Most Valuable Player is proud to announce Alex Ramsay, Severna Park Catcher and Giovanni Alfonzo, Lincoln Park Academy SS were selected as the top 36 players of 144 Teams participating in the tournament.
Keep them in your thoughts as they compete for the top 18 positions to represent the U.S. in Panama.
Alex Ramsay showed great arm strength picking several players off at second, as well at first. Offensively you can't beat a left handed hitting catcher who hit back to back doubles in one game.
Giovanni Alfonzo, made web gem diving plays to his left, right, snagging a line drive, and showed footwork well above most players at this level.
Very proud of both of them. Both have very bright futures.
Most Valuable Player's focus is helping players realize this game is an individual sport in a team concept. As the week progress I was impressed how hard each player worked at understanding the game, therefore improving with each performance.
For that, I thank each one of them for the opportunity to be a part of their baseball life. It means a lot to me.
Luke Stewart, FL: Great footwork and quickness at 2B, with the love of the game which has him getting dirty makes Luke a big time player.
Sean Downing, FL: Aggressive play from CF and at the plate. Sean gets great jumps and covers a wide area in the outfield.
Blaise Fernandez, PA: Potential for a big time player at 3B. Very nice bat who hits for power. I think he hit 3 triples.
Jordan Modine, FL: Nice 1B, but I see tremendous upside as a 6'5" pitcher.
William Norrell, NC: Catcher who I believe showed me he has a lot of potential at 3B. Works hard at everything.
Matt O'Grady, MD: Nice surprise at the plate and in the outfield. Very nice decision on a 3-0 hitter's count and roped a double to left center.
Zach Gandee, MD: Quick jump in the outfield, and I, because of his size and strength, has the potential to hit for power. Nice job at 14.
Zach Turner, MD: Showed me something coming back and pitching a great game after having an initial tough outing. Zach has the potential to be a very good pitcher as he grows mentally.
Bret Gallihugh, TN: Love his mechanics and truly believe his velocity is going to provide him a bright future. Keep this guy on your watch list.
Corey Ellsesser, PA: Although he primarily pitched for us, I believe his swing and approach at the plate is going to make him more of a positional player. He has the swing for gap type power.
Alex Hess, PA: I truly believe his size and his mechanics is going to provide him the opportunity to pitch at a high level in college. Tremendous upside here.
Charlie Baumgartner, FL: Alot like Zach Turner showed me something after nerves took his first outing. He came back and pitched a gem.
Josh Fishbach, IL: I liked the way Josh pitched, played the outfield and swung the bat. The bottom line Josh is one of those players you may not have noticed him originally, only to realize he came in and pitched 4-5 scoreless innings, got a key base hit, made all the routine plays in the field.
Focusing on helping kids realize baseball is an individual sport in a team concept is a tough approach, in fact you don't always win, but as a coach and as a teacher I always walk away glad I had the opportunity.
For that I Thank each player!
Again special congratulations to Alex and Giovanni!
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
