Prep Baseball Report

2020 Northeast Future Games - New Look, Same Excitement - Team Connecticut


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR New England Senior Writer

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2020 Northeast Future Games - New Look, Same Excitement - Team Connecticut

DUBOIS, Pa. - New look … same excitement and enjoyment.

That was the general feeling from those that participated in the 2020 Future Games at Showers Field and Stem Field in Dubois, Pa.

The different look, based off of COVID-19 restrictions, resulted in eight squads combining to form the Northeast Future Games, including Team Connecticut. Teams representing New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan and Ohio as well as Team Select - with players from six different states - participated in the ninth annual experience.

“The excitement of the players, with it being such a crazy spring and summer, this might have been the only time kids could showcase themselves through live streaming, their effort and attitude was tremendous,” noted Trevor Brown, PBR Connecticut Director of Scouting. “ Also, I thought the live streaming production was fantastic.”

There was more that stood out for Brown.

“The venue was tremendous, the fields were clean, there was easy access to get in and out and it was easy to view and coach the kids,” Brown pointed out. “What I liked was not a ton of people were around. It was quiet with a professional scouting atmosphere giving the ball players total focus on what they needed to accomplish.”

Players came away impressed with the event as well.

“Overall, it was a fun week and great experience for me and I thank all the guys at PBR for this to happen,” said Zachery Broderick, a 2022 left-handed pitcher from Fairfield Warde.

Michael Anquillaire, who has committed to Stony Brook since the conclusion of the Future Games, is another that enjoyed his time participating in the PBR event.

“My experience with being on Team Connecticut was amazing,” noted the fifth-rated 2022 first baseman in New England who had a hit off Team Massachusetts’ southpaw Thomas White, the top-rated 2023 in the country. “I made many new friends and have made bonds that will last a lifetime. What stood out about us is that we were like a family and we created that in three short days.”

Getting looks from college coaches was different this year due to the constraints from the coronavirus, but live streaming helped alleviate any concerns in that regard with an estimated 300-plus coaches from across the country looking on.

“Going to the Future Games opens so many doors with colleges,” pointed out Taft School’s Ryan Egan, a 6-1 205-pound RHP. “Colleges know the talent level at this event. Having your name on the roster and performing at this event puts you at a whole different level when talking to schools. Schools respect this event and telling them you attended the Future Games automatically puts you on their radar.” 

Egan participated in the event for the second year in a row.

“Being the younger one on the field last year was very nerve-racking,” noted the sixth-ranked uncommitted right-handed pitcher in New England’s 2022 class. “Seeing all the different schools in the stands last year was certainly very scary. But coming back the following year, I was able to settle those nerves and perform at the level I know I can. Seeing how much I was able to mature over the course of a year allows me to play through nerves and be able to find ways to actually use those to my benefit.”

Connecticut came away with two wins in three games over the course of the Future Games.

“We seemed to play even in all three games, and were able to score late and put pressure on teams.,” Brown said. “We showed strong pitching for the most part. Our pitchers threw strikes and let the defense do the work, all the infielders were able to play on both sides of the second base bag and both catchers handled the pitchers well with advanced knowledge of pitch calling behind the plate. The bats competed, not an easy environment when seeing a different pitcher in every at-bat.”

James Raidt, a 2023 from King School who “showed the best stuff up to 88” according to Brown, summed it up well.

“I would like to thank everyone at PBR for an amazing experience and for some amazing memories that I will cherish for a lifetime,” the fourth-rated uncommitted sophomore right-handed pitcher in New England said.

A PBR thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to the following players on Team Connecticut that gave their thoughts about the event (including what schools have been in contact with them since the event):

Michael Anquillare 1B / OF / North Haven, CT / 2022

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights consisted of hitting 100 on the exit velocity in the showcase, going 3-for-6 in game play, and getting a hit off the #1 2023 in the country, Thomas White.

PBR: Assess your performance.
My performance was very good all around. I had three singles, with three RBIs and two walks. On the other hand, I had two strikeouts and a groundout. In the field, I made a bunch of nice plays around the bag at first, making only one error.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Connecticut and what stood out.
My experience with being on Team Connecticut was amazing. I made many new friends and have made bonds that will last a lifetime. What stood out about us is that we were like a family and we created that in three short days. 

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition I faced at the event was top-tier as expected. All of the pitchers I faced had above-average velocity with good curveballs and sliders etc. All the hitters made solid contact, all the fielders were elite as well.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games could help me in my future by further getting my name out there to colleges around the country, upon many other things.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
Stony Brook University, Fordham University, Columbia University, and St. John’s University. NOTE: Anquillare has since committed to Stony Brook.

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Zachery Broderick LHP / 1B / Fairfield Warde, CT / 2022

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I think some of the cool things was playing some great competition from all around the northeast and seeing other kids from around the country play us.

PBR: Assess your performance.
Overall, I thought I did well. It was nerve-wracking at the beginning seeing all the cameras and knowing all these college coaches are watching.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Connecticut and what stood out.
Being on Team Connecticut was an honor to play with some of the top uncommitted guys in Connecticut. I met tons of new people and got to enjoy a nice few days with the guys.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
This event will help you in the future for a better college experience and for exposure in front of coaches.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
As of now, Fairfield University was interested in me after seeing me pitch against Team New Jersey.

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