September2014

Best American player Update-Press Release

September 6, 2014

ASA & ISC, USA

I put out my American Player Rankings in December of 2013.  Since that time, there has been a survey that seemed to have a very popular following with, in most cases, over 200 people filling out each survey.  Thus, giving it some validity in regards to what the general public/players have to say about each player.  Also, I watched a few tournaments out East and Canada and also attended the magnificently run ASA and ISC tournaments.  My goal was to re-evaluate the American players I observed against the top talent in the world (ASA & ISC).  There are some new players on my list from December, some players that fell off the list and a couple that have many wondering how they are not national team members.
 
I have included a new "Top american Player List" with my prior rankings denoted as APR along with the results shared with the public from the "Fastpitch guys' surveys in the spring.  I have also made the list longer.
 
1. Matt Palazzo (APR-1) (Survey-8th best infielder in the game) Best American hitter and nothing has changed.  continues to be a threat and game changer.  Might be one of the top 4-5 hitters in the world.  This was easy to list him as the best.
 
2. Derrick Zechman (APR-6) (Survey-NA) Zechman is a very underrated defensive player.  Have talked to a few that think he is weak defensively but makes big plays in clutch situations.  Speaking of clutch, he may be one of the most clutch hitters in the game today.  Has carried the PA Power team at times and seems to be a natural leader.  Is very unorthodox but is better fundamentally than one would think.
 
3. Josh Johnson (APR-2) (Survey-10th best two way player in the game) Johnson's power is his biggest threat.  He has a sweet swing and his ability to pitch make him one of the top players in the united States.  While he didn't seem to throw particularly well, he also plays in the outfield and is more than serviceable.  He seems to be the second best hitter in the U.S..
 
4. Trevor Kelly (APR-8) (Survey-NA) Probably didn't do well on the survey because he plays many positions.  He catches, He plays 3B and I have heard he plays OF as well.  I'm not certain he has a "best position.".  He had a poor ASA when I saw him but looked great at the ISC.  He moved up on my list because of his defensive versatility and strong hitting.  What a great asset to Team USA to have a guy that plays multiple positions well and can hit the top guys.  I am uncertain how he hits top pitching because he plays on a mid level team and he didn't see great pitching at either ISC or ASA but did see him go 2-3 off Regan Manley.
 
5. Fred Carmona (APR-NA) (Survey-NA) Carmona came out of nowhere and player great at teh ISC.  he hit all the top pitching that I saw.  Not sure if he plays anywhere other than catcher but seemed to do well there.  Diamond in the rough and was surprised to see him not make the USA Team.  Seems like he would have been a lock at the catcher position.
 
6. Tommy Crouch (APR-4) (Survey-9th best infielder in the game) Crouch plays multiple positions but is excellent in the infield. Like most fans, was shocked to not see him on the USA roster.  I saw him hit multiple national team pitchers like Folkard, Muziellar, and Koert well in ASA/ISC.  Versatile defensive player that hits top level pitching as well as anyone outside of Johnson & Palazzo.  
 
7. Lucas Goring (APR-5) (Survey-NA) Tough out with great speed.  Doesn't impress much defensively and is why he is not higher on my list but he is one of the best slap hitters/bunters in the game.  Was a spark plug in the games I saw Circle Tap play at ASA and ISC.  Hits for power occasionally, but is a top level small ball threat. 
 
8. John Rozich (APR-NA) (Survey-NA) New to my list.  I had heard of him from a few years back but made splash with the Gremlins this summer.  Hits for power and average and plays a good OF and catches from what i understand.  Had a terrific ISC both offensively and defensively.  Very deserving of all-world honors.  Is a long-ball threat and hits top pitchers well.  Athletic for a bigger guy as well.
 
9. BJ Gullick (APR-7) (Survey-NA) Gullick seems streaky but hits top level pitching even though he did not seem to hit well at the ISC. Not sure of his best position but seems serviceable in OF.  He, like Crouch and Carmona, is another player who has many wondering why he's not on the national team.  Easily on the top ten list.
 
10.  Nick Mullins (APR-10) (Survey-NA).  Mullins made some of the better plays at SS that I have seen in South Bend.  Is a fantastic middle infielder and plays other positions as well.  He would be higher on the list but have not seen him hit well at many events against the top tier throwers.
 
11. Tyler Dudley (APR-NA) (Survey-NA) Another new player on my list.  Dudley is a slick fielder who hits as well as any American player I have seen. Had a great ASA and ISC.  I am not sure how well he hits the top level pitchers because I did not see him against that level but he certainly made an impression against the lower teams they played at the two events.  Seems a bit brash and may be a reason he's not considered for the national team.
 
12. Chris Miljavic (APR-NA) (Survey-NA) Miljavic is still a tough out and can hit for power like he did at ASA tournament.  He is not as strong an infielder as some of the others on the list but does a fine job at 2B.  He seems to be streaky but is one of the scrappier hitters in the game.
 
13. Kris Bogach
14. Eddy Kettlehutt
15. Frank Degroat
16. Chris Hineline
17. Kevin Castillo
18. Pat Sagdahl
19. Bob Rostenhausler
20. Chase Turner
 
 
 
Pitchers:
1. Tony Mancha
2. Gerald Muziellar
3. Josh Johnson
4. Jerlin Rutt
5. Tyler Kelly
6. Kevin Kammueller
7. Jeremy Holman
8. BJ Hunhoff
9. Jim Hartman
 10. Sean Kelly

 

American Player Rankings

Saturday, December 21, 2013
These are my rankings of the best American players currently playing.  I have been to all of the big tournaments in the last four years to review players including AAU, Eerie, Midland, ASA Major, ISC, ISC II, Peligro Cup & NAFA Open.  I have also researched ASA, ISC &  NAFA web pages to get award winning input for players after reading comments on the JRdiamondbacks page regarding Team USA.  My input may not mean anything to some, but the game of fastpitch is one of my favorites and I just enjoy “watching ball.” 
 
  I am a retired sports writer and while the game does not get much attention, the selection committee should be considering these players as I feel they are at the top of the list for best American players & pitchers. 
 
In order:
1.       Matt Palazzo
2.       Josh Johnson
3.       Karl Gollan
4.       Tommy Crouch
5.       Lucas Goring
6.       Derek Zechman
7..       BJ Gullick
8.       Trevor Kelly      
9.       Tony Mancha
10.     Nick Mullins
 
#1-3
Matt Palazzo has been an ISC All World 2013. ASA All American Second Team in 2006, 2008 & 2013. NAFA AAA MVP in 2007. Hands down the best American hitter.  Palazzo may be one of the top five hitters in the game.  Struggles defensively but makes up for it with his power and consistent hitting.  Seems to be a great team guy and I watched him carry the California team in spots at the ASA & ISC this year.  Josh Johnson has been an ISC All 2nd Team World in 2013. ASA All American Second Team (2012). NAFA Open MVP (2011). He seems very streaky but is consistent enough to make my top three list as he hit the best pitchers in the game well the last couple of years at the ASA and ISC tournaments.  One of the few American players that I have seen that can hit all the top level pitchers well.  Good defensive outfielder as well and is on my pitcher list below.  Karl Gollan is a great threat at the plate.  Gollan is not an elite outfielder but his ability to pitch is why he ranks so high on my list.  He is the best American hitter besides Palazzo.  He has some limitations defensively but cannot imagine anyone hitting the top level guys like he can.  ISC All World First Team in 2013.  His years on the Black Sox and years playing for the top level teams speak for themselves.
               
#4-6
Tommy Crouch was an ASA Fist Team All American in 2012 & 2006. NAFA AAA MVP in 2009. Very consistent hitter that can hit all the top level guys.  He is a very sound defensive player that can play shortstop and all IF or OF positions well.  From talking with team managers/players, he seems to be a very strong team leader and was the best hitter/player on last year’s Angels team that finished 3rd.  Luke Goring is a scrappy, competitive player..  Cannot figure out why he wasn’t on the National Team in 2013.  Goring has been a 2011 ISC All World. ASA All American in 2011, 2009 & 2007.  One of the toughest outs in the game according to most. Can slap or hit for “gap-power.”  Good defensive outfielder. Derrck Zechman has been a 2012 ISC 2nd Team All World and 2012 & 2010 ASA All American.  He is probably the second most dangerous hitter behind Palazzo & Gollan.  Very unorthodox but gets it done.  Really not a versatile fielder but is sufficient and why he is not higher on the list.  Clutch, big game hitter though
 
 
#7-10
BJ Gullick has no notable awards but can play multiple infield and outfield positions.  One of the toughest American outs and hits to all fields well.  Has power and hits top level pitching, which according to my calculations, is in a group of about 10-12 Americans that can do that.  Trevor Kelly is an excellent receiver and a consistent contact hitter.  He was an ISC AW player in 2012 and ASA 2nd Team All American in 2010.  I have seen him play some 3rd base with club teams but I know he a fine catcher.  Trevor seems to move the ball well against the top tier throwers in the game. . I have only seen Tony Mancha at the ISC this year and AAU.  He is an incredible hitter when facing the lower level pitchers.  May need some time facing the “Big Boys.”  Not a defensive player but is also on my Pitcher’s List below.  Nick Mullins has the unfortunate opportunity of playing behind guys rather than starting for a team.  Good catcher and can play well at all defensive positions.  No notable awards but I have seen him hit all the top guys.  He just needs to play more on his team or get exposed somewhere else.
 
Pitchers in order:
1.       Paul Koert- We can only go off of knowing that he is an American citizen as I am confused as to why he is not with USA.  I realize he pitched for Canada in March.  Koert is one of the top 12 pitchers in the world, let alone America.  Paul has won numerous ISC All World awards and ASA All American awards and he is a big game pitcher that takes the ball and wants to throw.
2.       Gerald Muziellar-ISC All World 2011 & 2013, ASA All American (2006, 2007 & 2012) NAFA (2008 & 2009) still one of the games top 15 pitchers.  Carries Fargo in both ASA and ISC play the last few years and can beat the top teams.
3.       Jeremy Holman- NAFA Major All World 2010.  Holman is the guy no one wants to face.  Has the best changeup in the game.  Has played for a mid-level team that doesn't compete in many ISCs or ASA Majors so only a couple of NAFA Open awards to his name.
4.       Tony Mancha-Throws hard and keeps the ball down.  Can compete with the big boys if he gets an opportunity to learn from playing against or with them.
5.       Karl Gollan-Holds down top teams with mixing speeds and great control
6.       Josh Johnson-Has all the pitches, not a ton of speed on the ball but I have seen him hold his own with all the best teams.
 
 
Terrance Hansen Sr.
hansent11@juno.com
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