PA Travel Baseball State Championships Team Review: Pittsburgh Spikes
August 30, 2016
By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting
and Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting
The inaugural Pennsylvania Travel Baseball State Championships concluded without a champion, as rain washed out the final day of competition, but twelve teams from around the region were still able to play from sun up to sun down on the Friday and Saturday of action. Over the coming week-plus, we will highlight some of the top performers and prospects from each team, continuing today with the...
Pittsburgh Spikes
2017 C/1B/RHP Michael Haley stood out at the plate going 5-for-10 with two walks, two runs scored and three RBI during the course of the tournament. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound left-handed hitter has a chance to be a run producing, middle of the order hitter at the next level. His projectable frame and 89 mph bat exit velocity will likely lead to future power as well. Although primarily a C/1B, Haley also showcased a fastball that sat 83-84 during his time on the mound. Previously uncommitted, Haley announced his commitment to Ashland University yesterday.
Two big-bodied 2017 right-handed pitchers showed well in the team's final game. Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Drew Cebulak stands at 6-foot-5, 235-pounds and pitched out of a low three-quarter slot with a fastball at 82-83 and low-70s breaking ball. Moon Area's Ryan Osman checks in at 6-foot-4, 235-pounds with a clean arm action into and over-the-top slot that produced a fastball that sat 81-82 and a low-70s curveball.
Avonworth 2017 RHP Nathan Slenska sat 80-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a long-arm motion. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder showcased an athletic, repeatable delivery with up-tempo pace. Struck out five in two innings of work while allowing just an infield hit. 11/5 breaking curveball showed two-plane 11/5 rotation with good depth at 71-73. Also flashed solid arm speed on a 73 mph changeup. The uncommitted senior has been up to 85 mph this summer.
Penn-Trafford 2018 OF/RHP Ben Mongelluzzo has consistently shown two-way abilities (6.95 60-yard dash, 87 mph bat exit velocity, 81 mph outfield arm strength). On this occasion the 5-foot-11, 165-pounder showed progress on the mound sitting 80-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot. Mongelluzzo also flashed a 74 mph curveball with tight 11/5 rotation.
North Allegheny 2018 SS/RHP Caiden Wood showed potential on the mound with a fastball that sat 80-82 out of a 3/4 arm slot. The 6-foot, 180-pounder has some funk to his delivery that adds deception to go along with a solid 72 mph slider with late, short break.