PA/WV Top Infield Performances of the Summer

August 25, 2015

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

With the completion of the West Virginia Top Prospect Games the summer schedule of events in Pennsylvania and West Virginia have drawn to a close. In preparation for the start of the fall schedule of events that begin in September we now look back on some of the top performances of the summer.

Today we continue by taking a look at the top infield performances of the summer at a PBR event in Pennsylvania or West Virginia.

#1 Danny Long, 2016, MIF/RHP, (Pennridge, PA)

Long is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter that put on an offensive show at the PA Top Prospect Games in June. While it can be dangerous to evaluate results, especially from a small sample-size, it’s hard to find much fault with two-game totals of five hits (all of them scorched) in five at-bats with a triple and two monster home runs. The ball screams off his bat to the pullside and has good carry, despite often being hit with topspin. Long runs hard out of the box and takes aggressive turns. He showcased 95-mph exit velocity and 86-mph arm strength during workout. Defensively he showed good feet and hands, while coming and getting ground balls well and incorporating his feet into his throw. Long's capability of handling shortstop will be determined by his range and ability to get rid of the ball without multiple shuffles. The senior officially announced his verbal commitment to Monmouth shortly following the event.

#2 Nico Popa, 2016, MIF/OF, (Seton-La Salle Catholic, PA)

Popa is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound live-bodied athlete. Continues to exhibit plus batspeed, his hands work, and he stayed inside the ball well in BP. Showed good balance and maintained posture when barreling up a curveball on a line-out to 3B. Ran a 6.50 60-yard dash, 4.10 in-game home-to-1B time, and 3.34 on a steal. Showcased 87-mph exit velocity, 90-mph arm strength from the outfield and 87-mph arm strength from the infield during workout. Moved well in outfield with long, loose arm action and accurate throws. While some coaches see his wheels and immediately think center-fielder, Popa’s infield abilities continue to progress and, given his athleticism and positive trajectory, he could still find a home around the keystone at the next level. Popa announced his verbal commitment to Pitt following the second of two PBR summer events that he attended (PA Top Prospect Games and PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle).

#3 Dillon Marsh, 2018, 1B/LHP/OF, (Lancaster Catholic., PA)

Marsh oozes projection from a 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame and easy delivery. Pitched from high three-quarter slot with high front side and slightly crossfire delivery at the PA Top Prospect Games. Fastball sat 82-84, touching 85, with some run and sink. Showed very good armspeed on change-up at 76-77. Still appears to be learning to trust his curveball at 72-74 that showed a little more depth than in the past.The left-handed hitter showcased a relaxed set-up, a loose, easy swing and power potential. His front hip leaves early at times. Posted an in-game 4.35 home-to-1B time. Showcased 90-mph exit velocity and 81-mph arm strength during workout. Exhibited good feet and soft glovehand with solid defensive actions. Marsh was slotted to participate as a member of Team PA at the PBR Future Games, but made his verbal commitment to Wake Forest prior to the August event.

#4 Kris Kremer, 2017, MIF/of, (Hershey, PA)

Kremer is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter who represented Team PA at the PBR Future Games. He flashed good batspeed, while barreling the baseball both in BP and game action (including two doubles to left-center, a line drive single to center, and a scorched grounder that the third baseman wanted no part of) at the PA Top Prospect Games. Kremer ran a 7.00 60-yard dash and in-game best 4.66 home-to-1B time on a turn. He showcased 90-mph exit velocity and has shown 90-mph arm strength across the diamond. Kremer exhibits good feet defensively; sets up to field ball on glove side of body moving toward first base. The talented junior also took to the mound for an inning at the Top Prospect Games topping at 86 mph with above average arm speed.

#5 Jake Trautman, 2017, 1B/OF, (Pittsburgh Central Catholic ,PA)

Trautman showcased the most legitimate home run power of any prospect this summer with a top bat exit velocity of 97 mph. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-handed hitter barreled the baseball repeatedly in batting practice from a square stance in three separate events, launching numerous home runs in BP as well as one in game action. The junior ran a solid 7.28 60-yard dash at the WV Top Prospect Games and showed capable actions at first base with an accurate 72 mph arm across the diamond. Trautman creates lift in his swing as evidenced by a curveball he went down and got for a pullside bomb in game action at the PA Top Prospect Games. The lefty gets into his front side early with mostly a top-half swing, so there could be even more power in him when he more fully incorporates his backside.