moore. Waterman is a sophomore transfer from DIII Hamilton College with a solid 6’2-190 build. Waterman showed decent feel for a three-pitch mix and was up to 90 MPH while sitting 87-89. Moore meanwhile, is a prized recruit for the Leopards and looks ready to contribute out of the gate. The 6 '4 New Jersey native sat 89-90 MPH with a highly effective changeup in the 80-82 range while also mixing in a mid-to-upper 70s slider.

Tristan Helmick, RHP

Sophomore

Photo Credit: Hannah Ally

East Stroudsburg

Getting the Start for ESU was Charleston Southern transfer RHP Ryan Cavanaugh. The redshirt FR has good length to his leaner frame and has the potential to be a long-term building block for Coach Kochmansky’s pitching staff. He opened up in the 89-90 range before sitting 86-88 in the second inning. Cavanaugh has been up to 92-93 in the past and with the physical projection that he possesses, it would not be surprising if he was sitting in that low 90s area in the future. He complimented his fastball with a slider in the 82-84 range that had cutter shape, a 76-78 MPH slurve, and a changeup between 78-81 MPH.

Two more righties that caught my attention were JR Jaden Newton and SR Caden Parker. Newton showed the most velocity for any ESU arm touching 92 MPH while working in a low 80s slider that showed flashes of being an effective weapon and a changeup in a similar velocity band. Consistent strikes have been a concern in the past but the 6 '4-215 righty has quality arm strength and the blueprint for a competent three-pitch mix. Meanwhile, Caden Parker showed why he was such an effective weapon late in games for the Warriors in 2024. The UMES transfer secured 12 saves during his first season with ESU with a 2.25 ERA. He won’t blow you away with velocity but he mixes his 88-90 MPH fastball and 78-80 MPH slider effectively with plenty of deception in his delivery. Finally, I liked what I saw from SO Peyton Brannock. The projectable 6’1 lefty tossed two shutout innings during the scrimmage while striking out a pair of batters. Brannock is a good mover on the mound and I liked the slight crossfire action to his delivery. He topped out at 89 MPH and sat 87-88 with good life. He also showed solid feel for spinning his upper 70s curveball and added a changeup that flashed some fading action. It’s more control over command for now but Brannock has a lot of positive traits and his development will be worth tracking over the next year and change.

Shanley Wall, CF

Junior

Photo Credit: Dave Janosz

The Warriors offense is led by redshirt JR first baseman Parker Frey. The 6’2-225 lefty slugger is coming off a strong 2024 season that saw him hit .339/.425/.514 with 5 homers and more walks (26) than strikeouts (16). While there is plenty of raw pop, Frey doesn’t sell out for power as he’s more than comfortable taking what pitchers give him. He scorched a ball the opposite way and another towards the middle of the field for extra-base hits. It’s a mature approach from a seasoned hitter with enough strength to boost his home run total in a major way this spring. The biggest hit of the day was courtesy of redshirt SO infielder Walker Zampella. A righty bat with a strong, thick build, Zampella smacked a no-doubter to his pull side. He’s coming off a .309/.413/.463 season and has experience playing both up the middle positions on the dirt. Lastly, JR centerfielder Shanley Wall will be a major focal point of the Warriors offensive attack. Wall is the younger brother of former St Joseph’s OF Conlan Wall who was a spark plug and consistent performer throughout his college career. Shanley is in the same mold. He has a short, stout build at 5’9-185 and gets the most out of his physical tools. He’s a pesky hitter who is coming off a phenomenal 2024 season that saw him hit .401/,472/.553 with 4 homers, 21 extra-base hits, and a 22:12 B-to-K ratio in 233 plate appearances.

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Live Looks: Northeast Prep Workout

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Earlier this month, I was invited to a private workout featuring a handful of talented prep players from across the northeast region. This was a first for me. It was a moment in my career that felt important, a milestone of sorts. It was also a phenomenal opportunity to check out a large group of players at once, many of whom I intended on seeing at some point this spring.

An event such as this is helpful when putting the finishing touches on your priority list. You can only be in one place at a time, which means you are constantly being forced to choose between seeing one player (or group of players) over another player each day leading up to the draft. Strengthening that priority list ahead of the season helps an area scout maximize their limited amount of time. It’s not a perfect setting for a thorough evaluation, but you can gather a surprising amount of valuable information in a short window of time. This was a nice preview for the weeks, months, and years ahead. Below, you can find three players who made a strong impression and piqued my curiosity, followed by a handful of players who I’ll be tracking closely as prep baseball kicks into gear in my neck of the woods.

alex ramos | ‘24

RHP | GOSHEN CENTRAL, NY

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL COMMIT

One of the stronger locales for the northeast 2024 prep class will be the Hudson Valley area of New York. Alex Ramos, a Hudson Valley righty at Goshen Central, is an arm that area scouts will be eager to check out this spring. He was someone who stood out to me after seeing some short clips of him on social media with the look of someone who was just starting to blossom as a pitcher. That feeling was confirmed after seeing Ramos fire off consistent 93-95 MPH heat during his pen. Ramos is a quality athlete with a projectable, long-levered frame (6’3-190) suited for the mound. It’s a bit of a longer arm action, but Ramos was able to sync the operation effectively thanks to his above-average arm speed. Ramos releases from a high, almost over-the-top arm slot and extends well during his delivery. This gives the fastball good hop, and at this velocity, it’s a power pitch that projects well at the next level. There’s some head movement on release that could use some cleaning up to improve command, but the overall development to date is highly impressive. Ramos also featured a 74-76 MPH overhand curveball that had good shape at times and a changeup in the mid-80s. Between the two, I preferred the curve. It’s probably fringy presently, but I see the makings of a legitimate weapon as he develops and starts using it more.

Overall, Ramos profiles as a projection righty, but one who has more present velocity than similar arms in the prep and college classes. He has made significant gains over the past several months and is on an upward trajectory. If the stuff he showed in this pen translates to game action this spring, Ramos could leapfrog a good chunk of the prep pitching class in the region.

connor lane

CATCHER/RHP | OLD SAYBROOK SENIOR, CT

UCONN COMMIT

Connor Lane challenged Alex Ramos for the biggest surprise of the day. After showing off some good pop during BP, Lane jumped on the bump and caught the attention of every scout in attendance. Lane’s cannon arm is well-known to evaluators in the area, but now Lane has begun converting that arm talent behind the dish to the pitcher’s mound. He made a promising short appearance out of the bullpen in October during the WWBA tournament in Jupiter and has since taken things to another level. Lane has a physical 6’2-205 build, with immense arm strength. There was some variation to the arm action and delivery during this pen, but considering his experience level as a pitcher, it exceeded my expectations. The arm action is very short, at times resembling Texas Tech freshman Mac Heuer, though Lane releases from a higher slot. Lane sat in the 91-92 MPH range with his heater, with a few fastballs registering at 93-94 MPH (at least one scout in attendance had a 95 reading). The fastball had arm-side movement, with a few flashing good, late action. He complimented the fastball with a slider that had surprising polish. An upper 70s pitch, Lane showed feel for locating the breaker to his glove side. A couple had some “hump” coming out of the hand which made them easier to pick up, but the foundation for a solid secondary is present. 

Because Lane is both an integral piece behind the plate for his high school squad and a legitimate catching prospect, it remains to be seen how many opportunities he’ll receive on the mound in the months ahead. He showed enough in this look to suggest he has a real shot at “coming out” as an arm this spring, especially as he focuses more on pitching and accrues experience on the mound.

JC Pacheco | ‘26

SHORTSTOP | DEPAUL CATHOLIC, NJ

UNCOMMITTED

The 2026 high school class in New Jersey has a chance to be special. Based on this brief look, JC Pacheco is a name that belongs in the upper echelon of prep talents for 2026. Playing for Jersey powerhouse DePaul Catholic, Pacheco made a great first impression with the potential for a plus arm on the dirt and both contact and power in the box. Pacheco has good physicality for his age at 5’10-170 and is likely to grow in the years ahead. He showed a quiet swing with good barrel whip during his rounds of BP with the potential for both above average (or better) hand/bat speed as he matures. Pacheco was able to produce quality contact in all directions, and his knack for making hard, elevated contact up the middle and to the opposite field was noticeable. 

Obviously, we are a long way from the 2026 draft cycle, and a lot can change over that time. We’ll need to see if the offensive tools he showed in this look will translate to live pitching. That said, Pacheco is someone I’m eager to track over the next few years as he shares the field with a slew of fellow draft talents at DePaul Catholic. Pacheco remains uncommitted, but he is sure to be a high priority for recruiters moving forward.

QUICK HITS

Julius Rosado | Shortstop

South River HS, NJ | 2025

Rutgers Commit

I was glad to get another opportunity to see shortstop Julius Rosado before the high school season started. Once again, Rosado was cool, calm, and collected on both sides of the ball. He has well-defined strength while remaining smooth and nimble. We’ll see if he can stick at short long-term, but he checks a lot of the necessary boxes to play on the left side of the infield at the next level. He’s a confident hitter in the box with a swing that’s geared for explosive power to his pull side. It’s a swing that will be put to the test as he faces better, more consistent stuff, but he’s a kid that I expect will put in the work to make adjustments as he moves up the ladder. He would be a huge recruiting win for head coach Steve Owens and recruiting coordinator Brendan Monaghan should he reach campus.

Tyler Castrataro | Shortstop

Mahopac HS, NY | 2024

Hofstra Commit

I’ve now seen a good amount of Hofstra recruits up close and personal this winter and I’ve come away impressed. There’s been a clear, positive shift for Hofstra’s baseball program with skipper Frank Catalanatto at the helm. Like Rosado, this was my second look at Tyler Castrataro who serves as a good example of Hofstra’s enhanced recruiting thrust. A wiry, quick-twitch athlete Castrataro plays bigger than his listed 5’10-160 size. He’s an above-average runner and athlete who takes some ferocious cuts in the box. Castrataro’s ability to hammer the baseball is rare for someone his size. The violence in his swing is a big factor in that ability which, in theory, could impact his ability to make contact during live ABs. Regardless, Castrataro has plenty of raw tools to develop further and is the type of athlete that schools like Hofstra should be looking to work with.

Dylan Hansen | Right-Handed Pitcher

Downingtown East HS, PA | 2024

Coastal Carolina Commit

Out of the two Pennsylvania arms, Hansen showed the “louder” stuff but he also had more violence to the delivery. Hansen has good length and remaining projection at 6’3-205 with a strong, quick arm. The strikes were a bit scattered on this day, but Hansen displayed three quality offerings with a 91-93 MPH fastball, a slider between 78-80 MPH, and some decent. nascent feel for a changeup. Hansen is committed to Coastal Carolina, a school that has done a fantastic job developing players from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions in recent years.

Kross Howarth | Third Base/Right-Handed Pitcher

Perkiomen School, PA | 2024

Tulane Commit

As with Dylan Hansen, Kross Howarth has the same kind of long, projectable build (6’4-205) that will fill up a jersey while providing teams with something to dream on. The Tulane commit has legitimate two-way ability with an ideal power bat/power arm skillset for the hot corner. There’s plenty to like as an offensive prospect, but I paid extra attention to him on the mound. I really liked how effortlessly he filled the zone with his deceptive delivery. He stays closed for an extended period of time with a crossfire delivery and a low ¾ arm slot. I think this opens up a lot of developmental and pitch-shaping opportunities with his fastball moving forward. His fastball had good sinking action at the bottom of the zone, but I could see the pitch acting as a “hybrid” fastball that induces grounders at a high rate but can also miss a healthy amount of bats. Logan Webb and Marcus Stroman are good examples of this. He sat in the 90-91 MPH range but has lived in the 90-93 MPH (t94) range multiple times, dating back to the summer. Howarth also flashed some really good sliders (79-82 MPH). There weren’t any batters, obviously, but I imagine that his best sliders would release from behind a right-handed hitter before sweeping across the zone to the outer edge of the plate. He also threw a curve (74-76), which traded some sweep for additional vertical action as well as a changeup at 84 MPH. 

It can be a challenge for a pitcher to maintain a consistent release point with a delivery such as Howarth’s, but it clearly wasn’t an issue on this day. Howarth is going to get dinged in draft models because he’s already 19 and will be closer to 20 years old than 19 years old on draft day. But this is the type of arm I love to watch and track because there are outlier characteristics that could really “pop” if everything comes together. I hope to get a second look at Howarth this spring to see if he can do what he did in this pen over a full outing. If I don’t get the opportunity to see him myself, I know Pennsylvania-based evaluator Jake Bargery (who lives near Perkiomen) is ready to see him live during the high school season. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any video of Howarth on the mound, but you can check out some swings below.

Cristofer Cespedes | Right-Handed Pitcher

North Rockland HS, NY | 2024

Maryland Commit

Cespedes popped up this past summer/fall and is a big body (6’4-220) righty who sat in the 91-92 (t93) MPH range with a low 80s curveball and a mid-80s changeup. The mechanics need to be ironed out, but it’s a nice, short arm action from a high ¾ release with some deception. He’s raw as a pitcher, but I could see him taking off at Maryland. The size and ability to touch 94 mph with the fastball will draw scouts this spring.

Harrison Lollin | Right-Handed Pitcher

Monroe Township HS, NJ | 2024

Penn State Commit

Lollin was the most “complete” pitcher of the four mentioned in this section. He has a strong, filled-out frame at 6’1-210 that looks ready for the next level of competition. His stuff was noticeably firmer with a four-pitch mix highlighted by a fastball in the 91-94 MPH range. He also threw a sinking fastball with running action that he threw down and to his arm side in the 88-90 MPH range. The slider featured two-plane action at 79-82 MPH, which was tight at times, and he completed his repertoire with a promising changeup in the low-80s with fade. This was my first time seeing Lollin and he looked much better than I expected. He moved up my priority list for the spring following this brief outing. Stock up.

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Five Northeast Data Standouts

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One of the tools we rely on heavily at Prospects Live when evaluating players at both the pro and amateur levels is data. Basically, our process for evaluation and analysis involves blending live looks, data, and industry chatter. Using all the tools available to us to help paint the most accurate picture possible is the ultimate goal. Analytics and data are often framed as a warring faction against scouting and “boots on the ground” evaluation. That may be an accurate depiction for some areas of the baseball world, but here at Prospects Live, we believe that all the pieces matter. Data is a tool. Stopwatches are a tool. Radar guns, too. If it aids us in our mission to provide accurate, detailed, and informative content, we’re going to use it. The draft team at Prospects Live keeps an eye on hundreds of MLB draft prospects each year. Those live looks, just like the data, are integral to our evaluation methods. No “battle” exists between the two in our minds.

Beyond evaluation, we use data to help identify players that are worth closer inspection. Evaluating college baseball in the Northeast region (for the purposes of this article, the Northeast region includes the following states: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT) has its fair share of challenges. Smaller programs, varying levels of competition, and unpredictable weather represent just a few of those challenges. In the public space where Prospects Live operates, information can be difficult to come by, which leads to players with “draft pedigree” slipping through the cracks. Pro teams and area scouts likely know about these hidden gems, but they aren’t exactly motivated to spill the beans. Data helps us uncover some of those types of players, which in turn makes our draft analysis, boards, and rankings more accurate. The goals of this piece were to highlight a handful of ballplayers with intriguing hitting or pitching data while also modeling how we use data at Prospects Live to identify players. Because of that, I shied away from including more well-known players from the region, such as Mike Sirota, and opted to stay true to the process that I use to find talented ballplayers that belong in the draft discussion. Here are five players that are worth monitoring from the Northeast region.

TREVOR COHEN

School: Rutgers

Position: Outfield

Class: Sophomore | 2025 Draft

B-T: Left-Left

H-W: 6’1-195

*Photo Credit: Rich Graessle

Trevor Cohen was an opening-day starter for the Scarlet Knights in 2023 as a freshman, flanking superstar centerfielder Ryan Lasko in left field. His 4-for-4 performance against Campbell was a sign of things to come, as Cohen went on to have a more than respectable debut season with a final batting line of .298/.383./.353 with 26 walks and 22 strikeouts in 261 plate appearances. That level of production earned Cohen a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice last spring. Cohen is a player worth getting excited about if you are a Scarlet Knight supporter, and the underlying offensive data reinforces that feeling. So what does Cohen do that is so special? It’s simple, really:

Cohen finished his freshman year with a contact rate slightly above 90%. That 90% contact threshold places Cohen in an exclusive group among qualified D1 hitters (min. 100 PA), and you can count the number of freshmen to clear that mark on two hands. In our available dataset, Cohen appears to be the youngest D1 player to record a contact rate of 90% or higher during the 2023 season. While there are undoubtedly aspects of Cohen’s game that can stand to improve, his ability to consistently make contact right from the outset establishes a sturdy foundation to build upon.

I saw Cohen twice during the fall, and while the build remains lean, it looked like he added some good weight during the offseason. He hit a homer in a scrimmage against Vanderbilt and a triple off the center field wall against Stony Brook, perhaps a sign of things to come for Cohen in his second college season. Cohen split time between center and right field this fall. He is likely better suited for right long-term, which puts more pressure on his bat. He has quick, adjustable hands with an innate feel for the barrel. However, he tends to get on top of the ball, which leads to grounders and limits his power production. I would be shocked if Cohen didn’t significantly improve both his extra-base (nine XBH) and home run (one HR) totals from last spring. He’s currently in the “tweener” category, but Cohen has two more years to develop a little more thump to pair with his advanced bat-to-ball ability. He has a realistic chance to be one of the top college bats for the 2025 draft in the northeast region.

NICK ROSELLI

School: Binghamton

Position: Second Base

Class: Junior | 2024 Draft

B-T: Left-Right

H-W: 5’10-195

While Trevor Cohen excelled in an individual category (contact %), Binghamton second basemen, Nick Roselli distinguished himself in several offensive categories. He enters his junior year with a career .336/.426/.569 batting line with nearly equal walks to strikeouts (49:53) and 18 long balls. Some of Roselli’s top accomplishments to date include finishing 2nd in program history for RBI in a single season with 61 RBI last spring, recording a seventeen-game hitting streak that went from April to May, and being a Regional All-Tournament selection as a freshman in 2022, where he went 6-8 with two homers in two games. Roselli will be among the elite performers in Binghamton baseball history with a successful campaign in year three of his college career.

Roselli is undersized, but there’s plenty of strength in his compact frame, especially in the upper half. He has short levers, which allow him to control the inner half of the plate and get good loft when turning on inside fastballs. While he doesn’t have huge raw power, the batted ball data suggests Roselli has the ability to impact the ball enough at the pro level. Roselli’s average exit velocity was above 92 MPH, and his sweet spot percentage (batted balls with 95+ EV and 10°-30° launch angle) eclipsed the 25% mark. Roselli ranked among the 90th percentile in both categories, according to our dataset from the 2023 season. He amplified those totals with strong contact and chase rates, showing off his well-rounded offensive skillset. For the year, Roselli’s overall contact rate hovered right around 85%, with an even higher rate of contact against fastballs 93 MPH or higher, and he chased pitches outside of the strike zone at a 17% clip. Those are solid totals for sure, and while neither the contact nor chase percentages are elite, they indicate that Roselli’s offensive production to date isn’t simply a small conference mirage. When you combine the batted ball data that was referenced earlier, you end up with a highly intriguing ballplayer that merits closer evaluation.

Playing at Binghamton in the America East conference has allowed Roselli to fly under the national radar to date. But if he’s able to run it back in year three, show he can stick at second base defensively, and continue producing with Bourne on the Cape this summer, he’ll get some love on draft boards across the industry.

NICK GROVES

School: Niagara

Position: Centerfield

Class: Sophomore | 2025 Draft

B-T: Left-Right

H-W: 5’10-170

*Photo Credit: Michael P Majewski

If it’s easy for a guy like Nick Roselli to fly under the radar at Binghamton, think about what it must be like to play college ball minutes away from the Canadian border. That’s the reality for sophomore Nick Groves, a centerfielder who led all of D1 baseball in walks per game (1.21 BB/G) and amassed more base-on-balls in a single season than any player in Niagara and MAAC history. Groves displayed superlative table-setting skills atop the Purple Eagles lineup, finishing the 2023 season with a .339/.504/.421 batting line. An Ontario native, Groves has a chance to be the first Purple Eagle selected in the MLB Draft since Matt Brash (Padres, 4th round) back in 2019.

As you might have guessed, Groves’ inclusion in this article is based on his plate discipline and approach as a hitter. Those elite walk totals have to come from somewhere, right? Groves finished his freshmen season with a superb chase rate of around 14%. That’s an impressive rate on its own, but when you combine that with some of Groves’ other tools, you can picture the overall profile attracting eyeballs from area scouts. Groves ran a contact rate in the 80-85% range, showing an ability to handle decent velocity, spin, and offspeed offerings. On top of that, Groves has outstanding speed that he began to harness more effectively as he got his feet wet in college ball. Sources I reached out to said Groves’ run grade is at least a 60 and potentially a 70 grade tool presently. Groves also looks extremely capable in center field and even has some experience manning the keystone. So, put that all together, and what do you have? A twitchy athlete with serious wheels who controls the strike zone, puts the bat on the ball, and plays up the middle defensively. Sounds like an ideal leadoff hitter, no?

Of course, Groves will need to show more impact at the dish. His power production in 2023 was underwhelming, to put it nicely. He can get a little passive at the plate, though there is some evidence that he began to show more positive aggression as the spring progressed, while the swing can drift from ‘slasher’ and into ‘slap’ territory. Still, the base of skills and tools are palpable, and Groves has two more years to complement his game with some added impact at the plate. It’s not a perfect one-to-one comparison, but Groves reminds me a little bit of former Demon Deacon Tommy Hawke. Hawke had a similar profile and toolset as Groves (he even played a little middle infield) following his freshman year in 2022 but was able to grow into some power during his draft year. That bump in power was enough for Hawke to hear his name called by the Guardians in the 6th round last July. Whether Groves can follow a similar path remains to be seen, but there’s no question that he’ll be followed closely by MLB clubs over the next couple of years.

RYAN DROMBOSKI

School: Penn

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher

Class: Junior | 2024 Draft

H-W: 6’2-205

*Photo Credit: Michael Nance

I’m going to steal a term from Baseball America for a moment to describe Ryan Dromboski. He’s one of my personal cheeseballs in the 2024 draft class. The New Jersey native was named Ivy League Pitcher of the Year last spring and is an early favorite to obtain that honor once again in 2024. The junior righty finished his second year at Penn with a 3.17 ERA, 97 strikeouts, 35 walks, and 51 hits allowed in 71 innings. During conference play, Dromboski put together a 15-strikeout performance against Princeton and followed it up with a complete game, 12-strikeout outing against Brown. He also earned a win against #13 Auburn during regionals, allowing just two runs in 5.1 innings. Dromboski pitches with an incredible amount of intensity on the mound and can often be heard roaring after securing a big out. A self-described psychopath on the mound, Dromboski is the undisputed leader of this Quakers pitching staff, a group that looks poised to do some damage in postseason play for a second straight year.

There are a couple of data areas that are particularly striking with Dromboski. First, his four-seam fastball (91 MPH avg; 95 MPH max) has an extremely low vertical approach angle (VAA), below -3.75. That puts him in the top 1% among qualified D1 pitchers, according to our dataset from 2023. A ‘flat’ approach angle isn’t the end-all-be-all, but it’s a data point that pro teams value highly, and Dromboski’s VAA is firmly in outlier territory. Dromboski also used a sinker about half as often as the four-seam, and it actually had better results when it came to generating whiffs. That might be due to Dromboski’s other remarkable attribute, the strength of his slider, a pitch that tends to pair well with sinkers. Last year, Dromboski’s sinker had over 17 inches of horizontal break (HB) to his arm side with about 10 inches of induced vertical break (IVB). Combine that with a low 80s slider that averages over 15 inches of HB in the opposite direction with 5 inches of IVB and you have quite the one-two punch to keep hitters guessing. Dromboski threw his sweeper nearly as often as his four-seam last year (over 33% usage), and for good reason, as he racked up a whiff rate over 55% and an in-zone whiff rate above 40%. The slider is a clear plus-level pitch, which is probably a conservative grade when you consider both the shape of the slider and the way it pairs with the rest of his arsenal. For good measure, Dromboski also has a solid changeup with good arm-side fading action and great velocity separation off his fastball (~11 MPH). He pitches with some effort and he can lose control of his fastball at times, but the upside is immense, especially if his velocity adds a tick or two this spring.

I’m not entirely sure why Dromboski hasn’t received the attention that he’s clearly worthy of. Maybe it’s a lack of exposure. Maybe it’s a general hesitation when ranking pitchers out of the Ivy League. Whatever the reason, Dromboski hasn’t received a ton of love on preseason draft rankings in the public space. Expect that to change quickly as the 2024 season kicks into full gear.

RYAN REICH

School: Seton Hall

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher

Class: Sophomore | 2025 Draft

H-W: 6’2-215

I wrote about sophomore Ryan Reich a few months ago after checking out Seton Hall this past fall. To quickly recap, Reich was one of the top relievers in the Big East last year, emerging as a late-inning weapon for the Pirates last spring. He has since been named to multiple preseason All-Big East teams as he is expected to slide right into the weekend rotation in 2024. After seeing Reich live, it’s clear that he has gotten stronger, with the physicality necessary to handle a much larger role. On top of that, I also saw clear growth in his pitch arsenal during that short appearance, which suggested to me that there is legitimate draft potential moving forward.


So, what is it that makes Reich so interesting? The heater. You have probably heard commentators and analysts use the term “explosive fastball” before. A handful of Reich’s fastballs absolutely exploded during the scrimmage I intended. And I’m not talking about velocity here. Plenty of hard throwers have fastballs that lack life and are more hittable than you’d expect, given the radar gun readings. Reich’s velocity is moving in the right direction. He was up to 93 MPH and sitting around 90 MPH in my look, which is a slight uptick from 2023, when he averaged 88 MPH on his fastball. Even at 90 MPH, hitters have trouble catching up and squaring the pitch, thanks to the explosiveness that I mentioned earlier. This is an obvious example of a pitcher’s fastball playing above its velocity, and the data helps to confirm this.

  1. Extension: 6.4-6.5 feet of extension in his delivery, roughly MLB average

  2. Release Height: between 4.9-5.0 feet. Way below the D1 and MLB average,

  3. 18+ inches of induced vertical break (IVB)

Without getting too deep in the weeds with pitch data, these data areas all suggest that what I saw from Reich during that scrimmage was real. Like Dromboski, Reich has a low, flat approach angle (VAA) on his fastball in the -3.90 to -4.00 range, giving it that explosion as it crosses the plate. With such a low approach and solid extension, the pitch gets on hitters quickly and gives off the ‘rising fastball’ illusion that results in empty swings. The results on Dromboski’s four-seamer were just OK, but Reich’s were phenomenal. Even at the lower velocity that Reich showed last spring, he recorded an overall whiff rate and in-zone whiff rate above 30%. When I first saw those percentages, I figured they must be pretty good. But after taking a closer look it was clear that not only were they good, they were kind of special. Take a look at the chart below:

Those are all of the qualified pitchers from our dataset with a fastball that had both a 30% whiff rate and a 30% in-zone whiff rate in 2023. The majority of those pitchers are either in pro ball now or, like Reich, won’t be draft-eligible until 2025. Side note: Tennessee’s AJ Russell might be pretty good. Obviously, Reich threw fewer innings than many on this list, and he also faced a different level of competition, but the overall point remains true. When you miss bats like this with your fastball, pro teams are going to pay attention. And if he starts throwing harder over the next two seasons, those whiff rates may climb even further.

Reich isn’t a finished product by any means. We still need to see how he performs in a starting role. There’s a little violence and head movement in the delivery that could signal a future in the pen. We’ll also need to see how he complements his fastball moving forward. His curveball and changeup were both lackluster in 2023. However, both pitches appeared to be overhauled, with the curve looking more like a true slider, flashing short, late break at 80 MPH, and the changeup featuring splitter-type action at 83 MPH. The development of those two pitches will greatly determine what kind of ‘ceiling’ Reich has as a draft prospect, but the fastball data and results immediately turn him into a high-priority follow for the next two years.

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Recca's Fall Ball Notebook Pt. 2: Saint Joseph's

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The Saint Joseph’s Hawks 2023 season was both historic and heart-wrenching. Led by long-time Head Coach Fritz Hamburg, the Hawks have clearly turned a corner as a program with the right ingredients for sustainable success. Not only did the Joe’s experience its third consecutive winning season in 2023, Coach Hamburg led the team to its first-ever Atlantic 10 regular season championship. Atlantic 10 coaches picked Hamburg for 2023 A10 coach of the year, and he was further honored by the Mid-Atlantic Scouts Association as their selection for 2023 coach of the year. The program has gradually developed into a yearly conference title contender and it looks like the 2024 season will continue that trend. On top of the collegiate success, the team is finding and producing pro-level talent at an expanding rate. Catcher Andrew Cossetti was a 2022 11th-round pick by the Twins, while outfielder Brett Callahan was a 13th-round pick last July; those two draft picks are the start of a trend for the Hawks. After seeing Joe’s this fall on ‘Scout Day,’ I can safely say that more draft selections are on the table for both the 2024 and 2025 drafts.

*Saint Joseph’s Head Baseball Coach Fritz Hamburg (center) accepts the award for 2023 Coach of the Year by the Mid-Atlantic Scouts Association; November, 2023.

Conference: Atlantic 10

2023 Record: 28-24 | A10 Regular Season Champions

Head Coach: Fritz Hamburg | 16th year

Top Prospect ‘24 Draft: Ryan Cesarini, OF

Top Prospect ‘25 Draft: Ryan Weingartner, SS

It wasn’t the start or finish Coach Hamburg and his team were hoping for. The 2023 Hawks struggled out of the gate with a 1-7 start, and after a mid-April loss to Saint Louis, the team was staring at a 12-18 record. Following that loss, Joe’s went on an eight-game win streak and closed out the regular with an improbable 15-3-1 (yes, there was a tie) run that won them the A10 regular season crown. Unfortunately, the team was bounced from the tournament after three games, which included an 8-23 loss to Saint Louis and finally a 10-15 loss to Dayton. Saint Louis and Dayton were able to capitalize on Joe’s inconsistent pitching staff, which was an area of concern for the majority of the 2023 season. Coach Hamburg brought in accomplished Army pitching coach Jeremy Hileman to help bolster things on that side of the ball, and the staff looks improved on paper. While pitching, especially the relief corps, will be the biggest question mark for the 2024 team, Joe’s will also need to restructure their lineup and fill some roles offensively after a few notable departures.


The Hawks figure to have an experienced and productive offense, with five returnees who either logged an OBP over .400 or slugged double-digit homers in 2023. However, Joe’s will be losing a healthy dose of power after the departures of OF Brett Callahan (Tigers), INF Nate Thomas, and SS Luca Trigiani (now with William & Mary), all of whom recorded an ISO above .220 while combining for 28 long balls last spring. After getting an up close and personal view during St. Joseph’s scout day, several hitters looked equipped to replace that lost production. Because it was scout day, most of the action was focused on draft-eligible players, but a quality group of underclassmen made strong impressions as well. Overall, the offense for Coach Hamburg’s group looks strong on paper and will be a driving force toward a potential repeat performance as A10 regular season champs.

The Hawks' offense will be driven by a trio of Ryans, outfielders Ryan Cesarini and Ryan Picollo, as well as shortstop Ryan Weingartner. This triumvirate combined for 68 extra-base hits and 28 homers last spring, and I think they’re a good bet to surpass those totals in 2024. Let’s start with Ryan Cesarini. The junior from Archibald, PA, led the A10 conference in batting last season (.392) and finished third in OPS (1.088). He enters 2024 as the Hawks’ top draft prospect thanks to a strong track record of performance and impressive tools. Cesarini doesn’t offer much in the way of physical projection, listed at 5’10-205 with a stocky, filled-out frame. Jared Dupere, a 13th-round draft pick out of Northeastern by the Giants in 2021, is a solid body comp for Cesarini, but Cesarini has surprising athleticism and quick actions on the diamond. On scout day, Cesarini showed phenomenal speed with a 60-yard dash time just above 6.40 and home-to-first times in the 4.10-4.20 range. It’s unusual to see plus-level speed from a player with this kind of body; Dupere certainly didn’t display that kind of quickness. Perhaps a better physical comparison for Cesarini (and an admittedly unfair one) is Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho.

At the plate, the lefty-hitting Cesarini has a crouched, compact stance with his hands tucked in tightly behind his helmet. Instead of a traditional stride, he rotates his front knee inward and points the toe of his foot directly into the ground before dropping back down and rotating swiftly into contact. He has quick, adjustable hands and plenty of bat speed to impact the ball on contact. It’s not the most athletic-looking swing, and it’s definitely unorthodox, but Cesarini has a special feel for making contact, which is aided by above-average plate discipline. Cesarini’s raw power teeters right near the above-average to-average line. He’s capable of turning on balls from the belt down for home run contact, which he showcased on a no-doubt blast during a simulated game. I’ll need additional looks before I’m able to make an honest evaluation of his defensive ability. You’d think Cesarini would be a capable centerfielder, given his speed and athleticism, but he split time between left field and DH last spring and only played the corners this summer in the NECBL. We’ll see how he’s deployed moving forward, but as of now, Cesarini has the potential to be a mid-to-late day two draft pick (rounds 6-10) based on what I’ve seen, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he were popped early on day three like Brett Callahan was last July.

Joining Cesarini in the outfield is senior Ryan Picollo, whose 6’4-225 frame stands as a stark contrast to Cesarini's. Picollo has a sturdy, rangy build with a good mixture of athleticism and strength. Despite solid power production last spring (10 HR, .227 ISO), Picollo had a difficult time getting the bat on the ball, as he struck out 55 times in 203 plate appearances. Picollo’s final line of .238/.292/.465 is emblematic of his issues maintaining a consistent approach. When Picollo avoids chasing pitches out of the zone and stays short to the ball, there’s big-time thump and above-average power to his pull side. While Picollo isn’t a burner, he’ll show solid average speed that is more noticeable on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a steady defender with quality arm strength that makes him a dependable option in right field.  Picollo showed both the good and the ugly during scout day, with a rocket line drive double to left field but also in-zone whiffs on fastballs. While he may not clear up the rough edges of his game, Picollo possesses the tools and experience to take a step forward and settle in as a much-needed offensive catalyst for the Hawks in 2024. Finally, here’s a fun fact about Picollo: his father, JJ Picollo, oversees baseball operations for the Kansas City Royals as executive vice president and general manager.

The final Ryan set to lead the offense is quite likely the most important. Ryan Weingartner quickly secured the starting second base job during his freshman year and ended the 2024 campaign with a .323/.401/.531 line, which included 10 homers and 17 stolen bases. Not only will Coach Hamburg and company ask Weingartner to build on that breakout debut offensively, but they’ll also ask him to hop over to the other side of the second base bag to hold down shortstop. Weingartner looked the part at short during my initial look, but I’ll need to see how things play out at full game speed this spring to determine his long-term outlook.

 

An A10 All-Rookie team selection, Weingartner is far from imposing at the plate with a wiry, 5’11-185 build, but he more than makes up for it with a quick bat, uphill swing path, and a “passive-aggressive” approach. He showed an easy, confident swing during BP and had two hard-hit balls during the simulated game. A follow-up performance this spring and summer (he’s playing for the Harwich Mariners on the Cape) could vault him into the mid-day two conversation for the 2025 draft.

Looking beyond the Ryan’s, the Hawks have a couple more promising power options in corner infielder Owen Petrich and catcher Carter Jagiela. Petrich is a transfer portal addition from Delaware where he received minimal playing time the past two years. The 6’2-215 Petrich is a physical corner bat who played third base on scout day. At the plate, Petrich displayed above-average pop from the right side but struggled to handle spin during this brief look. He is highly capable of punishing mistakes, which he demonstrated by hitting multiple hard-hit balls, including the opposite-field homer seen in the clip below. Meanwhile, Jagiela is entering his sophomore year, and his size (6’4-220) and physicality immediately stand out. Jagiela has plus-level power to his pull side with an uphill swing path. He’ll need to iron out some things behind the plate, but he has plenty of arm strength for the catcher position. Jagiela should have plenty of time to hone his craft, as his likely role will be as a backup to senior Justin Igoe. Igoe played in only seven games as an underclassman, but he made up for lost time in 2023 as the full-time starter, finishing the year with a respectable .304/.411/.432 line. With a shorter, stout build, Igoe is a patient hitter with average power and an up-the-middle approach. He only hit three homers last year, but he adds length to the lineup and racks up quality at-bats. Igoe gets the job done behind the plate, though his arm is fringy, which led to an 85% success rate for base stealers last season.

Petrich Packs A

Punch

Delaware transfer Owen Petrich will look to revitalize St. Joseph’s power production in 2024.

Because my viewing came on scout day, the majority of the action involved draft-eligible players, so it was difficult to get a feel for the Hawks class of freshmen. With that said, outfielders Darius Adkins and Joey Gale are intriguing athletes, while middle infielder Tim Dickinson was a consistent performer at Malvern Prep, one of the top high school programs in the state of Pennsylvania. Playing time is likely to be tough to come by in 2024 for this crop of newcomers, but Coach Hamburg and his staff have a knack for getting timely production from their freshmen when needed.

On paper, Coach Hamburg has plenty of options to fill out his weekend rotation. RHP Domenic Picone, RHP Will McCausland, and LHP Ryan DeSanto led the Hawks in starts and innings pitched a year ago, and all three will return in 2024. McCausland and DeSanto were each selected for the A10 All-Rookie Team and remained sharp over the summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the Valley League, respectively. Neither pitched on scout day, but I did see DeSanto last fall and tabbed him as an under-the-radar draft prospect for 2025. The sophomore duo won’t light up radar guns (upper 80s/low 90s in ‘23), but they have performed in games, and both have uniquely interesting traits under the surface when taking a peak at their trackman data. McCausland’s fastball has swing-and-miss traits thanks to a low vertical approach angle, a low release height, and good extension in his delivery. He also has a trio of decent secondary options that he can land for strikes consistently, with the slider showing the most potential of the bunch. DeSanto is about as funky as it gets, with a crossfire finish to his delivery and an extreme over-the-top arm slot. He gets elite IVB on his high spin fastball, which gets on hitters in a hurry with his size and deception. DeSanto will flash a bat-missing curve with 12-6 action and an intriguing changeup with good arm-side fade. Picone was also pitching as Hawk for the first time in 2023 after spending the previous three years at Rhode Island. He’s one of the smaller pitchers you’ll see at the D1 level, standing in at 5’8-180, but he had a respectable 4.50 ERA across 70 innings last spring. His fastball sits in the 88-92 range and plays well up in the strike zone, while his mid-80s cutter/slider hybrid is his best putaway offering.


Junior RHP Matt McShane is another arm that could be a starting option for Coach Hamburg. McShane thrived (2.40 ERA) as a multi-inning reliever as a freshman, but his stuff was down when I saw him last fall. That carried over to the spring, and his performance (5.46 ERA, 4.9 K/9, 10.9 H/9) took a step back as a result. McShane was much better (19.1 IP, 1.40 ERA, 11.6 K/9) with Bourne on the Cape this summer, and the average velocity on his fastball (92-93 MPH) and both breaking balls increased significantly compared to the spring.


McShane was the first pitcher to take the mound on scout day but didn’t face live hitters. The fastball was lively in the 90-92 range, coming from a high slot and a good, flat angle. McShane complimented the fastball with a slider that sat around 82 MPH, an upper-70s curveball, and what appeared to be a low-80s changeup. McShane threw some above-average sliders with late gyro-movement that he commanded better to his glove side. McShane did a really good of tunneling the fastball and slider, increasing the effectiveness of each pitch. He had trouble getting a consistent feel for the curve and changeup, though the curve did flash some sharp vertical break. Given McShane’s build at 6’3-215, his ability to spin multiple breaking balls, and his history of pitching multiple innings at a time, McShane has some traits to serve him in a weekend starter role. However, there’s some effort during his release, and there have been issues maintaining the quality of his stuff, which could indicate a late-inning relief role in the future. At his best, McShane appears to be the team's top draft prospect for 2024, but we’ll need to see how he holds up this spring.

Junior RHP Luke Gabrysh is a wild card for this Joe’s pitching staff. Standing at a lean and projectable 6’3-200, Gabrysh possesses the size and arsenal of a quality starting option. However, his effectiveness has been limited as he’s struggled to throw strikes, evident in his elevated walk rate of 20.4% through 27.1 career innings. On scout day, Gabrysh showcased impressive velocity, sitting consistently at 92-94 with his fastball and touching 95 MPH once. His go-to secondary was a 78-82 MPH slider, boasting remarkable raw spin (2,700+ RPM) and horizontal movement. Additionally, his mid-80s changeup showed plenty of promise with good arm-side movement and depth. Gabrysh allowed hard contact on multiple belt-high fastballs over the middle as he struggled to consistently command the pitch in the zone. The command of his secondaries appeared superior to his fastball command in this brief appearance.  Overall, it’s one of the better three-pitch mixes on the Hawks staff in terms of raw stuff, but the ability to execute remains an open question. Regardless, Gabrysh provides some high-upside depth for the rotation with the kind of loud stuff you could envision closing out games. If things click for Garbrysh this spring, he’d make for a dynamic weapon down the stretch for St. Joseph’s and would likely fetch draft interest on day 3.

While the weekend rotation boasts a surplus of seasoned arms, the bullpen is marked by uncertainty. A notable portion of the relievers returning from last spring finished the year with ERAs north of 9.00. Gabrysh certainly has the raw ability to help bolster the pen if that’s where he ends up, and that’s also true for righty Alec Rodriguez, who is back as a grad student. Rodriguez looked poised for a breakout season last spring but was unable to fill the zone enough to be a reliable option. He’s a good athlete with a high-effort delivery and a slingy arm action that can be difficult to repeat. Rodriguez’s heater has a lot of movement with both riding and running life, which may actually be a contributing factor to his control issues. The velocity on his fastball remained solid as he averaged 92 MPH (max 95) and touched 94 MPH multiple times. His best pitch is a wipeout slider in the low 80s that generates well above-average whiff rates. Rodriguez had a decent changeup last spring that he used against lefty batters, and I thought I saw a couple of cutters at 87 MPH during this outing, which I believe would be a new pitch. As with Garbrysh, there’s no doubt Rodriguez possesses the repertoire to be a high-leverage relief option, but a significant improvement to his 2023 walk rate (18.7%) is required. RHP Colin Yablonski is a grad transfer from Coastal Carolina who sat 90-92 MPH on scout day with an above-average curveball in the upper 70s. He’s shown a little more velocity in the past, so he could just be warming up. Yet another grad year righty is Mike Picollo, who was an unsigned 33rd-round draft pick by the Mets in 2018 and is also the older brother of Ryan Picollo. He’s a low/side slot righty with a mid-to-upper 80s fastball and a late-breaking slider that should be tough on right-handed bats. He hasn’t had much success at the college level, but he did a great job repeating his funky delivery on scout day.  Senior David Owsik displayed two quality secondaries, a 78-79 MPH sweeper and an 80 MPH changeup, complementing an 88 MPH fastball. While I didn’t see freshman RHP Luke Parise take the mound, his development is worth tracking. Listed as both a pitcher and catcher, Parise is a good athlete who receives high praise for his competitiveness and makeup.

Undoubtedly, the bullpen stands as a potential Achilles' heel for St. Joseph's in 2024. However, the depth of diverse options and present arm talent suggest that a reversal of fortunes is on the table. All in all, Coach Hamburg’s club is well-equipped to secure a conference title and a trip to regionals in 2024.

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Recca's Fall Ball Notebook: Pt. 1

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Fall ball has all but wrapped up for college baseball programs across the nation. With the holiday season upon us, now feels like a perfect time to empty out my notebook after checking out some fall ball action. As the 2024 college baseball season looms, the anticipation surrounding St. John's, Iona, and Seton Hall is discernable. This in-depth analysis offers a revealing glimpse into the rosters, prospects, and dynamics shaping these three programs. From potential breakout pitchers like Ryan Reich leading Seton Hall to the emerging talents of Jimmy Keenan and Adam Agresti at St. John's and the observable transformation within Iona's squad under Coach Conor Burke, each team brings a unique narrative to the field. Join me as I uncover the strengths, challenges, and top prospects of these cold-weather baseball programs, setting the stage for what should be a highly competitive season on the diamond.

Conference: Big East

2023 Record: 28-25 | 4th in conference

Head Coach: Mike Hampton | 5th year

Top Prospect ‘24 Draft: Xavier Kolhosser, RHP

Top Prospect ‘25 Draft: Jimmy Keenan, C

The lineup for the Johnnies is projected to be veteran-laden until you reach the catcher and first base positions. Expect sophomore Jimmy Keenan and freshman Adam Agresti to hold down those two spots. To maximize the impact of their powerful bats, these underclassmen are likely to rotate between catcher and first base this spring. Keenan solidified his place in the everyday lineup during the 2023 spring, receiving 126 plate appearances and leading the team in OPS (1.067). His strong debut continued into the summer in the Futures League, where he finished second overall in home runs (9). Keenan's prowess was on full display in a scrimmage against Iona, hitting two home runs with exit velocities of 111 MPH and 106 MPH, showcasing his plus, all-fields power. His quick load, long stride, and strong rotational swing result in good angle and loft, allowing him to drive the ball in the air. Beyond the homers, Keenan's deep fly balls to his pull side hint at even more power potential. While his performance against higher-velocity arms remains to be seen, his current skill set is undeniably impressive. Defensively, Keenan has more than enough arm strength to stick at catcher, although his transfers on throws can stand to improve. Despite his substantial size at 6'3-225, he exhibits commendable mobility both at catcher and first base. The program likely hasn't seen an impact bat of this caliber since Mike Antico was with the team. Keenan is poised to play a crucial role in 2024 and could emerge as one of the top offensive catchers for the 2025 draft.

here’s jimmy!

The St. John’s offense will be powered by their sophomore catcher Jimmy Keenan, a rising star in the Big East.

Not content with just one standout catcher, the Red Storm secured a significant addition to their roster with Adam Agresti, a prized recruit from Kennedy Catholic High School in New York. A towering figure at 6'3-230, Agresti mirrors Keenan's profile remarkably closely. Both catchers boast impressive size and physicality, accompanied by clear plus grades in raw power and arm strength. I felt Keenan exhibited looser athleticism compared with Agresti, but Agresti had the quieter and more efficient swing and cleaner throws out of the crouch. Agresti's plate presence is marked by a keen sense for the barrel, consistently scorching balls located throughout the strike zone. While he faced challenges with breaking balls, an aspect worth monitoring, Agresti's offensive tools showcase remarkable advancement for a freshman catcher. Looking ahead, Agresti has the potential to accumulate a lengthy three-year track record of in-game performance by the time the 2026 draft rolls along.

Complementing the power duo of Keenan and Agresti, St. John's features a trio of speedsters with up-the-middle pedigree. Junior Luke Orbon will transition from second base to shortstop, and he looked comfortable there during my two observations. Orbon displayed athletic, confident actions and executed multiple tough throws while on the run. Offensively, Orbon serves as a table-setter with above-average speed, maintaining an impressive career triple slash line of .335/.395/.436.

Junior outfielder Jackson Tucker shares a similar profile with Orbon, featuring borderline plus speed and a contact-driven approach. Tucker, who accumulated 42 stolen bases in the past two years, added another 30 swiped bags during this summer in the Northwoods League. While Tucker has experience in center field, he may predominantly occupy a corner spot to accommodate DII transfer Garrett Scavelli. Scavelli, a standout at Molloy College, compiled an impressive .357/.458/.562 line as the team's everyday centerfielder for the past three years. His exceptional .391 batting average in 2023 ranked 2nd in the East Coast Conference. Demonstrating outstanding coverage in centerfield and 70-grade speed with a 4.07 home-to-first time, Scavelli brings an exciting toolset and a veteran presence to the lineup. Expect Orbon, Tucker, and Scavelli to reach base at a high rate and create havoc on the bases for opposing defenses. With this trio of seasoned players and the powerful duo behind the dish, St. John's has cultivated an impressive combination of talent and depth at crucial positions.

After taking in two days of scrimmages, it became clear to me that the strength of this St. John’s roster is on the offensive side of the ball. I got a good look at several promising arms this fall, but the lack of experience and depth on the pitching side is unmistakable. This is especially true when projecting the weekend rotation for the spring, the success of which is going to be placed in the hands of talented but relatively unproven options. Xavier Kolhosser is a prime example of that phenomenon. A redshirt sophomore, Kolhosser has the goods to be a Friday night stud and rotation anchor. Listed at 6’5-190, Kolhosser was a revelation last spring, pitching to a 2.56 ERA across nine starts (31.2 IP). After missing his freshman season in 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery, St. John’s was understandably cautious with Kolhosser, which may explain why he made just three appearances (11 IP) after March. The spectacular results in that 31.2-inning sample certainly inspire confidence for the 2024 season, as did his outing against Iona this fall.

The first thing you’ll notice about Kolhosser is how big and lean he is. The body has great length with long limbs and a projectable pitcher’s frame. Watching him throw a bit prior to the start of the game, I was impressed by how low-effort his actions were; everything looked loose and athletic. That carried over to game action, where Kolhosser’s looseness was on display with quick arm speed and a clean, repeatable delivery. Kolhosser attacks hitters from a high release point, which, combined with above-average extension in his delivery, makes for an uncomfortable at-bat. The fastball has unique characteristics with excellent carry through the zone from that high release point, giving hitters the perception that he’s throwing much harder than the 87-90 MPH velo range during this three-inning outing. While he didn’t miss many bats with this fastball, Kolhosser threw an exceptional amount of strikes (83% strikes) with his heater, five of which were called strikes. Kolhosser used a full four-pitch mix that included an 81 MPH slider, a slow curve in the 73-74 MPH range, and a 79-80 MPH changeup. There wasn’t a true standout pitch among the four, but Kolhosser commanded each offering well, stole strikes, and limited hard contact. Here’s a pitch breakdown I created following Kolhosser’s start.

As you can see, Kolhosser didn't show much fastball velocity (88.7 average), and that lines up with what we saw last spring. However, he's reportedly been up to 94 this fall and has shown 91+ MPH velo during starts in the past. Looking at the secondaries, the slider appears to be a new pitch. He only threw it four times, but all four were strikes, and he dotted one back door to a lefty for a backwards K. Clearly there are attractive elements here and given the projectable body and low-effort mechanics, it is highly likely that there's more gas left in the tank. With further growth and good health, Kolhosser could garner day two draft interest.

St. John's utilized the transfer portal to bring lefty Evan Chaffee back to his New York roots after his freshman year with Alabama, where he didn't see any game action. During my fall look, Chaffee stood out with his pitchability and feel for two quality secondaries. At 6’2-185, he offers significant projection, and I like how the arm works during his delivery. Chaffee's fastball was 87-89 MPH in his first inning of action, dipping slightly into the 86-88 MPH range for innings two and three. The fastball displayed sinker shape and flashed some good arm side run. For Chaffee to become a legitimate draft prospect in 2025, improvements in fastball command and velocity are essential. Nevertheless, his ability to execute his secondary pitches and keep hitters off balance is a current strength. His curveball and changeup, both in the 76-79 MPH range, exhibit distinct qualities. The curve showcases two-plane movement (2-7 or 2-8 shape) and proved a solid-average pitch, while the changeup, Chaffee's standout, flashed above-average grades. It displayed late arm side movement, with Chaffee effectively maintaining fastball arm speed. Anticipate Chaffee contributing to the weekend rotation, gaining valuable innings and game experience, crucial for someone with his limited game experience. 2024 promises to be a pivotal test for Chaffee, making him an arm worth monitoring in the months ahead.

Two additional contenders for the weekend rotation include lefty  Joe Mascio and righty Mario Pesca. Mascio, a pitchability lefty, emerged as a reliable option last spring, leading the team in games started and innings pitched as a sophomore with a respectable 4.68 ERA. While not overpowering, Mascio's starting experience over a full season sets him apart from many on this staff. On the other hand, Mario Pesca, a 6’8-225 righty from the Bronx, is more of a "draft guy." Despite a challenging freshman season with a 6.65 ERA, Pesca's potential is considerable. While I didn’t get to see him this fall, I’m told his fastball sat in the 89-91 MPH fastball with a rapidly developing high-spin slider between 79-82 MPH. Pesca topped out at 94 MPH last spring, and the prospect of an eventual velocity boost is plausible. Pesca also threw a curveball and changeup last spring, both of which have some promise. The key for Pesca lies in refining his strike-throwing and sustaining the quality of his stuff throughout a game and the entire season. I can envision Pesca developing into a sinker-slider righty who leverages his size to induce groundball contact.

Beyond Agresti, several other freshmen showcased their talents during my two looks. Righties Brady Clark and TJ Winn may not have exhibited overwhelming velocity, but both presented themselves as potential building blocks for the team's future. Clark, standing at 6’3-205, offers an intriguing combination of size, funk, and deception in his delivery. Despite occasional repeatability issues, Clark demonstrated command with all three pitches. His fastball ranged from 84-86 MPH, topping out at 87 MPH. The slider displayed impressive sweeping movement in the mid-70s, and the changeup proved effective against left-handed hitters, occasionally flashing average. On the other hand, Winn, with a lean and lanky build, operates from a low, almost sidearm slot. His fastball, ranging from 84-86 MPH, showcased notable sinking action, complemented by a slurvy breaking ball with significant horizontal break. Both Clark and Winn seem poised to contribute immediately, offering diverse looks out of the bullpen.

Switching to the offensive front, Zaine Toneske left a lasting impression with a colossal home run during my initial look. Physically mature at 6’2-230, Toneske possesses the potential to be a valuable power bat off the bench in the near term. While addressing swing-and-miss concerns is crucial for his development, his raw power stands well above average. On the other hand, Jayder Raifstanger brings a more refined hitting approach. Sporting a line-drive stroke from the left side, Raifstanger showcases quick hands at the plate with at least solid-average bat speed. Primarily playing second base during the summer in the Futures League, Raifstanger’s tool set suggests he could handle multiple positions, providing St. John’s with some valuable flexibility on the defensive end.

Conference: MAAC

2023 Record: 13-38 | 9th in conference

Head Coach: Conor Burle | 3rd year

Top Prospect ‘24 Draft: Michael Lorenzetti, RHP

Top Prospect ‘25 Draft: Josiah Ragsdale, OF

A palpable shift in energy resonates within this 2024 Gaels squad, marking a notable departure from their challenging past. My last encounter with Iona was in early March 2022 against Albany, and I won't sugarcoat it—the team was in disarray, finishing with a daunting 6-41 record. Head Coach Conor Burke navigated his inaugural year at the helm, and while 2023 posed its own set of difficulties (13-38), the team is undeniably on an upward trajectory. Burke has assembled a commendable coaching staff, and the talent on the current roster has undergone significant improvement in just two years. While there's still work to be done, the momentum suggests that, under Burke's guidance, Iona has the potential to emerge as a true contender in the MAAC in the near future.

Getting the start for Iona against St. John’s was righty Andrelys Payamps, a junior college transfer from Monroe College. Payamps possesses live stuff that promises to keep hitters on their toes this spring. His four-seam fastball consistently sat at 91 MPH, touching 93 early with riding action that induced whiffs. Additionally, Payamps spun several quality sliders with good depth at 80 MPH. While the quality of his arsenal isn't in question, Payamps will need to throw more strikes and maintain the quality of his arsenal over extended periods. Payamps seemed to hit a wall physically when some defensive miscues led to a long first inning, but to his credit, he rebounded after a brief respite between innings. Although the polish wasn't fully evident, there’s no question that Payamps has the raw stuff to go toe-to-toe with the other Friday night starters in the MAAC.

Payamps: Juco Bandit

Monroe College transfer Andrelys Payamps can rack up the whiffs in a hurry.

Iona's pitching staff features two towering sophomores in Michael Lorenzetti and Andrew Gaines, standing at an impressive 6’9-220 and 6'5-240, respectively. Lorenzetti, a draft-eligible sophomore, possesses a lanky and projectable build that hints at further physical and strength gains. Despite struggles with the consistency of his delivery, marked by some inherent violence, Lorenzetti compensates by getting good extension down the mound. He also has a deceptive arm action and release, which allows his stuff to play up when he’s in sync mechanically. Lorenzetti's fastball ranged from 88-91 MPH (he was up to 94 last spring) and displayed occasional riding and running action. For the secondary offerings, Lorenzetti utilized a slurve that flashed average in the 74-77 MPH range and a developing, below-average changeup in the low 80s. Lorenzetti's slurve has some further potential with its heavy two-plane movement from a tough angle. However, he had a tendency to alter his mechanics when throwing the breaker, which is something experienced hitters are going to exploit. Despite his current rawness, Lorenzetti exhibits promising traits for Iona's coaching staff to refine.

Mt. Lorenzetti

Michael Lorenzetti is a mountain on the mound at 6 feet 9 inches. The draft-eligible sophomore’s development will be vital for this Iona pitching staff.

In contrast, Andrew Gaines has a thicker, more filled-out frame. Gaines entered the game and went straight at hitters with a firm 91-92 MPH heater before settling into the 88-90 MPH range during his second inning of work. Gaines paired the fastball with a sweeping curve in the 73-75 range, which has some positive traits but will need further refinement. While there's noticeable effort in his operation, Gaines excels in spinning the baseball, and there are swing-and-miss elements to his fastball. Gaines is someone to watch in the months ahead, especially if he shows more control in his second year with the Gaels.

Closing out games for the Gaels, junior Matt Zguro is what I like to call a "slider monster." Zguro throws his 60-grade slider early and often to opposing hitters with good reason. In 2023, Zguro threw his slider over 55% of the time, leading to an excellent whiff rate slightly above 50%. His fastball operates in the upper 80s, and he exhibits less feel for locating it compared to his slider. If Zguro's fastball takes a step forward this spring, he stands poised to become one of the premier stoppers in the MAAC.

On the positional side, 4th-year shortstop Jayson Gonzalez had some hard-line drive contact and displayed a solid plate approach. With a lean, lanky build and athletic actions at shortstop, Gonzalez, a transfer from Maine, appears primed for an everyday role after limited playing time in recent years. Joining Gonzalez on the left side of the infield is sophomore Anthony Zollo. The last time I saw Zollo, he was playing with current Angels prospect Caden Dana at Don Bosco Prep. Zollo earned a spot on the MAAC All-Rookie team last spring with a .301/.373/.341 line over 194 plate appearances. Although lacking a standout tool presently, Zollo is a reliable defender at the hot corner and consistently puts the ball in play.

Another notable sophomore emerging during the scrimmage was outfielder Josiah Ragsdale. Battling through the harsh sun in right field, Ragsdale tracked the ball well, looking smooth in the process. He’s a solid athlete with some length to the frame and physical projection remaining. While I wasn’t able to get a home-to-first time, Ragsdale has at least solid-average speed, and that might be selling him short. He has some sneaky pop from the left side, but his plate approach seemed geared towards a quick, slappy swing that enables him to hit line drives from pole to pole. With a freshman-year batting line of .282/.391/.459, expect Ragsdale to make significant strides in his sophomore campaign.

Conference: Big East

2023 Record: 31-24 | 3rd in Conference

Head Coach: Rob Sheppard | 19th year

Top Prospect ‘24 Draft: Pat D’Amico, 3B

Top Prospect ‘25 Draft: Ryan Reich, RHP

I’ve been able to get a live look at Seton Hall three falls in a row now. In the fall of 2021, I remember thinking, “This doesn’t look like a Rob Sheppard-led team.” Something was off, and unsurprisingly, that 2022 team went 18-35. The team lost a substantial amount of talent to the transfer portal following the 2022 season. Four-year starter at third base Casey Dana left for rival UConn while promising underclass arms Zane Probst, Chris Lotito, and Drew Conover transferred to Alabama, Jacksonville, and Rutgers, respectively. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into fall ball last year, but it wasn’t long before I realized that the ship was back on course. Sure enough, the Pirates went 31-24 last spring, finishing 3rd overall in the Big East. 

A major catalyst for Seton Hall's resurgence was the addition of Giuseppe Papaccio to the coaching staff. The former Seton Hall shortstop and associate head coach played a pivotal role in NJIT's 2021 squad, orchestrating a memorable regional victory in Fayetteville. Despite losing notable pieces like elite defensive catcher Jedier Hernandez to the transfer portal once again in 2023, Sheppard and Papaccio demonstrated their adeptness at assembling a competitive team that should compete at a high level in the Big East. The coaching duo's ability to nurture developing talent suggests that the program is not just aiming for success in the present but is strategically building for sustained competitiveness in the years ahead.

Dayton transfer Nate Espelin and sophomore Ryan Reich received the starting nods in the intrasquad scrimmage. Reich is one of my breakout picks for the 2024 season. The 6’2-215 righty proved his mettle as an integral late-inning arm for the Pirates in his freshman year, continuing his success as a starter in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League over the summer. Reich compiled a 2.56 ERA, 83 strikeouts (14.2/9), and allowed only 30 hits (5.1/9) in 52.2 innings. During the scrimmage, Reich showcased a fastball ranging from 88-91 MPH, touching 92 twice and 93 once. The unique shape and angle of his fastball elevate its effectiveness beyond its velocity. Reich also introduced a 79-81 MPH slider and an 82-83 MPH splitter as new secondary pitches. While their consistency needs refinement, both secondary offerings exhibited potential and should play well off of his unique fastball. I plan on diving deeper into Reich’s profile later this winter, so stay tuned for that. Transitioning from the bullpen to the weekend rotation is no small feat for an underclassman, but Reich's performance suggests he could eventually be a Friday night starter and potentially Seton Hall's most promising pitching prospect since David Festa.

Lefty Nate Espelin wasn’t able to put it all together at Dayton after being selected in the 35th round out of high school by the Yankees back in 2019. Espelin only received 41 innings during his time at Dayton with a bloated ERA of 10.76. Despite his previous struggles, Espelin, with a medium, thick build, displayed an intriguing four-pitch mix. His repertoire includes a four-seam fastball in the 87-90 MPH range (touching 91), a mid-70s curveball that was mostly fringe-average, a low-80s changeup with occasional quality arm-side fade, and a high-80s cutter that appeared to be his best pitch. Espelin's cutter usage was limited to less than 10% in the spring of 2023, but he threw it for strikes at a very high rate, and the late break on the pitch helps avoid barrels. Dropping the four-seam usage for more cutters might be worth exploring. There were inconsistencies in the delivery and with keeping his arm on time, but Espelin's cutter-curve-changeup combo showed promise when he was in sync mechanically. Anticipate Espelin getting a shot at the weekend rotation, aiming for a resurgence in his collegiate pitching career.


A few underclassmen of note made appearances in this one. This was my first look at sophomore righty Colin Dowlen in a Seton Hall uniform after seeing him pitch a controversial gem to win a state title in 2022. He lacks height but has a stout frame and attacks hitters from a low, deceptive arm slot. The fastball sat in the 86-88 MPH range with a lot of running action to his arm side. His high spin curveball was slurvy at times but was solid-average when thrown in the upper end of his 73-77 MPH velocity range. Dowlen didn’t show much present feel for a changeup and was tiring by his third inning of work. That likely means a bullpen role for Dowlen in 2024, which gives him the opportunity to refine his promising fastball-curveball combination.


Cody Sharman is a freshman southpaw who looked particularly crisp on this day. He makes up for his lack of present fastball velocity (83-84 MPH) with advanced pitchability and poise on the mound. Sharman had no issues executing his three-pitch mix, highlighted by a 73-74 MPH changeup that dropped off the table. Another freshman, Joey Calabretti, listed as a two-way player, took the mound late in the scrimmage. Calabretti's pro-level physique and agile movements on the mound were particularly impressive. While still raw as a pitcher, the righty from P27 Academy exhibited intriguing long-term potential. Employing a crossfire finish, Calabretti shifted between arm slots, primarily throwing from a low 3/4 slot and occasionally an over-the-top angle that gave his 87-88 MPH fastball more riding life. Although he struggled to throw competitive breakers, Calabretti spun one nasty 76 MPH sweeper that resulted in a zone whiff. Calabretti is undoubtedly raw, but there’s legitimate potential on both sides of the ball. I look forward to seeing how coach Rob Sheppard and Co. choose to deploy him moving forward.

Joey Calabretti

Two-way freshman Joey Calabretti could be a unique weapon for coach Rob Sheppard.

I didn’t see righties Daniel Frontera, Cole Hansen, Jay Allmer, or Michael Gillen during the scrimmage, but all four will be important members of the Seton Hall pitching staff. Daniel Frontera’s ERA is above 6.00 after two seasons and 86.2 innings at Seton Hall. He’s better than that but is still searching for an effective secondary pitch to compliment his solid 89-92 MPH fastball that topped out at 95 last spring. Frontera, who made 14 starts last year, could find success in a swing-type role. Redshirt sophomore Cole Hansen didn’t pitch at all as a freshman for Rutgers but earned himself a spot in the weekend rotation for the Pirates by the end of 2023. Hansen made 12 appearances, half of which were starts, and finished with a 3.75 ERA. He isn’t flashy, but he mixes and locates three pitches well, with a low 80s slider functioning as his putaway pitch. Allmer is your typical sidewinding reliever with a sinker-sweeper combo. He led the team in saves last spring after transferring from UNC Asheville. The senior righty was excellent this summer in the NECBL, racking up ten saves and a minuscule 0.60 ERA. Last but not least, Michael Gillen emerged as one of the most dominant relievers in the Big East as a freshman in 2023. His stat line was remarkable, posting a 0.34 ERA and a K-to-BB ratio of 27:5 in 26.2 innings. With advanced control of his 88-91 MPH riding fastball and a high spin slider in the upper 70s/low 80s featuring ample lateral movement, Gillen's two-pitch combination makes him an ideal fit for the bullpen. However, his immediate dominance suggests that a larger role may be worth exploring down the road.

hack man

Expect veteran outfielder and on-base machine Devin Hack to provide a spark atop the Pirates lineup in 2024.

The position player group is veteran-heavy with a mix of returnees and transfers. Leading the veteran charge is 5th-year senior Staus Pokrovsky, who was one of my picks to click after watching him mash last fall. He’ll likely split time at catcher and designated hitter while serving as a formidable power threat in the heart of the order. Pokrovsky hit eleven long balls last spring, and his top-end exit velos were in the top 5% among D1 hitters. Senior Max Viera had the bounceback season the Pirates were hoping for, boosting his OPS to .858 after a disappointing .562 OPS in 2022 with Northeastern. Viera makes a lot of line-drive contact and uses his 50-to-55-grade speed well on the bases. He played shortstop last year and has the ability to play multiple positions, though he didn’t play the field during this look. Jonathan Luders and Devin Hack are two more 5th-year seniors who are coming off successful 2023 seasons. Neither offers much in the power department, but both vets recorded OBPs over .400 last year, and they rarely swing and miss. Hack is a great runner who covers ground in center and can play all three outfield positions, while Luders looked comfortable at shortstop and has experience at multiple infield spots.

The Pirates also brought in some notable transfers this offseason. After putting up a .344/.423/.656 with Quinnipiac in 2022, Danny Melnick didn’t get much playing time at Rutgers in 2023. The 5th-year senior offers some versatility with his ability to rotate between catcher, first base, and the outfield. I wouldn’t be surprised if he experienced a bounceback year similar to what we saw with Viera. Kyle Lyons, a graduate transfer from Bucknell, brings a potent combination of contact hitting and robust outfield defense. First baseman Andrew Bianco is a grad transfer from DII New Haven with a lot of physicality and an imposing presence in the box. Bianco adds some much-needed power potential and some lineup protection for Pokrovsky.

Among the group of freshmen, Kevin Milewski, Ryan Frontera, and Casey Cumiskey stood out to me. Milewski is a gigantic 6’4-230 catcher from Connecticut with well above-average bat speed and present over-the-fence power. His size may push him to first base down the road, but the power ceiling is huge. Daniel Frontera’s younger brother, Ryan Frontera, battled during a strong at-bat that led to a hard-hit double down the left-field line. He manned left field during the scrimmage but played a lot of second base during summer ball. No high school hitter in the state of New Jersey had more base hits than Casey Cumiskey last year. But it was Cumiskey’s glove at shortstop that caught my attention. Cumiskey showed impressive polish and smoothness for a freshman and looks like the heir apparent at the position. He’s a good athlete with above-average speed, at least, and there’s some projection remaining in his 6’3-190 frame.

The most intriguing player on Seton Hall’s roster from a 2024 draft perspective, in my opinion, is junior third-baseman Pat D’Amico. D’Amico had a rough freshman year (156 PA, .584 OPS), but he took a major step forward last spring, boosting his OPS over 200 points to .810. He looks more physical this fall and is filling out his favorable 6’1-185 build nicely. D’Amico had some quality rounds during BP, showed off a strong, disciplined approach, and was sound defensively at third. If D’Amico experiences another boost in production and in-game power, he’ll certainly put himself on the draft radar.

On deck. . .

The fall ball coverage continues with Saint Joseph’s and Vanderbilt!

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Live Looks: Future Stars Series Main Event 2023

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Live Looks: Future Stars Series Main Event 2023

The Future Stars Series Main Event returned to Fenway Park this fall and prep talent for the 2024 MLB draft was in abundance. Pep talent for the upcoming MLB draft was in abundance once again. Brian Recca highlights some top performers and names to know following his trip to Boston.