2017 Atlantic Collegiate League Top Prospects — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Levi Stoudt (Courtesy of Lehigh Athletics)

Atlantic Collegiate League Top Prospects

Levi Stoudt, rhp, Quakertown (So., Lehigh)

Harrison Rutkowski, lhp, Trenton (Fr., Rutgers)

Rhett Jacoby, rhp, Allentown (Jr., Moravian)

Jared Melone, 1b/3b, Allentown (Jr., West Chester)

Jerry D’Andrea, lhp, Staten Island (Sr., Ramapo)

Shayne Fontana, of, Jersey (Jr., Lynn)

Jim Bleming, ss/of, Allentown (Sr., Lehigh)

Jordan DiValerio, rhp, Quakertown (So., Saint Joseph’s)

Jack Goan, c/of, South Jersey (So., Rowan-Gloucester)

Bobby Shannon, ss/2b, North Jersey (Jr., Ramapo)

Postseason Recap: The Allentown Railers did it again. For the third straight season, the Railers claimed the ACBL title, becoming just the third program to accomplish that feat in league history. The Railers rode lights-out pitching to sweep a title-clinching doubleheader against the Quakertown Blazers. Righthander Rhett Jacoby (Moravian, Pa.) struck out nine and allowed just two runs in a complete-game effort in Game 1, and John Yocum (Rider) allowed just one hit in the nightcap to lead the Railers to victory.

1. Levi Stoudt, RHP, Quakertown (So., Lehigh)

At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Stoudt has a smooth, effortless delivery, producing a fastball that sits 91-93 mph and can reach up to 95. Stoudt also flashes an above-average slider in the low 80s, while also showing feel for a changeup, giving him enough variance to potentially profile as a starter. As a freshman at Lehigh in 2017, Stoudt posted the second-lowest ERA (2.34) in the Patriot League and earned an all-conference selection. He only pitched 29.2 innings this summer; Stoudt struck out 28 hitters and walked nine during his time with Quakertown.

2. Harrison Rutkowski, LHP, Trenton (Fr., Rutgers)

A 28th-round pick by the Reds in the 2017 draft, Rutkowski pitches off of a four-seam fastball that reaches the low 90s and a sharp curveball that comes in between 77-79 mph. Rutkowski also throws a changeup in the low 80s, which should become even more deceptive as he adds muscle to his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame and increases his fastball velocity. A rising freshman at Rutgers, Rutkowski went 3-0, 2.37 in eight appearances (five starts) for Trenton this summer, striking out 34 hitters and walking eight in 25.1 innings.

3. Rhett Jacoby, RHP, Allentown (Jr., Moravian, Pa.)

Although not overpowering with a fastball that sits 89-92 mph, Jacoby showed some of the better command in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League this summer, walking just two hitters and striking out 52 in 42 innings. Jacoby’s offspeed pitches aren’t as refined as his fastball at this point, which should get even better as he continues to strengthen his lengthy, 6-foot-5 frame. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder led the ACBL with six wins, ending the summer with a 6-1, 2.08 record in nine appearances (six starts).

4. Jared Melone, 1B/3B, Allentown (Jr., West Chester, Pa.)

The first hitting prospect on the list, Melone is a corner infielder with good hands who is known mostly for his bat. Capable of using the entire field, Melone led the ACBL with a .443 average this summer, which included 14 doubles, two triples and four home runs in 109 at-bats. Melone began his college career at Division I La Salle, hitting .315 before transferring to West Chester, where he helped the Golden Rams to the Division II national championship. As a sophomore, Melone started all 55 games and ended the season with a .364/.398/.551 slash line.

5. Jerry D’Andrea, LHP, Staten Island (Sr., Ramapo, N.J.)

D’Andrea is a 6-foot lefthander who pitches mostly between 88-89 mph with his fastball but also possesses an above-average changeup with late-breaking fade. His breaking ball, which comes in between 76-78 mph, has more of a slider tilt but can occasionally look like a hard curveball at times. Before entering his senior season at Division III Ramapo, D’Andrea made seven starts and two relief appearances for the Staten Island Tide this summer, striking out 37 batters in 36.2 innings and a WHIP of 1.39.

6. Shayne Fontana, OF, Jersey (Jr., Lynn, Fla.)

A lefthanded hitter, Fontana displayed a solid, contact-first swing this summer, striking out just 10 times in 109 at-bats for the Jersey Pilots. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound outfielder, who played at Morris (N.J.) JC in the spring before transferring to Division II Lynn, didn’t showcase a lot of power with just seven doubles and one home run but still managed to end the summer season with a .333/.407/.429 line. Fontana showcased his plus speed on both the basepaths, where he had eight stolen bases in 31 games, and the outfield, where he showed the natural instincts and athleticism to be an above-average defender.

7. Jim Bleming, SS/OF, Allentown (Sr., Lehigh)

After playing shortstop during the spring for Lehigh, Bleming showcased his defensive versatility this summer by spending most of his time in the outfield for the Allentown Railers. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Bleming’s above-average arm strength and speed proved to be useful in myriad positions. At the plate, Bleming displayed plus power with 10 home runs in 86 at-bats, which made him one of only two players in the ACBL with double-digit home runs this summer. Overall, Bleming hit .326/.402/.709 in 23 games, a power eruption considering he’s hit nine homers in three seasons at Allentown.

8. Jordan DiValerio, RHP, Quakertown (So., Saint Joseph’s)

Using his sturdy 6-foot-1, 205-pound size, DiValerio sits mostly 89-92 mph with his fastball and accumulated a 2.80 ERA in five starts for the Blazers this summer. DiValerio struck out 31 hitters in 30.2 innings, using an improved breaking ball and changeup to accompany the plus command on his fastball.

9. Jack Goan, C/OF, South Jersey (So., Rowan-Gloucester, N.J., JC)

A .378 hitter in 121 at-bats, Goan proved he could drive the ball to all fields this summer, when he recorded seven home runs and 10 doubles in 32 games. Although his pitch recognition could improve, Goan boasted a walk rate of 15.7 percent while striking out in 22.3 percent of his at-bats for South Jersey. At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Goan should continue to fill out his frame, which may require a defensive move from behind the plate to one of the corner outfield spots.

10. Bobby Shannon, SS/2B, North Jersey (Sr., Ramapo, N.J.)

A 5-foot-11, 185-pound middle infielder capable of playing all over the diamond, Shannon was described as a player who does the small things well, including routinely taking an opportunistic extra base when the situation arises. Shannon ended the summer with a .303/.387/.451 slash line in 135 at-bats, despite a team-high 30 strikeouts.