Prep Baseball Report

MD/DE Scout Blog: Century at Gerstell Academy


Jamie Naill Jr
Maryland Scouting Director

a

Follow @PBRMaryland
Facebook & Instagram

I stayed close to home last night, as there was a battle in Carroll County between perennial powerhouse Century and MIAA "B" Conference powerhouse Gerstell Academy.    

Gerstell gave the ball to one of the top uncommitted Juniors across Maryland in two-way Travis Smith, while Century turned the ball to their Senior ace in Ryan Von Stein (McDaniel). Smith worked around a two-out double in the 1st off the bat of Senior Owen Roach, before running into some more trouble in the 2nd. After a leadoff double by Senior Brody Comer (McDaniel), Junior backstop Dominic Crisp tripled to right field to get the Knights on the board. After an RBI infield single by Von Stein and two, two out walks, Senior Owen Roach ambushed a first pitch fastball for a grand slam, pushing to score to 6-0. That is all the run support Von Stein would need, as he was just about as efficient as one could be, working five innings, giving up just two hits, one earned run while striking out nine. Century would tack on three in the third, led by an RBI double by Von Stein and an RBI single by Senior Blake Kessler, two in the fourth, and one more in the sixth, courtesy of a solo homerun by Junior Ryan Matthews. Gerstell would scratch across three runs throughout, highlighted by a home run by Travis Smith. Century Knights won the game 12-3. 

 

 

Century

 

Ryan Von Stein RHP / OF / Century, MD / 2023

The physical 6-foot, 190 pound McDaniel College commit got the ball for the Knights and turned out one of the more impressive outings of the year thus far. Facing a red hot Gerstell lineup, Von Stein worked five innings of two run ball (one earned), giving up just two hits, walking one and striking out nine, working to a 73% strike percentage. It's a repeatable side-step delivery, working with shorter arm action from a power three-quarter slot. The balance is clean and consistent with controlled intent through release and feel for most quadrants of the zone. The utilization of all three pitches was special to watch, working a mid 80's fastball to both sides of the plate and a tight slider that had some late bite to it at 73-74 mph, while also mixing in a changeup that lived in the bottom quadrant at 77-78 mph. The velocity is not going to light the radar gun up for now, however it's a clean arm with repeatable mechanics that should see a rise in velo at the next level. The competitiveness, pace, and shear aggressiveness on the bump is something Century, as well as McDaniel should be extremely excited about. 

 

Dominic Crisp C / SS / Century, MD / 2024

An under-the-radar backstop across the state is Crisp, and he certainly made a statement in this one. Utilizing a whole field line drive approach, Crisp stays within himself while still showcasing some sneaky pop that plays to all parts of the field. Hitting from a balanced, slightly crouched stance, the hands work loose and quick, creating occasional extension with the ability to get the barrel to tough pitches throughout the zone. The arm strength needs to increase behind the dish, however I love the athleticism and leadership that is shown.  

 

Owen Roach OF / RHP / Century, MD / 2023

Roach is a guy that exudes confidence and strength, and he certainly showed that off in this one, notching four hits in five at-bats with four RBI and a grand slam. Hitting out of a crouched stance, Roach creates solid weight transfer to the bag leg and explosiveness in the hands through contact. A more level path, the uncommitted outfielder still creates some backspin to the pull side with strength and pop to the gaps and alleys. 

 

Blake Kessler 2B / OF / Century, MD / 2023

I love left-handed hitting infielders, and Kessler added himself to my list after last night's performance. The Senior hits from a balanced, slightly crouched stance with a bigger leg kick load and intent through contact. The hands showcase some whip through with the ability to manipulate the barrel on tough pitches in any quadrant, creating some life and the ability to spray to all fields. Possessing speed that can impact on both sides of the ball, Kessler can really pick it in the infield, providing a consistent player for Century throughout the rest of the Spring. 

 

Chase Speiden OF / RHP / Century , MD / 2025

My first chance to see Speiden was at last year's "Carroll County PBR Scout Day" and the bat certainly stood out, posting a 95 mph max Exit Velocity while depositing numerous homeruns over the left field wall during BP. In the game last night, I was able to see the mound presence and to say the least, it's certainly an arm that Coach Poe will be able to rely on in the coming years. Possessing a long 6-foot-1, 175 pound frame, Speiden showcases plenty of athleticism on both sides (6.91 60-yard) and quick, shorter arm action on the bump. Pounding the zone, Speiden worked a low 80's fastball (Topped 84) to both sides with a developing slider at 68-70 mph. The mechanics and arm action need to get cleaned up, however it's an intriguing arm that is still very young and exudes projectability. 

 

Gerstell Academy

 

Travis Smith SS / RHP / Gerstell Academy, MD / 2024

Being one of the top uncommitted two-ways across MD, I was intrigued to get my eyes on Smith for the first time this Spring. The stuff is certainly crisp and electric on the bump, mixing a four pitch arsenal with feel. The fastball comes out well, working in the upper 80's early, while touching 90 mph in the 2nd inning, up to 2450 rpm. The curveball showed bigger, gradual 11/5 shape at 69-70 mph, mixing a tighter 10/4 slider at 75-76 mph. The changeup was thrown with confidence, occasionally dropping the slot at 77-79 mph. The uncommitted Junior worked backwards most of the night, showcasing the ability to flip the breaking balls in for strikes early that seemed to work well off the fastball. The fastball in my opinion was under-utilized. Smith got roughed up a bit in this one, giving up six in his two innings of work, however really made just one big mistake as he left a first pitch fastball down the middle to one of Century's top hitters and got beat for a grand slam. Smith is electric and it's not difficult to see why he is one of the more highly touted uncommitted arms in the state, and one tough outing certainly does not define how talented this young arm is.

At the dish, Smith showcases raw power with more pull side tendencies and the ability to manipulate the barrel on a consistent basis. It's an aggressive approach out of a balanced set-up with rhythm in the hands and body that produce fluid actions. I love the moxie and confidence that Smith works with and it's a bat that is slightly behind the arm, however certainly showcases a projectable two-way ability at the next level.