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PA Top Prospect Games: Gold Team Analysis

June 25, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Gold Team TPG 2013

The Gold Team lost both of their games played over two days at Bucknell University but had a number of prospects who turned in impressive performances. Following is a breakdown of the prospects who participated as part of the Gold Team at the 2013 PA Top Prospect Games.

2B/OF Shane Churma, Penn Trafford HS, Class of 2015

Churma showcased capable footwork and the ability to make all the plays from his 2B position with a 77 mph arm across the infield. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitter makes his biggest impression when he steps to the plate. Churma displayed an 84 mph bat exit velocity out of a square stance during a batting practice round in which he showed some power to the pull side. He has a tendency to over rotate his hips causing him to pull off balls on the outer half. Churma will have to work on his ability to use all fields to become a more polished hitter. He went 0-for-6 in game play, but showed the ability to consistently barrel the baseball.

OF Tanner Cook, Huntingdon Area HS, Class of 2014

Cook displayed very good range and solid straight line throws to the plate with good carry at 84 mph. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter showcased a square stance and a line drive approach in a batting practice round that saw him barrel the baseball consistently. Although Cook went on to go 0-for-6 in game play during the course of the event he did show the ability to be a top of the order hitter with the ability to put the ball in play consistently.

SS/OF Harley Davidson, Northampton HS, Class of 2015

Davidson showed athletic actions and a quick release with a 78 mph arm across the infield. He also showcased his defensive versatility as an outfielder making an all-out diving catch in left center field during game play. The 6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitter used a toe tap trigger and a flat bat path to consistently barrel baseballs to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph during batting practice. Although he went 0-for-6 in game play, Davidson did show the ability to use all fields in game play and a solid approach at the plate.

C Jordan Della Valle, William Penn Charter School, Class of 2014

Della Valle has a prototypical catcher's frame at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds. He showcased pop times of 2.13-2.16 on throws of 74 mph out of the crouch. Della Valle displayed a square stance and quiet hands through the load phase of his swing in barreling the baseball consistently during batting practice. He went on to go 1-for-5 with an RBI in game play.

RHP/3B Nate Dickey, Central Dauphin HS, Class of 2014

Dickey sat 80-81 out of a high 3/4 arm slot during his time on the mound, down from the 86-87 he showcased at the Preseason All-State Showcase in February. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed hitter displayed an 82 mph bat exit velocity while squaring the baseball consistently during batting practice. He also showed capable footwork and hands at 3B with throws of 82 mph across the diamond. Dickey went 1-for-5 at the plate in game play.

RHP Shane Ennis, Hampshire HS, Class of 2014

Ennis was the lone participant from West Virginia at the event and made his trip north very worthwhile. He went three innings on the mound sitting 85-86 out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Ennis touched 88 several times in his first inning of work and showcased a 67-70 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 68 mph changeup as additional pitches in his arsenal. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitter displayed an 81 mph bat exit velocity hitting from a square stance with no stride. Ennis had an RBI single in his only plate appearance in game play.

OF Braxton Giavedoni, Punxsutawney HS, Class of 2016

Giavedoni, the No. 6 ranked player in the PA Class of 2016, is an athletic 5-foot-9, 165-pound outfielder with excellent foot speed. He turned in a 4.18 home-to-first time on an infield ground out and showed the ability to cover substantial ground in the outfield. The right-handed thrower showed a strong, 82 mph arm from the outfield and a solid, line drive approach at the plate. Giavedoni squared the baseball repeatedly during a solid round of batting practice. His short stroke and flat bat path will allow Giavedoni to consistently put the ball in play and will consistently force defenses to contend with his foot speed.

LHP Zach Guth, Franklin HS, Class of 2015

Guth is a 6-foot-3, 165-pound LHP/OF that showcased the ability to barrel the baseball consistently in a solid round of batting practice. Guth hits out of a square stance and incorporates a strong hip turn to create barrel whip and an 83 mph bat exit velocity. Guth worked three innings on the mound sitting 82-83 out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He also commanded a 1/7 breaking curveball that sat 69-72 mph and a 69 mph changeup. The lefty has a frame and loose arm action that suggests significant velocity increases are likely in the future.

OF Ryan Malloy, Holy Ghost Prep HS, Class of 2015

Malloy is an athletic 6-foot, 180-pound OF that showcased an 82 mph arm with good carry on throws to home plate. The right-handed hitter had one of the most solid rounds of batting practice at the event, barreling the baseball from gap-to-gap with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Malloy went 1-for-5 in game play and showed a solid approach at the plate with the ability to be a middle of the order hitter.

RHP/OF Isaac Mattson, Harbor Creek HS, Class of 2014

Mattson is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound RHP that participated as a pitcher only. The athletically built righty worked out of a high 3/4 arm slot and sat 80-81 with some arm side run. Mattson also showcased command of a 67 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 75 mph changeup. He has a loose arm and has the potential to add significant velocity with a few minor adjustments to his delivery.

SS Connor McGinnis, Mars Area HS, Class of 2014

McGinnis showed well while nursing a slight pull of his hamstring. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound middle infielder showcased solid arm strength at 80 mph across the diamond and the ability to play through the baseball. McGinnis hits out of a square stance and stays inside the baseball well producing a bat exit velocity of 73 mph. He had a solid event at the plate going 2-for-5 with a double in game play.

2B Josh Pittman, Central Catholic HS, Class of 2014

Pittman showcased very soft hands, fluid footwork and a quick release on throws of 70 mph across the diamond. The right-handed hitter barreled most baseballs during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Pittman went 1-for-5 in game play during the course of the event displaying the ability to use all fields.

Jack SeibertC/1B Jack Seibert, Holy Ghost Prep HS, Class of 2014

Seibert is a sturdily built 5-foot-8, 175-pound prospect that plays extremely hard. He showcased pop times of 2.06-2.09 on throws of 78 mph out of the crouch. Seibert stays inside the baseball well with a short, line drive stroke at the plate yielding a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. He went 1-for-5 in game play and was named his team's MVP for his hard playing, energetic style of play during the course of the event.

LHP Jordan Silverman, Council Rock South HS, Class of 2015

Silverman is a 6-foot-1, 175 pound lefty that showed promise commanding a fastball that sat 75-76 out of a 3/4 arm slot. He hides the ball well and it comes out of an arm slot that creates interesting angles to the plate. Silverman also showcased a slurve that had significant 2/8 break at 60-62 mph. He has room to add to his frame and should see additional velocity gains in the coming years.

3B/1B Zach Smiley, Spring-Ford HS, Class of 2015

Smiley put on a display in his round of batting practice on day one, showcasing a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound left-handed hitter stayed short and inside the baseball driving pitch after pitch to and over the right field wall. Smiley showed adequate footwork and developing arm strength on throws of 76 mph across the diamond. He went 1-for-5 in game play over the course of the event.

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