CPBA Scout Day: Top Performers
September 29, 2021
We recently held our annual scout day with CPBA at Breslin field in Lyndhurst. Here we will be highlighting some of the top performers from the event.
Top Performers
+ First guy we look at is a 2023 C from West Essex HS, Jude Clough. He starts at the plate in an even, athletic stance. Weight starts slightly shifted onto his frontside. Hands stay locked in position, there is not much wasted movement throughout his swing. Simple stride, compact swing. Smooth weight transfer, keeps his hands inside the ball. Impressive approach, consistently driving balls to the RCF gap during his BP round. Solid backstop as well. Soft hands, receives the ball well. Quick catch and release on throws to bases.
+ 2022 Matt Fernandez is an outfielder from St. Joseph’s Regional (Montvale) who has performed well at multiple events through this year. Strong and physical frame at 6-foot, 190-pounds. At the plate, begins in a tall and open stance. Stays relaxed, hands moving free and easy. Uses a leg kick, stays on time. Creates some pre pitch rhythm, brings his back elbow to parallel with the ground. Gets his barrel on plane, looks to do damage every pitch. Strong through the zone with some present barrel awareness. Top exit velo of 92 MPH. In the outfield, approaches the ball under control with strong throws to bases.
+ An imposing bat with middle of the order potential that we saw at scout day was 2022 Michael Featherstone (Ramsey HS). Broad-shouldered frame at 6-foot-5, 235-pounds. Has a open, wider stance with his hands up high by his head. Early stride. Moves his hands directly backwards during his load. Extension out front. Can create some real gap-to-gap power when he connects on the barrel. 94 MPH exit velocity. Featherstone threw a bullpen as well on this day. Slower and gradual windup. Keeps his hands locked up by his chest and away from his body. FB worked at 82-83 MPH, touching 84. Showed off an 11/5 breaker that showed some depth when at the bottom of the zone.
+ 2024 LHP Joseph Giordano (Pascack Hills HS) threw the first bullpen of the day and definitely opened some eyes. Starts his windup from an offset position. Maintains rhythm and tempo. Both of his halves work in sync. Slightly uphill shoulder tilt. Stride direction stays in line. Long, loose arm. Comes at you from a higher arm slot, creating some downhill plane at times. FB was located well at 81-82 MPH. CB had 1/7 shape with two plane action at times. Also displayed a power CH with good arm speed. Real talented young arm who will gain velo and can become a high level prospect with added maturity and strength.
+ A 2022 IF who had a solid BP was Max Nasjletti (Northern Valley Old Tappan). Strong and compact frame at 5-foot-8, 168-pounds. Tall and upright stance with his hands staying in place behind his body. Creates some rhythm with a slight bat wiggle pre-pitch. Big leg kick. Works his hands directly to the ball, strong through the zone. Line drive pop to all fields. Top exit velo of 91 MPH. Smooth actions in the field. Choppy steps, gathers himself with a shuffle. Short AA.
+ When looking at some of the arms, 2023 RHP Cooper Montelbano (Depaul Catholic HS) had one of the better pens. Tall and lanky frame with easy projectability at 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. Creates some deception in his windup, hiding the ball until the last second. Fluid mechanics, works free and easy with his arm. Clear hip/shoulder separation. Even shoulder intent. Throws with true intent. In the stretch, feet are slightly closed with his back leg preset. Montelbano worked his FB at 80-81 MPH, touching 82 MPH. Slider was in the low 70’s, horizontal action across the zone.
+ 2023 IF Cameron Schwartz (Fair Lawn HS) was able to create some pop from his compact frame during BP. Slightly open stance with his hands starting lower. Quick, outward stride. Sprays line drives to all fields. Moves his hands up and back during his load. Simple approach at the plate, is not trying to do too much. Exit velo of 88 MPH. In the infield, works around the ball. Slings it from a lower arm slot, accurate throws.
+ The last guy we look at is 2022 Connor O’Hara (Ramsey HS). Impressive frame, athleticism and strength at 6-foot, 185-pounds. Even, balanced stance to start. Slowly shifts his weight back and explodes off his back hip. Slower stride with an occasional toe tap. Strong lower half, clears his hips through the zone. Ability to turn his barrel on inside pitches, showing off some pullside pop. Top exit velo of 92 MPH. Solid LHP as well with a three pitch mix. FB with some arm side run at 80-81 MPH (82). CH with fade at 70-72 MPH. Slider was good at times as well, showing sweeping action in the zone.