The Kennedy’s, people dancing in the streets to Boston, restaurants, and the like: Hyannis is the unofficial capital of Cape Cod, and the Harbor Hawks are their home team. The Hawks haven’t brought a title home to McKeon Park since 2015 with a roster that featured names like the Cardinals’ Dakota Hudson, the Twins’ Devin Smeltzer, the Angels’ Matt Thaiss, and the Orioles’ Austin Hays. They look to get back to their winning ways in 2019 after finishing 2nd, 5th, and 4th in the West Division the last three seasons. This year’s squad won’t wow you like the other CCBL rosters will, but they have some sleepy names that could pop over the next few months. Let’s take a look at what the Harbor Hawks will roll out onto the peninsula.
Pitchers
Ben Abram, RHP Oklahoma
Glen Albanese, RHP Louisville
Kris Armstrong, RHP Florida
Konnor Ash, RHP Missouri
Billy Corcoran, RHP Pittsburgh
Nolan Crisp, RHP Florida
Conor Grady, RHP Florida State
Holt Jones, RHP Clemson
Tyler Mattison, RHP Bryant
Griff McGarry, RHP UVA
Johan Scolaro, LHP Florida State
Cooper Stinson, RHP Duke
Tyler Thomas, LHP Baylor
Kyle Whitten, RHP UVA
Summary: Not the most exciting group in the CCBL, but Hyannis does have a handful of very viable names for the 2020 draft in UVA’s Griff McGarry, Clemson reliever Holt Jones, and Missouri’s Konnor Ash. Cooper Stinson is the younger brother of Tampa Bay Rays 2019 draft pick and 2018 Cape standout Graeme Stinson, but lacks the same quality of stuff. That said, our own Anthony Franco was impressed by what he saw from Cooper in a late season series at Boston College this spring.
Standout: Griff McGarry, RHP UVA - Let’s just get this out of the way, the command/control is an issue as McGarry walked a whopping 54 batters in 53.1 innings this season for the Cavaliers. He’s here because he possesses as much, if not more, potential than any other arm on the circuit. Mechanically he’s a bit of a mess, as he rushes through his delivery, leading to things really getting out of sync. As is common with mechanically flawed pitchers, his release point is all over the place. That said, all of this is fixable, and his stuff, which is already very good, might actually tick up. His fastball explodes on hitters sitting low-to-mid-90s, and touching 94-95 on occasion. He mixes three secondaries that all have their moments in a mid-80s cutter, a low-to-mid-80s changeup, and a slider that ranges from 78-81. The makings are here, and perhaps this summer will be one of adjustments for McGarry.
Sleeper: Holt Jones, RHP Clemson - After making eight appearances as a freshman in 2018, Jones took off in 2019, making 22 appearances for the Tigers including one start, and saw an increase not only in his fastball velocity but also in it’s effectiveness. The 6-foot-7 sophomore was clocked as high as 96-97 but sat mostly 93-95. His secondaries need to take a step forward in order for Jones to make a jump into day one consideration.
Catchers
Adam Hackenberg, Clemson
Justin Mitchell, Oklahoma
Summary: A pair of catchers from power conference programs, Hackenberg is the better pro prospect of the two, but Mitchell’s production has been a little more even. Mitchell however lacks the over the fence power that Hackenberg possesses.
Standout: Adam Hackenberg, Clemson - I took in a series with the Tigers early in the spring and Hackenberg caught a few games. He’s athletic behind the plate and is a solid receiver. He’s got a ways to go with his contact and hit tool, but there’s a lot of raw at the point of contact and he works deep into counts. One of the standout freshmen in division one behind the plate this year, and a player with room for growth. Also saw some time at first base this season.
Infielders
Tanner Allen, Mississippi State
Brooks Carlson, Samford
Jared DeSantolo, Florida Atlantic
Edouard Julien, Auburn
Nick Loftin, Baylor
Anthony Servideo, Ole Miss
Jordan Westburg, Mississippi State
Summary: A strong group of producers led by Mississippi State duo Jordan Westburg and Tanner Allen, as well as Baylor shortstop Nick Loftin. Under the radar Samford standout Brooks Carlson, is coming off a strong two seasons for the Bulldogs. While Auburn’s Edouard Julien and Florida Atlantic’s Jared DeSantolo look to regain their freshman form after down years.
Standout: Jordan Westburg, Mississippi State - A high energy player that goes all out on both sides of the ball. Aggression is the term that best describes Westburg’s game. He made significant gains in his approach year over year, striking out less, while nearly doubling his walk rate. There were power gains as well as Westburg left the yard six times this spring.
Sleeper: Edouard Julien, Auburn - The switch-hitting second baseman had a rough season in 2019 after hitting .275/.398/.556 with 17 home runs as a freshman. He was draft eligible this season due to a year at a secondary school in Canada and was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 18th round. There’s an outside shot that we don’t see Julien this summer, but he might be wise to hit the Cape and iron out the kinks in his approach. Friend and War Eagle Brenden Gorzelski (@Big_Gorzey) noted that opposing teams attacked Julien differently this season exploiting his swing and miss issues and tendency to get deep into counts. This passive approach leads to high walks rates, as well as high strikeout rates. The production has ticked up in the tournament, and if he joins the Harbor Hawks he might make a leap up the rankings.
Outfielders
Lucas Dunn, Louisville
Trevor Hauver, Arizona State
Rowdey Jordan, Mississippi State
Bryce Teodosio, Clemson
Summary: A group led by Sun Devils’ standout Trevor Hauver, but a talented group all from power conference schools. It wouldn’t shock me to see any of this quartet break out over the next year and find themselves in top five round consideration next June.
Standout: Trevor Hauver, Arizona State - An on-base machine that led off for the loaded Sun Devils lineup, Hauver displays a good approach, feel to hit, on base ability and some over-the-fence pop. He took a huge step forward during his second year on campus, hitting 13 home runs after connecting for zero his freshman season.
Sleeper: Rowdey Jordan, Mississippi State - How can you not love a kid named Rowdey, amirite?!? 80 grade name aside, Jordan has displayed excellent approach in his two seasons with the Bulldogs, while making improvements at the plate in 2019. He didn’t hit for the same power he did his freshman year in Starkville, but he’s been big in tournament time, going 4-for-5 in the opening game of the Starkville regional. A solid outfielder, look for Jordan to bump his stock come the fall.