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Preseason College Prospect Showcase: Class of 2017 Evaluations

February 9, 2015

Follow @PBR_Ontario

By Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Director of Scouting

We would like to thank all who participated in PBR Ontario’s Preseason College Prospect Showcase at the new PlayBall Academy in Kitchener. This was a great opportunity for 2015, '16, and '17 prospects to be put on college radars. Many of the more than 50 prospects that participated impressed during their individual workouts at the showcase.

In addition to recapping the top categories and the complete statistical results, we offer our sneak peek at some of the top performers of the day as you will find below.

In the coming weeks, we will be adding and updating profiles for each of the players in attendance, including complete analysis and video.

Interested in attending a PBR Ontario event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

For now, please take a look at the statistical results from the event by clicking here.

Preseason College Prospect Showcase: Class of 2017 Evaluations


Top Pitchers: Mitchell Stemerdink, RHP, Resurrection Catholic Secondary, 2017 & Jonathan Burkhart, RHP, Huron Heights Secondary, 2017

Top Position Player: Andrew Leggo, SS, St.Davids Secondary, 2017

Ajith Jeyaranjan, OF, Cardinal Ambrozic, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-6, 127-pound outfielder with room to grow and develop physically. Ran a 4.53 from home to first. Defensively, arm action worked from a low-¾ arm slot with average arm speed. Velocity from the outfield was 72 mph, tendency to land collapsed on front side hampering his extension on throws. Offensively, started from a narrow, closed stance with good rhythm to his swing. Small stride with front foot that was down on time and online. Hands were in a good position to create bat speed and torque. Gets good extension out front. At times would cast hands but overall shows good actions for a 2017 grad. Continue reps and development, along with strength gains will be most important factor for Ajith.

Andrew Leggo, SS/2B, St.Davids Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 175-pound switch hitter with a medium size frame and chance to add more strength. Ran a 4.30 from home to first with average effort down the line. Offensively, right is his natural side, using a small toe tap to load. Hands are quick, stays balanced and keeps a short and compact swing to contact. Exit velocity from the right side was 91 mph. From the left side, Leggo is a little more crude with his actions. Still has the ability to utilize his quick hands, timing with the lower half and balance/being online will play key role in his success. Still 85 mph on his exit velocity from the left side. Defensively, smooth actions with a quick arm that registered 80 mph across the infield. Fielded the ball cleanly out front with confident hands, real good first step, showed he’s an athlete with body control. Good 2017 grad who should be on your follow list, as he will be on ours.

Brock Ryan, RHP/OF, St. Benedicts Catholic HS, 2017
Scouting Report: Big 6-foot-1, 187-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Was only able to run home to first, which was a 4.61 down the line, and get in outfield evaluation due to a hockey playoff game. From the outfield Brock was 71 mph with his top velocity. Arm worked from a high-¾ arm slot and was able to get out-front and on top with his throws. We will see Brock again off the mound and at the plate sometime soon to fill his reports on both.

Chad Meyer, SS/2B, Huron Heights Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-8, 135-pound shortstop with room to get stronger. Time from home to first was 4.60 with average effort involved. Offensively, starts slightly open with hands high. Closes off with a small stride and stays balanced and online. Small trigger with hands, no wasted movement and stays direct to ball with a good bat path that is slightly down plane contact. Hands have some quickness, exit velocity was 77 mph. Right now projects as a line drive type guy. Defensively, agile lower half with some bounce in his step. Move well and attacked the baseball. Worked from a low-¾ angle, almost to the point where he was underneath the ball. Being a little higher may allow him to get more carry and accuracy on ball. Was clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Transfer was clean and made a couple nice plays on some short hops. Another quality 2017 who looks to project with added gains and hard work.

Cooper Wismer, SS/2B, Resurrection Catholic Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 148-pound 2017 grad with room to put on weight and strength. Ran a 4.40 from home to first with average effort. At the plate, starts slightly open with small stride back to being online. Stays balanced, hands get loaded and create good path to the ball. Good foundation to work on, few nice swings when hands stayed inside and got the barrel out front. Exit velocity was 77 mph off the tee. Defensively, stayed under control, approached the ball well and arm was easy with some length to it. Throws were online and made all the plays. Velocity across the diamond was 73 mph.

Dean Christidis, LHP, Bill Crothers Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 135-pound lean, lefty with a projectable pitchers frame to make added weight and strength gains. Slow tempo over the rubber with long and free arm action with average arm speed. Up, down, and out leg kick with good direction to the plate, hides ball well. Fastball was 73-74 mph and worked bottom of the zone. Some natural arm side run, when missed would be up and arm side. Curveball was 60-61 mph with downer sweep to it and 2/8 shape. Showed a good feel for the pitch and was able to locate in the zone for strikes. Changeup got up to 64 mph, had some run and finished typically bottom of the zone. Christidis is a projectable lefty who has three pitches he can throw for strikes. Being able to get stronger and become more physical will help him benefit greatly.

Dreyden Sloat, 1B/OF, Resurrection Catholic Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: Big 6-foot-2, 185-pound 2017 grad with a projectable body. Ran a 4.62 from home to first from the left side. At the plate, hits from a wide stance with his hands up and a high back elbow. No stride with his lower half and small weight transfer from back side. Slight uppercut to swing, stayed relatively balanced, was able to get bat head out front of plate and make hard contact with average bat speed. Exit velocity was 81 mph. Defensively, took ground balls in the outfield as well as at first base. From the outfield, Sloat was 77 mph, arm worked, with high-¾ slot and transfer was clean. Footwork can be improved and have a little more body control. From first base, Sloat attacked the ball and worked from the ground up. Bounced off the bag and maintained momentum on throws, was 74 mph from the infield. A big strong body for a 2017 grad, Sloat will have a chance to have some power given his size and strength. Bat will play and some minor adjustments can really help turn Sloat into a next level guy.  

Jack Hadfield, 2B/MIF, Southwood Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 125-pound middle infielder who has room to add plenty of strength and size. Ran a 4.53 from home to first from the left side. Offensively, starts slightly open with weight on his back side. Small leg kick gets him back online with hands up and a small bat waggle. Hands drop but is still able to fire through zone. Exit velocity was 67 mph, stayed on ball, not a whole lot of movement with hands, looked relaxed and showed some hand eye coordination. Defensively, made the plays that day. Can be more athletic in lower half by being aggressive. Transfers were clean and arm slot worked from a ¾ angle. Showed average hands and velocity was 63 mph across the diamond.

Jacob Parsons, C/3B, St. Benedicts Catholic, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 195-pound stocky build that fits the profile of a catcher/third baseman. Ran a 5.03 from home to first. Offensively, hit from a wide stance with an average leg kick and stride. Hands in a good position to hit with a quiet, small load. Hands were relaxed with small bat wiggle, generated good bat speed through the zone while doing a good job of staying balanced. Was able to get good extension on the ball and stayed aggressive with all of his hacks. Could flash some power at some point this year. Exit velocity was 82 mph. Good foundation for Parsons at the plate. Defensively, took reps at third and behind the plate. At the corner, arm plays well with some length to his action. Velocity was 81 mph across the diamond. Footwork will need more attention, at times can get to narrow with the lower half when approaching the ball. From a catcher standpoint, Arm was 74 mph down to second. Transfer was clean but low, and his feet worked better behind the plate with good direction. Looked more comfortable catching.  Arm has strength and body fits the profile to be a left-handed hitting catcher. Very intriguing young 2017.

Jakob MacLeod, RHP/OF, Malvern HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 145-pound two-way player with room to add size and strength to game. Ran a 4.53 from home to first with average effort down the line. At the plate, loose and athletic actions. Hit from an even stance with a small leg kick. Hands were relaxed with a bat waggle and short quick load. Bat path had some length with an uphill finish. Can get more out of lower half and back side. Should be able to do given the body and athlete. Exit velocity was 81 mph so there is some quick actions involved. Defensively, was free and easy approaching the ball. Showed proper mechanics from the outfield while getting on top of the ball with a velocity of 78 mph. On the mound, Macleod topped out at 76 mph with an over the head windup and tall and fall approach. Landed slightly across his body, the slender righty was still able to create out front and get extended. Best pitch of the day was his curveball, sat between 62-63 mph with good rotation and downward action. Threw a couple really good hammers. Changeup was 69-70 mph and would get stiff in his wrist at times. Was able to repeat his delivery with regular effort and a clean arm action. Good athletic actions increase the projectability of Macleod as well as him just physically maturing.

Jonathan Burkhart, RHP/3B/ Huron Heights Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 154-pound average frame with some athleticism. Should be able to add strength and size once he physically matures. On the mound, Burkhart threw from a ¾ arm slot with good tempo to his delivery. Stayed online with delivery while showing good arm speed. Fastball had some life, topping out at 81 mph with the ability to project more. Curveball had late break, thrown with good arm speed and worked between 69-72 mph. Changeup had some arm side run while sitting at 72-75 mph, needs to take a little off as it is too close to his fastball speed. Hides the ball well and had minimal effort, good looking 2017 prospect with arm speed and good feel for off-speed. Offensively, Burkhart ran a 4.70 from home to first with average effort. At the plate, starts in a slight crouched position with his hands by back shoulder. Base is spread just past shoulder width while staying closed. Minimal stride with small load in his hands. Bat path and hands work slightly down to ball. Can involve backside more at times, hands can roll over early. Exit velocity was 83 mph and was quiet and balanced. Defensively, would let the ball get deep at times. Can improve footwork and transfer. Showed average hands with a quick arm from a ¾-arm slot. Velocity across the diamond was 78 mph.

Jordan Humber, OF/RHP, St.Paul Catholic HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10,145-pound outfielder with a lean, slender frame that will get stronger with physical maturity. Ran a 4.47 down the line from home to first with regular effort. Offensively, starts in an upright stance with a narrow lower half. Small stride to toe, than lands slightly across his body and will get on heel when hips and hands start to generate through the zone leaving him off balance at times. Hands and bat stay on a slight down plane to contact, finishing in an upright position. Exit velocity was 78 mph. Defensively, arm worked from the outfield and was able to get on top from a clean, high-¾ arm slot. Maintained legs along with clean transfer up until release point with an outfield velocity of 69 mph.

Max Mancini, OF, Sacred Heart HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-5, 130-pound athletic outfielder with room to physically mature. Ran a 4.54 home to first. Good actions in the outfield. Worked through the ball well and had some quickness in lower half. Velocity was 79 mph with a ¾ arm slot, arm worked with good path, along with some speed and quickness to his arm. Uses legs and body well while throwing the ball. Offensively, hits from an even, medium stance i lower half, hands up and relaxed with small bat wiggle for rhythm. Slight pick up on toe of front foot with quiet load straight back. Hands have some looseness, stays balanced and online, will get more powerful when he becomes stronger. Exit velocity was 81 mph. Good foundation with quiet, easy swing. Line drive player who will spray ball and have tough at-bats on opposing pitchers. 

Michael Ssemanda, OF, Cathedral Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-9, 142-pounds with lean athletic frame. Ran a 4.32 from home to first. In the outfield, Ssemanda worked from a ¾ arm slot with a velocity of 69 mph. More in the tank as he needs to quicken up his feet and exchange. Offensively, starts from evenly closed stance with relaxed hands and a small pick up and put down with his front foot, implementing minimal stride. Rocks back to load, hands get in good position with some quick twitch actions. Hands are away from body, free and easy with good bat path to contact. Stays balanced and online through swing, hands have ability to get out and get extended. Interesting player who has some tools. Will be a guy we watch throughout the summer.

Mitchell Stemerdink, RHP, Resurrection Catholic Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 160-pound with a small, athletic frame. Will mature physically over the next few years and add strength to his frame. Worked out of the full wind-up with good tempo towards the plate. Arm worked, long and free in the back and was able to get out-front and fill the zone. Three pitches for strikes, fastball was 77-79 mph with natural run in the bottom of the strike zone. Curveball was 67-68 mph with good arm action and was able to repeat his arm slot. Had 11/5 shape with tight rotation and good downward action. Changeup was 72-73 mph and maintained arm speed, had some sinking action at times. Good young righty who filled the zone, fell off to first base side, gets on heel and open up a little early. May be able to lengthen stride and get a little more leverage to the plate. Good bullpen session on Stemerdink’s part.

Reece Reading, C, Listowel District Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 6-foot, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher who has a good frame to add size and muscle. Ran a 4.70 out the box to first base. Offensively, starts even with his lower half with a toe turn to stride. Hands back with medium load that slightly goes up. Can involve lower half more as there is some strength in the lower body. Would cast at times getting around the ball, did show he can keep hands inside though and get the barrel out front. Exit velocity was 77 mph. Defensively, setup was good, transfer was low, good energy in the legs and feet showed they could play. Arm was 69 mph down to second and at times got long with his throwing action.

Ryan Santos, SS/3B, De La Salle College, 2017
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 170-pound middle infielder who lean, athletic frame that can see future gains down the road. Ran a 4.21 from the left side from home to first. Offensively, was in an open, crouch stance with hands and bat upright at start. Small stride and load, hands would get below the ball causing some lift. Had a couple really good swings that flashed some bat speed and hands would stay above the ball that resulted in line drives. Exit velocity was 82 mph. On the defensive side, Santos showed average hands to go along with a live lower half. Tendency to collapse on front leg when throwing across the infield. Velocity was 73 mph across the diamond. Transfers were clean and led to a ¾ arm slot. Hands can soften up a bit by being more loose and relaxed in the field.

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