Throughout the summer we provided you with numerous posts and videos documenting this summer’s edition of the world famous Cape Cod Baseball League. Between Jason Pennini, Anthony Franco, Peter Flaherty, and myself we took in a whopping 75+ games combined. We didn’t see everyone, but we saw 90 percent of the league, and have strong feel for the talent pool.

Today’s post will run through the bottom half of the Top 50, in other words 26-50. Tomorrow we’ll release the Top 25, complete with a few bonuses for good measure. The ranking side of this list was handled by me (Ralph), and Prospects Live newcomer Peter Flaherty. We received assistance in terms of player blurbs from Jason Pennini and Anthony Franco. It was a group effort and a passion project for myself.

My favorite league/sporting event/baseball experience is that of a summer afternoon on the Cape. Seeing an emerging arm for the first time, or a highly touted college hitter as he solidifies his first round pedigree. Mix in a few small school breakouts, some D2 and D3 talent and you have one of the more unique sporting experiences in the world. In many ways it’s almost the MLB’s two month combine. That’s not to say there aren’t other highly competitive summer leagues, but outside National Team camp, and Prep showcases, almost no other institution boasts such a deep talent pool. Enjoy the fruits of our labor, this is the 2019 Cape Cod League Top 50 players.

Ranking Note: We tried to balance overall performance and overall talent/potential. So at times players stats may not fit grades or vice versa. Sometimes talented players struggle on the Cape, putting up poor numbers but displaying quality tools.

A two-way player for East Carolina, we only caught Burleson as a position player. At the plate he displays strong pitch recognition skills, above average bat speed, and good bat to ball ability. His plate coverage is questionable, as he seems to struggle with well placed pitches in the outer half. Despite some natural loft to his swing he didn’t display a ton of pop in game. His approach is predicated on putting the ball in play. Lots of line drives and seeing eye singles. - RL

A power-hitting corner infielder, Keenan didn’t last long down the Cape before heading off for Team USA, but he made an impression on me in my limited looks. Keenan will swing and miss, as he will aggressively look to barrel up pitches he feels he can hit, but doesn’t expand the zone too much. I expect his K% in college to raise above 20 percent in the professional ranks. He does have 60 game power right now as he ripped hard contact all over the field in my looks. I did not get great feel for his defensive abilities as few balls challenged him. - RL

Fiery, demonstrative lefty who works quickly and attacks hitters. Sat 88-91 touched 93 with a consistent plus CHG as his swing and miss offering. Big depth and fade on it, good feel for the pitch and used it a lot. Has an outside shot to be a backend starter if both breaking pitches can improve to average. Probable role 30 roster filler in case of injury. - JP

An imposing presence on the mound Aleman stands 6-foot-6, giving him great natural plan on his fastball. Despite his size Aleman is more finesse than power, working in the low-90s with his fastball looking to generate weak groundball contact. He has a pair of average secondaries in his changeup and slider. Each flashes good shape in short bursts but he struggled to consistently find it. After spending his freshman campaign with Florida International the big righty will move to Juco St. John’s River before either honoring a Florida commitment for his junior season or entering the draft. - RL

Here’s what I wrote in my CCBL All-Star Game Pitcher Looks:

“A tall lean left-hander with a four-pitch mix, I only caught an inning of work so take this with a grain of salt, but none of his pitches were overly impressive. His fastball velocity was pedestrian at 89-90, touching 91 twice. The pitch does show some tail to the glove side, but he didn’t locate the pitch at all to his armside. His curveball showed the best of the trio of secondaries, with 12-6 shape, and some sharp break. He used it as his primary armside pitch, while using his fastball-slider combo to work the gloveside. His slider was slurvy at times and sweepy at others. An inconsistent pitch with some promise, but he’ll need to replicate his sweepy shape. His changeup showed some fade, but he only threw it a few times as a change of pace pitch. Overall he only gave up two hard hit balls, and none of his pitches were easy to barrel. The two distinctive breaking balls and fastball movement to his gloveside were a key component to Palisch’s success this season.” - RL

We caught Seminaris during his run of dominant starts early. Here’s what Ralph wrote back in our week 3-5 looks.

“Seminaris is more pitchability than stuff, but he commands his repertoire well. His fastball is below-average but plays up due to his command. His curveball showed the best of his trio of secondaries. I prefer his changeup to his slider, since he showed better feel for the former. Ultimately an up and down type, without the stuff to play in a bullpen role.” - RL

We caught Loftin before he left for Team USA, but he showed well in his short stint. Loftin is a strong defender in the infield with an above average arm, outside of Alika Williams he was the best infield defender we caught. At the plate his game is predicated on line drives and speed, but he does flash some in game power due to his bat speed. If Loftin spent more time in the Cape League he likely ranks higher on this list. - RL

The Sundevils right-hander took a nice step forward this summer, showing an improved breaking ball and good feel for his three-pitch arsenal. In my Dabovich look he worked 92-93 mostly touching 4s, and 5s, he featured a hard downer in the low-to-mid-80s, and was a swing and miss pitch. Additionally he throws a mid-80s changeup with some run and fade. Overall he looked like a second or third round type arm with some upside to outproduce that. He has above average velocity and a swing and miss secondary, plenty to like about Dabovich. - RL

A big, athletic right-hander, Leftwich had a solid summer for the YD Red Sox posting a 3.64 ERA and a 28:7 K to BB ratio across 6 games started and 29.2 IP. His lively fastball will sit 89-92 touching 3/4, with his changeup flashing easy plus and is his best pitch at 82-84. Also possesses an average/developing slider, and if he can command it well his junior season has the potential to be a Day 1 selection. - PF

After arriving on the Cape as an under the radar prospect from Northwest Florida, Polcovich opened many eyes with his above average athleticism and plus hand/bat speed at the plate. Hit an impressive .305 with a 29:27 K/BB ratio along with eight doubles and two home runs. In our looks, his hands and bat speed really stood out and found consistent barrels and exit velocities above 100. The Oklahoma State commit has the ability to be a top-7 round selection in the 2020 draft. - PF

A solidly built right-hander with a barrel chested frame that should require some maintenance. Skirrow has a deep arsenal of offerings he can draw from, highlighted by two distinct breaking balls with above-average to plus spin rates. He showed his changeup off the plate to left-handed batters, and it was effective in stealing strikes, his fastball works low in the zone with some downhill plane and good spin rates sitting in the 2200-2400 range. His velocity is just average for the CCBL, sitting 90-92 touching 3 at times in my looks. His curveball flashed plus with 12-6 shape and lots of vertical break, sitting mid-to-high 70s hitting 2700+ rpms on his spin rates. He also features a low 80s slider it’s an average or better pitch with a sweepy break and two-plane movement. - RL

A lanky 6’7” lefty, Wolf had a great summer for Cotuit. After coming off of a spring season where he didn’t do as well as projected, Wolf bounced back in a big way for Cotuit. Whippy arm action from a low 3/4 slot, Wolf generated swings and misses especially against left handed hitters. Velocity wise, he was 88-92 touching 3 and even bumping 4 with his fastball, 78-80 with his curveball, and around there with his changeup. Primarily threw his changeup to right handed hitters and would induce ground balls. Curveball was his best pitch against lefties and when spotting it up enjoyed great success. Room to fill out and add velocity, and if he continues to build off his successful Cape season Wolf could hear his name called in the top 5-7 rounds of the 2020 draft. - PF

Auerbach’s a short but well-built senior from Alabama. A catcher/third baseman his first year in Tuscaloosa, he saw more action in left field for Brewster, at least in our live looks. He’s an average runner who made a handful of nice plays in the outfield, showing better instincts than expected for someone whose most recent experience had come in the dirt. Offensively, Auerbach showed above-average bat speed and some pull-side raw power (more than anticipated for a player who hit only one home run in 55 games as a junior) but he also has a high bat wrap and long swing that makes him susceptible to velocity up. His pitch recognition and approach were fine, but the swing path is going to lead to swing-and-miss and probably cap him as a 40 hitter. A high-energy player and future senior sign, Auerbach’s best suited as a versatile third catcher/corner utilityman at the next level. - AF

Brady enjoyed an improved season at Florida slashing .270/.392/.428 with five doubles and seven home runs. It carried over to the Cape for the first month or so of the season as he was at .311 until July 19 and then fell off hitting just .233 in 60 AB this summer. In our looks he was suspect behind the plate, allowing multiple passed balls in each game. Showed average-above average arm strength, and with improved defense and another solid season offensively could be a 4th-8th round selection. -PF

I caught Kavadas a bunch throughout the CCBL season, and featured him in my CCBL Home Run Derby writeup. Here’s what I said there:

“A violent aggressive stroke, leveraged to the gills. Kavadas specializes in hard hit fly balls. It’s leverage and strength raw power over bat speed. Finished the season tied for the CCBL home run lead with T.J. Collett of Kentucky.” - RL

The body on OGuinn screams projectable power, he’s tall, broad-shoulder, and strong. His swing at this point is geared more toward line drive and ground ball contact, but he has the bat speed and raw power to tap into more over the fence power in games. He’ll need to make adjustments to do so. He’s very athletic for his size and runs well for a big man. Defensively perhaps he can fit in a corner, but long term it may become a first base only profile. It’s right-right, so he’ll very much need to find that power stroke consistently to make it at the next level. - RL

I loved Anu in my early looks, but his hyper-aggressive approach got exposed as the summer raged on. Here’s what I said back in our Week One Live Looks post:

“A switch hitter that shows plus power from both sides of the dish, Anu homered twice in first week and recorded multiple balls at 100+ mph exit velocities. He’ll get a little long with his swings, but he gets decent drag through the zone. He starts with his hands high by his ear which I think adds to the length of his swing, but he drops his hands in his load and looks to elevate. He’s a hitter that recognizes his weaknesses and tends to stay away from pitches off the plate. This will lead to a somewhat passive approach, and the swing and miss in my looks seemed to be at it’s worst from the left-side. He has a strong power-hitter’s build, but the body will need some maintenance. You cannot pitch this kid inside as a lefty, he will make you pay.” - RL

I caught Radcliff a few times this summer after seeing him this spring, here’s some quotes from our week 3-5 looks:

“A big, muscular slugger with swing and miss and approach questions, when Radcliff gets a hold of one it’s likely going a long, long ways. One of the loudest raw power bats on the Cape circuit, based on looks in the summer and this spring I’d rate his raw as an easy 70. The problem for Radcliff is getting to it consistently, as well as some concerns regarding a passive approach at the plate.” - RL

Wiemer Jr. is an intriguing prospect who could potentially vault up draft boards with a strong 2020 season. Showed flashes at Cincy where he slashed .263/.360/.408 with 13 doubles and six home runs. He’s a one gear player who plays every pitch at 100 percent. Didn’t show much in the form of power on the Cape, but was an All Star and hit .273. Extremely high handset and huge leg kick, Wiemer had the tendency to wave at breaking balls and low-quality pitches. His plus speed allowed him to get an extra base or two on balls in the gap and down the lines. Average fielder with above average arm strength. Projectable at 6’5” and just 215 pounds, the popular comp for Wiemer has been Hunter Pence. With added strength and power numbers, Wiemer has the potential to play himself into early Day 2 consideration. - PF

Double plus run times, and an approach geared toward contact, Baker is a quintessential speed and contact type at the plate. He’s solid at second base and fits a similar profile to Dee Gordon. Looks to use the opposite field and make plays with his legs. - PF

A late addition to the league following Vanderbilt’s national title run, Eder is a big lefty with a control over stuff profile. Eder features a low-90s fastball, with below average spin. It’s most effective down in the zone but he can place it and move it against less dangerous bats. His secondaries consist of an average high-70s curveball with 1-7 movement. The true strength of Eder is his mechanics. It’s an easy delivery that puts little stress on his arm or shoulder, he does an excellent job of repeating and staying on line. This aids his strike-throwing greatly, which he’ll need if he can’t add velocity and spin by the time he hits pro-ball. Very slid back end profile. -RL

I didn’t get the best look at Mattison, but during the All Star Game he pounded the zone with fastballs, sitting 93-95 bumping 6. The big righty had a solid summer on the Cape, posting a 4.06 ERA with an 18:6 K/BB ratio. Look for him to have a breakout draft season in 2020 at Bryant and potentially a top-10 round selection. - PF

I caught Hardman a few times, but was impressed most by his takes in the home run derby, these are my notes:

“Easy power to all fields, Hardman hit more homers to all fields than any other player, depositing balls to right, left, and center, with big loft and hang time. Majestic is the word that best describes Hardman’s rounds. The best combination of bat speed and strength in the contest.” - RL

JP wrote up Young back in our week 3-5 looks and here’s what he said:

“Young is a player who understands his physical limitations and plays to his strengths. He has good hands and a swing that stays short to the ball; he also showed a willingness to further shorten up with two strikes and grind ABs. Plate discipline and hand eye coordination are strengths. With these skills coupled with his size, Young does not look like a guy who will swing and miss much. Power (20-grade) will never be a big part of his game, but he makes a good amount of contact and is capable of peppering gaps. Defensively, he is sure-handed and takes a lot of small, quick steps. His path to the ball is direct, and he is an instinctive defender with good anticipation.” - JP

JP caught Ash and featured him in our Week 3-5 looks:

“Ash is somewhat of an under-the-radar relief prospect. He has an impressive three-pitch mix. The fastball sat 90-93 and touched 94 in two viewings. The curve flashed plus with 12-6 shape in the mid-70s. The changeup was mid-high 80s, 50-grade pitch. All three pitches looked playable at the next level. The mechanics and all out nature to his delivery cast doubt on Ash. There is a lot of effort in his delivery, and he looks to be almost falling down the mound at times. His head veers off toward first when he pronates for changeups and the overall motion looks difficult to repeat for strikes consistently.” - JP