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By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania began this week with the 2017 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games on June 13-14. 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 continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those who participated as a member of the Red Team.

RED TEAM

TOP PROSPECTS

Bryce Behmer, 2020, C, Lancaster Catholic
Chance to be a premier defensive catcher. Solid 6-foot 180-pound build. Features a soft, strong glove hand when receiving. Quick feet and exchange, short arm action, upper and lower half work in sync. Throws are accurate with easy carry (75 mph arm strength from the crouch) while logging workout pop times of 2.00-2.08. Logged one in-game pop at 2.15 and impressively threw out a would-be basestealer from his knees on a pitch that rode down toward the left-handed batter's box; both throws were right on the bag. Right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and strides to square. Simple hand action in his load and took solid swings throughout game action. Ability to drive the baseball should come as his body physically matures. Posted 84 mph exit velocity and ran a 8.27 60-yard dash.

Brendan O'Donnell, 2019, OF/RHP, Great Valley
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from an open stance and toe-taps to square. Circular hand load with barrel cock. Eyes stay on same plane throughout an athletic swing that flashes solid bat speed. Ran a 7.03 60-yard dash and posted 85 mph exit velocity. Banged three extra base hits (including one to each gap) in two games. Defensively, he exhibited athletic actions and a strong arm (91 mph) with carry. Pitched out of an over-the-top slot from a deliberate wind-up. Fastball sat 82-84 and he got downhill fairly well with it. Threw two distinct breaking balls: a conventional 11/5 curveball at 68-70 and a knuckle-curveball at 71-73. Had a better feel for throwing the former in the zone, while the latter had tighter spin and is a potential out-pitch.

Remainder of roster (in alphabetical order)

Jagger Blough, 2018, C, Conestoga Valley
5-foot-10, 165-pound frame. Presents pitch to umpire although could minimize glove action when doing so. Solid feet and exchange when throwing; could shave time from 2.19-2.28 pop times by taking ball to ear instead of sternum. Posted 67 mph arm strength from the crouch. Exhibits a soft wall when blocking. Right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and strides slightly closed. Would benefit from strength gains, as swing has some length and is generated primarily from his upper body. Holds bat deep in top hand, leading to some stiffness and rollover. Ran a 7.31 60-yard dash and posted 75-mph exit velocity.

Drew Britt, 2018, RHP, Downingtown West
6-foot-5, 220-pound strike-thrower. Pitched out of a high three-quarter slot and stayed on-line to the plate with a compact lead arm. Fastball sat 82-85 with late armside run when down in the zone. Threw slider at two different speeds: 70-72 with a bit of a bubble and bigger break, and 73-74 with tighter spin as more of a chase pitch. At times, can try to be too quick in the stretch and not get weight to back leg. Did not allow a baseball to be elevated against him in three innings of work. Britt committed to West Virginia on June 20, one week after his outing in this event.

Justin Byler, 2018, 1B/RHP, Warwick
6-foot-4, 195-pound left-handed hitter. Has added some physical strength, while bat speed has improved (94 mph exit velocity) and he looks more confident and aggressive in the batter's box. Starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. Swing has some looseness and features a bat waggle with hand hitch prior to launch. Didn't elevate much during game action, but stayed through contact well, while also showing some pop in BP. Ran a 7.38 60-yard dash and exhibited solid defensive skills. On the mound, he pitched out of a high three-quarter slot with spotty command of a fastball at 82-84. Trusts his curveball and went to it often, even in down counts; the pitch has depth and 11/5 shape and sat 72-73. Showed a 74 mph change-up in between innings, but did not feature during game play.

Josh Kerns, 2018, RHP/IF, Spring Mills (WV)
Lean, 6-foot, 145-pounder lands slightly closed and pitches out of a three-quarter slot. Fastball sat 79-81 and projects for more given his loose arm action and potential for strength gains. Also featured a big curveball at 69-71 with some shape to it. Right-handed hitter starts open and strides slightly closed, creating an armbar. Was pull-oriented during his BP round, but generally stayed in the middle of the field during game action. Ran a 7.26 60-yard dash and recorded 84 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, he took direct lines to the baseball, necessitating, at time, that he reset his feet in order to make throws. Logged 76 mph arm strength across the diamond from a low slot with whippy arm.

Danny Kirwin, 2018, RHP, North Penn
Very consistent with our two viewings during the high school season. Athletic delivery, high three-quarter slot, fastball sat 82-84. Gets over rubber well and features a slight hesitation coming out of his balance point. Got under curveball at times, but it flashed as a solid pitch with depth and sharpness at 71-72.

Will Manley, 2018, RHP, Lower Dauphin
5-foot-10, 165-pounder pitched out of a high three-quarter slot. Unique front side; points fingers of glove toward home plate with high lead arm. Spiked a number of fastballs at 81-83 on this day, which could be rectified with a little more front side extension to help get over his front leg. 4-pitch mix also included a slider at 73-74 with short tilt, a split-change at 75-76 with some tumble, and a curveball at 70-71 that he flipped in for strikes.

Zac McGillan, 2019, RHP/3B, Ephrata
6-foot-1, 200-pound build. Pitched out of a three-quarter slot with a bit of a low elbow and moderate effort. Gets good hip load, although, at times, will cut off finish. Fastball sat 79-80 with occasional comeback when thrown to the glove side of the plate. Featured a slider with tight spin and short tilt at 71-72, while also mixing in a curveball at 67-68. Right-handed hitter hits from square stance with lift-and-replace stride. Backside tends to underrotate or spin. Could get more out of his physical build and improve on 87 mph exit velocity by better incorporating lower half into swing and keeping his hands and barrel through contact longer. Ran a 7.84 60-yard dash.

Jared Moore, 2019, OF, Owen J. Roberts
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. Two-part swing that includes getting separation while striding on toe, then a secondary stride to initiate movement again. Takes a short path to the ball, logged 82 mph exit velocity, and ran a 7.68 60-yard dash. Defensively, he works through throws well with his feet and posted 70 mph arm strength.

Jack Rinehimer, 2019, IF, Owen J. Roberts
Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and strides slightly closed. Minimal load of hands, takes short path to the ball, and repeats swing. Would benefit from adding strength to his 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. Logged 73 mph exit velocity, ran a 7.50 60-yard dash, and posted 4.77-4.78 in-game home-to-1B times. Choppy footwork defensively; will field the ball deep and off right hip at times. Showed an accurate arm across the diamond, although 79 mph arm strength profiles best at second base for the time being.

Derek Wyld, 2018, OF, Lower Dauphin
6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed hitter. Starts from an open stance and strides to square, incorporating a slow draw of hands during his load. Fairly loose swing with a bit of pop (89 mph exit velocity). Exhibited good posture and balance during game action, consistently putting quality swings on the baseball. Ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. Defensively, he showcased athletic actions, while posting 80 mph arm strength with solid carry on accurate 1-hop throws to the plate.

ADDITIONAL Eastern PA TOP PROSPECT GAMES CONTENT