BNN Youth Leagues Monthly Report
This Month in the BYDL, CCYL, and PJPL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
28 March 2303
BYDL Players of Note
The OSA scouting service has ranted and raved about different youth players over the years. Some of them have proven to be stars in the making, while some others have come and gone.
Today, we will take a look at a few Boston Youth Development League players who might shine in 2303. All players are in their second or third year in the BYDL.
RF Shill Gehrig, Soph, Wattz Ups: Considered a natural leader, Gehrig could find himself at the top of the draft in 2304 or 2305. He has a high motor and works every day to get better. Scouts consider him to have plus-plus raw power. He likes to watch pitches, so that should serve him well in his patience. May not be the best pure contact hitter out there, but he has capabilities to punish balls.
2302 Stats: 64 GS, 58/224 (.259), 18 2B, 8 HR, 31 R, 40 RBI, 26 BB, 76 SO, 3 CS, .342 OBP
LF Schoolboy Graves, Soph, South Charles Bank Moonies: Also a leader who will propel himself up the draft. The second-year player has ideas and people listen to what he has to say. Well-liked in South Charles Bank. A power-hitting left fielder who can also hit for average. Will see the base paths a lot. Needs to work on defense but showed his first season that he can hit.
2302 Stats: 36 GS, 48/128 (.375), 15 2B, 16 HR, 27 R, 49 RBI, 1 SB, 25 BB, 28 SO, .474 OBP
SP Kyle Gunnels, Jr, Diamond City Newsboys: One of the hardest-working players in the BYDL. Hurt much of 2302 so looking to bounce back after strong 2301 season where he was 10-3 in 17 starts. Has two excellent pitches in his slider and fastball but needs to work more on improving his changeup. His stuff has explosiveness and may be elite enough to make him a future CBO ace.
2302 Stats: 6 GS, 3-0, 4.31, 31.1 IP, 35 H, 15 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 38 K, 1.34 WHIP
SP Jordan Jones, Soph, North Charles Bank Goonies: Had a positive attitude despite getting little run support in his starts. Well adapted to the situations and could fit on any team. Works to improve his successes. Throws a lot of different pitches with some of them as trash pitches. Should focus on improving his best pitches: changeup, slider, and fastball. He may want to drop his forkball and splitter since they have not led to great results. Likes to work balls on the corners of the plate and tries to throw unhittable strikes rather than waste pitches with balls. Ace potential if his best three pitches become dominant.
2302 Stats: 17 GS, 5-8, 3.35 ERA, 107.1 IP, 116 H, 40 ER, 8 HR, 33 BB, 130 K, 1.39 WHIP
LF Trey Lickrock, Jr, Lynn Pier Gamers: Saw a dip in performance from freshman to sophomore years but should improve in 2303. Curious sort that absorbs all information and uses it to his advantage. Highly coachable and will thrive with a good coaching staff in the GBRL. Good contact potential could allow him to hit for a high average. When he hits a ball cleanly, it can travel a long distance. Could be a mega star in a park with a short leftfield distance. Would not be surprised to see him in future all-star games.
2302 Stats: 64 GS, 85/270 (.315), 25 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 60 R, 78 RBI, 27 BB, 47 SO, .394 OBP
SP Flirt Perez, Jr, Pleasant Minigunners: Has a few maturity issues that need to be addressed. Talented ball player but does not always keep his head on straight. Follows the wrong people. Has three pitches working for him and one, his splitter, that may need to be scrapped in time. One of the best off-speed pitchers we've seen with ruthless changeup and curve. Looks to be a command pitcher that keep pitches out of hitters' sweet spots. Forces a lot of groundouts. Has ace potential but may not need to be to be considered a success.
2302 Stats: 17 GS, 7-3, 1.40 ERA, 96.1 IP, 79 H, 15 ER, 0 HR, 22 BB, 134 K, 1.05 WHIP, 5.4 WAR
SS Aaron Squire, Jr, Spectacle Island Reapers: Not much of a standout personality, neutral mindset. Can adapt well, including moving to Spectacle Island to play ball two years ago. Fit in well right away. His bat is not powerful for the CBO level but he is good at finding holes in the defense. Could be a .300+ hitter at the CBO level. Best asset is his defense which will help him be an elite prospect from the beginning. Seems to have a future as an everyday SS.
2302 Stats: 46 GS, 75/198 (.379), 11 2B, 16 HR, 47 R, 49 RBI, 23 BB, 25 SO, 2 SB, 1 CS, .440 OBP
1B Syd Thriftstore, Soph, State House Orphans: Not the most cerebral player but tries hard to understand. Once he gets it, he gets it. Can adapt to different situations but needs extra reps. Needs to be reminded of situations so best suited to play 1B. Already really strong and able to hit the ball a long way. Potential to lead the CBO in homers and probably will lead the BYDL in 2303. Puts the bat on the ball a lot so can hit for average, too. Defense abilities not the best but probably not a detriment either.
2302 Stats: 65 GS, 105/265 (.396), 17 2B, 24 HR, 75 R, 100 RBI, 51 BB, 45 SO, 1 SB, 2 CS, .495 OBP, 4.5 WAR
SP Boxer Rigger, Soph, Thompson Heights Earthlings: Leader, loyal, high work ethic. Perfect teammate and coach's pet. Curious and outspoken about the world at large. Three-pitch repertoire with his best pitch being his accurate curveball. Great control and placement of his pitches, especially his curve. Has potential to be an ace and should show much improvement in his second year.
2302 Stats: 17 GS, 6-6, 4.06 ERA, 102.0 IP, 119 H, 46 ER, 5 HR, 38 BB, 112 K, 1.54 WHIP
3B Rip Risk, Soph, West Quincy Atomatoys: Highly self-confident player. Not likely to change his mind once he has made it up. Not greedy but does expect to be treated fairly. Has great potential at the plate where he has great situational awareness. He can hit for contact, swing for the fence, or just watch junkballs miss the strikezone. Could have a high OBP in the CBO. Needs to work on his defense so that he is not a liability. Great arm but does not always watch the ball into the glove on grounders.
2302 Stats: 61 GS, 92/255 (.361), 17 2B, 2 3B, 17 HR, 62 R, 58 RBI, 33 BB, 30 SO, 4 CS, .440 OBP