Caden
Dana

https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/NJ/High-School-Crosscheck-April-25-30-7685031924

At the NHSI last month, RHP Caden Dana (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) had a good test, squaring off against Buford HS, GA, a lineup filled with Division I recruits. It was a solid outing, as he allowed three runs on five hits and a hit batter while striking out six. A month into his regular season now, he’s clearly rounding into form and went up against The Hun School, NJ, over the weekend--another lineup filled with talented hitters. He went six innings, yielding just two hits and two walks (plus two other situational intentional walks) while striking out nine in a walkoff win for Don Bosco.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Kentucky recruit worked 92-95 mph, spinning the fastball up to 2620 rpm. There was greater life to the fastball in this look, especially down in the zone with ride and run. His usual 12/6 curveball was effortlessly dropped in for strikes at 78-83 with spin rates in excess of 2700. It has multi-tier break and tunneled any high fastball. Most intriguing, he continued to feature his new slider. It was 86-88 at round 2500 rpm. The pitch is tightly spun with horizontal break and played like a cutter, though there is the potential for it to be a true short slider. He also flashed an 83 straight changeup that holds future average potential. Overall, it was the type of dominant, competitive performance against a good lineup in a big atmosphere that will garner even greater buzz for the righty.

Kentucky commit. Physical 6-foot-5 225-pounds with broad shoulders and an imposing frame. Fastball topped at 96 and sat mostly 92-95 with late life through the zone. Curveball showed big 11/5 bite and flashed a smaller, later biting slider at 84-89. New slider creates another level of swing and miss for Dana. Slider is tough to pick up out of hand and has the horizontal break to create swings and misses. Lots of strikes on this day, little effort.

Dana has a 6-foot-3, 185-pound projectable frame. At the plate, the left-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 86 mph. Setup includes balanced athletic  stance and a small load and leg lift. Shows quick bat speed and a smooth swing plane, and he ends his swing with a high finish. While in the infield, made throws at velocities up to 80 mph; had sure hands and a fluid exchange. Using a loose arm action, he showed very consistent accuracy to the base from a high ¾ slot. He clocked a time of 7.95 in the 60-yard dash. On the mound, he has quick arm speed to the plate and a long arm action. He is a tall-and-fall type pitcher. Shows consistent accuracy and plus action on his 2/8 curveball 71-72. When pitched in sequence with his fastball, his changeup (74-75 mph) can keep hitters off balance; threw a fading changeup that had slight action. His fastball was clocked at 84-85 mph.

A projectable physical frame at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Ran a 7.51 in the 60 yard dash. Offensively- Stands in the box with feet shoulder width apart. Slight bend in the knees. Simple load action. Takes a forward stride towards the pitcher before attacking the baseball. Direct path to the baseball. Flat bat path through the hitting zone. Gets good use of lower half. Displayed hard consistent contact to the middle of the field. Top exit velocity 84 MPH. Defensively- Displayed active footwork. Moves well laterally. Above average funnel action. Has a low effort arm action across the diamond. Top throwing velocity 78 MPH. Pitching- Displayed repeatable delivery. Projectable live arm. Takes time to gather himself to a balanced back side where he drives downhill. Low effort. Showed command of a FB that peaked at 82 MPH. CB tight early spin ranged from 67-69 MPH. The 2022 graduate is a must follow.