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Western PA Fall Review Analysis: Pitchers

September 27, 2015

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

La Roche College was the host for the Western PA Fall Review. A total of 38 participants from two states dotted the roster for the days proceedings that included two nine-inning games with a showcase in between.  Today we wrap up our week long analysis of players in attendance by taking a look at the 15 pitchers in attendance.

Bryce Funa, 2016, RHP, Somerset Area (PA)
6-foot-1, 170-pound uncommitted senior sat 79-80 from a high 3/4 arm slot with cut action to his fastball. Some hip coil to his delivery adds deception to his 65 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. Worked three innings allowing two runs on four hits while registering two strikeouts.

Cole Horew, 2016, RHP, Chartiers Valley (PA)
6-foot, 165-pound uncommitted senior with long levers and a quick arm. Hitters had difficulty picking up the ball as a result of Horew's hip coil delivery and the fact that he breaks his hands during his side-rocker step. Sat 83-84 from a high 3/4 arm slot, topping at 86 mph. Also flashed a 74 mph curveball with slider action. Worked two innings allowing one run on one hit while registering two strikeouts.

Josh Kirwin, 2017, RHP, Rocky Grove (PA)
6-foot-1, 175-pound primary outfielder sat 79-81 with significant arm-side run to his fastball and a loose arm action. Also showcased a 76 mph slider that is a pitch still developing. Worked two hitless innings registering one strikeout while recording five outs via a ground ball. A bit raw at this point in his development but has a chance to make a significant velocity jump in short order.

Alex Huff, 2017, RHP, Franklin Area (PA)
5-foot-9, 140-pound primary middle infielder. Uncommitted senior sat 74-75 from a high 3/4 arm slot and commanded a 63 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation in any count. Solid knowledge of how to pitch. Worked two scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out one.

Nick Leonard, 2018, RHP, Brooke (WV)
5-foot-10, 170-pound primary middle infielder impressed on the mound. Sat 80-82 while topping at 83 mph with above average tilt to his fastball. Stays on top of fastball well and showed the ability to cut it at times. 70 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation is a solid secondary offering. Worked two scoreless innings allowing one hit while striking out four.

Jarrod Jones, 2018, RHP, Wheeling Park (WV)
5-foot-10, 150-pound primary middle infielder. Sat 76-78 from a 3/4 arm slot with some hip coil to his delivery. Also flashed a 68 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. Demonstrated good balance and gets over front leg well. Worked one inning allowing one run on two hits while striking out two.

Josh McKnight, 2017, RHP, Central - Martinsburg (PA)
6-foot-2, 180-pound righty with a long arm motion from a 3/4 arm slot. Sat 80-83 with natural cut to his fastball. Also showcased a 70 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation that he struggled to command on this day. Registered four strikeouts in three innings of work.

Connor Rakow, 2019, RHP, Franklin (PA)
5-foot-11, 160-pound primary outfielder with solid two-way abilities. Sat 76-77 with some cut to his fastball from a high 3/4 arm slot. Also commanded a 66 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. Repeatable mechanics and athletic frame would indicate significant velocity gains to come. Worked two scoreless innings allowing three hits while registering three strikeouts.

Jared Shawver, 2016, LHP, Logan (WV)
6-foot, 155-pound uncommitted senior with two-way abilities. Sat 76-77 from a high 3/4 arm slot with solid command and a feel for three pitches. Also showcased a 64 mph curveball with 1/7 rotation and a 68 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed. Worked two scoreless innings allowing one hit while registering two strikeouts.

Brett Steinle, 2018, RHP, Seneca Valley (PA)
5-foot-10, 145-pound primary outfielder. Advanced knowledge of how to pitch. Sat 70-72 with some arm-side run to his fastball from a high 3/4 arm slot. Showed very good feel for his 59 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a 64 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. Worked two scoreless innings registering five strikeouts. Athletic frame and solid mechanics should allow for considerable velocity gains moving forward.

Tre' Thomas, 2016, RHP, Ambridge (PA)
6-foot, 175-pound uncommitted senior. Sat 80-83 with some arm-side run during football season. Showcased solid feel for an improving 68 mph curveball and command of the strike zone. Worked three scoreless innings allowing three hits while registering seven strikeouts.

Aidan Thomson, 2018, RHP, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA)
6-foot-2, 155-pound righty sat 70-72 from a low 3/4 arm slot with plenty of natural movement to his fastball. High knee delivery and long-arm action add to deception. Also showcased a 68 mph slider that he turns over with some sinking action to lefties. Worked three scoreless innings allowing two hits while registering two strikeouts. Also induced six ground ball outs including a double play.

Hunter Treece, 2017, RHP, Pine-Richland (PA)
5-foot-10, 165-pound righty sat 81-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot with some arm-side run to his fastball. Also showcased a 76 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed and a solid 71 mph curveball with slider action. Simple, repeatable mechanics and athletic frame indicate additional velocity moving forward. Worked three scoreless innings allowing one hit while registering three strikeouts.

Mike YaSenka, 2016, RHP, Franklin Area (PA)
6-foot-2, 180-pound uncommitted senior. Sat 83-85 while touching 87 mph from a high 3/4 arm slot. Struggled with fastball command at times, but showed significant arm-side run and the willingness to work inside on right-handed hitters. Also showcased a 75 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation thrown with good arm speed. Athletic, projectable frame and quick arm make YaSenka one of top unsigned senior arms still out there.

Thomas  Zbezinski, 2017, LHP, Pine-Richland (PA)
5-foot-7, 150-pound lefty sat 77-79 from a high 3/4 arm slot with some hip coil to his delivery. Solid feel for his 67 mph curveball with 1/7 rotation and a 70 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed. Showcased a compact delivery with little wasted effort. Worked three scoreless innings allowing two hits while registering five strikeouts.

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