Prep Baseball Report

New Jersey Scout Blog



Sean McGrath
Scouting Director, New Jersey

The New Jersey Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the New Jersey Scout Blog is loaded with information...

Diamond Nation 18U Wood Bat Championship – 9/26/15

+ Matt Fucschillo, RHP, Bergen Catholic, North Jersey Cardinals, 2017
Scouting Report:
Fuschillo had the performance I’ve seen from a pitching in the last couple of weeks. The physical 6-foot-1, 185 pound right-hander threw a complete game while giving up only one hit, racking up 12 strikeouts. He has a super long, deceptive arm action which quickens up at the top of his arm swing. He pitches from a ¾ slot and offers up a heavy 78-82 mile-per-hour fastball. His breaking pitch has potential and is slurvey in action at 66-69 MPH. He showed a very high level of compete and is one to watch closely this spring.

Diamond Nation Super 17 Invitational- Bracket 2 – 6/21/15-6/23/15

+ Kyle Malejko, OF, Pope John High School, Fielder’s Choice, 2016
Scouting Report:
Malejko is a speedy outfielder with above average instincts defensively. He can really track down fly balls out there; it was put on display when he ran far into right field to make a running play on a fly ball. His run tool also played as he stole second and third in a single at-bat. Kyle hits from the right-side and with an open stance. He has a nice line drive swing plane and is smooth through the hitting zone. He occasionally lands a split second late with his stride but that seems like a correctable mistake at this point.

Diamond Nation Super 17 Invitational- Bracket 1 – 6/19/15-6/21/15

+ Chris Hawryluk, RHP/1B, Jackson Memorial High School, NJ Marlins, 2016
Scouting Report:
Hawryluk is a very solid division one prospect and is potentially a two-way player at the next level. This was the first time I’ve seen him on the mound. The 6-foot-4, large framed RHP has some whip to his arm. He pitched with his fastball at 84-87 MPH and flashed a couple of 88s in his second inning of work. He commanded the ball down and to both sides of the plate with some angle to his fastball. He also spun a slurvy type of breaking ball between 69-72 miles-per-hour. In the box, Hawryluk is a hard swinger with pop in his bat.

Legion Baseball: Hopewell VS. Hamilton – 6/19/15

+ Shane Keledy, MIF, Steinert HS, Hamilton Legion, 2016
Scouting Report:
Keledy is a very intriguing prospect who is about 5-foot-11 with a wiry strong frame. He is a very good athlete although he did not run as well as I’ve seen in the past. He produced a 4.66 home-to-first time on a groundout to the shortstop but I have seen faster times out of the right-handed hitter. He hits from an open stance and a low hand set. He has a confident presence in the box with a smooth and relaxed rhythm. His lower half gets back to even load with a small step and slight rock of the hands. He as a good feel for spin recognition and showed that he will lay off the ball in the dirt. He is an above average defender in the middle of the infield, showing the ability to throw from multiple arm slots with a clean transfer and release. He has impressive glove skills and can really pick it. Keledy will be participating in the Top Prospect Games.

Time To Sign Showcase Event – 6/18/15

+ Asher Masten, RHP, Hillsborough, Time to Sign, 2016
Scouting Report: Masten has a large 6-foot-4, 220 pound frame which projects for added strength. His arm is loose and easy and works from a 3/4 to a lower 3/4 arm slot which proves to have some inconsistency between pitches. However, there is a lot to like about this arm. His fastball has good sinking life at 80-83 miles-per-hour and he is has slurve type breaking ball at 66, which could be firmed up with the intent to throw it with fastball arm speed. He also showcased a changeup at 68 MPH which had good action but could be thrown with better arm speed. He is raw at this point but should be a solid prospect this summer.

Selectfest Invitational – 6/14/15

+ Pete Soporowski, LHP, Sayreville High School, NJ 9ers, 2016
Scouting Report:
Soporowski is listed at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds. He has wide shoulders and a large build and should make strength gains over the years. He pitches with a long arm action and a ¾ arm slot. He can be extremely effective when he lives in the bottom third of the strike zone but he had a tendency to get over-rotational in this outing. The left-hander’s fastball has a good amount of arm side run and ranges between 82-85 miles-per-hour. He has good spin on his breaking ball that ranges from 67-69 MPH and could firm it up a bit with some better intent to throw it hard. He is super competitive and should receive attention this spring.

+ Brandon Ryan, RHP, Toms River North High School, Baseball U, 2016
Scouting Report:
Ryan is 6-foot-1 and has an athletic, wiry frame. He has a loose and traditional full arm circle and pitches from a ¾ arm slot. He was very effective down in the zone with a fastball ranging from 80-83 MPH with good arm side life. His best secondary offering is his changeup which mimicked his fastball at 72-74 miles-per-hour. He also flashed a smaller shaped, tight curveball at 70-72. He forced a ton of weak groundball contact in this outing and could be a nice prospect.

Diamond Nation Super 16 Invitational – 6/12/15

+ Ryan McLinskey, SS, Don Bosco Prep, Wladyka American, 2017
Scouting Report:
McLinskey has a solid, strong frame and stands about 6-foot tall. He will continue to get stronger as he has broad shoulders. He is an excellent athlete and a very good ball player, which was evident by the number of above average plays made in the game today. He shows very good actions at shortstop with a good first step and a solid glove. He has an aggressive approach to the ball and works through his throw well, breaking his hands at his ear.  He consistently delivers the ball with above average arm strength and good carry on his throws, almost always on the bag. Offensively, he hits from the right side with an open, athletic stance. He has great pitch recognition, picking up spin early which allows him to sit and see it deep, evident when he drove a line drive single to right field. He has a very good swing plane and drives the ball to all fields. He is already a high level prospect.

+ Tommy Gardiner, MIF, Lenape High School, All Out Baseball, 2017
Scouting Report:
Gardiner is a very athletic middle infielder with a strong 5-foot-8 build. He had the most impressive day at the plate of all the bright, young prospects at the event. Like most of All Out’s lineup, he is very athletic and balanced in the box. He has good rhythm pre-pitch and his hands quietly reach a good hitting position. He blasted two deep balls, one for a homerun to left field and the other for a double over the centerfielder’s head. In the infield, he shows smooth actions with soft hands. He has an extremely quick transfer which allows his average arm strength to play up. He can throw from multiple arm slots depending on the type of groundball.

Premium Content Area

This article is only available to PBRPlus Subscribers. If you wish to continue reading this article:

Login to the Subscriptions Website.
To purchase a NEW SUBSCRIPTION, please click here to go to our subscription products page.