Diamonds in the Rough: Week 4

Jonny Flieder SS / The Haverford School, PA / 2021

Branden Kanick OF / Indiana Area, PA / 2021

The Spin: Another burner who puts a vast amount of pressure on defenses, Kanick took the PA State Games by storm in July where he showed off the plus footspeed with a 6.62 60-yard dash only to turn in a 4.08 in-game home-to-first time on an infield single to the second baseman. The frame (5-foot-10, 155 pounds) is lean at the moment and will only keep getting stronger, further increasing an already adequate 91 mph bat-exit velocity. Some of the twitchier hands we’ve seen at an event all year, the right-handed hitter posted a 28.2 mph hand speed per Blast Motion while generating an other-worldly 30.1 G’s of rotational acceleration at his size. Consider the fact that he also notched an 86% on-plane efficiency evidencing bat to ball skills present and you’re looking at a good blend of contact/power at the plate. The outfielder handled routes extremely well in either direction with impressive first step quickness and the ability to get downhill in a hurry. The only question defensively was the arm strength (76 mph) which could limit him to a left field position if not improved, however we don’t foresee it being too big of an issue as Kanick should eventually be able to slot comfortably into a CF position at the next level. 

Natangel (Manny) Santana 3B / SS / Scotland Campus, PA / 2022

The Spin: The 6-foot-2, 180-pound third-baseman possesses one of the higher ceilings in the ‘22 class with polish in all facets of the game. A standout at our Last Chance Showcase in October, Santana started off hot clocking in at a 6.94 60-yard dash. The left-handed hitter impressed the most offensively where he demonstrated controlled, repeatable rhythm in the swing allowing the hands to be on time consistently at the front of the plate. With the ability to stay in his legs and always be in a good position to hit, the Scotland Campus product generated a 93 mph bat-exit velocity per Trackman Baseball as well as a solid 46% line drive rate. A 343 foot maximum batted ball distance was top 3 at the event and should allow for middle of the order consideration at the next level. At shortstop, Santana moved with a purpose in either direction keeping the feet in action while gaining ground on the baseball allowing for good pace across the diamond and above-average arm strength (86 mph). With athletic actions in the outfield as well as an accurate 88 mph arm strength, you’re looking at legitimate positional flexibility to go along with the stick. 

Owen McCarthy C / OF / West Chester Henderson, PA / 2022

The Spin: The 5-foot-11, 185-pound backstop seemed to do everything well when we saw him at the PA State Games in June featuring advanced strength in all phases of the game and standout measurables. The right-handed hitter was all over the Blast Motion leaderboards with 31 G’s of rotational acceleration (tops at the event) and a 25.2 mph hand speed showing just how efficiently he can get on-plane with the baseball and imply force. A 95 mph bat-exit velocity was nothing to scoff at either allowing for a 355 foot maximum batted ball distance according to Trackman Baseball. Present loft in the swing (a slightly uphill attack angle and 46% fly ball rate) works hand-in-hand with projecting him as a quality middle of the order bat moving forward. The West Chester Henderson is a solid defender as well giving you above-average receiving skills (soft glove hand at the catch point) and next-level arm strength from the crouch (76 mph). Pop times have been down as low as 2.01 seconds with a moderately quick exchange and accurate throws on the bag giving him the ability to control the run game if need be. Although he should be considered an offensive threat first and foremost, the defense isn’t lagging too far behind and commands respect. 

Ayden Zabala OF / RHP / Liberty, PA / 2023

The Spin: A highly-efficient mover at 5-foot-10, 150-pounds, Zabala put himself on the map at the Last Chance Showcase with an 88 mph bat-exit velocity while generating a 70% line drive rate per Trackman Baseball. The right-handed hitter was consistently on time from a stretched and leveraged launch position creating repeated hand-speed into the zone (22.70 mph according to Blast Motion). With the barrel awareness necessary to compete at a high level and a short time to contact into the hitting zone, power numbers should only increase as he packs on additional strength. The swing plays right now allowing for repeatable in-game successes, which should make the 6.98 60-yard dash that he posted even more intriguing. Considering the fact that he’s a solid defender as well, (got around the baseball in either gap with an 82 mph arm strength) Zabala should fit into one of the two outfield positions at the next level (LF or CF). We expect that the already impressive bat to ball skills will eventually be accompanied by developing power thrusting an already good hitter into a higher tier. Don’t be surprised if his current ranking (127) jumps heavily over the next year or two as he possesses top 75 upside in the class.