Eastern PA Top Prospect Games Analysis: White Team
June 19, 2017
By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting
The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania began this week with the 2017 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games on June 13 and 14. Eighty prospects from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New Jersey gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities at Cooper Park on the campus of Millersville University. Today we begin our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those that participated as a member of the White Team.
WHITE TEAM
Top Prospects
Aaron Groller, LHP, Souderton Area HS, PA, Class of 2019
6-foot-1, 165-pounder primary pitcher sat 81-82 with cut to his fastball out of an easy, fluid 3/4 delivery. Worked three scoreless innings with six strikeouts utilizing an above average 72 mph slider and an effective 76 mph changeup. Also displayed solid right-handed swing mechanics with an 81 mph bat exit velocity. Went 3-for-8 in game action while making several loud outs and ran a 6.77 60-yard dash. Athletic lefty flashed solid defensive abilities around the bag at first base as well as in the outfield. Groller will represent Team Pennsylvania in the 2017 PBR Future Games in August.
David Platt, RHP, Home Schooled, PA, Class of 2019
6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander worked from a 3/4 arm slot. 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, inducing a number of ground ball outs on this date. Platt will represent Team Pennsylvania in the 2017 PBR Future Games in August.
Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)
Nate Furman, 2020, SS/2B, Bonner-Prendergast HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder bounced around the infield showing advanced glove skills and an above average knowledge of the game. Showcased active feet, good routes to the baseball and a quick release with 77 mph arm strength across the diamond. Ran a 6.81 60-yard dash and a 4.46 in game home-to-1B on a ground ball to short. Left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, heel-raise stride. Stays inside the baseball well and displayed an ability to barrel baseballs to all fields during solid round of batting practice. Went 1-for-7 with a walk in game action while barreling the baseball in nearly every at bat.
Ethan Heller, 2019, 3B/1B, Warwick HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 180-pound corner infielder has battled some injuries and participated while not yet 100%. Right-handed hitter begins from a wide square stance and initiates his swing with a short, leg-hand stride. Displayed an ability to create some backspin and an aggressive lower half during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Moved well around the bag at third base during defensive workout showcasing a soft glove hand.
Bailey Hottenstein, 2018, 1B/3B, Selinsgrove HS (PA)
6-foot, 190-pound corner infielder went 1-for-3 with a double on day one of the event. The left-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and initiates his swing from a high-hands load by utilizing a short, lift-and-replace stride. Displayed solid feel for the barrel in batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Showed capable actions around the bag at first base with accurate 75 mph arm strength and ran a 7.83 60-yard dash.
Connor Kalten, 2018, RHP, Downingtown East HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 205-pound right-hander sat 80-82 working solely out of the stretch during three innings of work. Works out of a compact, high knee delivery from a high 3/4 arm slot while staying balanced and directional throughout. Curveball sat 69-71 with 11/5 shape while at its best had some two-plane action. Recorded two strikeouts and a number of ground balls. While his frame suggests additional velocity is likely moving forward, a third pitch will be necessary for Kalten to have success at the next level.
Patrick Marley, 2020, OF/2B, Archbishop Carroll HS (PA)
5-foot-9, 140-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Hands work well through contact and displayed a solid feel for the barrel with an 78 mph bat exit velocity. Swing will play in the future as he adds strength to his fame. Went 2-for-8 in game action while making a couple of loud outs. Ran a 7.21 60-yard dash and displayed 80 mph arm strength from the outfield with fluid actions and straight line carry to the plate.
Chris Murdock 2018, RHP/2B, The Hun School of Princeton (NJ)
5-foot-11, 175-pound primary pitcher sat 80-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Deliberate delivery begins with a side-rocker step and incorporates some hip coil adding deception. Stays in line well and delivers 71 mph changeup with fastball arm speed. Worked three innings allowing one run while striking out five. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride from a high-hands load. Registered 80 mph bat exit velocity and went 3-for-7 with a walk in game action. Ran a 7.45 60-yard dash and displayed a quick release with sound glove actions defensively. Projects as a second baseman at the next level at this point in his development.
Adam Retzbach, 2019, C, Lakeland HS (PA)
6-foot-4, 190-pound backstop displayed very sound mechanics behind the plate. Quiet receiver presents a soft wall when blocking. Showcased quick feet and a clean transition with 76 mph arm strength from the crouch during defensive workout. Right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open, crouched stance eliminating some of his physicality. Stayed behind the baseball well and remained inside the baseball resulting in consistent line drives during batting practice. Displayed an 88 mph bat exit velocity and went 2-for-6 with a walk during game action while also running a 7.33 60-yard dash.
Chad Speiser, 2018, C/OF, Northern York HS (PA)
5-foot-9, 160-pound catcher/outfielder showed solid abilities defensively at both positions. Ran a 7.09 60-yard dash and took good routes to the baseball in the outfield. Behind the dish he showcased 73 mph arm strength from the crouch and pop times of 2.13-2.19 with a quick release. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a bat-waggle load and a leg-lift stride. Barreled the baseball consistently during an above average round of batting practice while going 2-for-7 with a double and a walk in game action
Zach Spray, 2018, OF, Easton Area HS (PA)
Solidly built 5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a wide, square stance and initiates his swing with aggressive upper half. Limited lower half action in the swing, but displayed a feel for the barrel with advanced upper body strength and the ball jumps off his barrel. Registered an 82 mph bat exit velocity and went 2-for-5 with a walk in game action. Ran a 6.83 60-yard dash and displayed capable defensive actions defensively with accurate 75 mph arm strength to home plate.
Brandon Walters, 2018, RHP, Central York HS (PA)
6-foot-5, 195-pound right-hander sat 80-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot three scoreless innings of work with three strikeouts. Starts delivery with a side rocker step and stays directional to the plate with a long arm motion. Curveball displayed 11/5 rotation with late bite while he also displayed command of a 70 mph knuckle-change that he threw repeatedly for strikes. Has shown steady progress over past 9 months, working to stay directional. Pounded strike zone and gave every indication that additional velocity is likely in the near future.
Tyler Wright, 2018, LHP, Coatesville Area HS (PA)
6-foot-2, 175-pound lefty sat 74-77 from a high 3/4 arm slot with some natural cut to his fastball. Displayed a 1/7 breaking curveball at 65-67 and a changeup thrown with near fastball arm speed at 68-71. Worked three innings facing just two over the minimum with four strikeouts. Commanded the zone well and worked quickly. Creates a bit of deception with some hip coil to his delivery and a short takeaway that allows the baseball to stay hidden behind his head until release. Fastball, curveball and changeup all come out of the same window.