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Preseason All-State Showcase: Pitcher Analysis (Class of 2016)

February 23, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

A total of 44 pitchers toed the rubber on Day Two of the Preseason All-State Showcase. Continuing our evaluations of those that participated we will take a look at nine pitchers from the Class of 2016.

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Pitcher Analysis: Class of 2014
Pitcher Analysis: Class of 2017


Brady Abel, LHP, Central York, Class of 2016
Abel sat 66-68 from a high 3/4 arm slot with simple, repeatable mechanics. The sophomore gets to his balance point consistently and demonstrated the ability to command three pitches for strikes. Abel's best pitch currently is a 59 mph curveball that has tight rotation. The lefty also flashed a changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed that sat 61-63.

Luciano Besh, LHP, Franklin Regional HS, Class of 2016
Besh was a tick off the 79-80 we saw him at in the fall, sitting 75-77 this day. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound lefty displayed a forward rocker step and good balance throughout his delivery. Besh commanded a 61 mph curveball that has tight rotation and late down action along with a 67 mph changeup that showed late fade and sink.

Frankie Fraschetti, RHP, Neshannock HS, Class of 2016
Fraschetti sat 81-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot with good tempo to his delivery. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound sophomore also commanded a 68 mph 11/5 breaking curveball, 73 mph slider with sharp break and a 75 mph changeup. Fraschetti's curveball has a bit of frisbee rotation while his changeup showed some late sink and was thrown with good arm speed.

Jacob Haberle, RHP, Gateway HS, Class of 2016
Haberle sat 76-78 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with more in the tank. The physical 6-foot-2, 225-pound sophomore showed stiffness throughout his delivery and relied heavily on his upper half. Haberle's 11/5 breaking curveball at 74 mph shows potential while he slows his arm speed significantly on his 75 mph changeup.

Emmett Harkins, RHP, Germantown Academy, Class of 2016
Harkins is 6-foot-2, 190-pound righty that commanded a three-pitch mix from a low 3/4 arm slot. The sophomore's fastball sat 80-82 and his 74 mph slider showed significant flat break across the plate. Harkins also displayed a quality changeup at 76 mph with some sink at fastball arm speed. Harkins has a frame that suggests additional size and velocity is in his future.

Bailey Ishler, RHP, State College HS, Class of 2016
Ishler got everyone in attendance to sit up and take notice when he moved to the mound for his bullpen session. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound sophomore has a closer's mentality and a unique delivery that sets him apart. Ishler sat 84-85 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a jerking action with his hands prior to reaching his balance point and a stiff lead leg that distracts the hitter. The ball jumps out of his hand and has late life at the plate. Ishler also commanded an 11/5 breaking curveball at 74 mph. His changeup sat 80-82 and needs work to become more effective although he throws it with the same arm speed and out of the same slot as his fastball.

Jake Sniegocki, RHP, McDowell HS, Class of 2016
Sniegocki is a physical 6-foot-1, 195-pound righty that sat 77-80 from an over-the-top arm slot. The sophomore also displayed a 62 mph curveball with 12/6 action and a 67 mph changeup. He was able to command all three pitches for strikes but will need to continue to work to refine his complimentary pitches and to become more fluid in his delivery.

J.J. Spehrley, RHP, Pottsville Area HS, Class of 2016
Spehrley has sound, repeatable mechanics and sat 78-80 out of a high 3/4 arm slot. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound righty is a strike thrower that also showed a feel for a 67 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a changeup with some arm side run at 70 mph. Sperhley has an athletic frame and is likely to see continued velocity gains as his body matures.

Ben Tracy, RHP, The Haverford School, Class of 2016
Tracy is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound sophomore that has an athletic frame and plenty of room to fill out yet. The righty sat 80-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot with sound, repeatable mechanics. Tracy also commanded a 66 mph 11/5 breaking curveball that has a slurve action and a 73 mph changeup that is thrown at near fastball arm speed. Tracy's fastball lacks and real movement and his complimentary pitches still need some refinement but the potential is there for Tracy to continue to progress into an upper echelon arm in this class.
 

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