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Western PA Top Prospect Games Analysis: Black Team

June 19, 2016

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania/West Virginia Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania began this week with the 2016 Western PA Top Prospect Games on June 14 and 15. Ninety prospects from Pennsylvania and West Virginia gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities on the campus of Seton Hill University. Today we continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at the prospects that participated as a member of the Black Team.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

Black Team

TOP PROSPECT

Josh SpiegelJosh Spiegel, C/1B, Penn-Trafford HS, Class of 2018

6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitter missed the first day of the event because he was on a recruiting visit but certainly impressed on day two. Spiegel began his day running an impressive 6.71 60-yard dash and followed that up by flashing advanced arm strength during defensive evaluations. The underclassman showcased pop times of 1.88-2.00 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch with solid footwork, a clean transition and very quick release. Spiegel also displayed big power potential in a 1-for-3 performance at the plate in game action. While he was tied up on a pop-up in his first at bat, Spiegel followed up with a deep fly ball for an out to center field in his next at bat and a ringing double to the left-center field fence in his final at bat.

Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)

Gunner Becker, RHP, Slippery Rock Area HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-1, 160-pound righty sat 81-84 from a 3/4 arm slot with some hip coil to his delivery and arm-side run to his fastball. The long-limbed righty has plenty of room to add to his frame and gives hitters a lot of body parts coming at them from various points in his delivery that adds to his deception. A 74 mph slider with late bite is Becker's primary secondary offering and if coupled with a solid changeup would give the senior-to-be a quality three-pitch mix.

Kyle Bolland, OF/RHP, New Brighton HS, Class of 2017

6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Went 3-for-6 with a double and a triple in game action while showcasing a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Flashed athletic actions defensively while running a 6.90 and displayed above average arm strength from his outfield position (89 mph).

The righty sat 78-80 of the mound from a 3/4 arm slot during two innings of work in game action. Displayed a long arm motion with good rhythm to his delivery. Also showcased a 67 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation.

Braden Brose, 3B/RHP, Hempfield Area HS, Class of 2018

6-foot-4, 225-pound two-way prospect will likely make the move across the diamond based on his size and potential to be a power hitter. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel-raise stride. Went 2-for-6 in game action while barreling several other baseballs with a bat exit velocity of 90 mph. Displayed good hands and solid arm strength (79 mph) defensively and ran an impressive 7.06 60-yard dash for a player his size.

Righty sat 76-78 with natural cut to his fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Also flashed a 63 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation during game action.

Drew Cebulak, RHP, Pittsburgh Central Catholic HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-5, 230-pound righty sat 80-82 with some arm-side run from a 3/4 arm slot. Also relied heavily on a 69 mph slurve with 10/4 rotation during three innings of scoreless work that included three strikeouts. Stayed down in the zone consistently leading to five ground ball outs. Very basic delivery with limited lower half drive projects for added velocity moving forward.

Zane Gallagher, OF/LHP, Morgantown HS (WV), Class of 2017

6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitter impressed going 4-for-5 with a triple in game action. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short stride to initiate his swing with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Ran a solid 6.95 60-yard dash and displayed accurate 78 mph arm strength from the outfield with athletic actions.

Sat 74-77 with natural cut from a high 3/4 arm slot on the mound. Also displayed a 65 mph curveball with 1/7 rotation that he tends to telegraph.

Gage Giovengo, 3B/1B, The Linsly School (WV), Class of 2017

6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and strides to closed with significant weight shift to the front side at contact. Showed the ability to drive the baseball on the outer half but also tended to get tied up on the inner half. Went 2-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in game actions and showcased an 83 mph bat exit velocity. Moves very well for his size (7.08 60-yard dash) as evidenced by a pair of stolen bases in game action. Displayed capable defensive actions with 77 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Bo Haines, OF/LHP, Ringgold HS, Class of 2018

5-foot-11, 205-pound left-handed hitter generates significant barrel whip with a very strong upper body and limited lower half action (89 mph bat exit velocity). Shows legitimate power to the pull side, but difficulty with the ball away. Went 2-for-3 with a double in game action on day one of the event. Runs well (6.88 60-yard dash) and displayed accurate 82 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Sat 79-80 from a high 3/4 arm slot in game action. Also displayed a 67 curveball with 1/7 rotation.

Jacob Murray, SS/2B, The Linsly School (WV), Class of 2017

6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitter with a good frame showed solid swing mechanics from a slightly open stance with a high hands load (79 mph bat exit velocity). Went 2-for-3 with a triple in game action on day two of the event. Flashed solid feet and a quick release defensively with accurate 71 mph arm strength across the diamond. Projects as a second baseman at the next level with 7.33 foot speed and average arm strength.

Christian Pacifico, 1B/LHP, Somerset HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-3, 220-pound left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a short leg-lift stride to square. Hands work well through contact and he displayed the ability to stay inside the baseball with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ran a 7.78 60-yard dash and flashed solid glove and footwork around the bag at first base. Secondary pitcher topped at 71 mph out of a 3/4 arm slot in game action on the mound.

Logan Plummer, SS/2B, Parkersburg Catholic HS (WV), Class of 2017

6-foot, 155-pound switch-hitter displayed loose hands and the ability to use all fields from the left-side of the plate with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. Plummer also showcased a similar swing that lags in development from the right side of the plate. The middle infielder went 2-for-7 in game action and ran a 7.10 60-yard dash. Displayed the ability to play through the baseball with active feet and accurate 73 mph arm strength best suited for second base at the next level.

Jacob Rife, RHP, Hempfield Area HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-7, 205-pound righty sat 81-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot and sound, repeatable mechanics. Fastball displayed arm-side run. Good rhythm to delivery and a feel for both 2-seam and 4-seam fastballs. Above average command of 78 mph slider and 72 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. Athletic for size, velocity spikes likely in coming years as he grows into his frame and adds strength.

Nick Serafino, 2B/OF, Canon-McMillan HS, Class of 2018

5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. Simple approach allows him to stay inside baseball repeatedly with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Went 3-for-6 in game action and ran a 6.96 60-yard dash. Displayed active feet, a quick release and the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles defensively with accurate 70 mph arm strength.

Tyler Smith, SS/RHP, Seneca Valley HS, Class of 2017

6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Registered an 87 mph bat exit velocity and went 2-for-6 in game action. Displayed athletic actions defensively with 82 mph arm strength across the diamond and the ability to make the slow roller play look easy.

Sat 80-82 off the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot with a 72 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed with some sink. Also flashed a 65 mph curveball with hard biting 11/5 rotation that he struggled to command for strikes.

Cameron Vozel, C/3B, Seneca Valley HS, Class of 2019

5-foot-9, 175-pounder displayed advanced receiving and blocking skills for a player his age. Registered impressive 2.00-2.11 pop times on throws of 70 mph from the crouch and handled advanced velocity well in game action. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Registered a 77 mph bat exit velocity and went competed well at the plate during game action.

Ryan Weaver, OF/RHP, Norwin HS, Class of 2017

5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and displayed a compact, line-drive approach to his swing resulting in a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. Went 2-for-6 in game action and ran a solid 7.01 60-yard dash. Showed athletic actions defensively with accurate 87 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Sat 74-76 from a high 3/4 arm slot during a 1-2-3 inning of work in game action. Also flashed a 70 mph changeup and a 66 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation.

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