Prep Baseball Report

CPBA Scout Day: Top Performers


TJ Hunt
Director, PBR New Jersey

The Complete Performance Baseball Academy (CPBA) recently had its Scout Day at Breslin Field in Lyndhurst, NJ. Over 65 players participated in the workout from the organization. There were numerous players that showed well from the event, here are a few that caught our eye:

CLICK HERE for a list of all the stats from the event

Gabe Diaz, SS, Saddle River Day HS, NJ 2021
Physical, athletic frame at 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in an event-best 6.88 seconds, and exit velocity topped at 87 MPH. At the plate, quiet, wide stance with hands placed just above back shoulder. Uses a small foot lift and stride to start swing as hands load down and back. Short compact swing through the zone with some Line Drive pop. in the field, took reps at shortstop. Throws stopped at 83 mph  across the diamond with backspin and Carrie. Actions play up in the field, bouncy and athletic. Throws from a high 3/4 slot with a short quick arm action. One of the top players to come out of the event.

DIAZ VIDEO


 

Nico Ong, C, Bloomfield HS, NJ 2022
Ong Some growing to do at five foot six 125 pounds, but the foundation is present. Ran the 60-yard dash in 7.09 seconds  which was one of the top times at the event, and recording exit velocity of 83 mph. At the plate, a switch hitter. From the right side, starts in an open stance with hands just above back shoulder. As pitch comes in, uses a small foot strides to get back even with home plate as hands move back slightly. Create some twerking midsection to produce Line Drive pop. from the left side, Similarly starts with an open stance with hands just below back shoulder. Uses a foot lift and stride to start swing, Put the short compact stroke through the zone and some lift into his finish. Behind the plate, pop times were between  2.02 - 2.13 seconds. catch air velocity top at 73 mph to second base. Athletic and quick in the Crouch explodes out of the Crouch athletic and quick in the Crouch explodes out with a short quick arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Throws were on the bag consistently. certainly a player to watch for in the 2022 class, especially as he continues to grow and mature.

ONG VIDEO

Jake Leonard, C/3B, Ramapo HS, NJ 2021
Physical, athletic with broad shoulders at 5-foot-10 168-pounds with some room to fill out. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.23-seconds and recorded the top exit velocity at the event at 92 MPH. At the plate, starts in a neutral stance with a slight crouch and hands above back shoulder. Small foot lift/toe tap to start swing. Short, compact swing with some explosiveness through the zone and whippy-like torque in mid-section. Line drive pop with gap to gap potential as he continues to mature. Behind the plate, throws topped at 72 MPH. Pop times consistently between 2.22-2.34 seconds. Short, quick arm action. Throws were on the bag.

LEONARD VIDEO


 

Lance Koenig, RHP, Hackensack HS, NJ 2020
Koenig has a lean, lanky frame at 6 Foot 1 150 pounds.  fastball top at 83 mph and sat mostly 81-82 mph. Flashed a curveball at 74-76 mph with some 11/5 depth and a changeup at 75-77 mph. Up-tempo start to his delivery into a tall athletic balance point. Uphill shoulders as he descends down the mound, lands slightly opened With Landing foot pointing slightly towards the first base dugout. will fall off a touch to that side as well. Long loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Creates some arm side run with fastball on finish.  one of the top uncommitted 2020s in the state.

KOENIG VIDEO


 

Christian Kim, C, Pascack Hills HS, NJ 2020
Kim has a strong, athletic frame at 6-foot-4 215-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.49-seconds and recorded one of the top exit velocities from the event at 92 MPH. At the plate, RHH, starts in a tall, neutral stance with hands below back shoulder. As pitch comes in, uses a foot lift and stride to start swing. Big power into the gaps in finish. One of the best rounds of batting practice from the event. Behind the plate, throws topped at 76 MPH to 2B - had some armside carry and were on the bag. Short, quick arm action, pop times between 2.06-2.13.

KIM VIDEO


 

Spencer Berson, OF, Pascack Hills HS, NJ 2020
Berson Has a lean athletic build at 5 ft 10 160 lbs. Ran the 60-yard dash in 6.91 seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 86 mph. At the plate starts in at all neutral stance with hands just above back shoulder. As pitch arrives, uses a small foot stride to start swing as hands move back slightly. Short quick stroke through the Zone produces Line Drive pop. Defensively, took reps from the outfield. Throws topped at 83 mph with backspin and carry. Short quick arm action from a high 3/4 slot. One of the top 2020s that are uncommitted in New Jersey. 

BERSON VIDEO


 

Dean Ferrara, SS, Ramapo HS, NJ 2021
Ferrara has an athletic frame at 5-foot-10 160-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.29-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 87 MPH. At the plate, starts in an opened stance with hands above back shoulder. Uses a leg kick and stride to start swing. Hands load up and back with some fluidity. Quick, explosives hips and hands through the zone, create line drive pop with gap to gap potential as he continues to fill out his frame. Impressive showing during batting practice. On the mound, fastball topped at 80 MPH and sat mostly 78-80. Featured a gradual curveball with 11/5 break at 63-64 and a changeup with armside fade at 70-71. Effortless delivery, level shoulders down the mound. Long, loose arm action. Drop and drive type pitcher on balance leg. Will fall off to left side of rubber on finish.

FERRARA VIDEO


 

Best of the Rest

CJ Arena, C, Montville HS, NJ 2020
Arena has an athletic build at 6-foot-1 170-pounds. Ran the 60-yard dash in 7.59 seconds and recorded in exit velocity of 86 mph. Offensively, Right-handed hitter, stands tall with a narrow stance at start. As pitch comes in, uses a small foot stride as hands load back slightly. relaxed compact swing with some Line Drive pop. Behind the plate, throws to second base top at 70 miles per hour. Pop times between 2.20 - 2.30 seconds. throws were mostly towards the arm side of second base with some loft to the carry.

Ben Bibergal, SS, Ramsey HS, NJ 2020
Lanky, athletic frame at 5-foot-11 155-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.13 seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 80 MPH. At the plate, RHH starts in a wide stance and in a slight crouch with hands above back shoulder. As pitch comes in, a short foot stride starts his swing as hands move up and back slightly. Barrel quickness is present, with line drive pop and some lift to his finish. Stays balanced throughout swing. In the field, throws topped at 80 MPH from SS. Smooth, athletic lateral movements and a clean, quick glove exchange. Able to throw from multiple different slots. 

Billy Mulholland, C, Pascack Hills HS, NJ 2022
Durable frame at 6-feet 185-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.69-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 84 MPH. At the plate, starts in a wide stance and in a crouch with hands creating rhythm pre pitch. Uses a small foot stride to start swing as hands load up and back. Barrel lag through the zone, creates some line drive pop with big power potential. Behind the plate, throws topped at 73 MPH down to 2B with pop times ranging between 2.20-2.34. Throws were on the bag with some carry behind them.

Jason Schulman, RHP, Pascack Hills HS, NJ 2020
Physical, 6-foot-3 195-pound frame with some room to fill out more. Fastball topped at 82 MPH and sat mostly 80-82 in his bullpen session. Curveball showed some 12/6 bite at 62-64 and a changeup with some armside fade. Short arm action into an over-the-top slot. Fastball had some down hill plane. Tall balance point, uphill shoulders at first foot strike. Lands square to homeplate and creates extension over lead leg. 

Alex Couto, Pascack Hills HS, NJ 2020
Athletic 5-foot-7 140-pound frame. Fastball topped at 81 MPH and sat mostly 77-79. Curveball showed small 11/5 action at 66-67 and flashed a changeup with armside run as well. Up tempo delivery into a strong, firm balance leg. Level shoulders down the mound into a firm, straight landing leg. High-¾ slot with a long arm action.

Michael Gillen, RHP/SS, Bergen Catholic HS, NJ 2022 
Lanky 6-foot-1 160-pound frame with room to fill out. Fastball topped at 80 MPH and sat mostly 78-79 MPH from a high-¾ slot. Creates some armside run on fastball and ball showed some late life. Expect more velocity to home as he continues to get stronger. Curveball mostly 69-70 and seemed to back up on him a touch. Also flashed a straight changeup. Up tempo delivery into a tall, firm balance point. Uphill shoulders down the mound. Landing foot pointed toward thrid base dugout a touch, and will spin off on finish to compensate. Offensively, ran the 60 yard dash in 7.64-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 75 MPH. At the plate, starts in an opened stance and in a crouch on back leg. Uses s small foot stride to get to even as pitch arrives. Some whip to his hands and arms through the zone which will only help create more pop as he continues to mature. Defensively, took reps at SS. Throws topped at 73 MPH across the diamond. Rangey defender with a foundation of skills that will only continue to improve.

Matt Faris, RHP/OF, St. Joseph’s Montvale HS, NJ 2021
Faris has a strong frame at 5-foot-10 175-pounds. Fastball topped at 77 MPH and sat mostly 76-77 from a high-¾ slot. Curveball showed late break at 63-64 with 11/5 depth and a changeup with armside fade. Strong balance leg and level shoulders going down the mound. Head will fall off to gloveside upon release. Strong landing leg and finishes with extension over lead leg. Offensively, ran the 60 yard dash in 7.12-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 80 MPH. Quiet, upright start to in his stance with hands below his back shoulder. Uses a small leg lift and stride to start swing. Line drive pop, upright finish. Defensively, took reps from the outfield, throws topped at 83 MPH with backspin and some carry.

Yianni Lazaris, LHP, Lyndhurst HS, NJ 2021
Strong, athletic frame at 6-feet 165-pounds. Fastball topped at 81 MPH and sat mostly 77-79 from a high-¾ slot and short arm action. Curveball had gradual 1/7 break at 66-67 MPH and also flashed a straight changeup at 70-72. Methodical start to delivery into a tall, athletic balance point. Downhill shoulders going down the mound. Heavy front foot landing, finishes over lead leg with extension. Will fall off to third base side on finish.