I remain more intrigued by performers than projectable tools. I think that’s a little more fair at this level of things, but it’s certainly why I’d make a lousy evaluator on the amateur side. That and that whole “probably not real good at it anyway” thing.
With that all said, there was plenty to see on both sides at our inaugural JUCO Pre-Draft Combine at *takes deep breath* Delta Dental Diamond at Centennial Field in Burlington, Vermont, which is the home of the FCBL’s Vermont Lake Monsters. And…with that said? It’s worth giving everyone on the FSS staff as well as the players and families who believed in this event a big thank you.
As someone privy to a lot of the internal logistics of putting an event on — albeit not someone who, thankfully, handles any of it — I can tell you the work that went into pulling this off. Between executing a first-time event given the unique geography of it, with it starting at Mass General Brigham CSPAR in Foxborough, Mass. for those who opted into testing and then the workout and game a day later, it was a lot. Combine that with some significant weather challenges on that final day, and for as bad as it all could have went, it genuinely went off without a hitch.
I genuinely thought this was a pretty good event, one in which the pitching was probably a little ahead of the bats on Thursday night. So let’s start there.
Joshua Mosley, RHP
Mosley faced ten batters in Vermont and may have generated at least one swing-and-miss on all of them. A 6-foot-2, 185-pound righty out of Howard, Mosley was one of the most impressive arms we got to see; he struck out six and flashed an impressive four-pitch mix that he was able to land for strikes. Lot of upside here for a four-year school and potentially the pro side of things as he continues to refine his craft, but he was mostly dominant up north.
Colton Sampson, LHP
Sampson has some swagger to him — it was hard not to notice him nodding his head yes when pitchers were asked if they felt like they were ready to face big league hitters now — and was able to back it up with a strong showing in Vermont. He struck out 93 batters in 80 2/3 innings this season at Seminole State College of Florida, and racked up a few more with a long-in-the-back delivery that produced strong feel for offspeed that generated most of his whiffs on the day.
Dylan McIntyre (pictured), RHP
McIntyre is one of the more intriguing JUCO freshman arms in the country, and showed why at Centennial Field, getting his fastball up to 96 over two innings of work. While there was a hiccup or two later in the outing, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound San Jac righty showed everything you want from a power arm and manipulated the zone well, working in and out and up and down effectively during his two innings of work with a fastball, sinker, slider and change.
****
Roman Trinidad, OF
It’s been a bit of a circuitous path for the FSS alum, going from Cal to New Mexico State JC. That’s certainly not for a lack of talent and tools. An athletic outfielder who can play all three spots and fits well at the top of the order, he showed his bat and speed with a hustle triple to the opposite field in Vermont, and would be an instant plug-and-play fit at nearly any four-year program.
Eliott Marin, 1B
A recent commit to Southern Illinois University, Marin is a Canadian-born utility man and RHP who we saw as a first baseman. He had the swing of the event, taking one to his pull side over the fence in right off of one of the top arms there.
Nicholas April-Gath, SS
A transfer to Florida Southwestern College out of VCU, it would be hard to ignore what April-Gath did in Vermont, racking up two hits for the White squad on Thursday night. Does a lot of things well; he hit .378 with seven homers and 15 steals during his JUCO campaign as a sophomore shortstop.
William Polanco, OF
There’s a lot here. 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-handed hitting athletic outfielder who showed some serious juice during batting practice and also delivered an opposite field hit during the game. Quebec native stole 23 bags during his JUCO campaign with Miami Dade, hitting .302 while doing so.
Taylor “TJ” Sunderhaus, OF
The other FSS alum in attendance, Sunderhaus didn’t get a ton of run at Georgia Highlands College this past season, getting into 22 games with just 32 plate appearances. The Main Event alum showed well during the testing portion at the home of the Vermont Lake Monsters, and there’s certainly enough there to where he can find opportunities to continue to show what he can do.
Since 2003, he has six World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast and motorsports fan, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
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