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Open ID Showcase Analysis: Middle Infielders

July 14, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania and West Virginia kicked into high gear in June with the PA Top Prospect Games (June 17-18), Shenandoah Valley College Prospect Showcase (June 23) and the PA Underclass Games (June 24-25) all offering college coaches a glimpse at some 175 prospects in a short period of time.

This past week two Open Identification Showcases were held with an additional 75 prospects demonstrating their abilities. We are in the process of analyzing the prospects that performed by position at both events. Today we take a look at the middle infielders in attendance.

PA Open ID SHowcases:
Middle Infielders


Top Prospects

Alex BendzlowiczAlex Bendzlowicz (Central Bucks South), 2017

Bendzlowicz is a 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore that showed well in all facets of the game. The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance with a waste high load point for his hands. His hands are extremely loose and work through the baseball well from the unorthodox starting area. Bendzlowicz repeatedly barreled the baseball with a flat swing path and showed the ability to hit line drives to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. He showed good feet (7.25 60-yard dash) and a soft glove hand while playing the through the baseball defensively. Bendzlowicz displayed developing arm strength of 79 mph across the diamond and the ability to make throws from several arm angles.

Joe CampagnaJoe Campagna (Blackhawk), 2015

Campagna took the top round of batting practice at the Western PA Open ID Showcase the ability to drive both gaps from a square stance. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitter flashed a bat exit velocity of 85 mph utilizing a strong lower half to create barrel whip. Campagna ran a 7.34 60-yard dash and displayed fluid actions defensively with a 76 mph arm across the diamond. He could potentially make the move to 3B or a corner outfield position with added work to develop additional arm strength. With his athleticism and ability to hit for average and to drive in runs a defensive home should not be an issue for Campagna at the next level.

Nico PopaNico Popa (Seton-La Salle Catholic), 2016

Popa flashed athletic actions in all facets of the game turning in the top 60-yard dash of the event at 6.72. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound junior showed fluid actions, a soft glove hand and the ability to make plays on the move defensively. His 80 mph arm across the diamond will allow him to remain on the left side of the infield at the next level and should continue to get stronger with maturity. The right-handed hitter displayed the ability to consistently barrel the baseball to all fields with a short, direct swing path from a square stance. Popa registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity and continually stayed inside the baseball during his round of batting practice.

 

Best of the Rest (alphabetical)

Brock Biggs (Meadville Area), 2015

Biggs is a 5-foot-8, 155-pound 2B/SS that ran a 7.47 60-yard dash and showcased a 73 mph arm across the diamond. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and displayed the ability to barrel the baseball frequently during his round of batting practice with a lift and replace stride foot. Biggs registered a 74 mph bat exit velocity and displayed the ability to hit to all fields.

Tyler Bruno (Parkland), 2016

Bruno ran a 7.08 and showcased an 80 mph arm across the diamond while displaying good feet and a quick release. The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and showed the ability to barrel the baseball consistently to the pull side with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound junior displayed quick hands on the inner half and the potential to be a top of the order hitter at the next level.

Brendan Burke (North Hills), 2016

Burke ran a 7.41 60-yard dash and displayed fluid actions defensively with a 72 mph arm across the diamond. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance with a high hands load. He barreled most baseballs during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph. The righty sat 78-79 with a high knee delivery and some arm side run to his fastball during his bullpen session. Burke also displayed a solid 65 mph curveball with two-plane action and a 74 mph changeup at fastball arm speed.

John Brittner (Seneca Valley), 2015

Brittner is a 5-foot-8, 165-pound right-handed hitter that showcased a short swing path from a square stance with no stride. The uncommitted senior barreled the baseball to all fields during a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 72 mph. Brittner ran a 7.02 60-yard dash and showed soft hands with an accurate 69 mph arm across the diamond.

Amedeo Citro (Pope John Paul II), 2016

Citro is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter that displayed good tempo to his swing from a square stance with a toe tap stride. The junior barreled the baseball consistently during a very solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. Citro ran a 7.25 60-yard dash and showcased a 70 mph arm across the diamond. He will need to continue to develop fluidity and arm strength defensively to get that portion of his skill set on par with his offense.

Jordan Dieffenbach (Morgantown, WV), 2014

Dieffenbach graduated a year early and was the only Class of 2014 prospect in attendance. The 5-foot-10, 145-pound middle infielder ran a 7.22 60-yard dash and showcased a 70 mph arm across the diamond. The right-handed hitter displayed the ability to barrel the baseball frequently from a high hands load. Dieffenbach utilized a toe tap stride and a flat swing path to wear out the middle of the infield with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph.

Kyle Hunt (Eisenhower), 2015

Hunt displayed the ability to make consistent hard contact to all fields from a square stance with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. The 6-foot, 170-pound uncommitted senior ran a 7.10 60-yard dash and showcased an 80 mph arm across the diamond. Hunt has good range and displayed the ability to make throws from several arm angles.

Kevin Jack (Indiana Area), 2015

Jack is a right-handed hitter that starts from a square stance with a lift and replace stride foot. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound uncommitted senior displayed a fluid swing from a high hands load, barreling the baseball routinely with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Jack will need to continue to work on playing through the baseball and building arm strength (77 mph) to stay on the left side of the infield at the next level. His 7.53 60-yard dash and projectable frame may lead to a move to a corner infield spot eventually.

Koby Kiefer (Bridgeport, WV), 2018

Kiefer was the lone participant from the Class of 2018 at the Western PA Open ID Showcase. The 5-foot-9, 145-pound middle infielder more than held his own offensively. Starting from a square stance with no stride, Kiefer displayed good hands and the ability to utilize all fields in a solid round of batting practice. The freshman consistently barreled the baseball to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. Kiefer ran a 7.28 60-yard dash and displayed a 60 mph arm across the diamond. He should see improved arm strength and more fluidity to his actions defensively as his body continues to mature.

Josh Kim (Council Rock South), 2017

Kim is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter that displayed good balance throughout his swing from an open stance with a leg lift load. The sophomore barreled the baseball routinely during a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Kim displayed fluid actions and the ability to play through the baseball with a 74 mph arm across the diamond defensively. He currently projects as a second baseman at the next level with a 7.59 60-yard dash, but could stay on the left side of the infield with additional work on his foot speed and the further development of his arm strength.

Jordan Kowalski (Knoch), 2015

Kowalski is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound 2B/SS that ran a 7.74 60-yard dash and displayed a 70 mph arm across the diamond. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a toe tap stride. Kowalski has a flat swing path through the hitting zone and demonstrated the ability to barrel the baseball frequently to all fields during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph.

Riley McLaughlin (Central Dauphin), 2015

McLaughlin ran a 6.87 60-yard dash and flashed fluid actions with a 79 mph arm across the diamond defensively. The uncommitted senior displayed the ability to play through the baseball and showed he could make plays throws from several arm slots. The right-handed hitter starts from a very open stance and strides to an overly closed finish. McLaughlin showcased a bat exit velocity of 78 mph and barreled the baseball routinely during his round of batting practice.

Zach Panian (South Park), 2016

Panian ran a 7.25 60 yard dash a showed fluid actions in the infield while playing the baseball on the move with a 74 mph arm across the diamond. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior hits from a slightly open stance with a lift and replace stride. Panian displayed quick hands and a short swing path with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. The righty sat 74-75 off the mound with some arm side run to his fastball. Panian also showed a 66 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 64 mph changeup at near fastball arm speed.

Anton Rearick (Elizabeth Forward), 2017

Rearick is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter that displayed the ability to barrel the most baseballs from a square stance. The sophomore showed the ability to use all fields with a bat exit velocity of 73 mph. Rearick showcased current 2B skills defensively with 68 mph arm across the diamond.

Kyle Rossi (Central Bucks South), 2016

Rossi is 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed hitter that starts from an open stance with a toe tap stride. The junior showcased an 82 mph bat exit velocity and developing pop in his bat. He barreled the baseball consistently during a solid round of batting practice, showing some gap power to the pull side. Rossi ran a 7.15 60-yard dash and displayed the ability to play through the baseball with a 79 mph arm across the diamond.

Tyler Rossi (Central Bucks South), 2016

The 6-foot, 170-pound junior ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and displayed a 77 mph arm across the diamond. Rossi hits from a slightly open right-handed stance and utilizes a line drive approach at the plate with a direct swing path to the ball. He showcased a bat exit velocity of 84 mph and the ability to barrel the baseball frequently during his round of batting practice.

Cole Shaffer (Indiana Area), 2016

Shaffer is a 5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter that starts from a square stance with a high hands load. The junior barreled the baseball routinely during a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Shaffer displayed a soft glove hand and fluid actions defensively with the ability to play through the baseball. He should see improvements in his 75 mph arm across the diamond and his foot speed (7.85 60-yard dash) as his athletic frame continues to fill out.

Matthew Silay (McDowell), 2016

Silay is a 5-foot-9, 145-pound junior that displayed a well-rounded skill set. The right-handed hitter, who ran a 7.21 60-yard dash, starts from an open stance and strides closed with good extension to his swing. Silay barreled the baseball consistently displaying the ability to use all fields with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. He showcased good feet and fluid actions defensively with a 71 mph arm across the diamond. His defensive actions will play on the left side of the diamond at the next level provide he continues to work to develop additional arm strength.

Derek Starner (Bermudian Springs), 2015

Starner is a 6-foot-3, 165-pound middle infielder that showcased the ability to play through the baseball with a 79 mph arm across the diamond. The uncommitted senior ran a 7.18 60-yard dash and displayed the ability to barrel the baseball frequently from a narrow, square stance during his round of batting practice. Starner utilizes a toe tap stride and registered an 81 mph bat exit velocity. The right-handed hitter displayed the potential for some gap power if he develops greater usage of his lower half in his swing mechanics.

Garrett Stevenson (Hempfield Area), 2016

Stevenson ran a 7.78 60-yard dash and showcased a 71 mph arm across the diamond. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior hits from a square stance with no stride and flashed a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. The right-handed hitter barreled the baseball often in his round of batting practice and displayed the ability to use all fields.


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