BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the BYDL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
21 May 2300
BYDL - Outstanding Prospects
Each week, we here at BNN will feature some of the Boston Youth Development League players showing their potential.
North Region
NR Announces Player of the Week: Pipewrench Mathis burst onto the North Region stage in a big way last week. This promising rookie shortstop for Boston Harbor garnered everyone's respect by putting up some remarkable numbers and picking up the Player of the Week trophy.
The 15-year-old haunted opposing pitchers hitting .600 (21-for-35) with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs last week.
This year Mathis is batting .411 with 81 hits and 16 home runs. He has scored 58 times and has batted in 48 runs.
South Region
Ball South Region's Hottest Hitter: Pitchers who faced the Jamaica-U Point Death Rockets last week were happy to see Diamond Ball in the rear-view mirror. The 16-year-old second baseman was dubbed the South Region Player of the Week for a 7-game tear that saw him hit at a .483 clip.
For the week he also chalked up 14 hits in 29 at-bats, 4 home runs, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored.
A look at his current stats shows Ball with a .522 average, 16 home runs, 48 RBIs and 41 runs scored. He has played in 33 games.
Milestones
Leaders End Mahan's Streak: The 39-game hitting streak of Lynn Pier Gamers second baseman Bill Mahan came to an end today at Ballpark of Hamden HS. The Fraternal Post 115 Leaders held him hitless in 2 at-bats and also sent the Gamers down to defeat, 11-6.
Later, Mahan acknowledged to BNN reporters that the hit streak meant something to him.
"It was special," he said, "but I think other people make a bigger deal out of it than I do, or the players do. It was what we're all supposed to do; go out and hit the ball and try to score runs. It was a cool deal, but it's over now. Let's try to start a new one."
Presently Mahan is batting .403 and has collected 2 home runs, 26 RBIs, .469 OBP and scored 46 runs.
Hitting Streak Still Alive for Drool: Jake Drool, left fielder for the Pleasant Minigunners, ran his consecutive-game hitting streak to 41 games with 1 hit in his club's 9-5 victory today over the Circle Jerks at Ballpark of Nashua HS today.
"Not the outcome we wanted," Circle manager Josh Winegarden said. "There's never a good time to lose, and it's never fun to be on the wrong end of somebody else's accomplishment."
Jake Drool walked in the 1st, grounded out in the 2nd, hit a two-run single in the 4th, flied out in the 6th and flied out in the 8th.
This season Drool is hitting .492 with 10 home runs.
Pitcher and Catcher Report
Below are some of the top-rated pitchers and catchers around the Boston Youth Development League regardless of class.
SP Ryan Goodpryce, Diamond City Newsboys, Junior - 11 GS, 6-1, 1.87, 67.1 IP, 57 HA, 14 ER, 22 BB, 88 K
Scouting Report: A bit short and slim for a top pitcher build. Sidearmer with working on a curve and changeup but almost primarily a top-of-the-line slider and a plus fastball. Can almost always hit his target, and that will aid him on the way to the 2301 draft. Needs to spend the 2301 season working on being a four-pitch pitcher or else he will be drafted low and converted to reliever or closer at best. Opinionated but more likely to offer criticism than solutions.
SP Mesquite Williams, North Charles Bank Goonies, Freshman - 14 G, 13 GS, 7-0, 3.29, 79.1 IP, 66 HA, 29 ER, 28 BB, 125 K
Scouting Report: Mostly a two-pitch pitcher as a freshman, but has worked on a changeup in practice. Mostly throws fastballs and sliders right now, but has shown a propensity to strike out batters. Not walking a lot of players but will need to work much more on his control to remain dominant at the next level. Not much of a personality. Shows up for practice but does not seem to be close with teammates.
SP Charred Lee Widemore, Hester Mechanists, Senior - 11 GS, 4-1, 3.54, 68.2 IP, 66 HA, 27 ER, 21 BB, 102 K
Scouting Report: Big and strong can make him intimidating on the mound. uses physical size and lines up closer on mound to righties. His curveball is nasty. He throws a good fastball and an OK changeup. Good at locating pitches. Not a heavily focused person. Adapts well to his coaching, having had several different coaches over the years. Could benefit from good coaching at the next level.
CL Dave Pain, Thompson Heights Earthlings, Junior - 11 G, 0-0, 7 SV, 0.96, 9.1 IP, 5 HA, ER, 3 BB, 17 K
Scouting Report: Depends on only two pitches which has designated him as a closer in the BYDL. Projects to be a closer in the CBO unless he ever expands his arsenal. Slider and cutter make him hard to hit at this level but easily hittable if he doesn't progress. However, he has the potential to have great stuff with good control and good enough movement to succeed. Not a great personality, though, which may not make teams fight to grab him. Scouts state he is "slow to lead, slow to learn, slow to participate."
C Booger Knights, Boston Harbor Harborfellows, Senior - 59/152 (.388), 8 2B, 15 HR, 42 R, 42 RBI, 24 BB, 35 SO, SB
Scouting Report: Good defensive catcher will make him a hot prospect in the 2300 draft. Arm strength could use work. Has shown a lot of success in the BYDL in hitting but there are chinks in his armor. His best bet will be to work the count and punish poor pitches. Not likely to be a .300 hitter, but could manage at .250/20/50 if he develops well. Not a baseball nut. Shows up to play but is often aloof and quiet on the field. Won't work to be the best so may have limits.
Individual Statistics