Follow @pbrpennsylvania

The Western PA College Prospect Showcase took place on July 23rd at historic Pullman Park in Butler. Today we continue a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance with a look at those players that participated from the Class of 2021.

+ For complete results for all prospects in attendance CLICK HERE.

Top Prospects

Ethan Baer, Seneca Valley HS, 3B
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed hitter starts from a narrow, square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showed consistent feel for the barrel with some pop to the pull side with his hands working well through contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph and ran a 7.19 60-yard dash. Showcased solid lateral movements defensively with active feet and a soft glove hand while making plays on the move with accurate 78 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Ben Berdine, Warren Area HS, 1B/RHP
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Showed occasional front hip leak but the ball jumps off his barrel, especially on the inner half. Registered a bat exit velocity of 85 mph and ran a 7.37 60-yard dash. Showed above average glove work and active feet around the bag at first base with 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. The righty sat 82-85 while topping at 86 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a short takeaway on the mound. A long, athletic frame should continue to fill out with velocity inching toward the upper 80s a definite possibility in the future. Showed a feel for spin on his 11/5 breaking curveball at 62-66 and above average command of his changeup at 70-72.

Cameron Colwell, Seton-La Salle Catholic, SS/C
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Displayed a line drive approach with a feel for the barrel to all fields. Registered a bat exit velocity of 80 mph and ran a 7.28 60-yard dash. Displayed a soft glove hand and good lateral movements at shortstop with solid carry on throws of 80 mph across the diamond. Also showed the ability to be a next level defender behind the plate with pop times of 2.04-2.09 on throws of 77 mph from the crouch.

Jake Cooper, State College Area HS, 3B
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitter took arguably the top round of batting practice at the event. He starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a controlled leg-hang stride. Showcased balance throughout with a feel for the barrel while consistently creating backspin with some juice to the gaps. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran a 7.91 60-yard dash. Sound defender showed the ability to use his feet to set himself up for good hops while consistently playing through the baseball. Showed current 78 mph arm strength across the diamond with solid carry.

Additional 2021 Prospects (in alphabetical order)

Jack Bifano, Bridgeport HS (WV), Class of 2020, 3B/RHP
6-foot-6, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Stays behind the baseball well with a direct swing path while showing a feel for the barrel to all fields. Registered a bat exit velocity of 83 mph and ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. Showcased athletic defensive actions while consistently playing through the baseball with accurate 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. The righty sat 78-81 on the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot with some late arm-side run to his fastball. Tends to get around his curveball at 64-65 causing it to flatten out with 10/4 rotation. Also showed a slider at 72-74 that lacked movement and looked more like a changeup.

Tyler Cote, North Hills HS, C
5-foot-10, 200-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance with an inverted front foot and initiates his swing with a leg lift stride. Registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph and ran an 8.20 60-yard dash. Showcased pop times of 2.26-2.39 defensively with 71 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Times would come down significantly with the elimination of a slight hitch in the transition phase of his throwing motion.

Jake DiLucia, Peters Township HS, 3B
6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Showcased an ability to use all fields with some length to his swing causing some barrel drag. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran a 7.65 60-yard dash. Displayed active feet while playing through the baseball consistently defensively with accurate 78 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Jordan Ford, Richland HS, RHP
6-foot-1, 220-pound primary pitcher sat 82-84 from a high 3/4 arm slot from a high 3/4 arm slot while consistently getting down hill and on top of his fastball. His cruveball shows two-plane 11/5 action at 71-73 and has a chance to be a swing and miss pitch. The changeup is thrown for strikes with good sell at 77-78 and shows regular arm-side run. A physical frame has room to add strength. Incremental velocity gains are likely. Definite follow in this class.

Thomas Kusinsky, Penn-Traford HS, C/RHP
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to start. Showcased a line drive approach with an ability to use all fields. Registered a bat exit velocity of 83 mph and ran a 7.66 60-yard dash. Displayed pop times of 2.25-2.33 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch defensively. The righty also sat 71-75 from a 3/4 arm slot on the mound with some cut to his fastball. Curveball show slurve shape at 57-60 and sinker acted as a changeup with little movement sitting 67-72.

Joe Manesiotis, North Allegheny HS, OF
5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitter starts from an open, very narrow stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hand stride to even. Showed a pull heavy approach while staying behind the baseball creating heavy top spin on barreled baseballs. Registered a bat exit velocity of 82 mph and ran a 7.08 60-yard dash. Moves well in the outfield, consistently playing through the baseball, with solid carry on throws of 83 mph.

Tyler Switalski, Waynesburg Central HS, LHP/1B
Primary pitcher had thrown live in the days leading up to this event and did not take the mound. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a toe-tap stride to begin. Showed balance throughout his swing with a feel for the barrel and an ability to use all fields. Registered a bat exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 7.56 60-yard dash. Showed solid footwork and a soft glove around the bag at first base with accurate 76 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Broc Weigle, Allegheyn Clarion Valley HS, LHP/1B
6-foot-3, 160-pound primary pitcher sat 76-77 while topping at 79 mph from a 3/4 arm slot with a long takeaway to his throwing motion. Showed solid feel for his curveball at 61-64 with 1/7 rotation. A slider at 64-69 tended to spin and he did not have a feel for it on this date. Also showcased a changeup with short arm-side run at 68-70. The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, leg-lift stride. Showcased a flat barrel path through the zone with some present pop to the pull side. Registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph and ran an 8.16 60-yard dash. Showed capable footwork with a soft glove hand around the bag at first base defensively.

UPCOMING ANALYSIS SCHEDULE 

• 7.24.19  Complete results and top performers
• 7.25.19  Class of 2020 Analysis
• 7.26.19  Class of 2021 Analysis
• 7.27.19  Class of 2022 & 2023 Analysis

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Junior Future Games	NATIONAL	07/30	LakePoint
2019 PBR Future Games (Pennsylvania Invite Only)	PA	07/31	LakePoint
2019 Fall Kickoff Showcase	PA	08/15	Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 17U (Fall Kickoff Showcase Tournament)	PA	08/17	Millersville University
2019 Fall Scout Day (Various Travel Organizations)	PA	09/07	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Future Prospects Showcase	PA	10/19	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Elite Prospect Showcase	PA	10/26	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Fall Measurables & Evaluation Showcase	PA	11/02	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Holiday Showcase	PA	12/28	Keystone State Baseball Academy