Francesco
Capocci

North Carolina Commit. 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. This prototype RHS frame made vast improvements in the delivery over the winter with his pitching coach, former NY Mets RHP Johnny Magliozzi. While I haven’t talked to Mags about this, there is noticeably more backside connection in the delivery. The upper half is much more patient over the rubber, as his upper half used to follow the stride and force his arm to rush through the path. He’s now able to deploy the same aggressive tempo rolling his hips to the plate, while the stride stays separate from the upper half+backside. These adjustments compacted the delivery and gave him more body control+better sequence. The improvements were glaring in his first spring outing, as he really commanded the game with 4 pitches for strikes. We saw the FB at its highest spin to date (2750 RPM), coupled with encouraging bore on the pitch. Capocci has potentially opened up a more dynamic FB. The CB was MLB avg all night, and he landed it almost every single time with quite sharp, downer action. The spin was just as good here too, up to 2880. His SL was what really opened my eyes, going from a SLV at 77 in 2022 to a SL at 81 with huge potential and provides a different movement profile than his main 2 pitches. ‘Cesco” also flashed a nice CH to LHH, and the life was there in warm ups.

North Carolina Commit. 6 foot 4, 215 pounds. Prototype RHS frame with a blend of power and finesse. This is a physical arm with a deceptive delivery from the high leg kick and long stride that intimidates hitters. He’s got a mid depth arm action with a big swing that creates tons of momentum and arm speed. He dominated at NPI in four innings with the Georgia Bombers, striking out 10 while allowing two hits and a walk. Capocci has put on plenty of strength over the past year, with a strong lower half that will undoubtedly take pressure off his arm and allow him to work deep into starts. The Italian Stallion has a FB that sits in the 89-93 range (T94) with serious ride up in the zone, where it is most effective. It plays up his future plus CB that has vastly improved this summer. It’s got power potential and near 12-6 shape, and just drops clean off the table vs both LHH and RHH. We look forward to getting some good film on him soon!

Capocci attacked hitters with a fastball at 87-89, topping out at 90. His velocity held strong for the entire game. He started to mix in a breaking ball at 75-78 later in the game. Also flashed a change-up/splitter type pitch at 82-84. Capocci has the make to be a low-mid 90’s arm in the years to come. 

6-foot-2, 172 pounds; long, lanky, and athletic in the field. Continues to impress all over the field. Showed very advanced defensive actions at the hot-corner. Hands stand out with fluidity. Feet work well laterally and moving forward. Strong arm across the diamond. Bat has shown steady improvement. Long levers. Rotational load, level path, pull-side pop. Continues to have feel for body type, but is a very interesting, projectable player that had a strong fall season. Touched 85 on the mound.

6-foot-2, 172-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, long, projectable build, broad shoulders on an athletic frame, has not yet started to fill out, once he does will be one of the better frames in the Georgia's class of 2023. Offensively, is starting to find a more consistent approach, making contact more times than not, albeit ground ball contact, with improved timing and better launch angles will be able to drive the ball middle/pull. On the mound is an intriguing arm. Arm works short and clean on the back-side, continuous motion, to a ¾ slot. Creates deception with long limbs flying all over the place, drop and drive, gets into his back-side, strides towards the third base side of the mound, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 80-82 with late life and sink to it.

6-foot-2, 172-pound right-handed hitting third baseman, ultra projectable frame, lean athletic build, will continue to fill out and add more power to frame as he matures. Stood out defensively, has some of the softest and quickest hands in the class, clean and fluid with his actions, arm has plenty of strength to stick on the left-side of the infield. Offensively, there is present bat speed and the power is there, hits will come with a more consistent approach.

Physically mature kid with a strong lower half. Impressive defensive actions, he is a good combination of present ability and future projection. His bat-speed really stand out and has a chance to grow into some real power down the road. Look for him to grow into a good player on both sides of the ball down the line.