Welcome to the first edition of Cape League notes. I’ll be spending all summer on the cape as an intern, getting in-person looks at some of the nation’s top collegiate players. Given the multi-faceted confusion around Covid-eligibility and the draft being pushed back, there is a lack of high-profile 2021 draft prospects on the Cape this year. That said, there is a very strong contingent of ’22 and ’23 eligibles to pick up the slack. Each week I’ll share highlights and scouting reports from players I’ve seen in the past week. Here are some notable names from week one:
Andrew Baker, RHP, Hyannis/South Carolina
FF: 95-97 T98 CU: 79-81
Baker got the start against Brewster in a game that was canceled due to rain after four innings (meaning the stats from it do not count). The JUCO transfer struck out the side in the first inning, sitting 95-97 and hitting 98 multiple times according to Trackman readings. His slurvy curveball sat 79-81 with sharp movement and looks to be a plus offering as well. He gave up a bomb to Jake Thompson (Oklahoma State) to lead off the second and was a bit wild in the third (70 pitches thru 3+) but showcased electric stuff throughout. Baker was 95-96 at Chipola CC in short stints and was a priority JUCO look for scouts this year. He’s committed to South Carolina for next season.
Carson Seymour, RHP, Harwich/Kansas State
FB: 94-95 T96 SL: 84-86 T88
Harwich righty Carson Seymour needed just 20 pitches to get through dominant seventh and eighth innings against Hyannis on June 23rd. He started 10 games for Kansas St. in 2021 and did not fare well (6.67 ERA, 12% BB% in 56 IP), but at 6’6” 250lbs and two power offerings he has the makings of a solid relief arm. The redshirt sophomore was a consensus top-100 draft prospect prior to the 2020 Draft.
Filthy SL from @HarwichMariners RHP Carson Seymour last night. FB 94-96, SL 84-86, with a pair of strikeouts in 2 IP. I’ll have more notes from around the CCBL all season including a weekly article for @PitcherList pic.twitter.com/J1l5Hy85o2
— Natan Cristol-Deman (@natan_cd) June 24, 2021
Victor Mederos, RHP, Chatham/Miami
FB: 94-96 T97 SL: 82-83 CH: 83-84
Mederos was a top draft prospect coming out of high school last year, but his commitment to Miami led to signability concerns. He pitched two scoreless innings to close out Hyannis when I saw him on 6/26, but recent delivery refinements aid his outlook as starter. He pitched in 12 games (8 starts) for Miami as a freshman with a 5.11 ERA and just 35 Ks in 44 IP. That performance may not represent his true talent, as he featured a FB sitting 95-96 with ease and a strong vertical breaking ball.
David Furtado, LHP, Hyannis/Wake Forest
FB: 92-94 CH: 79-83 CU: 74-76
Freshman lefty David Furtado has made two appearances for Hyannis, with five Ks and two ER in six innings of relief. His fastball is already a consistent 92-94, with at least two more seasons left to grow in the Wake Forest pitching lab as well. That velocity pairs well with his low-80s changeup and a vertical mid-70s curve. That three-pitch mix along with a projectable 6’4” frame and clean mechanics give Furtado starter traits, with physical growth and curveball command two of the next big hurdles to clear.
Michael Curialle, UTL, Falmouth/UCLA
Curialle has played 1B, 2B, SS, and CF for Falmouth so far this season and slashed a robust .333/.414/.625 with nine RBI (including a grand slam) in the process. He has an athletic build with a smooth right-handed swing and explosive hands through the zone. Curialle is a plus runner with a good arm and looks more than capable of handling an up-the-middle position. He’s been impressive thus far and is certainly someone to watch near the top of draft boards in 2022.
Jonathan French, C, Falmouth/Clemson
French is another 2022-eligible looking to rise through the ranks. The stalky catcher had five homers in 31 games for Clemson in 2021 and his 4-for-11 start to the CCBL season includes a double and a pair of long homers (one to left-center-field on June 25th and one to right-field on June 27th) vs Hyannis. He has good receiving skills behind the plate, often getting low to the ground on one knee as a number of major league catchers have adopted recently, but that is countered by a below-average throwing arm.
Ben Rice, C, Cotuit/Dartmouth
Ben Rice may not be a high-profile name, but the Cotuit catcher has been one of the CCBL’s most consistent hitters over the first week of action. He was put on the map last summer after winning Future’s League MVP, where he hit .350 with a league-leading 11 HRs and 1.150 OPS. The 6’2” lefty-swinging catcher went 5-for-15 with two doubles and more walks than strikeouts in the first week of games and is quietly rising up draft boards as July 11th draws near. The Kettleers offense is stacked, with strong performances from ’21 eligibles John Rhodes (OF, Kentucky) and Cole Cummings (INF, UCSB), and ’22 eligible Luke Gold (INF, Boston College) thus far. Look for more on Cotuit in next week’s notes as I get additional looks on Monday and Tuesday.
Featured Image by Jacob Roy (@jmrgraphics3 on IG)