The opening night of the Cape Cod Baseball League season began at Clem Spillane Field in Wareham, MA, just over the bridge of Cape Cod.
After a long opening night ceremony, the first pitch of the 2010 CCBL season was thrown by Matt Barnes of UConn. It was fitting because Barnes, a Team USA invitee, is on the Cape for his second stint and regarded as one of the top pitching prospects for the 2011 MLB Draft. His Huskie teammate, George Springer, started his summer session strong with the first home run of the season. Both Huskies have high-ceilings. These will be my two players of highlight:
Pitcher of Highlight
Matt Barnes, Wareham/UConn, RHP, Soph., Bethel, CT, Draft Eligible: 2011
Height: 6-4, Weight: 203
Game Stat Line: WIN, 6.2IP, 1ER, 2H, 4BB, 1K, 2HBP
College Season Stats: 8-3, 3.92 ERA, 82.2IP, 75K, 25BB
Comments: Matt Barnes is returning to the Cape for his second summer, although it may be brief. Barnes is scheduled to pitch three times before venturing off to Team USA tryouts. Barnes displayed great stuff but struggled at times last summer for Wareham, and ended up finshing 1-4, 4.78 ERA, 26.1 IP, 33/10 K/BB. He is coming into his likely short summer here after a strong sophomore season at UConn and the expectations will be higher for him this time. Well, he started his Cape warm-up season on the right foot.
Barnes was solid, sitting between 91-94mph on the gun with his fastball with decent run. He worked mostly away to both sided hitters, and I would like to see him challenge hitters on the inner half more with his velocity. His curveball is an average pitch and has the chance to be a plus-pitch with a little refinement. It bent in at around 75-77mph. He also flashed a change-up that registered at 82-84mph on radar, with good downward movement. His control was a little off this night, as he had 4 walks.
Barnes has a tall (6'4"), projectable frame. It looks like he has added some weight and strength since last summer, and still has some room to add more. His delivery is a very easy and natural, high 3/4 arm action. His mechanics are fluid and he pitches with ease.
I expect Barnes to be a high round draft choice next year. If he continues to fill out and further refine his off-speed pitches and command, he has the potential to be a solid #4 or 5 starter in MLB.
Player of Highlight
George Springer, Wareham/UConn, OF, Soph., New Britain, CT, Draft Eligible: 2011
Height: 6-3, Weight: 200
Game Stat Line: 3AB, 2R, 1H, 1HR, 1BB, 2RBI
College Season Stats: .337 AVG, 18HR, 62RBI, .491 OBP, .658 SLG, 60/70 BB/K
Comments: Another Huskie, Springer is also returning for his second go-around on the Cape. Last summer, Springer, OF, was the leading hit-getter for the Gatemen and finished the season with a strong stat line of .261 AVG, 35H, 3HR, 25RBI, .342 OBP, .366 SLG, 39/13 K/BB. His collegiate spring follow-up was nothing to sneeze at either. Springer ended up belting 18HR and a staggering 1.149 OPS. He was Big East Rookie of the Year during his freshman campaign and has continued to dominate the league.
Springer continued his power surge on the Cape with a 7th inning line-drive blast that got out of the park in a hurry. Springer has a very athletic, wiry, fast-twitch body (video). He runs well, has good outfield range and displays a strong arm. He could become a 5-tool player. He has the chance to be one of the top bats taken in the draft next year.
Other Players to Watch
Cotuit: Nick Tropeano, RHP, Stony Brook.
Paul Hoilman, 1B, East Tenn State.
Wareham: Chris Walker, C, Fordham. (threw out 3 base-stealers, had 2 hits)
Around the League
The rest of the 8 CCBL teams begin action tonight, Monday, June 14th.
Where I'll be next
Harwich, June 14th.
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