December2014

ISC, ASA and Pan Am Stats of American Players vs National Team Pitching in 2014

November 30, 2014

Kettering, OH

ISC, ASA & Pan Am Stats of American Players vs National Team Pitching in 2014

In an effort to continually evaluate the American players considered to be the best in the country, I have put together another list with the 2014 ISC, ASA Men's Major and Pan American stats.  I retrieved the ISC and Pan Am stats from their respective web sites. I kept score of the American players vs national team pitchers in South Bend at the ASA's.  I do this all as a semi-hobby in retirement.  I did have to go to the booth and team scorekeepers in South Bend once or twice as sometimes there were two games going on at the same time while I scored. Remember, these are the stats at these tournaments against national team pitchers ONLY. They do not include the overall stats but only those against the aforementioned level..
These three "best of the best"  tournaments allowed me to compare my subjective list, that was published in September, to the statistics of these players against big time pitching to add some objectivity.

While other variables for my September rankings were taken into account such as defense, speed, intangibles and leadership, the ASA, ISC and Pan Am offensive statistics capture their the ability to hit open level pitching.  I was motivated to do this after reading Mark Sampson's statistics of how these players did at the ISC against national team pitchers on Mr. Al Doran's web site earlier this month.

Carmona, Crouch, Palazzo and Johnson continue to be at the top of all the lists. Bogach, who was not on my top ten list in September but hit well in 2014 against national team pitchers. Rozich, DeGroat, Dudley, Miljavic and Sagdal finished out the top ten. 

Here are the 2014 stats against national team pitchers at the ISC, ASA and Pan Ams. My September rankings are in parentheses:
*1.Fred Carmona ..533 8-15 (#5 on my September list)
*2. Tom Crouch .461 6-13 (#6 on my September list)
3. Kris Bogach .294 5-17 (#13 on my September list
4. Matt Palazzo .293 12-41 (#1 on my September list)
5. Jon Rozich .278 5-18 (#8 on my September list)
6. Josh Johnson .278 10-36 (#3 on my September list)
7. Frank DeGroat .273 6-22 (#15 on my September list)
8. Tyler Dudley .273 3-11 (#11 on my September list)
9.  Chris Miljavic .270 10-37 (#12 on my September list)
10. Pat Sagdal .226 7-31 (#18 on my September list)
11. Chase Turner .216 8-37 (#20 on my September list)
*12. Derrick Kennedy.214 3-14 (no ranking)
*13. Jenner Christensen .200 2-10 (no ranking)
14.  Nate Devine .192 5-36 (no ranking)
*15. Mike Hoadley .188 3-16 (no ranking)
16. Nick Mullins .167 4-24 (#10 on my September list)
*17.Kevin Castillo .167 3-18 (#17 on my September list)
18. Derrick Zechman .158 4-38 (#2 on my September list)
19. Lucas Goring  .097 3-31 (#7 on my September list)
20. Bobby Rostenhauser .111 4-18 (#19 on my September list)
*21. BJ Gullick .111 1-9 (#9 on my September list)
*22. Trevor Kelly .100 1-10 (#4 on my September list)
*23. Chris Heinline .100 1-10 (#16 on my September list)
24. Tan .042 1-24  (no ranking)
*Pan Am stats not applicable.

Terrance Hansen
Hansent11@juno.com

Here was my September rankings without stats:
Best American Player Update-Press Release 

Saturday, September 6, 2014
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
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