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Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Class of 2016

January 15, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The Class of 2016 has a big year ahead of it. The number of prospects currently ranked in the class (75) will likely double between now and June. Players in this class will also be vying for spots on the Team Pennsylvania roster for this summer's PBR Midwest Future Games powered by Under Armour. Add in potential invitations to the PA Top Prospect Games at the University of Pittsburgh in June, and the PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland in July, and this class has plenty of opportunities for regional and national exposure in the coming months.

The Western PA College Prospect Showcase was the first event of the winter and it showcased eight prospects from the class.  Following is a look at the sophomores that showcased their skills at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Top prospect

Jake SniegockiOF/RHP Jake Sniegocki (McDowell HS)

Sniegocki has a broad shouldered, athletic frame at 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. He began his solid showing by turning in a 4.30 home-to-1B time. The right-handed hitter showcased a lift and replace stride foot and a strong lower half to produce consistent solid contact during his round of batting practice. The sophomore displayed some power potential with a bat exit velocity of 88 mph. Sniegocki showed solid arm strength and athletic actions in the outfield with throws of 80 mph to home plate. The two-way prospect completed his day on the mound sitting 78-80 off the mound from an over the top arm slot. His 72 mph changeup is thrown at near fastball arm speed and showed some late down action. Sniegocki's best pitch is a 12/6 breaking curveball at 64 mph. The pitch has tight rotation and could develop into a very solid out pitch if thrown with greater velocity.

Class of 2016

1B/OF Noah Hansen (Kiski Area HS)

Hansen is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitter that utilizes a lift and replace stride foot from a square stance to produce a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. He squared the baseball frequently during his round of batting practice and demonstrated the ability to use all fields. The left-handed thrower showed solid footwork around the bag at 1B with an accurate 72 mph throwing arm. Hansen also turned in a 4.56 home-to-1B time.

SS/2B Corbin Kessler (Seneca Valley HS)

Kessler ran a 4.41 home-to-1B and showed athletic actions in the infield with the ability to play through the baseball. He displayed an accurate 71 mph arm across the diamond with much more in the tank. The right-handed hitter took one of the top rounds of batting practice on the day. He showed balance throughout his swing and very quick hands with a direct path to the baseball. Kessler made consistent solid contact and showed the potential for some gap power with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph.

2B/3B Dominic Peroni (Laurel Highlands HS)

Peroni showed the best defensive actions of any infielder at the event. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound 2B/3B showed the arm strength to play on the left side of the infield at 81 mph. He displayed the ability to play the ball on the move and a fluid exchange. Peroni hits from a square stance and has a flat path through the hitting zone allowing him to use all fields. He barreled the baseball routinely with an 85 mph bat exit velocity. Peroni turned in a 4.59 home-to-1B time.

2B/SS Cole Shaffer (Indiana Area HS)

Shaffer displayed a wide stance and a high hands load in a solid round of batting practice. The right-handed hitter has a short swing path with a very solid lower half that allowed him to barrel the baseball repeatedly with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Shaffer showed athletic actions in the infield with the ability to play through the baseball. The 5-9, 150-pound middle infielder showcased accurate throws of 72 mph across the diamond. Shaffer turned in a 4.36 home-to-1B time.

RHP Andrew Toplak (North Hills HS)

Toplak is a 6-foot, 160-pound righty with an athletic frame that displayed a sound, repeatable delivery. His four-seam fastball sat 78-79 out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Toplak also showed a feel for a 77 mph 2-seam fastball a 65 mph curveball and a 71 mph changeup. His best pitch is his 2-seam fastball which showed considerable arm side run. Toplak's curveball showed slider action with some late biting action, while his changeup was thrown at near fastball arm speed.

RHP/3B Ben Wilke (South Fayette HS)

Wilke is a 6-foot, 215-pound two-way prospect that showcased a 5.03 home-to-1B time and an accurate 71 mph arm across the diamond from 3B. The right-handed hitter displayed improving balance in his swing and a 79 mph bat exit velocity. Wilke barreled the baseball consistently during a solid round of batting practice. The righty sat 71-73 from a high 3/4 arm slot from the mound. He also showed an 11/5 breaking curveball at 62 mph and a 64 mph changeup that is still being developed.

1B/RHP Kolby Wolf (Riverside HS)

Wolf is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound prospect with a physical frame and a significant upside. He had a strong round of batting practice hitting from a square stance while utilizing a short swing plane. Wolf incorporated a solid lower half to barrel the baseball repeatedly with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph. The sophomore showed above average footwork around the bag at 1B and a 69 mph arm across the diamond. The two-way prospect sat 72-74 out of a high 3/4 arm slot on the mound. His 63 mph curveball showed slider action, while his 66 mph changeup displayed arm side run. Wolf showcased good feet with a 4.35 home-to-1B time.


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