2017 Ripken Collegiate League Top Prospects

Ripken Collegiate League Top Prospects

Parker Caracci, rhp, Baltimore Redbirds (So., Mississippi)

Daniel Cabrera, of, Gaithersburg (Fr., Louisiana State)

Hayden Cantrelle, inf, Gaithersburg (Fr., Louisiana-Lafayette)

Randy Bednar, of, Baltimore Redbirds, Maryland

Jim Outman, of, Bethesda (Jr., Sacramento State)

Harrison Freed, of, D.C. (So., Butler)

Cole Zabowski, 1b, Baltimore Redbirds, (So., Mississippi)

Ciaran Devenney, catcher, Herndon (So., Delaware State)

Zach Jancarski, of, Bethesda (Sr., Maryland)

Ken Waldichuck, lhp, Bethesda (Jr., Saint Mary’s)

Postseason Recap: The Bethesda Big Train rolled over the Baltimore Redbirds in three games to claim the Ripken Collegiate League title for the second straight year. In the decisive game, the Big Train rode a strong outing by East Carolina righthander Tyler Smith, while Smith’s catcher, Justin Morris (Maryland), provided the offense. Morris’ three-run double in the fourth inning gave the Big Train an early lead, and the defending champs held on to win, 4-2.

1. Parker Caracci, RHP, Baltimore Redbirds (So., Mississippi)

Caracci warmed up for his first first full season at Ole Miss by dominating Ripken League hitters. A 2015 high school grad, he spent the last two years at an in-state prep school and will be draft-eligible in 2018. This summer the 6-foot, 200-pound righthander pitched and was first in wins (7), ERA (0.70), strikeouts (48, against 12 walks) and games pitched (20), all in relief. He gave up 18 hits with a o.73 WHIP. Caracci has a mid-to-high three-quarters delivery to power a 89-93 mph fastball. He’s very intense and tries to overpower hitters, sometimes leaving the pitch up in the zone or flattening out movement. His second pitch is an 86-87 slider with late-breaking action. He adds a 78-81 curve with late action away from righthanded hitters.

2. Daniel Cabrera, OF, Gaithersburg (Fr., Louisiana State)

No. 82 on the BA 500, Cabrera enters LSU this fall after a successful Ripken League season, finishing sixth in the league in hitting and slashing .339/.420/.468. He hits from the left side and showed excellent plate discipline with 17 walks vs. 20 strikeouts in 124 at-bats. His 42 hits included seven doubles and three home runs, adding 21 RBIs to his stat totals. Given his 6-foot-2, 200-pound size and strength, power should come in time as his body strengthens and his skills improve. The graduate of Parkview Baptist High in Baton Rouge, La., showed flashes of baserunning talent with 11 stoles bases in 14 tries. He committed no errors on defense.

3. Hayden Cantrelle, SS/OF, Gaithersburg (Fr., Louisiana-Lafayette)

No. 266 on the BA 500 when he attended Teurlings Catholic High in Lafayette, La., Cantrell was another spring 2017 draft pick with good tools who chose to make his next step at the college level rather than signing a pro contract. A switch-hitting middle infielder who also saw time in the outfield, he hit with .308/.411/.423 in Ripken League play with seven extra-base hits in 78 at-bats with 20 strikeouts to 14 walks. He used his 6.65-6.70 60-yard speed to steal 11 bases in 13 attempts and score 20 runs. At this point speed and quickness are two major skills, and the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Cantrelle showed both as an above-average defender. He committed only five errors in 32 games.

4. Randy Bednar, OF, Baltimore Redbirds, (Fr., Maryland)

No. 270 on the BA 500, Bednar finished the Ripken summer season with nine home runs (tied for first) including three in the league championship series (two in one game). He hit .327/.403/.574 against college pitching with 33 hits and 27 RBIs in 31 games. He hits from a slightly open stance with the bat held above his shoulder, providing an easier way to get the bat head to the ball. He has compact size and swings with above-average bat speed. He’s an average runner at best and might play corner outfield for the Terps. His throwing arm is accurate and average.

5. Jim Outman, OF, Bethesda (Jr., Sacramento State)

Outman had much-improved offensive numbers in Ripken play versus his college season at Sacramento State. He jumped his batting average from .253 with 53 RBIs to .341/.445/.614 and 36 RBIs (tied for first in the league). He combines size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and speed (6.70-6.75 60) with power potential, but like many young players needs to make more contact in his at-bats and reduce strikeouts. In all Outman had 94 strikeouts in 361 at-bats for the spring and summer. Outman hits with an open stance with his right foot pointed toward right field and then closes as he loads his hitting action. Once on base he’s a smart runner with 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts and will take the extra base on balls in the gap. He’s an average defender with an average college arm.

6. Harrison Freed, OF, D.C. (So., Butler)

After part-time play for Butler in the spring, Freed upped his game this summer hitting seven home runs (tied, second) to go with a .330/.360/.609 line and 29 RBIs in 35 games. The highlight was a four-homer, six-RBI game versus Herndon in the mid-July heat. In all 17 hits went for extra bases in Ripken play. The righthanded hitter bats with a square stance and the bat held slightly above his shoulders. The load is smooth, and his swing path is short. On defense the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Freed has 6.80 60-yard speed and shows good defensive skills with a playable throwing arm. He committed no errors at Butler this spring and only one this summer.

7. Cole Zabowski, 1B, Baltimore Redbirds, (So., Mississippi)

Despite his 6-foot-5, 220-pound size, Zabowski looks like he has more growth and strength potential in his young frame. He finished Ripken play batting .336/.433/.393 with 18 walks and only 17 strikeouts in 32 games. While he had 36 hits in 107 at-bats, just four were for extra bases. On the plus side, he has good plate discipline, with a level and sometimes-elevated swing with his hands held shoulder-high. His power potential showed in league playoffs when he was 11-for-22 with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs in five games. Zabowski is limited defensively to first base but is nimble and his lengthy stretch and soft glove saves errors on poor infield throws.

8. Ciaran Devenney, C, Herndon (So., Delaware State)

Devenney shows the hard-to-find tools of potential power bat and playable skills as a catch-and-throw defender behind the plate. He ended his Ripken season with seven home runs (tied, second) and 35 RBIs (tied, second). He carries above-average strength in a muscular 5-foot-11, 205-pound body. He’ll need to become more flexible as he progresses, both in his throwing motion and his catching mechanics. He offensive potential is above-average. He reads pitches well and hit .325/.438/.571 with 24 walks vs. 23 strikeouts in 126 at-bats. His pop times are below-average in the 2.05 range and need to improve with more time and experience.

9. Zach Jancarski, OF, Bethesda (Sr., Maryland)

After 234 at-bats and a .325 BA for Maryland this spring, Jancarski added 98 at-bats and hit .347/.462/.459 for Bethesda this summer. With range and recognition on defense, he can play all three outfield positions easily, committing one error in 84 games from February through July. His last year for the Terps will tell if he starts to develop power in his bat. The 6-foot, 185-pound righthanded hitter had 34 hits in 98 at-bats this summer but just five were for extra bases. His strike zone discipline is above-average with 20 walks and just 11 strikeouts, slightly better than his college season.

10. Ken Waldichuck, lhp, Bethesda (Jr., Saint Mary’s)

At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Waldichuck has size and control—important assets for a pitcher at any level. Being lefthanded doesn’t hurt, either. His primary pitch is an 88-91 fastball thrown from a mid-three-quarters slot with sink. Over six starts this summer he had 24 strikeouts with six walks in 23.2 innings. He pitched to a 1.25 WHIP. His second offering is a 76-78 slider usually thrown from the same slot as his fastball, making it break down and in to righthanded hitters with an occasional backdoor look. He also can spin a loopy 67-70 mph curve with 2-to-8 breaking action that was minimally effective and is limited as a third pitch in his mix.