Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2014 Analysis: Eastern PA Open ID Showcase (Session 1)



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The Class of 2014 showed well at the Eastern PA Open ID Showcase on January 13 in Palmyra, PA. While there were several strong performances by position players, pitchers definitely stepped to the head of this class. A complete analysis of the prospects in this class who were in attendance follows.

ScheffeyJohn Scheffey, LHP, LaSalle College HS, Class of 2014
Scheffey had one of the more memorable bullpen sessions that we have seen since PBR Pennsylvania's inception in April 2012. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound lefty filled up the strike zone with everything at the knees, throwing one ball in the entire session. While his velocity was not off the charts, his location and movement on all four pitches was impressive. Scheffey sat 74-76 with his fastball out of a 3/4 arm slot. The pitch has significant arm side run and comes out of the hand free and easy. Scheffey commands a 64 mph curveball that has a dramatic sweeping action as well as a 70 mph slider that has a tight, late break. His 70 mph changeup shows late downward action and arm side run. Scheffey throws all four pitches with the same rhythm, arm speed and arm angle. He has the kind of stuff that will be effective in getting out both right-handed and left-handed hitters at the next level.

MuscovitchStephen Muscovitch, RHP/1B, Owen J. Roberts HS, Class of 2014
Muscovitch has a projectable power pitcher's frame and the ball jumps out of his hand. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound right-hander sat 82-84 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Muscovitch also commanded a 71 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 74 mph circle changeup that has splitter type action at the plate. Muscovitch is in the initial stages of his off-season throwing program and is likely to show an additional 2-3 mph on his fastball later in the winter and into the spring.


Zach Newmyer, RHP/3B, Red Land HS, Class of 2014

Newmyer had an impressive day in nearly every facet of the game. He showcased improvements in nearly every statistical category and showed signs that he has additional gains in store. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect showed soft hands and improving arm strength on throws of 78 mph across the diamond. He had a very solid round of batting practice utilizing an 82 mph bat exit velocity to drive the baseball consistently. He really impressed in his bullpen session. Newmyer commanded three pitches and showed a greatly improved fastball that sat 80-82 mph with late life and arm side run. Newmyer also commanded his 68 mph curveball and 72 mph changeup from a 3/4 arm slot. Newmyer has shown a 5-6 mph spike in velocity since we first saw him in June and shows indications that he has an upper 80's fastball in his future.

Brandyn Smith, C/OF, Cedar Cliff HS, Class of 2014
Smith showcased very well in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect was the top catcher at the event. He showed decent foot speed running a 7.37 60-yard dash. Defensively, Smith showed solid receiving and blocking skills and pop times of 2.04-2.10 on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch. Smith showcased an 83 mph bat exit speed and power potential. He used a strong lower half to drive baseballs to the pull side consistently.

Riley Mihalik, 1B, Council Rock South HS, Class of 2014
Mihalik impressed as a fielder with soft hands and good footwork around the first base bag. The 6-foot-1, 215 pound left-handed hitter ran a 7.71 60-yard dash and threw 74 mph across the infield. He saved his best for his round of batting practice. Mihalik topped all prospects at the event with an 88 mph bat exit velocity. He uses a fluid rhythm and good extension to create barrel whip through the zone. Mihalik has very good hand and hip action and was able to consistently drive the baseball gap to gap.

Coleton Graham, OF/LHP, Hershey HS, Class of 2014
Graham is a left-handed thrower who showed athletic actions and the ability to play through the baseball on throws of 77 mph from the outfield. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound switch hitter displayed one of the best bat exit velocities of the day at 85 mph. Graham showcased a short swing plane and solid mechanics from the right hand side of the plate, consistently squaring the baseball. His left-handed swing is a bit longer but produces far more barrel whip and power potential to the pull side.

Ted Williams, 2B/SS, Meadville HS, Class of 2014
Williams showcased his foot speed by topping all prospects at the event with a 7.12 60-yard dash. The 5-foot-8, 140-pound prospect also showed the 2nd strongest infield arm at 79 mph. Williams displayed soft hands and good range. The left-handed hitter had an impressive round of batting practice squaring nearly every pitch with a short, fluid swing and quick hands.

Brad Church, 3B/RHP, York Suburban HS, Class of 2014
Church is an athletic, 6-foot-1, 215-pound prospect who ran a 7.30 60-yard dash. He showed some range and the ability to play through the baseball on throws of 77 mph across the infield. Offensively, Church showcased an 83 mph bat exit velocity and significant pop in his bat. He used a lot of lower body and tends to dive to the baseball, but showed significant power when he was on time to the baseball. With some minor adjustments to his swing, Church projects as a middle of the order run producer at the next level.

Alex Salesky, 3B/C, Wilson HS, Class of 2014
Salesky showed well in all facets of the game displaying statistical improvement in nearly every area. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitter used an 80 mph bat exit velocity and a short swing path to consistently square baseballs to the pull side. He showed soft hands and a clean transfer on throws of 77 mph across the infield. The 3B/C displayed pop times of 2.18-2.25 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. Salesky displays a real passion for the game and a desire to work hard to continue to make improvements.

Austin Martinez, 1B/3B, Donegal HS, Class of 2014
Martinez ran a 7.67 and threw 68 mph across the infield. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound prospect showcased a 79 mph bat exit velocity and the ability to square the baseball frequently. The right-handed hitter has the potential to be a quality high school hitter.

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