Prep Baseball Report

Eastern PA Top Prospect Games Analysis: Position Players (Class of 2017)



By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting

The Eastern PA Top Prospect Games brought 65 prospects to La Salle University for two days of game play and showcase activities on July 19 and 20. Over the course of the next week we will analyze each of the players that participated. Today we continue the process by reviewing position players in the Class of 2016. Players that participated as two-way prospects will be reviewed in a later article.

CATCHERS (CLASS OF 2017)

Arturo Figueroa, C/2B, Central Dauphin
5-foot-8, 170-pound switch-hitter displayed similar swing mechanics from both sides of the plate with an 85 mph bat exit velocity. True switch-hitter went 2-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in game action over two days. Advanced receiver behind the plate displayed quick feet and a clean transition on throws to 2B during defensive evaluations with average arm strength.

Matt Kephart, C, Lower Dauphin HS
5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short, controlled stride to initiate his swing. He displayed excellent tempo to his swing, with a short path to the hitting zone and an 84 mph bat exit velocity. Following the top round of BP at the event Kephart went on to go 3-for-6 in game action over two days. Flashed a top pop time of 2.09 on throws of 78 mph from the crouch during defensive evaluations.

Tyler Peters, C, Lancaster Catholic HS
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter showcased a 90 mph bat exit velocity from a narrow, square stance. Peters creates significant barrel whip from a high-hands load with a short stride and a solid lower half turn. Although he went hitless in six trips during game action, Peters barreled several balls including a flyout to center that traveled close to 400 feet. While he is still working on footwork, Peters displayed one of the stronger arms behind the plate in the state with 84 mph arm strength from the crouch.

Jordan Scott, C, Lancaster Catholic HS
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, slightly crouched stance and utilizes his swing with a short leg-lift stride. Displayed a solid feel for the barrel in batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Went 1-for-3 with a double on day two of the event while registering a 4.54 home-to-1B time. Showcased solid receiving and blocking skills defensively with accurate 71 mph from the crouch.

INFIELDERS (CLASS OF 2017)

Mitch Eck, MIF, Lancaster Catholic HS
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. His hands work through contact and he displayed the ability to use all fields during a very solid round of batting practice. Registered an 84 mph bat exit velocity and a 4.45 home-to-1B time. Flashed above average defensive skills with fluid actions, active feet and accurate 82 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Carson Gantz, MIF, Northampton Area HS
5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed hitter showcased top of the order abilities with above average foot speed (4.06 home-to-1B). Showcased a short swing from a slightly open stance and initiated his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Reached base in all five plate appearances over two days including two infield hits and two base on balls. Displayed active feet, good range and the ability to play through the baseball defensively with accurate 77 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Dillon Hippensteel, MIF, York Catholic HS
5-foot-8, 160-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square, slightly crouched stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Displayed a short swing path with a line drive approach during a solid round of BP. Registered a bat exit velocity of 82 mph and went 3-for-6 in game action over two days. Best suited defensively at second base, Hippensteel flashed fundamental fielding mechanics, the ability to get through the baseball and accurate 74 mph arm strength across the diamond. 

Brock Kauffman, SS/3B, Garden Spot HS
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter went 2-for-6 with two triples in game action over two days. Starts from a slightly open stance with a high hands load and initiates his swing with a short heel-raise stride. Exhibited some present power with a 90 mph bat exit velocity. Very fundamentally sound infielder displays ability to play multiples infield positions at the next level with a soft glove hand, athletic feet and accurate 84 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Ryan McSorley, MIF, Lansdale Catholic HS
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a narrow, slightly-open stance and showcased a less pronounced stride than in the past. Loose hands, increased strength and a noticeable effort to stay behind the baseball resulted in balls jumping off his barrel during batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph. Registered a solid 4.45 home-to-1B time from the right-handed box and flashed 84 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively. Displayed active feet and a soft glove hand while fielding the baseball outside his body at times.

Tommy Savastio, 1B/OF, Cedar Cliff HS
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter only participated on day one due to college visits scheduled for the final day of the event. Starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing from a deep load position with a short lift-and-replace stride. Creates solid barrel whip (88 mph bat exit velocity) with a strong lower half turn and his hands work well through contact, especially to the pull side.

OUTFIELDERS (CLASS OF 2017)

Dominic Bertone, C/OF, Garnet Valley HS
6-foot, 205-pound C/OF participated as an outfielder this event. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and uses a short leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Flashed a strong lower half and the ability to get through contact routinely during a strong round of batting practice. Registered top bat exit velocity of the event at 92 mph and went 2-for-6 with an inside-the-park home run during game action.

Jack Dougherty, RHP/OF, The Shipley School
5-foot-11, 165-pound primary pitcher did not throw in this event, but flashed 83 mph arm strength from the outfield with athletic actions. Right-handed hitter starts from a wide base with a deep, high-hands load. Short swing path with, solid lower half actions line leads to a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Displayed a solid feel for the barrel and the ability to drive both gaps during BP. Registered a 4.51 in-game home-to-1B time.

Colin Hartey, OF, Twin Valley HS
6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed hitter participated only on day one of the event. Athletic, physical lefty starts from a slightly open stand and uses a short stride to initiate his swing. Registered an 86 mph exit velocity and ran flashed a solid 4.42 home-to-1B time for a player his size.

Nick Krugh, OF, Seton-La Salle Catholic HS
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a short lift-and-replace stride. Good rhythm to swing, but late hands load leads to being late to the hitting zone at times. Went 2-for-6 with two stolen bases during game action over two days. Registered an 80 mph bat exit velocity and an in-game 4.47 home-to-1B time. Displayed capable defensive actions with accurate 81 mph arm strength from the outfield.


Christian Lutz, OF, Father Judge
6-foot, 200-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed solid lower half with good tempo to his swing and an ability to get to extension with regularity. Registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph and a solid 4.44 home-to-1B time. Showed capable defensive actions with accurate 83 mph arm strength to home plate.

Daniel Matranga, OF, Archmere Academy (DE)
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance with a high hands load. A flat barrel in his load leads to some length in his swing, but strong forearms and little wasted movement leads to some barrel whip. Flashed a 91 mph bat exit velocity and blasted a long home run to left field during day two game action. Displayed capable defensive actions with 80 mph arm strength and above average foot speed (4.31 home-to-1B).

Adam Overcash, OF, Cumberland Valley HS
5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride slightly. Hands work well through contact and displays some present power when on time to the hitting zone with an 85 mph bat exit velocity. Flashed accurate 84 mph arm strength from the outfield with and the ability to play through the baseball.

Jacoby Pate, OF, Susquehanna Township
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short leg-lift stride. Displayed a short swing path with a line drive approach and an 84 mph bat exit velocity. Above average runner registered an in-game 4.21 home-to-1B time and has run a 6.87 60-yard dash. Displayed athletic actions defensively with accurate 81 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Curtis Robison, OF, Northern York HS
Following up an impressive performance at the Big 26 Classic the 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitter went 4-for-6 with a double and a triple in game actions over two days. Starting from a slightly open stance he utlizes a short leg-lift stride to initiate a short swing. Displayed the ability to drive baseballs to all fields and the potential for additional power moving forward. Registered a 90 mph bat exit velocity and flashed 90 mph arm strength from the outfield. While he has average foot speed (7.05 60-yard dash) his routes and instincts should make him an above average defender at the next level.

FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance
 

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