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Lock Haven Bald Eagles Announce 2017 Early Signing Class

December 15, 2016

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting

http://images.universityherald.com/data/images/full/7181/lock-haven-names-jim-chester-as-new-head-baseball-coach.jpg?w=600The Lock Haven Bald Eagles and head coach Jim Chester have announced the signing of six players to National Letters of Intent, all of which hail from Pennsylvania. The Bald Eagles went 21-28-1 in 2016, including a 9-18-1 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Chester enters his third season at the helm of the Bald Eagles in 2017 with a roster that is heavy with upperclassmen.

2017 EARLY COMMITS

Austin GilpinAustin Gilpin, 3B/RHP, Wallenpaupack HS
PBR Rank: NA
PBR Notes: New York Open ID (January 31, 2016) Gilpin checks in with a filled out 6-foot-2 192 pound frame. The 3B/RHP ran a 7.39 60-yard dash and a 4.32 home-to-1B. He starts with a spread stance, slightly open with front side and a hand position slightly above the shoulder (head height). Uses a controlled load for his take back, keeping the bat at an 45 degree angle. Strides back to even, keeping his weight back. Hands lead the swing at times but yet stays relatively short to contact with a an aggressive and elevated finish. Exit velocity was 79 MPH. Mostly line drive/flyball results. When lower half potential is reached, expect some additional pop to his pull side. Defensively he starts in an upright position with glove out in front. Covers ground laterally with long, reaching strides. At times a bit stiff/calculated with movements. Hands stay out in front and arm plays for the left side of the infield at 82 MPH. On the mound he starts towards his arm side of the rubber, using a short drop step up to a mid chest balance point. Rides back leg into a closed landing. Demonstrates good front side rotation and works aggressively downhill. Arm action is long and works through a high 3/4 slot. FB has some heaviness to it at 79-80 MPH, touching 81 MPH. Curveball is of the 12-to-6 family with some depth at 64-65 MPH. Change up shows spiking downward action with some occasional arm side fade at 72-73 MPH. Increased tempo and arm speed coupled with his prototypical pitcher's frame will help him reach his ceiling. Three pitch command and is able to spot and expand with all.

Scott LeitholfScott Leitholf, RHP, Northern York HS
PBR Rank: #43 in PA Class of 2017 rankings 
PBR Notes: 2016 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games (July 19, 2016) Lean 6-foot-6, 175-pounder attacked the zone and showed good command of a three-pitch mix. Repeatable delivery with minimal moving parts to get out of sync includes a slight back shoulder dip over the rubber. Arm action has some wrist wrap with soft stab, but gets good extension out front. Fastball sat 85-88 with some armside run and finish. Showed a good feel for a curveball with some depth at 68-70 and also featured a change-up at 70-71.

Brandon MillerBrandon Miller, OF, Central Mountain HS
PBR Rank: NA
PBR Notes: Athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound left-handed hitter compiled a .484 on base percentage as a junior. Miller led the Wildcats in walks and was second on the team in stolen bases. The compact outfielder also showed the ability to drive some gaps with nearly half of his hits going for extra bases. Miller brings some big game experience to the program having played on Little League Baseball's biggest stage as a member of the Keystone Little League team the reached the World Series in 2011.

Joey MoyerJoey Moyer, MIF, Daniel Boone Area HS
PBR Rank: NA
PBR Notes: Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase (June 29, 2016)  5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. Simple approach, stays inside the ball, repeats swing and used the middle of the field during his BP round. Ran a 7.03 60-yard dash and posted 74 mph exit velocity. Solid skills across the board defensively; winds up to get 83 mph arm strength across the diamond and may end up profiling best at second base at the next level.

Santino Nave'Santino Nave, RHP, Roman Catholic HS
PBR Rank: #109 in PA Class of 2017 rankings
PBR Notes: 2016 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games (July 19, 2016) Nave' worked five solid innings in picking up the Bombers second win on day one. The uncommitted senior struggled through a tough first inning in which he allowed three runs before holding the West Hills Show scoreless over the final four frames. Nave' sat 83-85 into his final inning of work out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Strike throwing machine did not allow a walk while using his 76 mph slider as his primary secondary offering in recording seven strikeouts.

Jacob RuppJacob Rupp, RHP, Central Cambria HS
PBR Rank: #125 in PA Class of 2017 rankings
PBR Notes: 2016 Preseason All-State Showcase (January 14, 2016) 6-foot, 185-pounder who pitches out of a high three-quarter slot with some funk in his delivery. Fastball sat 83-84 with some life out of his hand. Very good feel for a  mid-70s change-up with late sink that is in the discussion for best pitch thrown at the event.  Curveball with 11/5 action wasn't quite as sharp as previously seen, but he still showed a decent feel for the pitch that checked in at 68-70.

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