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PBR Pennsylvania's Ten Most Memorable Performances of 2012

December 16, 2012

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Prep Baseball Report Pennsylvania began operations in April of 2012 and we conducted our first event in June. In our nine months of operation to date we have conducted 11 events and have seen hundreds of talented prospects. On day three of our "12 Days of Christmas" series, we take a look at the top 10 performances of 2012.

  1. Brendan McKay, Class of 2014, Blackhawk HS

    McKay represented Team Pennsylvania at the Prep Baseball Report Midwest Future Games in August. McKay impressed with his bat during live batting practice on day one and followed that up by drilling a two-run triple to the center field wall in his first at bat of the weekend to help Team PA take an early 4-0 lead over Team Michigan. McKay earned the number one spot for his performance on the mound. McKay led the PA pitching staff going four innings, with eight strikeouts and only one hit on the weekend. He had the college scouts buzzing with his ability to locate his 86 mph fastball, his 12/6 breaking ball and his deceptive movement.

  2. Sam Donko, Class of 2013, Youngstown Ursuline HS (OH)

    Donko, an uncommitted senior, traveled from Ohio to showcase his abilities at the PA Top Prospect Games in October. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound RHP took the mound in the fourth inning of Game #2 and immediately gained the attention of everyone in the stadium. Donko used a high 3/4 delivery to light up the radar gun and send hitter after hitter back to the dugout. In two innings of work, he yielded one hit while striking out six. Donko sat 88-89mph with his fastball. He also utilized an 11/5 breaking curveball at 75mph and a 78mph slider that is a plus out pitch. Donko's fastball has good late life and is thrown with very good rhythm. Donko was named the MVP of the Red Team for his efforts.

  3. Deon Stafford Jr.Deon Stafford Jr., Clas of 2014, Lower Dauphin HS

    Stafford Jr. represented Team Pennsylvania at the Prep Baseball Report Midwest Future Games and showed very well. It was his performance later in August at the Eastern PA Top Prospects Showcase that he earned his spot in this poll. His day began by topping all runners with a 7.02 60-yard dash. He threw 78mph from the crouch and displayed a top pop time of 2.06 from his catcher's position. Stafford topped all hitters with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph that he put to good use as he put on a clinic in batting practice driving four balls out of the park and hitting several other balls off the wall.

  4. Christian Porterfield, Class of 2014, West Middlesex HS

    Porterfield earned the nod at No. 4 for his performance at the PA Underclass Games in September. His 87 mph bat exit velocity and 78 mph throws from the crouch as a catcher were among the top velos on the weekend. The member of Team Pennsylvania at the Under Armour Midwest Future Games in August, had an RBI in the Black Team's first game on Saturday, but saved his best for Sunday. In the final game of the weekend Porterfield put on a show. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound right handed hitter went 5-for-5, with a double, 2 RBI and a tape measure homerun to left field. He was named the MVP of the Black Team for his efforts.

  5. Zach Wielgus, Class of 2015, William Penn Charter HS

    Wielgus came into the PA Underclass Games in September as the No. 5 ranked player in the Class of 2015, and was as good as billed. He threw four innings on Saturday giving up just one run on two hits. He struck out eight, including seven of the final nine batters he faced. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound lefty showed an 84mh fastball with good late run. He also commanded his 72mph curveball and 74mph changeup effectively.

  6. Shane Dressler, Class of 2013, Red Land HS

    The VCU recruit who will be attending the Super 60 Showcase in February, put on a show at the PA Top Prospect Games in October. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound left-handed hitter ran a 7.31 60-yard dash, threw 81 mph across the infield and had a very solid 90 mph bat exit velocity. Dressler showed soft hands and good feet at first base during infield evaluations, but saved his best for his round of batting practice. Dressler used a slightly open stance and a very solid lower half to drive baseballs to all fields. Dressler put an exclamation point on his round when he hit a ball off the foul pole in right field. The ball hit roughly 3/4 of the way up the pole and caromed back into shallow right field.

  7. Matt Davis, Class of 2013, Cumberland Valley HS

    Davis, a VCU commit, did not disappoint at the PA Top Prospect Games in October. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound prospect ran a 7.10 60-yard dash, threw 85 mph across the infield and had an 87 mph bat exit velocity. Davis put on a show in infield with quick feet, smooth hands and a strong arm. He went on to go 2-for-2 with three RBI in game play. Davis was awarded the MVP of the Red Team for his efforts.

  8. Adam Bleday, Class of 2013, Titusville HS

    Bleday, a University of Virginia recruit, was impressive at the Western PA Top Prospects Showcase in June. He did not have the top outfield velocity, but his 84 mph arm was second best at the event. Bleday showed the best carry of any outfield arm and his 6.97 60-yard dash is evidence of his ability to track down a fly ball.  On the mound Bleday topped out at 87mph with excellent location and late arm side run. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound lefty also showcased a solid 76mph curveball and a sinking changeup that sat 78-80.

  9. Dan Furman, Class of 2013, Monsignor Bonner HS

    Furman came into the PA Top Prospect Games in October as one of the top uncommitted RHP in the senior class and did not disappoint. The 6-foot, 185-pound prospect threw the first three innings for the Grey Team and was very impressive. Furman used a solid lower half to generate good late life on his fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Furman sat 85-87 with his fastball. He also showcased an 11/5 breaking curveball that sat 73-75. Furman also displayed a 75 mph changeup at near fastball arm speed that had solid arm side run. He committed to Pitt shortly after the event.

  10. Troy Glendenning, Class of 2013, Kiski Area HS

    Glendenning, an unsigned senior, impressed at the PA Top Prospect Games in October. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound 1B/3B showed good mobility around the bag and ran a 7.62 60-yard dash on a wet track. He showcased an event best 97 mph bat exit velocity and drove balls all over the park during a solid round of batting practice. In game play, Glendenning used left field and right field for two line drive singles, and capped his day off with a triple to the center field wall that one hopped the 430' sign.

Honorable Mention Performances:

  • Ross Orgera, Class of 2013, Penn Trafford HS

    Orgera, a 6-foot, 210-pound unsigned senior, pounded the strike zone at the PA Unsigned Senior Showcase in November. Orgera’s fastball showed good late life and arm side run, topping out at 86mph with more in the tank. He showed command of a 72mph curveball with 10/4 break and an impressive 77mph changeup with significant arm side run.

  • Mitchell Machi, Class of 2014, North Allegheny HS

    Machi shined as a two-way threat at the PA Top Prospect Classic in August. He began the night by taking an electric round of batting practice, repeatedly driving balls to and off of the wall in left field. He followed his offensive performance up by showcasing the top outfield arm of the event at 85mph. He then went on to work two solid innings on the mound for the white team topping at 86mph with his fastball.

  • Ricky Dennis, Class of 2013, Central Bucks South HS

    Dennis, a Monmouth recruit, worked three innings at the PA Top Prospect Games in October showing why he is a highly regarded recruit. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound RHP sat 84-87 with a heavy fastball. He worked out of a high 3/4 arm slot to deliver a 72mph curveball with tight rotation and an 11/5 break.

  • Matt Rafferty, Class of 2014, Seneca Valley HS

    Rafferty worked the first four innings of Game #2 for the Red Team at the PA Underclass Games in September. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound RHP/OF showcased an 82 mph fastball, 67 mph curveball, 70 mph changeup and a 75 mph slider. The slider is a plus pitch that he used repeatedly to chalk up eight strikeouts in his four innings of work.

  • Zach Craven, Class of 2014, McKeesport HS

    Craven had a 1-for-3 outing with a double in the Red Team's Game #1 win at the PA Underclass Games in September. He then followed that up with a 3-for-4 performance in the Red Team's Sunday victory with a triple and four RBI. Craven was named as the Red Team's MVP for his efforts.

  • Steve Helmeci, Class of 2014, Mt. Lebanon HS

    Helmeci, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound RHP/3B threw four innings at the PA Underclass Games in September, yielding just one run while striking out four. He showcased an 80 mph fastball, a 71 mph changeup and a 66 mph curveball that had tight 11/5 rotation. Helmeci had an outstanding weekend at the plate going 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and five RBI. He showed an 82 mph bat exit velocity and was named the White Team's MVP for his play.

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