Coastal Plain prospect reports

Official league website: www.coastalplain.com
2014 Summer Collegiate top prospect index
Coastal Plain League top prospect list

It was another wild summer at the Coastal Plain League, which happens to be one of the largest and competitive collegiate summer leagues.

The Peninsula Pilots, who happen to be one of the nation's most consistent summer organizations, put together yet another strong summer and tallied an impressive overall record on their way to winning the league championship.

However, Florence did a clean sweep when it comes to individual honors, with outfielder Gene Cone and righthanded pitcher Michael Morrison earning Player and Pitcher of the Summer honors, respectively.


Year established: 1997
States represented: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia
No. of teams: 15
Regular season champion (best overall record): Peninsula Pilots
Postseason champion: Peninsula Pilots
No. 1 prospect, 2013: Tyler Bolton, rhp, Wilmington Sharks (East Carolina)
First 2013 player selected, 2014 MLB draft: Kyle Martin, 1b, High Point-Thomasville Hi Toms (South Carolina/20th round, Angels)

Player of the Year: Gene Cone, of, Florence RedWolves
Pitcher of the Year: Michael Morrison, rhp, Florence RedWolves

BATTING LEADERS

Batting average: Gene Cone, of, Florence RedWolves (.385)
Home Runs: Austin Crutcher, of, High Point-Thomasville Hi Toms (Bellarmine) (11)
RBI: Anthony Dimino, c/of, Gastonia Grizzlies (Belmont-Abbey); Gavin Stupienski, 1b/of, Martinsville Mustangs (UNC Wilmington) (42)
Stolen bases: Steven Linkous, of, Wilmington (UNC Wilmington) (32)

PITCHING LEADERS

Wins: Ryan Griffith, rhp, Florence RedWolves (Furman) (7)
ERA: Gunnar Kines, lhp, Edenton Steamers (Mount Olive) (1.26)
Saves: Michael Morrison, rhp, Florence RedWolves (18)
Strikeouts: Jared Cheek, rhp, Gastonia Grizzlies (69)

BEST TOOLS

Best athlete: Steven Linkous, of, Wilmington Sharks (UNC Wilmington)
Best hitter: Gene Cone, of, Florence RedWolves
Best power: Alex Close, p/c/1b, Peninsula
Best speed: Steven Linkous, of, Wilmington
Best defender: Weston Lawing, of, Gastonia Grizzlies (Lander University)
Best velocity: Jared Cheek, rhp, Gastonia
Best breaking stuff: Cal Quantrill, Morehead City Marlins
Best command: Josh Roeder, rhp, Edenton Steamers


TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Cal Quantrill, rhp, Morehead City Marlins (Stanford/SO in 2015)
After putting together an impressive freshman campaign for the Cardinal, Quantrill continued his impressive ways this summer with a strong showing for Morehead City. Quantrill, an athletic 6-foot-3, 185-pounder, tallied a 1.59 ERA in four starts and 22 2/3 innings of work, while also striking out 33 and walking just nine batters. He showed a mature approach on the mound this past summer and threw three plus pitches for strikes. Quantrill sat in the low-90s with his fastball and showed the ability to get into the mid-90s as well. His changeup was a plus offering, and his breaking ball was very impressive as well. Several coaches in the league said Quantrill clearly had the best pitchability of anyone.

2. Alex Close, 1b/c, Peninsula Pilots (Liberty/SR in 2015)
Close already had established himself as a power producer for the Flames, and he put together another quality summer after turning down overtures from the Royals as a 27th-round selection. Close, a physical 6-foot-3, 235-pounder, hit .299 with seven doubles, six homers and 32 RBI this summer. He has a very mature offensive approach with plus raw power, and while he can hit the ball with authority to all fields, most of his power production comes from the pull side. Close can play first base or catcher at the next level, with his bat being the most impressive aspect of his game.

3. Josh Roeder, rhp, Edenton Steamers (Nebraska/SR in 2015)
Someone is going to get a very good senior sign next summer with the addition of Roeder. Despite not getting drafted this past summer, the projected reliever had an impressive showing in the Coastal Plain League. The 6-foot, 180-pounder made 21 appearances with 14 saves and tallied a 1.71 ERA in 21 innings, along with 38 strikeouts and six walks. Roeder showed very good overall stuff, sitting anywhere from 88-92, and was up to 93-94 with his fastball, and he had good command of both sides of the plate. He also showcased a wipeout 84-86 mph slider, also with command, and overall Roeder showed very good makeup and a hard-nosed pitching approach.