Slugging Away for Southampton

Matt Christopher of Southampton, NJ started his training prior to the 2009 season and continues to work at it every week with Al. After just a few sessions, Matt caught on and started slugging the ball with authority to deep parts of the park. Shortly later he slammed his first home run of the season followed by another and another and another. In 2009, Matt (8 yrs old) blasted 16 home runs from spring through fall. Just as 2009 was successful, 2010 is starting off on a hot note. Matt’s team, the 9 year old Southampton Warriors, traveled to Cal Ripken stadium the weekend of May 1st. The tournament consisted of 12 teams. Over the course of the weekend, their record was 6-0. Their team record is now 11-1. On this team Matt is 21 for 32 giving him a .656 avg. He has 3 doubles a triple and a home run. Matt Christopher took home the tournament M.V.P. as I expected nothing less of him. He has the ability to dominate in every game that he plays.

Through 20 games between two teams, Matt is 34 for 55, leaving him with a .620 batting average. He has 8 doubles, 3 triples and 2 home runs.

The scouting report on Matt is simple:

Good size. Flexible and quick. Plays hard every game. Fast hands – Great eye hand coordination. Has the best mental approach out of any 9 year old. Has confidence and relaxation down pat. Powerful swing. Strong arm with good arm slot. Has 4.5 out of the 5 tools. May develop in to a dominate pitcher as well. Needs to listen a little bit better in minor areas.

Matt’s teammate Ryan Graham started at We Drop Bombs in early January and so far this season he is 25 for 35 in 12 games played. His average is .714, but that’s not the most impressive stat. Not only does he have 14 extra base hits but 10 of them are triples, leaving the remaining 4 to doubles. Ten triples in 12 games has to be a record. I’ve never heard of that before.

Cole Shontz is hitting .581. He is 18 for 31 so far with 1 double and 2 triples.

On another team, Christopher’s teammate Hunter Klein is also pounding the ball, hitting .625 with 3 doubles, a triple and a home run.

On the 12-U team John DeSantis is hitting .480 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 14 rbi’s. Conner Klein is hitting .437 with 3 doubles, a home run and 8 rbi’s. Devon Gilbert is hitting .444 and Garrett Merski is hitting .429. Andrew Warren is also hitting .350.

Players Perform – May 2010

Even with a difficult schedule, I try to find some time on Saturday’s to get to a few games of some of the players that come through We Drop Bombs Baseball Academy to scope out their progress. According to parents and coaches, It seems as if 90% of our hitters are hitting a lot better this season than ever before. Many parents have been emailing and calling about their kids great success in recent games. Since January 2nd we have had hundreds of players come through our Academy.
One player that stood out on the weekend of April 10th and 11th was 10 yr old Kyle Quagliero who put a charge in to the start of his season going 6 for 7 on the weekend with an inside the park grand slam. Over the last year, Kyle has developed some of the best mechanics I have seen coming from a 10 year old.
As of April 12th, Dylan Johannink (pictured) for Shawnee, has been on fire going 5 for his last 7 with 2 home runs, a double, and four walks in his last 3 games. Dylan, a junior at Shawnee High School, has established more of a powerful swing this past winter focusing on his load, upper half and hips exploding through the ball.
On Saturday April 17th, Jamie Kenney had a triple and inside the park home run collecting 3 rbi’s on the day.
Through April 21st, Kevin Boswick of Shawnee’s JV squad is hitting 4 for 8 with one home run. On the mound at the varsity level he is 3-0.
On Saturday April 24th, Evan Welsey had a big game. Evan collected 4 hits including a triple and an inside the park home run.
Through April 30th, Garrett Carella is hitting .633. He is 19 for 30 on the season in Travel and Rec combined, with 9 of those hits being doubles and one a triple.
Michael Johnson is hitting a team high .750 with 2 doubles and a triple through May 3rd.
Through May 8th, Tucker Byrne, on the U-12 AAU is hitting .435 with 3 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs through 13 games.
Andrew Rizzo of Shawnee is hitting 19 for 37 which is a .514 batting average with 6 doubles and a home run.
Ryan Lange and Jeremiah Sabo, who recently made the adjustment to the larger field, are starting off their seasons on a high note. Both are dropping bombs. Sabo has almost left the yard on a few occasions, driving the ball over 300 feet earning doubles and triples. Lange is 11 for his last 14 with a few doubles.
EJ Mangione is shining for the U-9 Arsenal. He is driving the ball to all fields earning singles, doubles and triples. His work ethic behind the plate is extraordinary. He is also throwing base runners out left and right while diving all over making the impossible catches.
Through May 11th, Tripp Miller is 17 for 32 making his average .630 with 4 doubles and a 1.497 slugging percentage.
Hopefully the success for all of these young men will continue on through the rest of their seasons. If any other current We Drop Bombs baseball players have had some recent success, feel free to share it with me via email.