Prep Baseball Report

Seton Hill Griffins Announce 2017 Early Signing Class



By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting

The Seton Hill Griffins and head coach Marc Marizzaldi have announced the signing of twelve players to National Letters of Intent, all of which hail from Pennsylvania. The Griffins went 40-18 in 2016, including a 19-9 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Seton Hill will look to return to the NCAA Division II World Series this spring after last making an appearance in 2014.

2017 EARLY COMMITS

George Coyle, RHP, Somerset HS
PBR Rank: #99 in PA Class of 2017 rankings 
PBR Notes:
Low-to-mid 80s righty with projectable size and chance to add significant velocity.

Jordan FiedorJordan Fiedor, OF, Hempfield Area HS
PBR Rank: #54 in PA Class of 2017 rankings 
PBR Notes:
PA State Travel Baseball Championships (8/19/16) No longer regarded as a two-way prospect, Fiedor is among the top uncommitted senior position players in the state. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder has shown 90 mph arm strength and a 94 mph bat exit velocity. The right-handed hitter runs well (6.84 60-yard dash, 4.44 home-to-1B) and displayed middle of the order juice in his barrel. Fiedor went 4-for-9 with a triple, three walks and three RBI during the course of the tournament.

Jared KollarJared Kollar, RHP/SS, Greater Latrobe HS
PBR Rank: #104 in PA Class of 2017 rankings 
PBR Notes:
Western PA College Prospect Showcase (6/20/15) Kollar starts from a square right-handed base and utilizes a heel raise load with no stride to initiate his swing. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder flashed a direct path to the baseball and the ability to get to extension routinely with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Kollar ran a 7.59 60-yard dash and 77 mph arm strength across the diamond. A tendency to stand upright following fielding the baseball in a solid position should be able to be corrected leading to improved arm velocity. Righty sat 82-83 while topping at 86 mph from a high 3/4 arm slot. 72 mph curveball showed consistent 12/6 rotation with good depth. 80 mph changeup was thrown at near fastball arm speed with a bit of late cut action. Balanced delivery with repeatable mechanics and command make Kollar solid  follow in this class.

Colin Loughman, SS/RHP, Hempfield Area HS
PBR Rank: #75 in PA Class of 2017 rankings 
PBR Notes:
Four-year starter with above average arm-strength. Potential to also see time on the mound at the next level.

Neal McDermottNeal McDermott, OF, Bishop Guilfoyle HS
PBR Rank: #146 in PA Class of 2017 rankings
PBR Notes: 
PA State Travel Baseball Championships (8/19/16) McDermott sat 81-85 off the mound and put up solid offensive numbers out of the two-hole all weekend. The left-handed hitter went 5-for-10 with two walks, a double and three runs scored. McDermott starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Hands work well through contact and exhibited gap-to-gap pop with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph.

Frankie MontecalvoFrankie Montecalvo, OF, Bishop Guilfoyle HS
PBR Rank: #216 in PA Class of 2017 rankings
PBR Notes: 2015 Elite Prospect Showcase (11/7/15)
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter who continues to post strong measureables. Starts from an open stance and takes a knee-to-knee stride to slightly open. Compensates for a barrel wrap and hitch with very good bat speed (90-mph exit velocity). Barreled the baseball throughout his BP round. Ran a 6.68 60-yard dash and recorded 83-mph arm strength.

Tyler PetersonTyler Peterson, RHP/C, Hollidaysburg
PBR Rank: #52 in PA Class of 2016 rankings
PBR Notes: 2016 Western PA Top Prospect Games (6/5/16)
6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way prospect continues to impress with a solid skill set. Right-handed hitter flashed top bat exit velocity at the event (96 mph) from a square stance. Utilizes a short leg-lift stride to initiate his swing going 4-for-6 in game action over two days. Displayed pop times of 2.04-2.12 with 78 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Although he didn't run the 60-yard dash at this event has run a 7.45 previously.

Right-hander has shown mid-80s velocity in past events. Sat 81-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot at this event over two innings of work with some arm-side run to his fastball. Showed two quality secondary pitches in a 71 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a changeup thrown at fastball arm speed (75 mph).

Lennox Pugh, SS, Hollidaysburg HS
PBR Notes:
Physical right-handed hitter with a chance to drive in runs and hit for power at the next level.

Tristan Tinney, OF/LHP, South Fayette HS
PBR Notes:
Athletic lefty showcased solid two-way skill set at the Pennsylvania Travel Baseball Championships in August as a member of the Pittsburgh Spikes.

Luke Whalen, 1B/3B, Norwin HS
PBR Notes:
Two-sport athlete with good feet and the ability to play multiple defensive positions.

Danny WilliamsDanny Williams, 3B/1B, Slippery Rock HS
PBR Rank: #158 in PA Class of 2017 rankings
PBR Notes: PA State Travel Baseball Championships (8/19/16)
Slippery Rock corner infielder made the move across the diamond from his primary defensive position at third base to fill a need during the course of tournament action. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitter, named his region's Player of the Year for 2016 in District 10, went 3-for-9 with a walk, a HBP, a sacrifice fly and an RBI during the course of the weekend. Williams has a simple, line drive approach at the plate with a flat barrel path that allows him to stay in the hitting zone for an extended period of time.

Jamie Wrabel, 2B/SS, Bishop McDevitt HS
PBR Notes:
Slick fielding middle infielder with a quick release and short left-handed swing.

ADDITIONAL PA NEWS: