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WV Open ID Showcase: Class of 2014 Analysis

July 21, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The West Virginia Open ID Showcase was the fist event hosted by Prep Baseball Report in West Virginia and drew 14 prospects from Pennsylvania. A dozen of those prospects are members of the Class of 2014. Following is a look at all prospects in the class and their performance at the event.

CLICK HERE for complete results of all prospects in attendance.

C Nate Cardy, Franklin HS, Class of 2014

At 6-foot-1, 220-pounds, Cardy definitely has a catcher's frame. He showcased well defensively with pop times of 1.97-2.03 on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch. Cardy moves very well for a prospect his size turning in a 7.62 60-yard dash and showing agility behind the plate. The right-handed hitter uses a high hands load out of a slightly open stance. He has a tendency to get a bit long with his swing but showed some pop in his bat when he barreled the baseball. Cardy displayed a bat exit velocity of 88 mph.

LHP/OF Eric Fairman, Thomas Jefferson HS, Class of 2014

Fairman has an athletic build at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds and moves well for a prospect his size (7.32 60-yard dash). He showed athletic actions in the outfield and good straight line carry on throws of 78 mph from the outfield. Fairman had just thrown from the mound in a game and did not overextend himself during defensive evaluations and did not throw off the mound. The right-handed hitter hits out of an open stance with a high hands load. He showcased good extension to his swing and some power potential with a bat exit velocity of 91 mph.

OF/SS Collin Fantaskey, Warren Area HS, Class of 2014

Fantaskey is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound prospect with a big upside. He ran an event best 6.87 60-yard dash and showcased an 87 mph arm from the outfield. Fantaskey showed good feet and solid carry on throws of 82 mph across the infield as well. The right-handed hitter displayed an 86 mph bat exit velocity and the potential to be a quality hitter at the next level. His swing plane is flat and he barrels the baseball routinely.

3B Ryan Madden, Franklin Area HS, Class of 2014

Madden showed well in all facets of the game. The 6-foot, 190-pound prospect ran a 7.17 60-yard dash and showed good carry on throws of 78 mph across the diamond. Madden also showed athletic actions in the outfield and an 84 mph arm to home plate. The right-handed hitter displayed an 87 mph bat exit velocity utilizing a high hands load and a toe tap trigger. Madden gets to extension regularly and showed the ability to drive the baseball consistently to all fields.

C/RHP Zach Murray, Baldwin HS, Class of 2014

Murray had a solid showing in many facets of the game. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound prospect ran 7.38 60-yard dash and showed well behind the plate with pop times of 1.97-2.13 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Murray showcased an 84 mph bat exit velocity out of a square stance. He displayed the ability to barrel the baseball consistently and stayed inside the baseball well during his round of batting practice. Murray sat 78-79 from the mound while commanding a 69 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 74 mph changeup. He pounded the strike zone and displayed repeatable mechanics.

C Mason Prickett, Moon Area HS, Class of 2014

Prickett is a 6-foot, 190-pound catcher that showcased a quick transfer and the ability to gain ground on throws of 69 mph from the crouch. Prickett's pop times of 2.03-2.06 will continue to improve as he adds more arm strength to his sound throwing mechanics. The left-handed hitter utilized a square stance and solid lower half actions to spray line drives repeatedly during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph.

C James Shank, Pleasant Valley HS, Class of 2014

Shank showcased throws of 68 mph from the crouch and pop times of 2.13-2.16. The 6-foot, 160-pound backstop displayed a quick transfer, accurate throws and the ability to gain ground on release. Shank hits out of a square stance with very little stride creating a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. He displayed a short swing path and the ability to barrel the baseball often during his round of batting practice.

Jamie Switalski3B/RHP Jamie Switalski, Pine Richland HS, Class of 2014

Switalski has been garnering considerable Division I interest, and based on his performance during batting practice rightfully so. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitter put on a hitting display, driving seven balls out of the park and consistently barreling the baseball with authority. Switalski topped all infield arms at 85 mph across the diamond and sat 84-86 from the mound. He also showed command of a 73 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 78 mph changeup that had late downward action.

1B/OF Caleb Thorn, Knoch HS, Class of 2014

Thorn ran a 7.75 60-yard dash and showed the ability to make all plays around the bag at 1B. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect displayed accurate throws of 71 mph across the diamond. Thorn had a solid round of batting practice, repeatedly barreling the baseball and showed the ability to use all fields. He has a wide stance, limited stride and a flat bat path through the hitting zone that creates a bat exit velocity of 83 mph.

Justin VardianRHP/SS Justin Vardian, Bishop McCort HS, Class of 2014

Vardian is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect that ran a 7.28 60-yard dash. He showed good feet and a clean transfer on throws of 78 mph across the diamond. Vardian utilizes a open stance and a leg lift trigger to create a bat exit velocity of 74 mph. He showcased a short swing path and the ability to barrel the baseball consistently. It was on the mound the Vardian shined. In the most electric bullpen session of the day, Vardian sat 86-88 out of a high 3/4 arm slot. The righty shows his numerals in his delivery and creates arm side run when he uncoils. His two-seam fastball showed considerable run at 83 mph. Vardian also displayed command of a 76 mph 11/5 breaking curveball, a 74 mph slider and a 75 mph changeup. Currently ranked No. 112 in the PA Class of 2014, Vardian will see his stock climb following his performance.

2B/RHP Devon Walker, Du Bois HS, Class of 2014

Walker is a baseball player. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound prospect is a hard-nosed prospect with two-way abilities that continues to impress. Walker ran a 7.49 60-yard dash and showed solid glove work in the middle infield. He has good feet, soft hands and a quick release with a 75 mph throwing arm across the diamond. Walker has a short, compact swing path and demonstrated the ability to barrel the baseball repeatedly during a solid round of batting practice. Walker sat 83-85 out of a high 3/4 arm slot during his bullpen session. He also commands the strike zone with a 74 mph 11/5 breaking curveball, a 76 mph changeup and a 77 mph slider that has late bite.

2B/SS Ted Williams, Meadville HS, Class of 2014

Williams showed well in all facets of the game. The Milllersville University commit ran a 7.03 60-yard dash and showcased soft hands and a solid arm on throws of 84 mph across the diamond. The 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitter barreled the baseball repeatedly and sprayed line drive to all fields during a solid round of batting practice.

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