Prep Baseball Report

2019 Preseason All-State Showcase: Outfield Analysis


Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

The 2019 Preseason All-State Showcase took place February 16th and 17th at Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manhiem. Today we begin a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance beginning with a look at those players that participated as primary outfielders.

+ COMPLETE RESULTS for all prospects in attendance: DAY ONE  /  DAY TWO

Top Prospects

Bobby LaneBrandon GelpiDomenic Popa

Bobby Lane, Penn-Trafford HS, Class of 2020, OF
6-foot, 190-pound left-handed hitter has added 10 pounds of good weight to his frame over the past six months. The 2018 PBR Future Games Team Pennsylvania participant committed to Cincinnati this fall and continues to get better. He begins from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Shows above average rhythm and balance throughout while staying behind the baseball routinely. Took one of the loudest rounds of batting practice on the day continually driving the baseball with an ability to create backspin. Registered a 91 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.73 60-yard dash. Athletic defender plays through the baseball routinely with 83 mph arm strength.

Brandon Gelpi, Pittsburgh Central Catholic HS, Class of 2020, OF
Physical 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a controlled lift-and-replace stride. Showcased balance throughout with the ability to create backspin while consistently driving the middle of the field. Athletic defender routinely plays through the baseball with above average carry on throws of 88 mph. 6.88 runner, originally committed to Pittsburgh, but has reopened his college recruitment.

Domenic Popa, Seton-La Salle Catholic HS, Class of 2020, OF
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitter showcased the skill set that landed him a spot on the Team Pennsylvania roster for the 2019 PBR Future Games. He starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Displayed the ability to routinely stay inside the baseball while utilizing all fields with a handsy approach and a feel for the barrel. Registered a 91 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.65 60-yard dash. Athletic defender has the foot speed to remain in center field and showcased 84 mph arm strength.

Additional Outfielders (in alphabetical order)

Chris Andrews, Southern Lehigh HS, Class of 2020, OF
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. A basic, repeatable swing shows balance and an ability to square baseballs to all fields. Showcased an 80 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.81 60-yard dash. Showcased an ability to routinely play through the baseball defensively with accurate 83 mph arm strength.

Brandt Cook, Cedar Cliff HS, Class of 2021, OF
5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a knee-to-knee stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a flat barrel path through the zone with a line drive approach and a feel for the barrel. Registered a 79 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.96 60-yard dash. Showcased capable defensive actions with accurate 73 mph arm strength.

Ryan Davis, Malvern Prep, Class of 2022, OF
6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and hits out of a slight crouch. Utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing and creates backspin with a strong hip turn. Barreled the baseball consistently with a bat exit velocity of 90 mph. Ran a 7.30 60-yard dash and showcased athletic actions defensively with 81 mph arm strength. Physically advanced underclassmen will be a prospect to watch in this class.

Danny Estrada, Wilson West Lawn HS, Class of 2021, OF
5-foot-8, 175-pound left-handed hitter continued to impress with his barrel awareness and his efficient usage of his lower half. He starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a simple lift-and-replace stride to start. An explosive lower half allows him to drive baseballs repeatedly while using the middle of the field extremely well. Registered a 90 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.93 60-yard dash. Displays capable defensive actions with adequate 79 mph arm strength.

Josh Felter, William Penn Charter, Class of 2021, OF/LHP
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a leg lift stride. Showcased the ability to routinely stay behind the baseball with a line drive approach and a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Ran a 7.30 60-yard dash and displayed accurate 80 mph arm strength from the outfield. Lefty sat 74-75 off the mound out of a methodical, over-the-top throwing motion. Also showed a curveball with rolling 1/7 break at 58-60 and a changeup at 68-70 with small cut.

Phil Fox, Hempfield Area HS, Class of 2021, OF/RHP
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Showcased an above average feel for the barrel with an ability to utilize the full field. Registered a bat exit velocity of 87 mph and ran a 7.08 60-yard dash. Athletic defender plays through the baseball with regularity and showed advanced carry on throws of 90 mph from the outfield. Right-hander sat 79-82 on the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a low elbow at release. Utilizes an overhead rocker and a hip swivel in a repeatable delivery. Also displayed a curveball at 66-68 with tight 10/4 rotation and a changeup at 69-71 with good sell and some sink.

Drew Garth, North Hills HS, Class of 2021, OF
5-foot-10, 185-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Barrel position in his load leads to an arm bar and some length in his swing, but the potential to produce consistent hard contact is present in his physical frame. Registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.99 60-yard dash. Showed athletic defensive actions with above average carry on throws of 83 mph.

Zack Kramer, Cumberland Valley HS, Class of 2021, OF
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Showcased rhythm and balance to his swing with a solid feel for the barrel. Registered a 79 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.26 60-yard dash. Displayed athletic defensive actions while playing through the baseball with 75 mph arm strength.

Evan Lewis, Elizabeth Forward HS, Class of 2021, OF
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and starts his swing with a short lift-and-replace stride. Displayed a feel for the barrel with an 81 mph bat exit velocity. Showcased the ability to play through the baseball routinely defensively with accurate 77 mph arm strength and ran a 6.94 60-yard dash.

Nick Matson, Greater Nanticoke Area HS, Class of 2022, OF/LHP
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Displayed balance throughout with above average rhythm while consistently barreling baseballs to all fields with a line drive approach. Registered an 88 mph bat exit velocity while running a 6.99 60-yard dash. Two-way prospect showcased 82 mph arm strength from the outfield and sat 80-82 with a balanced, repeatable delivery on the mound. The left shows some arm speed from a high 3/4 arm slot while commanding a high spin rate curveball with 2/8 rotation at 67-70. Maintains his arm speed well on his changeup at 71-72.

Brian Menhardt, Wissahickon HS , Class of 2020, OF
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitter starts from an open stance & strides to even. Showcased a line drive approach with a flat barrel path through the hitting zone. Showed some barrel lag while using the full field. Registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Ran a 6.94 60-yard dash and showcased athletic actions defensively while routinely playing through the baseball with 79 mph arm strength.

Nate Mikulski, Freedom HS, Class of 2021, OF/RHP
6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Displayed some lower half drift, but manages to stay behind the baseball routinely with a feel for the barrel. Registered an 88 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.24 60-yard dash. Showcased the ability to play through the baseball defensively with 80 mph arm strength. The righty sat 75-80 off the mound with a deliberate delivery from an over-the-top arm slot. Curveball showed 10/4 rotation with bite and a feel for the zone at 68-71. Maintains arm speed well on his changeup at 72-74.

Brett Pitzer, Mohawk HS, Class of 2019, OF
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with an abbreviated leg-lift stride. Displayed balance and a feel for the barrel with a middle of the field approach. The Alderson-Broaddus recruit registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.29 60-yard dash. Showcased athletic actions defensively with 81 mph arm strength.

Nathan Polo, State College Area HS, Class of 2021, OF/RHP
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed her took one of the top rounds of batting practice on the day. He starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a knee-to-knee stride to initiate his swing. Demonstrated an above average feel for the barrel while staying long in the zone, routinely making hard contact with a bat exit velocity of 92 mph. Showed athletic actions defensively with 86 mph arm strength and ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. The righty sat 79-83 off the mound with a quick, repeatable arm action. Also showcased a curveball at 68-69 with 11/5 shape and stiff changeup at 77-78. Two-way prospect will be an interesting follow in this class.

Caleb Sturtevant, Cocalico HS, Class of 2022, OF
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Displayed a feel for the barrel with balance throughout and the ability to drive both gaps. Registered an 88 mph bat exit velocity and ran an impressive 6.67 60-yard dash. Athletic outfielder showcased advanced defensive abilities as a member of the Team Pennsylvania 14U roster at the 2018 PBR Junior Future Games. Routinely plays through the baseball and showed advanced 91 mph arm strength.

Josiah Wiggins, Pottstown HS, Class of 2020, OF
5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open, crouched stance and initiates his swing with a heel-raise stride. Stays inside the baseball routinely with middle, opposite field stroke. Displayed a line drive approach with an 81 mph bat exit velocity. Showcased the ability to play through the baseball with accurate 80 mph arm strength and ran a 6.89 60-yard dash.

UPCOMING ANALYSIS SCHEDULE 

  • 2.19.19  Complete results and top performers
  • 2.20.19  Outfield analysis
  • 2.21.19  Middle infield analysis
  • 2.22.19  Corner infield analysis
  • 2.23.19  Catcher analysis / "Rounding the Bases" - Day One Highlights
  • 2.24.19  Right-handed pitcher analysis
  • 2.25.19  Left-handed pitcher analysis
  •   3.2.19  "Rounding the Bases" - Day Two Highlights

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2019 Pennsylvania Junior Future Games Trials (Session One) PA 03/10 Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Pennsylvania Junior Future Games Trials (Session Two) PA 03/24 Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Western PA Top Prospect Games PA 06/11 Seton Hill University
2019 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games PA 06/18 Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 16U (PBR Limited Series) PA 06/29 Lebanon Valley College
2019 Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase PA 07/09 Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 17U (PBR Limited Series) PA 07/20 University of Scranton
2019 Western PA College Prospect Showcase PA 07/23 Historic Pullman Park (Butler, PA)
2019 Fall Kickoff Showcase PA 08/15 Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 17U (Fall Kickoff Showcase Tournament) PA 08/17 Millersville University