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By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania continued last week with the 2017 Western PA Top Prospect Games on July 18 and 19. 55 prospects from across the state gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber, PA. Today we continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those that participated as position players as a member of the Navy Team.

Navy Team (Position players)

TOP PROSPECTs

Justin Byler, 2018, 1B/RHP, Warwick HS
6-foot-4, 195-pound primary first baseman also worked a solid inning on the mound sitting 82-84 from a high 3/4 arm slot while also displaying a curveball with 11/5 rotation at 70-73.  The left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing from a bat-waggle load. Displayed the ability to drive both gaps during a solid round of batting practice with an event best 94 mph bat exit velocity.  Went 3-for-6 in game action over two days including a double and triple to the pull-side gap and a home run to the opposite field gap.  Appears to be growing into his frame as evidenced by his 60-yard dash time dropping by 6/10 of a second in the past 10 months.

Josh Hoffman, 2019, SS/2B, Belle Vernon Area HS
Solidly builty 5-foot-8, 155-pound underclassmen made a name for himself running an event best 6.49 60-yard dash.  Hoffman is able to relay that foot speed to game action making several plays at shortstop covering considerable distance to make plays in the outfield.  Although currently a middle infielder could project best as a center fielder at the next level.  Plays through the baseball well defensively and showcased a quick release with 82 mph arm strength across the diamond.  Right-handed hitter starts from a tall stance and initiates his swing with a quiet, heel-raise stride.  Strong lower half rotation and extremely quick hands lead to the ball jumping off his barrel.  Stays behind the baseball well and has a very short swing path.  Registered an 82 mph bat exit velocity and showcased his foot speed with a triple in game action as well as turning in a 4.27 home-to-1B from the right-hand box on a ground ball. 

Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)

Jagger Blough, 2018, C/1B, Conestoga Valley HS
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and strides to closed.  Swing is dominated by his upper half as he pulls the bat head through the hitting zone with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Went 1-for-3 in game action on day one of the event and barreled the baseball consistently on both days.  Ran a 7.14 60-yard dash and showcased 69 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times of 2.13-2.22 defensively.

Hunter Bruner, 2018, OF, Rocky Grove HS
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his hand from a deep load position leading to an arm bar and length in his swing.  Creates above average barrel whip and the ball jumps of his bat head when on time to the hitting zone.  Registered a bat exit velocity of 85 mph and went 3-for-3 in game action on day two of the event.  Ran a 7.45 60-yard dash and displayed an ability to play through the baseball defensively with accurate 81 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Dan Crossan, 2018, 3B/SS, Archbishop John Carroll HS
5-foot-10, 160-pounder plays both positions on the left side of the infield.  Plays low to the ground and active feet allow him to play through the baseball.  Displayed accurate 76 mph arm strength across the diamond.  Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and creates length with a flat barrel in the load phase of his swing.  Displayed an 85 mph bat exit velocity and went 3-for-6 with a double in game action over two days.  Ran a 7.48 60-yard dash.

Dylan Hetrick, 2019, OF, Mercer Area HS
6-foot-2, 180-pounder with an athletic, projectable frame.  Ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and played through the baseball defensively with accurate 78 mph arm strength in the outfield.  Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes an abbreviated leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity and went 3-for-6 in game action over two days of the event.

David Mangold, 2019, 2B/SS, Cumberland Valley HS
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing. Displayed solid lower half action and registered a bat exit velocity of 84 mph.  Went 1-for-3 in game action on day one of the event while consistently barreling the baseball over the course of the two days.  Ran a 6.93 60-yard dash.  Projects as a second baseman at the next leve with current defensive skills and 75 mph arm strength.

Garrett Meckley 2020, C/1B, Kennard Dale HS
6-foot-2, 190-pounder has very projectable frame.  Ran a 7.51 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.13-2.22 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch.  Received well in game action and moves well laterally when blocking.  The right-handed hitter starts from a wide, slightly open stance and initiates his swing with an abbreviated leg-lift stride. Clears hips early and allows hands to work through extension.  Registered a bat exit velocity of 87 mph and went 2-for-6 in game action over two games.

Ben Myers, 2019, OF, Cumberland Valley HS
6-foot, 150-pounder ran a 6.62 60-yard dash and showcased athletic actions in the outfield with accurate 79 mph arm strength.  The left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing.  Registered an 84 mph bat exit velocity and went 1-for-4 with two walks in game action over two days.  Solid all around skill set and plenty of fast-twitch actions make Myers a prospect to follow in this class.

Harrison Pontoli, 2019, 2B/SS, Beaver Area HS
6-foot, 160-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and flashed looseness to his swing with rhythm throughout.  Displayed solid feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph, a number that should rise quickly with strength gains and physical maturity.  Ran a 7.21 60-yard dash and showcased accurate 79 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively.  Showed active feet and fundamental actions best suited currently at second base.

ANALYSIS SCHEDULE

7/20 Complete Results & Top Performers
7/21 Red Team (Pitcher Onlys)
7/22 Red Team (Two-way Prospects)
7/23 Red Team (Position Players)
7/24 Navy Team (Pitcher Onlys)
7/25 Navy Team (Two-way Prospects)
7/26 Navy Team (Position Players)
7/27 Team PBR (Pitcher Onlys)
7/28 Team PBR (Two-way Prospects)
7/29 Team PBR (Position Players)