2018 Northern Ohio Unsigned Senior Games - Preview
July 27, 2018
Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Editor In Chief/Scout
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Northern Ohio Unsigned Senior Games - Preview
On July 29th, PBR Ohio will be hosting the Northern Ohio Unsigned Senior Games at Kent State University.
Below we have a quick snapshot at some of the prospects headed to the showcase.
The Arms
Prospects most recent reports are listed below.
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Jason Berry RHP / OF / Sycamore, OH / 2019
6/26/18
A very interesting prospect that shows all the physical signs of a guy who has a velo jump left in there. Very athletic/mobile on the mound with a clean, loose arm. Presently sits in the upper 70s to low 80s with the fastball that will show regular arm side action. Breaking ball is a well above average offering, dropping off the table late in the zone.
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Andrew Gray RHP / SS / Louisville, OH / 2019
6/19/18
On the mound the right-hander shows athletic actions and works with a quicker paced tempo. Arm works well through a high-¾ slot. Fastball will show arm side action at 79-82 mph. Slows arm a bit on the breaking ball at 66-67 mph. The pitch works on an 11/5 plane and was mostly in the zone.
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Sacha Malhi RHP / 1B / Heart Lake, ON / 2019
7/5/17
Malhi has great pitchers frame at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds with long limbs and room to add muscle to frame. Worked two innings at the FGT and was able to create good angles with all three of his pitches. Arm has some length in the back but stays fluid and moving to allow him to work out front. Fastball was 81-83 mph with angle and some arm side run, more in the tank and can get more off his backside and lengthen his stride. Showed feel for his breaking ball that would get caught between 11/5 and 10/4 shape. Changeup has makings of a solid pitch with some diving action at 69-71 mph that generated swings and misses. With the big tall frame, long arms, clean actions and lots of room to grow and develop, Malhi will be one to follow as he looks to make that next step in his development.
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Bryce Palmer RHP / OF / Canal Winchester, OH / 2019
6/20/18
Palmer finds himself on the top performers list for a second straight event. The right-hander impressed in Cincinnati but was even sharper on this day. Starter frame/skill set with a loose arm and super easy 83-85 mph fastball. Also tosses a quality breaking ball and his cutter has a near slider look at 77-79 mph. A newer name to college coaches that is a scholarship level arm talent.
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Zach Pittman RHP / 2B / Bryan, OH / 2019
7/23/18
5-11, 150-pound RHP/SS. Pittman showcased a quick arm with swing-and-miss stuff and pitchability. Delivery is clean and arm works. His over the top slot creates plane on his 82-84 mph fastball that topped out at 85 mph. Spins a very good breaking ball with present swing and miss at 74-75.
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Owen Poland RHP / 1B / Dover, OH / 2019
6/19/18
A projectable right-hander that continues to show why he is regarded as one of the more intriguing unsigned guys in the ‘19 class. Huge, long-limbed frame at 6-foot-6, 210-pounds. Shows a slower paced tempo to his lower effort delivery. Arm is compact and clean through a high-¾ slot. Fastball will show both run and cut at times, sitting 79-81 mph. Spins a slider that gets better each time we see it. Showed both depth and sharpness on an 11/5 plane at 71-73 mph. Also offers a breaking ball with more of an 11/5 look that is a quality offering. A strike thrower that was in the zone with all of his offerings. Cruised through his outing with regular weak contact and his fair share of strikeouts.
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Michael Tooker RHP / 1B / Reynoldsburg, OH / 2019
6/19/18
6-foot-3, 195-pound right hander with a projectable stature and extremely long limbs. Slower paced delivery that requires just more than moderate effort. Controls his body well on the mound for the the size moving in an efficient manner. Arm action is long and loose while working through a high ¾ slot. Fastball ranges from 81-84 mph, but at times seem like it gets on top of hitters much quicker than it may appear on the radar. Curveball is spun tight in a 12/6 shape at 68-72 mph. One of the better breaking balls we saw on the day that produced regular swing and miss.
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6/6/17
A right-handed pitching prospect in the 2019 class. Very mechanically efficient on the bump. Arm action is clean while moving through an in between ¾ and high-¾ slot. Arm has definite quickness to it and the ball comes out of his hand well. His slot puts solid run on his 82-83 mph fastball. Offers a changeup and breaking ball for his secondary pitches. Changeup has the same run as his fastball, crossing the plate at 74-77 mph. Breaking ball is tight with depth at 70-71 mph. The pitch has an 11/5 shape to it and he used it to freeze righties.
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The Positional Prospects
Prospects most recent reports are listed below.
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Matthew Bush SS / 2B / Strongsville, OH / 2019
1/28/18
In the infield he shows fluid actions and creates angles with his feet. Solid defender in general that has enough arm presently to stay on the left side. At the plate he starts in a balanced setup from the right side. Hands stay simple during leg lift timing mechanism. Bat is quick while showing whip through the zone. Creates solid direction with the barrel allowing him to use the whole field. Shows feel to both gaps. More of a line drive guy presently with signs of more pop to come.
Home to First: 4.64
Infield Velocity: 78
Exit Velocity: 87
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Spencer Crane C / 1B / St. Edward, OH / 2019
6/6/18
A switch-hitter who stood out for his raw power from the right side. Swing is unique but works for him. Super physical with natural lift to stroke. Absolutely launched moonshots to pull side in BP. Out of ten swings he hit four out in BP. To put that in perspective there were 8 BP home runs total in the event, four belonging to Crane. Time will tell if he stays behind the dish or makes first base home at the next level but that raw power rivals most in his class.
60-yard dash: 6.96
Pop Times:1.98-2.04
Catcher Velocity: 72
Infield Velocity: 79
Exit Velocity: R91, L89
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Zach Elam RHP / 3B / Lakota East, OH / 2019
5/29/18
A right-handed bat that starts in a balanced setup. A middle of the lineup type bat with obvious strength to swing. Path is uphill, causing some inconsistencies in ball flight and would be aided by leveling out path to generate more regular backspin. Ball really comes off well when he squares the ball up. At third base he plays low, showing fluid actions throughout fielding. Ball skills are above average and he can make plays on the move. Solid defender. Two-way prospect. On the bump the right-hander uses a slower paced tempo to delivery that doesn’t require a ton of effort. Flows through his chest high leg lift into a drop/drive load. Arm moves through a high-¾ slot with longer arm action. Fastball was mostly true through the zone at 75-77 mph. Compliments fastball with an 11/5 shaped breaking ball that offers big break at 62-65 mph.
Home to 1st: 5.57
Infield Velocity: 74
Exit Velocity: 82
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2/4/18
6-foot, 172-pound catching prospect showed above average receiving ability along with efficient, quick footwork. His transfer was smooth which lead to his solid pop time at 1.93-2.03. Good arm strength with top velocity of 80 mph on the bag. Stood out as one of the top catchers at the event. From the right side of the box, Goodyear swings from a wide base. Produces a longer, level bath path backed with good pop. He gets through the ball well with good extension and his lower half leads the way with good energy. Created a 90 mph exit velocity. Impressive strength and solid contact with his bat throughout his round.
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Ryan Grant OF / C / Reynoldsburg, OH / 2019
5/30/18
A right-handed hitter that starts in a balanced setup. Uses a leg kick/bat tip combination for loading sequence. Movements are fluid and well timed. Swing travels on a downhill path to contact, generating above average strength and speed through the zone. Would be aided by leveling out path to generate more natural ball flight. Has the natural tools to be a regular gap threat. In the outfield he plays with fluidity and reads the baseball well. Knows when to attack and when to sit back. Gets rid of the ball quickly, showing above average arm strength to home plate.
Home to 1st: 4.62
Outfield Velocity: 81
Exit Velocity 84
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Cameron Jenkins OF / OF / Pickerington North, OH / 2019
6/26/18
A lefty swinger with upside. Takes big hacks in BP with impressive natural tools through the zone. When he lands on it, it goes. A regular gap threat that can leave the yard to pull side. Scholarship level stick. Corner type in the outfield that plays fast too and through. Arm is an average tool presently.
60-yard dash: 7.65
Outfield Velocity: 78
Exit Velocity: 92
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Cole Kwiatkowski SS / 2B / Sylvania Northview, OH / 2019
2/10/18
Swings it from the right side, starting in a tall, oon setup. Hands stay quiet during his leg kick load and controlled stride. A front foot hitter that takes a mostly level path to the baseball with slight downhill tendencies at times. Natural tools are developing. Has feel for finding plane and making solid barrel contact. Stays fluid throughout swing sequence. A contact type guy. In the infield he moves light on his feet and reacts well off the bat. Actions are smooth and hands are soft. Impressive hands for class. Skill set fits best at second base presently.
60-yard dash: 6.97
Infield Velocity: 70
Exit Velocity: 82
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6/6/18
6-foot-4, 185-pound. Left-handed pitcher with a projectable frame. Compact and efficient delivery, create some shoulder tilt during the stride works slightly across the body. Uses a short arm action through a three-quarter slot. Fastball works downhill 71 to 76 mph with slight cutting action. Breaking ball has 1 to 7 shape with gradual break at 65 to 69 mph. Also, offers a 68 to 69 mph change up with slight cut action. A righty swinger that starts in a taller stanc. Uses a leg kick for timing/energy with lower half. Loose swing with some barrel authority through the zone. Can spray it to the oppo gap with more louder contact to pull side. Expect more juice as he fills out frame. An above average defender at first base with the frame for the spot. Moves well around the bag and has fluidity to his action. Ball skills are on par for class.
60-yard dash: 7.17
Infield Velocity: 62
Exit Velocity: 86
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Adam Rakestraw OF / Cincinnati Hills Christian, OH / 2019
6/5/18
Rakestraw’s top tool is his bat. A lefty swinger with physicality at the plate. Can show raw power to pull side but more of a gap threat presently. Takes an aggressive BP and swing shows up in game. Middle of the lineup type guy at the next level. Defensively, he has a corner type skill set in the outfield. Has feel out there and reacts well off the bat. Could see him at right or left down the road. A fringy type prospect level wise but scholarship level abilities.
60-yard dash: 6.97
Outfield Velocity: 78
Exit Velocity: 90
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6/6/18
Silva’s stock continues to rise this summer. Came into the summer season a fringe prospect but is starting to move the needle more towards being a legitimate D1 option. Not a blazer with straight line speed but lateral mobility and quickness up the middle of the infield more resembles a 6.7 guy than a 7.0 flat guy. Bat continues to come along, showing added thump from last season. In general Silva is a really solid ball player who scouts are going to like the more they see him.
60-yard dash: 7.01
Infield Velocity: 84
Exit Velocity: 85
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The Two-Way Prospects
Prospects most recent reports are listed below.
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Brayden Bush LHP / 1B / Rising Sun, IN / 2019
1/30/18
A left-handed hitter that starts in a wider, open setup. Goes with a leg kick for timing while taking hands back to launch. Hands are loose and barrel maintains momentum through load into launch. A strong kid with noticeable whip through the zone. Showed above average pop for class, staying inside the baseball well. Middle of the lineup potential. In the outfield he plays with aggressive footwork to the baseball. Gets to and through the ball quickly. Transfer shows urgency and he threw with accuracy. A lanky left-hander on the mound that looks to have room to add more strength to frame. Ball jumps out of his hands, showing intent to all three offerings. Fastball mostly stays true with slight run at times. Will be anywhere from 77-78 mph with the heater. Expect more velocity to come as he fills out. Spins a 1/7 shaped breaking ball that has big, loopy action. Look for the pitch to sharpen up as velocity increases. Would like to see him in the zone more consistently with the offering. Tossed the changeup in the zone regularly at 63-65 mph.
Home to First: 5.21
Outfield Velocity: 78
Exit Velocity: 78
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Jacob Caruso C / RHP / Rootstown, OH / 2019
6/26/18
On the mound shows some of the same athleticism that is on display behind the dish. Delivery stays smooth throughout requiring regular effort. Works through a high ¾ slot with evident arm strength. Fastball ranged from 77-8 mph which is a slight jump from past events. Forecast for more velocity as he develops more as a pitcher. Breaking ball shows gradual downward break at 57-58 mph. Competitive kid no matter the position he is playing on the field.
60-yard dash: 7.39
Pop Times: 1.94-2.0
Catcher Velocity: 72
Infield Velocity: 78
Exit Velocity: 87
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Grant Gedeon C / RHP / Hudson, OH / 2019
2/16/18
A righty swinger who offers an impressive combination of strength/bat speed through the zone. Does a nice job of maintaining barrel momentum through load and into launch. Utilizes lower half through a leg kick timing trigger and controlled stride forward. Swing has some rawness to it but the ball really jumps when he finds the barrel. Displayed pull side tendencies in BP with the ability to drive the ball with authority. Much louder pop than exit velocity would indicate. Behind the dish he shows the frame for the spot with feel for the position. Starts in a mid crouch before getting out of stance well, using very quick footwork. Exchange skills are quick and reliable. Gets rid of it quickly and was mostly accurate to second base. Above average catch and throw skills for class. A two-way prospect. On the mound the right-hander showed a fastball/breaking ball combination through a high-¾ slot. Fastball will stay mostly straight through the zone with occasional run at 77-79 mph. Breaking ball is tight with present depth and developing sharpness on an 11/5 plane.
Pop Times: 1.87-1.98
Catcher Velocity: 77
Exit Velocity: 79
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Ross Hartman RHP / 1B / Rocky River, OH / 2019
6/26/18
A physical arm that works exclusively from the stretch. Short arm action with obvious strength through a high-¾ slot. Delivery is deceptive and pitches are difficult to pick up out of the hand. Fastball gets on hitters quicker than 79-82 mph velocity would indicate. Spun one of the better breaking balls we saw on the day, showing heavy action on a 10/4 plane. Physical bat from the right side with some serious thump in his bat. Much more juice than 82 mph exit velocity would indicate. Drove balls with authority in BP with a lower effort stroke. At first base he has the frame for the spot and moves well around the bag. Solid defender.
60-yard dash: 7.15
Infield Velocity: 80
Exit Velocity: 82
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Brenyn Marquart RHP / 3B / Upper Sandusky, OH / 2019
6/20/18
I had to check my notes watching Marquart because he looked like a different guy than we had seen in previous events. Skill set was dramatically improved across the board. A two-way prospect that took one of the louder BPs of the event and ran it up to 85 mph on the mound. Actions have room to be refined on both sides of the ball but there are definitely tools to work with.
Home to 1st: 4.69
Infield Velocity: 82
Exit Velocity: 92
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Sam Melnyk OF / LHP / Lake Catholic, OH / 2019
6/20/18
Unfortunately Sam’s day was cut short as he tweaked his back after BP, but his BP was impressive enough to make the list. Utilizes his lower half well through a double tap, creating consistent energy and timing. Hands are very loose prior to launch allowing him to generate easy/natural whip through the zone. Sprays it all over the field with gap abilities. Although he didn’t show off the other tools we’ve previously seen him offer an above average skill set in the outfield and the southpaw also has an impressive three pitch off the bump.
Home to 1st: 4.41
Exit Velocity: 83
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Ethan Swincicki C / RHP / New Albany, OH / 2019
6/5/18
6-foot, 195-pound, right-handed pitching prospect with an average build. Slow tempo delivery that requires regular effort. Creates some deception through counter rotation and high glove side. Fastball works out of a ¾ slot at 79-84 MPH, when down the pitch has good sink and run to it. At 66-70 MPH, Swincicki throws a near 12/6 breaking ball with developing depth. Also, offered a playable changeup that has cutting action at 72-74 MPH. Two way prospect. Swincicki doesn’t have a standout tool and won’t “wow” you in a showcase but is a very well-rounded ball player who’s in game play is very consistent. Swings it from the right side and squared ball after ball up in both game and BP at the event. Defensively he does everything at an above average clip behind the dish. Very active in game with the willingness to block and always looking to throw behind runners.
60-yard dash: 7.73
Pop Times: 1.9-1.99
Catcher Velocity: 77
Exit Velocity: 86
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Showcase Schedule
Tuesday, July 31st
***Team 1 & Team 2 ... 8:00am - 1:00pm
*** Team 3 & Team 4 ... 12:00pm - 5:00pm
*** Team 5 & Team 6 ... 4:00pm - 9:00pm
***Last updated at 8:40 am on 7/27
Full roster
