The 2022 Boston Open was held July 7th-July 11th at various venues throughout Boston and surrounding areas. Almost 250 teams across the United States showcased their talent. This blog post will recognize the best uncommitted and committed players I watched while scouting this past week.

This is my "Top 5" from the 2022 Boston Open:

Uncommitted:

1. ('23,PA) RHP Joey Calabretti of PA Shockers

6'2" 210lbs. Initially stood out from 3rd with clean actions and a strong arm on Saturday. Then he hopped on the mound later that same game. From the bump he used multiple slots from a H3/4 to a lower SA slot. Kept the FB in the 85-88 range with a usable breaking ball from each slot. On Sunday morning he took a VT commit 359’ for a pull-side HR. Swing is clean with a college ready approach as a power switch hitter. Smooth all around, legit 2-way, and legit SW hitter.

2. ('23,NY) 1B James Asmus of Sportika Baseball

6'1" 215lbs. I watched 4 games of Sportika baseball at the Boston Open and Asmus did not disappoint. He had over 10 hits on the tourney and even had 7 hits across 8 ABs at one point. He capped off a monster week with a towering 361’ pull-side HR of his own. That HR gave Sportika a chance to advance to the championship. It was very fitting that his last AB of the week was an intentional walk. The true 6.8 runner posted multiple SB’s on the week as well.

3. ('23,NC) RHP Jake Young of On Deck O's

6'3" 175lbs. In his first outing of the week he hit 89 multiple times, and sat 86-88. Offered BB that pounded the zone at 71, and added a true circle CH that was turned over at 79 with 15 inches of horizontal break. Young made a second appearance at the Boston Open 2 days later, and went 87-89 on the FB that day. Excellent uncommitted arm that is being heavily recruited at this time. There is a ton of talent already there that figures to increase from here on out.

4. ('25,NY) INF Henry Jackson of NE Pride Baseball

6'1" 175lbs. Overall advanced feel for age with the bat. Multiple 90+ EVs with a 100+EV on a double at the NEBC complex. Strong arm and clean glove from SS too. Sub 6.8 60. Just an unreal stat line from this week: 6 XBH’s, 2 3B’s, 14 H’s, 10 SB’s, and .583 AVG. 

5. ('23,NY) LHP Chase Hermance of Wladyka Baseball

6'1" 200lbs. Pounded the zone and got outs working with a good BB at 71. Kept the FB at 85-87. Really tough mix with FB/BB alone that got a bit of swing and miss. Good medium arm action. Polished actions overall with room to grow into more velocity and movement. Solid base for a LHP moving forward who sports command.

Committed:

1. Northeastern Commit ('23,MA) RHP Jack Cropper of GBG Hawks

Stole the show this past week with a 97mph FB. Cropper usually tops 95, but he obviously brought a little something extra to the Boston Open to post a new personal best. He backed it up by throwing a few 97’s and even some 96’s through 4IP; sat 92-95. Also offered +secondary's with the CH at 79-81 and BB at 77-80. 

2. Amherst Commit ('22,MA) RHP Emmanuel Nevills of GBG Hawks

6'3" 173lbs. Violent lanky body. Had the FB up to 91 sitting 87-89. True action on the CH and BB both registering at a firm 79-81. High-level-college type of arm that should be piquing some pro interest at this time.

3. Bryant Commit (23,MA) RHP/INF Sean Zaslaw of GBG Hawks

6’ 185lbs. The 2-way headed to Bryant turned some heads day 1 in Northborough. Came out of the pen sitting 90 and topped out at 91. He also showed a SL with great spin at 82 that got up ~2850 RPMs. Then, later that game Zaslaw popped a ground rule double that exited at 101. Dangerous twitch that plays on both sides of the ball. That ground rule 2B was top spun, and if the bat was a tad lower at impact it may have been the farthest hit ball of the week.

4. St. John’s Commit ('23,NJ) OF Cristian Bernardini of Sportika Baseball

6’1” 175lbs. Had at least 3 HR’s on the week and one of them was recorded at NEBC 3 carrying 384' at 33 degrees and 95 EV. Quality power bat headed to St. John’s. Also stands out defensively with a sub 6.8 60 and arm strength producing upper 8s from the OF. Clean from CF this week.

5. Seton Hall Commit ('23,FL) RHP Jayson Torres of Team Steel NY

6'2" 185lbs. Ran FB at 90-91 a bit and mostly lived 86-89. Controls his velocity and uses it at will. CB/SL is the separator at 72-79 and got Torres ahead a lot; also served as K pitch a lot of times. 6IP, 7Ks, and 1ER in this week's outing. Showed true starter material and should eat up some innings at Seton Hall. Calm and cool demeanor on the mound that competes.