Prep Baseball Report

Freshman Free Showcase: Early Thoughts


Jerry Shank
Maryland / Virginia Director

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The Freshman Free Showcase was held on Monday, January 15 at Diamond Pro Facility in Glen Arm Maryland. Around 50 athletes from around the state came to perform in front of the PBR scouting staff. Earlier this week we released the statistics from the event highlighting top statistical performers in specific categories. Today we again look back at the event with our initial early thoughts from the event.

One of the top performances of the event goes to Middletown’s Zach Martin. This left handed hitting outfielder has a longer swing path at the plate, but showed a knack for making loud contact and getting plenty of barrel on the ball. Strong hands and fast bat speed with power potential. Showed gap-to-gap ability at the plate and still some areas to improve upon. Aready shows some strength at the plate with his exit velocity of 88 mph. Had a loose arm action from the outfield with arm speed and a velocity up to 84 mph from the outfield. Nice athleticism and stays on the balls of his feet, should continue to improve. Martin also showed two-way potential on the mound, getting up to 80 mph. A few adjustments to his delivery should get the velocity up rather quickly and he could easily continue to develop and improve there as well. An exciting prospect to follow.

McDonogh seems to be putting together some nice young talent to their roster which bodes well for the future. Today it was the LHP/1B/OF Evan Marcinko. A physical and durable 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame has a loose and whippy arm action that got up to 82 mph from the outfield. Still in January Marcinko did not pitch on the mound due to it was still early in the year, but wouldn’t be surprised with athleticism and body control he is comfortable there as well. He was comfortable around the bag at first base with good feet and clean actions. At the plate Marcinko shows free hands at the plate with some bat speed and extension in finish. Would not be surprised to see power develop to the gaps.

Riverdale Baptist looks to have another young future bright star on the way in 2021 Noah DeLuca. DeLuca showed off clean and smooth actions from the infield with soft hands and clean and quick exchange. Atheltic frame that will continue to grow, and active feet. At the plate, DeLuca hits from a slightly closed set up with a short swing path at the plate and uphill finish. Bat speed was present and DeLuca looks to turn himself into a nice middle infield prospect down the road.

Evan Truitt showed some two way potential but put on one of the more impressive bullpens this early in the year. Truitt showed tempo in his delivery while throwing from three quarter slot. Showed some feel for three pitches along with his youthful frame that has room to add on. He was up to 78 mph on the mound for this bullpen.

Brendan Purtell is an interesting catcher/outfield prospect at Bel Air HS. Showed an advanced catch and release from behind the plate with a pop time as low as 2.14. Had a longer swing path at the plate with nice bat speed and some extension through contact. Nice ability to get barrel on the ball and looks to be an interesting young prospect.

Christian Shertzer was a smooth actioned middle infield prospect with active feet in the infield who showed a clean and quick exchange  with his soft hands. At the plate showed a level path with quick hands, and room for development as a top of the order type hitter.

Quick Hits
Joshua Wilson is a solid middle infield prospect out at Bishop McNamara. Clean actions with sound fundamentals and some arm strength across the diamond. Short swing at the plate with quick wrists that sprayed around the cage during BP…Gabe Rosica has a nice skill set who should continue to develop as he adds strength to his wiry frame. The young talented showed quick twitch  during the workout all day...Zach Mittelman was an interesting prospect putting on a solid workout throughout the day and was very interesting at the plate…Noah Barrall showed off one of the stronger arms on the mound, getting up to 75 mph. He had a durable frame and showed some arm speed while pitching with regular effort…William Irwin was one to keep an eye on. Coming off a recent illness, there was some potential in his frame and arm speed during his bullpen session. Was up to 73 during this pen and showed more in the tank...Matt Cunningham was interesting on the mound with a fastball up to 74 and some whip in the arm. Only needs to add to his lanky frame and should see a nice climb.