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The summer 2018 West Virginia Showcase event schedule got underway on July 5th with the Southern West Virginia College Prospect Showcase in Charleston. 28 prospects gathered on the campus of the University of Charleston to put themselves on the recruiting radar.  Today we begin our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those who participated from the Classes of 2021 and 2020..

+ For complete results from all prospects in attendance - CLICK HERE.

Top Prospects

Broedy Boyce, 2020, Ripley, SS/RHP

Defensively, actions are athletic with solid range and quick confident hands present. Boyce works well to and through the ball. He funnels from bottom up and out front. Throwing motion is quick and transfer is clean. 71 mph arm strength across the diamond may precipitate a move to the right side of the infield.

Offensively, the 5-foot-11 175 pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from narrow, neutral set up with subtle knee to knee leg kick and stride to neutral.Weight shift is passive followed by an aggressive hip turn. Bat path is flat and there is considerable length. An exit velocity of 84 mph was recorded.

Patrick Copen, 2020, Parkersburg Catholic, RHP/3B

6-foot-5, 185 pound right-hander works out of mid to high 3/4 arm slot. There is effort to delivery which he is able to repeat. Levers are long and arm action is loose. Copen hides ball well and high leg kick creates deception. Lower half mechanics are solid. He lands excessively closed with stride foot. Fastball sat 83-86 mph with substantial arm side run/sink. Curveball at 69-70 showed 11-5 shape with late break and moderate depth. Changeup at 65-71 was thrown with reasonable sell and poor command. Young pitcher presents as follow in Class of 2020 based on arm action, frame and developing velocity.

Hunter Eplin, 2020, St. Joseph's Central, 3B/RHP

Defensively, shows soft, confident hands in working bottom up. There is tendency to play somewhat upright. Feet work well to the ball. Transfer and throwing motion are clean. An accurate 75 mph arm was showcased on throws across the diamond.

Offensively, the 6-foot-2 205-pound, right -handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with lift and replace stride. Separation is reduced by a passive weight shift. Hip turn is solid, bat path is flat and there is barrel feel. A substantial bat exit velocity of 87 mph in young player was registered.

On the mound, the right-hander works out of a mid 3/4 arm slot with good balance, rhythm and ability to repeat. Delivery is moderate effort. Fastball at 78-80 mph and was commanded to all quadrants. Curveball at 66-68 showed 11/5 shape and rolling action. Changeup was thrown with reasonable sell at 68-71 while being cut to the glove side. Slider at 69-70 showcased 11/4 shape and intermittent moderate tilt. 

Trey Ritchie, 2020, George Washington, RHP/OF

7/5/18 On the mound, the 6-foot-3 185 pound, right-hander works out of a mid 3/4 arm slot. Arm action is long and loose with demonstrated ability to repeat low effort delivery. There is balance and rhythm. Fastball sat 77-79 touching 81 mph and was true. Curveball was commanded at 66-69 showing 11/5 shape and moderate depth. Changeup at 67-68 was thrown with reasonable sell and arm side fade/sink. Overall presentation makes Ritchie a continue follow in the Class of 2020 with velocity bump likely to come.

Will Ellis, 2021, George Washington, RHP/1B

Defensively, gets behind the ball and catches at it's height. Plays threw ball in air and on ground showing confident glove hand and proper technique. Recorded arm strength of 78 mph on throws from the OF.

Offensively, 5-foot-11 160-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from slightly open set up with short stride without gaining ground to neutral. Separation, weight shift and hip turn are adequate. Swing path is uphill while working into a firm front side. A bat exit velocity of 83 mph was recorded. 

On the mound, the right-hander works out of a high 3/4 arm slot with repeatable, moderate effort delivery. Fastball sat 73-75 and was true. Curveball at 63-64 showed 11/5 shape, rolling action and moderate depth. Changeup was thrown with reasonable sell at 68-69 while being cut to the glove side.

Remainder of roster (in random order)

Dawson Bryan, 2020, Cabell Midland, 1B/3B

Defensively, hands and feet are adequate around the bag. Transfer is clean and throwing motion is long. Arm strength of 73 mph was recorded on throws across the diamond.

Offensively, the 6-foo-1 205-pound, right-handed hitter initiates his swing from a neutral set up with reverse toe tap and stride to neutral. Weight shift and separation are solid. Bat path is flat and there is good feel for the barrel. A bat exit velocity of 83 mph was registered. Bryan has the early making of a solid offensive player.

Nathan Currey, 2020, Parkersburg South, 3B/2B

Defensively, hands and feet are adequate. There is tendency to play ball top down and deep. Transfer is clean and throwing motion is long on throws of 73 mph across the diamond.

Offensively, the 6-foot 185-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from open set up with short, controlled stride to neutral. Separation is adequate. there is balance and rhythm to swing. Bat is on plane early and spends extended time in hitting zone. Currey has the early makings of a solid offensive player with developing 83 mph bat exit velocity recorded.

Landen Fairchild, 2020, Winfield, SS/RHP

7/5/18 Defensively, glove hand is adequate. Funnels bottom up and out front. Fairchild would benefit from being more aggressive in attacking and playing through the ball as well as shortening hs throwing motion. Developing arm strength is evident on throws of 80 mph across the diamond. 

Offensively, the 6-foot-1 155-pound, right-handed-hitter, initiates swing from neutral set up with knee to knee leg kick and stride to neutral. Hands are slotted low. Hands are loose and solid lower half mechanics are present. A flat bat path was present in consistently squaring ball during round of BP. Fairchild registered a 76 mph bat exit velocity.

On the mound, the right-hander works out of a mid 3/4 arm slot showing ability to repeat his low effort delivery. Arm is action is long and loose. Fast ball at 77 mph showcased significant glove side cut. Curveball sat 66-68 wi1h 11/4-5 shape and short, slider like break. Changeup sat 73-74 with glove side cut and some slowing of the arm.

Darin Flowers, 2020, St. Albans, C/3B

Defensively, hands are adequate in receiving. There is tendency to work inside out in framing. Presents soft wall and appropriate trunk angle in blocking. Transfer and throwing motion have length on 73 mph throws from the crouch. POP time of 2.32-2.37 were registered.

Offensively, the 5-foot-10 180-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from slightly open set up with subtle knee to knee leg kick and stride staying open. Separation is adequate and hands are loose. There is balance and rhythm to swing. Considerable length is present. Flowers recorded a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. 

Eli Hughes, 2020, George Washington OF/1B

Defensively, is somewhat tentative in reads and routes. Hughes would benefit from being more decisive in rads while getting behind and playing through the ball. Arm strength of 67 mph was registered on throws from the OF.

Offensively, the 5-foot-11 170-pound , right-handed hitter initiates swing from closed set up with short stride staying closed. The bat path is flat and hands work well to the baseball. Back elbow leak in front of the hands creates drag. A bat exit velocity of 78 mph was recorded.

Anthony Jackson, 2020, Nitro, RHP/OF

Defensively, gets behind ball and catches at it's height. Actions are athletic and developing quick twitch skills are reflected in 7.03 60-yard dash time. Jackson would benefit from elevating his arm slot on throws from the OF.

Offensively, 5-foot-11 160-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with reverse toe tap and stride to neutral. Separation is reduced by passive weight shift. Hands are loose and there is barrel feel. A bat exit velocity of 79 mph was recorded.

Chase Norris, 2020, St. Albans, LHP/OF

7/5/18 On the mound, the 5-foot-11 160-pound, left hander works out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He demonstrates balance and rhythm in consistently repeating his moderate effort delivery. Fastball sat 74-77 mph and was commanded. Curveball at 64-66 showed 1-7 shape and rolling action. Changeup at 65-68 was thrown with good sell and subtle arm side fade. Slider flashed 1-8 shape and at best moderate tilt.

Gabriel Papadopolous, 2020, Hurricane, LHP

On the mound, the 6-foot-2 190-pound, left-hander works out of a mid 3/4 arm slot showing ability to repeat moderate effort delivery. Stride foot lands excessively open and there is front knee softness during backside drive. Fastball sat 71-72 mph showing subtle arm side fade. Curveball  at 57-59 mph had 1-7 shape and rolling action Changup was at 67-70 was thrown at Fastball arm speed with slight fade. Splitter was commanded at 67-69 but lacked movement.

J.W. Armstrong, 2021, Charleston Catholic, 2B/SS

Defensively, funnels from bottom up and out front with soft, confident hands. Transfer is clean and feet work well. Showed an accurate 70 mph arm across the diamond.

Offensively, the 5-foot-5 130-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from open set up with knee to knee leg kick and stride to neutral. Balance and rhythm are present. Swing is short with hands working directly to the ball. Hands are slotted somewhat low and stride foot lands excessively open. A bat exit velocity of 77 mph was recorded. 

Peyton Stover, 2021, Winfield, SS/2B

Defensively, attacks ball on ground creating optimal hops and angles. Actions are athletic with good lateral agility and range present. Flashes soft, confident and quick glove hand. Transfer is clean and arm is accurate with developing strength on throws of 74 mph across  Foot speed is above average in young player as evidenced by 7.16 time in the 60-yard dash. Stover has early making of solid middle infield defender.

Offensively, the 5-foot-7 125-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with reverse toe tap and stride to neutral. There is balance and rhythm. Back elbow leak in front of the hands contributes to bat drag. A steep bat path is present. A bat exit velocity of 77 mph was registered.

Gage Songer, 2021, Ripley, 2B/RHP

Defensively,funnels bottom up and out front with soft, confident hands. Feet work well to the baseball and in gaining ground on the throws. Transfer is clean and throwing motion is quick. Developing arm strength is evident on throws of 74 mph across the diamond. 

Offensively, the 5-foot-11 140-pound, right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with very short toe tap and stride while staying neutral. Separation is reduced by a passive weight shift. Hip turn is aggressive. Bat path is flat and barrel spends considerable time in the hitting zone. A 75 mph bat exit velocity was registered.

On the mound, works out of a mid 3/4 arm slot showing ability to repeat moderate effort delivery. There is pronounced head jerk lending to spotty command. Fastball sat 71-73 mph with consistent run/sink. Curveball at 58-63 had 11/5 shape, rolling action and moderate depth. Changeup at 63 remains pitch in development.

Jayden Gieseking, 2021, Liberty, C/RHP

Defensively, hands are adequate in receiving. There is tendency to work inside out in framing. Lateral movement is limited in blocking and a somewhat upright trunk angle is present. Transfer and throwing motion have length.Arm strength of 55 mph out of crouch played to POP time of 2.44.

Offensively, 5-foot-7 150-pound right-handed hotter initiates swing from open set up with stride to neutral. Weight shift is solid. Hip turn is passive. Barrel feel ws present in squaring multiple balls during round of BP. An 80 mph bat exit velocity was registered. 

On the mound, works out of mid 3/4 arm slot showing ability to repeat moderate effort delivery. Fastball at 64-65 mph was true and commanded well. Curveball at 55 had 11/5 shape and rolling action.Changeup at 60-64 was thrown from a lower arm slot with fastball arm speed.

Grant Lowther, 2021, Robert C. Byrd, 1B/3B

Defensively, funnels bottom up and out front. Hands and feet are adequate around the bag. Transfer is clean with throwing motion having length Arm strength of 66 mph was recorded on throws across the diamond.

Offensively, the 5-foot-11 200-pound, right-handed hitter initiates his swing from a wide, neutral set up with short stride staying neutral. Separation, weight shift and hip turn are solid. Barrel feel is present in recording a bat exit velocity of 77 mph.

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