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Preseason All-State Showcase Preview: Middle Infielders

February 14, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Middle infielders will be on display to start the day at the Preseason All-State Showcase on February 23 in Manheim, PA. A group of 30 talented middle infield prospects from every class will showcase at the B2B Baseball Academy to get the event started. Following is a look at some of the top middle infielders among those who will be in attendance.

CLICK HERE for a roster of those prospects who will be in attendance.

Class of 2013:

SS/RHP Jake Horew, Chartiers Valley HS
Horew is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound unsigned senior who runs a 7.17 60-yard dash and has a strong arm (89mph OF, 86mph IF). He has been a three year starter and was an All-Section selection in 2012. Horew is currently ranked No. 151 in the PA Class of 2013.

Class of 2014:

RHP/SS Justin Vardian, Bishop McCort HS
Vardian is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect who was a major contributor in Bishop McCort's run to a PIAAA Class A State Championship in 2012. He hit .467 and went 8-0 on the mound with a 1.91 ERA. Vardian is currently ranked No. 51 in the PA Class of 2014.

SS/3B Connor Kerns, Bishop Shanahan HS
Kerns is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound prospect who has shown an 82 mph arm across the infield and runs a 7.30 60-yard dash. Kerns is currently ranked No. 67 in the PA Class of 2014.

2B/SS Ted Williams, Meadville HS
Williams is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound prospect who participated for Team Pennsylvania at the 2012 Midwest Future Games. He has shown an 84 mph arm across the infield and runs a 7.12 60-yard dash. Williams hit .417 as a freshman in 2011 and was an All-Region selection in 2012. He is currently ranked No. 68 in the PA Class of 2014.

2B/SS Ryan Creps, Indiana Area HS
Creps is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect who showed well at the Western PA Open ID Showcase in January. He displayed athletic actions and a 75 mph arm across the infield. Offensively, Creps used a short swing path, a strong lower half and good extension to barrel up baseballs consistently to all fields with an 82 mph bat exit velocity. Creps is currently ranked No. 109 in the PA Class of 2014.

Class of 2015:

Nick FalsoSS/2B Nick Falso, Wissahickon HS
Falso took top honors among the Class of 2015 prospects at Eastern PA Open ID Showcase in January. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound prospect impressed with his actions defensively, showcasing good feet and the strongest infield arm of the day at 80 mph. Falso used a solid 83 mph bat exit velocity to square everything in an impressive round of batting practice. Falso will participate for Team Pennsylvania at the 2013 Midwest Future Games in August. He is currently ranked No. 27 in the PA Class of 2015.

2B/OF Shane Churma, Penn Trafford HS
Churma is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound prospect who showcased well in all facets of the game at the Western PA Open ID Showcase in January. He threw 80 mph from the outfield and 75 mph across the infield. Churma impressed at the plate with good barrel whip and excellent extension to his swing. He showcased legitimate power potential with an 85 mph bat exit velocity. Churma is currently ranked No. 47 in the PA Class of 2015.

Class of 2016:

SS/RHP John Matthews, Punxsutawney HS
Matthews is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound SS/RHP who was selected to the WWBA 14U National Championship All-Tournament Team last summer after going 7-for-12 with five runs scored. He is a very promising prospect who is a player to watch in the Class of 2016.

SS/2B Nate Fassnacht, Ephrata HS
Fassnacht has shown steady progress in all facets of the game since we first saw him in June of 2012. The 5-foot-7, 140-pound SS has soft hands and the ability to play through the baseball on throws of 77 mph across the diamond. The switch-hitter has shown a 77 mph bat exit velocity and squares the baseball consistently from both sides of the plate.

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