It’s been a few years since Harwich won a title, but they have a rich history with some strong alumni like former Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, Brandon Belt, “Plakata”enthusiast Carlos Pena, and Sean Marcum. They also lead the league in MLB Network analysts as they boast not only the aforementioned Pena, but also the boisterous “Cowboy Up” king Kevin Millar. All joking aside, this is a strong team with some top performers in the pitching ranks, with possibly the top prospect on the circuit in Tennessee’s Garrett Crochet, and one of its top corner infield power bats in Ole Miss’ Tyler Keenan. A strong group, Harwich will be one of the better takes this summer on both sides of the ball. Let’s take a look at the squad that will roam the grass at Whitehouse Field. No word on whether or not post-game meals with include copious amounts of McDonald’s or not.

Pitchers

Joe Boyle, RHP Notre Dame

Logan Allen, LHP Florida International

Blake Espinal, LHP Seton Hall

Jordan Butler, LHP Florida

Garrett Crochet, LHP Tennessee

Caden O’Brien, LHP UNC

Jacob Palisch, LHP Stanford

Christian Santana, RHP Florida International

Connor Sechler, RHP Missouri State

Carson Seymour, RHP Kansas State

Nick Stewart, RHP James Madison

Jared Wetherbee, LHP Elon

Austin Wood, RHP Stetson

Summary: Another team, much like Orleans with a strong pitching staff, led by a potential 2020 top-10 candidate in Tennessee’s Garrett Crochet. Florida International’s Logan Allen was invited to join the Collegiate National Team this summer, but should make a few appearances down the Cape before shipping down to Cary. Even when the staff loses Allen, there will be plenty of talent in the pitching corps with Norte Dame’s Joe Boyle, Elon’s Jared Wetherbee, and Florida’s Jordan Butler. The Mariners have built a reputation in recent years for having some of the strongest pitching on the Cape, as the 2018 team boasted several picks in the 2019 draft including Elon’s George Kirby and Kyle Brnovich, UNC’s Tyler Baum, and LSU’s Zach Hess to name a few.

Standout: Garrett Crochet, Tennessee - A big lefty with a low-to-mid 90s fastball, and a plus slider that gets swings and misses, Crochet was the most talented arm in a stacked Tennessee staff. He was up to 97 mph in early May, with spin rates upwards of 2500+. In addition to his fastball he’ll show feel for a firmer change in the higher 80s. Arguably the top pro-prospect on the Cape this summer.

Sleeper: Jared Wetherbee, Elon - I had the honor of speaking with Elon pitching coach Sean McGrath this week, and he raved about Wetherbee. A smaller right-hander, Wetherbee pushed in his sophomore season and returns home to Massachusetts to further boost his stock this summer. His fastball sits 90-93, mixing a slider, and changeup. With Elon’s track record in recent years he’s one to watch.

Catchers

Mike Rothenberg, Duke

Pat Winkel, UConn

Summary: A solid duo on opposite ends of their college careers, Rothenberg is coming off a strong season at Duke where he slashed .259/.379/.449 with nine home runs, and an excellent 12.3 BB% walk rate. Winkel was a somewhat hyped in-state recruit for UConn that showed solid contact skills in limited playing time.

Standout: Mike Rothenberg, Duke - Significantly improved his stock after a major leap in plate discipline while maintaining his power production. In fact it ticked up this year as he saw improvements in his power metrics across the board.

Infielders

Cory Acton, Florida

Niko Kavadas, Notre Dame

Christian Fedko, UConn

Hal Hughes, LSU

Tyler Keenan, Ole Miss

Dylan Neuse, Texas Tech

Bobby Seymour, Wake Forest

Summary: A power-hitting infield corps as two-thirds of the group produced isolated slugging numbers of .200 or better. Players like Notre Dame’s Niko Kavadas, Oklahoma’s Dylan Neuse, Ole Miss’ Tyler Keenan, and Wake Forest’s Bobby Seymour all showed the ability to put the ball over the fence with regularity. Florida’s freshman phenom Cory Acton didn’t show the power the rest of the group did, but is considered one of the best pro prospects of the bunch.

Standout: Tyler Keenan, Ole Miss - A career .912 OPS across two seasons in the SEC, Keenan continued to hit for power this season, but maintained his power production while taking a sizable step forward with his approach. The third baseman walked more than he struck out and ranks as one of the better third base prospects in the 2020 draft. Big bodied at 6-foot-3, 230 lbs, with easy power.

Sleeper: Dylan Neuse, Texas Tech - The younger brother of the Athletics’ Sheldon Neuse, Dylan was a standout in my looks at Texas Tech this year (on TV, you know, couches). Dylan is a leadoff type with good on base ability, above average running ability, and power to put the ball over the fence. An exciting all-around talent that can play all over the field.

Outfielders

Chris Lanzilli, Wake Forest

Mike Ludowig, Wake Forest

Kier Meredith, Clemson

Max Marusak, Texas Tech

Alex Tappan, UVA

Summary: A mediocre group overall, but some talent players with the ability to breakout over the summer. The group has no big names in the 2020 class, but Max Marusak is considered a day one guy in 2021, and Wake Forest’s Chris Lanzilli is another local Bay State product with some of the best power production in division one this season.

Standout: Max Marusak, Texas Tech - Marusak is one of the better 2021 draft prospects in the circuit, he’s tooled up, but the skills have yet to translate to much production.

Sleeper: Chris Lanzilli, Wake Forest - A slugging outfielder from the fighting city of Stoneham, Massachusetts, Lanzilli slashed .350/.415/.637, with 16 home runs, and 67 RBI. He managed to find his power at the plate by being less passive. It led to a drop in his walk rate but additionally he chopped his strikeout rate by nearly 40 percent. One to watch, if Lanzilli can see the power play down the Cape with wood bats he may pop onto the day one radar.