2016 NECBL Preview: Upper Valley Nighthawks

Former Laconia general manager Noah Crane has branched off to start the Nighthawks, an expansion team in Crane’s hometown of Hartford, Vermont. Crane’s reputation as one of the top GM’s in the league is well-deserved, as the 37-year-old former baseball player has built a well-stocked roster. His teams are always competitive, and this year should be no exception. The pitching staff has several intriguing prospects, and a lot of offensive potential in the lineup. The Muskrats were perennial contenders, so it'll be no surprise if Upper Valley has a strong inaugural season.

Notable

UNCW's Brian Mims had a breakout season this spring, earning nationwide recognition.

Sophomore Cullen Dana (Seton Hall) had an excellent freshman season, earning All-Big East Second Team honors. The hard-throwing left-hander made 12 starts for the Pirates, striking out 66 and allowing just 52 hits in 72 innings of work. He posted a 2.75 ERA and a minuscule 1.06 WHIP...Crane brought junior Brian Mims (UNCW) with him from Laconia, where he hit .303 last summer. He exploded this spring for the Seahawks, and is in the running for the Dick Howser Trophy, which is given to the top player in college baseball. Mims slashed .370/.443/.614 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 70 runs scored...Sophomore Walker Grisanti (Vanderbilt) earned kudos from coach Tim Corbin after launching a home run to lift the Commodores past Texas A&M in the SEC tournament. Grisanti only had 43 at-bats, but showed his talent by hitting .350 for Vanderbilt.

Pitchers
Cordes Baker - SO - USCL - Juco pitcher with 11.3 K/9 and a 3.56 ERA out of the bullpen
Mike Coss - JR - Marist - Second on team in appearances (21) with impressive 4.8 K/BB ratio
Cullen Dana - SO - Seton Hall - Made 12 starts with a 2.75 ERA while allowing just 6.5 hits per nine
Dakota Edwards - JR - Bridgeport - Had a 4.65 ERA, threw a no-hitter for North Adams last summer
Wes Engle - SO - Texas St - 10+ ERA over seven innings of work
Nick Jones - SR - Kansas St - Second on team in appearances (26) as a matchup reliever
Brian Lau - SR - St Josephs - Catcher/pitcher who had an ERA over 6 in 14 innings
Billy Layne - SO - Seton Hall - 37th round draft pick who didn’t pitch this spring
Joseph Levasseur - SR - St. Anselm - Made nine starts with a 2.1 K/BB ratio, 4.24 ERA over 57 innings
Bill Maier - SR - Iona - Strong reliever last year for Laconia, but had a 7+ ERA over 13 starts this spring
Luke Reilly - SR - La Salle - Power starter who made 12 starts with a 7.6 K/9 and 3.1 K/BB ratio.
Ryan Takacs - SO - Manhattan - Walked 31 in 33 innings, contributing to a shaky 9.62 ERA
Dylan Verdonk - SO - Seton Hall - Nine shutout innings this spring for the Pirates
Jarod Yoakam - JR - Cincinnati - Has made a team-high 49 appearances the last two years, but control issues

Catchers
James Morisano - JR - St. Louis - Hit .262 with six home runs, 19 RBIs, and 25 runs
AJ Walden - JR - Ala. Huntsville - Crushed 14 home runs, 12 doubles, and drove in 53 runs

Infielders
Sean Breen - SO - Iona - Aggressive hitter (.291) who struck out just 13 times in 175 at bats
Grayson Byrd - JR - Clemson - Transfer from LSU who sat out this spring, 39th round draft pick
Zach Canada - JR - UNCW - .303 average with 13 extra base hits and 28 RBIs
Charlie Concannon - SO - St Joseph’s - Piled up 19 doubles and 38 RBIs with a .282 average
Matt Maul - JR - St Joseph’s - Saw his batting average dip as a sophomore, but still hit .249 with five SB
Brian Mims - JR - UNCW - Talented second basemen in the running for the Dick Howser Trophy

Outfielders
Joey Denison - SR - Troy - Team-high .322 average with 14 doubles and seven stolen bases
Walker Grisanti - SO - Vanderbilt - Came off the bench for 43 at bats and hit .349/.481/.605
Alex Hanson - JR - St. Petersburg - Second on team with .370 average, team-best 37 stolen bases
Trent Leimkuehler - SR - St. Louis - Slugger who hit 13 doubles, 10 home runs and had a .502 SLG
Grayson Padgett - SO - Houston - Hit .300 in 20 at bats for the the Cougars