Uncommitted Spotlight: 2021 RHP/1B Ben Berdine (Warren Area)

Physical: Lean and lean 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame with athleticism and strength in the actions. 7.56 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Offensively: RHH. Tall, even stance with hands that start high at the ear for the setup, hands move back to the shoulder and the righty utilizes a short lift-and-replace stride for timing mechanism. The swing is short and direct to the ball with a feel for getting long through extension. Works on a flat barrel path through the point of contact towards a moderately high finish. Wore out the left side with hard, consistent barrels, 92 MPH exit velocity during batting practice per Trackman.

Defensively: Plays long in the field with ability to cover both sides laterally. Feel around the bag at first with recovery ability on double play footwork. Moderately low on the approach, fields the ball in the middle of his body and gets the ball out fluidly on transfers, can make the play on the run on occasion. Moderate takeaway and fluidity on the arm swing out of a high 3/4 arm slot. INF - 80 MPH. 

6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Showed occasional front hip leak but the ball jumps off his barrel, especially on the inner half. Registered a bat exit velocity of 85 mph and ran a 7.37 60-yard dash. Showed above average glove work and active feet around the bag at first base with 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. The righty sat 82-85 while topping at 86 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a short takeaway on the mound. A long, athletic frame should continue to fill out with velocity inching toward the upper 80s a definite possibility in the future. Showed a feel for spin on his 11/5 breaking curveball at 62-66 and above average command of his changeup at 70-72.

Defensively, works bottom up with adequate hands. Feet work well around the bag and long frame plays at first base.

6-foot-2 160-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral, wide set up with stride staying neutral. When on time, weight shift and hip turn are aggressive with hands being short and direct to baseball. Leverage is solid with a level swing path present. Timing was inconsistent on this day. A bat exit velocity of 76 MPH was registered.

On the mound, works out of mid 3/4 arm slot showing good balance and ability to repeat delivery. Berdine would benefit from a more aggressive hip coil and greater backside load. FB sat 77-78 MPH with subtle arm side run. CB lacked depth having an 11-4 shape and rolling action. CH at 64-66 demonstrated arm side fade while being thrown with slight slowing of the arm. Developing arm strength, long levers and athleticism make Berdine a follow in Class of 2021.