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Midwest Future Games Review: Team PA Catchers

August 8, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The Team Pennsylvania roster was not short on talented catching prospects. Following is a look at the three prospects that shared time behind the plate.

            Zach Minnick  Jake Jessell  Jonny Smith

C/3B Zach Minnick, Logan HS (WV), Class of 2015

Minnick, ranked No. 1 in the WV Class of 2015, had the stadium buzzing prior to Game No. 1 with his defensive workout. The 6-foot, 215-pound backstop turned in an event best 1.79 pop time on throws of 82 mph out of the crouch. He went on to sit in the upper 80's on the mound and showcased his power potential at the plate with a double and a two-run home run in game action.

C/RHP Jake Jessell, Woodland Hills HS, Class of 2016

Jessell is ranked No. 3 in PA and No. 7 overall in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2016. The 6-foot, 220-pound Pitt commit showcased 1.97-2.00 pop times on throws of 77 mph from the crouch during defensive workouts. He had a key hit in Game No. 1 to stake Team PA to an early lead against Team Missouri. Jessell showcased a live fastball in game action, sitting in the upper 80's and touching 90 mph.

C Jonny Smith, Red Lion Area HS, Class of 2015

Smith is a 6-foot, 165-pound prospect that showed well and has a big upside. Smith, showed pop times of 2.00-2.08 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch. His ground rule double in Game No. 2 against Team Ohio fueled a 7th inning rally by Team PA.

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