Prep Baseball Report

Western PA Top Prospect Showcase Results (6.13.12)



By Greg Williams and Shaun Vernesoni

The Prep Baseball Report Western PA Top Prospect Showcase on June 13 featured an impressive group of senior, junior, and freshman prospects from Western Pennsylvania. Approximately 30 prospects displayed their abilities at Pullman Park in Butler, PA in PBR's first ever Pennsylvania event.

There were many players who saw their stock climb at the event. Tyler Walters, a catcher from Saegertown HS, definitely impressed with his bat, while Pine Richland right handed pitcher and third baseman Jamie Switalski demonstrated his all-around abilities on the mound, at the plate, and in the field.

A look at the top prospects by position at the event:

Catchers:

1. Tyler Walters, C, Saegertown HS
Walters proved to be the premier prospect of the day. His 6-foot-1, 190-pound fame projects well at the next level. Walters displayed one of the stronger throwing arms from behind the plate with a top pop time of 2.05 and a velocity of 77 mph from his position. Tyler was easily the most impressive hitter of the day, driving baseballs effortlessly to the gaps. He showed promise as a power hitter at the next level.

2. Brian Bohman, C, McDowell HS
Bohman, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound catcher, had the strongest throwing arm of the day throwing 80 mph from his position. The Class of 2013 prospect's 2.10 pop time was among the best, and he displayed solid set up and blocking abilities. During his round of batting practice, Bohman showed gap power, while consistently squaring up the baseball to all fields. His 60 yard dash time of 7.32 was fastest among catchers at the event.

3. Philip Madonna, C, Vincentian Academy
Madonna, Class of 2014, displayed advanced receiving and blocking abilities behind the plate. His 2.02 pop time was the best of the day. The 5-foot-7, 150-pound catcher's receiving skills also stood out in his performance during pitcher's bullpens. Madonna had a velocity of 76 mph to second base and showed the ability to spray line drives to all fields during his round of batting practice.

4. Jake Kleindl, C, Shadyside Academy
Kleindl, Class of 2014, had the best bat exit speed velocity of the event at 86 mph. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound catcher had a pop time of 2.05 and threw 75 mph from behind the plate. Kleindl had a solid round of batting practice, showing power potential and the ability to hit for average.


Pitchers:

1. Jamie Switalski, RHP, Pine Richland HS
Switalski, Class of 2014, showed the top fast ball of the day topping out at 84 mph. His 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame was put to good use as he effortlessly sat at 82-83 mph with a 66 mph curve ball. He demonstrated excellent control of his secondary pitches and good sink to his change up.

2. Matt Gordon, RHP, Grove City HS
Gordon had an intimidating presence on the mound at 6-foot-3, 215-pounds. The Class of 2014 right handed pitcher topped out at 83 mph, and consistently sat 81-82 mph with his running fast ball. Gordon had good control of two quality off speed pitches, and stayed down in the zone throughout his session. With his size and ease of delivery a spike of 5-7 mph is realistic over the next two years.

3. Luke Carter, RHP, Saegertown
The Class of 2013 right handed pitcher showed the best movement on his pitches of any pitcher at the event. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Carter threw pitches from a low 3/4 arm slot allowing for late movement and downward action. Carter topped out at 82 mph and sat 78-79 mph during a bullpen that saw him throw strike after strike down in the zone.

4. Justin Beimel, RHP, St. Marys Area
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Beimel displayed the day's only split finger fast ball. The Class of 2013 right handed thrower had excellent control of the pitch with late downward movement. His curve ball was the best displayed on the day, sitting at 66-67 mph. With slight adjustments to his delivery, a spike in velocity on his 78 mph fast ball is realistic.

5. Justin Abbs, RHP, North Allegheny
Abbs, Class of 2014, showed excellent control of a sinking fastball and change up. The 5-foot-11,
180-pound right hander threw three pitches from a low 3/4 arm delivery with good movement. The consistent strike thrower topped out at 77 mph with his fast ball.


Infielders:

1. Collin Fantaskey, SS/OF, Warren
Fantaskey had a solid round of batting practice, squaring up baseballs and driving them to all fields. The Class of 2014 infielder displayed a solid arm across the infield at 81 mph, and one of the better bat exit speed velocities of the day at 79 mph. At 6-foot-2, 170-pounds, Fantaskey displayed good agility and soft hands during his defensive evaluation.

2. Ted Williams, 2B, Meadville
The 5-foot-6, 130-pound infielder displayed soft hands and good range. Williams showed the most fundamental approach to fielding of all infielders at the event. Offensively, the Class of 2014 left handed hitter sprayed line drives to all fields while barreling up the ball consistently.

3. Hunter Johnston, MIF, Saegertown
The Class of 2013 middle infielder showed one of the stronger throwing arms of all infielders at 79 mph across the diamond. Johnston showed off his versatility defensively also working out in the outfield with excellent range and instincts. At 5-foot-10, 140-pounds, Johnston displayed good pop and a consistent line drive stroke at the plate.


Outfielders:

1. Cody Bain, OF/SS, Blackhawk
Bain, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder demonstrated solid outfield skills and good arm strength. The Class of 2014 right handed hitter impressed with his bat as the ball jumped of his barrel to all fields. Bain had one of the top bat exit speed velocities of the day at 81 mph.

2. Kyle Wise, OF, Saegertown
Wise, Class of 2014, had an impressive day in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder threw 81 mph from his defensive position and drove baseballs consistently at the plate. He ran a 7.18 60 yard dash on a very slow track and his bat exit speed velocity of 79 mph was near the top of the list.


Other Notables:

Shady Side's Chuckie Scales, Class of 2014, turned in the top 60 yard dash time of the day on a slow surface. Scales' time of 6.87 was just ahead of the 6.91 turned in by Gannon Rooney, Class of 2014, Upper St. Clair.

Rooney also demonstrated good all around ability as a middle infielder as well as a solid line drive approach at the plate.

Oil City's Wesley Lang, Class of 2014, had one of the top rounds of batting practice on the day. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound middle infielder and catcher drove balls to gaps consistently from the left hand side.

Montour's David Lyon's showed well in all facets of the game. He demonstrated advanced defensive abilities as a middle infielder and outfielder, while turning in a solid round of batting practice. Lyons, at 5-foot-9, 180-pounds showed good gap power and the ability to hit for average.

COMPLETE STATS