2017 Valley League Top 10 Prospects

Valley League Top Prospects

1. Zachary Peek, RHP, Strasburg, (So., Winthrop)

2. Dominic Canzone, OF, Front Royal, (So., Ohio State)

3. Tom Sutera, RHP, Purcellville (Jr., Siena)

4. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, Charlottesville, (So., Old Dominion)

5. Luc Lipcius, OF, Front Royal, (So., Tennessee)

6. Nate Pawelczyk, RHP, New Market (Jr., Winthrop)

7. Jake Washer, C, New Market (RSo., East Carolina)

8. Brandon Quaranta, OF/1B, Strasburg (Sr., Philadelphia, Pa.)

9. Mike Wielansky, 2B/SS, Charlottesville (Jr., Wooster, Ohio)

10. Cash Gladfelter, SS, Woodstock (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa.)

Postseason Recap: Facing two-time defending champion Strasburg, the Charlottesville Tom Sox rallied late to claim the Valley League title, 2-1. Playing in front of just more than 2,100 fans, the two teams played a nail-biting contest, as they combined to leave 27 runners on base. The Tom Sox took the lead in the eighth on a grounder from Michael DeRenzi (Georgetown) that just found its way through the infield. With 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, righthander Rick Spiers (Randolph-Macon, Va.) shut the door.

1. Zachary Peek, RHP, Strasburg, (So., Winthrop)

After posting a 5-1, 3.70 record in 24 appearances in his college freshman spring, Peek upped his game during his Valley summer. Using a mid-to high-three-quarters delivery, he racked 40 strikeouts and just six walks in 35 innings pitched for a 0.89 WHIP. He pitched to a 1.80 ERA (third in the league). Peek has the necessary size (6-foot-3, 195 pounds), velocity and control as he gets more experience in college ball. His 89-93 mph fastball has movement off the corners and in the zone. He has a short-arm delivery and is deceptively quick over the top. His three-pitch mix includes an 83-84 change with enough depth for now and a 76-79 curve with 11-5 action.

2. Dominic Canzone, OF, Front Royal, (So., Ohio State)

Canzone’s summer with Front Royal built on the success he achieved during the spring at Ohio State. He led the Buckeyes with a .343 average as a freshman while playing an errorless outfield and adding seven assists. He hit to a lofty .404/.457/.544 for Front Royal with 11 walks and just seven strikeouts in 114 at-bats while stealing 17 bases in 20 attempts. He again committed no errors on defense. Canzone showed limited power with 10 extra-base hits among his 46 hits. Power may come as the 6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder develops physically. He posts average 7.00 60-yard times, limiting him to the outfield corners.

3. Tom Sutera, RHP, Purcellville (Jr., Siena)

Sutera adapted to the Valley’s southern weather as he led the league in wins (six), ERA (1.57) and posted a 0.95 WHIP over 45.1 innings pitched. He improved greatly over his spring season at Siena, located in Albany, N.Y. His control improved to a premier level with 58 strikeouts and 11 walks. The 6-foot-6, 195-pound righthander has a standard three-pitch mix: an 88-91 mph fastball, an 11-5 curve at 75-77 with an occasional soft break and an 83-84 change. His arm action is long on his back half. Sutera’s next step is to carry over his success to the spring, as he’s allowed 78 hits in 44.1 innings for Siena in two seasons with a 6.90 ERA.

4. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, Charlottesville, (So., Old Dominion)

Pasquantino’s 6-foot-4, 230-pound size is already major league ready and his intensity and power potential were features of his summer play. He hit .336/.401/.500 for the league champion Tom Sox, with 13 of his 45 hits going for extra bases. He has above-average hand-eye coordination, preferring contact to hacking at bad pitches in search of extra-base hits. Those will come in time. He had only 15 strikeouts vs. 14 walks in 31 league games. At a 7.0 60-yard time, his speed is average. He’s a solid defender at first base.

5. Luc Lipcius, OF, Front Royal, (So., Tennessee)

Lipcius played occasionally this spring for the Vols and batted .256/.354/.326. He got more playing time with Front Royal and finished the season hitting 80 points higher at .336/.441/.542 in 107 at-bats. The lefthanded hitter stands near the backline of the batter’s box, showing future power potential with 10 doubles and four home runs for the Cardinals. He walked (17) as often as he struck out (17). His size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and speed (6.75 60-yard) are assets as he gains more playing experience. His college major is nuclear engineering and twin brother Andre was a starter for the Vols this spring.

6. Nate Pawelczyk, RHP, New Market (Jr., Winthrop)

Pawelczyk was Winthrop’s No. 1 starter this spring but saw limited action for New Market, generating a 0.47 ERA in 19.1 innings. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound righthander pitches with an aggressive mentality and had 23 strikeouts offset by 11 walks, giving up 10 hits for a 1.10 WHIP. Pawelczyk’s best pitch is an 89-93 mph fastball, which he will overthrow, causing it to flatten out and leading to command and control issues. His second pitch is an 83-85 slider, which breaks down and away from righthanded hitters.

7. Jake Washer, C, New Market (RSo., East Carolina)

Washer redshirted his freshman year and saw limited action as a sophomore. He made up for lost time with strong production on offense this summer. He batted .346/.421/.534, which included 10 doubles, five home runs (tied, third), and 35 RBIs (tied, second). The 6-foot, 210-pounder served as bullpen catcher during his redshirt first season for the Pirates. He’s strong, works well with his pitchers but needs more game experience to smooth the rough edges in his catch-and-throw skills. His pop times were 2.05-2.10 this summer, below average for now.

8. Brandon Quaranta, OF/1B, Strasburg (Sr., Philadelphia, Pa.)

Quaranta pitches and hits for Division II Philadelphia, but Quaranta’s baseball future lies with his power potential. After hitting 15 homers in the spring, he hit .331/.448/.623 for Strasburg with league-leading totals of 11 home runs and 49 RBIs this summer. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound righthanded hitter holds the bat near his shoulder and tries to lift pitches as quickly as possible. His power zone is primarily inside and up. He has average speed at best (7.05 60-yard) and he’s limited to first base defensively with an average arm.

9. Mike Wielansky, 2B/SS, Charlottesville (Jr., Wooster, Ohio)

Wielansky was the most productive offensive player in the Valley League. He dominated the offensive stat list, leading the league in batting (.432), hits (67) and doubles (18) while adding four triples and four home runs. On defense the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder played mostly second base this summer after playing shortstop in college this spring. His bat has carried his game to this level thus far, but he needs to sharpen his defense. He has enough speed (6.70-6.80 60-yard) to play the outfield in the future. Just 12 D-III players were drafted in 2017, and Wielansky will have to hit his way there.

10. Cash Gladfelter, SS, Woodstock (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa.)

Gladfelter is a speedy (6.80 60-yard), athletic player who had difficulty adjusting to a wood bat in summer ball. After hitting .370 this spring, he tapered off to a .323/.412/.385 for Woodstock. His swing is smooth but loopy and he doesn’t hit for power despite his athletic 6-foot-3, 195-pound build and size. At this point he’s more of a gap line-drive hitter and showed good plate discipline and a willingness to work counts. On defense he has a solid throwing arm from the shortstop hole but needs to work on attacking the ball on defe