2018 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games Analysis: Red Team
June 22, 2018
The summer schedule of PBR events in Pennsylvania continued this week with the 2018 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games on June 19th and 20th. Sixty prospects gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities at Cooper Park on the campus of Millersville University. Today we begin our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those that participated as a member of the Red Team.
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Red TEAM
TOP PROSPECTs
Drew Bechtold, 2020, C, Donegall HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 150-pound backstop showcased quick feet and an efficient transition with pop times of 2.01-2.08 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. Registered a 2.04 pop time on a caught stealing in game action. A bit undersized, but very athletic behind the plate with above average receiving and blocking skills. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Barreled the baseball all over the field in batting practice and put together one quality at bat after another in game play. Showcased an 83 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.42 60-yard dash.
Sal Biondollo, 2019, RHP, Annville-Cleona HS (PA)
6-foot, 170-pound righty has long levers and room to add to his frame moving forward. He sat 83-85 over three innings of work in game action utilizing an overhead rocker to initiate his repeatable delivery. Fastball was commanded to both sides of the plate out of a 3/4 arm slot with some hip coil that adds deception. Showed up tempo delivery with all three pitches coming out of the same window. Displayed above average feel and confidence for his curveball with 11/5 rotation at 70-72 and changeup at 75-77. Mixes pitches well and understands how to pitch. Struck out two and allowed three hits over three innings.
Dylan DuCharme, 2021, OF, Spring-Ford HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showcased fluid swing with ability to spray the ball around the field during an excellent round of batting practice. Nursing a badly sprained finger went on to go 4-for-6 at the plate in game action. Registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity, 84 mph arm strength from the outfield and ran a 6.97 60-yard dash. Displayed athletic defensive actions with the ability to play all three outfield positions. All-around skill set is advanced and athletic frame has room to continue to develop over the coming years. Definite high follow in the Class of 2021.
Jayden Taitano, 2020, C/3B, Conestoga Valley HS (PA)
Physical 5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Aggressive hip turn leads to above average barrel whip with a registered bat exit velocity of 88 mph. Took an impressive round of batting practice displaying present gap-to-gap pop. Ran a 7.30 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.03-2.12 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Received well in game action displaying a quiet glove hand and a wide base for blocking. Also has the ability to slide out from behind the plate and handle duties at 3B. Athletic all-around skill set should continue to develop as frame fills out.
Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)
Leo Burman, 2020, OF/1B, Friends Central School (PA)
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Showcased an above average feel for the barrel in a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Went 3-for-5 in game action with a walk, including a ground rule double to left field. Short swing path and aggressive lower half action makes Burman a hitter to follow in this class.
Colton Book, 2021, LHP/1B, Manheim Central HS (PA)
6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way prospect displayed a promising all-around skill set. Sat 75-79 on the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a balanced, repeatable delivery. Some work to throw with greater intent and an effort to clean up some glove side leak will lead to significant velocity gains in the coming years. At its best, his 1/7 breaking curveball showed late bite at 69 mph. Like his fastball, the pitch will need to be thrown with greater intent. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Book showed above average feel for the barrel in batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph while barreling the baseball routinely during game action. The 7.64 runner showcased active feet and a soft glove around the bag at first base with accurate 74 mph arm strength across the diamond.
Drew Iaia, 2019, OF/RHP, Avon Grove HS (PA)
6-foot, 173-pound primary outfielder showcased 82 mph arm strength from the outfield and ran a 7.31 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing. Uses an aggressive hip turn to create barrel whip and registered an 83 mph bat exit velocity. Worked three scoreless innings on the mound sitting 70-73 out of a high 3/4 arm slot while keeping hitters off balance with a curveball, changeup secondary mix.
Ryan Jantzen, 2019, 2B/RHP, Ephrata HS (PA)
5-foot-9, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a toe-tap stride to begin his swing. Demonstrated a line drive approach in batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Ran an 8.04 60-yard dash and showcased 75 mph arm strength across the diamond with a quick release. Righty also worked three innings on the mound sitting 73-76 out of a high 3/4 arm slot while working solely out of the stretch. Also displayed a curveball with 11/5 rotation at 63-64.
Matt McCarthy, 2019, OF/3B, Central Bucks West HS (PA)
Physical 6-foot-2, 195-pound left-handed hitter. Starts from a closed stance utilizing a short, leg-hang stride to square. Closed stance makes it difficult for him to fully engage lower half. Registered a bat exit velocity of 84 mph and ran a 7.29 60-yard dash. Displayed the ability to play through the baseball defensively with accurate 81 mph arm strength from the outfield.
Jared Moore, 2019, 2B/OF, Owen J. Roberts HS (PA)
5-foot-8, 180-pound right-handed hitter continues to make improvements in his game. Starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Demonstrated a feel for the barrel in batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Ran a 7.84 60-yard dash and displayed developing defensive actions at second base with 73 mph arm strength across the diamond.
Isaiah Reiner, 2019, SS/RHP, Manheim Central HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short, leg-hang stride to start his swing. Displayed a line drive approach during BP with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Showed plate discipline in game action with 2-for-4 with a walk. Ran a 7.87 60-yard dash and showcased 80 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively. The righty worked three innings on the mound sitting 75-76 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Also displayed a curveball with 11/5 rotation at 64-66.
Kyle Rhoads, 2019, SS/OF, Cocalico HS (PA)
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel-raise stride. Short, fundamentally sound swing allows Rhoads to find the barrel with regularity. Registered a bat exit velocity of 83 mph and hit a triple to dead center field in game action. Showcased above average 84 mph arm strength across the diamond and the ability to handle duties at numerous positions defensively. Made a highlight real play at 3B during day two with a fully extended diving backhand play on the foul line and threw the batter out by several steps. Fundamentally sound player in all aspects of the game.
Carter Rieben, 2020, SS/RHP, Downiingtown West HS (PA)
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and starts his swing with a short, leg-hang stride. Demonstrated a feel for the barrel during batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. Ran a 7.23 60-yard dash and showcased 72 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively. Showed a quick release and soft glove hand with a skill set best suited for second base at the next level. Also worked three innings on the mound sitting 71-73 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a feel for a 11/5 breaking curveball at 63-65. Overall skill set will continue to develop with strength gains and physical maturity.
Justin Swinko, 2019, SS/2B, Hershey HS (PA)
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Displayed a line-drive approach in a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk in game action while barreling the baseball in a number of at bats. Ran a 7.58 60-yard dash and registered 66 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively. Showcased a soft glove hand and the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles. Arm strength will need to improve in order to remain on the left side of the diamond at the next level.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Clash of the Titans Tournament Scout Day | PA | 06/24 | War Memorial Field - Ephrata, PA |
| Northeastern Pennsylvania Summer Review | PA | 06/26 | Misericordia University |
| Southern West Virginia College Prospect Showcase - 6.27.18 | PA | 06/27 | University of Charleston - Triana Field |
| 2018 Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase | PA | 07/10 | Millersville University |
| Eastern Panhandle College Prospect Showcase - 7.11.18 | PA | 07/11 | Potomac State College |
| 2018 PBR Future Games (Pennsylvania Invite Only) | PA | 08/01 | Grand Park - Westfield, IN |
| PBR Junior Future Games (Invite Only) | NATIONAL | 08/02 | Grand Park - Westfield, IN |
| 2018 Fall Kickoff Showcase | PA | 08/16 | Millersville University |
| Play for Team PBR (Fall Kickoff Tournament) | PA | 08/17 | Millersville University |
| Northern West Virginia College Prospect Showcase - 8.26.18 | PA | 08/26 | Wheeling Jesuit University |