2017 PBR Future Games: Previewing Team Pennsylvania Pitchers

July 31, 2017

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting
@pbrpennsylvania

This one-of-a-kind event features the best uncommitted Class of 2019 prospects and select 2020 prospects from our 30-plus state coverage area. The Future Games will take place on August 2 - August 5 (Wednesday-Saturday) at Grand Park, a state-of-the-art 22-field baseball complex located in Westfield, IN, just north of Indianapolis.

The Prep Baseball Report Future Games is the premier summer scouting event for Class of 2019 prospects and select 2020 prospects. Last year, more than 130 colleges from all over the country were in attendance. The Prep Baseball Report services are subscribed to by more than 700 colleges and pro scouts.

Every player in the PBR Future Games will be outfitted in adidas uniform, cleats and hat. Players will also receive maximum visibility from college coaches all over the country, in addition to being promoted through the Prep Baseball Report multimedia platforms.

Each state team will play three games Thursday through Saturday. On Wednesday, all position players will be put through a showcase workout in which they will run 60s, take batting practice and be evaluated at their primary position.

Today we begin a preview of those prospects that will represent the Keystone State as members of Team Pennsylvania.

Team Pennsylvania pitchers

Nathan Beimel LHP / St. Marys Area, PA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:49 POS:5

6-foot-2, 185-pound left-hander continues to show steady progress with incremental velocity gains on all his pitches. Working with a slight leg strain at the recent Western PA Top Prospect Games he sat 82-84 from a high 3/4 slot with the ability to spot the fastball to both sides of the plate. Curveball showed increased depth and tighter rotation at 67 mph than the last we saw it. Also commanded his 73 mph changeup well showing arm run to right-handed hitters and turning it over to lefties. Worked two solid innings allowing two hits while striking out two batters. At full health this summer Beimel was reportedly up to 87 mph.

Nick Breznak LHP / Lancaster Catholic, PA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:48 POS:4

6-foot-2, 175-pound lefty has a long, projectable frame with room for 20-30 more pounds of good weight. At the Pennsylvania Preseason All-State Showcase in February he sat 80-83 from a 3/4 to high 3/4 arm slot with natural cut to his fastball. Worked solely from the stretch with some head wag at release while staying directional to the plate. Curveball showed 1/7 rotation with occasional two-plane action at 69-71. Also commanded a 74 mph splitter and a changeup at 71-73.

Chic DeGaetano RHP / Hazleton Area STEM, PA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:37 POS:18

Physical 6-foot-2, 190-pounder impressed with a solid all-around skill set and two-way abilities at a PBR Event in January. The primary pitcher sat 80-84 off the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot with late run on his fastball. His 76 mph changeup is still a work in progress but his 73 mph curveball is an advanced secondary offering that will get plenty of outs. The 12/6 breaker sat 72-73 with hard-biting down action and was continually thrown for strikes. DeGaetano has seen his velocity jump this summer now sitting in the mid-80s with the ability to touch 87-88.

Nick Embleton RHP / East Pennsboro, PA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:22 POS:12

Two-way prospect will also play outfield during the course of the four day event. This spring the 6-foot-2, 195-pound righty sat 84-86 touching 87 mph for six full innings from a 3/4 arm slot. Displayed solid command of a four-pitch mix (6 K, 2 BB). Fastball had late life although was relatively flat. Showed solid feel for 70-73 mph curveball with 2-plane 11/5 break and a harder breaker with slider action at 77-78. Changeup was seldom used at 74-76. This summer Embleton's velocity has been up several ticks, touching 90 mph on multiple occasions.

Adam Grintz RHP / Downingtown West, PA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:9 POS:4 Overall Rank:212 POS:68

Grintz is the only member of the Team Pennsylvania roster to have participated in the 2016 Future Games, working three scoreless innings with four strikeouts and no hits allowed. Two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, Grintz displays a rhythmic delivery with hands and lead leg working in concert and chest-high leg lift. Deep arm stroke into a high three-quarter slot. Good direction to plate with slightly closed toe landing and gets over front side well. Fastball sat 84-85 with minimal effort at the Pennsylvania Preseason All-State Showcase in February. Curveball at 72-74 was slider-like with tight spin, but not a ton of depth. Also showed a straight change-up at 75-77.

Aaron Groller LHP / Souderton Area, PA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:26 POS:2

Long limbed 6-foot-1, 165-pound left with an easy, loose delivery and plenty of room to add to his frame. Sits 80-82 while topping at 84 mph from a 3/4 arm slot with a fluid, repeatable delivery that shows some armside run. Slider has tight, late break at 73-74 while he displays an above average feel for his 76-78 changeup. Has shown incremental velocity gains over past six months and projects for significant gains in the future.

David Platt RHP / Pennsylvania Leadership Charter, PA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:30 POS:15

6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander worked from a 3/4 arm slot at the Eastern PA Top Prospect Games in June. Initiates delivery with a side-rocker step and utilizes strong lower half to create fastball that sat 84-87. Also displayed a 72 mph curveball with late 11/5 break and an occasional changeup at 77 mph. Platt worked three scoreless innings allowing one hit while striking out three. His fastball has a chance to be very heavy and induced a number of ground ball outs on this date.

Tyler Wiederstein RHP / Hempfield Area, PA / 2020

6-foot, 160-pound right-hander is just beginning to grow into his mature frame. In September of 2016 he sat 79-81 from a 3/4 arm slot with a loose arm action and above average tempo to his delivery. Limited lower half drive at the time pointed to significant velocity gains once he learns to incorporate his lower half. That predicted velocity has come in a hurry as he now sits in the mid-80s while touching 87-88. Also commands a 70 mph curveball with short slider break and a 72 mph changeup with some arm-side run.