Prep Baseball Report

Top 10 Most Viewed Profiles Of 2017


Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Editor in Chief

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The Buckeye State is filled with high-level baseball prospects throughout each corner of the state. The 2018 class has commitments all across the United States, from Vanderbilt to Miami to Kentucky to Missouri to Nebraska and many more colleges across the U.S. When looking at the 2018 rankings, you will see plenty of Ohio colleges littered throughout all of the commitments as well.

The 20192020 and 2021 classes are loaded and primed to make some big-time commitments to colleges all across the nation over the next few years. PBR Ohio is committed to bringing insightful information on big-time commitments as well as providing a spotlight on the top uncommitted prospects.

Ohio Insider: Top 10 Most Viewed Profiles Of 2017

After drilling down into our Google Analytics we have compiled a list of the 10 most visited Ohio profiles on the Prep Baseball Report website in 2017. Below you can see that the top 10 is a mix of some of the most talented prospects the Buckeye state has to offer within their respected classes. To view more articles as well as videos of the prospects, please click on the individual profile.

No. 1 Austin Becker RHP / SS / Big Walnut, OH / 2018

9/24/17 Scouting Report: Becker is the state’s most projectable prospect regardless of class and has positioned himself as one of the top prospects in the country. A very good athlete on the mound with a long-limbed, 6-foot-6 frame. Arm is noticeable loose, generating impressive arm speed. Fastball will sit in the low to mid-90s, topping out at 96 mph. With his frame and release point he creates good downhill action with a tough angle for opposing hitters. Fastball will show regular arm side action. Breaking ball has continued to progress over the past few years and is getting closer to the pitch’s ceiling. Looks to be a plus offering at times, displaying very sharp 11/5 actions with depth. Already a high follow for pro scouts and has potential to be an early round pick in the 2018 draft.

No. 2 Tyler Brown RHP / Olentangy Orange, OH / 2017

2/5/17 Scouting Report: Vanderbilt recruit. 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, proportionally strong, workhorse-type build with broad shoulders and developed lower half. Threw a light pen at the Super 60 - clearly not going anywhere near 100 percent - but showed enough to state that he is healthy, has done significant work with his physical development and, above all, he very well could emerge as one of the premier power right-handed arms in the country in the near future. Brown seemingly was playing a leisurely game of catch at 90-91 mph, touching 92. The ball comes out of the hand effortlessly, the full-windup delivery smooth and under control, low-effort. Working from a high-¾ slot with a clean, short arm circle in back, his hand is quick and athletic out front; utilizes his extremely strong lower-half well. Filled up the strike zone with heavy, late finish. He threw two types of changeups, including a cut-change at 77-79 that had late heavy finish. He also threw an 85-86 mph changeup with fastball arm action and sink down in the zone. Brown didn’t throw a breaking ball at the Super 60, but it can be a swing-and-miss offering in the future.

No. 3 Mackenzie Wainwright OF / Saint Edward, OH / 2020

8/2/17 Scouting Report: At 14 years old Wainwright is almost a full calendar year younger than most 2020s. The No. 1 ranked player in the class already has an impressive frame but is still far from his ceiling athletically. Looks comfortable and confident in the outfield. Moves with fluidity and plays through the baseball well. Arm is an above average tools for his class. At the plate he showed a rhythmic swing with an all fields approach. Line drive type guy who should grow into a regular power threat. Has the potential to grow into a 5-tool guy.

No. 4 Nicholas Northcut 3B / RHP / Mason, OH / 2018

2/12/17 Scouting Report: A strong frame at 6-foot-0, 200-pound. Northcut, a Vanderbilt recruit, has a low effort delivery as it looks like he is playing catch at 86-88 mph. He uses his fastball in a variety of ways, consistently going to a two-seam and a cutter - both of which show good movement. In addition, he showed feel for a breaking ball that should get outs at the next level. Northcut started off his day by tying the PBR Ohio record of 105 mph exit velocity (but, he did it using a wooden bat). In batting practice he repeatedly showed power potential, driving ball after ball with authority. The righty has a very fluid loading sequence and produces serious juice while remaining under control. He continues to show improve physique along with the arm strength (94 mph across the diamond) to play third base at the next level. It will be interesting how he is used once he gets to Vanderbilt’s campus as he has the skillset to make an impact on the mound, at the plate, or both.
60 Yard Dash: 7.3
IF Velocity: 94
Exit Velo (Wood Bat): 105

No. 5 Seth Lonsway LHP / 1B / Celina, OH / 2017

4/21/17 Scouting Report: Athletic 6-foot-2, 192-pound lefty is one of the most dominant arms in the 2017 class. I have seen Lonsway throw a handful of times, and the southpaw just gets better and better each outing. Facing the back-to-back state champion Defiance, Lonsway was dominant, allowing just two hits while striking out nine in a 1-0 shutout victory. The fastball sat 91-93, touching 94 mph a couple times, including once from the stretch. The southpaw settled in at 90-92 from the 3rd inning on. The fastball shows natural run to the arm-side. To go along with the 4-seamer, Seth has a 2-seam fastball that he was throwing with good movement at 84-86 mph. The offspeed offerings include a curveball and a slider. The curve, which can be seen at the 1:16 mark was 73-74 with good depth and 12/6 action. The slider, which can be seen at the 9-second mark, can be a filthy out-pitch for the smooth throwing lefty. Lonsway, an Ohio State commit, could be the top draft prospect for the Buckeye State and today he showed exactly why.

No. 6 Joey Velazquez OF / LHP / Desales, OH / 2019

2/19/17 Scouting Report: 6-foot, 200-pound prospect. Projects as a corner outfield type. Shows athleticism in his feet. Would like to see him more aggressive to the ball at times. Consistently plays the ball to the outside of his body. Small crow hop with clean transfer. Top velocity of 80 mph to his throws. Showed advanced natural tools from the left side. Velazquez produces impressive energy into contact with a series of well-timed movements in his swing. The type of guy that can do damage to both sides of the field. Ohio State is getting a good one.
60 Yard Dash: 6.96
Position Velocity: 80
Exit Velocity: 91

No. 7 Michael Kirian LHP / 1B / New Riegel, OH / 2017

2/12/17 Scouting Report: The Northwest Ohio product verballed to Louisville during his sophomore season. And, in between now and then, he has floated below the radar after suffering an ACL injury. But, that is not the case any longer. The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder looks the part of a big leaguer and his stuff isn’t far behind. He showed command of 90-93 mph fastball complemented by a sharp 76-77 mph breaking ball and an 82-83 mph changeup. Mechanically, he throws from a high ¾ arm slot with obvious quickness to his arm. There isn’t much effort to his delivery and he wasn’t forcing the velocity on this occasion. And, his velocity held at 90 mph out of the stretch. With a strong spring, he could position himself for an early round draft selection in June.

No. 8 Xavier Moore RHP / OF / Amherst Steele, OH / 2017

2/5/17 Scouting Report: Ohio State recruit. 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, wiry-athletic frame, long limbs, wider shoulders, plenty of room for physical development, high level of projection in frame. A quick-twitch athlete, Moore showed one of the more electric arms at the Super 60. Simple side step delivery, works from a high-¾ slot, high front side, ultra-quick arm at foot strike. Fastball sat 91-92 mph, slight arm-side finish with occasional sink. Aggressive with his slider, 80-83 mph, more lateral sweeping action. Also flashed a splitter at 79-81 mph with occasional sharp downer action. With his frame and athleticism, it’s easy to dream on more velocity in the coming years.

No. 9 Jack Frank OF / LHP / Strongsville, OH / 2019

7/26/16 Scouting Report: Has a chance to be special and is one of the top 2019 prospects we have run across so far. Tools across the board are advanced for his age. Gets his leg kick started early while staying fluid throughout his loading sequence. Bat speed in very impressive through the zone and path has some natural loft. Drove the ball with authority in batting practice and had the highest exit velocity of the event at 92 mph. Would have had three triples in the game if one of the balls he drove into the right-center gap didn’t end up being a ground rule double. Was equally as impressive with his outfield workout. Moves with fluidity and textbook footwork while approaching the ball. Showed feel for the position with the ability to attack the right hop. Plays through it nicely before showing off his 87 mph arm strength to home plate. Also worked off the mound where he showed pitchability and very clean arm action. Fastball was up to 78 mph and once he learns to use his lower half that number will go up quickly.

No. 10 Casey Maniglia OF / RHP / Solon, OH / 2018

2/12/17 Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 200-pound athletic frame. Maniglia, a UNC recruit, continues to standout for his raw tools. On the mound, the right-hander showed a mid to upper 80s fastball (we saw him higher last summer) and impressive off speed to go along with his 6.7 speed, 94 mph arm from the outfield, and mid 90s exit velocity.
60 Yard Dash: 6.71
OF Velocity: 94
Exit Velo (Wood Bat): 91