WWBA scouts notes: Bratt, Clark, Hammill, Mercado, Ziegler

Great Lakes Canadians RHP Calvin Ziegler (2021, Heidelberg, Ont.) impressed.

Same for Toronto Mets’ LHP Mitchell Bratt (2021 Newmarket, Ont.).

Ditto for Caleb Clark (2022, Orillia, Ont.) of Great Lakes, who pitched for the Brewers Langley Blaze.

And same for Ontario Blue Jays Nelson Mercado (2021 Brampton, Ont.).

They were some of the Canadians to catch the scouts’ attention at the 22nd annual Perfect Game World Wood bat championships in Fort Myers

Perfect Game Scout’s notes

The Ohio Warhawks lambasted the San Diego Padres Scout Team 12-1 on Thursday afternoon, getting a strong start from Calvin Ziegler (2021, Heidelberg, Ont.) in the process. Ziegler reclassified from the 2020 class down to 2021 given the way the draft was shortened by COVID ramifications, and he’s definitely a big name for the ’21 draft now. A strongly-built right-hander, Ziegler ran his fastball up to 95.6 mph per Trackman, sitting in the 92-94 mph range for most of his 3 innings, leveraging the ball down in the zone well and showing good sink to the pitch as well. The slider command isn’t quite there yet, but the quality of the pitch is strong, thrown in the low-80 s with sharp bite. He’s a big time follow out of Canada moving into the spring.

-Brian Sakowski

Mitchell Bratt (2021 Newmarket, Ont.) sat 86-89 mph with his fastball while reaching back for 90 mph on a couple of occasions. The FSU commit worked two innings with three strikeouts as he started to get into a groove at the end of the first inning. When he was in the zone consistently with the fastball, he was working with a good tempo and the arm was staying synced up with the delivery allowing him to repeat his delivery consistently. When the arm is on time, the fastball has some life at the bottom of the zone with downward plane from his high three-quarter arm slot. In the second he showed better feel for a curveball with 1-7 shape as it landed with depth through the hitting zone for strikes in the mid-70s.

-Colt Olinger

Caleb Clark (2022, Orillia, ON) had an impressive showing for Brewers Langley Blaze on Thursday. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound southpaw went two scoreless, no-hit innings. He lived in the high-80s and touched 89 mph in his first inning of work before settling comfortably in the mid-80s during his second inning. Clark spun a curveball in the low-70s with 12-6 shape and some tightness. He showed confidence in the breaking ball, throwing it frequently and for strikes. The Ontario native throws from a quick tempo, clean, low effort delivery with a free and loose arm. The arrow is ticking up for Clark.

-Kyler Peterson

Nelson Mercado (2021 Brampton, Ont.) showed some interesting qualities on the mound for the Ontario Blue Jays 2021 The 6-foot-2 225 pound right-hander has a sturdy frame that he uses well coming down the mound with a short simple arm action working to a consistent high three-quarters arm slot. He sat 87-90 mph and topped out at 91 mph with a fastball that jumps on hitters with the short arm action and deliberate delivery. He would use the fastball to set up a low-80s slider that he used most frequently under the hands of left-handed hitters. Keep an eye on Mercado to fit in nicely at Connors State with his ability to pound the zone with his two-pitch mix.

Josiah Devapalana (2021 Brampton, Ont.) got the rally started for the Ontario Blue Jays 2021 with a loud double in the second inning on a deep ball to the warning track in center field. His leadoff double would start a six-run inning for the Blue Jays in their day two pool play victory. Devapalana would add an RBI single to left field later in the game through the left side as he continued to showcase his ability to get the bat head out front and find the barrel. His 6-foot-1, 220 pound frame has some present strength and it shows in his swing with his power from the middle of the field to the pull side. He has a chance to be a nice fit for someone at the next level as a middle of the order run producing bat. -

Colt Olinger

Projection Picks

There are always sleepers in a draft class and while these players are obviously extremely talented, they’re prime candidates to break out at the WWBA World Championship.

Elijha Hammill, ss, Dallas Tigers 2021 (202). Hammill is a Canadian prospect who made his name as an underclassmen on the Canadian National Team and will look to be a shot in the arm for an already talented Dallas Tigers team. He’s got great athleticism as well as switch-hitting versatility to go along with a knack for the barrel which makes him an intriguing prospect to watch who can raise his stock with a big weekend.

The Road Less Traveled

There isn’t one tried-and-true way to approach a senior summer when it comes to your draft status, and these prospects have a chance to make a strong impression heading into their respective springs.

Mitchell Bratt, lhp, Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team (NR) One of the unexpected consequences of the COVID pandemic were travel restrictions put in place that made it much harder for our neighbors to the north to come down and participate in the summer circuit. For any myriad of reasons, we haven’t had looks at Bratt all year, who was wildly impressive both last Jupiter and this spring with the Canadian National Team, as this weekend will be a massively important start for the Canadian southpaw.

Crucial Looks

These prospects have flashed some massive potential in abbreviated looks throughout the summer and the pandemic has affected the amateur landscape in a way that makes it hard for families to travel. Whatever the reason, scouts are anxious to get extended looks at these prospects as some posit first round potential.

Calvin Ziegler, rhp, Ohio Warhawks (111) A Canadian prospect who’s been on the national scene for his second year, Ziegler reclassified from the 2020 class due to the draft shrinking and will likely be preparing for the biggest start of his prep career. The Auburn commit was very impressive at East Coast Pro and he’ll be in front of the most scouts in a year as Ziegler’s start on Thursday is must-watch baseball, especially in terms of his draft stock. _ Vincent Cervino

SandlotsBob ElliottOctober 14, 2020Most Popular