Prep Baseball Report

Scouting Notes: Top Uncommitted Prospects from the PBR Team Showcase at Baldwin Wallace/Oberlin/Walsh


Jordan Chiero and PBR Ohio Staff
PBR Ohio Director of Scouting

Follow @PBR Ohio 

Every fall weekend means complete coverage and updates on uncommitted prospects in attendance.

Updates on known prospects.

Reports on new players hitting our radar.

No matter the circumstance - uncommitted senior or underclassmen, we’ve got you covered with video and notes.

PBR Ohio hosted and scouted games this weekend at the 2018 Fall Team Showcase at Oberlin, Baldwin Wallace, and Walsh University.

Participating teams included Ohio Elite (Sanders), Ohio Elite (Ratcliff), Lake Erie Warhawks Navy, Lake Erie Warhawks (Carolina), JJ's Car Wash, Force Ohio, and Team PBR.

Take a look at write-ups on 30 of the top performers from last weekend at our team event in Northern Ohio.

Along with this, please take a look at a few other articles recapping the weekend, including: 

Scouting Notes: PBR Team Showcase at Baldwin Wallace/Oberlin/Walsh - Top Uncommitted Prospects

Force Ohio

Cade Riley 3B / OF / North Ridgeville, OH / 2019

A quality unsigned senior left on the board. Riley stands out right away for his athleticism, offering an impressive combination of strength and speed. Got him at a 4.13 down the line and seeing him move in the outfield I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s a 6.6 type runner. As a defender he has the look of a CF/LF type but didn’t get a great look at arm in game. At the plate he has a fast bat and heavy hands through contact. Had multiple singles, a triple, and three run bomb in game. Colleges in need of a ‘19 outfielder should take a look here.

Joshua Qualls SS / 2B / Amherst Steele, OH / 2021

A smooth as it gets in the infield. Actions are as athletic as any we’ve seen in that class. Ball skills are well above average and he can make plays with ease on the move. Really talented defender. At the plate he has an efficient swing with feel for contact. Table setter type with bat speed in there. His glove will get him on the radar of schools now with the ability to turn into a real prospect if he can get more physical over the next few years. It’s worth noting he was up to 80 mph on the bump with a very efficient delivery and clean arm. Likely makes his money as a position player but don’t be shocked if he’s a high velo guy down the road as well.

Malakai Roberts 2B / RHP / Lebrae, OH / 2020

It was our first time seeing Roberts and there is a lot to like. Obvious athleticism in the box with fluid, well timed movements prior to launch from the right side. Hand speed is advanced through the zone with some strength at contact. Finds the barrel often and flashed authority to pull side. High follow as he looks far from his ceiling physically. Could be a beast offensively as he starts to get in the weight room. Limited viewing with the glove but actions looked smooth in between innings. Also was up to 81 mph off the bump.

Lake Erie Warhawks Navy

Josh Romans SS / RHP / Jackson, OH / 2020

Nothing flashy but a well-rounded ball player. Could see him at all three skill position in the infield where he would bring an average to above average skill set. Offensively he continues to get better each time we’ve seen him, especially with physicality. Ball was jumping off the bat on this day, especially on a base clearing triple in game 1. A scholarship level prospect that should find himself on a D1 roster.

Jack Hlavin 1B / OF / Westlake, OH / 2020

This was our first time seeing Hlavin and he really impressed at the plate. Stands out for physical frame at 6-foot-4 with obvious strength. Had a quiet first game but really turned it on in game 2. Made hard contact in three at bats with two hits, highlighted by a laser off the right center wall. Ball looks different off his bat.

Carsten Betson C / 2B / Hillsdale, OH / 2020

Simple, yet efficient swing that creates energy with little movement. Barrel/body can accelerate early with quick hands through the zone. This is his 3rd line drive of the day, scoring 2 for Lake Erie. 1.9-1.93 pop at TPG as well. Made hard contact all day.

Brendan Holley 1B / 3B / Elyria Catholic, OH / 2020

Physical bat with heavy hands through the zone. Gap pop now with a chance to grow into a legit power threat once he twitches up. Had a three hit game on Day 1, highlighted by a mashed double to pull side.

Isaiah Seidel RHP / SS / South Central, OH / 2020

Strike thrower with a loose/fast arm. FB shows regular arm side action. Both secondary offerings are playable. Definite follow for class. Could see him being an 85-87 mph arm this spring.
FB: 81-83
CH: 74-75
CB: 62-63

Lake Erie Warhawks Carolina

Sam LaGuardia RHP / 1B / St. Ignatius, OH / 2019

Physical presence on the mound with stuff that plays at the next level. Tosses a higher RPM fastball that plays heavier than 79-82 mph velocity would indicate. Breaking ball was playable but has room to sharpen up. Changeup was the more developed of the two secondary offerings on the day, displaying late fade while maintaining arm speed. Small school follow.

Clay Rainey 2B / SS / North Olmsted, OH / 2019

Stood out for a talented Warhawk team. Good athlete that looks to be able to play multiple spots in the infield. Athletic actions in the box with feel for contact and gap pop to both sides of the field. Solid, well-rounded player. Quality unsigned senior that would be a very nice fit at the D2 level.

Michael Lesiecki LHP / 1B / Claymont, OH / 2020

The southpaw passes the look test on the mound at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Velocity hung around the upper 70s with more on its way.  Filled up the zone in his outing. A guy to have on the radar that isn’t there yet but has a high ceiling.

Team PBR

Teddy Eyink RHP / 1B / St. Ignatius, OH / 2020

Physical kid with impressive arm talent. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander ran that fastball up to 87 mph, consistently sitting in that 83-85 mph range. A bit erratic with command at times but that fastball is heavy. Secondary offerings have room to grow but are playable. Older brother Jackson was a 90+ arm out of Ignatius last year and is now on the Cincinnati Bearcats rosters.

Jacob Caruso C / RHP / Rootstown, OH / 2019

The more we see Jacob the more he impresses. Had a very strong summer during the showcase circuit and has carried over that momentum into the start of fall. Like the swing, showing easy gap pop with high level barrel accuracy from the right side. Where he stands out most is behind the dish. High motor type with the intangibles you are looking for back there. Can receive/catch and throw at an above average clip as well. A smaller school prospect that could be an early impact guy at the right fit.

Cole Zak OF / LHP / Mayfield, OH / 2020

Smooth swinging lefty who continues to make small progressions physically each time we see him. Knows the strike zone and has a ton of feel for the barrel when he pulls the trigger. Still classifies as a bit more of a line drive threat than a gap guy but you’re starting to see more gap abilities come out each time we see him. Should have regular gap pop before it’s all said and done while projecting to be a high average type at the next level.

Corey Stofko SS / 2B / St. Edward, OH / 2020

Another well-rounded player for Team PBR. A righty swinger with feel in the box. Frame would suggest top of the lineup bat but he has sneaky pop in there as he showed by driving a triple to the wall. Pick it well in the infield, looking comfortable up the middle. Time will tell which side of the field he ends up on but looks to have a skillset that will play up the middle.

Jarrett Orbin SS / RHP / Springfield Local, OH / 2019

The type of prospect that really benefits/skill set shows in game action. Does the little things well and plays the game the right way. Handles the bat nicely from the right side, recording multiple hits in game. A smooth defender with reliable hands and quick feet.

Luke Borer SS / RHP / Perrysburg, OH / 2020

Brings obvious athleticism to the bump with a clean/fast arm. Drop/drive type guy that gets down the mound well. Sat 81-84 mph. Jump in velocity could be coming based on the athleticism and looseness. Also spins a tight, 11/5 shaped breaking ball that is a well above average offering at 67-71 mph.

Ohio Elite Sanders

Stanley Kaczmar C / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2020

Continues to stand out behind the dish. Checks all the boxes back there defensively and handles the staff incredibly well. Threw out multiple runners and had his blocking on high display in game 1. At the plate he has a line drive approach from the left side. Stays inside the baseball well, working mostly to centerfield/opposite field gap.

Henry Kaczmar SS / C / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2022

Henry continues to grow on me each time I see him. Very smooth, instinctual defender with advanced ball skills up the middle. Impressive combination of physical/mental ability at the plate from the left side. Knows the zone well, rarely expanding and has the ability to do damage when he pulls the trigger. Line drive swinger now that should grow into regular gap abilities as he matures. Stood out for Team Ohio in Indy as well.

Benny Roebuck RHP / Bryan, OH / 2020

A top 20 overall player in the ‘20 class that has been a highly talked about name for college scouts. Very clean delivery in general with all the signs of more velocity to come. He was a bit down velo wise on this day (Attended a college camp the day before) but we’ve seen him in the mid to upper 80s multiple times this summer. Once again showed the ability to fill up the zone with secondary offerings as well.

Brock Belsole RHP / SS / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2020

Ton of feel and pitchability on the bump. Velo isn’t there yet but shows signs of more to come. Fills up the zone with his fastball breaking ball combination. Really spins the breaker well, with late downward bite. Sleeper prospect in 2020 class.
FB: 79-82
CB: 65-68

Ohio Elite Ratcliff

Jack Sokol RHP / 3B / New Albany, OH / 2020

The top mound performer from Team Ohio at the Future Games continues to build on strong summer. Solid performance in his second outing of the weekend. Filled up the zone with the heater and will show the breaking ball in any count. One of, if not the top uncommitted arms in the state’s ‘20 class.
FB: 83-86
CB: 71-73

Evan Wolf OF / RHP / Gahanna Lincoln, OH / 2020

Talented player. Good athlete w/defensive versatility. Likely calls the OF home at the next level but had an impressive day at SS today. Fluid swinger with a fast bat and strong hands. Gap pop. Hit all weekend, showing the ability to use all fields and turn on the ball with authority. High follow in ‘20 class.

Brennan Rowe SS / RHP / Olentangy Liberty, OH / 2020

Hit tool was on display again, as we grown to expect from him. Lower half is fluid, creating both regular balance and timing. Hands really work, through load and into launch. Barrel accelerates early and turns behind him, giving him a large margin for error with finding the barrel with well above average natural tools through the zone. Generates gap pop and you can start to see some emerging power in there.

Kevin Fee RHP / 1B / New Albany, OH / 2020

Really like what I see so far. Physical presence on the mound that fills it up with quality stuff. Will change arm angles on the fastball. Velo has reportedly been higher and I can definitely see that. Although future looks to be brighter on the bump, Fee also handled the bat very well. Found three barrels against the Warhawks,driving multiple doubles. High follow in ‘20 class.
FB: 81-84
CB: 72-73, 11/5 hard bite
CH: 74-75, run/sink

Ryan Stahl 2B / RHP / Centerville, OH / 2020

Very solid, cerebral player. Smooth swinger with more pop than frame would indicate. Found the barrel often throughout the weekend, showing a top of the lineup skill set.  Impressive on the bases w/+ instincts, constantly looking to move up. Limited viewing at second base but actions look the part.

Simon Brown RHP / 1B / Butler Area, PA / 2020

Physical, 6-foot-4 frame. Arm works well and ball comes out without much effort. Fastball works downhill and breaking ball is playable. Delivery has some moving parts but that’s to be expected of a prospect that young with length. Once he puts all the moving pieces together there is almost certainly more velocity in there. Definite follow out of the state of Pennsylvania.
FB: 81-83, downhill/heavy
CB: 68-71, 11/5

JJ's Car Wash

Tyler Pettorini SS / 3B / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2021

Has a chance to be special offensively. Swings it from the left side with electric bat speed at times. Barrel explodes through the ball with authority, generating some of the louder pop we’ve seen in his class. Time will tell where he ends up defensively but that bat with get him on the radar of D1 schools sooner than later.

Jack Fecko LHP / OF / Aurora, OH / 2021

High follow in 2021 class. Very projectable frame at 6-foot-3 with long limbs and high waist. Wouldn’t be shocked if he’s 6-foot-5 or taller before it’s all said and done. Delivery has some moving parts (as with just about every prospect that young with that length), but ball comes out well. Fastball was up to 81 mph on this day and that number will be much higher as he grows into frame.

Jake Johnson SS / RHP / Medina, OH / 2021

Well-rounded ball player that looked the part at the plate. Smooth swinger from the right side with a balanced offering of strength/speed to hands. Impressive feel for contact, making consistent hard contact in game. Defensively, he has a middle skill set. Glove skills are there and feet work well. Not a flashy defender but very sure-handed.