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PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle Analysis - Red Team

July 26, 2015

By Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting

The 2015 PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle took place on July 21-22, with 47 prospects from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland gathering at the Harford Sports Complex on the campus of Harford Community College. Our rundown of the participants continues today with the Red team.

Class of 2016


Brett Alaimo, RHP/IF, Manheim Township
*6-foot, 170-pound frame. Long, loose arm action, stays on-line to home plate well in athletic delivery. Fastball at 81-83 has a bit of life at the end. Threw fastball to both sides and when he missed, he missed down. Curveball at 70-71 was a little loose and slurvy early on, but sharpened up to his typical 11/5 action as the outing wore on. Mixed in an occasional change-up at 70-72 with good sell.
*Right-handed hitter started from a square stance with controlled leg lift to slightly closed. Kept his eyes level, maintaining good balance and using the middle of the field in BP. Ran a 7.11 60-yard dash and top in-game home-to-1B time of 4.46. Showcased 80-mph exit velocity and 84-mph arm strength during workout. Solid across the board defensively.

Austin Braendel, C, Cathedral Prep
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Started from slightly open stance and strode to square. Consistently put the barrel on the baseball in BP and showed some pullside pop. Stays tight and in balanced stance on inside pitches. Ran a 7.15 60-yard dash and in-game 4.72 home-to-1B time on a turn. Showcased 91-mph exit velocity and 78-mph arm strength from the crouch. Defensively, he blocked well and kept his body quiet when receiving with a soft glove hand. Throws have carry and are accurate. Posted workout pop times of 1.97-2.09 and an in-game pop of 2.08 that was right on the bag.

Mitchum Donatelli, IF, Gateway
Right-handed hitter with some strength in his 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame. Started from slightly open stance, employing a knee-to-knee stride to square. Took a controlled, rhythmic swing and stayed inside the baseball in BP. Ran a 7.47 60-yard dash. Showcased 84-mph exit velocity and 77-mph arm strength during workout. Profiles defensively as a second baseman at the next level.

Greg Grandelli, IF/RHP, Roman Catholic
*6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Hit from slightly open stance with minimal stride. Swing has some length although he showed an ability to barrel the baseball in BP when he was on time. Ran a 7.43 60-yard dash and a 4.78 in-game home-to-1B time. Showcased 86-mph exit velocity and 82-mph arm strength during workout. Tends to field the ball deep, but features solid actions and an accurate arm.
*Listed as a primary position player, his performance on the mound this event may change that. Fastball that previously sat in the low-80s was 84-85 with armside sink this outing from a low three-quarter slot. Showed a feel for an 11/5 curveball at 64-65 and good sell on his change-up at 74-75.

Kenny McKeever, IF, Northern York
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitter. Hit from slightly open stance, rocked weight to backside with knee-to-knee stride. Stayed inside ball, wore out opposite field during game play. Ran a 7.32 60-yard dash and a 4.50 in-game home-to-1B time. Showcased 87-mph exit velocity and 77-mph arm strength during workout. Exhibited very good actions and feet defensively, with a smooth, quick release on his throws.

Michael Mowery, OF, Bishop McDevitt
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter. Started from narrow, open stance with a double-tap stride to slightly closed. Attacks the pitch, used the middle of the field and consistently barreled the baseball in BP. Ran a 6.84 60-yard dash and in-game best 4.50 home-to-1B time. Showcased 80-mph exit velocity and 81-mph arm strength during workout. Made nice sliding catch in right field during game play.

Joe Murray, IF, Solanco
5-foot-7, 160-pound right-handed hitter. Hit from a slightly open stance and incorporated a waist-high leg lift. Spins some on his backside, but takes a fairly short path and flashes some bat speed. Ran a 7.28 60-yard dash and 4.65 in-game home-to-1B time. Showcased 83-mph exit velocity and 77-mph arm strength during workout. Exhibited solid actions and an accurate arm that profiles best at second base at the next level.

Alex Myers, RHP/OF, Central York
*6-foot-2, 175-pound frame. Pitched out of a high three-quarter slot. Fastball sat 77-78 (down from the 80-82 we have observed previously), while he showed good armspeed on a change-up with some sink at 66-67 and mixed in a curveball at 66-68.
*Right-handed hitter started from an open stance, employing a knee-to-knee stride with armbar to a slightly open base. Contact-oriented approach and worked oppo gap in BP. Ran a 7.38 60-yard dash and in-game best 4.68 home-to-1B time. Showcased 78-mph exit velocity and 80-mph arm strength during workout. Arm strength would play up if he got his front foot around toward his target instead of landing open.

Class of 2017


Eric Gross, C/3B, Central Bucks South
Right-handed hitter with some strength in his 5-foot-8, 170-pound frame. Hit from slightly open stance with short stride. Kept head still with simple gap-to-gap approach in BP. Lined two opposite field singles in game action. Showcased 82-mph exit velocity and 66-mph arm strength from the crouch during workout. Posted workout pop times of 2.00-2.13 and a top in-game pop of 2.16. Very good receiver with quick feet and transfer on throws. Also made a couple of nice defensive plays over at third base.

Tommy Savastio, 1B, Cedar Cliff
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter. Started from a slightly open stance and strode to square. Swing has some length with power potential. Consistently barreled the baseball in BP and hit to the opposite field in game action. Ran a 7.44 60-yard dash and multiple 4.94 in-game home-to-1B times. Showcased 88-mph exit velocity and 77-mph arm strength during workout.

Seth Thomas, OF/1B, Garden Spot
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitter. Started from slightly open stance and strode to slightly closed. Attacked the baseball and flashed some bat speed. Barreled the baseball when he got his foot down on time. Had multiple quality at-bats using the middle of the field in game action. Ran a 7.25 60-yard dash and 4.62 in-game home-to-1B time. Showcased 83-mph exit velocity and 73-mph arm strength at 1B during workout. Exhibited solid feet defensively.

Class of 2018


Andrew Brady, 3B/RHP, Avon Grove
*Left-handed hitter with plenty of room to add strength to his 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame. Started from slightly open stance, taking long stride to slightly closed. Body goes forward with stride, but his hands work and he flashes some barrel whip. Showed some feel for staying inside the baseball. Ran a 7.34 60-yard dash and 4.75 in-game home-to-1B time. Showcased 76-mph exit velocity and 77-mph arm strength with accurate throws during workout.
*Pitched out of a high three-quarter slot with some hook and wrap. Three-pitch mix included FB at 77-78, curveball at 66-68, and change-up at 65-66. Directionally works toward the left-handed batter’s box and would benefit from staying on-line toward home plate.

Previous PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle News

 2015 Eastern PA Fall ReviewCreate a Free Player ProfileWestern PA Fall Review 2015