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Over two weeks ago (February 22, 2018) more than 60 players worked out in front of our New York boots-on-the-ground scouting staff. Overall, the talent was exciting to say the very least. Several new names to the system impressed while some veterans to PBR continue to improve and raise their stock. Today we take a look at a few outfield prospects that impressed February, 22. Let's get started.

2019

Josh Bein OF / Bethlehem, NY / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 131 / POS: 19 Stands 5-foot-9, 180-pounds and build like a running back. Extremely athletic with fast twitch, ran a 3.91 home-to-first from the left-side. At the plate he starts with an open stance, wide base. On the pitch he strides back to even, barrel upright with a high back elbow. Strong and quick hands to the ball, path is short and slightly uphill producing angle and above average bat-speed, 96 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, moves to the ball with smooth actions, fields ball with body behind the ball, has a long back arm-action, releases from a high 3/4 slot with 75-mph arm-strength with accuracy. Expect to see that number jump. Overall, OF from the Albany area who deserves attention.

Jacob Wheeler OF / SS / Liverpool , NY / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 143 / POS: 21 Stands 5-foot-7, 160-pounds from an athletic smaller build, ran a 4.22 home-to-first time showing off above average quickness out of the box. At the plate his setup is wide and open, strides back to even on the pitch with a loose repeatable barrel plane, slightly inclined with full extension, 81 mph exit velocity with signs of more to come. Defensively very active and quick to the ball, clean glove-to-ball transfer, throws from a high 3/4 slot with a quick release, 82 mph which is significantly up since Sept.

CJ Latham OF / Shenendehowa, NY / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 328 / POS: 51 Latham stands 5-foot-11, 155-pounds from a lean build. He ran a 4.36 home-to-first time on lasers. At the plate he uses a slightly open stance from the left-side, front knee goes back for timing, slight stride forward on the pitch. Hands stay compact and direct to the ball, fluid repeatable swing, 80-mph exit velocity but that number should climb come this summer. Defensively, attacks the ball with an active lower half, fields to his glove side, uses a medium crow hope with a clean arm-action, releases from a high 3/4 slot with 80-mph arm-strength with carry to target. Nice looking OF prospect hailing from the greater Albany area.

 

2020

Matthew McHale OF / RHP / Arkport , NY / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 5 Standing 5-foot-7, 150-pounds from a very lean athletic build, ran a 4.25 home-to-first, extremely scrappy hard-nosed player in the 2020 class on the rise.  he uses a slightly open stance at the plate, wide base semi crouched with loose hands. Has a long aggressive stride on the pitch sometimes getting himself out in front too early, although it does work for his aggressive style,  barrel path is mostly level to the ball, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee showing plenty of easy bat speed, pull side power is evident now. From the OF, very athletic and aggressive to the ball fields on his glove side out in front with a quick clean transfer, arm strength is well above average for his age peeking at 87 mph with plenty of hand speed out in front from a high 3/4 slot.

Max Parker LHP / OF / Fayetteville-Manlius, NY / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 56 / POS: 3 Parker stands 6-foot-1, 155-pounds with a lean athletic build, frame to hold more weight once he physically matures. At the plate his setup is mostly upright with a wide stance, hands relaxed. On the pitch he uses a small stride, hands drop to the hitting zone and power forward direct from a fluid path, consistent contact with easy gap-to-gap projection, exit velocity of 79 mph but expect to see that number climb. Defensively, aggressive to the ball, fields on his glove side, clean transfer, fluid arm-action with a release from a high 3/4 slot, 80 mph arm with no restrictions.

Kyle Wayman OF / RHP / Horseheads, NY / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 81 / POS: 16 Kyle stands 6-foot-2, creeping on the 180 pound mark with signs of athleticism. on the day his measurable numbers were impressive,  running a 4.33 home-to-first, 79 mph arm velocity from the outfield, and a well above average exit velocity of 93 mph.  at the plate he uses a slightly upright wide stance, relaxed hands by his back shoulder, small stride on the pitch for timing, barrel is direct with a slight uphill path full extension producing above-average bat speed with power projection in his future.  Defensively, gets the ball on his glove side, body behind his throws, 3/4 slot, shows pretty low effort level to his arm speed but still generating 79 mph indicating plenty more in the tank when he becomes more aggressive.  He also work from the mound with a simple paste with delivery, throws from a high 3/4 slot with a fastball The peaks at 79 mph, curveball shows advanced spin, 12/6 action.

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