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Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Class of 2015

January 16, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The first event of the winter, the Western PA College Prospect Showcase, was an opportunity for 11 Pennsylvania prospects to get a head start on the 2014 season. Following is a look at the juniors that showcased their skills at Penn State Greater Allegheny, including two prospects from other states.

Top prospect

Dillon HorganOF/RHP Dillon Horgan (Ellwood City HS)

Horgan is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound prospect that turned in the top all-around performance of the day. The athletic junior ran the top home-to-1B time of the event at 4.07 and topped all position player arms with throws of 87 mph from the outfield. Horgan also displayed some pop at the plate with an 80 mph bat exit velocity. He hits from a narrow stance and creates barrel whip with a solid lower half. Although he did not display his abilities as a pitcher at this event, Horgan will participate at the Preseason All-State Showcase in February as an outfielder and pitcher.

Class of 2015

OF Tristan Lucas (University HS, WV)

Lucas showed raw athleticism and room for continued maturation. He began the day by turning in the top home-to-1B time of the day at 4.00 from the right side of the plate. The 6-foot, 165-pound junior displayed athletic actions in the outfield and solid straight line carry on throws of 77 mph. At the plate, Lucas used a square stance and a high hands load to produce a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Lucas has some mechanical issues with his swing that are minor, but that could allow for added barrel whip. His athleticism is evident in all that he does and makes him an interesting follow in the Class of 2015.

SS/3B Bailey McGrath (Bridgeport HS, OH)

McGrath is a 5-foot-8, 185-pound solidly built right-handed hitter that showcased an 86 mph bat exit velocity with a short, compact swing. He displayed the ability to barrel the baseball consistently and the potential for some gap power. McGrath demonstrated the ability to make all plays defensively with a 73 mph arm across the diamond. Because of his frame and his current arm strength, he projects as a 2B at the next level. The junior also showcased good feet with a 4.35 home-to-1B time.

3B/2B Vince Ruggieri (North Hills HS)

Ruggieri showed potential from the left side of the plate with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound junior squared the baseball repeatedly utilizing a wide base and a strong lower half to create barrel whip. Ruggieri has a flat bat path through the zone allowing him to stay on plane throughout his swing. He showcased the ability to make all plays defensively with a 67 mph arm across the diamond. He will need to continue to develop his arm strength to stay at 3B.

C/OF Tyler Pusateri (North Hills HS)

Pusateri is an athletic 5-foot-10, 175-pound backstop that displayed sound receiving and blocking techniques. He showcased pop times of 2.08-2.15 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. Pusateri ran a solid 4.37 home-to-1B time. The right-handed hitter made consistent hard contact with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Pusateri utilizes a short swing path and a strong lower half to create barrel whip.

LHP/1B Antonio Viviano (Mt. Lebanon HS)

Viviano stood out offensively with a 92 mph bat exit velocity and some signs of power potential. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound right-handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance and utilizes an explosive lower half to create significant barrel whip. He barreled the baseball routinely and the ball jumped off his bat head. The left-handed thrower showed decent agility around the 1B bag and a 71 mph arm across the diamond. Viviano sat 72-75 off the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot with much more in the tank. His 61 mph curveball showed tight 1/7 rotation and his 67 mph changeup was thrown at fastball arm speed.

LHP/OF Brendon Bengel (Hempfield Area HS)

Bengel showed very quick hands from the left side of the plate with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. The 6-foot, 160-pound lefty hits from a wide base with no stride. Bengel showed athletic actions in the outfield with throws of 79 mph to home plate and turned in a 4.35 home-to-1B time. He sat 75-77 from a 3/4 arm slot on the mound. Bengel's fastball has some arm side run and he demonstrated a feel for a 72 mph changeup and a 67 mph curveball. His 11/7 curveball showed late downward action and has the potential to be a solid out pitch with added velocity.

3B/2B Garett Goslaw (Butler Area HS)

Goslaw showed well in all facets of the game. He turned in one of the top home-to-1B times of the event at 4.16. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound infielder showed the ability to play the baseball on the move and solid carry on throws of 77 mph across the diamond. Goslaw showcased a leg-lift stride leg and good barrel whip from the right side of the plate. He barreled the baseball routinely and displayed above average bat exit velocity of 87 mph.

RHP Nicholas Jennings (Chartiers Valley HS)

Jennings sat 77-78 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with arm side run. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound righty disguises the ball well by showing the numbers on his back to the hitter. He has an athletic frame that should continue to fill out leading to added velocity. Jennings 72 mph changeup is thrown at fastball arm speed and his 67 mph curveball had tight, late 11/5 break. Jennings has a good feel for all his pitches and repeatable mechanics. He will be an interesting follow as he continues to mature physically.

2B/3B Jordan Kowalski (Knoch HS)

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound infielder showed significant improvements in all phases of his game since we last saw him in the fall. Kowalski turned in a 4.35 home-to-1B time and showed improved arm strength across the diamond with throws of 74 mph. He showed more fluid actions defensively and the ability to play through the baseball. The right-handed hitter hits from a wide base with a flat bat path through the hitting zone. Kowalski showcased a bat exit velocity of 79 mph and barreled the baseball routinely during his round of batting practice.

2B/SS Luke Baranchak (Butler Area HS)

Baranchak is an impressive looking athlete with significant athleticism. He is raw in most of his actions but he has a very physical 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame and room to make strides. Baranchak turned in a 4.50 home-to-1B time and displayed a 74 mph arm across the diamond. The right-handed hitter showcased a 90 mph bat exit velocity and the baseball exploded off his bat head at times. He hits from a slightly open stance and has a tendency to muscle the bat head through his swing, but his potential as a power hitting corner infielder or outfielder was evident.

1B/3B Jakob Felix (DuBois Area HS)

Felix took one of the top rounds of batting practice at the event. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound right-handed hitter showed definite power potential with and explosive lower half and the ability to drive the baseball routinely. He showcased an 85 mph bat exit velocity and quick hands that worked well throughout the swing. Felix showed agility around the 1B bag and a 68 mph arm across the diamond. He turned in a 4.69 home-to-1B time.

C/1B Tyler Peyman (Penn Trafford HS)

Peyman is a 6-foot, 195-pound backstop that showed sound receiving and blocking skills. He showcased pop times of 2.30-2.40 on throws of 61 mph from the crouch. Peyman turned in a 5.12 home-to-1B time. The right-handed hitter utilized a wide base with no stride to create a bat exit velocity of 74 mph. He barreled most baseballs during his round of batting practice with a tendency to pull the bat head through the hitting zone.


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