First Thoughts: Preseason West 3B

February 27, 2018
Dan Cevette
President, New York

Last week (February 19, 2018) more than 100 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 third-basemen that impressed last February, 19. ** Rankings have not been updated to reflect most recent events and players are in no order.

2019

Jack Putney 3B / SS / Clarence , NY / 2019

Stands 6-foot-1, 185-pounds with a strong athletic appearance, frame suited to hold more positive weight. At the plate he shows a relaxed setup, shoulder width stance, barrel upright pre-pitch. Back load with slight stride for timing on the pitch, very compact to the ball, stays inside driving the ball consistently up the middle, long extension with a slight incline to his swing path, 88 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, very active lower half, gets himself proper fielding position, quick transfer, funnel, and release, throws from a 3/4 arm-slot at 77 mph across the diamond, signs of more velocity in the tank. Exciting WNY prospect to keep a close eye on.

2020

Owen Parliament RHP / 3B / LaFargeville , NY / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 4

Standing at 6-foot-0, 185-pounds, Parliament shows athleticism from a build able to handle more weight. In the box, he uses a wide setup, loose hands with a high back elbow. Repeatable path with high-end bat-speed, barrel path is mostly level through contact with full-extension. Raw power with an exit velocity of 93 mph. Defensively very sound from the corner position, clean soft glove with quick transfer, active footwork, strong arm across the diamond.

Brendan Miller 3B / OF / Penfield , NY / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 44 / POS: 5

Miller stands 5-foot-9, 160-pounds with an extremely athletic build. At the plate, very relaxed setup with wide stance, smooth back load and slight stride for timing. Compact to the ball, barrel path is mostly level through contact, easy bat-speed (up to 87 mph off a tee) with gap-to-gap ability. At the corner, wide base, gets himself in proper fielding position, fields out in front with open glove, clean funnel, shuffles towards target with 79 mph arm across the diamond (up to 80 back in July) releases from a mid-3/4 slot. He also works out from OF showing off his athleticism (ran a 6.79 60-yard dash, very good looking prospect to keep a close eye on.

Quinn Hanafin 3B / OF / Sayre Area , NY / 2020

Standing a firm 5-foot-9, 180-pounds from a thick stronger lower half. Major improvement on his 60-yard dash from a 7.8 to a 7.44 showing signs of growth and athletic ability. At the plate, relaxed setup with a small open front foot, hands back in a power position. On the pitch, back to even with a slight stride, compact and strong path to the ball, barrel path is on the incline with full extension, very fluid with easy power, especially to pull-side, 94 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, high motor player that keeps improving, active lower half, gets through the ball with a soft glove and quick transfer. Arm-strength was 79 mph across the diamond (up 3 from last event) and there's no restrictions with the arm-action. Very sound corner bat from the Southern-tier.

Brendan Seburn 3B / SS / East Syracuse Minoa, NY / 2020

Seburn stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds and oozes projection from the corner infield position. At the plate, slightly open stance, back load on the pitch for timing. Fluid and loose swing plane, mostly level through contact with a high finish, 85 mph exit velocity and expect that to climb. Defensively, very active lower half with proper fielding mechanics, stays behind the ball while also getting his whole body through the throws, shows multi-arm slots but mostly releases from a quick high 3/4 slot with 80 mph arm-strength. Very nice looking player from the CNY area