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Winter College Prospect Showcase (Session Two) - Class of 2018 Analysis

January 19, 2016

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Session Two of the Winter College Prospect Showcase took place on January 16 at Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manheim, PA. Today we continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by reviewing the Class of 2018. CLICK HERE to view complete results for all prospects in attendance.

A pair of 2018 prospects turned heads and were unanimously the top performers at the event. Both players received and accepted invitations to participate for Team Pennsylvania at the 2016 PBR Future Games at the day's conclusion.

TOP PROSPECTS

Cole Chesnet, C/2B, Coatesville HS
Cole Chesnet5-foot-10, 175-pounder displayed advanced defensive skills. Chesnet registered pop times of 1.96-2.03 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. The sophomore flashed a soft glove hand and excellent feet during his defensive evaluation. The athletic right-handed hitter ran a solid 7.12 60-yard dash and turned in an 86 mph bat exit velocity. Chesnet starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short, heel raise stride. A very compact swing and strong lower half results in significant barrel whip with signs of gap power.

Justin Williams, 3B/OF, Cumberland Valley HS
Justin Williams6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitter is nearly a foot larger than the last time we saw him. Williams starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short heel raise stride. The sophomore creates significant barrel whip with quick hands and solid lower half action. He showed some lift to his swing and the potential for power with a bat exit velocity of 92 mph. Williams was equally impressive defensively flashing quick, active feet and a short release with accurate 89 mph arm strength. Made the slow roller player look routine and showed the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles.

REMAINDER OF THE CLASS

Roberto Barranca, SS/2B, Calvert Hall Academy (MD)
Roberto Barranca5-foot-11, 180-pound switch-hitter showcased a 77 mph bat exit velocity and a flat barrel path from the right side of the plate with a leg lift stride. Barranca displayed a bit longer swing from the left side and a tendency to lose his front side early with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. The sophomore ran a 7.20 60-yard dash and showed 73 mph arm strength across the diamond. Barranca's frame and skill set project him as a 2B/3B at the next level. 

Brady Bash, RHP/OF, West Chester Henderson HS
Brady Bash6-foot-2, 175-pound righty stood out among pitchers in attendance sitting 81-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Solid mechanics, a loose arm and above average balance project for additional velocity spikes as his frame continues to develop. The sophomore also displayed a 68 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and a 73 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. The two-way prospect flashed 88 mph arm strength from the outfield and ran a 7.23 60-yard dash. Bash starts his right-handed swing from a slightly open stance and displayed the ability to routinely stay inside the baseball with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph.

Trevor Leamer, 1B/LHP, Berks Catholic HS
Trevor Leamer6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Displayed an ability to stay behind the baseball and a feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. The sophomore showcased capable footwork and a soft glove hand around the bag at first base with an accurate 70 mph arm across the diamond. The lefty sat 73-74 of the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot. Leamer gets downhill well and showed some cut action to his 73 mph two-seamer. A looping 58 mph curveball and a 68 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed completed Leamer's arsenal of pitches.

Luke Piontek, C/OF, Devon Prep
Luke Piontek5-foot-10, 185-pounder showed well in all facets of the game. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel raise stride. Demonstrated a strong lower half and solid feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Piontek flashed pop times of 2.16-2.22 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. Quick feet and a clean transition project for continued progress as Piontek learns to more fully engage his lower half while making throws.

Sam Wheeler, 2B/OF, Sayre Area HS
Samuel Wheeler5-foot-5, 135-pound right-handed hitter displayed a short swing with solid extension from a slightly open stance. The sophomore routinely squared the baseball while demonstrating the ability to use all fields with a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. He ran a 7.07 60-yard dash and showed capable defensive actions with 72 mph arm strength across the diamond. Wheeler displayed the ability to make throws from several arm angles and profiles best at second base with his current frame.

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