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La Salle Announces 2015 Recruiting Class

November 29, 2014

LaSalle AthleticsBy Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting

Eight standout performers from Pennsylvania make up the backbone of an eleven-man recruiting class for the La Salle Explorers.  This spring, coach Mike Lake's squad is looking to bounce back from a 14-34-1 campaign in 2014. Lake, a La Salle graduate, enters his eighth season leading the Explorers program.


2015 Early Commits

Michael Anthony, RHP, Phoenixville AreaMike Anthony
PBR Rank: #45 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: Projectable 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame. Throws from high-3/4 slot with clean arm action. Mid-80s fastball that will occasionally touch higher and has a a little comeback on the gloveside of the plate. Has more velo in him when he learns to incorporate his backside better, especially out of the stretch. Secondary stuff is developing, with an 11/5 curveball the best of his mix at present.

Ben Faso, 1B/OF, Garnet Valley
PBR Rank: #126 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitter with strength in his frame. Solid runner for his size and has shown a feel for the barrel. Power potential when he learns to consistently elevate the baseball. He was named first-team all-Central League as a junior.

Connor Hinchliffe, C, Pottsville AreaConnor Hinchliffe
PBR Rank: #134 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: Good athlete who has clocked pop times in the 1.96-2.03 range and has caught mid- to upper-80s velocity in high school. 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitter with short swing path and gap power. 

Drew Jarmuz, OF, Unionville
PBR Rank: #88 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: Athletic right-handed hitter with strength in 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. Strong arm with the ability to throw on a low trajectory and still have carry. Above average runner. Has flashed good bat speed and the ability to barrel up quality velocity, nearly decapitating one of his future teammates (who shall remain nameless) during the high school season. He was named first-team all-Ches-Mont American as a junior.

Kevin McGowan, 2B/OF, The Haverford SchoolKevin McGowan
PBR Rank: #61 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: Short, strong frame; built like a wrestler. Left-handed hitting doubles machine. Swing has some stiffness, but has shown an ability to routinely barrel the baseball. Adequate defender at second base, but has a chance to provide solid offensive production at the position. He was named first-team all-Inter-Ac following his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Jared Melone, 1B/3B, North PennJared Melone
PBR Rank: #56 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: Barrel-chested, 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Has over-the-fence power to the pull-side with some juice to the opposite field as well. Infield actions have some stiffness, but should find a home at a corner position. Good runner for size. He was named first-team all-Suburban One Continental at shortstop as a junior.

CJ Pruitt, RHP, Sun ValleyCJ Pruitt
PBR Rank: #44 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: Solid present stuff and still has projection left in his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. Development has sped up since he quit pulling double-duty as catcher. High-3/4 slot with loose, clean arm action. Mid-80s fastball with life and more in the tank. Has a feel for his curveball, while change-up is still developing. He was named first-team all-Ches-Mont American as a junior.

Gabe Smith, OF, Penn CharterGabe Smith
PBR Rank: #105 in PA class of 2015
PBR Notes: Athletic right-handed hitter who lost nearly two years of development to multiple knee surgeries. Has solid wheels, a strong arm, good bat speed and some juice in his bat. Has also been mid-80s on the mound with a feel for spinning his curveball and a solid change-up.

Out-of-State Commitments:
Brett Simon, C, St. John's College HS (DC)
Brian Tagoe, OF, St. John's College HS (DC)
Ryan Wanner, RHP, St. John's College HS (DC)


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