By Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting

st. joseph's prep @ archbishop ryan (march 30)

The sun finally came out in southeastern PA and the offenses heated up as St. Joseph's Prep held off Archbishop Ryan 10-8 in a back-and-forth affair. The Hawks were led by 2014 OF Jawan McAllister (1-1, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 3 R, 2 SB) and 2013 catcher Tim Rafter (3-4, 2 triples, 5 RBI).

Right-handed hitting lead-off man McAllister (right) starts from a slightly open stance with good pre-swing rhythm in the Prep leadoff spot. He holds his hands shoulder height and incorporates minimal load. At 5-foot-10, 170-pounds, McAllister has a strong build and is an above average runner (4.56 home-to-1B on a turn, 3.44 start-to-bag on a steal). He did not appear to get the best initial reads on fly balls (possibly due to there being no background behind home plate), but showed very good closing speed (not surprising given that he is a defensive back on the football team).

Rafter ripped two balls over the head of the left fielder that, despite not having great wheels (4.72 home-to-1B), both turned into triples up against a deep fence. The 6-foot, 195-pounder's swing is pull-oriented and he projects to have gap power at the next level. Rafter blocked well, was a decent receiver, and has playable arm strength if he quickens his release (2.28 pop).

While he had trouble keeping the barrel above pitches away due to starting from an open stance and staying open, St. Joe's Prep 2013 OF Shane Williams (left) hammered everything on the inner half of the dish. Williams has a great frame (6-foot-2, 200-pound) and solid bat speed. Once he learns to cover both halves of the plate, he could be very dangerous.

6-foot-2, 215-pound 2015 RHP Colin Cunningham started on the mound for The Prep. He only gave up four hits in 4.1 IP, but five walks and two HBP shortened his day. Cunningham has a drop-and-drive delivery and throws from a high-3/4 slot. His 78-80 FB had occasional sink and he utilized a near 12/6 CB at 66-68. His command will need to improve, but his strong frame alone makes him worth keeping an eye on.

Perhaps the most intriguing arm on the day isn't even listed on his team's roster as a pitcher. Archbishop Ryan's 2013 Matt Graber stands 6-foot-6, 185-pounds, throws from a high-3/4 slot and creates good downhill angle from the wind-up.  His fastball, which topped at 84, had hard sink and some armside action. From the stretch, he rushed and spun off, causing his ball to flatten out. He also showed a slurvy breaking ball at 67-70. Given that he is only listed as a catcher on the roster and started the game at 1B, some upside exists if Graber commits to pitching.

Offensively for Archbishop Ryan, 2014 OF Jason Dones showed very good instincts and tracked the ball well in center field. He's a slap hitter who doesn't project for much power, but he has a patient approach out of the leadoff spot. 2013 DH Dylan Egan (1-3, 2B, BB, RBI) barreled up one ball to both the pull and opposite sides, while 2014 2B Bob Romano (2-4, RBI) used the middle of the field well.

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