Prep Baseball Report

PA Top Prospect Games: White Team Analysis



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

White Team TPG 2013

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

2B/SS John Bondi, Franklin Regional HS, Class of 2015

Bondi is a sure handed middle infielder that showed the ability to make all the plays with throws of 70 mph across the diamond. The 5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitter used a square stance and a short swing path to barrel most balls during batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 73 mph. Bondi is a prototypical top of the order hitter that uses a line drive approach and puts the ball in play with regularity.

3B/1B Ben Carter, Wyomissing Area HS, Class of 2015

Carter showcased his versatility as a two-way player over the course of the event. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect used a square stance and a flat bat path during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 75 mph. Carter showcased accurate throws with good carry at 76 mph across the diamond from 3B. He utilized a high 3/4 arm slot from the mound sitting 74-76 during his time on the mound.

SS/2B Grant Conway, Lancaster Catholic HS, Class of 2015

Conway displayed an improving infield arm at 77 mph across the diamond and soft hands with a quick release. The 5-foot-11, 145-pound middle infielder was tested frequently in game play and showed the ability to play through the baseball with regularity. Conway utilized a square stance and quick hands in a round of batting practice that saw him hit line drives consistently to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 75 mph. He went 3-for-7 in game play over the course of the event.

OF/LHP Cole Graham, Hershey HS, Class of 2014

Graham is a switch hitting OF/LHP that shows similar abilities from both sides of the plate. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound prospect sat on his backside and utilizes a strong hip turn from both sides to create identical 83 mph bat exit velocities. Graham displayed straight line carry on throws of 76 mph and a fastball that sat 70-72 off the mound. He went 1-for-7 in game play during the course of two games.

LHP Justin Johnson, Franklin Regional HS, Class of 2015

Johnson is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound lefty that showed definite promise in his two stints on the mound. He utilized a 3/4 arm slot to create significant arm side run on his fastball that sat 75-76. Johnson also showcased a slider at 66 mph that has biting action as a result of the arm angle. The lefty showcased an above average slider thrown at 66 mph that had late sink and arm side run as well. As Johnson continues to develop arm strength and grows into his frame he should see a significant spike in velocity.

OF Scott Kuczala, Wyomissing Area HS, Class of 2015

Kuczala is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound OF that showcased above average range and athletic actions defensively with an 80 mph throwing arm. The right-handed hitter displayed good hands and the ability to stay inside the baseball during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. Kuczala went 2-for-7 in game play during the course of the event.

RHP/1B Eric Ligda, Avon Grove HS, Class of 2014

Ligda has extremely long levers and a prototypical pitcher's frame at 6-foot-5, 185-pounds. The righty sat 81-82 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with what appeared to be much more in the tank. Ligda's FB and his 72 mph splitter showed late life with arm side run and sink. The lanky right-hander also showcased a 71 mph 11/5 breaking curveball to give him three quality pitches. Ligda breezed through three innings of work facing just nine batters, retiring all hitters with four strikeouts.  He also displayed some potential as a two-way player with an 89 mph bat exit velocity going 2-for-6 with a double in game play.

C/RHP Derrick McHenry, Octorara HS, Class of 2015

McHenry hits out of a square stance and relies heavily on weight transfer to generate barrel whip. He has a tendency to get to his front side early on occasion. The right-handed hitter showcased a 75 mph bat exit velocity and went 2-for-6 in game play. McHenry showcased pop times of 2.12-2.25 on throws of 72 mph out of the crouch and a fastball that sat 70-72 during his stint on the mound.

C/OF Gavin O'Donnell, Manheim Township HS, Class of 2014

O'Donnell hits from a slightly open stance and utilizes a strong lower half and solid extension to create barrel whip in his swing. He showcased a bat exit velocity of 83 mph and went 1-for-7 in game play during the course of the event. O'Donnell displayed 2.03-2.20 pop times on throws of 70 mph out of the crouch. He demonstrated good footwork, a quick transfer and good straight line carry on his throws.

3B Bryan Rubin, Friends' Central HS, Class of 2014

Rubin is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound switch hitter that showed well. Rubin has good feet and plays through the ball well at 3B with throws of 74 mph across the diamond. He displayed similar approaches to hitting from both sides of the plate with an 80 mph bat exit velocity from the left and 81 mph from the right. Rubin hits out of a square stance and a bit of a crouch from both sides with the right side being a shorter swing path with more pop. Rubin had solid results in game play finishing 3-for-6 during the course of the event.

RHP Curtis Staropoli, Holy Ghost Prep, Class of 2015

Staropoli is one of the young arms from Holy Ghost that will provide them with top line pitching depth over the next two years. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound righty sat 78-80 out of a high 3/4 arm slot and pounded the strike zone consistently. Staropoli also showcased an 11/5 breaking curveball that sat 62-65 that he used to set up the fastball. 

SS/2B Jake Terrick, Elizabeth Forward HS, Class of 2014

Terrick showcased a 71 mph bat exit velocity hitting from a square stance. He uses a line drive approach and barreled most balls during his round of batting practice. The 5-foot-8, 150-pound middle infielder showed the ability to play through the baseball accurate throws of 73 mph across the diamond. He had a great deal of success in game action finishing 4-for-6 at the plate over the course of two games.

Joe ThompsonLHP/OF Joe Thompson, Avon Grove HS, Class of 2014

Thompson earned MVP honors for the White Team following a masterful three innings on the mound. The 5-foot-11, 140-pound lefty defines the word "crafty", but don't let his velocity fool you, he can really pitch. Thompson faced nine batters over three innings and retired them all. He sat 76-78 with his fastball out of a 3/4 arm slot with cut and arm side run action depending on the hitter and the count. His 66 mph 1/7 breaking curveball is still a work in progress, but his 67 mph changeup needs no work. The pitch was the best pitch delivered by any pitcher at the event, falling off the table from the same arm slot and at the same arm speed as his fastball. Thompson also flashed a 69 mph slider that has potential to be an out pitch for him. He worked out defensively in the outfield, showcasing an 81 mph arm with good carry to his throws.

OF/RHP Gabe Witmer, Twin Valley HS, Class of 2015

Witmer is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound OF with good range and a strong 84 mph arm. He utilized a square stance and limited movement in his load phase to create a 78 mph bat exit velocity. Witmer showed the ability to barrel the baseball consistently during his round of batting practice and went 2-for-6 during game play over the course of the event.

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