LATEST PG SHOWCASE REPORT
2006 National Showcase
Evan Danieli is a 2007 right hand pitcher from Seton Hall Prep, residing in East Hanover, NJ. He is long and strong, but still with plenty of projection on his 6'8" 225 lb. frame. His legs are very long, not just because he is 6'8", they seem long even for someone his height. Danieli was one of the buzz names at PG National and was ranked #13 among PG National Top 85 pitchers, earning an invitation to the Aflac All-American Classic. He is one of two premium pitching prospects (Rick Porcello) at Seton Hall Prep, along with a premium position player, outfielder Steven Brooks. Danieli, Porcello, and Brooks were the first trio of high school teammates to be selected for that honor. Danieli has as much upside as any pitching prospect in the nation. He pitches from an over the top slot and has a loose arm. His arm stroke is pretty short on the back side and he has a good arm action, with good arm speed, unlike many young pitchers with his height and body mass. Most impressive was Danieli's ability to repeat his delivery. He got downhill so easily with all his stuff and it is not hard to dream of more stuff in the future. As it was, his fastball was up to 92 and sat 89-91 with little effort. It looks as though he is capable of throwing in the 94-96 range someday. Danieli's best pitch is his tight, deep, and big 71-77 mph 12/6ish curveball. He threw it for strikes in the bottom of the zone and showed exceptional feel for that pitch. He was able to pitch with it, changing velocity and either going into the zone or below bats. It is a legitimate out pitch that will only get better in time. Danieli still considerably projectable with very draftable present day stuff. There will be plenty of crosscheckers into New Jersey this spring and if he performs, this big young pitcher could go from a virtual unknown (until he was at PG National) into the top few rounds.