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Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Class of 2017

August 25, 2016

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania/West Virginia Director of Scouting

The summer schedule of PBR events in Pennsylvania concluded this past week with the 2016 Western PA College Prospect Showcase on August 18. Nearly 50 prospects from four states gathered to showcase their abilities at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber, PA. Today we conclude our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at the prospects that participated from the Class of 2017.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

TOP PROSPECTS

Hunter BlairHunter Blair, C, Mount Union HS
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short lift-and-replace stride. Displayed a solid feel for the barrel with solid barrel whip (bat exit velocity of 83 mph) and the ability to get to extension routinely. Displayed solid carry on throws with 77 mph arm strength from the crouch. Sound defender with soft glove and above average blocking skills registered pop times of 2.08-2.15. Solid frame with additional room to add strength.

Liam ClarkeLiam Clarke, OF, State College Area HS
5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitter showcased a repeatable swing with a solid feel for the barrel. Starts from square and uses a short stride to initiate his swing from a deep load that creates some length (84 mph bat exit velocity). Ran a 7.20 60-yard dash and flashed athletic actions defensively with the ability to play through the baseball. Showed solid straight-line carry on throws of 80 mph from the outfield.

Brian FischerBrian Fischer, C, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Solidly built 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitter took the top round of batting practice on the day. Starts his swing from a square stance with a high-hands load and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed solid pull-side power launching three home runs and a number of other balls to the wall among his 12 swings (90 mph bat exit velocity). Athletic backstop ran a 7.28 and flashed quick feet and a clean transition during defensive workout. 70 mph arm strength from the crouch should continue to improve as he works back from arm injury that caused him to miss a year of high school action.

Nathan SlenskaNathan Slenska, RHP, Avonworth HS
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-hander sat 80-82 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a long-arm motion. Athletic, repeatable delivery with up-tempo pace. Struck out five in two innings of work while allowing just an infield hit. 11/5 breaking curveball showed two-plane 11/5 rotation with good depth at 71-73. Also flashed solid arm speed on a 73 mph changeup. Uncommitted senior has been up to 85 mph this summer.

Ryan WeaverRyan Weaver, OF, Norwin HS
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter impressed with a short swing path from a square stance. Routinely got to extension during solid round of batting practice and barreled the baseball routinely in game action during tournament action. Ran a 7.01 60-yard dash and flashed solid straight-line carry on throws of 87 mph from the outfield. Displayed athletic actions defensively with a clean transition and the ability to play through the baseball.

REMAINING PROSPECTS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Ryan Baker, OF/1B/LHP, Cumberland Valley HS
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitter starts his pull oriented swing from a square stance and utilizes a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed an 81 mph bat exit velocity with barrel whip being generated largely by his upper body. Worked out defensively in the outfield and at first base showcasing 76 mph arm strength from his outfield position. Lefty sat 72-76 on the mound from a 3/4 arm slot. Falls hard to third base dugout creating some arm-side run. Also displayed a changeup at 59 mph while slowing his arm speed significantly.

Gavin Campbell, LHP, Cambria Heights HS
6-foot, 195-pound left-hander sat 77-79 out of a 3/4 arm slot working solely out of the stretch. Also showcased a curveball with with tight 1/7 rotation. Does a solid job of staying on top of his breaking ball creating some two-plane action. Additional velocity is likely especially with work to become more directional to the plate.

Brandon Durbin, 3B/2B, Bishop Carroll HS
6-foot, 180-pound right-hander hitter starts from an open stance with a high-hands load and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showed some rhythm to his swing but struggled to get front foot down on time to allow hands to work through hitting zone. Registered a 78 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.95 60-yard dash. Displayed a developing skill set defensively with active fee and 72 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Logan Grimm, RHP/SS, John Marshall HS
6-foot, 180-pound primary pitcher sat 79-84 with some arm-side run from a high 3/4 arm slot. Also commanded a 73 mph slider, a 70 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a changeup at 75 mph. Some hip coil in his delivery adds additional deception. Right-handed hitter starts from a narrow, square stance and strides hard to his front side with a significant armbar. Displayed 79 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.69 60-yard dash. Likely a corner infielder at the next level, displayed confidence in his glove hand and accurate 79 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Michael Ruf, OF, McDowell HS
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride from a high-hands load. Displayed a short swing path and a feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 77 mph while running a 7.20 60-yard dash. Showcased athletic defensive actions with a clean transition and solid straight-line carry on throws of 79 mph from the outfield.

Dominic Rupp, SS, Seneca HS
Long-limbed 6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitter ran a 7.00 60-yard dash and registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Starts his swing from a shoulder width, square stance and takes a significant stride to initiate his swing while staying behind the baseball well. Starts hands high and loads deep creating some armbar action but displayed the ability to routinely barrel the baseball. Moves well laterally to the baseball defensively and flashed a quick release from a 3/4 arm slot with 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Plenty of room to add to his lengthy frame and solid foot speed would allow Rupp to play multiple defensive positions at the next level.

Billy Welsh, RHP/1B, Cornell HS
5-foot-10, 200-pound primary pitcher sat 73-76 from a 3/4 arm slot with some arm-side run to his fastball. A 66 mph slider with 10/4 rotation and a 64 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation gives Welsh a pair of secondary offerings with solid command. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. Showcased a solid glove hand and accurate 76 mph arm strength across the diamond defensively.

ADDITIONAL PA NEWS: