2019 Preseason Preview: Corner Infield Analysis
January 31, 2019
The 2019 Preseason Preview took place January 26th at Keystone State Baseball Academy. Today we continue a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance with a look at those players that participated as corner infielders.
+ CLICK HERE for complete results for all prospects in attendance.
Top Prospects
Dominic Chieffalo, Malvern Prep (PA), Class of 2021, 3B
Physical 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and utilizes a leg hang to initiate his swing. Showcased an above average feel for the barrel and present power to the pull side with a tendency to cut off his lower half. Registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.54 60-yard dash. Displayed active feet and solid lateral range defensively with adequate 79 mph arm strength across the diamond from third base.
Mike Gregos, Daniel Boone (PA), Class of 2021, 3B
6-foot, 208-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel-raise stride. Displayed balance throughout with an ability to create backspin and current pull side power during an above average round of batting practice. Registered a 90 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.47 60-yard dash. Showcased solid feet and lateral range while making throws from multiple arm slots defensively. 74 mph arm strength should continue to develop, but a move to first base is also a possibility in the future.
Josh Zambito, Penn Hills HS (PA), Class of 2021, 1B/3B
6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed impresses with much more balanced swing mechanics and elevated feel for the barrel. He now starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a controlled lift-and-replace stride. Flashed pull side power with a bat exit velocity of 92 mph. Showcased confident actions around the bag at first base with a soft glove hand and 83 mph arm strength across the diamond. Also showed capable actions at third base and ran a 7.78 60-yard dash.
Additional Corner Infielders (in alphabetical order)
Alex Brinkman, North Pocono HS (PA), Class of 2022, 3B
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Stays behind the baseball well and shows above average ability to drive both gaps with a bat exit velocity of 90 mph. Ran a 7.33 60-yard dash and showcased the ability to play through the baseball with athletic actions and accurate 75 mph arm strength across the diamond.
Drew Kennedy, Malvern Prep (PA), Class of 2023, 1B/RHP
5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showcased solid pop to the pull side for a young hitter while routinely staying behind the baseball. Displayed the ability to create some backspin with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Moves well around the bag at first base and showed accurate 72 mph arm strength across the diamond. Two-way prospect sat 70-73 from an over-the-top arm slot. Changeup is thrown at near fastball arm speed with some arm-side run. Curveball showed sweeping 10/4 action at 62-64.
Logan Lyter, Cedar Crest HS (PA), Class of 2021, 1B/RHP
5-foot-9, 160-pound switch-hitter displayed similar swings from both sides of the plate with a top bat exit velocity of 71 mph. From both sides starts from a square stance and uses a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Showed a tendency to get to his front side early with average feel for the barrel. Ran a 7.85 60-yard dash and showcased capable actions around the bag at first base with accurate 68 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect sat 70-72 from a high 3/4 arm slot off the mound. Also displayed a curveball with 11/5 rotation at 57-59 and a changeup at near fastball arm speed that sat 60-63.
Tyler Rickel, West Chester Henderson HS (PA), Class of 2020, 3B.
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitter begins from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a line drive approach with an arm-bar that leads to some length in his swing. Registered a bat exit velocity of 79 mph and ran a 7.38 60-yard dash. Displayed developing defensive skills with accurate 75 mph arm strength across the diamond.
Zach Swanger, Bellefonte Area HS (PA), Class of 2021, 3B
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a heel-raise stride to begin. Displayed balance throughout with a feel for the barrel while routinely staying behind the baseball. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran a 7.49 60-yard dash. Showcased capable glove work defensively with a short arm throwing motion and developing 65 mph arm strength across the diamond.
