Follow @pbrpennsylvania

The 5th annual Elite Prospect Showcase took place October 28th at Keystone State Baseball Academy. Today we continue our analysis of the players in attendance by taking a look at position players from the Class of 2019.

+ CLICK HERE for complete results for all prospects in attendance.

CLASS OF 2019 position players

TOP PROSPECTS

Jeffrey Billig, OF, Avon Grove HS (PA)
5-foot-9, 155-pound outfielder ran an event best 6.52 60-yard dash and flashed an athletic across-the-board skill set. The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Creates 80 mph bat exit velocity with quick hands through the zone and a flat barrel path. Displayed an ability to play through the baseball routinely with accurate 79 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Demetrius deRAMUS, OF, William Penn Charter (PA)
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Showcased balance and rhythm to the swing with an above average feel for the barrel. Displayed fast-twitch actions in everything he does. Ran a 6.58 60-yard dash and registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity. Displayed the ability to play through the baseball routinely in the outfield with accurate straight-line carry on throws to home plate.

Dan Dougherty, C, Malvern Prep (PA)
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance & utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed balance through extension with above average feel for the barrel and a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ran a 7.18 60-yard dash and showcased 77 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times of 2.10-2.19. Additional work to shorten glove-to-hand transition would allow above average arm to play closer to a 2.00 pop time. Plenty of room to add to athletic frame through physical maturity and strength gains. Potential to see early playing time at the next level with solid all-around skill set.

Joshua Hoffman, SS, Belle Vernon Area HS (PA)
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter is extremely strong for a player his size. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing by simply rocking his weight to his back side with no stride. Explosive hands and an aggressive hip turn lead to a bat exit velocity of 91 mph. Barreled the baseball with authority during batting practice while showing and ability to stay inside the baseball. Ran a 6.63 60-yard dash and flashed a very quick release defensively. Attacks the baseball and gets through it well, but 78 mph arm strength will likely keep him at second base at the next level. His foot speed and athleticism may also allow for a move to the outfield moving forward. Hoffman announced his commitment to Youngstown State days after the completion of the event.

Joe Loynd, SS, Central Bucks South HS (PA)
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitter took arguably the best round of batting practice at the event. Starts from an open stance and strides to square. Creates backspin with regularity and the ball jumps off his barrel. Stays inside baseball well and has a chance to be a big time run producer at the next level. Ran a 6.81 60-yard dash and showcased the ability to play through the baseball with fluid actions defensively. Has a short arm stroke and a quick release with accurate 77 mph arm strength across the diamond. Broad shouldered frame appears to be far from mature. Athletic enough to potentially play anywhere on the diamond at the next level with a move to third base or corner outfield being the likely destination.

Dennis Pierce, 3B, Quakertown HS (PA)
Physical 5-foot-9, 190-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing. Displayed some lower half glide, but keeps head and hands behind baseball well and creates above average barrel whip with an aggressive hip turn and very strong forearms. Drove the baseball routinely with significant backspin. Flashed current home run power with a bat exit velocity of 90 mph. Ran a 7.09 60-yard dash and showcased 86 mph arm strength across the diamond from third base. Plays through the baseball routinely and showed active feet with good carry across the diamond.

Stephen Posner, SS, Downingtown West HS (PA)
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Stayed behind the baseball well utilizing a strong lower half to consistently drive baseballs during a very solid round of batting practice. Hands work well through contact and the potential for future power exists. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran a 7.03 60-yard dash. Flashed active feet, a soft glove hand and the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles defensively. Confident in making plays on the move and showcased 82 mph arm strength with good carry.

Ben Weaver, OF, Plumstead Christian HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Showcased excellent rhythm to his swing with above average feel for the barrel while consistently driving the baseball to all fields. Creates some backspin with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Ran a 6.75 60-yard dash and flashed athletic actions in the outfield. Plays through the baseball with good carry on throws of 80 mph. Fundamentally sound skill set will continue to advance with added strength on athletic frame.

REMAINING PROSPECTS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Brenden Franks, 1B, State College Area HS (PA)
6-foot-2, 195-pound starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing from a heel-raise stride. Generates barrel speed primarily with upper half. Barreled the baseball consistently with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Ran a 7.35 60-yard dash and showcased 76 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively. 

Jacob Gelvin, OF, Governor Mifflin HS (PA)
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a heel-raise stride to initiate his swing. Drops barrel to the hitting zone from a high-elbow load leading to some length in the swing with a bat exit velocity of 75 mph. Ran a 6.96 60-yard dash and showcased accurate 77 mph arm strength from the outfield defensively.

Daniel Gonzalez, 3B, Lancaster Catholic HS (PA)
5-foot-9, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short, leg-hang stride to initiate his swing. Displayed solid balance through extension with a feel for the barrel and a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ran a 7.64 60-yard dash and displayed a confident glove hand with 85 mph arm strength across the diamond. 

Mason Hicks, C, Quakertown HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Displayed above average feel for the barrel with an ability to backspin the baseball and a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Ran a 7.38 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.14-2.22 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch.

Dylan Kummery, OF, Souderton Area HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Stays behind baseball well, but fails to get off his backside limiting his ability to drive the baseball. Barreled the baseball consistently with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Showcased accurate 76 mph arm strength from the outfield defensively and ran a 6.81 60-yard dash.

David Mangold, SS/2B, Cumberland Valley HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Limited wasted action with a direct swing path and solid hip turn leads to a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and showcased accurate 74 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively.

Brian McPeak, SS, Upper Dublin HS (PA)
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a short stride to square. Displayed solid feel for the barrel with an aggressive hip turn. Squared the baseball consistently with good balance through extension leading to a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Ran a 7.13 60-yard dash and showcased active feet defensively with a quick release and developing 69 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Trey Paige, 3B, Exeter Township HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride out of a crouched stance to initiate his swing. Barreled the baseball consistently with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Ran a 7.31 60-yard dash and showcased active feet while consistently playing through the baseball defensively. Trusts glove hand and has confidence making plays on the move with accurate 78 mph arm strength across the diamond. Chance to be a quality defender at the next level.

Adam Smith, SS, Parkland HS (PA)
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Stays behind baseball well, but fails to get off his backside limiting power potential in his long, athletic frame. Barreled the baseball consistently with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Ran a 7.27 60-yard dash and showcased 83 mph arm strength across the diamond from a 3/4 arm slot. Very soft glove hand with active feet and fluid actions makes Smith a high follow as a defender in this class.

Matthew Tannenbaum, 2B, Allentown HS (NJ)
5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. A high back elbow and some barrel wrap in his load leads to some length in the swing with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Ran a 7.13 60-yard dash and showcased sound defensive skills best suited at second base with 73 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Analysis article order:

Oct, 31 - Class of 2021 prospects
Nov. 1 - Class of 2020 Pitchers
Nov. 2 - Class of 2020 Position Players
Nov. 3 - Class of 2020 Two-way Players
Nov. 4 - Class of 2019 Pitchers
Nov. 5 - Class of 2019 Position Players
Nov. 6 - Class of 2019 Two-way Players
Nov. 7 - Uncommitted Seniors

ADDITIONAL PA NEWS: