Summer League Updates

 

Liberty has just about put the finishing touches on the roster barring any last minute surprises.  The Flames added 3 impact starting caliber hitters/defenders to supplement a strong returning core.  On the pitching side of things Liberty added several arms that they thing will be impact arms.  Perhaps none bigger than Bradley Zayac who went 7 strong in the Regional Final for ECU against eventual runner-up ECU.  Liberty also really likes Jaxon Lucas the RHP from NC State who could factor in as a potential starter as well.  Pitt transfer LHP Matt Porter & Indiana RHP Ayden Decker-Petty complete the pitching staff additions.  Liberty has given itself a strong group to compete for the starting spots behind ace Ben Blair in Zayac & Lucas to pair with Potts, Harrington & Swink.  Liberty will most likely enter the year with just 3 LHP's on the roster.  

There are a couple other notes and changes including Seth Way entering the transfer portal.  He's a RFR RHP that the Flames flipped from VT.  Way will be coming off TJ surgery and will likely miss a good chunk of next season.   Levi Brown has decided to medically retire after sustaining another injury.  He was another promising RFR infielder that had just been unable to avoid the injury bug.  Lastly, I would not expect Dylan Mathiesen back on the active roster for 2026.  I haven't been able to confirm but I believe the injury that prematurely ended his season had crept back up.  Sounds like he's still on the draft radar from Scouts in the area.  Jack Degroat was drafted fairly high from LU back several years ago right after TJ surgery as was Garrett Horn.  He very well could still hear his name called next week.  

Cape Cod League

Tanner Marsh - Marsh has 30 plate appearances for Harwich and is hitting .333 with 6 walks.  I was able to spend some time with Tanner at one of the final Flames Diamond Collective events before NIL rolls in house and I can't say enough good things about him.  He was engaging and stayed the entire time has really matured.  Flames Nation should be very proud of that  young man.  It's good to see him having success up on the Cape as well.  The second half of the season Tanner was darn near perfect at SS defensively.  Really looking forward to watching  him next year.  

Josh Swink - Swink is also coming off a strong second half out of the bullpen for the Flames.  He's pitching for famed Chatham up on the Cape.  He's got a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 IP and a 1.17 WHIP to go along with 8.7 S09.  I heard from a scout that he is really beginning to put his name on the radar for the 2026 draft.  If he can add just a little more velocity he's going to have a shot at being a fairly high draft pick.  Swink is one of those guy's that the ball just moves a ton naturally.  

Tyler August - August quickly became one of my favorite players to watch for Liberty in his first year after transferring in from Delaware.  August had a 10+ ERA in over 46 IP and seemed to have real control issues.  Coach See did a great job with Tyler and he always had a big time arm that was up to 98 MPH in game.  He was also one of the more fiery competitors the Flames have had on the mound in some time.  August is also one of those kid's that just loves Liberty and is constantly recruiting for the Flames.  He's pitching for Hyannis and has a 5.79 ERA in 9 1/3 IP to go along with a 1.83 WHIP and a whopping 10.9 SO9.  This is great experience for August and I fully expect him to be in the mix for the closer role for the 2026 Flames.  

Cooper Harrington - Coop is also pitching for Harwich where he's teammates with Tanner Marsh.  Harrington has a 0.00 ERA in 5 2/3 IP to go along with a 1.23 WHIP and 7.0 K/9.  Good stuff from the young Flames righty in his 4 appearances.  This is another big step in the maturation process for the young Flames righty.  I wouldn't be shocked at all if he found his way into 1 of those remaining rotational spots.  

Ben Blair - Blair was slated to pitch on the Cape as well but he's taking the Summer off to rest up for the Flames.  Nothing else to prove for Ben.  He's squarely in the upper rounds of the MLB 2026 Draft radar.  

The Rest

Nick Barone - Barone is playing for Upper Valley in the NECL.  He's gotten just 5 PA's so far and is 0 for 5.  He just recently returned from the hamstring injury and will get regular AB's the rest of the way.  Barone broke out in a big way for the Flames and will be back in the middle of the Flames order next year.  

Landon Scilley - Scilley has been resting up as well before joining Martha's Vineyard.  He's 1 for 5 with a SB so far.  Scilley was really dinged up to end the year which was part of the reason he was playing 2B as he wasn't able to complete the throw across the diamond.  He's so versatile that he could factor in at 3B, 2B or even OF for Liberty in 2026 depending on how things shake out.  I really liked him as a 3B from what I saw.  His build and reactions just look like a 3B.  

Charlie Brinkman - Brinkman has logged 59 AB's for Metro South County in the CRCL and is hitting .339 with 10 RBI's.  He has a .850 OPS and .409 OBP. He has logged 6 errors behind the plate which is something to continue to work on for the Flames promising young catcher.  

Brandon Dahlman - Dahlman missed the 2025 season due to injury but he's back in the COPL pitching for Peninsula.  He's made 8 appearances and has a 5.79 ERA in 9 1/3 IP with a 1.50 WHIP.  It will be interesting to see where Dahlman fits in with the 2026 Flames.  He's always been one of those high spin rate guys.  If he can add a tick or 2 to the Fastball he may be able to get in the mix for a pen spot.  

Incoming Transfers

Jordan Jaffe - Jaffe the corner IF from Richmond was playing for Harrisonburg in the Valley League.  He hit .235 in 17 AB's before getting called up to Harwich in the Cape as well with Marsh & Harrington.  He's hitless in 15 AB's so far.  Call me crazy but I wouldn't be worried one bit about Jaffe.  This kid has flat out raked for 3 years at Richmond to something like .340 10 HR's 45 RBI's per year.  

Kyle Hvidsten - Hvidsten is playing for Bismarck up in the Northwoods league.  He's hitting .304 with 1 HR and 14 RBI's in 56 AB's to go along with a .571 OBP (19 BB's) and 1.018 OPS.  This guy just flat out knows how to handle the bat.  I'm really excited to see him behind the plate and in the Flames lineup next year.  Those are just stupid numbers in a really solid league that the Flames haven't had a whole lot of players compete in over the years.  

Ayden Decker-Petty - The Hoosiers transfer is pitching for Keene in the NECL.  He's got a 3.86 ERA in 11 2/3 IP to go along with a 1.37 WHIP & whopping 11.6 SO/9.  Decker-Petty looks to be a strong pickup that could factor into the back end of the bullpen.  I believe his best days are ahead of him. 

Note: Personally, I've followed the program for about 24 years and I don't ever recall a time when the Flames have had this many players on the Cape.  There are currently 5 Flames active and Ben Blair & Dylan Mathiesen would have been which would have made 7.  I think that can be taken as a clear sign that stock is up in a big way in the program.  Further, 64 Analytics has the Flames with a top 15 Transfer class which is no small feat.  Several other key Flames are taking the summer off to lift and get stronger like Jaxon Sorenson.  So no need to worry there for the Flames.