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Western PA Top Prospect Games Analysis: Red Team

June 18, 2016

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania/West Virginia Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania began this week with the 2016 Western PA Top Prospect Games on June 14 and 15. Ninety prospects from Pennsylvania and West Virginia gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities on the campus of Seton Hill University. Today we begin our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at the prospects that participated as a member of the Red Team.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

Red Team

TOP PROSPECT

John ServelloJohn Servello, OF/RHP, Hollidaysburg HS, PA, Class of 2017

6-foot, 195-pounder stood out physically with impressive measurables across the board running a 6.88 60-yard dash, showcasing 93 mph arm strength from the outfield and flashing a 96 mph bat exit velocity.

A year ago Servello displayed his power arm in raw form in a brief performance on the mound at the West Virginia Top Prospect Games. He has since refined those skills showing a more fluid, balanced delivery while sitting 85-88 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Servello worked a 1-2-3 inning topping at 89 mph and flashed a solid 11/5 breaking curveball at 72 mph to give him a secondary pitch with promise.

Over the course of two games the right-handed hitter went 4-for-6 at the plate with two doubles. Servello barreled the baseball in all six at bats including a line drive that nearly took the pitcher's glove off for one of his outs.

Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)

Jacob Beck, RHP/3B, Beaver Area HS, Class of 2018

6-foot, 160-pound two-way prospect sat 78-81 from an over-the-top arm slot. Beck worked three innings allowing just one run while striking out seven. Utilized a 64 mph curveball with 11/5 shape that displayed some tilt as his primary secondary offering.

Right-handed hitter went 3-for-7 with a double over two games. Starts from a square stance with a high hands load and displays solid barrel whip (80 mph bat exit velocity). Beck showcased 75 mph arm strength across the diamond from third base during his defensive evaluation. Arm strength should continue to improve with additional work to play through the baseball.

Tyler Bischke, SS/OF, Hampton Area HS, Class of 2019

5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter showcased sound swing mechanics from a square stance with a 79 mph bat exit velocity. Bischke displayed athletic actions, active feet and the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles defensively. The middle infielder flashed 81 mph arm strength and the potential to be a quality defender at the next level.

The righty also worked a scoreless inning on the mound sitting 78-81 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Bischke also commanded a 66 mph changeup and a 65 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation in his three-pitch mix.

Boston Bradley, OF/C, Bishop McCort HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed hitter begins from a square stance with a high hands load. Hands work well through contact and displays the ability to use all fields with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Showcased 7.53 foot speed and 80 mph arm strength from the outfield. Ability to catch and play first base will allow Bradley to have a number of options for getting into the lineup early at the next level.

Rowen Fletcher, OF/RHP, Mars Area HS, Class of 2019

5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride with a direct swing path to the hitting zone. Went 2-for-6 with a double in game action and showcased a 77 mph bat exit velocity. Fletcher ran a 7.41 60-yard dash and showcased 75 mph arm strength from the outfield. Righty worked one inning on the mound sitting 66-68 from an over-the-top arm slot.

Michael Haley, C/1B, Franklin Regional HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-1, 200-pound left-handed hitter flashed an 88 mph bat exit velocity and a solid feel for the barrel while going 2-for-4 with a triple in game action. The C/1B starts from a square stance with a high hands load and shows good balance throughout his swing with a short lift-and-replace stride. Solid defender receives well and showcased pop times of 2.10-2.22 with 73 mph arm strength out of the crouch.

Neal McDermott, RHP/OF, Greensburg Central Catholic HS, Class of 2017

6-foot, 170-pound two-way prospect made a name for himself with a very solid two day performance. Righty sat 83-85 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a quick arm and up tempo delivery. Fastball showed late life and some arm-side run. Curveball at 65 mph with 11/5 rotation is effective, but will need to be thrown harder at the next level. Struck out five in three innings of work allowing just one run.

Left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Hands work well through contact and exhibited gap-to-gap pop with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Went 3-for-4 with two triples in game action on first day of the event. Flashed 87 mph arm strength from the outfield and athletic actions with solid routes to the baseball.

Anthony Michalski, SS/2B, Mars Area HS, Class of 2018

6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance. Deep hand position in load phase of swing leads to some length in swing with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. 7.08 foot speed and 84 mph arm strength across the diamond will give coaches options defensively if the underclassman should physically outgrow his current middle infield position. Current stature projects Michalski as a corner infielder or corner outfielder at the next level.

Steven Miller, SS/RHP, North Hills HS, Class of 2018

6-foot-1, 185-pound two-way prospect stood out with all-around skills over two days. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and has a tendency to allow lower half to glide to baseball with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Hands work and athleticism should create additional barrel whip when underclassman learns to better incorporate lower half. Went 3-for-6 in game action and ran a 6.84 60-yard dash. Flashed athletic, fluid actions defensively with a quick release and more than enough arm strength to remain on the left side of the infield (83 mph).

Righty sat 82-84 from a high 3/4 arm slot while mixing in a 70 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation in one inning of work on the mound.

Tyler Peterson, C/RHP, Hollidaysburg Area HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way prospect continues to impress with a solid skill set. Right-handed hitter flashed top bat exit velocity at the event (96 mph) from a square stance. Utilizes a short leg-lift stride to initiate his swing going 4-for-6 in game action over two days. Displayed pop times of 2.04-2.12 with 78 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Although he didn't run the 60-yard dash at this event has run a 7.45 previously.

Right-hander has shown mid-80s velocity in past events. Sat 81-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot at this event over two innings of work with some arm-side run to his fastball. Showed two quality secondary pitches in a 71 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a changeup thrown at fastball arm speed (75 mph).

Ryan Shawley, RHP/3B, Latrobe HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-2, 160-pound primary pitcher has athletic frame that should continue to fill out with maturity. Sat 80-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot while also dropping down to a side-arm delivery with similar velocity and command. Showcased a 65 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a 72 mph changeup from the higher arm slot as well. Out pitch is a drop down slider at 64 mph that runs away from the right-handed hitter. Worked three scoreless innings and struck out three.

Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and displayed a significant hitch in his load with a bat exit velocity of 75 mph. Ran a 7.50 60-yard dash and displayed 80 mph arm strength with capable defensive actions at third base.

Christopher Wallace, RHP, Norwin HS, Class of 2018

Physical 6-foot-5, 235-pound righty sat 81-84 with a long arm motion. Tendency to pull arm across his body which leads to occasional command issues. As he grows into his frame and better incorporates lower half command should improve and velocity is likely to spike. Also flashed a curveball at 66-68 that showed 11/5 rotation. Worked three innings with three strikeouts.

Jacob Weinberg, OF, Pine-Richland HS, Class of 2018

5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter displayed the ability to use all fields from a square stance and a leg-lift stride with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Went 2-for-7 with a double in game action and showed above average foot speed (6.81 60-yard dash). Showcased solid athletic actions defensively with good routes to the baseball and 82 mph arm strength.

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