2020 Committed Player ProCase: Pennsylvania Standouts

Follow @pbrpennsylvania

63 draft hopefuls from five states, including 53 Division 1 commits, showcased their abilities for pro scouts on February 23rd at Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manheim. The talent on display was impressive with every prospect having an opportunity to showcase the abilities that have earned them an offer to play collegiate baseball. Many will also have the opportunity to apply their craft at the professional level.

While it was extremely difficult to choose just seven players from Pennsylvania that stood out on the day following are those that really caught our eyes. For a closer look at the top measurable performers as well as results for all players in attendance ... CLICK HERE.

John Seibert C / OF / Warwick, PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 21 / POS: 4 Millersville commit. 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-handed hitter turned in the top bat exit velocity of the day at 101 mph with wood. He starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-lift stride. Showcased raw strength in his lower half and quick hands through the zone while creating considerable back spin. Showed present power to both gaps during a loud round of batting practice. Extremely athletic backstop ran a 6.91 60-yard dash. Still working on refininig receiving skills but 82 mph arm strength from the crouch and 1.95-2.01 pop times will give him a chance to stick at the position moving forward. Size, athleticism and foot speed will also allow for a move to other positons in the future if deemed necessary.

Jonathan Bautista RHP / SS / Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, PA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 4 Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander with a mature, athletic frame with proportional strength. Sat 89-92 from a 3/4 arm slot with a clean, repeatable delivery. Two-seam fastball shows heavy arm-side run and sink at 89-90 while four-seam fastball has late life in the zone. Curveball is in development, but at its best shows solid depth at 74-76 with 11/5 rotation. The breaking ball has better shape out of the stretch when he stays closed longer. Changeup at 82-83 is thrown with solid arm speed and consistent sink. High end prospect on the mound with the potential to be an early round draft pick if secondary offerings become more refined.

Paxton Kling OF / SS / Central (Martinsburg), PA / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 64 / POS: 9 Louisiana State commit. 6-foot-1, 180-pounder showcases raw fast twitch actions in everything his does on a baseball field. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Generates barrel whip with an aggressive hip turn and quck hands through the zone while getting on plane early. Showcased a gap-to-gap approach while making consistent loud contact. Registered a 100 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.66 60-yard dash. Foot speed sets up for center field but 92 mph arm strength will play at any outfield position.

Cole Hertzler 3B / RHP / Boyertown Area, PA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 2 Liberty commit. 6-foot-3, 215-pound two-way prospect impressed with his physicality and all-around athleticism. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Showcased above average rhythm while staying behind the baseball with an uphill path through the zone and present power to the pull side. Registered a bat exit velocity of 97 mph and ran a 7.41 60-yard dash. Feet work well at third base and flashed 91 mph arm strength across the diamond. Righty sat 91-92 off the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot with a deliberate side rocker step to begin. Fastball command was an issue on this date. Curveball at 70-72 with 11/5 rotation showed solid depth. Also displayed a feel for his changeup at 70-73 with late tumbling action.

Sam Ruta SS / 3B / Pennsbury, PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 1 Army commit. 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitter has the purest left-handed swing in his class wiith strong similarites to Alex Kirilloff at the same age. He starts from a square stance and uses a knee-to-knee load to begin. Hands fire effortlessly through contact while getting on plane very early. Creates backspin and shows signs of future power. Frame should carry additonal weight and strength in the future. Registered a bat exit velocity of 95 mph and flashed similar easy actions defensively. Glides around the infield with long strides and plays through the baseball. Showcased easy 84 mph arm strength across the diamond. Should draw considerable draft interest this spring.

Chase Kriebel LHP / 1B / Clarion Area, PA / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 163 / POS: 22 Florida Gulf Coast commit. 6-foot, 160-pound lefty continues to develop physically and long frame appears to still have considerable room to develop. Velocity continues to climb incrementally as well. The left throws four pitches from three arm slots and commands each with a purpose. Does not throw anything that is straight and maintains fluid rhythm with balance throughout regardless of the arm slot. Fastball sat 86-88 on this date with arm-side run of varying degrees depending on the arm slot. Curveball has above average depth from each slot sitting 72-73 with varying shapes depending on the release point. Changeup is thrown with excellent arm speed and shows significant arm-side fade.

Joe Jaconski SS / OF / Plymouth Whitemarsh, PA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 1 North Carolina commit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a short, leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Gets on plane early and hands work extremely well through contact. Showed the ability to drive the baseball gap-to-gap with consistent back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 7.14 60-yard dash. Showcased easy, fluid defensive actions with effortless 84 mph arm strength across the diamond. Makes plays on the move while consistently setting himself up for good hops.