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By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting

The 2017 Underclass Preview brought together 32 prospects from across the state on January 14th at Keystone State Baseball Academy. Today we continue our analysis of all prospects in attendance by reviewing position players in the Class of 2018.

++ Those prospects that participated as pitchers and position players that also threw a bullpen will be covered in tomorrow's article.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

top prospects

Hunter Hamlin, C, North Penn HS
5-foot-9, 190-pound catcher displayed advanced defensive abilities behind the plate and power potential in his right-handed swing. Advanced receiver presents a soft wall when blocking and flashed above-average carry on throws of 75 mph from the crouch with pop times of 2.00-2.08. RIght-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Some bat waggle in the load phase of his swing does not prevent Hamlin from getting to the hitting zone on time. He generates a 91 mph bat exit velocity and showed the ability to stay inside the baseball with regularity.

Jimmy Losh, 2B/SS, Cedar Cliff HS
5-foot-11, 170-pound switch-hitter with a solid frame displayed the well rounded skill set that earned him a selection to the Team Pennsylvania roster for the 2016 Big 26 Classic last summer. Starts from a square stance from both sides of the plate and initiates his swing with a leg-lift stride. Creates 85 mph bat exit velocity with an aggressive hip turn and above average intent. Ran a 7.01 7.01 60-yard dash and flashed active feet with a quick release defensively.

Class of 2018 Position Players

Ethan Andresen, 2B/SS, The Hill School
5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide open stance and utilizes a small leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a line drive approach with the ability to barrel the baseball routinely and a bat exit velocity of 73 mph. Ran a 7.54 60-yard dash and showcased good feet with accurate 73 mph arm strength across the diamond. Overall game will benefit from physical maturity and continued strength gains.

Dan Crossan, 2B/3B, Archbishop Carroll HS
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel raise stride. Tendency to cave back side but showcased flat barrel path through hitting zone leading to consistent barrels and a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ran a 7.58 60-yard dash and showcased a soft glove hand with a quick release defensively. Displayed accurate 72 mph arm strength, good feet and the ability to play through the baseball.

Cameron Pies, OF, Montour HS
5-foot-11, 170-pounder impressed with his athleticism and plenty of fast twitch actions. Turned in an event best 6.58 60-yard dash and displayed athletic defensive actions with accurate 73 mph arm strength from his outfield position. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open, narrow stance and utilizes a quiet, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Clears hips well and creates 82 mph bat exit velocity largely with quick hands a concentration on the extension phase of his swing.

Luke Shank, 2B, Souderton Area HS
5-foot-8, 135-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Displayed above average feel for the barrel and an ability to work through contact with regularity with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Ran a 7.30 60-yard dash and showcased active feet with accurate 65 mph arm strength defensively. Overall skill set will continue to progress with physical maturity and strength gains.

Jeremy Slazinski, C, Keystone Oaks HS
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Throws his weight hard to his front foot and his head travels with his stride leading to some inconsistency in the hitting zone. Displayed a 73 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.65 60-yard dash. Showcased pop times of 2.30-2.40 with throws of 69 mph from the crouch. Transition time is slowed by excess movements in his lower half that could be cleaned up with some corrections to his mechanics.

Anthony Kahley, C, West York HS
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed the ability to use the center of the diamond and barreled the baseball with regularity. 79 mph bat exit velocity would be improved with greater use of lower half in swing. Athletic backstop ran a 6.94 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.06-2.12 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch.

Grant Santangelo, OF, Hershey HS
6-foot, 190-pounder flashed a well-rounded skill set and a projectable frame that will make him a prospect to watch in this class. Left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-lift stride. Displayed some present pop to the pull side (86 mph bat exit velocity) and a feel for the barrel when his foot was down on time. Ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and showcased athletic actions defensively with accurate 82 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Matt Spaeth, SS, Father Judge HS
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and uses a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Displayed some stiffness to his swing, but created 86 mph bat exit velocity with physical strength and solid lower half actions. Profiles best as a corner infielder/outfielder with his physical size and 7.25 60-yard dash. Displayed active feet and accurate 79 mph arm strength defensively while showcasing the ability to make plays on the move.

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