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The Eight Most Promising First Basemen in Pennsylvania

December 18, 2012

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

First baseman who have the athleticism to consistently make all the plays at first base are not that rare. Those who can also hit for power, hit for average and run a little bit quickly jump onto every recruiter's radar. In today's "12 Days of Christmas" series article we will take a look at the most promising first basemen in Pennsylvania.

  1. MatijevicJ.J. Matijevic, Class of 2013, Norwin HS

    Matijevic is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound left-handed hitter that can hit with the best of them. The University of Arizona commit is the reigning WPIAL big school classification Player of the Year. He earned that award hitting in the three hole for a Norwin team that went undefeated in regular season action for the second year in a row in 2012. Matijevic has a solid 82 mph arm and runs a 7.45 60-yard dash. He is ranked No. 1 in PA and No. 15 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2014.

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

    Dressler is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound left-handed hitter who ran a 7.31 60-yard dash, threw 81 mph across the infield and had a very solid 90 mph bat exit speed at the PA Top Prospect Games. The VCU recruit has the size and raw power to be a legitimate run producer and power bat at the next level. Dressler, who will participate in the PBR Super 60 Showcase in February, is ranked No. 4 in PA and No. 46 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2013.

  3. Jextin Pugh, Class of 2013, Bishop Guilfoyle HS

    Pugh, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound 1B/RHP is a potential two-way player at the next level. The Binghamton University recruit sits in the upper 80's on the mound and throws 90 mph across the infield. He is a middle of the order left-handed hitter that will consistently drive in runs and hit for power. Pugh is ranked No. 9 in PA and No. 85 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2013.

  4. Josh Ockimey, Class of 2014, Neumann-Goretti HS

    Ockimey is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-handed power hitter. He is a two-time Philadelphia Catholic League All-Star. Ockimey broke his fibula this summer, but has responded well and is back to full strength. He is ranked No. 7 in PA and No. 50 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2013.

  5. Jake Pribanic, Class of 2013, Norwin HS

    Pribanic, a teammate of J.J. Matijevic is the everyday first baseman for the Knights pushing Matijevic to shortstop or third base. The Penn State recruit is a 5-foot-9, 185-pound left-handed hitter with solid actions around the bag. He is ranked No. 14 in PA and No. 134 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2013.

  6. Nick Yarnall, Class of 2013, Hempfield HS

    Yarnall is a 6-foot, 190-pound 1B/OF from Hempfield HS. The left-handed hitter has a live bat and runs a 6.95 60-yard dash. Yarnall hit .446 in 2012 with five homeruns and 27 RBI. The Pitt recruit is ranked No. 18 in PA and No. 142 in the PBR combined rankings.

  7. Connor Donovan, Class of 2013, Pennington Prep

    Donovan is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound first baseman with an athletic body. Donovan should fill out a bit more and projects as a power hitter at the next level. The right-handed hitter is ranked No. 53 in the PA Class of 2013.

  8. M.P. Buckley, Class of 2013, Central Catholic HS

    Buckley is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound 1B/OF from Central Catholic HS. He is a talented athlete who runs a 7.25 60-yard dash and throws 80 mph from the outfield. The right-handed hitting Buckley showed good power in 2012 hitting eight home runs. He is ranked No. 104 in the PA Class of 2013.

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