8/15/2015 8:54:19 PM
Inclement weather and field conditions forced a number of teams from the Florida Underclass Showcase to hit in the indoor cages at 5-Plex. The following players stood out for their consistent performance on Saturday evening.
Nick Tiano (2017 2B, Jupiter, FL) showed solid rhythm and timing in hitting from his wide base. The lefthanded hitter displayed some bat speed and advanced feel for the barrel, hitting the back of the net quite often throughout his round.
Cal Bocchino (2017 SS, Delray Beach, FL) also hits from a very wide base with a slight bent knee crouch. The leanly built 6-foot-0, 155 pound righty has solid bat speed and a level, line drive plane that he repeated well.
Max Clark (2017 RHP, Winter Park, FL) is a solidly built 6-foot-1, 180 pound junior that flashed good bat speed and strength off of the barrel. Clark got into a good rhythm and has solid hitting tools to work with.
Jake Kessinger (2017 3B, Boca Raton, FL) displayed nice, quiet hands and ability to repeat his pull-heavy approach. The righthanded hitter flashes good carry off of the barrel when he’s able to square the baseball and repeat his swing path.
Nicholas Perez-Battistini (2018 2B, Miami, FL) owns a 5-foot-11, 180 pound frame and for a rising sophomore he has impressive strength. He also has a pullside approach and was able to sting balls with his line drive swing plane with natural loft and backspin.
Kyle Khachadourian (2017 LHP, Palm Beach Gardens, FL) also has a strong-bodied frame. The 6-foot, 195 pound primary pitcher showcased good bat speed and very impressive natural strength. While he can get a bit spread and out in front at contact, Khachadourian has an aggressive approach and shows natural lift and carry.
Michael Giordano (2017 OF, Pembroke Pines, FL) made consistent loud contact in his round. Giordano uses his strength well, hitting off of his backside with aplomb and showing solid feel for the barrel. He also has good bat speed and showed a very mature approach, with many line drives up the middle.
Christopher Ruckdeschel (2018 SS, Davie, FL) also had one of the more impressive rounds of Saturday evening. The rising sophomore has a nice, measured weight shift and flashes very good hands and bat speed. He displayed a comfort and easy ability to use the entire field and peppered both sides of the cage with line drives.
Devon Connors (2017 OF, Lutz, FL) sets his hands very low, but the big physical 6-foot-2, 205 pound righty has easy strength and bat speed to let the barrel fly through the zone. Connors has a line drive swing plane and shows an ability to both backspin the ball and work to the other field when needed.
Devin Roche (2018 C, Fort Lauderdale, FL) was yet another member of the Teal team to impress. In contrast, Roche has a high hand set, but like his teammate Connors he has good bat speed and impressive strength, allowing him to hit the ball with authority, especially to his pullside.