03/26/2023 - National Showcase - Manalapan, NJ
Zach is a C who will graduate in 2024. Medium frame athletic build with strength present. At C, he showed an easy sit with quick/fluid feet and a firm wrist. Quick/athletic actions as he gains ground to second base. Works thumb under baseball keeping balls in the strike zone. Showed a clean transfer, with a short/quick arm stroke, and a high 3/4 release point and arm velocity up to 75mph and a best pop time of 2.11 seconds. At the plate, he hits from an athletic and even stance. A flat barrel path, with a good rear hip coil, and he hits into a firm front side. Hit line drives to all fields with a bat exit velocity up to 80mph during BP. Another year of growth and development should provide Zach with opportunities to play at the next level.
10/04/2020 - National Evaluation and Tryout - Trenton, NJ
Mornell continues to work hard and progress on the diamond. Defensively, he has active footwork and is aggressive to come and get the GB. Hands are presented out in front as he tracks the ball into a soft mitt. He gathers well and stays directional toward 1B. As a hitter, he displays an open stance with rhythm to load. Swing is simple/repeatable to and through the zone as he connects and hits line-drives. Even more power is there as he works to engage and drive his lower 1/2. This 2024 grad has a solid skill-set with upside and still a lot of time to develop.
09/19/2020 - Fall Pro Training Experience - NJ (HS)
Zachary continues to shine on the diamond. Behind the dish, he presents a soft/sure mitt showing great pocket awareness sticking pitches. He utilizes his body well through the blocking process but needs to work to get body down sooner. Pop times have improved as he threw his lowest time to date at 2.39. Times will continue to drop as he builds more arm strength through a long toss program. At the plate, shows an open setup. Hands are quick and work through an aggressive swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. Power will increase as he utilizes his lower half more efficiently.
12/27/2019 - Baseball Factory Winter Classic (Ages 12-14)
Zachary is a coachable C/RHP prospect who worked hard on his skills during the Winter Classic. Behind the plate, Zachary presents a good target to the pitcher and tracks the ball into his glove. He makes a quick exchange and gains momentum well on his throws, keeping them on the 2B bag. He moves on time to block and covers up well. Sitting in a more athletic stance can help Zachary improve defensively. At the plate, this RHH sets up in a square stance with comfortable hands. He gets his hands activated in his load and drives through well with his lower half. He takes a level swing with decent bat speed, leading to consistent contact to his pull side. Zachary can improve as a hitter by working a smoother rhythm into his load. On the mound, Zachary is controlled gathering to his balance point and separates his hands on time. He works with a clean arm and stays inline towards the plate, finishing square to his target. Zachary shows a three pitch mix with his fastball topping out at 70mph. Breaking ball sits from 56-57mph with 11-5 break. Changeup sits from 60-61mph. Extending through his release can help Zachary improve as a pitcher. With four more years to develop, Zachary has the time and potential to further progress his skills on the field.
10/06/2019 - Interactive Video Program - Trenton, NJ
Zach is a thin, athletic, 2-way player who catches and pitches. Behind the plate, Zach has active feet, a presentable glove, and he centers it properly. He moves athletically, recovers quickly, and shows a consistent/accurate arm to 2nd base. On the mound, Zach has a clean arm circle, good balance, and he lands with good direction toward home plate. His FB touches 63 MPH, and he is around the zone with his pitches. Offensively, Zach has a tall/open stance, a short/square stride, and good balance. He has fast bat speed, he swings on plane, and he uses his lower body. Overall abilities can improve if Zach can work on the following.
Catching
1. Blocking
2. Release
Pitching
1. Landing
2. Finish
Offense
1. Shorten swing
2. Let ball travel