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Super 60: New Jersey Performers

February 6, 2024
TJ Hunt
Director, PBR New Jersey

The 22nd Annual Super 60 Professional Showcase wrapped up on Sunday in Chicago, IL with a host of draft-hopefuls showcasing their best stuff before their senior campaigns this spring. There were some notable performances from the crop this year. Let's delve into the performers from New Jersey and how they fared at the event.

+ Electricity was in the air as soon as Wake Forest recruit, RHP Chris Levonas (Christian Brothers Academy) recoiled from his first heater during his bullpen. It seemed to be Levonas' coming out party on the national stage - as he impressed with both velocity and pure "stuff." The lean, wiry 6-foot-2 175-pounder unleashed fastballs between 95-97 (97.7 max), with 2608 max rpm (2569 avg) and up to 17.9" IVB. The ball exploded out of his hand with whip to the arm from a high-3/4 slot. What was equally as impressive, if not more so, was his ability to spin the ball with plus action. Levonas topped the ranks with curveball spin at 3088rpm, second in slider spin at 2889rpm, and first in cutter spin at 2708rpm. All three offspeed offerings had their own unique spin and movement profiles, which is rare for a pitcher with as many pitches in his repetoire. Usually pitchers who say they have a curveball, slider, and cutter have some combination of all three, and all three pitches blend together ultimately resulting in the same movement profile, regardless of the name. Levonas' -13.5 IVB, -17.5 HM on the curveball contrasts well with his slider at -3.0 IVB, -21 HM - meaning, his curveball has significantly more downer movement while his slider has more of a true horizontal, late breaking pitch. Levonas' draft stock will certainly skyrocket from this performance - and at the very least, will garner several extra eyes on him throughout the spring season. Levonas is coming off of a successful junior campaign for CBA, where he logged 42.2 IP, allowing just 17 hits, punching out 72 and walking just 12.

+ A dark horse candidate for a breakout performer on the national scale for this event was Rutgers commit, SS Yomar Carreras (North Brunswick HS, NJ). Carerras has a projectable, wiry frame at 6-foot, 185-pounds. A switch hitter with innate knack for the barrel, Carreras showcased his athleticism (6.99 60) and toolsy attributes (87 mph arm) in from of over 100 scouts at the Super 60. Carreras' glides through his glovework with fluidity and ease and has the arm to stay at shortstop at the next level. If anything, Carreras made a name for himself as a follow in a few years out of Rutgers. The frame can still add some strength which bodes well for projectability down the line. Carreras topped at 97.3 mph exit velocity.

+ The third participant from New Jersey came through the LSU recruit, 1B Ryan Costello (Ranney School). The left handed power hitter showed off his hit tool in front of the scouts, topping at 102 mph EV and 94.8 avg EV. Costello was tied for 3rd in max distance, at 396 ft and elite hand speed at 24.3 mph avg, good for third out of the entire event. Wide stance, short compact load - hands move straight back. Weight exchange and powerful torque through the midsection. The 6-foot-3 215-pounder will be a name to follow this year, especially as he'll finally have a full spring season playing at Ranney. Costello had to sit the first month of the 2023 season due to NJSIAA transfer rules.