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Class of 2014 Pitchers Analysis: Preseason All-State Showcase

March 3, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The Preseason All-State Showcase was a chance to shine for 25 Class of 2014 pitchers and there was a lot of shining going on. Several highly touted pitchers showed why they are regarded as highly as they are and others greatly improved their stock with big time performances of their own. Following is a complete analysis of the entire field of 25 junior pitchers who toed the rubber.

 LaRon Mitchell1. LaRon Mitchell, LHP, Susquehanna HS

Mitchell is a physical left-handed pitcher at 6-foot-5, 215-pounds but does not overpower the baseball. Mitchell throws with a loose-armed motion out of a high 3/4 arm slot and did not come close to reaching maximum effort. He sat 88-90 with his fastball that he commanded for strikes out of the wind up and the stretch. His curveball showed good 1/9 rotation and two-plane action. He showed considerable arm-side run to both his fastball and his 74 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. We saw Mitchell in November sitting 85-87. With his size and sound, repeatable mechanics it seems the sky is the limit for Mitchell. His performance will vault him to near the top of the Class of 2014 rankings in Pennsylvania and likely onto the national recruiting scene.

 Adam Seibert2. Adam Seibert, RHP, Episcopal Academy

With only six pitchers remaining to throw Seibert strolled to the mound for his bullpen session. We last saw the 6-foot-6, 220-pound prospect sitting 83-85 while touching 86 mph at the PA Underclass Games in September. Seibert touched 90 mph on his first pitch and began an electric bullpen that had everyone in attendance buzzing. The athletic junior sat 89-90 while touching 91 three times out of a high 3/4 arm slot. His fastball was free and easy out of the hand and had late life. Seibert also showcased an 82 mph changeup with arm-side run thrown at fastball arm speed. Seibert took three months to put down the baseball to concentrate on his body this winter and it appears to have worked. He has gained 20 pounds of good weight and seems to be on his way to elite status on the national recruiting scene.

 3. Stephen Muscovitch, RHP, Owen J. Roberts HS

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior had the unenviable task of throwing his bullpen at the same time that LaRon Mitchell was tossing just 25 feet to his left. Muscovitch was up to the task and then some. He sat 84-85 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with very good late life to his fastball. Muscovitch also commanded his 78 mph changeup with arm side run that he throws at near fastball arm speed. His 11/5 breaking curveball is a work in progress, but Muscovitch flashed signs that the pitch can develop into an out pitch in the future. Muscovitch has sound mechanics that suggest that additional velocity is inevitable with further physical maturity. Muscovitch is a high follow among the right-handed pitchers in this class.

 4. Nate Dickey, RHP/3B, Cental Dauphin HS

Dickey topped off an impressive all around showing by sitting 86-87 with his fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior had topped at 83 mph at an event just a month earlier. He also commanded a tight breaking 11/5 curveball and a 76 mph changeup. Along with his showing at 3B Dickey made one of the biggest impressions of any prospect at the event.

 5. Matt Gordon, RHP/1B, Grove City HS

Gordon is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior who has shown continuous strides. He sat 83-86 with solid arm-side run to his fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Gordon commanded three pitches, consistently staying down in the zone. His 11/5 breaking curveball sat 73-75 while his 74 mph changeup showed some arm side run and late sink. Gordon is beginning to mature into his frame and appears primed for a solid 2013.

 6. Devon Walker, 2B/RHP, DuBois HS

Walker had one of the top bullpen sessions on the day. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior was a strike throwing machine out of a 3/4 arm slot. He sat 83-85 with a fastball that showed some arm-side run. His 78 mph changeup was thrown at fastball arm speed and also showed arm-side run. Walker's best pitch was a nasty 10-4 breaking slider at 78 mph. The pitch showed late movement and was thrown out of the same arm slot as his other two pitches. Walker's abilities as a two-way player make him a definite follow in this class.

 7. Mitch Machi, RHP/OF, North Allegheny HS

Machi is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way prospect who shined during his work as an outfielder at the event. Machi sat 82-83 on the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot. We saw Machi in August sitting 84-85 and touching 86. He showcased a 65 mph 11/5 breaking curveball, a 68 mph slider that showed late movement and a 73 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed. Machi has the potential to be a two-way guy at the next level for the right program.

 8. Russ Rhoads, RHP, Episcopal Academy

Rhoads is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound prospect with a wealth of promise. He sat 82-84 out of an over the top arm slot. Rhoads showed excellent mechanics and fluidity to his delivery. His 69 mph 11/5 breaking curveball showed sharp break and he commanded an above average 75 mph changeup with heavy arm-side run as well. Rhoads is a definite follow among right-handed throwers in this class.

 9. Jeremy Hileman, RHP/OF, Red Land HS

Hilemean sat 80-81 with good life to his fastball out of an over the top throwing motion. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound junior showed a 69 mph curveball with late, sharp 11/5 break that was possibly the top breaking ball of the event. Hileman also commanded a 73 mph changeup that was thrown at fastball arm speed. Hileman is a strike thrower who has a fluid motion and very repeatable mechanics. His frame suggests that he is not done growing and he should see additional velocity gains in time. He will be an interesting follow as he continues to develop.

10. Michael Adams, RHP/1B, Cumberland Valley HS

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect appears to be maturing into his body. Adams sat 81-84 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a fastball that showed late life and arm-side run. His 75 mph slider with late break was his best secondary pitch. Adams also commanded a 73 mph changeup and a 71 mph curveball in a very solid bullpen session. He will be a definite high follow as he continues to progress.

Best of the Rest:

Luke Basko, RHP, Saegertown HS

Basko is a 6-foot, 155-pound prospect who sat 81-82 from an over the top arm slot. His fastball showed late arm-side run and was consistently down in the zone. Basko commanded a 72 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 73 mph changeup as well. With continued growth and physical strength Basko is likely to see additional gains in velocity.

Brad Church, 3B/RHP, York Suburban HS

Church is a primary 3B who topped at 75 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He also commanded a 67 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 69 mph changeup.

Michael Dunn, LHP, Eastern York HS

Dunn is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound lefty who sat 80-82 with command of his fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He also showcased a 66 mph 1/7 breaking curveball that showed a rolling action and a 75 mph changeup at fastball arm speed. With his projectable size and quick arm action, Dunn is a left-handed pitcher to follow in this class.

Shane Emrich, C/RHP, Spring-Ford HS

Emrich sat 77-79 with some arm-side run out of a high 3/4 arm slot. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior showed a 69 mph curveball with a 10/4 break and a 64 mph changeup that had significant run and downward movement.

Terry Godfrey, LHP, Eastern York HS

Godfrey showcased sound, repeatable mechanics out of a high 3/4 arm slot. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound lefty sat 77-80 with his fastball that he commanded for strikes down in the zone. He also showed control of a 1/7 breaking 69 mph curveball and a 71 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed. Godfrey is a strike thrower who knows how to pitch. His ability to change speeds and to fill up the strike zone was on display at the PA Underclass Games in September.

Brett Morrison, RHP/3B, Susquenita HS

Morrison showed very sound, repeatable mechanics out of an over the top arm slot. His fastball sat 80-82 with some arm-side run. Morrison's best pitch was a 71 mph 11/5 breaking curveball that showed sharp, late break. He also commanded a 74 mph changeup but slowed his arm action noticeably to deliver the pitch.

Evan Myers, RHP/1B, Pope John Paul II HS

Myers sat 81-82 with some arm side run out of a high 3/4 arm slot. His fastball jumps out of his hand and he hides the ball well by showing the numbers of his jersey out of the wind up. Myers also commanded a 67 mph 11/5 breaking curveball that showed tight rotation and a 73 mph changeup with some arm-side run. Myers has added 6-8 mph of velocity to his fastball in the past six months and does not appear to be finished developing.

Zach Newmyer, RHP/3B, Red Land HS

Newmyer is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior that showcased a fastball with some arm-side run that sat 80-81. He also commanded a 10/4 sweeping curveball and a 69 mph changeup with heavy arm-side run. Newmyer has shown continuous progress in the past six months and appears primed for a significant bump in velocity.

Tyler Potutschnig, 3B/RHP, Glendale HS

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior threw three pitches for strikes out of a high 3/4 arm slot. His best pitch was a 60 mph change up thrown at near fastball arm speed with arm side run.

James Striebig, RHP/2B, Dallastown HS

Striebig is a 5-foot-11, 145-pound junior that sat 81-83 with a loose high 3/4 delivery. He showed some arm-side run to his fastball and to his 74 mph changeup. Striebig commanded his curveball that sat 68-70 with an 11/5 break. Striebig is likely to see substantial spikes in his velocity as his athletic, lean frame continues to develop and fill out.

Bobby Suder, 2B/RHP, Central Valley HS

Suder displayed significant improvement since we last saw him in August. The 6-foot, 180-pound prospect sat 78-80 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with good arm-side run to his fastball. Suder showcased a 70 mph sweeping curveball that lacked downward movement and a 72 mph changeup that he located well.

Jamie Switalski, 3B/RHP, Pine Richland HS

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior sat 81-82 with an over the top fastball that showed little movement. Switalski also commanded a 66 mph 12/6 curveball that showed gradual break and a 69 mph changeup.

Joe Thompson, LHP, Avon Grove HS

Thompson sat 73-76 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He was consistently down in the zone and had significant movement to all of his pitches. Thompson also showed a 67 mph curveball and a 66 mph changeup with significant arm-side run and late sink. While his numbers don't jump off the page his ability to pitch does. Thompson will get college hitters out on a routine basis.

Matt Thompson, LHP/1B, Saegertown HS

Thompson is a 6-foot, 165-pound lefty that sat 75-78 with his fastball that showed arm-side run from an over the top arm slot. He had some difficulty locating a 67 mph curveball with a 12/6 break. Thompson's changeup sat 69-72 and was thrown at near fastball arm speed.

Ryan Wardropper, 3B/RHP, Elizabeth Forward HS

Wardropper showcased command of an 82 mph fastball from a high 3/4 arm slot. His 70 mph 11/5 breaking curveball was his best pitch, showing late bite and down action. Wardropper also commanded a 73 mph changeup and a 70 mph knuckle ball during a solid bullpen session.

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