Follow @pbrpennsylvania

By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

We continue our evaluations from the 2017 Preseason All-State Showcase with outfielders in the class of 2018, who numbered fifteen of the 100 players in attendance at the event.

Top Prospect

Kyle Hess, OF, Donegal
6-foot, 180-pound Pittsburgh commit ran a laser-timed 6.44 60-yard dash. Left-handed hitter continues to put on strength and is flashing improved bat speed to the tune of a 97 mph exit velocity. Starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. Hands work well, appears more comfortable driving the baseball the opposite way, and is getting a feel for creating backspin. Continues to show an accurate arm, while arm strength continues to improve (now up to 86 mph).

 

Other Participating 2018 Outfielders

Tim Beimel, OF/RHP, St. Marys Area
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.94 60-yard dash. Slightly open stance with no hand load. Can get to extension early, but flashes solid bat speed (85 mph exit velocity) when he's on time. Defensively, he exhibited accurate 85 mph arm strength out of an over-the-top slot.

Ben Berger, OF, Central Bucks South
5-foot-6, 150-pound left-handed hitter who ran a 6.78 60-yard dash and has a feel for the barrel. Square stance with good hand rhythm, takes a short path to the baseball, and hits against his front side. Solid pop for for size (86 mph exit velocity) with gap power potential. Defensively, he moved well to the baseball and exhibited accurate 80 mph arm strength.

Quinn Buffington, OF/LHP, Camp Hill
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter with athletic build who ran a 6.75 60-yard dash. Starts from a open stance and strides to slightly open. Has strength that helped generate a 93 mph exit velocity, up markedly from when we saw him over the summer, and occasionally created some backspin during his BP round. Athletic approach to the baseball defensively and appears to have ironed out directional issues with stride foot, allowing his 86 mph arm strength to play up with good carry.

Luke Cantwell, OF, Marple Newtown
Physical right-handed hitter with strength throughout his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame. Starts from an open stance and takes a big knee-to-knee stride to a slightly open base. Minimal hand load, but holds them in a good launch position. Swing has some stiffness, but routinely barreled the baseball during his BP round and posted an exit velocity of 94 mph. Ran a 7.19 60-yard dash. Defensively, he showed 83 mph arm strength out of an over-the-top slot that could play up with more carry if he would follow the throw upon release.

Tracy Carr, OF, Dallastown Area
Built like a wrestler, Carr's 5-foot-7, 165-pound frame belies his strength and tools. Right-handed hitter posted a 97 mph exit velocity and ran a 6.86 60-yard dash. Starts from an open stance and strides to slightly open. Flashed good bat speed, stayed inside the baseball, created backspin, and consistently barreled the baseball throughout his round of BP. Defensively, struggled with his footing and recorded 78 mph arm strength that was down from the 82 we have previously recorded.

C.J. Conrad, OF/RHP, Apex (NC)
Toolsy right-handed hitter with wiry 6-foot, 175-pound frame who ran a 6.87 60-yard dash. Starts from an open stance and strides to slightly open. Rocks weight to backside and ensuing forward float creates some inconsistency in stride length/base. Swing can get long at times, but flashes good bat speed with an 88 mph exit velocity that is sure to improve as he adds strength. Aggressive to the baseball defensively with a quick, live arm that produced a peak velocity of 90 mph.

Jake Herrit, OF/RHP, Knoch
Right-handed hitter with solid 5-foot-11, 190-pound build verbally committed to the United States Military Academy shortly after the event. Starts from a square stance and rocks weight to back side with a big knee-to-knee stride to a slightly closed base. Head remains still, keeps weight behind his front side, and is developing some gap power with an exit velocity up to 90 mph. Ran a 7.13 60-yard dash. Soft infield glove hand translates to the outfield. Moves through the catch well and posted 86 mph arm strength out of an over-the-top slot.

Tyler Keppley, OF, Cocalico
Physical 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.78 60-yard dash. Starts from an open stance in a slight squat and strides to slightly open. Brute strength helps generate an 88 mph exit velocity, which should improve considerably as he learns to hit against his front side instead of getting his weight into his front hip early, which limits ability to incorporate strong lower half into swing. Defensively, good approach to ball, plays through well with feet, and logged 80 mph arm strength out of an over-the-top slot.

Isaiah Lucas, OF, Butler Area
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter with a tool set that includes a 6.94 60-yard dash and 93 mph exit velocity. Upright, slightly open stance with still hands. Front hip really floats with stride, minimizing impact of lower half on swing. Strength would play up with better incorporation of back side into swing, as well as keeping the barrel working through the zone after contact. Defensively, he logged 83 mph arm strength out of an over-the-top slot and would get more out of his arm if he got his front foot around toward his target and followed his throw upon release.

Colin Macko, OF, Crestwood
6-foot-4 left-handed hitter has put on ten pounds, now up to 190, since we first laid eyes on him seven months ago. Starts from a slightly open stance and incorporates a slow, controlled load to a square base. 91 mph exit velocity indicates some power potential, which could jump even higher with more explosion from his lower half. Defensively, he winds up with a long arm action that produces 84 mph arm strength with some carry.

John McSweeney, OF, Central Bucks South
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter with some strength in his build. Hits from a slightly open stance with some stiffness and a deep launch point created by an armbar. Physical swing with some drift to the front side when he strides. Posted an 83 mph exit velocity and ran a 7.27 60-yard dash. Defensively, he recorded 80 mph arm strength out of an over-the-top slot that would play up if he would shorten his actions to get rid of the baseball quicker..

Mike Piscotty, OF, Hanover Area
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from an open stance and strides to square. Strength gains to his lean frame will be imperative for him to shorten his path and allow his top hand to consistently control the barrel (which currently leaks toward the catcher prior to launch), as well as for his ability to drive the baseball (80 mph exit velocity). Ran a 7.41 60-yard dash, but has been timed as quick as 7.17 as recently as three and a half months ago. Defensively, he recorded 77 mph arm strength with a long arm action from a bit of a lower slot.

Nick Serafino, OF, Canon-McMillan
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.82 60-yard dash. Has put on twenty pounds in the past year and is showing some pullside pop with exit velocity up to 91 mph. Starts from an open stance and takes a knee-to-knee stride to square. Flashes some bat speed despite tendency to get a little rigid with arms/shoulders, and would benefit from letting the ball travel deeper into the hitting zone. Athletic approach to the ball, while 79 mph arm strength from a low slot with elbow in tight to body appears to play better in the outfield when he can run through the throw.

Sean Wills, RHP/OF, Holy Redeemer
6-foot-1, 170-pound primary pitcher. Hit from a slightly open stance with a middle-of-the-diamond approach during his BP round. Would benefit from additional strength to improve bat speed and power potential (80 mph exit velocity). Posted 79 mph arm strength during defensive workout, following throws to target well. Ran a 7.34 60-yard dash.

Preseason All-State Showcase News