Preseason All-State: 1B Analysis From Feb. 15th

February 24, 2015

Dan Cevette
Director, New York

It's been a eight-days since the MEGA All-State Showcase held at beautiful Accelerate Sports in Whitesboro, NY. The dust has settled, the smoke has cleared out, and the catching reports are in. A very special thanks to the players, families, and coaches that braved the winter-weather and witnessed a truly special event. Here's a look at the first-baseman who attended Feb. 15th and what we saw.

Danny Madden, 1B, Corning HS, NY (2016)
Madden stands an impressive 6-foot-2, 180-pounds with plus body-type. At first-base he moves well off the bag, highly athletic evidenced from his 7 flat 60 yard dash time. Shows a smooth glove and strong arm from the corner. He swings a big bat from the left side, up to 90 mph exit velocity, good extension out in front of the plate. Madden is a very good “dual-Threat” player both on the mound and at the plate.

Peter Battaglia, 1B, Williamsville North HS, NY (2016)
At the plate he shows a balanced setup, slightly open stance, and short stride. Shows a short bat path to the ball, loads back, hands power inside the ball. Bat plane slightly inclined through the contact zone, good extension. He shows a balanced finish, athletic, power projection, next level bat. 1B- He fields the ball out in front of his body, loads to throw, long, over-the-top arm slot, clean action. Good footwork. He has all the tools in his 6-foot-0, 188-pound frame.

Davis Payne, 1B, CBA HS, NY (2017)
Payne stands 6-foot-4, 205-pounds with incredible size and projection. The rising sophomore LHH can flat out swing it. His exit velocity was 89 mph off a tee, his BP round was impressive showing big-time power potential with a pro body. At the plate he shows a relaxed setup with an open stance. Short stride with extension out in front. His hands power inside ball with a level bat path. Power projection, next level bat from the left side. From 1B he fields the ball out in front of his body continuing to work on his fielding game. He stands tall through throw with an over-the-top arm action. Very projectable 2017 graduate.

Kyle Bailey, 1B, Saratoga Central Catholic HS, NY (2016)
Bailey stands 6-foot-3, 160-pounds with a projectable frame. At the plate he stands relaxed, weight back. He loads hands back, toe taps, hands inside the ball, inclined bat plane through the zone, finishes shoulder height. Smooth, athletic stroke, 83 mph exit velocity. From the OF he fields ball out in front, open glove, average transfer, throws from an over-the-top slot, finishes upright. He projects well with his size.

Kobie Punchard, RHP, Thomas Edison HS, NY (2016)
Punchard stands 6-foot-6, 180-pounds with next-level size. At the plate he starts upright, weight shifted back. On the pitch uses a short stride, barrel drops, hips are slightly open. Plane is slightly inclined with great extension out in font, high finish. Exit velocity was 84 mph with signs of power. At 1B he fields the ball off the bag out in front, glove face open. Arm action is long, finishes over his front knee towards target from a mid-3/4 slot. He ran a 7.3 60 yard dash.

Chris Gresham, 1B, St. Mary's of Lancaster, NY (2016)
Gresham has a solid 1B body at 6-foot-2, 237-pounds. At the plate there is power potential. He starts with his hands high, drives them with a short path to the ball, slightly uphill path creating back spin, long extension, high balanced finish. Exit velocity was 84 mph. At 1B he moves well for a big guy. Stays low, gloves open, shoulders line up with target, throws from an over-the-top slot, arm strength at 73 mph.