FACTORY SCOUTING REPORT Toms River, NJ B.A.T.S. Video Scouting Session & Rookie Session
EVENT DATE: 10/2/05
LOCATION: Ocean County Community College
After getting rained out in our two previous visits to Toms River, we got a beautiful fall day this time. The players seemed to respond, mostly by showing off their arms – there were more above average throwing arms at this event than any I can remember this year.
Please accept our apology for the delay in posting Factory Scouting Report stories for our early October events. Our scouting staff has been spread out all over the country much more than normal over the last few weeks, but we are now back in place and working to get caught up as quickly as we can.
Top Prospects
The Top Prospects were selected by Andy Ferguson (Director of Scouting) and Dan Mooney (Assistant Director of Scouting) based on their performance at the event. The ranking is based on their status as college prospects, and is relative to the entire group of players we saw on the day.
IMPORTANT – We list players at the position(s) where we feel they are prospects. This may result in a player being listed at a position they did not play for us, or having a position they did play for us go unlisted. As usual, all references to “average” are based on high school standards.
1. Joe Talerico, SS/RHP, 2007 – Toms River, NJ (Toms River South HS), 6-1, 170, R/R. Has an athletic build with strength showing, especially in his forearms. He is one of the most talented players we have seen this year. His actions are quick and lively across the board. Ran 7.09 and 7.10 60 yard dashes on a somewhat slow and wet track. Hit 87 mph with a crow up, and showed a well above arm across the infield. Wound up to throw and had size to his arm stroke, but he threw bullets with great backspin. Athletic ability showed defensively, as did the need to improve mechanically. Bat speed was plus, and the ball had plus life off his barrel. Hitch action to load and an aggressive pull stroke caused lift contact. Clearly has home run power. Can cut down stroke and still hit for power. Featured a sizzling fastball on the mound, and a sharp downer breaking ball to go with it. High effort, more of a thrower – but has great potential stuff, probably as a bullpen guy so he can come in and cut it loose. Great upside all around.
2. Henry Chou, 2B/SS, 2007 – Mt. Laurel, NJ (Bishop Eustace Prep), 6-1, 165, R/R. Chou has an athletic looking body with a young face. A 2007 grad that already has a sound fundamental approach to the game. He is an above average fielder with a polished approach – fields from the right, presents the glove, and plays through the ball with his feet. He also showed the ability to throw on the run with body control and still show his arm strength. He has 86 mph arm strength with a loose wrist and plenty of backspin and carry. He was well above average at the plate – quick loose wrists, great lower half, and was a line drive machine in BP. Had hitter actions with life in his stroke at the plate and would be a great addition to any line up. Only tool not present at this time is running ability.
3. Bob Nairn, OF, 2006 – Hightstown, NJ (Notre Dame Prep), 6-2, 185, R/R. Nairn has an athletic build with potential for future added size and strength. Ran well on a somewhat slow track – with times of 7.01 and 7.06 in the 60 yard dash. Along with footspeed, power potential is his biggest strength. Has quite a bit of untapped ability at the plate. Made very good contact with basically his wrists and arms, drove several balls to deep left center field and showed very good barrel accuracy throughout his round. Did very little with his lower half, and did not get much extension through contact – both areas that hold the key to unlocking his power potential. He moved well in the outfield, and played the ball in good position. Release is a little slow due to some wasted movement, and arm strength was slightly above average. An upside guy with a lot of potential.
4. Mike Dennhardt, RHP/3B, 2008 – Oradell, NJ (Don Bosco Prep), 6-0, 175, R/R. Certainly a prospect on the mound, and possibly as a 2-way player. Fastball was 84-88 mph with slight down plane. Arm action was excellent – got good extension coming out of the glove and was loose and whippy out front. Kept his legs under him well throughout his delivery, and maintained very good direction as well. Result was a repeatable delivery and a good feel for the strike zone. Breaking ball is a potential plus pitch when he learns to throw it with fastball arm speed – has tight spin and signs of downward life with depth. Change-up was young with potential, much like breaking ball. An adequate defender in the infielder with good hands at the plate. Much better upside on the mound.
5. Adam Wendolowski, RHP, 2006 – Lincoln Park, NJ (Boonton HS), 6-3, 215, R/R. A sturdy framed right hander with a quality three pitch mix. Fastball had good arm side life and flashed near above average velocity (84 mph). Breaking ball and change-up were thrown with good feel, and both had good action. Arm was quick, had some whip action out front – the ball had good life out of his hand. Delivery had good tempo and sequence, giving his arm a chance to work. Front side tended to fly open a little early, and he finished around to the first base side. Better direction will help him get a little better extension out front, may allow him to pick up a little on his fastball. Current stuff and control give him the look of a pitchability guy. Can work to improve strength in body more than anything right now. Stroke was simple at the plate, and he made some solid contact. Projects as pitcher only at the next level.
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