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The Future Prospects Showcase took place on October 19th at Keystone State Baseball Academy giving our staff an initial look at some of the top prospects in Pennsylvania's Class of 2023. Today we continue a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance with a look at those players that participated as primary infielders.

+ 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.

Class of 2023 Infielders: Top Prospects

Ryan Brader, Manheim Township HS, SS/RHP
5-foot-11, 140-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Displayed a solid lower half with a high finish and the ability to create back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 74 mph and ran a 7.52 60-yard dash. Showcased active feet defensively with above average 78 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect impressed on the mound sitting 79-80 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a long, loose arm action. Curveball showed tight 11/5 rotation with late break that occasionally was two plane at 71-73. Also showed good sell on his changeup at 72-76.

Stephen Katch, Hempfield HS, 3B/C
Physical 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg hang stride and an aggressive lower half to initiate his swing. A concentrated effort to create maximum barrel whip leads to some lower half glide and barrel irregularity, but present gap power cold lead to home run power in the future. Registered a bat exit velocity of 83 mph and ran a 7.34 60-yard dash. Showed above average defensive skills at 3B with active feet and solid carry on throws of 81 mph across the diamond. Also showcased pop times of 2.09-2.18 on throws of 73 mph behind the plate.

James Kunst, Highlands HS, SS/RHP
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a leg hang stride and an aggressive weight shift to his front foot. Showcased a feel for the barrel and hands work well through contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 83 mph and ran a 7.06 60-yard dash. Long arm throwing motion will likely mean a move to the corner infield in the future, but 80 mph arm strength will definitely play on the left side of the diamond. The two-way prospect also sat 78-83 on the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot. Displayed a loose arm action with repeatable mechanics. Curveball at 63-67 showed 11/5 rotation and changeup with small arm-side run sat 68-72.

Garrett Lienhard, Jim Thorpe Area HS, 2B
5-foot-8, 132-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg hang stride. Stays inside the baseball well with a feel for the barrel and a line drive approach. Registered a 75 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.98 60-yard dash. Showcased a soft glove hand and the ability to make plays on the move defensively while making accurate throws from multiple arm angles in rhythm. Current 78 mph arm strength will continue to get stronger with strength gains and through physical maturity.

Trey Tiffan, Malvern Prep, SS/RHP
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitter oozes projection with a long, athletic frame that has plenty of room to fill out. He starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Hands work well through contact to a high finish leading to consistent back spin. Registered a 73 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.63 60-yard dash. Moves well defensively with a soft glove hand and athleticism to all of his actions. Showcased accurate 81 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect sat 78-80 on the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Arm action is short in back and long out front. Fastball showed occasional hard arm-side run while changeup at 68-70 displayed similar movement. Curveball at 67-70 showed consistent 11/5 rotation with late bite.

Ryan Zuckerman, Pennsbury HS, SS/RHP
6-foot-2, 175-pounder already looks the part of an upperclassman. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his hands from a deep load position with a lift-and-replace stride. A flat path through the hitting zone and hands that work well through contact allow him to be on time with regularity. Registered an event best 88 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.26 60-yard dash. Showcased fluid actions defensively with active feet and played through the baseball routinely with 81 mph arm strength. The two-way prospect also sat 79-81 on the mound with an easy, repeatable delivery. High 3/4 arm slot is short in back and long out front. Fastball showed arm-side run as did his changeup at 73-74. Curveball is an above average pitch with two-plane 11/5 break at 69-73.

Remaining Class of 2023 Infielders (in alphabetical order)

Andrew Capizzi, Seneca Valley HS, 3B
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showed balance throughout with some lower half glide and loose hands through contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 74 mph and ran a 7.69 60-yard dash. Displayed developing skills at third base with confidence in his glove hand and accurate 73 mph arm strength across the diamond. Two-way prospect also sat 74-77 out of a high 3/4 arm slot on the mound. Begins controlled, repeatable delivery with a side rocker step. A head whack at finish takes him off his center line at times affecting command. Curveball showed short 11/5 break and changeup was thrown at near fastball arm speed at 64-67. 

Chase Danielson, Lancaster Catholic HS, 1B/LHP
6-foot-2, 140-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Showcased a short, pull oriented line drive swing with a feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 75 mph and ran an 8.20 60-yard dash. Displayed active feet and solid glove work around the bag at first base with 68 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect also sat 69-72 off the mound from a 3/4 arm slot with a long arm action. Fastball and changeup at 64-68 showed significant natural cut. Curveball is a pitch in development with 1/7 rotation at 58-62.

Ryan Dittrich, La Salle HS, 2B
5-foot-7, 145-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg hang stride. Displayed a short swing path with a middle of the field, line drive approach. Registered a bat exit velocity of 72 mph and ran an 8.57 60-yard dash. Displayed a developing defensive skill set with accurate 63 mph arm strength across the diamond.  

Drew Doherty, North Catholic HS, 2B
5-foot-7, 140-pound left-handed hitter starts from a narrow, square stance and utilizes a controlled leg lift stride to begin. Displayed a compact, line drive swing with hands that work well through contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 75 mph and ran a 7.87 60-yard dash. Showcased a soft glove hand with a tendency to field the ball deep defensively with accurate 67 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Julian Hatt, Nuhlenberg HS, SS/RHP
5-foot-7, 130-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Displayed compact swing with a middle of the field approach. Registered a bat exit velocity of 74 mph and ran a 7.59 60-yard dash. Showcased fundamentally sound defensive actions while routinely playing through the baseball with accurate 71 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect sat 72-73 off the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a slow, repeatable delivery. Pounds the zone with a three pitch mix. Showed a feel for spin on his 12/6 breaking curveball that sat 60-62. Changeup at 67-68 showed short cutting action.

Brayden Heaps, Susquehannock HS, 3B/RHP
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Width of stance leads to some balance issues taking away the ability to be strong at contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 70 mph and ran a 7.75 60-yard dash. Showcased active feet and gains ground routinely with accurate 70 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively. The two-way prospect sat 70-71 while touching 77 mph on his final pitch out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Showed command of three pitches and repeats his delivery well. Curveball displayed 11/5 rotation at 59-61 and changeup was thrown at near fastball arm speed while sitting 63-65.

Brady Kain, Newport HS, SS/RHP
5-foot-9, 135-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Displayed quick hands and limited lower half action with a feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 71 mph and ran a 7.40 60-yard dash. Displayed sound fundamentals defensively while routinely playing through the baseball with 74 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect sat 74-76 out of a high 3/4 arm slot on the mound working solely out of the stretch. Also showcased a curveball at 57-58 with 11/5 rotation, a changeup with some late downward action at 67-71 and a slider with short cut at 59-61.

Zach Neff, Christopher Dock Mennonite HS, SS
5-foot-5, 125-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and initiates his swing with a heel-raise stride. Displayed a direct swing path and an above average feel for the barrel with solid lower half actions and hands that work well through contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 66 mph and ran a 7.92 60-yard dash. Routinely plays through the baseball with a quick, 3/4 release defensively. Showcased accurate 70 mph arm strength across the diamond. Overall skill set will continue to develop with strength gains through physical maturity.

Darren Ortman, Donegal HS, SS/RHP
5-foot-9, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Rotational hitter has a tendency to lose his front side early limiting his strength in the hitting zone. Registered a bat exit velocity of 72 mph and ran a 7.84 60-yard dash. Displayed developing defensive skills with current 63 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect also sat 67-69 on the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a quick arm action. Fastball showed slight cut and curveball at 55-58 showed 11/5 rotation. Split-change is an effective third pitch at 55-58 with late tumbling action.

Caleb Stewart, Big Spring HS, 3B/RHP
5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel-raise stride. Athletic prospect flashed a solid lower half and quick hands while creating consistent back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 76 mph and ran a 7.46 60-yard dash. Showcased solid defensive actions with active feet and accurate 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. The two-way prospect also sat 73-74 out of a high 3/4 arm slot on the mound. Curveball at 53-55 is a pitch still in development. Changeup was thrown at near fastball arm speed at 63-66.

UPCOMING ANALYSIS SCHEDULE 

• 10.20.19  Complete results and top performers
• 10.22.19  Outfield Analysis
• 10.23.19  Catcher Analysis
• 10.24.19  Infield Analysis
• 10.25.19  Pitcher Analysis

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
2019 Elite Prospect Showcase	PA	10/26	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Fall Measurables & Evaluation Showcase	PA	11/02	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Holiday Showcase	PA	12/28	Keystone State Baseball Academy