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PA Top Prospect Games: Black Team Analysis

June 23, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Black Team TPG 2013

The Black Team lost both of their games played over two days at Bucknell University but had a number of prospects who turned in impressive performances. Following is a breakdown of the prospects who participated as part of the Black Team at the 2013 PA Top Prospect Games.

RHP Tim Brennan, Holy Ghost Prep HS, Class of 2015

Brennan is a talented middle infielder and left-handed hitter, but only performed as a pitcher at the Top Prospect Games. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound prospect has long levers and an effortless delivery that definitely points to significant velocity gains in the future. Working out of a high 3/4 arm slot, Brennan sat 79-82 during his three innings of work. The righty commanded a 69-72 mph curveball and a 72 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed as well. Brennan struck out four and yielded one hit in his outing, setting the Red Team down in order in the 5th and 6th.

John CatchmarkRHP/3B John Catchmark, Governor Mifflin HS, Class of 2015

Catchmark had an impressive event in all facets of the game. The 6-foot, 185-pound prospect showed fluid actions at third base and an 82 mph arm across the diamond. Hitting out of a square stance, Catchmark used a fluid swing with good extension to consistently drive the baseball with some pop. He went on to go 4-for-6 in game play. Catchmark sat 80-83 from an over the top arm slot. He showed the makings of a quality 11/5 breaking curveball at 64 mph and a change up thrown at near fastball arm speed at 75 mph. Based on his performance in game play and the potential he showed in pregame evaluations, Catchmark was named MVP of the Red Team.

OF Remy Costa, East Stroudsburg North, Class of 2014

Costa impressed with his defensive abilities. The 5-foot-5, 140-pound OF showed the well above average range and an 85 mph arm. The right-handed hitter showed a consistent line drive approach in batting practice hitting from a square stance. Costa went 1-for-7 in game play, but showed a sound approach at the plate and the ability to put the ball in play consistently.

2B Colton Currey, Central Dauphin HS, Class of 2015

Currey showcased a 73 mph arm and soft hands in the middle infield. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound right handed hitter also displayed an 81 mph bat exit velocity hitting out of a slightly open stance. Currey has a tendency to lose his front side early, but squared the baseball frequently in his round of batting practice. He went on to go 1-for-6 at the plate in game play.

SS/RHP Alex Dirienzo, Somerset HS, Class of 2014

Dirienzo had a solid showing in all facets of the game. The 6-foot, 180-pound righty sat 80-82 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with command of a 11/5 breaking 70 mph curveball during his work on the mound. Dirienzo displayed good hands and feet and athletic actions from his middle infield position with an 83 mph arm across the diamond. Offensively he squared the baseball consistently out of a slightly open stance going 3-for-7 with two doubles in game play.

2B/OF Ross Dirienzo, Somerset HS, Class of 2014

Direnzo is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitter that hits from a slightly open stance with good extension to his swing. He showed some gap power while squaring the baseball consistently with an 87 mph bat exit velocity. Dirienzo went 2-for-7 with a double and a triple in game play. He showed the ability to play through the baseball and a solid arm from his infield position with throws of 80 mph across the diamond.

C/OF Scott Koscho, Penn-Trafford, Class of 2015

Koscho is a solidly built 5-11, 185-pound prospect that shows a big upside. He had a solid round of batting practice barreling the baseball consistently out of a square stance with good extension to his swing. Koscho showcased a 90 mph bat exit velocity and although he went 0-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in game play, he squared the baseball routinely. He worked out as an outfielder and displayed an 82 mph arm with good carry on throws to the plate.

RHP/OF Chance Malek, Garnet Valley HS, Class of 2014

Malek participated on day two and tossed three scoreless innings sitting 78-82 with a 73 mph 11/5 breaking curveball. While his velocity was down from earlier in the spring, he was able to mix pitches effectively and stay out of the middle of the plate. Malek showed an example of his arm strength with a top velocity of 91 mph on throws from the outfield in defensive evaluations prior to the game.

1B Austin Martinez, Donegal HS, Class of 2014

Martinez showcased a square stance and a leg lift trigger during his round of batting practice. He showed a line drive approach at the plate with a 78 mph bat exit velocity. Martinez went 1-for-6 in game play with two RBI. He also displayed sound glove work at 1B along with a 76 mph arm across the diamond.

C/RHP Zach Murray, Baldwin HS, Class of 2014

Murray sat 75-78 from an over the top arm slot with a 63-65 mph 11/5 breaking curveball during his time on the mound. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitter used a square stance and a line drive approach at the plate to square the baseball consistently with an 86 mph bat exit velocity. Murray went 3-for-6 at the plate in game play with two RBI. Murray is a solid receiver of the baseball and showcased pop times of 2.03-2.12 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

RHP Russell Rhoads, Episcopal Academy, Class of 2014

Rhoads came in to the event ranked No. 42 in his class and showed well. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound righty worked the first three innings of game one for the Black Team sitting 83-85 out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Rhoads also commanded an 11/5 breaking curveball and a solid 77 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. Five of the nine outs Rhoads recorded were by strike out.

SS/2B Seth Rose, Somerset HS, Class of 2015

Rose showed soft hands, a quick release and a 72 mph arm across the infield. The 5-foot8, 135-pound middle infielder hits from a slightly open stance and displayed a 77 mph bat exit velocity. Rose went 1-for-6 at the plate in game play.

1B/OF Caleb Thorn, Knoch HS, Class of 2014

Thorn showcased a flat bat path and the ability to use all fields during a solid round of batting practice. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound 1B/OF showed the ability to play multiple positions with a 74 mph arm across the diamond. Thorn went 1-for-6 in game play, but showed a solid approach and the ability to barrel the baseball with regularity.

C/3B Dan Trettel, North Allegheny HS, Class of 2014

Trettel's first day was cut short when he had to depart a bit early to participate in the state semifinals with his high school team. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter showcased an 87 mph bat exit velocity and a short, line drive swing path at the plate. Defensively Trettel continues to improve, displaying pop times of 2.00-2.12 on throws of 70 mph from the crouch. 

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