Preseason Underclass II: Class of 2017 Player Analysis

Below, we recap the Class of 2017 Performers from the PBR Ohio Southwest Pre-Season Preview. 

To view the complete results from the showcase, please click here.

TOP PROSPECT

Justyn Eichbaum, OF/RHP, Tippecanoe HS, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound prospect with athletic frame. At this early stage, he shows above average tools in several different areas. Likely projects best as an outfielder. Shows athleticism in his feet.  Plays through the baseball and creates good momentum into his throws. Reached top velocity of 82 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts in a bit of an athletic crouch. Tends tend to bar in his load, but makes up for it with quickness in his hands (82 mph exit velocity). Uses short stride and maintains balance throughout swing. Slight uphill path with solid contact. On the mound, the righty uses a slow, deliberate tempo. Will get more out of his lower half as he speeds up his delivery. Fastball sat 78-81 mph showing occasional sink through high 3/4 arm slot. Tendency to slow down his arm speed on his 64-66 mph breaking ball. Also uses a 70-73 mph changeup with straight action as well as a 71 mph cutter with a small amount of bite. 

COMPLETE PLAYER ANALYSIS

Brandon Boxer, C/IF, Miamisburg HS, 2017
5-foot-2, 110-pound prospect with small, athletic frame. Limited by size at this point, but high motor type player. Shows obvious passion and love for the game. Carries himself with enthusiasm. Behind the plate, his pop times range from 2.50 to 2.58. Shows good direction with his feet, but needs to continue to develop some quickness. Uses short arm action through high 3/4 arm slot. Top velocity of 58 mph. At the plate, he does a good job incorporating his lower half. Uses a small leg kick to trigger swing and create forward momentum. Slight uphill path to the ball. Line drive type bat. Additional physical strength will only aid his offensive performance.

Brock Mathis, C, Fairfield HS, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound catching prospect with athletic frame. One of the top performing catchers at this particular event. Showed excellent feel for the position and good reactions in bullpen sessions. Behind the plate, he shows some quickness in his hands and good direction in his feet. Reached a top velocity of 69 mph with pop times between 2.11 to 2.22. Only a freshman, he has a strong foundation to improve upon for the future. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts in an open stance. Uses a leg kick, which creates some extra head movement in his swing. Good forward momentum that is aided by his lower half. Still needs to improve upper half as he has a tendency to get long his load. Still shows quickness in his hands (84 mph exit velocity off the tee) and some pull power. 

Grant Lugo, C, Centerville HS, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound catching prospect with small, athletic frame. Behind the plate, he showed pop times between 2.29 to 2.38. Will only improve as transfer shortens. Has tendency to drop hands. Reached a top velocity of 67 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a short stride. Starts with weight shifted to his back side. Uses a small leg kick to initiate his lower half. Upper half uses a big load. Takes uphill path to the ball.

Logan Sabo, OF, Moeller HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 145-pound prospect with thin, athletic frame. The switch hitter showcased one of the top swings for a freshman in attendance. Looked most natural from the left side. Uses small leg kick that helps initiate his lower half. Maintains balance and head stays steady throughout swing. Line drive type production. Similar type swing from the right side. Starts open and shows some baring action, but creates slight uphill path and line drive production. From the outfield, he is aggressive to the ball. Shows athleticism in his feet and a quick transfer. Reached a top velocity of 72 mph. Will be one to watch with improve strength.

Nick Wade, C/IF, Sycamore HS, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound prospect. From the crouch, he reached a top velocity of 63 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.39 to 2.48. Has a bit of a pause in his back arm action and some length to his transfer. At the plate, the left-handed hitter starts with high hands in a wide stance. Takes an uphill path to the ball that creates line drive contact with some lift. Showed inside/out tendencies in his swing.

Ronnie Allen, OF, Hamilton HS, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound prospect with solid frame. From the outfield, he uses short arm action through high 3/4 arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 76 mph with some quickness to his transfer. Corner outfield type. Switcher hitter. From the right side, he uses a short stride. Short, simple upper half load with slight uphill path (82 mph exit velocity). From the left-side, he starts more open and is aggressive with his lower half, which causes some extra head movement. Takes uphill path while showing pull tendencies (78 mph exit velocity). 

Tyler Bridges, RHP/OF, Lakota West, 2017
5-foot-10, 166-pound two-way prospect. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance. Uses a long stride and tends to collapse on the back side. Showed uphill path to the ball with a top exit velocity of 72 mph. From the outfield, he reached a top velocity of 76 mph with corner outfield type actions. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher uses a big inward turn to his delivery. Fastball is straight at 73-76 mph through a high 3/4 arm slot. Uses long arm action. Breaking ball was erratic at 65-66 mph but showed signs of being an effective pitch with 11/5 action. His changeup was his best pitch at 69-70 mph with good arm action and sink down in the zone.