The Braves boast a very talented roster deep in potential breakout arms, as well as a lineup of everyday players that might be the best down the Cape. If you’re looking for an exciting take this summer it will only cost you a quick jaunt over the Bourne Bridge to catch two Arkansas standouts in Casey Martin and Heston Kjerstad, as well as Boston College diaper dandy Cody Morissette. This is a deep squad that has a great shot to compete for a Cape title as well as the distinction of the most drafted players produced over the next two draft cycles. Catch this team if you’re in the New England area.
Pitchers
Alec Burleson, LHP East Carolina
Blake Burzell, RHP Arizona State
Ryan Cusick, RHP Wake Forest
Nick Dombkowski, LHP Hartford
Colby Dunlop, RHP UConn
Mason Hickman, RHP Vanderbilt
Alek Jacob, RHP Gonzaga
Michael Kirian, LHP Louisville
Hunter McMullen, RHP Florida
Eli Morse, RHP Portland
William Pollock, LHP Florida State
Hunter Ruth, RHP Florida
Kerry Wright, RHP Louisville
Summary: A group littered with players from power conference programs, but no true stars among the pitching ranks. The standout 2020 draft prospect in the group is two-way East Carolina star Alec Burleson, though he’s likely a better hitting prospect than pitching prospect. That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of intriguing 2020 draft arms in this group including Vanderbilt’s Mason Hickman, and the Florida duo of Hunter McMullen and Hunter Ruth. In addition to the 2020 standout’s there’s a pair of talented 2021 draft eligible pitchers in Louisville’s Kerry Wright and Wake Forest’s Ryan Cusick. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Braves have a couple of these kids blow up and leave the Cape with significantly increased draft stock.
Standout: Alec Burleson, East Carolina - A two-way player at East Carolina, Burleson has been a strong performer on the mound the past two seasons with a career 3.16 ERA split between the rotation and the bullpen. But it’s his strides at the plate that really impressed this season as he connected for nine home runs and a .981 OPS in 217 at bats. His bat ticked up over last summer’s Cal Ripken league where he slugged 10 home runs in 107 at-bats. On the mound he’s a command and control lefty who’s fastball sits in the 87-90 mph range, but he pounds the zone and uses his changeup and curveball effectively.
Sleeper: Kerry Wright, Louisville - The freshman didn’t have much impact for the Cardinals this season, but the makings of a potential star are there. Wright is a strapping 6-foot-4 230-pound righty with a low-90s fastball that touches 94, and a curveball that flashes plus. A step forward this season could see Wright jump up early 2021 draft boards. If you want another reason to like Wright’s chase of breaking out, he was a 21st round selection of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018.
Hunter McMullen, Florida - The younger brother of Florida two-way player Kirby McMullen, Hunter is a player who’s production is yet to match his stuff. McMullen sits 94-96 on the fastball, touching 97 mph at times.
Catcher
Jacob Campbell, Illinois
Henry Davis, Louisville
Shane Muntz, Wake Forest
Brendan Rivoli, Virginia
Summary: A deep quartet with three strong offensive contributors in Wake Forest’s Shane Muntz, UVA’s Brendan Rivoli, and Louisville’s Henry Davis. Each brings a different skill set, but many considered the less powerful Davis the better pro prospect. Brendan Rivoli was another strong performer in the group as he slashed .320/.386/.466 with five home runs for the Cavaliers this spring.
Standout: Shane Muntz, Wake Forest - A product of Pennslyvania’s Malvern Prep, Muntz broke out with the bat in 2019 slashing .316/.481/.691 with 14 home runs and insane 21.3 BB%. One of the better hitting catchers on the Cape. A two-way player at both Malvern and Wake, Muntz has experienced significantly less success on the mound.
Sleeper: Henry Davis, Louisville - A freshman backstop on a loaded Louisville squad, Davis was part of a stellar class of recruits for the Cardinals this season. He displayed solid skills behind the plate and an above-average hit tool at the dish.
Infield
Cade Beloso, LSU
Nick Brueser, Stanford
Kyler Fedko, UConn
Jimmy Glowenke, Dallas Baptist
Casey Martin, Arkansas
Jake McKenzie, Fordham
Cody Morissette, Boston College
Jared Poland, Louisville
Alika Williams, Arizona State
Summary: A very strong group with arguably the most explosive offensive talent on the Cape in 2020 Top 10 hopeful Casey Martin of Arkansas, as well as returning ASU standout Alika Williams. This might be one of the strongest infield groups and certainly one that draftniks will want to keep an eye on.
Standout: Casey Martin, Arkansas - An offensive standout on one of the nation’s strongest offenses, Martin oozes tools, with 70 speed, feel to hit, and power that translates into games. He has all fields power, plus athleticism, a compact swing, and an open setup that allows him to recognize spin and make pitchers pay on fastballs over the plate. One of the best hitting prospects in the game.
Sleeper: Cody Morissette, Boston College - A member of Boston College’s class of Freshman standouts, Morissette made headlines with a big ACC tournament as the catalyst of the Eagles dismissal of the hghly rated Clemson Tigers. Developing power on top of feel to hit Morissette is one to watch.
Outfield
Giovanni DiGiacomo, LSU
Jud Fabian, Florida
Heston Kjerstad, Arkansas
Summary: A very talented group with two of the top college outfielders for the next two draft cycles. This group should mash and might feature multiple Cape League All-Stars by mid-summer. This lineup at peak rivals any on the circuit.
Standout: Heston Kjerstad, Arkansas - If you caught any of Arkansas’ super regional win over Ole Miss on Monday, Kjerstad’s skills were on display flashing plus raw power and feel to hit. Kjerstad teams up with Arkansas mate Casey Martin to form one of the most dynamic duos in the SEC and now the Cape. He has some mechanical flaws —particularly his busy hands— but it doesn’t detract much from the overall package.
Sleeper: Judson Fabian, Florida - An early enrollment at Florida, Fabian bypassed his 2018 draft eligibility to make it on campus (Florida is famous for this across multiple sports). Fabian is a talented athlete with a bag of average of better tools. The numbers were solid for the freshman Gator, and he’ll look to build on his 2019 campaign and increase his 2021 draft stock with the Braves.