Prep Baseball Report

West Virginia Fall College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Middle Infielders


Josh Kuykendall
West Virginia Director of Scouting

Follow @pbrwestvirginia

The West Virginia Fall College Prospect Showcase took place November 18th at Pro Performance RX in Morgantown, WV. Today we continue a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance with a look at the Middle Infielders that participated.

CLICK HERE for complete results for all prospects in attendance.

MIDDLE INFIELDERS 

Quintin Smith, Morgantown HS, Class of 2019

Smith played this fall for the Appalachian Aces and played well against college competition. Defensively, Smith displays confidence in his glove. Smith shows serious athleticism by running a 6.82 - sixty, second best at the event. A 76 mph infield velocity was recorded.

Offensively, Smith initiates his swing from a neutral, athletic position with his hands out and away from his body. Smith consistently found the barrel during his round of BP also registering 89 mph exit velocity off the tee, 3rd best at the event. Overall, Smith is a solid infielder that can hit at the top of a lineup at the next level and is one of the best available in the state of West Virginia.

Ryan Goff, Bridgeport HS, Class of 2021

Ryan GoffDefensively, Goff displayed very good balance and feel for the middle infield. He attacked balls and created easy hops for himself. His hands moved freely as he displayed a quick, clean transfer. A 76 mph velocity across the infield was recorded along with running a 7.06-60.

Offensively, Goff initiates his swing from a spread base stance with a small front leg kick. He does a good job of using his hips to create torque and his hands work well through the zone. A 82 mph exit velocity was recorded. Overall, Goff is advanced for his age and is a high follow for the 2021 Class.

Gregory Smith, Tygarts Valley HS, Class of 2019

Gregory SmithDefensively, Smith displays athleticism and confidence at SS. His feet move well and he fields the ball in front of his body and continues to ride his momentum into his throw to first base. A 80 mph velocity was recorded across the diamond. Smith ran a 7.66 - sixty. 

Offensively, Smith initiates his swing from a spread out stance, with his hands out away from his body. Smith shifts his weight well from front to back and creates good bat speed through the zone. A 82 mph exit velocity off the tee was recorded. 

Jacob Spearen, University HS, Class of 2020

Jacob Spearen

Defensively, Spearen displays confident, soft hands in playing from his feet up. Spearen creates good angles and allows himself the ability to get easy, long hops. Spearen moves his feet toward his target as he throws creating good momentum towards his target. A 76 mph velocity was recorded across the diamond, along with him running a 7.40 - sixty.

Offensively, Spearen initiates his swing from a upright, open stance position. Spearen has the tendency to dive into the plate, sometimes cutting off his upper body rotation. A 78 mph exit velocity off the tee was recorded. 

Gage Bibey, Philip Barbour HS, Class of 2021

Gage BibeyBibey is a 5-11 160-pound SS/RHP from Philip Barbour HS. Defensively, attacks the ball well creating good angles. Demonstrates smooth, quick transfer and accurate 75 mph across the diamond arm strength. Bibey's range, lateral quickness and 7.22-60 are reflective of his considerable athleticism. 

Offensively, he initiates his swing from an upright, athletic position. His hands move freely to go along with a smooth leg kick. Bibey could benefit from exploding his hips more during his swing. 81 mph exit velocity was recorded.

Eston Bender, Fort Hill HS (MD), Class of 2022

Eston BenderBender is 5'8 165-pound athlete from Fort Hill HS in Maryland. Defensively, he showed good coordination and arm strength registering 73 mph across the diamond. He could benefit from using his hands more loose and freely in the infield.

Offensively, Bender hits out of an athletic position and generates good bat velocity registered at 75 mph. His stride is short, compact, and helps his drive the ball effectively. Bender ran a 7.69 - 60. 

Peyton Branham, Logan HS, Class of 2019

Peyton BranhamBranham is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound athlete from Logan HS. Defensively, Branham rounds the ball well and creates good momentum for his throws. He receives the ball well in an athletic position. A 72 mph velocity was recorded across the diamond. He ran a 7.90-60.

Offensively, he initiates his swing from a slightly open stance with his front foot turned in towards his body. He does get good rotation out of his upper half which allows him to drive the ball. A 75 mph exit velocity was recorded. 

Garrett Moats, Grafton HS, Class of 2019

Garrett Moats5-foot-10, 150-pound athlete displayed adequate hands in the infield with a long throwing motion. His arm strength was registered at 70 mph across the diamond. Moats would benefit from working on a quicker release once the ball is fielded. Shows athletic tenancies with a 7.65-sixty.

Offensively, Moats has obvious athleticism in the batters box. He  looks extremely comfortable and confident. He displays a quick, compact stroke and the ability to drive. A 78 mph exit velocity was registered off the tee

Seth Wolfe, Greater Beckley Christian HS, Class of 2020

Seth WolfeOffensively, Wolfe initiates his swing out of a spread stance at the plate. Wolfe has the tenancy of dropping his hands as the pitch is being delivered, which restricts him with his bat speed. An easy fix would be for him keep his hands up when initiating his swing which would allow for more even weight distribution. A exit velocity of 72 mph was recorded off the tee.

Defensively, Wolfe is athletic in the infield. Wolfe does short arm the ball slightly when throwing across the infield, but does have a clean transfer. Wolfe registered a 70 mph velocity across the infield and ran a 7.37 - sixty.

Frank Why, Bridgeport HS, Class of 2021

Frank WhyOffensively, Why hits from the left side of the plate. Why initiates his swing from a open, athletic position. Gets good rotation from his bottom half which helps allow for a smooth swing through the zone. A exit velocity of 72 mph was recorded off the tee. Why ran 7.44 - sixty.

Defensively, Why displays smooth fielding with confidence in his glove hand. Smooth and clean transfer to a side arm delivery across the diamond. A 64 mph velocity was recorded in the infield. Why is a intriguing follow in the 2021 Class for West Virginia. 

Alessandro Cava, Notre Dame HS, Class of 2020

Alessandro CavaCava recorded one of the fastest 60 times registering a 6.72. Defensively, he has a tendency to drop to a knee while fielding ground balls. I believe more repetions will help him get rid of this habit as he will learn to trust his glove and arm more. Cava registered a 64 mph arm across the infield. 

Offensively, he hits out of an athletic position with his hands beside his ear. Cava generates good torque with his lower half and mid section. He demonstrated a high, quick leg kick which helped him generate momentum. 

POST EVENT ANALYSIS

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION




Winter Review & PBR Junior Future Games Trials WV 12/30 Pro Performance RX
Huntington Hounds Scout Day & Junior Future Games Trials WV 01/20 Huntington Hounds Training Academy
Scout Day & Junior Future Games Trials WV 01/27 The Wheelhouse Academy
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/03 The Max
2019 Preseason All-State Showcase WV 02/24 Pro Performance RX


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