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Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Class of 2019

August 23, 2016

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania/West Virginia Director of Scouting

The summer schedule of PBR events in Pennsylvania concluded this past week with the 2016 Western PA College Prospect Showcase on August 18. Nearly 50 prospects from four states gathered to showcase their abilities at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber, PA. Today we continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at the prospects that participated from the Class of 2019.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

Top prospects

Austin ClauserAustin Clauser, C/OF, Schuylkill Haven HS
6-foot, 170-pound right handed hitter starts from a square stance with a high hands load and initiates his swing with a short lift-and-replace stride. A flat barrel path and solid lower half action creates a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ran a 7.53 60-yard dash and displayed advance defensive abilities for a player his age. Solid defensive setup, soft receiver and creates a soft wall when blocking. Flashed above average arm strength (77 mph from the crouch) and registered pop times of 2.13-2.22.

Troy EmertTroy Emert, RHP/3B, Rockwood Area HS
5-foot-9, 170-pound primary pitcher sat 77-79 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Also commanded a 67 mph curveball with short, 1/5 break and a changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed that sat 67-70. The right-handed hitter displayed a solid approach at the plate initiating his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride from a square stance. Displayed the ability to consistently barrel the baseball with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Flashed capable defensive actions at multiple defensive positions with good carry to throws of 79 mph from the outfield.

Cameron WalkerCameron Walker, SS/2B, Canon-McMillan HS
5-foot-8, 155-pound middle infielder was one of the most impressive prospects at the event. Ran a 7.12 60-yard dash and flashed above average skills defensively with 83 mph arm strength across the diamond. Quick feet and good lateral movement should allow Walker to play multiple defensive positions moving forward. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short stride to initiate his swing. Stays inside the baseball well and routinely gets to extension with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Displayed sound, repeatable swing mechanics and solid feel for the barrel in one of the top rounds of batting practice on the day.

Matt WoodMatt Wood, C/OF, Pine-Richland HS
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitter starts from a wide, slightly open stance with a high back elbow and initiates his swing with a short stride. Sits on his back side well and hits off a stiff front leg producing a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Impressed with a solid feel for the barrel and the ability to routinely barrel the baseball with authority, especially to the pull side. Flashed 72 mph arm strength out of the crouch with pop times of 2.20-2.28. Receives well and presents a soft wall for blocking. Throwing technique will improve as he works to better incorporate his back side allowing himself to get through his throws.

Remaining prospects (in alphabetical order)

Dominic Francona, LHP/1B, Claysburg-Kimmel HS
6-foot-3, 155-pound primary pitcher has long limbs and plenty of room to fill out as he matures into his frame over the coming years. Sat 70-72 from a 3/4 arm slot initiating his delivery with a side rocker step. Curveball shows 1/7 rotation with short break at 63 mph. Changeup is flat at 67-69 with minimal differential from his fastball. Ran a 7.47 60-yard dash and displayed solid actions around the bag at first base with accurate 72 mph arm strength across the diamond. Left-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and throws his back side onto a stiff from leg at impact. Displayed a flat barrel path and a solid feel for the barrel.

Christian Johnston, LHP/1B, Quaker Valley HS
6-foot-3, 200-pound primary pitcher sat 71-72 working solely from the stretch out of a 3/4 arm slot. Displayed a deliberate, balanced delivery with the potential to throw much harder with greater intent (showed 77 mph arm strength across the diamond in defensive evaluations). Changeup showed some late fade at 66 mph while 1/7 breaking curveball is a work in progress at 64 mph. Showed a soft glove hand and capable actions defensively around the bag at first base. The left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Flashed solid rhythm and a feel for the barrel during a solid round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph.

Abram King, SS/2B, Trinity HS
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a heel-raise stride to trigger his swing. Some arm bar action and barrel wrap in his load led to difficulties in being on time to the hitting zone on this date. Ran a 7.75 60-yard dash and showcased accurate 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Displayed active feet and the ability to make throws from multiple arm slots with a skill set best suited for second base at the next level.

Alex Meals, 1B/C, Oil City HS
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter ran a 7.26 60-yard dash and registered a bat exit velocity of 70 mph. Starts his swing from a square stance and incorporates a toe-tap stride to initiate his lower half. A significant armbar leads to some barrel drag through the hitting zone. Showcased 62 mph arm strength across the diamond from first base with developing defensive skills.

Stephen ODonnell, C/SS, Karns City HS
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance, utilizing a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Registered a 75 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.47 60-yard dash. Displayed a clean transition and a quick release during defensive evaluations with accurate 60 mph arm strength from the crouch. Pop times of 2.45-2.56 would benefit from fully engaging his lower half on throws and allowing his weight to transfer to his front side.

Anthony Strangis, SS/OF, Bethel Park HS
5-foot-7, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his compact swing. Displayed a flat barrel path and a strong lower half while barreling the baseball routinely in his round of batting practice. The rising sophomore displayed an ability to play multiple defensive positions showcasing capable actions in the middle infield and outfield while battling through a flu bug.

Shane Stuchell, RHP, Hempfield Area HS
5-foot-6, 125-pound righty sat 70-74 from a 3/4 arm slot with an overhead rocker delivery. Displayed a feel for a slider at 62-65 that is delivered from the same arm slot and shows rolling 10/4 shape. A 65 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed give Stuchell three pitches in his arsenal. Should see steady increase in velocity from his balanced, repeatable delivery as he continues to develop physically and adds strength to his frame.

ADDITIONAL PA NEWS: