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On Deck Preview: Northeast Procase

February 10, 2023
Ted Williams
VP Scouting/Content

This Sunday, February 12th at The Liberty Arena in Williamsport, PA, 75 of the top players in the region will gather for our 4th Annual Northeast Procase. Participants will follow a traditional showcase setup starting with the 60-yard dash, batting practice, defense, and bullpens, along with our technology & vision testing. Last year's biggest winner was Kennedy Catholic's (NY) Gary Gill Hill, a 6th round selection by the Tampa Bay Rays, who utilized a breakout mound performance to boost his draft stock.

In this article, we'll be highlighting some impact names to know by position, working around the diamond. Three states are represented exclusively throughout the roster (Pennsylvania, New York, & New Jersey).

LINK TO FULL ROSTER

 

Pitchers

'23 RHP Christian De La Cruz (Combine Academy NC; Manhattan) rode a strong fall up the rankings with his explosive, riding low-90's FB, touching 93 mph. It's a lower release and real spin traits, generating swing/miss up in the zone when ahead. Still 5-foot-11, 185lbs, it's not hard to see additional velocity coming with a hard thrown breaking ball.

PBRT regular and '24 RHP Tyler Renz (Fox Lane; St. John's) has been in the lab with VeloU in Pleasantville, NY this offseason, adding meaningful ticks to the FB, now consistently around the 90 mph mark. A lanky, wiry frame projects for more while he's always been able to land a tight, lateral slider to his glove-side.

'24 3B/RHP Kross Howarth (Metchacton; Tulane) is all arms and legs at 6-foot-4, 195lbs with premium arm-talent and ability to hold the hip-hinge down the mound. Was a standout at PA Shockers Scout Day in '22 in our last look, giving him a chance to be a power arm with a tough 3/4 release and high spin 90+ mph heater. Going to be a good R/R matchup piece at the next level.

Don't sleep on '24 RHP Alex Ramos (Goshen; Florida International) who broke onto the scene at #PBRFG22. Heavy downhill to the knees from an elastic delivery, upper-80's, and just knows how to pitch. Dodged barrels on the biggest stage in Georgia.

 

MIDDLE INFIELDERS

New Jersey's '23 SS/RHP Daniel Ciprian (Linden; St. John's) appears to be one of the more tooled up prospects in attendance, a natural switch-hitter with big time juice from both sides. Plus runner (6.79) who carries twitchy actions to all sides of the ball, recently grabbing a 92 off the mound from a three-pitch mix this January.

Duke has done a great job locking up quality left-handed hitters and '24 SS Jeff Lougee (Mechanicsburg) more than fits the bill with budding rotational power and a short, efficient swing that packs a punch to the RCF gap. Lived in the mid-90's for EV a year ago while the arm and run tool keep improving at each stop.

We just had eyes on '25 SS Matthew Robaugh (Trinity; West Virginia) at Pittsburgh Spikes Scout Day and the results were impressive. The 6-foot, 170-pounder swung with aggression and landed on the sweet spot often for a T101 mph exit velocity (94 mph AVG). Similar success on the defensive side with quickened pace and a live 88 mph throwing arm. Will be a close follow for remaining HS career.

'24 SS Tyler Acevedo (Minisink Valley; Mississippi) continues trending upwards with increased athleticism. Went 6.90 and 89 mph across the dirt at the Metro Scout Day in September and held his own against some of the cities' best talent it had to offer. The muscular right-handed hitter should have one of the more fun BP rounds with an XBH approach and fast hands.

'25 SS Ty Kaunas (Red Land; Virginia Tech) has recently transformed his body and looks more physically capable. It's a smooth, line-drive skillset from the right side, though the power is coming in waves. Going to be leaned on a bunch this spring as Red Land's go-to cog atop the offense.

corners

'24 3B Luke Costello (Cathedral Prep; Wake Forest) looks to lead the charge in District 10 this spring and push the dark-horse Ramblers to a state title. The body is imposing at 6-foot-1, 200lbs and really controls the leg-kick on forward move. Turned in one of the top batting practice rounds at last year's Northeast Procase, up to a T97 mph exit with wood.

'24 3B Chase Harlan (Central Bucks East; Cincinnati) carries loud raw measurables in all phases, 90+ mph across the diamond and 100+ mph exits with next level juice. One of the stronger pound-for-pound players at the event, will draw major attention during BP. Was a key contributor last year in a tough SOL conference against mostly D1 commits.

It's going to be fun to watch '25 3B/RHP Kaden Hathaway (Trinity; West Virginia) toe the rubber behind a newly equipped 90+ mph FB. Always could pitch in the mid-to-upper 80's, but this could put the arsenal over the top. Likewise, the RHH creates advanced leverage off the front of the plate and will dazzle defensively on the run. Easy two-way projection.

'24 3B/RHP Jonah Richardson (Boiling Springs; Delaware) competed his tail off for Team PA at #PBRFG22 with sweeping SL and cut FB that eclipsed 88 mph. Was unhittable as well at PA Interstate Games, striking out 6 out of 8 batter's faced over two frames. Big spin numbers and hides the ball well out of a lower slot. Also gets the most of out a connected, durable frame on max effort swings to pull-side.

CATCHERS

‘24 C John DiGregorio (Gill St. Bernard’s; Penn State) is a shutdown defender with elite hips behind the dish and an 80+ mph throwing arm from the crouch. Now 6-foot, 195-pounds, the offense has caught up with some rotational power (101 mph exit) and legitimate bat-strength. Saw a boost in the NJ Class of 2024 rankings.

Another Garden State invitee, ‘24 C Aidan Paradine (Bayonne; Georgia Tech) turns the handle with authority and creates carry to the pull-side gap (360+ feet). Features a compact, athletic 6-foot-1, 200-pound build capable of handling a pitching staff at the next level with solid blocking and receiving skills. Big arm talent out of the hand (79 mph).

'24 C Anderson French (Red Land; Duke) had a remarkable summer in front of our national scouts. Blake Hibler from PBR Indiana sung his praises as an upper-echelon bat in the 2024 class. The projectable lefty generates clean power with little effort needed, able to spray XBH contact from gap-to-gap at 6-foot-4, 200lbs. It's a professional frame that will approach triple-digit exit velocities during what's expected to be a standout BP session.

'24 C/SS Gavin Kelly (Central Catholic; West Virginia) saw his 60-yard dash time drop into the 6.60 range last winter, as the bat-speed bumped up significantly. A consummate in-game performer, it will be fun to see what another offseason has done for his development. Well-coached across the board with a chance to get on the field early at multiple positions.

#AllStateEast standout '25 C Ben Peterson (Canon McMillan; North Carolina) joins us after his first full season in the WPIAL. The frame is still green at the moment, though tools are refined. Reached 80+ mph from the crouch in '22 with an upper-90's exit and barrel-whip. Really attacks through the ball at impact.

'23 C Cole Constable (Cathedral Prep; Maryland) always seems to do his best when the bright lights are on. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder hits top pitching with an advanced timing mechanism and keeps the barrel long through the zone with a short-to-long lead elbow. Was all over our scouting notebook last spring with confident swings at the plate. Has evolved from a contact guy to a power bat.

OUTFIELDERS

Though he projects as a two-way, newly reclassed '24 OF/LHP David Shields (Mt. Lebanon; Miami) will be participating only as a position player at #NEProcase. The #4 overall ranked prospect in the state is a seasoned switch-hitter with equal strength from both sides. At 6-foot-2, 195lbs, there's upside raw power in the frame. Going to be intriguing when he steps on the mound later this spring.

Fresh off of one of the more consistent performances at #Super60, '23 OF Chase Krewson (South Fayette; Duke) will be a premiere name to know this weekend. Physical L/L 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame with quality run times and plus feel for the barrel. Was among the leaders in on-plane %, rotational acceleration, bat-speed, hand-speed, and OF arm. Worked up to a T100 mph exit velocity.

'24 OF Ben Fishel (Tappan Zee; Columbia) traveled with Team NY to #PBRFG22 in August and won "Player of the Game" after going 2 for 2 and a run scored vs. Team OK. Speeds up the game on the bases (6.75 runner) and commands a high/tight first move at the plate with some barrel accuracy. Chance to play centerfield at the next level.

'24 OF Evan McCoach (Neumann Goretti; Rutgers) is uber-athletic with a short, flat path and lifted finish. Tucks the hands inside the ball at times with ability to go the other way and had HUGE power during HS season, including one game with 2HR. 5-foot-10, 185-pounds with efficient levers.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 Preseason ID: Central PA 02/11 The Liberty Arena / Williamsport, PA
2023 Northeast ProCase PA 02/12 The Liberty Arena / Williamsport, PA
2023 Preseason ID: Southwest - Session 1 PA 02/18 All American Fieldhouse / Monroeville, PA
2023 Preseason ID: Southwest - Session 2 PA 02/18 All American Fieldhouse / Monroeville, PA
2023 Rising Stars: West (35% Full) PA 02/19 All American Fieldhouse / Monroeville, PA
2023 Preseason ID: East (SOLD OUT) PA 02/26 In the Net / Palmyra, PA
Preseason ID: Northeast PA 03/03 The Sports Factory of NEPA / White Mills, PA
2023 Preseason ID: PA Last Chance (SOLD OUT) PA 03/04 The Liberty Arena / Williamsport, PA
2023 Rising Stars: East (70% Full) PA 03/11 Keystone State Sports / Manheim, PA