By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The PA Top Prospect Games brought together top prospects from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and Ohio for two days on the campus of Bucknell University on June 11 and 12. Of the 90 prospects who participated just two were from the Class of 2016.

OF Braxton Giavedoni and SS/RHP John Matthews represented the freshman class extremely well. The Punxsutawney HS teammates showed why they are both ranked in the PA Class of 2016 and served notice that they will both be prospects to follow over the next three years.

Giavedoni, the No. 6 ranked player in the PA Class of 2016, is an athletic 5-foot-9, 165-pound outfielder with excellent foot speed. He turned in a 4.18 home-to-first time on an infield ground out and showed the ability to cover substantial ground in the outfield. The right-handed thrower showed a strong, 82 mph arm from the outfield and a solid, line drive approach at the plate. Giavedoni squared the baseball repeatedly during a solid round of batting practice. His short stroke and flat bat path will allow Giavedoni to consistently put the ball in play and will consistently force defenses to contend with his foot speed.

Matthews, the No. 9 ranked player in the PA Class of 2016, is a long limbed, 6-foot, 150-pound SS/RHP. He showed advanced footwork and soft hands at shortstop and a strong arm on throws of 82 mph across the diamond. Matthews will need to work to shorten his swing path but showed good hands and the ability to square the baseball consistently. He sat 78-80 while touching 82 mph from the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Matthews also commanded a 69 mph 11/5 breaking curve ball and a 73 mph slider during his work on the mound.

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