Over the next few months, the Prep Baseball Report (PA/NY) crew will be highlighting players in several different article formats, including Ted Williams’ "Diamonds in the Rough" feature series.

The recruiting process can be tough sledding at times and for whatever reason, talented players can remain uncommitted for extended periods of time. Included below are some players who have stood out at events throughout the showcase year and deserve more love for their abilities. This week we will be focusing on five standout uncommitted prospects from the '21-'23 classes that offer at least one big time tool. Featured are two '21's, a '22, and two sneaky '23's who could rise up the rankings quickly. 

Ranciel Ventura SS / OF / Louis E. Dieruff, PA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 190 / POS: 33 The Spin: The 5-foot-10, 165-pound primary shortstop bounced around PA Unsigned Senior Night in September with high energy yielding a 6.96 60-yard dash and fluid movements in all phases of the game. Ventura glided across the diamond routinely during defensive evaluations getting around and downhill through the baseball with a purpose. With above-average pace from the left side of the infield and a quick glove to hand exchange in the middle, an already accurate 87 mph arm strength with life is just the cherry on top for a defender who could carry impact abilities on that side of the ball. The right-handed hitter generated loft in the swing with long levers repeatedly getting through extension, evidenced by a 71% fly ball rate / 331 foot peak batted ball distance according to Trackman Baseball. Add in an impressive 70% on plane efficiency per Blast Motion (ability to match pitch-plane early) and you can see the potential to become more seasoned as he develops. Although an 89 mph top bat-exit velocity / 73.41 mph average won’t blow you away at face value, the swing is legitimate and the only thing holding him back at the moment is getting the foot into the ground late during the timing mechanism. View Ventura as a quality defender first with above-average athleticism, but the offense could easily catch up in a hurry with the high ceiling he possesses.

Isaac Oldham RHP / 3B / State College Area, PA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 209 / POS: 55 The Spin: The State College Area product is projectable at 6-foot, 185-pounds but features plenty of strength throughout his game allowing for advanced power output on the mound and high spin on his stuff. The right-handed pitcher worked from the stretch only at the PA State Games in June showing impressive flexibility and separation out of a whippy ¾ slot with slight hip coil in the delivery. An 84-86, T87 mph fastball held the zone early in counts at 46.3% per Trackman Baseball and was nearly impossible to barrel up getting an average of 12.1 inches of horizontal movement. It could be a putaway pitch as well with high spin (2489 RPM’s) while featuring good ride up in the zone (14.4 inches of induced vertical break). The curveball / slider combo were thrown with confidence while finishing out in front at release allowing for devastating spin (2655 RPM peak) giving him multiple high-level out pitches on the bump. With both offspeed offerings showing higher Bauer Units (38 / 36) than the fastball (30), you can see the obvious intent and arm speed used which created deception at the plate. In game action, the righty accrued three strikeouts in two innings of work with two being the “high fastball” variety. Considering the life in the arm and how well he hides the baseball, the fastball plays up in velocity and will only continue to be a quality weapon early in counts.

Jake Jaszcz OF / LHP / Episcopal Academy, PA / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 166 / POS: 26 The Spin: We were intrigued with the athletic 5-foot-10, 160-pound primary outfielder after seeing him lead the pack at the Inter-AC Scout Day with a 6.59 60-yard dash. Couple that with above average instincts in space and a quick first step in either direction, and you can see the centerfielder qualities in his game. An accurate 80 mph arm from his position will continue adding strength only furthering capabilities to hold down the middle of the field at the next level. The left-handed hitter showed off a short time to contact and quick hands (21.8 mph hand speed per Blast Motion) allowing for increased barrel awareness at the plate. A peak of 94 mph bat-exit velocity / 88 mph average along with a 43% hard hit rate (balls hit over 90 mph exit velocity) point to the ability to be an extra base hit threat moving forward. With a 50% fly ball / 40% line drive rate keeping the ball off of the ground for the most part, Jaszcz flourished when working gap to gap in the approach and was able to handle the inner half with authority when thrown there. The current twitch in the hands and high-level feel in his game should pay plenty of dividends when the added strength comes in the near future.

Brian Reed C / RHP / Seton LaSalle Catholic, PA / 2023 The Spin: Talk about making an entrance! The physical 5-foot-11, 200-pound right-handed hitter put on a show last weekend at the Beaver Valley Scout Day where he managed to generate an eye popping 55% line drive rate per Trackman Baseball while featuring impressive flexibility for his size. The lower half was adjustable in the box handling the bottom half of the zone with extreme confidence allowing for zero groundballs during his round of batting practice. A 92 mph peak bat-exit velocity hints at the power lurking at the plate and a 74.5 mph bat speed according to Blast Motion should give you confidence that the power output can continue increasing. Although he featured a mostly pull-side approach (mainly LCF gap), the barrel stays on plane for a long time (62% on plane efficiency) giving him the ability to stay on the baseball if need be. Looking at a current 2.48 pop time would make you think that he’ll slide over to first base to give the bat a chance at the next level, but the arm strength (68 mph) and sneaky athleticism he has could give him a chance behind the plate. All in all, Reed should be viewed as a prime offensive threat who will continue climbing through the ranks as the defense catches up.

Zach Taylor OF / RHP / Central Cambria, PA / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 65 / POS: 10 The Spin: An under the radar top performer at the PA State Games in June, Taylor was all over the Blast Motion leaderboards in almost every offensive category. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitter was methodical and precise in the box allowing for extremely quick hands (25.00 mph hand speed per Blast Motion) to get through the ball with consistency at impact. Long levers did damage out in front of the plate creating a mostly pull-side approach during batting practice while notching all around advanced metrics. Combine an impressive 24.9 G’s of rotational acceleration with a peak bat speed of 70 mph and it made sense that he was able to accrue a maximum batted ball distance of 342 feet according to Trackman Baseball. A 67% fly ball rate showed true loft in the swing and the capability to continue developing as a power hitter down the line. Considering he also possesses solid bat to ball skills (73% on-plane efficiency), the Central Cambria product should hit for average too which should make him an interesting follow down the line. Defensively there’s a lot to like with a 7.09 60-yard dash opening the doors to slot into at least two of the three outfield positions at the next level. With an already above average 84 mph arm strength and quality feel for his footwork in space, you’re looking at a well-seasoned defender who will only continue getting better as he matures.

Previous Diamonds in the Rough

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
2021 Preseason All-State - South/Central	PA	02/06	Iron Horse Sports Complex
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/07	MOSH Performance Center
2021 Preseason All-State - Pittsburgh (3PM Session)	PA	02/07	All American Fieldhouse
2021 Preseason All-State - Pittsburgh (9AM Session)	PA	02/07	All American Fieldhouse
2021 Northeast ProCase (2021 Grads Only)	PA	02/13	Liberty Sports Arena
2021 Preseason All-State - Erie	PA	02/13	Erie Premier Sports
2021 Preseason All-State - North/Central	PA	02/14	Liberty Sports Arena
2021 Preseason All-State - East (11AM Session)	PA	02/27	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2021 Preseason All-State East (3PM Session)	PA	02/27	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2021 JR PA State Games Trials - Central	PA	03/06	Liberty Sports Arena
2021 JR PA State Games Trials - East	PA	03/14	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2021 JR PA State Games Trials - West	PA	03/14	All American Fieldhouse