Western PA Fall Review Underclass Analysis

The 2018 Western PA Fall Review took place on September 15th at La Roche College. Prospects gathered to put themselves on the recruiting radar by participating in a showcase workout followed by a nine inning game. Today we analyze the underclass participants in attendance.

+ For complete results for all prospects in attendance CLICK HERE.

Top Prospects

Noah Burke, 2021. Canon-MacMillan, OF/RHP

Defensively, movements are fluid in outfield. Stays behind and plays through the ball in the air. Burke would benefit from being more decisive in his reads and routes.

Offensively, 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter initiates swng from neutral set up with controlled knee to knee leg kick and stride to neutral. Separation is solid. There is balance and rhythm. Hands are quick and work directly. Bat path is slightly uphill creating natural lift. Above average extension and leverage are present. A bat exit velocity of 88 mph was registered by young player. Projects as next level middle of the order offensive threat.

Alex Gabauer, 2021, Norwin, SS/2B

Defensively, as middle infielder actions are athletic and fluid with considerable area quickness present. Hands are soft and confident with feet working well to and through the ball. Gabauer has the early makings of a solid middle infield defender. Arm strength will have to improve to stay on the left side.

Offensively, 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter, initiates swing from slightly open setup with reverse toe tap and short stride to neutral. Separation is solid. Weight shift is adequate and hip turn is aggressive. Hands are loose and quick. There is balance and rhythm. A bat exit velocity of 83 mph was recorded. Presents as young player with projectability as solid contact and gap to gap power threat.

Aaron Posey, 2022, North Allegheny, C/3B

Defensively, behind the dish flashes solid flexibility in providing a low, wide target. Glove hand is quiet and confident in receiving and framing. Presents soft wall, good trunk angle and considerable range in blocking. Recorded 2.15 pop time on throw of 66 mph.

Defensively, at third base works bottom up and out front. Feet and hands work well. Transfer is clean with high arm slot on throws consistent with primary position of catcher.

Offensively, 6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from open set up with short, controlled stride to neutral. Separation is adequate. Swing is connected with short, direct path to the baseball. Weight shift and hip turn are aggressive. Bat path is flat with barrel feel demonstrated in consistent squaring of baseball. A bat exit velocity of 84 mph was recorded. Overall, Posey projects as a definite follow in the class of 2022.

Patrick Sulivan, 2022, Cathedral Prep, C/1B

Defensively, behind the dish flashes solid flexibility in presenting a low target. Hands are adequate in framing and receiving. Maintains solid trunk angle and soft wall in blocking. Shows short arm stroke in recording good for age pop time of 2.19 on throw of 67 mph out of crouch.

Offensively, 6-foot, 155-pound left-handed hitter, initiates swing from open set up utilizing short stride while remaining slightly open. Separation, balance and rhythm are solid. Weight shift and hip turn are aggressive. Bat is on plane early and late with good extension and leverage present. A bat exit velocity of 82 mph was recorded. Sullivan presents as follow in Class of 2022 with projectable gap to gap power and above average contact skills.

Remainder of the Roster (in alphabetical order)

Brett DeWees, 2020, Manchester Valley, C/3B

Dante DiMatteo, 2021, OF/2B, Fox Chapel

Defensively, outfield actions are fluid and athletic. Flashes confident glove hand in attacking and playing through the ball on the ground. Gets behind and plays through the ball in the air. Arm slot is somewhat low for outfielder.

Offensively, 5-foot-9, 130-pound right-handed hitter, initiates swing from open set up with stride to neutral. Weight shift and hip turn are aggressive. There is balance and rhythm present. Bat is on plane early and late. There is some length. A bat exit velocity of 73 mph was registered. Mechanics and athleticism suggest a coming jump in bat speed correlative to strength gains.

Fletcher Hindman, 2021, 2B/SS, Baldwin

Defensively as middle infielder hands are adequate. There is tendency to work top down and play the ball deep. Feet work well in gaining ground while following throws. Arm strength of 71 mph was registered on throws across the diamond.

Offensively, 5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitter, initiates swing from open setup with leg hang and stride to neutral. Separation is reduced by early hand leak.. Weight shift and hip turn are adequate. Bat is on plane early with hands working directly to the baseball. Balance and rhythm are present. A bat exit velocity of 69 mph was registered.

William Jamison, 2020, 3B/RHP, Shaler Area

Defensively, flashes solid footwork footwork and hands while funneling bottom up and out front. Showed confidence on backhand side both during defensive evaluation and game action. Made outstanding play behind bag on backhand during game play. Flashed accurate 79 mph arm on throws across the diamond.

Offensively, 5-foot-8, 170-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from slightly open narrow set up with stride to neutral. Separation is solid. weight shift is aggressive followed by a passive hip turn. Backside release is limited. An 80 mph bat exit velocity was recorded.

Connor Murphy, 2020, OF, Pine-Richland

Defensively, outfield actions are athletic while getting behind and working through the ball both in the air and on the ground. Flashed an accurate 73 mph arm.

Offensively, 6-foot-1, 165-pound, left-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with controlled stride to neutral. There is excellent separation. Weight shift is intermittently passive followed by an aggressive hip turn. Bat path is slightly uphill. Hands are quick and work directly to the baseball. There is intermittent front side softness. A bat exit velocity of 82 mph was registered.

Justin Naylor, 2020, LHP/OF, Canon-McMillan

Offensively, 6-foot-1, 155-pound left-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral setup with pronounced knee to knee leg kick and stride to neutral. Separation is excellent. Weight shift and hip turn are aggressive. There is tendency to leave zone early while pulling off the baseball. Naylor would benefit from a greater commitment to to staying through the baseball. A bat exit velocity of 78 mph was registered.

On the mound, the left-hander works out of a low 3/4 arm slot. Arm action is long and loose and delivery is low effort. Fastball at 76-77 mph featured considerable arm side run and sink while being commanded inconsistently. Curveball flashed late, sharp break, moderate depth and 1/4 shape. Young pitcher will have to repeat his delivery more consistently. However, arm action, movement and character of secondary offerings lends to substantial upside. 

Ryan Rametta, 2020, RHP/3B, Kiski Area

Rametta did not participate in showcase but did work three innings in game play on this day. The 6-foot, 165-pound right-hander worked out of a mid 3/4 arm slot. Mechanically, stride foot lands excessively open and there is intermittent front knee softness during backside drive. Fastball sat 73-76 mph with arm side run. Curveball at 66-69 showed moderate depth and 11/5 shape. Change up at 68 mph was thrown at fastball arm speed demonstrating subtle arm side fade. Rametta's command of three pitch mix proved effective in game play prior to tiring late in his outing.

Donny Shimko, 2020, Greater Latrobe, 3B/SS

Defensively, at third base hands are soft and confident in funneling bottom up and out front. Feet work well to and through he baseball. Actions are athletic on slow roller play. Arm was accurate on throws of 66 mph across the diamond.

Offensively, 5-foot-8, 165-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with pronounce leg kick and stride to neutral. Utilizes subtle bat tip in load. There is balance and rhythm with some length present. Weight shift and hip turn are solid. Shimko was able to make swing play in BP with squaring of ball to all fields. A bat exit velocity of 77 mph was recorded.

Eric Soccio, 2020, Greater Latrobe, C/2B

Defensively, as catcher glove hand is quiet and confident in receiving and framing. Maintains solid trunk angle in blocking. Feet are quick. Transfer and throwing motion had some length on this day on throw of 72 mph. A pop time of 2.25 was registered.

Offensively, 6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from open set up with controlled stride staying closed. Separation is reduced by passive back elbow in load. Back elbow leaks in front of hands creating some drag. Weight shift and hip turn are adequate. Bat path is flat. A bat exit velocity of 80 mph was registered.

Randy White, 2022, McDowell, 1B

Defensively, there is tendency to work top down and play the ball deep. Transfer and arm action are clean. Feet are adequate around the bag. Large frame plays well at first base. 

Offensively, 6-foot, 225-pound right-handed hitter, Initiates swing from open setup with reverse toe tap stride to neutral. Separation is exceptional.Weight shift is aggressive followed by passive hip turn. Hands are loose and quick. Solid barrel feel was present during BP with spraying of ball to all fields. Presentation in young hitter projects to development of power to all fields with more efficient use of lower half. A bat exit velocity of 83 mph was registered.

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