Early Look: Bourne

Bourne Braves
Manager: Harvey Shapiro
2009 Record: 25-17-2

It would be difficult for these Bourne Braves to make their summer as special as last year’s Bourne Braves.

For the first time in franchise history, the Braves won the Cape League championship. They did it in style, with league MVP Kyle Roller and a host of other talented players helping the Braves steamroll through the playoffs.

The most amazing thing was that the Braves did it on the fly. Roller was draft-eligible and wasn’t even on the initial roster. He was the perfect representative for a team that had to make a lot of moves and made all the right ones. As long as it leads to the same ending, I’m sure the Braves staff wouldn’t mind having a little less excitement in that department. If that’s the case, they’ll be bringing a talented group across the bridges.

Team identities don’t often carry over from one summer to the another, and that’ll probably be the case for the Braves, who only have three returning players. But one of them is Pierre LePage, who was one of the leaders on last year’s team. His presence can only help.

Offensively, the Braves have a ton of potential. If he doesn’t go to Team USA, Anthony Rendon will be a shoo-in for the league’s top prospect honor. Players like Zack MacPhee, Ryan Wright, Austin Maddox and Daniel Bowman are also having outstanding seasons at the dish. The pitching staff doesn’t seem to be quite as deep, but Anthony Meo and several other starters have ace potential. And of course, in the Cape League, it’s probably better to have pitching as a question mark than hitting.

All in all, I think the Braves have assembled a team that can certainly compete, just like their predecessors. Since winning nine games in 2006, the Braves have had a winning record every season. I think they’ll keep it up.

Then they’ll shoot for something special.

Roster Rundown
Returning Players: 3
Juniors: 2
Sophomores: 17
Freshmen: 9

Notable

We can begin with Anthony Rendon, who probably deserves a separate category outside the “Five Players I’m Excited to See” grouping below. Because I’m really excited. He might be the best college hitting prospect since Mark Teixeira. It follows that if he makes it to the Cape, he’ll be the hitting prospect in the league since Teixeira. Unfortunately, there is an if at play, thanks to Rendon’s Team USA invite. But I’m really hoping we get to see him. The sophomore class is a talented one and Rendon sits at the head of it. I’ve read some suggestions that if Rendon were eligible for this year’s draft, he might go ahead of phenom Bryce Harper.

On to another Anthony who gets a special mention. Coastal Carolina’s Anthony Meo hails from Cranston, R.I., and for my real job, I covered him many times in his high school days. I can tell you he’s been a success from day one. I still remember his first varsity start. It was the state semifinals, and his team had lost its ace earlier in the playoffs. For a decisive game three of the semis, they gave the ball to Meo, then a wispy sophomore who had never pitched on varsity. He proceeded to throw a complete-game victory, and the rest was history. His team won the championship and the next year, he blossomed as a major prospect and almost threw a no-hitter in that championship. At Coastal, he’s become one of the best sophomore pitchers in the country.

Arizona State’s Zack MacPhee didn’t turn many heads with his statistics when he was in Bourne last summer. I think he will this time around. MacPhee is currently one of the best hitters in the Pac 10.

I think North Carolina’s Mike Morin will be good for the Braves, but his summer might be a little less eventful than last year. Pitching in the MINK League, one of the leagues that allows incoming freshmen to play, Morin earned top prospect honors and pitched so well that he caught the attention of North Carolina coaches. By the time his summer was over, his commitment to a junior college had turned into a commitment to the Tar Heels.

More than any other team with any other player, I think the Braves know what they’re getting in Pierre LePage — and they’ll be thrilled with it. He’s draft-eligible but if he ends up on the Cape, it’ll be his third summer with the Braves. He’s only 5’7 and he doesn’t have home run power, but every team would love to have him. In conversations about the top returning Cape Leaguers, you can’t forget LePage.

Austin Maddox is the early favorite to be the top freshman on the Cape. He was a major prospect coming out of high school but he slid in the draft because of his strong commitment to Florida. He is delivering eye-popping numbers this year.

It’ll be interesting to see who actually plays catcher for the Braves this year. Maddox is listed as a catcher but hasn’t played there much this year. Same for Josh Elander.

The Braves have a wealth of middle infielders, and they’re all good. Ryan Wright and Zack MacPhee are having All-American type seasons, and LePage is a mainstay. Nolan Fontana is having a great freshman year, Sam Mende has been solid in his two years at South Florida and Garrett Cannizaro is a highly-touted freshman. It’s going to be crowded.

This is pretty amazing. Bourne has four players who were the top prospects in other summer leagues last year, according to Baseball America: Morin in the MINK, Mississippi State pitcher Devin Jones in the NECBL, Coastal Carolina outfielder Daniel Bowman in the Valley League and Clemson pitcher Kevin Brady in the Cal Ripken Sr. League.

Five Players I’m Excited to See
1. Anthony Rendon
2. Zack MacPhee
3. Austin Maddox
4. Anthony Meo
5. Ryan Wright

Pitchers

Kevin Brady – RHP – 6’2 190 – Clemson – RS Freshman
Brian Busch – LHP – 6’2 237 – Florida State – Sophomore
Garrett Bush – RHP – 6’5 178 – Auburn – Freshman
*Michael Dimock – RHP – 6’2 177 – Wake Forest – Sophomore
Grayson Garvin – LHP – 6’5 217 – Vanderbilt – Sophomore
Devin Jones -RHP – 6’3 170 – Mississippi State – Sophomore
Tyler Joyner – LHP – 5’10 182 – East Carolina – Freshman
Anthony Meo – RHP – 6’1 180 – Coastal Carolina – Sophomore
Mike Morin – RHP – 6’4 180 – North Carolina – Freshman
R.C. Orlan – LHP – 6’0 175 – North Carolina – Freshman
Will Roberts – RHP – 6’4 205 – Virginia – Sophomore
Chance Sossamon – RHP 6’2 185 – Wichita State – Sophomore
Tony Zych – RHP – 6’3 175 – Louisville – Sophomore

* – returning player
(Stats as of May 2)

Kevin Brady – RHP – 6’2 190
Clemson
Sophomore

Brady was a 44th-round pick out of high school but only saw limited action last year before taking a medical redshirt. His injury didn’t hurt him in the summer, though. He posted a 1.53 ERA in the Cal Ripken Sr. League with two complete games and was named the league’s top prospect by Baseball America. He has pitched well as a reliever this spring, with a 3.22 ERA in 12 appearances. He has 25 strikeouts in 22.1 innings.

Brian Busch – LHP – 6’2 237
Florida State
Sophomore

Busch started his freshman campaign in the bullpen before working his way into the starting rotation and delivering a strong season. He finished with a 3.97 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 90.2 innings and earned Freshman All-America honors. This season, Busch is back in the bullpen and he’s currently 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA. In 39.1 innings, Busch has 37 strikeouts.

Garrett Bush – RHP – 6’5 178
Auburn
Freshman

Though he was a starting catcher in high school, Bush became a pitching prospect thanks to some relief appearances and the big arm he showed in those outings. Bush was drafted in the 15th round last year by the Orioles but opted not to sign. He has seen only limited action this year for Auburn, with just four innings pitched.

Michael Dimock – RHP – 6’2 177
Wake Forest
Sophomore

Dimock led the Demon Deacons in strikeouts and innings pitched as a freshman then had a solid summer with the Braves. He made nine appearances, eight out of the bullpen, and had a 3.42 ERA. He struck out 25 in 23.2 innings. This spring, Dimock is 2-7 with a 6.10 ERA. He leads the team in strikeouts with 50.

Grayson Garvin – LHP – 6’5 217
Vanderbilt
Sophomore

Garvin was a 45th round pick out of high school but saw limited action with Vanderbilt his freshman year and not much more action with Falmouth last year. Battling elbow pain, Garvin finally learned he had a stress fracture. It kept him out for part of the spring season, but he’s pitched well since returning. In five appearances, he hasn’t allowed an earned run. He has 13 strikeouts and just one walk in 10.2 innings.

Devin Jones -RHP – 6’3 170
Mississippi State
Sophomore

Jones battled injuries and some struggles in his freshman campaign with the Bulldogs, but he left them behind in a great summer. Pitching in the NECBL, Jones had a 2.79 ERA and struck out 35 in 29 innings. Baseball America picked him as the league’s top prospect. This spring, Jones has pitched out of the bullpen with mixed results. He has 24 strikeouts in 21.1 innings but also a 5.48 ERA.

Tyler Joyner – LHP – 5’10 182
East Carolina
Freshman

As one of the top high-school pitchers in North Carolina, Joyner came to East Carolina with some potential, but he hasn’t given himself the chance to live up to it. Joyner made one appearance in the first series of the season before getting suspended indefinitely along with another teammate for a violation of team policy.

Anthony Meo – RHP – 6’1 180
Coastal Carolina
Sophomore

Meo was a high-school star in Rhode Island and a 43rd-round pick in 2008. He has blossomed at Coastal Carolina, earning Freshman All-America honors last year before really emerging this season. At 9-1 with a 1.76 ERA, he’s among the national leaders in ERA. In 61.1 innings, he has struck out 58 and walked 23. Opponents are hitting .229 against him.

Mike Morin – RHP – 6’4 180
North Carolina
Freshman

Morin, a Kansas native, played in the MINK Collegiate League after his senior year of high school and made quite an impression. Baseball America tabbed him as the league’s top prospect and his performance earned him an offer from North Carolina. A 40th-round pick out of high school, Morin has pitched out of the bullpen in his freshman campaign. He’s got a 5.28 ERA but he’s also struck out 33 and walked only 10 in 30.2 innings.

R.C. Orlan – LHP – 6’0 175
North Carolina
Freshman

Orlan was a 44th-round pick out of high school, and he has pitched well in his first season with the Tar Heels. In 15 relief appearances, he has a 3.65 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 12.1 innings.

Will Roberts – RHP – 6’4 205
Virginia
Sophomore

Roberts has pitched as both a starter and a reliever for the Cavaliers this spring. In eight appearances, he has a 3.94 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. Roberts pitched for Newport in the NECBL last summer and had a 1.00 ERA with 24 strikeouts and only three walks in 27 innings.

Chance Sossamon – RHP 6’2 185
Wichita State
Sophomore

Sossamon pitched as a reliever as a freshman with the Shockers and finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched. This season, Sossamon has made 17 relief appearances. While the strikeout numbers are still good — 25 in 23 innings — Sossamon’s ERA is sitting at 7.83.

Tony Zych – RHP – 6’3 175
Louisville
Sophomore

Zych was a 46th-round pick out of high school and he showed off his mid-90’s fastball in his first season with the Cards, going 6-2 with a 3.25 ERA and earning Freshman All-America honors. Zych pitched well for Team USA last summer but hasn’t had quite as much success this spring. He has struck out 37 and walked only 11 in 37 innings, but he’s also allowed 47 hits. He has an ERA of 6.45.

Position Players

Josh Elander – C/OF – 6’0 205 – TCU – Freshman
Miles Hamblin – C – 6’0 188 – Mississippi – Junior
Austin Maddox – C – 6’3 230 – Florida – Freshman
Garrett Cannizaro – SS/2B – 6’0 185 – Tulane – Freshman
Nolan Fontana – SS/2B – 5’11 190 – Florida – Freshman
*Pierre LePage – INF – 5’8 165 – Connecticut – Junior
*Zack MacPhee – SS/2B – 5’9 180 – Arizona State – Sophomore
Sam Mende – SS – 6’3 195 – South Florida – Sophomore
Anthony Rendon – 3B – 5’11 180 – Rice – Sophomore
Travis Shaw – 3B/1B – 6’4 215 – Kent State – Sophomore
Creede Simpson – INF/OF – 6’1 185 – Auburn – Sophomore
Austin Stadler – 1B/LHP/OF – 6’2 207 – Wake Forest – Sophomore
Ryan Wright – SS – 6’1 198 – Louisville – Sophomore
Daniel Bowman – OF – 6’1 210 – Coastal Carolina – Sophomore
Kameron Brunty – OF – 6’1 160 – Southern Mississippi – Sophomore

* – returning player

Josh Elander – C/OF – 6’0 205
TCU
Freshman

A high-school standout in Texas, Elander got drafted in the 36th round last year but stuck with his commitment to TCU and is having a fantastic freshman season. He has played in every game and is hitting .383 with two homers, 12 doubles, four triples and 31 RBI. He has also stolen 10 bases.

Miles Hamblin – C – 6’0 188
Mississippi
Junior

Hamblin was an All-American last year at JUCO powerhouse Howard College, where he hit .429 with 17 home runs and helped Howard win the national championship. Hamblin hasn’t had as much statistical success in first season with the Rebels. He’s currently hitting .235, though he does have 11 extra-base hits.

Austin Maddox – C – 6’3 230
Florida
Freshman

Maddox was highly-touted out of high school and he’s becoming one of the nation’s best freshman in his first season in Gainesville. A 37th-round pick who slipped because of signability concerns, Maddox is hitting .350 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles and 50 RBI. He’s among the SEC leaders in all the major offensive categories.

Garrett Cannizaro – SS/2B – 6’0 185
Tulane
Freshman

Cannizaro is following in the footsteps of his brother Andy, who played for Tulane and saw some big league action. Garrett was a 26th-round pick out of high school but stuck with Tulane, where he’s having a pretty solid freshman season. He has started every game and he’s hitting .301 with three home runs.

Nolan Fontana – SS/2B – 5’11 190
Florida
Freshman

Like Maddox, Fontana is having a strong freshman season with the Gators. The numbers might not be as eye-popping, but Fontana has been a spark atop the lineup and is hitting .280 with an on-base percentage of .429. In the field, Fontana has been outstanding. He’s made just one error in 42 games.

Pierre LePage – INF – 5’8 165
Connecticut
Junior

LePage made his first Cape appearance in 2008 as a late-season addition. Given the chance, he has shined ever since. Last summer, he hit .308, stole 17 bases and was one of the driving forces in Bourne’s run to the league championship. This spring, LePage is hitting .316 for Connecticut with 22 steals.

Zack MacPhee – SS/2B – 5’9 180
Arizona State
Sophomore

MacPhee had a good freshman season and a not-so-good summer in Bourne last year. This year, he’s had one of the most dramatic coming-out parties in the nation. He opened up by hitting .727 with six extra-base hits in ASU’s season-opening series. Amazingly, he hasn’t cooled down much. He’s hitting .432 with eight home runs, 5 doubles and 12 triples. He leads the Sun Devils with 51 RBI.

Sam Mende – SS – 6’3 195
South Florida
Sophomore

Mende was an impact player as a freshman, starting every game at shortstop for the Bulls and hitting .319. This season, Mende is hitting .281 with three homers and 18 RBI. Mende was a 40th-round pick out of high school.

Anthony Rendon – 3B – 5’11 180
Rice
Sophomore

I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but everything you read says Rendon is a really special player. This season, he’s right on pace with where you’d think he’d be. He’s hitting .378 with 14 home runs, nine doubles and 49 RBI. Last year, Rendon was probably the top freshman in the country when he hit .388 with 20 homers and 72 RBI. He was slated to play for Bourne and also had a Team USA invite, but he had to take the summer off because of an injury.

Travis Shaw – 3B/1B – 6’4 215
Kent State
Sophomore

Shaw was a 32nd round pick out of high school and had a solid freshman season at Kent State, hitting .331 with seven home runs while bouncing around the diamond. He’s settled into a full-time job this year and is again having success. He’s hitting .314 with 10 homers, 16 doubles and 42 RBI.

Creede Simpson – INF/OF – 6’1 185
Auburn
Sophomore

A native of Auburn, Simpson spent his first collegiate season away from home, at Northwest Florida State College, a junior-college program. He transferred into Auburn this year and has had a solid first season. He’s hitting .306 with three homers, nine doubles and 26 RBI.

Austin Stadler – 1B/LHP/OF – 6’2 207
Wake Forest
Sophomore

Stadler has done it all in his first two years at Wake. As a member of the weekend rotation this year, Stadler is 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 59 innings. At the plate, he’s hitting .278 with two homers. Stadler was a 40th round pick out of high school in 2008.

Ryan Wright – SS – 6’1 198
Louisville
Sophomore

Wright was a consensus Freshman All-America pick last season after hitting .335 with five home runs. This season, Wright has taken things to another level. He’s hitting .364 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles and a team-best 53 RBI. Wright’s big season has earned him an invite to Team USA trials.

Daniel Bowman – OF – 6’1 210
Coastal Carolina
Sophomore

Bowman has been trending upward since the moment he stepped foot on campus. A late-round pick out of high school, Bowman hit .333 with 13 home runs as a freshman then earned top prospect honors in the Valley League after hitting .298 with eight homers. He’s having another strong season this spring, hitting .316 with 10 homers, nine doubles and 34 RBI.

Kameron Brunty – OF – 6’1 160
Southern Mississippi
Sophomore

Southern Miss teammate B.A. Vollmuth got more pub for his summer on the Cape, but back in the spring, Brunty had a debut that was just as impressive. He hit .336 for the Golden Eagles and led the team with 77 hits. This season, Brunty is hitting .293 with seven home runs, 10 doubles and 29 RBI.