Nicholas
Alvernaz

Physical: Thick, durable 6-foot, 200lb frame with strength found in the lower half; even proportions on the bump. 

Pitching: LHP - Started off the middle/right side of the rubber at a slight sideways position. Used above-average pace into a higher leg-lift, landing directionally and getting over the front side at release (H ¾). Created a minor downward tilt on the arsenal as the FB ranged from 77-79 mph with big arm-side run (13 inches via Trackman) and held the zone at a >50% clip. Added a gradual, sweeping 64-66 mph CB in advantage counts and then countered with a well thrown 67-70 mph CH out of the same FB window for swing/miss on occasion (1520rpms average). Strike thrower that gets outs while changing speeds on hitters.

Pitching: Short side step to a high leg lift to the chest. Sits into back side before striding out in line. Hands break in sync as stride out finishing with intent against a strong front side. Mid take away above the belt to a clean 3/4 release (5' AVG release ht.)

FB: Has life and arm side run through the zone. CB: Big breaking 2-8 shape that can drop in for strikes. CH: Tunnels out of the FB release point with arm side run 

Physical: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Well-built frame with solid lower half.
Run: 8.1 runner in the 60.
Hit: LHH. Starts with feet even, pre loads into back leg, hands start in to back shoulder; small leg kick getting foot up and down while hands load up and back Hands are direct in the zone with the barrel leveling out early into a uphill plane through the zone.
Power: 83 MPH raw exit velocity. Drove rising line drives through the middle and pull side gap.
Defense: Controlled foot work on approach fielding ball in front of glove foot into a shuffle step.
Arm: Mid arm swing into a high 3/4 release. OF - 74 MPH.

Pitching Delivery: Uses a strong lower half in his balanced consistent delivery.
Arm Action: Long clean arm action with a 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-75 MPH. sweeping arm side run.
CB: 66-69 MPH. curveball has 1-7 shape.
CH: 63-65 MPH. maintains arm speed with same arm side run as fast ball

2.18.19
A lean 5-foot-9, 160 pounds. Ran an 8.22 60 yard dash. Offensively- The left handed hitter sits on his back leg and uses a short stride towards the pitcher before entering the hitting zone. Uses a simple load with loose hands, shoots the hands to the hitting zone, and stays balanced throughout the swing. Shows some pop with an 83 MPH exit velocity. Defensively- Aggressive footwork towards the ball. Displayed a quick transfer and arm action on throws in the infield. Moves well laterally around the bag. Position velocity was 89 MPH. Pitching- Repeatable delivery with some tempo. The left handed pitcher has smooth hand separation at the balance point and a quick short ¾ arm action. Good FB (71 MPH) command with a sharp CB (56-57 MPH) and a CH (65-66 MPH). The 2022 graduate with some development can improve his number going forward.

Last Chance Preview - Upstate (October 20, 2018)

Lean build with wide, projectable frame at 5-foot-9, 146-pounds. Offensively – Wide stance with athletic base showing clean direction towards pitcher. Rocks onto back side during load to shift weight back. Remains balanced while getting into short, forward stride. Hands show constant rhythm with loose actions. Barrel gets level early and stays flat thru the zone. Consistent, hard contact throughout BP. Defensively – Balanced, fluid defensive actions at 1B. Receives ball with low hips and upper body stacked over glove hand. Keeps momentum working thru the ball. Short, compact arm action with ¾ release point. Pitching – Clean mechanical actions with deliberate tempo throughout delivery. Stays tall at leg lift with slight coil into back hip. Drop and drive action on backside while getting into stride. Hands break down center of rubber. Shoulders stay level and allow him to work downhill at landing. Short arm action with quick hand speed out at release. ¾ release point. Consistently found bottom of the zone with FB and sweeping CB.

CNY ASG (September 30, 2018)

Lean, developing frame at 5-foot-9, 146-pounds. Offensively – Wide, balanced set-up square to the pitcher. Shifts weight back with a toe-tap load before getting into short forward stride. Hands stay loose and relaxed before getting into swing. Noticeable quickness in the wrists. Fluid hitting actions with good feel for the barrel. Defensively – Clean footwork around the bag at 1B. Stays balanced while moving laterally. Showed a soft glove hand when receiving the ball. Low ¾ arm slot with loose, whippy arm action.

June 2018

Tall and lean lefty pitcher with consistent mechanics. Throws from an high ¾ arm slot with consistency hitting the strike zone. Fastball range was 60-63 MPH. Holds runners well. Offensively, sets up in an athletic stance with quick bat. Drives ball well the other way with good plate discipline. Talented young two way athlete.

Rising Stars (February 11, 2018)

Alvernaz stands 5-foot-7, 145 pounds with a 8.97 60 and a 5.12 home-to-1B.  Offensively-Left handed hitter starts from a tall, shoulder width stance at the plate with hands high above the shoulder. Pre-pitch bat wiggle and front leg trigger with small stride forward. Hands load from shoulder level. Takes a level path to the ball producing ground ball/line drive results and a 73 MPH exit velocity. Shows some quickness in his swing.  Still room to improve use of his lower half. Defensively- Sets up with feet shoulder width apart and glove extended in front at first base.  Short, hop to fielding position but shows developing footwork around the first base bag.  Arm path is short, ¾ delivery producing a 61 MPH velocity and can improve as he matures and gains strength with better extension.  Pitching- Left handed pitcher who works from the stretch.  Comes set at the belt and lifts leg to a high balance position but rushes to the plate and could improve accuracy and velocity with better extension.  Fastball peaked at 65 MPH, sitting 64-65 MPH and shows a developing CB at 51-53 MPH.  Overall, a young left handed player to watch develop at the plate and on the hill.