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By Greg Williams
West Virginia Director of Scouting

 
Today we continue our season preview content which will run for three weeks leading up to the start of the 2016 high school season. We will take a look at all four regions and each classification in those regions separately. Today we turn our focus to Class AAA teams that compete in Region I.

PRESEASON Forecast

In what appears to be a pick'em region, the Brooke Bruins get the early season nod as our pick to represent Region I in June. The Bruins will be strong up the middle with seniors Chad Harper behind the plate and Fargo Camerlengo at second base along with Preseason Player of the Year Nick Leonard at shortstop when not on the mound. Senior infielder Isaac Herron gives Brooke the flexibility to not miss a beat defensively regardless of who they have on the mound. If the Bruins get enough quality innings out of their pitching staff look for them to be packing their bags for Charleston in June.

preseason player of the year

Nick Leonard, SS/RHP, Brooke HS (Class of 2017)
Leonard impressed in September at the Western PA Fall Review. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square, wide stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing from a high hands load. A strong lower half and direct swing path leads to a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Leonard went 2-for-3 with a double in game one while barreling the ball in all but one at bat on the day. He displayed athletic actions defensively with the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles. Leonard's solid frame and 7.51 foot speed projects him best at third base at the next level.

Leonard was equally impressive on the mound sitting 80-82 while topping at 83 mph with above average tilt to his fastball. He stays on top of fastball well and showed the ability to cut it at times. His 70 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation is a solid secondary offering. Leonard worked two scoreless innings allowing one hit while striking out four.

top prospects

[mouse over pics for player names] 

1. Nick Leonard, 2017, SS/RHP, Brooke
2. Fargo Camerlengo, 2016, MIF, Brooke
3. Josh Stegmaier, 2016, RHP/3B, Morgantown
4. Jordan Page, 2017, C, Morgantown
5. Chad Harper, 2016, C, Brooke
6. Zac Sacripanti, 2017, OF, Brooke
7. Ross Mulhall, 2018, 1B, University
8. Jarrod Jones, 2018, MIF, Wheeling Park

SEASON PREVIEW SCHEDULE

3/5   - Class AAA - Region IV
3/7   - Class AAA - Region III
3/9   - Class AAA - Region II
3/11 - Class AAA - Region I
3/13 - Class AA - Region IV
3/15 - Class AA - Region III
3/17 - Class AA - Region II
3/19 - Class AA - Region I
3/21 - Class AA - Region IV
3/23 - Class AA - Region III
3/25 - Class AA - Region II
3/27 - Class AA - Region I