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The Underclass Preview Showcase was held on Sunday, February 19 at Diamond Pros Baseball in Glen Arm, MD. The event featured some of the top players from across the state. We began the evaluation process with our Stats Story and Early Thoughts earlier. Now we move on to the player evaluation process. A highly talented group across the board was on hand.

Top Performer

Keith Griffin C St. Vincent Pallotti 2018
Athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Ran a 1.76 10 yard split with a 5.19 40 yard dash. Hits from a balanced slightly open set up. Weight back load with leg lift and balance. Shorter swing path with some extension through contact and quick bat speed. Shows some pull side power potential. Exit velocity of 86 mph. clean and quick footwork and exchange from behind the plate. Sticks ball well from behind. Like to see quiet down a bit more receiving. Catcher velocity of 75 mph and pop ranged from 2.05 – 2.16.

Best of the Rest
(In Alphabetical Order)

Parker Harris C Indian Creek 2020
Projectable athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Ran a 1.81 10 yard split with a 5.37 40 yard dash. Hits from an open setup. Short load to hitting position. Short uphill bat path with average bat speed. Shows balance throughout. Exit velocity of 67 mph. Quick footwork and exchange from behind the plate. Quiet receiver with nice target for pitchers. Velocity of 66 from behind plate with a pop time that ranged from 2.25 – 2.40. Like to see continue to add to frame and get stronger. Interesting young player to keep an eye on.

Jackson Horton C Walt Whitman 2020
1.93 10 yard split with a 5.75 40 yard dash. Hits from a square set up with high hands. Short rock back load. Shorter swing path with quick hands and uphill finish. Could get lower half involved more. Exit velocity of 68 mph. Sound footwork and exchange on throws to second. Shorter arm action. Sound hands behind the plate, sticks the ball well. Velocity of 64 from behind the plate with a pop time that ranged from 2.28 – 2.41. Solid foundation in the player, needs to add strength to his frame as he develops.

Calen Kampes C Rising Sun 2020
1.97 10 yard split with a 5.41 40 yard dash. Hits from a wider set up. Pre-loaded with short step forward to hitting position. Shorter, level swing path with some extension through contact. Nice balance throughout swing, get some lower half involvement. Could get better rhythm throughout. Shows some power potential with an exit velocity of 81 mph for a 2020 grad. Wide solid base with flat back behind on throws. Solid footwork from behind the dish with quick exchange. Velocity of 68 mph from behind the plate with a pop that ranged from 2.25 – 2.31.

Christian Pierson C Delmar 2019
1.75 10 yard split with a 5.27 40 yard dash. Hits from a taller, open, pre loaded set up. Leg lift to square in hitting position. Shorter swing path with some extension through contact. Some bat speed, stays inside ball well. Power potential at the plate. Exit velocity of 82 mph. Athletic set up on throws. Quick feet and exchange from behind the dish. Short arm action and gets rid of ball quickly. Throws from behind the plate were up to 72 mph with a pop range of 2.09 – 2.25.

Stelio Stakias C John Carroll
Strong projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 188-pounds. 10 yard split of 1.81 with a 5.32 40 yard dash. Hits from an athletic open set up. Shorter load back with leg lift, squaring up to hitting position. Closes off at times at foot strike. Shorter swing path in and out of the zone with uphill finish. Power potential at the plate, would like to see little more extension through contact. Exit velocity of 81 mph. Quick footwork with sound exchange on pop times. Throws from behind the plate got up to 76 mph with a pop range of 2.1-2.28.

Dominic Velazquez C Dover (DE) 2020
Solid frame at 5-foot-10, 156-pounds. 10 yard split of 1.79 with a 40 yard time of 5.41. Hits from a square set up. Smooth, shorter load with slight arm bar to hitting position and knee turn in leg kick. Direct swing path to the ball with quick hands. Exit velocity of 78 mph. Solid footwork from behind the dish, clean exchange on throws with short arm action. Quiet receiver, nice hip control. Throws from behind the plate up to 74 mph with a pop time ranged from 2.07 – 2.15. Solid young prospect from the 2020 class and one to keep an eye on.