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The Elite Prospect Showcase took place on October 26th at Keystone State Baseball Academy giving our staff a final look this fall at some of the top prospects in Pennsylvania. Today we begin a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance with a look at those players that participated as primary pitchers.

+ For complete results for all prospects in attendance CLICK HERE. All prospects will be analyzed and appear in a corresponding article based on their primary positions.

Primary Pitchers

Michael Cuinningham, Spring-Ford HS, RHP/OF, 2021
5-foot-9, 145-pound righty sat 81-82 from a 3/4 arm slot with a short, quick arm motion. Curveball at 68-72 has short, late 11/5 break. Cutter works well off of the curveball with a short, flat break at 74-74. Changeup is thrown with good sell at 71-72 with some arm-side fade. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a toe tap stride. Showcased balance throughout with a feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 80 mph and ran a 7.03 60-yard dash. Flashed athletic actions defensively while routinely playing through the baseball with 81 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Matthew Gerhris, Governor Mifflin HS, RHP, 2021
5-foot-10, 170-pound junior sat 80-82 from an over the top arm slot. Delivery is balanced and repeatable. Commanded fastball well with late, small arm-side run. Curveball is an above average pitch with hard, late 12/6 break at 63-69. Changeup shows average arm-side fade with occasional sink at 71-73. 

Ian Korn, York Suburban HS, RHP/SS, 2021
Broad shouldered, 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior sat 83-84 from a high 3/4 arm slot with short arm-side run to his fastball. Curveball is an above average pitch with consistent 12/6 bite and solid command. Changeup at 76-77 and changeup at 78-80 have similar action to round out a solid assortment of pitches. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing from a high hands load. Displayed balance throughout with a feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 87 mph and ran a 7.12 60-yard dash. 84 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively is enough to remain on the left side of the diamond at the next level. Body type is best suited however for a move to third base.

Michael Lennon, North Penn HS, LHP, 2021
Long, projectable 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior sat 83-84 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Showcased a quick arm action with signs of increased velocity in his future. Curveball, while erratic at times, shows biting 12/6 action. Also showcased a a changeup at 71-72 and a cutter with some late movement at 73-74. Definite follow in this class with a chance to make significant strides over the next two years.

Dylan McElhinney, Grove City HS, RHP/SS, 2022
Physical 6-foot-3, 205-pound sophomore sat 76-77 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a balanced, repeatable delivery. Fastball lacks true four seam rotation alternating between short cut action and occasional arm-side run. Curveball at 66-69 showed 11/5 rotation while changeup was erratic at 70-73. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showcased balance throughout with a line drive approach. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Displayed a soft glove hand and accurate 78 mph arm strength across the diamond. Foot speed and physical size will prompt an eventual move to a corner infield position.

Maxwell McGrady, Central Bucks East HS, RHP/OF, 2022
6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way prospect continues to showcase development on the mound. Sat 85-87 on this date from a high 3/4 arm slot. Some front hip leak limits his current velocity, but additional work to be more directional should lead to additional velocity spikes in the next three years. Curveball at 72-74 showed tight 11/5 rotation with late break that is occasionally two plane. Slider is a pitch in development with slightly shorter break at similar velocity to his curveball. The left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Displayed big power potential with significant lift in his swing and repeatedly stays behind the baseball. Registered a bat exit velocity of 91 mph and ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. Capable outfielder plays through the baseball routinely and flashed straight line carry on throws of 89 mph.

Jace Miner, Brookville HS, LHP/OF, 2021
6-foot-2, 160-pound junior made the biggest impression of the day sitting 86-87 from a 3/4 arm slot with a high leg kick and a long, loose delivery with a quick arm. Miner has made significant strides since we last saw him sitting 76-80 during three innings of action at the Western PA Top Prospect Games in early June. Slider at 72-74 is an above average pitch with late, hard break and changeup is commanded with confidence at 78-79 with arm-side run and sink. With plenty of room to add strength to his long, lean frame, Miner will be a high follow moving forward in this class. The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing from a high hands load with a short leg-hang stride. Showcased some length in his swing with a flat barrel path and a feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 88 mph and ran a 6.88 60-yard dash. Moves well in the outfield and flashed accurate 87 mph arm strength.

Ryan Novakowski, Wilkes Barre HS, RHP/3B, 2023
6-foot-1, 185-pound freshman sat 82-85 from a high 3/4 arm slot up several mph from his solid performance as a member of the Team PA 14U roster at the PBR Junior Future Games in August. Displayed a solid lower half and a balanced, repeatable delivery. Curveball sat 65-67 with 11/5 rotation that at times shows two plane depth. Also commanded a slider with tighter, shorter break at 66-69. The right-handed hitter starts from a very narrow stance and initiates his swing with a leg hang stride. Gets to extension with regularity and creates backspin routinely. Registered a bat exit velocity of 84 mph and showcased sound defensive actions with straight line carry of 80 mph across the diamond.

Brett Palmer, Pittsburgh Central Catholic HS, RHP, 2021
6-foot-3, 190-pound junior sat 84-86 from a high 3/4 arm slot working solely out of the stretch. Showcased a balanced, repeatable delivery with late life to his fastball and short arm-side run. Curveball showed 11/5 rotation at 73-74 with occasional two plane break. Also showcased a slider with shorter break at 77-78 and a changeup that is a pitch in development at 75-76. Definite high follow in this class with additional velocity likely in the near future.

Kyle Peters, Hazleton Area HS, RHP/SS, 2023
5-foot-9, 180-pound freshman sat 77-79 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a deliberate, repeatable delivery. Tends to load up on his curveball that sits 63-64 with 11/5 rotation. Slider at 69-72 has short, late break and is an above average offering. Changeup is thrown at near fastball arm speed at 72-73. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg hang stride. Displayed a lower half turn and creates back spin with regularity. Registered an 82 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.79 60-yard dash. Showcased confidence in his glove hand defensively while playing through the baseball with 77 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Josh Rankey, Loyalsock Township HS, LHP, 2021
6-foot-3, 160-pound junior sat 76-78 from a 3/4 arm slot. Tall, lanky lefty has a long arm, cross fire delivery that creates angles on his fastball. Curveball showed 1/7 rotation at 67-70 with similar cross fire action as his fastball. Also commanded a changeup at near fastball arm speed which sat 69-70.

Abenego Santos, Frankford HS, RHP, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound uncommitted senior sat 84-85 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Delivery is balanced and repeatable with additional velocity likely moving forward. Curveball sat 68-73 with 11/5 rotation. Changeup is an above average pitch at 69-73 with good sell and heavy cut. Athletic frame with room to add strength. Has a chance to help the right college program early.

Zach Scherzer, Daniel Boone HS, LHP/OF, 2021
6-foot-2, 160-pound junior sat 75-77 from an over-the-top arm slot with a controlled, repeatable delivery. Curveball sat 64-66 with biting 12/6 action at its best, but was inconsistent on this date. The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a heel-raise stride to initiate his swing. Displayed loose hands and a gap-to-gap approach. Registered a bat exit velocity of 84 mph and ran a 7.27 60-yard dash. Played through the baseball routinely in the outfield with accurate 77 mph arm strength.

UPCOMING ANALYSIS SCHEDULE 

• 10.27.19  Complete results and top performers
• 10.29.19  Pitcher Analysis
• 10.30.19  Catcher Analysis
• 10.31.19  Outfield Analysis
•   11.1.19  Corner Infield Analysis
•   11.2.19  Middle Infield Analysis

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
2019 Fall Measurables & Evaluation Showcase	PA	11/02	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Holiday Showcase	PA	12/28	Keystone State Baseball Academy