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Preseason All-State Corner Infield Analysis (Class of 2014)

March 2, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Jordan PocrassA total of 20 Class of 2014 corner infielders took to the field at the Preseason All-State Showcase turning in some impressive results. The field included 15 prospect ranked in Pennsylvania, a highly regarded Ohio prospect and several players likely to leap into the PA rankings when they are updated and released next week. Following is the breakdown of the prospects in attendance.

 1. Jordan Pocrass, 3B, Lower Moreland HS

Pocrass is a 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior who showcased soft hands, a clean exchange and a quick release on throws of 75 mph across the diamond. Pocrass was smooth as he played through the baseball and appeared to have much more in his arm than he displayed. Offensively, Pocrass showed a short swing path and the ability to stay inside the baseball in a round of batting practice that saw him barrel most pitches. He used the middle and opposite sides of the diamond very well in producing an 83 mph bat exit velocity.

 2. Jamie Switalski, 3B/RHP, Pine Richland HS

Switalski is a strong, athletic 5-foot-11, 190-pound prospect who showcased one of the top infield arms of the day at 84 mph across the diamond. The right-handed hitter has a lot of barrel whip and strong hands that allowed for an 89 mph bat exit velocity. Switalski has a flat bat path through the hitting zone and gets to extension regularly. He showed legitimate power potential in a solid round of batting practice.

 3. Drew Landis, C/3B, Red Lion Area HS

Landis is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior that earned top prospect honors at the event among Class of 2014 catchers. He showed his athleticism and versatility by also working at third base. Landis showed a capable glove and throws that had good carry across the diamond at 82 mph. Offensively he had one of the better batting practice rounds of the day. Landis used a short, compact line-drive stroke to consistently square baseballs throughout his round. He wore out the middle and opposite sides of the field while staying inside the baseball. His 91 mph bat exit velocity was one of the tops at the event.

 4. Sam Vilk, 1B, Mentor HS (OH)

Vilk is an impressive looking prospect at 6-foot-4, 225-pounds. The left-handed hitter traveled some seven hours to showcase his power from the left side of the plate. Vilk utilized a flat bat path and good hand actions in his swing during a round of batting practice that saw him consistently barrel the baseball. The right-handed thrower showcased one of the top infield arms at the event on accurate throws of 84 mph across the diamond. Vilk has a fantastic personality and could easily be a leader at the next level.

 5. Ryan Wardropper, 3B/RHP, Elizabeth Forward HS

Wardropper turned in an excellent performance in all facets of the game that should increase his stalk dramatically. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way player turned in an impressive 4.02 home-to-first time and showed well defensively. Wardropper displayed soft hands and the ability to play through the baseball on throws of 84 mph across the diamond. The left-handed hitter wraps his barrel a bit but has raw power, especially to the pull side. He showcased one of the top bat exit velocities of the event at 90 mph. If Wardropper continues to develop look for him to continue a steady climb up the Class of 2014 rankings.

Best of the Rest:

Michael Adams, RHP/1B, Cumberland Valley HS

Adams ran a turned in a respectable 4.40 home-to-first time for a 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect. He showed capable defensive skills around the bag and a 76 mph arm across the infield. Adams had a very good round of batting practice squaring the baseball routinely and showing gap-to-gap power. His 91 mph bat exit velocity was one of the tops at the event.

Brad Church, 3B/RHP, York Suburban HS

Church showed decent feet and the ability to play through the baseball. His throws showed good carry across the infield at 78 mph. Church hits from an open stance and tends to dive closed to the baseball. He generates a lot of barrel whip, but tends to tie himself up frequently. When he squares the baseball it tends to jump of his barrel. With work to stay on the backside for a longer period of time Church would increase his 78 mph bat exit velocity.

Zach Craven, 1B, McKeesport HS

Craven is a 6-foot-3, pound right-handed hitter who showcased an open stance and a big weight transfer in his swing. Craven generates a lot of barrel whip and an 87 mph bat exit velocity. With the amount of movement in his swing he relies on timing and good hand action to be on time to the baseball. When he puts it all together the ball jumps off his bat. Craven showed good feet and agility around the bag at first base. He showed good carry on throws of 76 mph across the diamond and turned in a 4.28 home-to-first time.

Nate Dickey, RHP/3B, Central Dauphin HS

Dickey is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect who showed good athleticism in all facets of the game. He turned in a 4.28 home-to-first time, and showed the ability to play through the baseball defensively. Dickey displayed a solid arm with good carry on throws of 82 mph across the diamond. Dickey showcased quick hands and some pop in his bat from the right side of the plate with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. The switch-hitter lags behind in his abilities as a left handed hitter.

Matt Gordon, RHP/1B, Grove City HS

Gordon is a left-handed hitting prospect who showcased a very solid 88 mph bat exit velocity. He hits out of a square stance and displayed a short stroke. Gordon showed some gap-to-gap power potential and the ability to frequently barrel the baseball. Defensively he showed solid fielding techniques and a strong 83 mph arm across the diamond.

Mitchel Lacey, 3B, Cumberland Valley HS

Lacey is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior who showed athletic actions and the ability to play through the baseball. He showcased sound throwing mechanics on throws of 78 mph across the diamond. Lacey hits out of a square stance and utilizes a large stride with weight shift to create torque and barrel whip. He routinely barreled the baseball and showcased an 88 mph bat exit velocity.

Riley Mihalik, 1B, Council Rock South HS

Mihalik showcased a 76 mph throwing arm and solid glove work at first base. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound prospect has soft hands and good footwork around the bag. The left-handed hitter displayed good balance and extension to his swing in a strong round of batting practice. Mihalik has a flat bat path through the hitting zone allowing him to routinely barrel the baseball. With some elevation to the finish portion of his swing Mihalik could add additional power to his resume.

Brett Morrison, RHP/3B, Susquenita HS

Morrison is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect that showcased a 79 mph arm and smooth actions at third base. He showed good feet, a clean transfer and a quick release on throws of 79 mph across the diamond. Morrison displayed a solid 4.15 home-to-first time and routinely barreled the baseball during a strong round of batting practice. The junior used good hip rotation and extension to his swing to create an 88 mph bat exit velocity.

Evan Myers, RHP/1B, Pope John Paul II HS

Myers turned in a 4.25 home-to-first time and displayed a solid 80 mph arm across the infield. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior showed a capable glove and good footwork around the bag. Myers showcased an 81 mph bat exit velocity in a round of batting practice where he squared most pitches and showed some pop in his bat.

Zach Newmyer, RHP/3B, Red Land HS

Newmyer showed some mobility and a long armed throwing motion across the infield on throws of 76 mph. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect hit out of a square stance and showcased good extension to his swing. Newmyer displayed an 84 mph bat exit velocity in a solid round of batting practice.

Tyler Potutschnig, 3B/RHP, Glendale HS

Potutschnig showcased accurate throws of 71 mph across the diamond. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound prospect hits out of a square stance with little wasted movement in his swing. Potutschnig used the middle of the field extremely well in a round of batting practice that saw him square most baseballs with a 75 mph bat exit velocity.

Joe Repischak, 3B, Upper St. Clair HS

Repischak showed well in all facets of the game, turning in the 2nd fastest home-to-first time of the event at 3.96. He showed some mobility and decent hands defensively with throws of 80 mph across the diamond. Offensively, Repischak hits out of an open stance and uses the closing phase with his stride foot as his weight transfer. He squared the baseball often in his round of batting practice with an 84 mph bat exit velocity.

Bryan Rubin, 3B, Friends' Central School

Rubin showed well defensively with good feet, soft hands and a clean exchange. He showcased a 76 mph arm across the diamond with what appeared to be more in the tank. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound switch-hitter showed similar techniques from both sides of the plate with more potential for power from the left-hand side. Rubin showcased an 84 mph bat exit velocity from the left side out of a slightly open stance.

Alex Salesky, C/3B, Wilson Area HS

Salesky is a left-handed hitter who has the ability to catch and play 3B at a high level. He showcased good feet and hands with a quick release. Salesky plays through the baseball well and demonstrated a solid 78 mph throwing arm. The  5-foot-9, 155-pound junior is a consistent left-handed hitter who showed an 83 mph bat exit velocity and the ability to barrel the baseball to all fields.

Jack Seibert, C/1B, Holy Ghost Prep HS

Seibert showed his versatility and athleticism with his work at 1B in addition to being a primary catcher. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound prospect showed solid glove work and good carry on throws of 81 mph across the infield. The junior showed the agility and footwork to be able to play multiple positions at the next level. Seibert hits out of a slightly crouched, square stance and uses a strong upper body to create a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. He consistently barreled the baseball during a solid round of batting practice, showing some power potential.

Matt Thompson, LHP/1B, Saegertown HS

Thompson is a 6-foot, 165-pound prospect that showed good footwork around the first base bag and accurate throws of 74 mph across the diamond. The right-handed hitter squared the baseball consistently to the pull side of the field during his round of batting practice out of a slightly open stance. Thompson used good hip rotation and quick hands to produce a bat exit velocity of 76 mph.

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