Cape Cod League Observations: Week 7
Abbreviated week this week due to work engagements and rain. Actually caught bp at Cotuit and watched Tom Windle start to warm before that game got whacked. Pete Wardell and I did a nice tour of the Cape trying to find another game. Got to Falmouth just in time for them to call the game because of field conditions. Drove like a maniac to get to Chatham just in time for first pitch. – AS
Mason Robbins, OF, Bourne Braves (Southern Miss) – Continues to impress with athleticism and bat speed.
Chase McDonald, 1B, Bourne Braves (East Carolina) – Hasn’t hit as well in game viewings as in bp, but the power is most definitely in there.
Mike Ahmed, 3B, Bourne Braves (Holy Cross) – Local product has cooled off considerably since hot start. Command of strike zone an issue against high level pitching. Heard he’s low 90′s off the mound as well but haven’t seen him pitch.
L.J. Mazzilli, 2B, Bourne Braves (UConn) – A late pickup for Bourne, Mazzilli dropped in the draft (reportedly because of bonus demands) and didn’t sign as a 9th rounder by the Twins. Made a great play at 2B, flashing quick hands and then botched one.
Austin Wynns, C, Bourne Braves (Fresno State) – One of the better catch and throw guys on the Cape. Athletic. Sets a low target and possesses a strong arm. Limited potential with the bat… lacks feel for hitting with wood.
Jordan Patterson, OF, Bourne Braves (South Alabama) – Big (6’5″) and athletic outfielder. Hasn’t really hit this season and will chase pitches out of the zone. Shows better in bp.
Justin Leeson, OF, Bourne Braves (Georgetown) – Good runner who plays the game hard. Good routes and reads in the outfield. Tools aren’t loud but profiles nicely as a well rounded grinder type. Timed him 3.81 to first on a groundball.
Jaron Long, RHP, Bourne Braves (Kentucky) – Command and control back end type with good pitchability. 86-88 FB with good sink and run. Mid 70′s CB, CU 79-82 and a cutter in the low to mid 80′s. Mixes his pitches well.
Tim Giel, RHP, Bourne Braves (Columbia) – Cape All Star featured a fastball 85-89 range. CU and cut SL both in the same range in the low 80′s. CU thrown too hard and left up sometimes but features good drop. 11-5 cut SL had tight spin and late break but not a lot of depth. Lead shoulder was leaking open early for a stretch where his release point and command left him.
Hawtin Buchanan, RHP, Bourne Braves (Ole Miss) – Huge RH reliever was pumping 94-96 mph bowling balls. Hitters had trouble making contact and had no chance of elevating. Got stronger with each pitch – sequence was 94, 94, 95, 94, 95, 95, 95 , 96, 96, 96 and he struck out the side finishing Dale Carey swinging on a 84 mph CB with very good depth and tight break. Nasty. Only a freshman but stock very high for 2014.
Eric Stevens, RHP, Chatham Anglers (Boston College) – I saw Stevens a number of times this Spring. He’s a big guy who keeps the ball down and has quality secondaries. His stock would be much improved if he could get a couple more ticks on his FB – which is certainly possible and could probably be achieved by better use of his lower half and trunk. 86-88 (90) with the FB. Mixes in 2 seam mid 80′s, a quality CB 74-78 and a very good CU also in the mid 70′s. From a high 3/4 delivery his FB is pretty straight and his command of the FB is spotty.
Dace Kime, RHP, Chatham Anglers (Louisville) – In early relief of Stevens Kime came in and took control of the game. I last saw him against UConn as a freshman a couple years ago and he’s improved a good bit since then, though I still have questions about his profile that he needs to address in the Spring. 88-90 with a mostly straight FB that he works up in the zone with. Command of the FB sub par. CB has tight spin but breaks early, 74-75. Also throws a harder SL that gets up into the low 80′s.
Alex Powers, RHP, Chatham Anglers (Southern New Hampshire) – Velo and life on the FB slightly down from last viewing, but still impressive. 89-92 with a the FB and had no trouble missing bats… though it does move so much he does have some trouble throwing it for strikes. Tight CB in the mid 70′s is a very different look from the FB but is a solid offering. Didn’t throw a CU in game action but flashed some very good drop in warmups.
Adam Engel, OF, Chatham Anglers (Louisville) – Athletic OF striking out a lot but has shown some hitting ability and there’s plenty to like here. Solid routes and jumps in the OF. Speed plays well there and on the bases… timed him 4.00 to 1B.
Dale Carey, OF, Chatham Anglers (Miami) – Very Athletic but bat continues to underwhelm. No major flaws in a mechanical sense… just lacks feel for hitting, bat control and barrel awareness. Pitch recognition and approach at the plate also raw. Project, but the tools and physical abilities are attractive.
Alex Chittendon, 3B, Chatham Anglers (Louisville) – Better fit at 3B than SS… actions solid, but range fringy for a pro SS. Like the rest of the Chatham lineup he’s not hitting much and striking out a lot.
Top 5 Pitchers Seen To Date
- Karsten Whitson, RHP, Orleans (Florida)
- Sean Manaea, LHP, Hyannis (Indiana State)
- Trevor Williams, RHP, Orleans (Arizona State)
- Dylan Covey, RHP, Orleans (San Diego)
- Tom Windle, LHP, Brewster Whitecaps (Minnesota)
Top 5 Hitters Seen To Date
- Jared King, OF, Falmouth (Kansas State)
- Colin Moran, 3B, Bourne Braves (North Carolina)
- Austin Wilson, OF, Harwich (Stanford)
- JaCoby Jones, INF/OF, Harwich (LSU)
- Phil Ervin, OF, Harwich (Samford)
Sorry for only having one video this week, folks. Chatham – while a very pretty site – has less than ideal conditions for taking video.