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Class of 2015 Analysis: Eastern PA Open ID Showcase (Session 1)

January 16, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The month of January is a busy one for Prep Baseball Report in Pennsylvania. On the schedule in January are four events over four weekends in four different areas of the state. The sole goal is to see and evaluate as many new prospects as possible. In week one a quality group of middle infielders impressed leading to a number of new players entering their class rankings. A week later, the Eastern PA Open ID Showcase was highlighted by quality pitchers, but the top Class of 2015 prospect was once again a middle infielder. Following is an analysis of the Class of 2015 prospects in attendance.

Nick FalsoNick Falso, SS/2B, Wissahickon HS, Class of 2015
Falso took top honors among the Class of 2015 prospects at the event. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound prospect showcased his foot speed by running a 7.24 60-yard dash on a slow track. He impressed with his actions defensively, showcasing good feet and the strongest infield arm of the day at 80 mph. Falso used a solid 83 mph bat exit velocity to square everything in an impressive round of batting practice. He displayed good lower body actions and hands that really work in lining pitch after pitch to all fields. Falso came into the event ranked No. 32 and jumped to No. 25 in the PA Class of 2015 as a result of his performance.

Rhett JacobyRhett Jacoby, RHP/1B, Parkland HS, Class of 2015
Jacoby was the most impressive pitching prospect at the event. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-hander showcased a heavy fastball that sat 82-84 with a deceptive delivery. Jacoby shows his numerals to the hitter out of the wind-up hiding the baseball effectively and creating some arm side run in return. His 73 mph 11/5 breaking curveball has late break and his 79 mph changeup also shows some late arm side run. Jacoby entered the PA Class of 2015 rankings at No. 26 as a result of his performance.

Jonathan Beck, C/1B, Hempfield HS, Class of 2015
Beck ran the 2nd fastest 60-yard dash of the event at 7.13. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound backstop displayed solid receiving and blocking skills and pop times of 2.28-2.34 on throws of 70 mph out of the crouch. Beck was very impressive at the plate. He had one of the top bat exit velocities on the day at 84 mph. He showed significant pop in his bat and the ability to drive the baseball with consistency to all fields.

Sam Lazowski, RHP/1B, Donegal HS, Class of 2015
Lazowski ran a 7.58 60-yard dash and showed a 75 mph arm across the infield. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound RHP/1B had one of the top bat exit velocities of the event at 85 mph. He showed the ability to consistently square the baseball and with legitimate power potential. Lazowski commanded three pitches with his 70 mph slider being his best. He also showcased an 80 mph fastball with some arm side run and a 70 mph changeup that is still developing.

Billy Gregory, RHP/SS, Wyoming Valley West HS, Class of 2015
Gregory had an impressive bullpen session throwing from a 3/4 arm slot. His fastball sat 77-80 with arm side run and he commanded his two complimentary pitches as well. Gregory's 68 mph curveball showed a 10/4 break with tight rotation. The 5-foot-11, 155-pound right-hander's changeup sat 73-75 with some late downward action.

Zach Smiley, 3B/1B, Spring-Ford HS, Class of 2015
Smiley ran a 7.80 60-yard dash and threw 76 mph across the infield. He showcased an 81 mph bat exit velocity and a strong lower half. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound left-handed hitter consistently squared baseballs and exhibited power potential to the pull side. His short swing path and solid build allow him to be short and explosive to the baseball creating significant barrel whip.

Bryson Turner, 2B/RHP, Brandywine Heights, Class of 2015
Turner has an athletic body at 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. He ran a 7.70 60-yard dash and showcased a 75 mph bat exit velocity. Turner showed the ability to play through the baseball and solid arm strength on throws of 74 mph across the diamond. He saved his best for last as he impressed with a good round of batting practice. Turner has a short swing plane and stays inside the baseball well allowing him to square the baseball consistently to all fields. His hands work well and he was able to get to the hitting zone on time regularly.

Ben Carter, C, Wyomissing Area HS, Class of 2015
Carter showed well in all facets of the game. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect ran one of the top 60-yard dash times of the day at 7.17 on a slow track. Defensively he showed a good deal of promise with 2.17-2.25 pop times on throws of 71 mph out of the crouch. He received the ball well and demonstrated solid blocking techniques. Offensively Carter squared the baseball consistently and showed some power potential. He used a 78 mph bat exit velocity to create barrel whip and showed a fluid rhythm throughout his swing.

Colton Currey, 2B/OF, Central Dauphin HS, Class of 2015
Currey ran one of the fastest 60-yard dash times of the day at 7.17. He showed the ability to play through the baseball and showed a quick release on throws of 70 mph across the diamond. He showcased a very solid 82 mph bat exit velocity that he used in a solid round of batting practice. Currey uses a short swing path and stays inside the baseball well. He sprayed lined drives and consistently squared the baseball.

Adam Reed, SS/OF, Central York HS, Class of 2015
Reed ran the 3rd fastest 60-yard dash of the day at 7.15 on a slow track. The 6-foot, 145-pound SS/OF showed good angles to the baseball and the ability to play through the baseball. He showed some carry on throws of 70 mph across the diamond. Reed showed well offensively utilizing a 79 mph bat exit velocity. He sprayed line drives consistently to all fields. As his body continues to fill out, and if he incorporates more hip turn to his swing, Reed could develop some gap power.

Kyle Peterson, RHP/1B, State College HS, Class of 2015
Peterson showcased a 77 mph fastball from an over the top arm slot. When he gets on top of the pitch he creates interesting angles and some late sink to the pitch. His curveball is thrown at the same arm speed but the 11/5 breaking pitch comes out of the hand at 56 mph. The pitch is deceptive but will have to be thrown harder in order to be effective. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound right hander slows his arm motion noticeably on his 62 mph changeup, but he commands the pitch well. With additional time and some small adjustments to mechanics, Peterson could see a significant spike in velocity and an improvement to his two complimentary pitches.

Casey Brown, 2B/RHP, Easton Area HS, Class of 2015
Brown ran a 7.84 60-yard dash and threw 73 mph across the diamond. The 5-foot-10, 135-pound prospect showcased a 74 mph bat exit velocity that he utilized to square the baseball consistently during his round of batting practice. Brown showed well on the mound and should see his velocities increase as his athletic frame continues to fill out. He commanded a 77 mph fastball that showed some arm side run, a 10/4 breaking curveball that sat 66-68 mph and a 68 mph changeup that also had arm side run. Brown also displayed a knuckle ball that sat 61-63.

Jeremy Sultzaberger, C/SS, Susquenita HS, Class of 2015
Sultzaberger is showing steady progress behind the plate. He showcased pop times of 2.29-2.35 on throws of 69 mph from the crouch. He ran a 7.65 60-yard dash and had a solid round of batting practice. Sultzaberger has some power potential and is working on his lower half to free up his hands to do more work.

John Fisher, 3B, Hurricane HS (WV), Class of 2015
Fisher is the first player from West Virginia to attend a PBR Pennsylvania event. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound prospect showed well offensively with a 75 mph bat exit velocity and the ability to consistently drive the baseball. Fisher showcased a short swing and the ability to stay inside the baseball regularly.

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