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Elite Prospect Showcase: Outfield Analysis

November 10, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The Elite Prospect Showcase showcased 68 talented prospects from four states. A talented group of 12 outfielders were on display. Following is a look at the top prospects among the outfielders in attendance.


Top Prospects

LHP/OF J.J. Bleday (Titusville HS, Class of 2016)

Bleday stood out as the top outfield prospect in attendance. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound lefty showcased fluid actions in the outfield with effortless throws of 89 mph to the plate. At the plate, the left-handed hitter utilizes a toe tap and holds his hands in a good launch position. He has a smooth stroke, some barrel whip, and juice in his bat (91 mph exit velocity). Having shut it down for rest purposes, Bleday did not showcase on the mound, but has featured a fastball at 84-86 during previous events.

OF/RHP Nick Newman (Cardinal O'Hara HS, Class of 2015)

Newman has a solid 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame and displayed capable actions in the outfield with throws of 75 mph. The right-handed hitter stood out at the plate. Newman incorporates a high hands load from a square stance. He gets to extension well and the ball jumps off his bat head. He barreled the baseball consistently during his round of batting practice with an impressive 94 mph bat exit velocity.

OF Brian Verratti (Neumann-Goretti HS, Class of 2016)

Verratti is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound prospect with an above average 80 mph arm from the outfield. He uses an infield arm action to get rid of the baseball quickly with good straight line carry. The right-handed hitter is very strong for his size and has quick hands. He barreled the baseball routinely and displayed a 78 mph bat exit velocity.

OF Gabe Witmer (Twin Valley HS, Class of 2015)

Witmer showed athletic actions in the outfield and good carry to throws of 80 mph. The right-handed hitter, who had been nursing some injuries, attended shortly after being cleared to participate. He showed a 78 mph bat exit velocity, a short swing path, and the ability to barrel the baseball consistently to all fields. When healthy, Witmer is a prototypical lead-off hitter that runs a sub-7.0 60-yard dash.


Best of the Rest (Alphabetical order)

OF Nicholas Amey (Emmaus HS, Class of 2017)

Amey was one of the few freshmen in attendance. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound prospect showed athletic actions in the outfield with good straight line carry to throws of 75 mph from the outfield. The right-handed hitter utilized a square stance and a high hands load to produce a bat exit velocity of 70 mph. He barreled the baseball consistently and displayed the ability to use all fields. Amey has an athletic frame and should continue to get stronger as his frame fills out.

OF/RHP Jordan Art (Lakeland HS, Class of 2017)

Art is a two-way prospect that showcased a solid 82 mph bat exit velocity. The right-handed hitter barreled the baseball consistently from a square stance with no stride. He showed the ability to stay inside the baseball and to make consistent hard contact. The 5-foot-10, 140-pound freshman displayed solid actions in the outfield and his 71 mph arm will likely improve as his frame fills out.

OF Dakota Carr (Morgantown HS, Class of 2014)

Carr is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound uncommitted senior that traveled from West Virginia to showcase his abilities. Carr showed athletic actions and good carry to throws of 81 mph from the outfield. The right handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance and uses a toe tap trigger to initiate his swing. Carr displayed the ability to routinely barrel the baseball and used all fields well. He turned in a bat exit velocity of 81 mph from the tee.

OF/SS Marcus Gray (Bishop McDevitt HS, Class of 2015)

Gray is an athletic prospect that runs very well. He is a two sport athlete in the spring, also sprinting for his high school track team. Gray showed good feet and solid carry on throws of 75 mph from the outfield. The right-handed hitter showcased a short swing path and the ability to stay inside the baseball. He used all fields and barreled pitches in all directions. Gray showcased an 80 mph bat exit velocity off the tee. His foot speed and the ability to play multiple positions will make Gray an interesting follow in this class.

C/OF Nick Jacoby (Shippensburg HS, Class of 2015)

Jacoby showcased well from two positions, displaying a strong 84 mph arm from the outfield. The 6-foot, 150-pound two-way prospect also turned in pop times of 2.10-2.22 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch.  Jacoby hits from a slightly open stance at the plate and uses a flat bat path to routinely barrel the baseball. He displayed the ability to use all fields and turned in a bat exit velocity of 75 mph.

OF Nathan Kibbie (Butler Area HS, Class of 2016)

Kibbie is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter that starts from a wide base and incorporates a lift and replace stride foot to the baseball. Kibbie barreled the baseball frequently in his round of batting practice, using all fields, with a solid bat exit velocity of 85 mph. He showcased the ability to play the baseball on the move with an accurate arm from his outfield position.

OF/LHP Brian Lucey (Episcopal Academy, Class of 2015)

Lucey is a 6-foot, 165-pound two-way prospect that sat 73-74 from the mound. He showed capable actions in the outfield with accurate throws of 79 mph. The right-handed hitter displayed a bit of a long swing path from an open stance. He barreled the baseball frequently and showed the ability to use all fields. Lucey showcased a bat exit velocity of 83 mph from the tee.

OF Brandon Reis (La Salle HS, Class of 2017)

Reis is a 5-foot-10, 145-pound prospect that has yet to play in his first high school baseball game. The right-handed hitter displayed a flat bat path to the baseball from a square stance with no stride. He barreled most baseballs with a bat exit velocity of 72 mph. Reis showed athletic actions in the outfield and is likely to develop additional arm strength as his frame develops.


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