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By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting

The 2017 Underclass Preview brought together 32 prospects from across the state on January 14th at Keystone State Baseball Academy. Today we continue our analysis of all prospects in attendance by reviewing those prospects in the Class of 2019.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

top prospects

Nick Embleton, OF, East Pennsboro HS
6-foot-2, 195-pound two-way prospect was fighting the flu but still impressed working solely as an outfielder on this date. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. He flashed advanced barrel whip (91 mph bat exit velocity) and present power to all fields while creating backspin routinely in a solid round of batting practice. Showcased athletic defensive actions with advanced arm strength (90 mph) while running one of the quickest 60-yard dash times of the day at 6.83.

Ryan Kutz, 1B/RHP, Lower Dauphin HS
6-foot-2, 205-pound two-way prospect showcased dramatic strides across the board since we last saw him in June of 2015. The right-handed hitter displayed present power (89 mph bat exit velocity) from an open stance. Used a leg-raise stride and strong lower half action to repeatedly drive baseballs to all fields during batting practice. Flashed athletic defensive actions around the bag at first base and command of three pitches on the mound with a fastball that sits in the low-80s.

Luke Zimmerman, 1B/LHP, Marple Newtown HS
5-foot-11, 200-pound left-handed hitter took one of the top rounds of batting practice on the day, displaying an ability to stay inside the baseball with advanced barrel whip (89 mph bat exit velocity). Starts from an open stance and utilizes a short leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Hands work well through contact and the ball jumps off his barrel. The two-way prospect also showcased a soft glove hand and athletic feet around the bag at first base while commanding a four-pitch mix off the mound.

Class of 2019

Mike Becker, 2B, Harriton HS
5-foot-7, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a small leg-lift stride to initiate his swing from a low hands load. Displayed an ability to stay behind the baseball and an ability to create some backspin with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Ran a solid 7.03 60-yard dash and accurate 74 mph arm strength across the diamond from his infield position. Projects currently as a 2nd baseman at the next level but solid build and arm action could lead to a move to 3rd base at some point.

Michael Defant, OF/RHP, Downingtown East HS
Long limbed 6-foot, 150-pound two-way prospect showcased a well-rounded skill set. Right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a short leg-lift stride. Deep load leads to some length and loop in his swing, but displayed solid barrel whip (81 mph bat exit velocity) and feel for the barrel. Showed athletic actions in the outfield with 84 mph arm strength while running a 6.88 60-yard dash. Sat 78-80 from a loose, high 3/4 arm slot with fluid actions. Slider currently has cutter action at 75 mph while his 69 mph changeup is thrown at near fastball arm speed.

Matt Headley, OF, Bonner-Prendergast HS
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and incorporates a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. A deep load leads to some length to his swing, but he hits off a stiff front side and generates some backspin with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Ran a 7.24 60-yard dash and showcased athletic actions while playing through the baseball defensively. Displayed accurate 85 mph arm strength with good carry from his outfield position.

Jayson Kramer, OF, Cumberland Valley HS
5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and incorporates a short, leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Little wasted movement and solid feel for the barrel with a flat barrel path through the zone. Creates some backspin and displayed the ability to drive the baseball to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ran a 7.28 60-yard dash and showcased solid defensive actions with accurate 79 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Brendan Martin, 2B/SS, Warwick HS
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter showed a well rounded skill set. Right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Stayed behind the baseball well and showcased the ability to consistently barrel the baseball to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Ran a 7.28 60-yard dash and displayed capable defensive actions with accurate 73 mph arm strength. Profiles as a 2nd baseman at the next level.

Casey McGinley, OF, Owen J Roberts HS
5-foot-8, 140-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a line drive approach at the plate with a some length created by a pronounced arm bar with a bat exit velocity of 75 mph. Showcased good feet defensively (6.84 60-yard dash) with accurate 78 mph arm strength from the outfield. Has a quick release with a bit of a short arm throwing motion. Overall game will benefit from strength gains and physical maturity.

James Pello, OF, Central Bucks East HS
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-lift stride. Hits off a stiff front side and uses a strong hip rotation to create a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. A deep load leads to length in the swing but the ball jumps off his barrel when he is on time to the hitting zone. Ran a 7.26 60-yard dash and showcased a long arm throwing motion from the outfield with 78 mph arm strength.

Adam Ricketts, C, Warwick HS
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a line drive approach barreling the baseball with regularity with a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. Ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.22-2.36 on throws of 70 mph from the crouch. Athletic defender whose times will improve as he works to quicken his transition and becomes more linear with his footwork.

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