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Ethan Kagno

@Ekagno321,913 subscribers

Video & Technology Associate - @Phillies | Former: @MLB, @BrewsterCaps, @KeystoneBase, @ProspectsLive, @HawkEye_View, @OfficialCCBL

Shorts

Will Ray (Wake Forest Baseball) was one of the most dominant relievers on the Cape this summer. The former two-way showcased a high 80s - low 90s sinker from a sidearm slot with plenty of run and a sweeping slider that limited hitters to an average of 68.2 mph EV and a 0.59 xFIP (per Anthony Marotta as of 7/19). It's a plus pitch that was used more than the sinker and acts as his best offering. He also mixed in a splitter with some sink to get miss in and out of the zone. He appeared in 14 games for the Whitecaps on the Cape, limiting hard contact and base-runners with a 1.18 WHIP, 23 K/2 BB in 22 IP. Ray's stuff played well in the lower half of the zone but was susceptible to the long ball at times. Perhaps adding a four-seam FB that could get some chase at the top of the zone could help his overall profile. As of 7/23, Ray was 100th percentile in hard-hit % and 93rd percentile in opponent average exit speed (per Anthony Marotta). Ray made significant progress in his control and as a result, dropped his 4.9 BB/9 in 44 IP last spring to just 0.8 BB/9 in 22 IP this summer in the CCBL. He was able to make some of the top offensive college bats look foolish (Kurland - sinker, Burress - slider, Martinez - splitter; shown below).

Will Ray (Wake Forest Baseball) was one of the most dominant relievers on the Cape this summer. The former two-way showcased a high 80s - low 90s sinker from a sidearm slot with plenty of run and a sweeping slider that limited hitters to an average of 68.2 mph EV and a 0.59 xFIP (per Anthony Marotta as of 7/19). It's a plus pitch that was used more than the sinker and acts as his best offering. He also mixed in a splitter with some sink to get miss in and out of the zone. He appeared in 14 games for the Whitecaps on the Cape, limiting hard contact and base-runners with a 1.18 WHIP, 23 K/2 BB in 22 IP. Ray's stuff played well in the lower half of the zone but was susceptible to the long ball at times. Perhaps adding a four-seam FB that could get some chase at the top of the zone could help his overall profile. As of 7/23, Ray was 100th percentile in hard-hit % and 93rd percentile in opponent average exit speed (per Anthony Marotta). Ray made significant progress in his control and as a result, dropped his 4.9 BB/9 in 44 IP last spring to just 0.8 BB/9 in 22 IP this summer in the CCBL. He was able to make some of the top offensive college bats look foolish (Kurland - sinker, Burress - slider, Martinez - splitter; shown below).

36,101 views

Darien Smith (Southeastern Baseball) may be one of the best unsigned arms still on the board following the MLB Draft. He had good command of his 4SFB (up to 15.9 iVB) that averaged 92.7 mph (T95) and mixed in a sinker that could run under the hands of RHH with up to 18.8 in HZ break (per Trackman Baseball). There was good feel with his tight SL (avg 82.7, ~2500 rpm) which was used to attack hitters and induce GB's. His sweeper played more as a chase pitch out of the zone (29% usage combined). The circle CH (avg 83.9) might have been the most effective put-out pitch in his start on 7/30. It had a CSW% of 28.6% at 11.3% usage. It generated 100% whiff and had solid fade down and away against LHH. The NAIA standout won Pitcher of the Year last spring at Southeastern, putting up video game numbers in 2 seasons; 22-2, 182 IP, 2.37 ERA, 257 K, 58 BB.

Darien Smith (Southeastern Baseball) may be one of the best unsigned arms still on the board following the MLB Draft. He had good command of his 4SFB (up to 15.9 iVB) that averaged 92.7 mph (T95) and mixed in a sinker that could run under the hands of RHH with up to 18.8 in HZ break (per Trackman Baseball). There was good feel with his tight SL (avg 82.7, ~2500 rpm) which was used to attack hitters and induce GB's. His sweeper played more as a chase pitch out of the zone (29% usage combined). The circle CH (avg 83.9) might have been the most effective put-out pitch in his start on 7/30. It had a CSW% of 28.6% at 11.3% usage. It generated 100% whiff and had solid fade down and away against LHH. The NAIA standout won Pitcher of the Year last spring at Southeastern, putting up video game numbers in 2 seasons; 22-2, 182 IP, 2.37 ERA, 257 K, 58 BB.

24,110 views

Nick Dumesnil (California Baptist Baseball) has as much upside as anyone in the 2025 draft. With question marks early on about how he'd fare against the top arms in the country on the Cape, "Doomey" proved quickly as one of the best players in the summer league circuit. His hands start high with the bat coiled behind his head. While a somewhat unorthodox approach, he's able to get his bat head up and hands lowered upon loading. It's an explosive operation with elite bat speed, averaging as much as 79.9 mph in the CCBL (per @Blast_Bsbl). It's a consistent swing making hard contact and driving the ball to both gaps (led the CCBL with 12 2B). The quick hip hinge allows for a powerful on-time rotation through the ball as he barrels the ball at a high clip (up to 30.4% this summer per Joe Doyle). Then there's the speed. Doomey set the Brewster Whitecap SB record with 26 (27 ATT) in 36 G. His 96.2% success rate is the highest in league history for someone with 20+ steals in a season (per League Statistician). He gets good jumps on the base paths and good reads off the bat defensively. There is some swing and miss to his game. He walks at an average rate (8.6 BB% in the CCBL) and struck out just 12.9% of the time in the WAC but that went up to 21.7% this summer. There's some chase low out of the zone vs break and did way more damage vs LHP (.435/.469/.783; .348 ISO) than RHP (.247/.333/.337; .090 ISO). A true five-tool talent, Nick Dumesnil made a name for himself this summer on the Cape, and will soon be at the top of many teams' draft boards next July.

Nick Dumesnil (California Baptist Baseball) has as much upside as anyone in the 2025 draft. With question marks early on about how he'd fare against the top arms in the country on the Cape, "Doomey" proved quickly as one of the best players in the summer league circuit. His hands start high with the bat coiled behind his head. While a somewhat unorthodox approach, he's able to get his bat head up and hands lowered upon loading. It's an explosive operation with elite bat speed, averaging as much as 79.9 mph in the CCBL (per @Blast_Bsbl). It's a consistent swing making hard contact and driving the ball to both gaps (led the CCBL with 12 2B). The quick hip hinge allows for a powerful on-time rotation through the ball as he barrels the ball at a high clip (up to 30.4% this summer per Joe Doyle). Then there's the speed. Doomey set the Brewster Whitecap SB record with 26 (27 ATT) in 36 G. His 96.2% success rate is the highest in league history for someone with 20+ steals in a season (per League Statistician). He gets good jumps on the base paths and good reads off the bat defensively. There is some swing and miss to his game. He walks at an average rate (8.6 BB% in the CCBL) and struck out just 12.9% of the time in the WAC but that went up to 21.7% this summer. There's some chase low out of the zone vs break and did way more damage vs LHP (.435/.469/.783; .348 ISO) than RHP (.247/.333/.337; .090 ISO). A true five-tool talent, Nick Dumesnil made a name for himself this summer on the Cape, and will soon be at the top of many teams' draft boards next July.

16,658 views

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Drew Faurot (FSU Baseball) was one of the more underrated players in the CCBL this summer. The Seminole will likely start up the middle next spring after slashing .263/.342/.414 in 28 games with a wood bat in Brewster. The switch-hitting middle infielder has a similar stance as a LHH and RHH and shows a high leg kick upon load. It's a violent hack through the zone with exceptional bat speed and was able to show decent pull-side pop from both sides with 6 2B & 3 HR this summer. Faurot was third among qualified SS in hits (26), OPS (.756) and second in HR (3) and SLG% (.414). He looked smooth defensively and showed the ability to play SS or 2B after splitting time at both spots on the Cape. Solid range with average speed and a fringe arm at SS/2B but can get the ball out of his glove quickly. He should stick at either position at the pro level. Pitch recognition could improve as he struggled at times with the slider and change, resulting in a 55% miss and 42% miss rate, respectively. He had a 30.3 K% on the Cape but has a career a 40.9 FB% in college. Would also like to see some more line drives via hard hit balls after having a below average 42.6 GB% while at school. His second Cape stint showed that improvement is coming. Faurot's hard work ethic stands out. He's always watching film, taking hacks, fielding grounders - looking to improve in all aspects of his game. He's going to be an early Day 2 draft prospect in '25 with projectable power and versatility both offensively and defensively.

Ethan Kagno

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