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This week we conclude with our final look at the the roster from the Future Games Trials at the University of Maryland. Today we release our full analysis of the two-way players beginning with our top performers.

 

TOP TWO-WAY PERFORMERS

 

Ethan McCormick SS / RHP / Archbishop Spalding , MD / 2020 Athletic, lanky body type and 6-foot-1, 160 pound frame. Hits from a taller, balanced, slightly open stance at the plate. Fluid rhythm and stays balanced throughout his swing. Shorter, slightly uphill swing path with quick hands and fast bat speed. Gets nice extension through contact and lower half involvement. There is also some power in his swing to the pull side. Exit velo was 85 mph. Plays with active feet in the infield and showed very smooth fielding actions. Clean exchange and fluid footwork. Throws with short arm action from a low three-quarters slot at 78 mph. Ran a 5.08 home-to-first time. Small side-step wind-up into a tall balance point. Smooth rhythm and clean hand separation. Generates nice lower half involvement and shows a really quick arm through release. Lands square and in-line with the plate with an athletic finish. Shorter arm action throwing from a mid three-quarter slot with some effort. Filled up the zone with a 81-82 mph fastball that showed slight arm side run. Breaking ball was 69-71 with tight, late, sharp 11/5 action. Change-up was heavy and showed some dive at 74-77 mph.

James Michel 3B / RHP / Archbishop Curley, MD / 2021 Long, lanky, athletic body type and projectable 6-foot-3, 170 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, square stance at the plate. Smooth back load and short stride. Fires hips and incorporates lower body into swing. Showed quick hands and fast bat speed. Stays behind the ball well and finishes in a balanced position. Short, slightly uphill swing path with an exit velo of 86 mph. Gap-to-gap type hitter now and uses the whole field. More power projected as he fills out. Plays with active feet at third base and reads hops well. Showed clean exchanges and soft hands. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot at 75 mph. Ran a 5.07 home-to-first time. Pitches from the stretch with smooth rhythm. Loads weight on back side and gets to a tall balance point. Slight down to out lower half drive and does a nice job getting over front side. Lands square with an athletic finish. Long, loose arm action creating quick arm speed through release. Throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with easy effort. Fastball touched 80 mph and sat 77-79 with some arm side run. Cut fastball was 68-71 mph. Breaking ball sat 67-69 mph and showed late 11/5 break. Change-up had nice dive at 72-74 mph.

Bobby Duffy 3B / RHP / North Harford, MD / 2020 Solid, compact body type and 5-foot-11, 190 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched, open stance. Smooth back load with a short, uphill swing path. Explosive lower half involvement, quick hands, and fast bat speed. Gets really good extension through contact and stays behind the ball well. High finish and exit velo of 82 mph. Took two really impressive rounds of BP showing gap-to-gap power and even more pop to the pull side. Plays through the ball in the infield with good hands. Showed the ability to really pick it. Glove tap in exchange. Throws with shorter arm actions at a high three-quarters slot at 81 mph. Ran a 4.83 home-to-first. Side-step wind-up into tall balance position. Sinks into back leg and gets down to out with lower half. Solid drive off the mound and clean hand separation. Shorter arm action and creates quick arm speed through release. Throws from a high three-quarters slot with regular effort. Lands square and finishes falling off slightly to the first base side. Fastball was up to 83 mph and sat 80-82 mph. Breaking ball sat 63-65 mph with big 12/6 shape and gradual action. Change-up was 72-74 mph with some dive.

Kyle Whitaker 3B / RHP / McDonogh, MD / 2020 Big, strong body type and 6-foot-2, 225 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, slightly closed stance at the plate. Big leg kick and short stride. Creates nice hand separation and stays behind the ball well. Gets some lower half involvement and showed quick hands and fast bat speed. Cuts finish short. Would like to see him clear front side more enabling him to use more of his lower half and rotate fully in finish. Short, uphill swing path with plus strength present. Exit velo topped at 94 mph. Gets in a good athletic set-up when fielding the ball at third base and moves well for his size. Showed soft hands and clean exchanges. Funnels ball to chest and throws with long arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 85 mph. Ran a 4.58 home-to-first time. Controlled side-step wind-up into a quick balance position. Clean hand separation and some lower half involvement. Gets over front side and throws downhill. Long arm action, creating quick arm speed through release. Throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with regular effort. Lands square to the plate with an athletic finish. Fastball was 80-81 mph. Breaking ball showed gradual 11/5 shape at 62-65 mph and change-up was 66-68 mph with plus fade.

Tyler Blittersdorf C / OF / John Carroll, MD / 2019 Solid body type and 5-foot-10, 195 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic stance at the plate. Short, smooth, rock-back load and high leg kick for rhythm and timing. Explosive lower half and stays behind the ball well. Quick hands and fast bat speed. Compact, short, slightly uphill swing path with good extension past contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter with present pull-side power. Took two impressive rounds of BP. Quiet body behind the plate and sticks it. Replaces feet well and showed quick, clean exchanges. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 74 mph. Put five throws on the money at second base with pop times ranging from 2.00 - 2.13. Plays through the ball in the outfield with a clean exchange. Short arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot at 79 mph. Same at third base. Plays through the ball and showed a quick, clean exchange. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 75 mph. Ran a 4.63 home-to-first time. Controlled side-step wind-up and smooth rhythmic load into a tall balance point. Slight down to out lower half and shorter arm action throwing from a high three-quarters slot. Lands square and in-line with home plate in a strong athletic finish. Fastball sat 77-80 mph touching 82 mph. Curveball was 63-65 with 11/5 shape and slider showed shorter 10/4 shape at 70-71 mph. Change-up had some fade at 72-74 mph.

Cody Kurek OF / LHP / John Carroll, MD / 2021 Athletic body type and 5-foot-9, 150 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, square stance from the left side. Smooth rock-back load and small toe tap for rhythm and timing. Hands load low just under shoulder height. Does a nice job firing hips and lower half into swing. Fluid rhythm at the plate with a longer slightly uphill swing path. Line drive type hitter who showed the ability to use all fields well. Exit velo was up to 80 mph. Athletic in the outfield and plays through the ball. Showed a quick, clean exchange and fluid footwork. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarters arm slot at 72 mph. Ran a 4.63 home-to-first time. Starts in stretch position and uses a small side-step for rhythm up into a controlled balance point. Clean hand separation and level shoulders. Shorter arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot with easy effort. Smooth rhythm and lands square with an athletic finish. Fastball had some arm side run at 74-75 mph. Breaking ball was sharp at times with 1/7 shape at 59-62 mph. Change-up was 65-67 mph.

Andrew Rickard SS / RHP / Archbishop Curley, MD / 2020 Solid, compact, and athletic body type with a 5-foot-7, 165 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched, and closed stance. Use a toe tap for timing and gets good hand separation. Stays behind the ball well with some lower half involvement and bat speed. Exit velo up 86 mph. Gets uphill slightly through contact and has a short level swing path. Took two very nice rounds of BP spraying line drives gap-to-gap. Athletic and plays through the ball in the infield with quick feet, soft hands, and showed a clean exchange. Short arm action throwing from a low three-quarter slot at 79 mph. Ran a 4.17 home-to-first time. Side-step wind-up with a slight rock up into a quick balance point. Creates quick arm speed through release. Short arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot. Has a tendency to drop arm into a low three-quarter slot on off-speed pitches at times. Generates strong lower half drive off the rubber and lands open, falling slightly to the first base side. Fastball topped out at 80 mph. Sat 77-78 mph mostly. Breaking ball had tight 11/5 shape at 67-69 mph. Change-up showed plus fade at 64-66 mph. Mixed in a knuckleball at 59 mph.

Gary Hallmen Jr OF / RHP / John Carroll, MD / 2020 Solid, compact body type and 5-foot-7, 170 pound frame. Hits from a quiet, balanced, slightly open stance with feet closer together at the plate. Uses a quick leg kick load for rhythm and timing. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter with occasional pop. Sprayed the ball all over the field during BP. Solid lower half involvement and quick hands. Slight uphill swing path finishing with one hand. Exit velo of 80 mph. Athletic and moves well in the outfield. Plays through the ball showing a quick, clean exchange and fluid footwork. Shorter arm action throwing from a high three-quarters slot at 82 mph. Ran a 4.96 home-to-first time. Small side-step wind-up into a controlled balance point. Clean hand separation and some lower half drive. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarters arm slot with regular effort. Lands square in an athletic finish. Fastball touched 80 mph and sat 77-79 mph. Breaking ball showed tight 11/5 and 12/6 shape at 66-69 mph. Change-up was 74-76 mph.

 

 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

 

Kyle Ball RHP/OF John Carroll 2021
Athletic, compact body type and 5-foot-9, 165 pound frame. Hits from a balanced open stance at the plate. Smooth back load with noticeable weight transfer to back side during load. Gets good hand separation and uses some lower half in the swing. Showed the ability to handle the bat well and use all fields. Short, level swing path and an exit velo of 78 mph. Line drive type hitter. Athletic and moves well in the outfield. Plays through the ball and showed a clean exchange. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarters arm slot at 72 mph. Ran a 5.27 home-to-first time. Controlled side-step wind-up and balance point. Clean hand separation and slight down to out lower half drive. Creates some arm speed through release. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot with easy effort. Drops arm slot to low three-quarters on breaking ball. Lands square with an athletic finish. Fastball touched 72 mph (sat 70-71) and showed slight arm side run. Breaking ball had gradual 12/6 shape at 62-65 mph. Change-up was 65 mph.

Jonah Baney C/RHP Lansdowne 2020
Athletic, lanky body type and 5-foot-9, 145 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, square stance and wide base. Smooth back load and good rhythm. Stays inside the ball well and showed some lower half involvement and bat speed. Short, level swing path with an exit velo of 76 mph. Line drive type hitter. Quiet body behind the plate and stick pitches well. Stays low in exchange, squares shoulders, and gains ground on throws. Short arm action throwing from a low three-quarter slot at 76 mph. Quick, clean exchanges with pop times ranging 1.97 - 2.14. Ran a 4.64 home-to-first time. Rocker side-step wind-up into a tall balance point position. Shorter arm action throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot. Creates quick arm speed through release and gets over front side well. Lands square to the plate falling slightly off to the first base side in an athletic position. Fastball sat 78-79 mph with some cut. Curveball was 67-68 mph with big 12/6 power action and slider sat 68-72 mph with tighter 10/4 shape.

Jack Belbot OF/RHP Loyola Blakefield 2021
Long, lanky body type and 5-foot-11, 155 pound frame. Hits from a slightly open taller stance at the plate with weight on back side and hands pre-loaded. Sinks into lower half during swing and stays behind the ball well. Nice lower half involvement and gets good extension through contact. Line drive type hitter with some power to the gaps. Uphill swing path with an exit velo of 75 mph. Plays through the ball in the outfield and showed a clean exchange. Longer arm action throwing from a lower three-quarters arm slot at 80 mph. Ran a 5.01 home-to-first time. Controlled side-step wind-up into a tall balance point with hands set high at head level. Down to out lower half and quick arm speed. Throws downhill with long, loose, whippy arm actions from a lower three-quarters slot. Lands square and in-line with an athletic finish. Fastball was 78-80 mph and showed some sink. Tighter 11/5 breaking ball with shorter action at 68-70 mph and a changeup that showed nice fade at 68-71 mph.

Jack Branthover 3B/RHP Bethesda-Chevy Chase 2020
Solid body type and strong lower half. 5-foot-8, 170 pound frame. Hits from a balanced open stance at the plate. Short back load and high leg kick used to create rhythm and timing. Drifts forward with stride. Nice lower half involvement in swing with quick hands and some bat speed. Shorter level swing path with an exit velo of 81 mph. Plays through the ball at third base. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot at 74 mph. Ran a 5.25 home-to-first time. Controlled side-step wind-up into a tall balance point. Smooth hand separation and some lower half involvement. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot. Lands square and finishes in an athletic position. Showed great command and feel for three pitches and threw a ton of strikes. Fastball sat 73-74 mph and touched 74 mph with late heavy arm side run. Slider had late downward action and 11/5 shape at 71-72 mph. Fastball arm speed on change-up at 69-70 mph with fade.

Ryan Callahan 1B/RHP Mount St. Joseph 2020
Long, athletic body type and 5-foot-11, 185 pound frame. Quiet body in the box hitting from a balanced, athletic, square stance with a slightly wider base. Hands pre-set at shoulder height. Small leg kick and short stride. Would like to see him use more of his lower half in the swing. Level swing path and line drive type hitter. Exit velo was 75mph. Gets in an athletic fielding position at first base and works through the ball. Showed quick, clean double play feeds with short arm action. Throws from a high three-quarter arm slot at 71 mph. Ran a 5.51 home-to-first time. Side-step wind-up into a controlled balance point. Creates quick arm speed through release and gets over front side well. Lands square with an athletic finish. Shorter arm action throwing from a high three-quarters slot with regular effort. Fastball was 71-73 mph. Breaking ball had bigger, gradual 12/6 and 11/5 shape at 57-58 mph.

Myles Janson RHP/OF/1B John Carroll 2019
Long, lanky body type and projectable 6-foot-5, 205 pound frame. Hits from a square stance and wide base at the plate. Uses a toe-tap for rhythm and timing. Gets uphill through contact and stays through the ball with some lower half involvement. Longer, slightly uphill swing path with an exit velo of 78 mph. Plays through the ball in the outfield and showed a clean exchange. Longer arm action throwing from a high three-quarters slot. Throws show some carry at 85 mph.  Showed a clean exchange in the infield on double play feeds from first base. Long arm action throwing from a high three-quarter slot at 81 mph. Up-tempo side-step wind-up and delivery. Gets to a quick, tall balance point and works downhill with a strong down to out lower half drive. Lands square over front side, falling slightly to the first base. Long, whippy arm action and quick arm speed throwing from a high three-quarter slot. Filled the zone showing good feel for both his fastball and change-up. Fastball was up to 83 mph and showed some arm side run. Sat 80-82 mph. Change-up had fade at 66-69 mph.

Stephen Schenning RHP/3B Loyola Blakefield 2021
Solid body type with strong lower half. 5-foot-11, 170 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched, and slightly open wider base stance. Quick rock-back load and attacks the baseball. Gets some lower half involvement and showed some bat speed. Worked gap-to-gap during BP and showed some pull side power. Stays behind the ball well and swings with a slightly longer uphill swing path. Exit velo was 84 mph. Plays through the ball at third base and showed nice quick, clean exchanges. Short arm action throwing from a low three-quarter slot at 73 mph. Ran a 5.34 home-to-first time. Side-step wind-up into a tall controlled balance point with hands set high. Down to out lower half drive and clean hand separation. Long arm action and quick arm speed. Throws from a high three-quarter arm slot with regular effort. Lands square with an athletic finish. Fastball sat 77-79 mph and touched 80 mph. Breaking ball showed big, late 11/5 break at 67-69 mph. Change-up was 71-74 mph with some fade.

Van Switzer RHP/OF Howard 2021
Athletic body type and 5-foot-9, 133 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, slightly open stance. Smooth rock-back load and leg kick. Showed some lower half involvement and bat speed. Would like to see more hand separation and coil in load. Fluid rhythm at the plate. Longer slightly uphill swing path, exit velo of 74 mph. Athletic and plays through the ball in the outfield. Quick, clean exchanges throwing with shorter arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 79 mph. Ran a 5.02 home-to-first time. Small side-step wind-up into a crouched balance point position. Clean hand separation and strong lower half drive. Long arm action creating some arm speed through release. Throws from a high three-quarter slot with regular effort. Lands square with an athletic finish. Fastball was 73-75 mph with some cut action. Big gradual breaking ball that showed both 12/6 and 11/5 shape at 60-62 mph. Change-up ranged 58-65 mph.

Hunter Tipton RHP/3B John Carroll 2019
Solid, strong body type and 6-foot-1, 210 pound frame. Starts square to the pitcher with weight shifted to back side. Small toe-tap used for rhythm and timing. Showed some lower half involvement and bat speed. Short, level swing path and a 81 mph exit velo. Line drive type hitter with occasional pop. Plays through the ball at third base with soft hands and showed a quick, clean exchange. Short arm action throwing from a low three-quarter slot at 76 mph. Ran a 5.46 home-to-first time. Side-step wind-up into a tall balance point. Down to out lower half drive with slight pause. Throws downhill with quick arm speed from a high three-quarter slot with regular effort. Lands a little stiff on front side in-line with home plate. Long, whippy arm action. Fastball touched 82 mph and sat 79-81 mph with some arm side run and slight sink. Breaking ball was 68-71 mph with sharp 11/5 shape. Change-up showed some fade at 72-75 mph.