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PA State Games: Risers

August 16, 2022
Ted Williams
Director of Scouting, PA

Our summer schedule kicked off with a bang on June 12-16, with roughly 550 of the top prospects in the state gathering in Dubois, PA at Showers field for the 3rd annual PA State Games. In what was an invite-only event, top 2023-2025 grads were selected from all four corners of our coverage to compete on 32 different teams against one another in gameplay.

To check out the full roster of players in attendance, click (SESSION 1) or (SESSION 2). For statistics from the event, click (SESSION 1) or (SESSION 2).

Our expanded staff had eyes on multiple noteworthy performances throughout gameplay and workout day action, included below with scouting notes on 20 risers who caught our attention.


  • ‘25 SS Chase Fulford (Central Bucks East) started off with a 7.16 60-yard dash, dropping .32 off his time from the winter. The offensive skill set flashed most, controlling a toe-tap stride with a whippy, accurate barrel through the zone. Had no issues against higher level competition, spraying multiple hits during gameplay, including a loud double that rattled off the LCF wall. Very reminiscent of recent JMU commit Reece Moody at the plate with room for more strength at a lean 5-foot-10, 140lbs.


  • ‘23 SS/CF Luca Bertolasio (Hickory), a known track star in the state, ran 3.94 down the line on a hard-90 to almost beat a routine ground ball. This was after what many considered to be the TOP batting practice round a day earlier and a backside, opposite field home run in his first game. Fought for productive at-bats over the course of the week with a short to long approach and ability to put the ball in play with two strikes. Might slide to centerfield due to elite athleticism.


  • It was hard to find a better day two performer than ‘23 C Ian Zahorchak (North Allegheny), who went big fly off a car in the parking lot beyond the left field fence, followed by a screaming standup double. Advanced leverage in the box with easy bat-speed and the frame to be an early starter at the next level (6-foot, 183lbs). Also ran a 6.72 60-yard dash in that frame, showing off the quick twitch available.


  • ‘23 RHP Ryan Cavanaugh (Harry S. Truman) was simply unhittable during his outing at the PA State Games. Struck out four out of the first five batters, grabbing 90 multiple times with a live, whippy arm from H ¾ slot. Really got over the front side and brought an above-average SL into the upper-70’s with him for swing/miss. Newly developed 80-82 mph fading CH to lefties saw success in advantage counts; feel for three pitches with the mound presence to be a starter. Only 6-foot, 150lbs dripping wet.


  • One of the biggest offensive winners at the event was ‘24 OF Bobby Filler (Springside Chestnut Hill). The righty dug in with noticeable intent and advanced rotational scores, producing a personal best of T98 mph exit velocity during BP. That same extra-base hit approach transferred over vs. live pitching, able to time up the fastball at the front of the plate with some barrel-whip present. A 6.89 runner as well, Filler recorded an 81 mph arm-strength positionally with up tempo pace from a corner OF spot.

 

  • ‘23 3B Brett Galcik (Slippery Rock) looked extremely comfortable in each at-bat at the PA State Games, and would’ve won the MVP if we had such an award. Delivered three extra-base hits in gameplay, one a ringing 2-run homer to the pull-side, and added a 90+ exit velocity single. Maintained a fluid operation in the box that consistently utilized a tight turn from the rear hip and did not miss the fastball. Took another step defensively too, making one diving play to his left and finishing for the out.


  • When talking about “high ceiling arms,” you’d have to start with ‘24 RHP Greg Schmidt (Central Catholic). Tall-waisted, elastic at 6-foot-3, 192lbs, and gets down the mound with athleticism, creating a slight downward angle on a mid-80’s FB for strikes. Added an advanced 63-67 mph CB with two-plane, 11/5 shape and mixed a commanded 75-78 mph CH back the other way to lefties. Held more 84-86 mph in the winter, showing a strong base to build off of; buying plenty of stock due to arm-speed and frame.


  • Another “wow” performance came from a southwestern PA arm in ‘25 RHP/SS Nico Varlotta (North Allegheny), who collected numerous K’s in his two innings of work. Every bit of 6-foot-3, 180lbs and dotted the glove-side corner on an 85-87 mph FB with some late life to it. Tunneled a 70-72 mph SL across the plate when ahead, gaining awkward swings off the chalk. Poised demeanor that shows much more to come in the near future.


  • ‘24 OF Magnus Krieger (Coatesville) continues ascending up the class rankings with a professional body and some of the better pound for pound bat-speed in attendance. Took multiple eye opening swings with a fluid/active lower half that generates separation for a 95 mph exit velocity via Trackman. More impressively, the movements are starting to repeat at a higher rate, notching a 72% sweet spot during his BP round, which carried over into two barreled hits in his first game.


  • High energy ‘25 SS Augie Maslo (North Allegheny) turned in a complete effort, blazing a 6.75 in the 60-yard dash while putting together a mature round of swings from the right side. Stayed inside the ball at will with a high contact approach and landed a couple deep to the pull-side gap at 86 mph. Slid over to shortstop during defensive evaluations and commanded some of the better glove side range in the group. Minimal swing/miss during gameplay with a couple flush pieces that found green.


  • ‘25 C Joshua Toole (Hempfield) staked his claim as one of the top 3 catchers in the rising Sophomore class with loose, powerful hands at the point of attack and a middle of the order approach in each at-bat. Starting to smooth out the movements vs. high level arms with more than enough confidence to hit situationally. The plus defender also handled the pitching staff with leadership traits, popping 1.92-1.98 with 78 mph arm-strength during the showcase portion.


  • A fast riser with a D1 football player’s frame at 6-foot-4, 195lbs, ‘23 OF Darius Adkins (Friends Central) was a metrics darling. Came out of the gate grabbing a 6.65 60-yard dash before flashing his near 80 mph bat-speed with twitch from the right side batter’s box. The leadoff hitter handled that role exclusively throughout 100+ AB’s during the high school season, accelerating on the inner-half for doubles to pull.


  • ‘24 C Jordan Santiago (Wallenpaupack Area), a 6-foot, 215lb projectable backstop, featured a direct and efficient lead arm at the plate, landing a flush double to the left side off a mid-80’s arm late on Day 2. Settled down for consistent barrels during batting practice with a 93 mph peak exit velocity (85 mph average) via Trackman. Utilized a connected first move that found extension for length through the ball, allowing for additional power in the near future. Popped a 1.99 best with a strong, useful base that gets the backside in the ground early, 73 mph arm.


  • ‘24 RHP Nate Whysong (Chestnut Ridge) was an uncomfortable at-bat for any hitter at an imposing, super athletic 6-foot-3, 180lb frame with frontline starter potential. Reached back for an 88-91 mph FB at 2300+rpms, gaining some arm-side life in on righties and mixed a two-plane 74-76 mph CB that was commanded down in the zone. Different look at a 75-78 mph SL on a more lateral tilt, gaining awkward swings when leveraged. The FB appeared to jump due to slower early pace in the delivery, really working down the slope from a power H ¾ slot.


  • 10 batters up, 10 batters down with 7K. That was ‘23 RHP Owen Wheeler (Central Bucks South) line from the PA State Games with some deceptive tilt over the lead shoulder. Full arm-circle that closed the gap while reaching into the mitt from a H ¾, balanced delivery. The ticket was a 73-75 mph CB that fell off the table in advantage counts, able to be used as a weapon to RHH with great success. Both separation and arm-speed were there, hinting at much more to come on an already 86-88, T89 mph FB in the zone.


  • ‘25 SS Ty Custer (Cocalico) appeared more physical in June, now standing a compact, athletic 5-foot-8, 160lbs. Gathered a personal best of 6.92 during the 60-yard dash and kept the foot on the gas with a flawless defensive round, posting an 84 mph arm-strength across the diamond. The righty has made intriguing sides offensively with lengthening gap-to-gap power output and an 88 mph exit velocity via Trackman. Sprinkled a two-strike single back where it came from on the third day.


  • ‘24 OF Nick Jackson (Cathedral Prep), one of the more premier athletes in attendance, went 6.71 in the 60-yard dash on this date, flashing his top of the order prowess. Then matched plane through a flat path from the right side, punishing pitches above the belt with consistent doubles power to the LCF gap at 95 mph exit and 335 feet. Quick twitch handled velocity in game-action, able to pick up spin out of the hand and spoil when behind in the count. The arm-strength was vastly improved, hinting at a stay in CF or LF at the next level, nearing 80 mph at his best.


  • ‘25 C Kyle McKernan (William Penn Charter) continues to defy the odds, after compiling leverage at-bats in one of the best leagues in the state as a true Frosh. this past spring. The lefty rarely swings and misses with high contact traits and adjusts to all quadrants with an anchored backside, producing a short to long approach to the opposite field. Stood in confidently against some quality arms and left with three hits during gameplay, all hit where they were pitched. Receives it among the best in his class, staying compact in the crouch with a lightning fast release from H ¾ slot. Notched a 2.10 best pop time, which will keep trending south as the strength ticks up.


  • It was a banner week for ‘23 C Carl Wagner (Westtown School), grabbing three hits and a no-doubter over the foul pole in left field for a home run in his first game. The seasoned catcher held sub-2.00 pop times with quick twitch in the lower half, able to replace feet immediately on the catch-and-throw while keeping runners at bay on the base-paths. Posted personal bests in rotational acceleration (17G’s), bat-speed (71 mph), and average on-plane score during the event.

 

  • ‘23 SS Owen Yoder (Avon Grove) delivered doubles in back to back AB’s, one on a FB and one on a CB, with tight turns at 5-foot-10, 170lbs and the athleticism to stick in the middle infield at the next level. Has shortened up over the past year in the approach and is reaping the benefits with ability to open up the backside of the field, adjusting from corner to corner with an accurate barrel. Recorded a 77% sweet spot rate during his BP round, among the highest in his pod.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2022 Last Chance Open: West PA 10/09 Historic Pullman Park
2022 Last Chance Open: Central PA 10/29 Liberty Arena