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The Western Pennsylvania 2017 showcase schedule concluded on Saturday with the Western Pennsylvania Thanksgiving Review. Gannon University's Recreation and Wellness Center in Erie played host to the event with 20 prospects from three states participating. Today we take a look at those prospects from the Class of 2020 and 2021 in attendance.

+ For complete results from all prospects in attendance - CLICK HERE.

Top Prospects

Jorge Leedham, 2020, Hickory HS, RHP/SS
6-foot, 180-pound physical RHP/SS worked out as two-way player on this day. However, his significant next level potential appears to be on the hill. Leedham worked out of a mid 3/4 arm slot with a knee to chest leg kick and substantial hip coil. Despite high leg kick excellent balance was maintained throughout  and delivery was consistently repeated. There was tendency to land excessively closed with stride foot creating crossfire action. FB sat 80-82 mph touching 83 mph with considerable arm-side run and sink. Slider thrown at 68-69 mph showed a slurvy action with 11-4 shape. Change up at 68-70 mph was thrown with good sell and moderate arm-side fade. Consistent with solid repeatable mechanics all offerings were commanded well. Leedham is a definite follow as a 2020 arm with considerable upside.

Offensively, Leedham initiates swing from a neutral set up with lift-and-replace stride. There is  a tendency to land on a stiff front leg with limited weight shift and early locking of front knee. There is also early hand leak and dropping of hands leading to limiting separation. Leedham would benefit from being more aggressive in weight shift away from hands while landing softer on front side prior to hip turn.

Defensively, greater commitment to working out front and bottom up as well as shortening throwing motion as middle infielder will be necessary to be considered a two-way prospect moving forward.

Luke Jackson, 2020, McDowell HS, 3B
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter with strong, athletic frame initiates swing from slightly open set up striding to neutral while gaining ground. Jackson showed why he is included in our early PA Class of 2020 rankings, presently sitting at No. 36, by flashing a 91 mph bat exit velocity. He demonstrated excellent separation, solid weight shift, aggressive hip turn, balance and rhythm to his swing. Hands are quick and loose. There is some tendency to bar arm due to pushing of hands back at end of load. Jackson also lands excessively open with stride foot. Overall, the hit tool is advanced with the potential to develop into a high level power bat.

Defensively, flashed arm strength of 81 mph across infield. There is tendency to play somewhat upright and field the ball deep. Throwing motion is long. Athleticism, arm strength and hands translate well defensively at 3B. However, hard work on this aspect of game will be required in achieving potential.

Brendan Shayer, 2020, Perkiomen Valley HS, C
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing with heel-raise and minimal stride. There is an aggressive weight shift and hip turn. Hands are loose, quick and direct to the baseball with an excellent feel for the barrel. Solid balance and rhythm are present with bat spending considerable time in the hitting zone. An 84 mph bat exit velocity was recorded. Separation could be gained by working back elbow up and back in load.

Defensively, showed solid framing technique, footwork, blocking skills and lateral agility. There is intermittent tendency to flip ball on transfer. Pop times of 2.08 - 2.25 on throws of 71 mph were recorded.

David Duffalo, 2020, Slippery Rock Area HS, C
5-foot- 7, 170-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with short controlled stride while staying neutral. There is balance and rhythm with a good feel for barrel. Duffalo works away from hands well in creating considerable separation. Hands are loose contributing to substantial whip. Overall swing mechanics are solid. However, there is tendency to be somewhat passive in weight shift followed by a very aggressive hip turn. This leads to intermittent, early locking of the front knee as well as excessive arm bar. Duffalo recorded bat exit velocity of 79 mph.

Defensively, glove hand is soft and quiet in framing. Duffalo flashed good blocking skills maintaining solid upper body angle, staying low and covering considerable ground laterally. Feet are quick while throwing motion and transfer are slightly long. Pop times of 2.19-2.25 were recorded on throws of 71 mph.

Remainder of Roster (in alphabetical order)

Ethan Bintrim, 2021, Shenango HS, 2B
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with short controlled stride staying neutral. There is good balance, rhythm and leverage to swing. Bintrim shows a good feel for the barrel while getting on plane early and maintaining late. Weight shift is somewhat passive while hip turn is aggressive and barrel is swung with intent. Hands work short and direct to baseball. A 72 mph bat exit velocity was recorded with expected significant short term increase in association with strength gains.

Defensively, Bintrim would benefit from being more aggressive in attacking baseball to create proper angles and hops. A commitment to playing ball out front and bottom up would also have merit.

Rocco Frisco, 2020, Brownsville Area HS, C
5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from open set up with pronounced knee-to-knee leg kick striding to neutral while gaining considerable ground. There is solid weight shift, balance and rhythm to swing. Excellent separation is achieved and hands are loose resulting in good barrel whip. Hands work directly to baseball and swing is short. Frisco would benefit from allowing hips to turn through the baseball which would likely allow better inner half coverage of the plate. A bat exit of 80 mph was recorded.

Defensively, demonstrated a soft, quiet glove hand in framing. Showed ability to stay low and square in blocking with considerable lateral range and good upper body angle. Feet are quick, transfer is clean and throwing motion is short. Pop times of 2.23-2.31 were limited by arm strength of 67 mph.

Andrew Harris, 2020, Oil City HS, OF
5-foot-11, 135-pound left-handed hitter initiates swing from narrow neutral set up with short controlled, stride staying neutral. A passive weight shift was present with some tendency to allow back elbow to drift in front of hands resulting in barrel drag. Would benefit from being more aggressive with lower half while working away from hands.

Defensively, there is athleticism and fast twitch potential which is reflected in 7.09 60-yard dash. A commitment to being decisive in reads and getting behind baseball while playing through should allow continued development into a solid outfield defender.

On mound Harris worked out of mid to high 3/4 arm slot with FB sitting 71-72 mph and demonstrating subtle arm-side run. Curveball thrown at 60-65 had 11-5 shape with rolling action. Slider at 65-66 mph had short 11-4 break with limited depth. Changeup was cut to arm side at 68-69 on this day.

Trent Milliren, 2020, Lakeview HS, RHP
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-hander worked out of a high 3/4 arm slot with FB sitting 71-73 and being cut to glove side. Curveball thrown at 60-62 had 11-5 shape with moderate depth and was best pitch on this day. Changeup at 60-63 lacked movement. Mechanically, there is a tendency to work into balance point from open front hip position limiting coil and lower half drive.

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