Prep Baseball Report

May 4th: Highlights from 3A Top 10 teams Western & New Castle; A look at 2023 RHP Eli Bridenthal


Indiana Scouting Staff

Western vs University 5/4/2022
By Daylan Nanny

Mitchell Dean, LHP, 2023, Western, Louisville Commit 
The future “Cardinal” was lights out for Western with a complete game CG “W”. Gets the ball in the slot & gets downhill well. Tons of upside in the frame. FB was good glove side & CH faded well arm side. Pitched to both sides of the plate. Strike thrower.

Zach Gilbert, 3B, 2023, Western, Uncommitted
Really like the physicality of Gilbert with his ability to get the barrel to the front half of the plate. Collecting a (2B) here for Western with a clean two-handed finish. Good athlete. Potential power threat in the making for the uncommitted ’23.

Mark Hamby, C, 2024, University, Uncommitted
The backstop for University has shown exceptionally well in the two times I have seen him. Collecting (3) hits on the day vs Western. As well as throwing out a runner at second with sub 2.2 in game pop. Uses a very loose – “whippy” hand load with a small leg lift for timing. Comfortable catching velo.

Mt. Vernon @ New Castle 5/4/2022
By Cooper Trinkle

Garrett Rusch, SS, New Castle HS, 2022
The athletic, 5-foot-11, 175 pound infielder impacted the game in multiple ways for New Castle. Showed a simple swing in the box with quick bat speed. Hit a HR to LCF that got out in a hurry. Good plate discipline, laying off multiple good breaking balls. Handled velocity well.Started the game at 2B, finished at SS. Fluid footwork, soft hands, and athletic actions in the infield. Showed the ability to throw from multiple arm slots. Instinctual, aggressive base runner. Allen Co CC signee.

Aydan Decker-Petty, RHP, New Castle HS, 2022
The long, 6-foot-5, 180 pounder sat 88-91 T 92 mph in his 5 innings of work. Slow tempo delivery with consistent tempo and quick, clean arm action from his over-the-top slot. The fastball showed some run/sink with good downhill action. The Indiana signee showed a sharp, 79-82 mph breaking ball that was a swing-and-miss pitch. One of the best breaking balls I have seen this spring, showed sharp bite and depth. His fastball command was sporadic, leading to 5 BB’s and 5 ER.

Eli Bridenthal, RHP, Mt. Vernon HS, 2023
Athletic, 6-foot-2, 175 pound Xavier commit. High ¾ arm slot with very quick arm speed. Sat 87-90 early in the game on his fastball, settling in at 86-88 mph. Some running action on the fastball. His breaking ball showed good depth at 73-76 mph. Flashed a CH at 79 mph. Sporadic command led to 6 BB’s and 6 ER.

 

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