PA Travel Baseball State Championships Team Review: Team PBR White
August 27, 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...
Team PBR White
Franklin Area 2017 OF Nate Emerson impressed with his all-around skill set during showcase evaluations (6.96 60-yard dash, 85 mph arm strength, 84 mph bat exit velocity). The 6-foot, 150-pounder stood out defensively during tournament action taking excellent routes to the baseball and showing college ready skills in center field. The right-handed hitter displayed a short swing path with a top of the order approach with home-to-1B times in the 4.32-4.44 range.
Bridgeport (WV) 2017 C/3B Drew Hefner impressed with an all-around skill set that makes him one of the top uncommitted prospects in West Virginia. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitter flashed present power to the pull side with a sound, repeatable swing. The primary catcher flashed consistent pop times that hovered around 2.00 while also displaying the ability to handle defensive chores at third base.
Vincentian Academy 2018 RHP Aidan Thomson sports a long, lanky 6-foot-2, 155-pound frame. He pitched out of a sidearm slot with some whip to his arm action. Fastball sat 73-76 with late armside run and sink, while he also mixed in a low-60s slider.
Canon-McMillan 2018 2B/OF Nick Serafino continued a summer filled with successful offensive performances by going 3-for-10 with two RBI and a stolen base. The primary infielder has also begun to transition to a MIF/OF to better utilize his foot speed (6.89 60-yard dash). The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder has shown the athleticism to be make a permanent move to the outfield at the next level if necessary.
Upper Moreland 2017 RHP Tom Jacob was solid for the second time in two months in front of us, pitching out of a low three-quarter slot with a fastball that sat 80-83. Slider at 69-71 with short three-quarter action was improved from the previous viewing, as it generated a number of swing-and-misses with late tilt out of his fastball window.
Harbor Creek 2017 RHP Tyler Passmore has a solid 6-foot, 180-pound frame and pitches out of a high three-quarter slot with an up-tempo delivery and loose, whippy arm action. Velocity on his fastball (79-82) and curveball (68-71) was down a couple ticks from when we saw him a couple months ago (not surprising given the time of year), which especially hurt the latter offering's ability to have the same sharp 11/5 action.
Knoch 2018 OF/UTIL/RHP Jacob Herrit gave a taste of his ability to affect a roster in a number of ways during the course of the weekend. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder flashed 90 mph arm strength from the outfield, solid arm strength with athletic actions at third base and the ability to get outs on the mound with a low 80s fastball. The right-handed hitter showcased a gap-to-gap approach offensively with quiet hands and solid lower half action with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph.
Lakeview 2017 C/3B Steven Kokoski showcased a college ready skill set with an impressive all-around performance. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound catcher control the game with his advanced arm strength all weekend throwing out a number of would-be base stealers while also picking a number of runners off with snap throws to all three bases. The St. Joseph's (IN) commit flashed consistent pop times of 2.00 or better between innings. Offensively the right-handed hitter 3-for-10 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored while making loud contact in a number of other at bats.
Vincentian Academy 2018 SS Kyler Fedko continued a whirlwind summer of high level events in which he has consistently stood out in all facets of the game. Fedko's foot speed (6.85 60-yard dash) and easy actions in everything he does were evident all weekend. The rising junior made all the routine plays at shortstop while making several highlight reel plays as well. Offensively the right-handed hitter went 5-for-10 with three doubles, one triple, seven RBI, a walk, two runs scored and five stolen bases on the weekend.
Rocky Grove 2017 OF/RHP Josh Kirwin continues to stand out on the mound with his athletic, projectable frame (6-foot-2, 195-pounds). The righty sat 83-85 touching 86 mph with later, hard arm-side run to his fastball during two scoreless innings of work in his first stint on the mound. The uncommitted senior commanded a late biting 76 mph slider and a 74 mph changeup with good sell and late fade. The athletic two-way prospect runs a 6.88 60-yard dash and has shown above average barrel whip in his right-handed swing (86 mph).
Fleetwood Area 2018 RHP/3B Ryan Miller shined as a two-way prospect. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound rising junior sat 80-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot during two innings of scoreless work. Working solely out of the stretch Miller also commanded a 71 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a 73 mph changeup at fastball arm speed. Miller displayed athletic actions defensively with above average range and 85 mph arm strength across the diamond. The right-handed hitter flashed some present power going 4-for-11 with a double, two runs scored, and one RBI in game action.
Crestwood 2018 RHP/1B Colin Macko is a long-limbed, 6-foot-4, 180-pound left-handed hitter with a fluid swing and hands that work well through contact. Still maturing into his frame, Macko shows some present power and above average barrel whip (90 mph bat exit velocity), while he went 3-10 with one double and one triple on the weekend. On the mound, as will happen this time of year, especially with younger players, he looked a bit tired. Struggled some with his command, but his arm still displayed some looseness and generated a fastball at 78-80 and a big 11/5 curveball at 66-67.
Morgantown (WV) 2017 OF/LHP Zane Gallagher showcased the ability to consistently put solid swings together in game action for the second time at a high level PBR event this summer. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitter registered an 83 mph bat exit velocity and a flat barrel path through the hitting zone. The uncommitted senior went 6-for-9 with a double, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored over the course of four games.