By PAUL GOTHAM
New York Staff

Less than one week after the completion of Prep Baseball Report’s 2016 New York State Games, players took the field at Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex on the campus of Houghton College for the WNY Prospect Preview. A few hidden gems found their way to the surface. 

How Do You Like Me Now? 

Thomas Bednarski (2018/Alden) created a buzz with his first toss from the mound, and the 6-foot-1 right-hander continued to deliver from there. Bednarski registered in the 86-87 mph range and touched 89. He showed a tight curve at 70 and threw his slider for strikes at 70-71. With a solid, sturdy frame (175 pounds), it’s easy seeing Bednarski adding velocity as he matures. 

Bednarski was not the only arm drawing attention.   

Jack Zielinski (2017/Pittsford-Sutherland) threw 80-81 with arm-side run. Smooth and effortless, the left-hander generates power through extension which he brings through with a fluid motion. Zielinski tossed his curve ball at 69 and spotted his change-up at 71. Brian Norsen (2019/Frontier) sat 81 and touched 83 with downward action. Showing clean mechanics, the right-hander threw a 12 to 6 curve ball at 65. Alex Johnson (2019/Tapestry Charter) also showed downward action on his fastball. Johnson sat 78 and touched 83. The right-hander spotted his change-up at 74. 

Tyler Brill (2017/Bishop Timon) sat 80 and touched 82. The left-hander showed a tight curve at 67 and threw his change-up for strikes at 75. Nathan Hampson (2018/Victor) touched 80 and commanded his breaking ball at 69-72. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, the left-hander has a lot of upside. 

With a curve ball at 64 and change at 72, Brian Herrmann (2019/Canisius) threw 78-79 and touched 80. Matthew DeRoller (2017/Bishop Kearney), coming off a steady showing in the NYS Games, touched 81 after throwing 79-80. Standing 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, it is easy to see this right-hander adding velocity at the next level. Justin Wisniewski (2017/City Honors) threw 79-80 with a breaking ball 68-70. Ronald Loomis (2017/Livonia) touched 82 and spotted a change at 71. Matthew Dessena (2017/Hornell) sat 78 with downward action and touched 80. The right-hander spotted his change-up at 70. 

Throwing Darts 

Brian Chatt (Lockport/2017) led the way from behind the plate with a POP time of 1.95. Loose and easy with his arm action, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound back stop showed pinpoint accuracy with his tosses. Coming off an impressive showing in last week’s NYS Games, Jake Zurat (2017/Williamsville-North) continues to show consistency at 2.0. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Zurat is steady behind the plate and packs plenty of pop with the stick. It was Zurat who delivered the game winner when Niagara edged Hudson Valley on Day 2 of the NYS Games. Justin Augustine (2018/Greece Arcadia) registered a POP time at 2.06.

Zielinski led the way with an outfield velocity of 80. Cameryn Williams (2018/Baldwinsville) registered at 79 from the outfield while Dawson Bailey (2017/Lewiston-Porter) and Jack Shaughnessy (2017/Brighton) came in at 75.  

Omar Rosa (2018/Fairport) paced the infield velo at 77. Aaron Potter (2017/Depew) and Hampson threw at 75.

Nice to Know Ya; Time For Me To Exit 

Bailey led the exit velocity times at 90. The first-team All-Western New York selection continues to deliver. Potter and Shaughnessy followed at 88. Hampson and Zurat clocked in at 87 with DeRoller, Norsen and Pat Bigham (2017/Greece Odyssey) getting in at 86.   

Prep Baseball New York turns its attention to the Futures Game on July 20^th at Sullivan Community College.