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Last week (February 19, 2018) more than 100 players worked out in front of our New York boots-on-the-ground scouting staff. Overall, the talent was exciting to say the very least. Several new names to the system impressed while some veterans to PBR continue to improve and raise their stock. Today we take a look at a few MIF that impressed last February, 19. Let's get started.

2019

Ryan Lukas SS / Victor, NY / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 124 / POS: 26 Standing 5-foot-10, 155-pounds from an athletic build evidenced from his 6.89 60-yard dash on lasers. At the plate he uses a wide stance, hands high above head on the pre-pitch, looseness to his hands. On the pitch he uses a stride forward, full swing path, slightly uphill with a full extension. Exit velocity was 85 off a tee. Defensively, shows rhythm to his footwork, soft glove work out in front of his body, continues moving feet through his fast release, throws from a high 3/4 slot with 80 mph arm-strength, signs of more to come, no restrictions. Very fluid defender from the greater Rochester area.

Sean O'Connor SS / 3B / Fayetteville-Manlius, NY / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 156 / POS: 35 Stands 6-foot-2, 165-pounds with an athletic and lean body build that's able to handle more positive weight. Ran a 6.91 60-yard dash showing off premium athleticism. At the plate very relaxed, wide stance, back elbow high, barrel upright, little to no stride on the pitch. Hands are compact and strong, swing path is very fluid with a slight uphill plane, full extension with an 84 mph exit velocity showing signs of power projection. Defensively, very aggressive to the ball from a wide stance, active lower half, fields out in front with an open glove, quick clean funnel, throws from a high 3/4 slot at 78 mph across the diamond, expect that number to rise as the summer months hit. Exciting MIF prospect from CNY to keep an eye on.

Philip Zollo SS / RHP / Westhill , NY / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 103 / POS: 22 Stands 5-foot-11, 155-pounds with plenty of athleticism on the field. At the plate he uses a wide set up, front stride for timing, hands drop to the contact zone, barrel path is mostly level through contact with a full finish, exit velocity was 81 mph, up 4 mph since September. Defensively, very active lower half, showing lateral quickness, fields through the ball with an open glove,  releases the ball from a mid 3/4 slot with the ability to throw from multi-arm slots, aggressive defender, hard-nosed.

Jordan Prince SS / 2B / Orchard Park, NY / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 268 / POS: 53 Up 10-pounds since Sept. Prince checks in at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds with a lanky wiry frame able to handle more positive weight, shows signs of athleticism running a 7.25 60-yard dash. At the plate, upright stance, even approach with loose hands slightly low on setup, barrel upright. On the pitch he uses a leg lift with minimal stride, hands go direct to the ball, slight uphill path, fluid throughout swing path with full extension. 82 mph exit velocity (up two since Sept.) with more in the tank to come. Defensively, gets to the ball quick with a wide base, fields the ball out in front with a clean transfer to his high 3/4 release point. Arm strength was 77 mph (up two since Sept.) and expect the WNY MIF to increase that number by the summer. High motor defender to keep an eye on this spring/summer.

 

2020

 

Brendan Miller 3B / OF / Penfield , NY / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 44 / POS: 5 Miller stands 5-foot-9, 160-pounds with an extremely athletic build. At the plate, very relaxed setup with wide stance, smooth back load and slight stride for timing. Compact to the ball, barrel path is mostly level through contact, easy bat-speed (up to 87 mph off a tee) with gap-to-gap ability. At the corner, wide base, gets himself in proper fielding position, fields out in front with open glove, clean funnel, shuffles towards target with 79 mph arm across the diamond (up to 80 back in July) releases from a mid-3/4 slot. He also works out from OF showing off his athleticism (ran a 6.79 60-yard dash, very good looking prospect to keep a close eye on.

 

Casey Saucke II SS / RHP / Greece Athena, NY / 2021 Saucke stands 6-foot-1, 170-pounds from a super lean athletic build, with size projections to come. In the box he's relaxed, slightly open stance, loose hands. On the pitch he toe-taps for timing with a slight stride, hands power to the ball, short path with some incline to his barrel path, full extension out in front showing power to all gaps. 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, active fluid lower half, rangy with a quick transfer and release form a high 3/4 slot. Above average arm-strength at 88 mph across the diamond.

     NYS Games (HYPE VIDEO)

 

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