Season Review: Norcross

May 5, 2020
Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

Our goal at Prep Baseball Report is to promote high school players, and give them the exposure they need to be able to play at the next level. With the 2020 high school season cancelled, we want to continue to be able to promote players, even when baseball is not being played. We have sent surveys out to coaches around the state and got their input on the first weeks of the season. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight the season and standout players, team by team.

Norcross Blue Devils

Record: 5-8 (2-0)

Like all high school baseball teams across the country, the Norcross Blue Devils never had the opportunity to see how they would develop and progress throughout the 2020 season. The Blue Devils lose some valuable seniors from this season’s team, most notably Daniel Haab, a Kennesaw State commit; with that being stated, while they lose some valuable pieces, Norcross expects to compete at a high level in 2021. They return most of the main offensive contributors and innings on the mound from 2020, and the coaches expect great leadership from the rising senior class.

2020 Standouts

Daniel Haab, C, Norcross, 2020
Kennesaw State commit
Season Stats: .452 AVG, .585 OBP, 9 SB

2021 Standouts

Cody Balsman, INF/RHP, Norcross, 2021
Uncommitted
Season Stats: .321 AVG; 6.0 IP, 9 K, 0.00 ERA

Coach’s Notes: Great hands and moxie as an infielder; player that started to emerge as a strong presence on the mound.

Anthony Bonacci, RHP, Norcross, 2021
Uncommitted
Season Stats: 1-0, 19.0 IP, 22 K, 1.47 ERA

Coach’s Notes: Player that continues to improve and has a great work ethic. Up to 87MPH, with room for growth, and a swing and miss curveball.

Harris Celata, INF/OF, Norcross, 2021
Uncommitted
Season Stats: .324 AVG, 1 HR, 2 3B, 2 2B

Coach’s Notes: Division 1 body and speed (6-foot-2, 210-pounds; 6.7 60yds). Hits with power to all fields and can play infield or outfield. 90+MPH outfield arm. Dual-sport athlete that sat-out sophomore season because of football injury.

Christian Harmon, RHP/INF, Norcross, 2021
Uncommitted
Season Stats: .281 AVG, 2 3B, 1 2B; 1-2, 13.2 IP, 12 K

Coach’s Notes: Polished pitcher with fastball up to 87MPH and much more in the tank. Solid 3-pitch mix with great mound presence and ability to hold runners.

11/10/19 - 5-foot-11, 168-pound right-handed hitting shortstop and right-handed pitcher, strong, athletic build, projects to continue to add strength to all areas of frame. On the mound, arm works clean and loose to a high ¾ slot, accelerates quickly, shows good balance and little effort. Tall and fall delivery, strides towards the third base side of the rubber, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball, sat 84-85, touched 86 with running action, creates good angle and aggressively pulls down on the pitch. Curveball, tight spin as he throws the pitch with fastball arm speed, creates short, late 12/6 break, 77-80. Changeup, heavy sink when located low in the zone, 77-78. Offensively, open setup, short stride, short hand load back, stays balanced through contact. Barrel works on a level plane through the zone creating line drive contact, uses the entire field, consistent in his approach, has an idea at the plate, 81 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short and loose from slots ranging from low ¾ to high ¾, is accurate across the infield at 83. Plays through the ball with competent hands, fluid with his footwork and clean on exchanges, showed good body control when making plays on the move.

2022 Standouts

Chase Bastuk, INF, Norcross, 2022
Uncommitted

Coach’s Notes: Versatile player with a bright future

Will Grogan, LHP, Norcross, 2022
Uncommitted

Coach’s Notes: Very projectable LHP (6-foot-1) with good command and a plus change-up

Tre Phelps, INF, Norcross, 2022
Uncommitted
Season Stats: 10 RBI, 9 R, 4 SB

Coach’s Notes: Infielder with major college skill-set and size (6-foot-1, 180-pounds)