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By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania began this week with the 2017 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games on June 13 and 14. Eighty prospects from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New Jersey gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities at Cooper Park on the campus of Millersville University. Today we begin our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those that participated as a member of the Grey Team.

grey TEAM

Top Prospects

Luke Zimmerman, 1B/LHP, Marple Newtown HS, PA, Class of 2018
6-foot, 210-pound left-handed hitter was one of the top offensive performers of the event.  Displayed a 99 mph bat exit velocity and 4-for-6 with three doubles, a triple and a walk in game action.  Showed above average plate discipline and the ability to drive balls to both gaps.  Starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a controlled leg-lift stride.  Very quick hands and an aggressive hip turn lead to advanced barrel whip.  Runs well for his size registering a 4.59 on a turn while running a 7.20 60-yard dash.  Above average abilities defensively around the bag with a very soft glove hand and solid footwork.  Two-way prospect sat 80-82 with sink from a 3/4 arm slot while keeping hitters off balance with a 70 mph curveball and a 72 mph slider.

Zac Vittorelli, RHP, Holy Ghost Prep, PA, Class of 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound righty struggled with command early while sitting 85-87, but found the zone when he settled in at 82-83.  Works out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a side-rocker step to initiate a high-knee, long arm delivery that creates a very uncomfortable at bat for hitters.  Also mixed in an 70 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation that had some two plane break when he didn't get around it.  Arm is loose and ball jumps out of the hand.  Additional work to stay directional and to eliminate or reduce a head whack that often takes him off line should improve command.  Projects to throw even harder when delivery gets ironed out and all body parts work in unison.

Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)

Mike Becker, 2019, 3B/C, Harriton HS (PA)
5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and incorporates a short, leg-hand stride to initiate his swing.  Registered an 87 mph bat exit velocity and went 3-for-7 with a triple and a walk in game action.  Ran a 6.94 60-yard dash and displayed developing 72 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively.  Projects as a 2B/3B or corner outfielder presently with the potential to hit for some power if he adds strength to his frame through physical maturity.

Ben Berger, 2018, OF, Central Bucks South HS (PA)
5-foot-6, 160-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance, utilizing a brief leg-hand stride to initiate his swing from a high hands load.  Hands fire through the zone creating a 90 mph bat exit velocity.  Berger shows fast twitch actions in everything he does on the field.  Defensively he moves well to the baseball and showcased 81 mph arm strength.  He topped off a solid two day effort by setting an event record with a 6.50 60-yard dash.

Trey Blair, 2020, OF, Haverford HS (PA)
Very interesting 5-foot-11, 180-pound underclassman with above average athleticism.  Strong, well proportioned frame with plenty of fast twitch actions.  Ran a 6.77 60-yard dash and registered an 88 mph bat exit velocity.  Right-handed hitter is raw but creates lots of barrel whip with very strong lower half.  As he learns to fully incorporate lower half should see power numbers go up.  Moves well in the outfield and showcased accurate 77 mph arm strength during defensive evaluations.  Definitely a Class of 2020 prospect to keep an eye on.

DJ Cesario, 2018, SS/2B, Faith Christian Academy (PA)
5-foot-10, 170-pound middle infielder impressed in game action with fluid actions and a strong internal clock.  Plays fast and displayed a quick release.  Displayed 72 mph arm strength across the diamond in defensive evaluations, but has much more in the tank.  Ran a 6.93 60-yard dash and turned in a 78 mph bat exit velocity.  Right-handed hitter starts from an upright, open stance and utilizes a quick, leg-lift stride to initiate his swing.  Barreled the baseball repeatedly during batting practice wearing out the center of the field.  Went 2-for-4 with a double in game action on day one of the event.

Josh Domeier, 2019, RHP, Downingtown East HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 190-pound righty sat 80-81 with some arm-side run out of a high 3/4 arm slot.  Also displayed a 63-65 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation as his only secondary offering on this date. Faced one batter over the minimum in three scoreless innings of work while registering one strikeout and getting five outs via ground balls.  Projectable frame and clean arm action projects for velocity gains moving forward.

Kyle Laing, 2018, RHP/OF, Downingtown West HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 180-pound primary pitcher sat 80-83 from a 3/4 arm slot with a long arm action. Begins delivery with a side rocker step and some hip coil creates a bit of deception.  Also commanded a 11/5 breaking curveball at 70-71.  Worked three innings facing two batters over the minimum while striking out five.  Fastball had life down in zone.  Right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short, leg-hang stride to initiate his swing from a deep hands load. Registered a 91 mph bat exit velocity and went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in game action.

Alex Lilja, 2018, RHP/3B, Northern York HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 175-pound primary pitcher impressed in his one inning of work on the mound.  Sat 83-86 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a quick arm and balanced delivery.  Also showcased an 11/5 breaking curveball with tight rotation.  The right-handed hitter starts from a wide stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing.  Displayed an 81 mph bat exit velocity and went 3-for-6 with two doubles in game action.  Ran a 6.69 60-yard dash and showcased solid actions defensively with accurate 83 mph arm strength across the diamond.  Definite two-way abilities for the right college program.

Jared Marshman, 2018, RHP, Berwick HS (PA)
6-1, 215-pound righty sat 81-83 from a 3/4 arm slot with a deliberate, high-knee delivery showcasing above average arm speed.  Commanded the lower half of the strike zone facing just two batters over the minimum in three innings of work.  70 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation showed late, sharp break and 70 mph changeup was thrown at fastball arm speed.  Projectable frame with good balance throughout delivery.  Additional velocity is likely moving forward with the potential to handle a heavy innings workload at the next level.

Owen McKeever, 2018, SS/2B, Northern York HS (PA)
5-11, 155-pounder showcased a solid all-around skill set over two days.  The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance an utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing.  Barreled the baseball routinely during batting practice using the center of the field well.  Registered an 88 mph bat exit velocity and barreled a number of baseball in game actions including a single and a sacrifice fly.  Ran a 6.84 60-yard dash and moved well around the middle infield with life to throws of 80 mph across the diamond.  Displayed the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles and made the slow roller play look routine.

John McSweeney, 2018, OF, Central Bucks South HS (PA)
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and incorporates a short, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing.  Barreled the baseball well during batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 86 mph.  Went 1-for-3 in game action on day one and ran a 7.27 60-yard dash. Showcased capable actions defensively with accurate 78 mph arm strength that had straight line carry.

Dalton Moore, 2019, RHP, Bethel Park HS (PA)
6-foot-3, 200-pound righty with a projectable frame.  Sat 76-79 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with more in the tank when he learns to more fully incorporate his lower half in his delivery.  Showcased a 11/5 breaking curveball at 65-67 as his only secondary offering on this date.  Worked three innings no runs while striking out two.  Shows good balance in his delivery and commanded the zone well.  As he continues to develop into his mature frame Moore will be a pitcher to watch in this class.

Trent Pierce, 2020, C/OF, Archbishop Carroll HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 170-pounder showed well in game action going 3-for-6 with a walk and a pair of stolen bases over two games.  The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a heel-raise stride to initiate his swing.  Displayed a solid feel for the barrel during batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph and ran a 7.18 60-yard dash.  Showcased solid receiving skills and 75 mph arm strength with pop times of 2.28-2.39 out of the crouch defensively.  Strong overall showing for the underclassman who was one of just five players from the Class of 2020 in attendance.

Luke Weigel, 2018, C/OF, Lampeter-Strasburg HS (PA)
6-foot-2, 215-pounder stood out with his energy and enthusiasm for the game.  The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short stride to initiate his swing.  Registered a 92 mph bat exit velocity and went 2-for-5 with two walks in game action.  Showcased 75 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop time of 2.20-2.27 behind the plate.  Also displayed capable actions around the bag at first base as a viable second defensive option at the next level.

ADDITIONAL TOP PROSPECT GAMES CONTENT