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Western PA Top Prospect Games Analysis: White Team

June 20, 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 White Team.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

WHITE Team

TOP PROSPECT

Drew HefnerDrew Hefner, C/3B, Bridgeport HS (WV), Class of 2017

5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitter took one of the top rounds of batting practice at the event. Displayed loose hands and a solid feel for the barrel from an open stance with a lift-and replace stride. Registered a bat exit velocity of 82 mph and showed above average plate discipline in game action.

College ready defender flashed a soft glove hand and advanced blocking abilities. Turned in pop times of 1.97-2.03 on throws of 76 mph from the crouch during defensive evaluations.

Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)

Matt Alexander, SS/2B, Homer-Center HS, Class of 2017

5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg lift stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a short, direct swing path and registered a bat exit velocity of 82 mph while going 1-for-3 with a double on day two of the event. Middle infielder flashed capable defensive actions with accurate 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. Projects best as a second baseman at the next level with foot speed (7.47 60-yard dash) and physical size.

Zack Blystone, SS/RHP, Derry Area HS, Class of 2017

5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Exhibited some barrel drag during batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 72 mph, but went 2-for-6 in game action over two days. Middle infielder displayed average defensive actions with accurate 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Projects best as a second baseman at the next level with foot speed (7.21 60-yard dash) and physical size.

Jeremy Burnstein, OF/3B, Pine-Richland HS, Class of 2018

6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, slightly-open stance with a high-hands load and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Sits hard on his back side and creates solid barrel whip (82 mph bat exit velocity) with a strong lower half turn. Displayed athletic actions and accurate 81 mph arm strength from the outfield. Flashed ability to play through the baseball and ran a 6.95 60-yard dash.

Cole Collins, 3B, Grafton HS (WV), Class of 2017

5-foot-11, 195-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance with a high hands load. Utilizes a toe-tap stride to initiate swing and stays inside baseball well through contact with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Showed solid feel for baseball and good rhythm to his swing during solid round of BP. Ran a 7.45 60-yard dash and displayed athletic actions defensively. Accurate 75 mph arm strength and quick release would also allow for move to second base at the next level.

Brian Hellested, RHP, Penn-Trafford HS, Class of 2017

6-foot, 180-pound right-hander sat 84-86 out of a high 3/4 arm slot during three innings of game action. Also showcased a 74 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. Following a walk to first hitter he faced, set down nine batters in a row including four strikeouts. Solid frame and a simple mechanics allows Hellested to stay directional. Utilizes lower half well and works down in zone well as evidenced by four ground ball outs in three innings.

Brock Herrod, C/2B, South Harrison HS (WV), Class of 2017

5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg lift stride to initiate his swing. Showcased a 79 mph bat exit velocity and went 1-for-3 at the plate on day one of the event. Showcased capable receiving and blocking skills while registering pop times of 2.30-2.35 on throws of 68 mph from the crouch. Displayed the ability to put the ball on the bag repeatedly over the course of the two day event. Overall game would benefit from continued strength gains and physical maturity.

Dakota Jarrett, 2B/SS, South Harrison HS (WV), Class of 2017

6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showcased a line-drive approach with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph and went 1-for-3 at the plate on day two of the event. Middle infielder displayed sound defensive actions with accurate 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Projects best as a second baseman at the next level with foot speed (7.38 60-yard dash) and average arm strength.

Nick Krugh, OF, Seton-La Salle Catholic HS, Class of 2017

6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitter with a good frame starts from an open stance and strides to square to initiate his swing. Displayed loose hands and solid rhythm to his swing during BP with some barrel lag and a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Showcased athletic actions defensively with accurate 80 mph arm strength from the outfield and ran a 7.09 60-yard dash.

Dawson Magar, RHP, Donegal HS, Class of 2018

6-foot, 170-pound right-hander sat 77-80 with some arm-side run to his fastball out  of a high 3/4 arm slot. Displayed above average feel for a pair of quality secondary offerings. Curveball showed 11/5 rotation and good depth at 68 mph while changeup is thrown at 71 mph with fastball arm speed. Recorded four strikeouts and induced three ground ball outs during his three innings of work in game action. Solid frame and simple delivery projects for additional velocity moving forward.

Ryan Orsargos, OF, Homer-Center HS, Class of 2018

5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. A fairly significant arm bar leads to some barrel drag with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Went 1-for-3 in game action on day two of event and ran a 7.65 60-yard dash. Showcased accurate 68 mph arm strength from his outfield position.

Ryan Shirley, LHP, Blairsville HS, Class of 2017

6-foot, 185-pound lefty has added 20 pounds to his frame and 8 mph to his fastball in the past year. Sat 74-76 from a 3/4 arm slot with some arm-side run and sink at times. Also showed solid command of a 71 mph cutter and a 64 mph curveball that kept hitters off balance during three innings of work in game action. Faced the minimum during his time on the mound registering three strikeouts a double play ground out and several lazy fly balls. Continued development could make Shirley a situational lefty to follow in this class.

Brett Steinle, OF, Seneca Valley HS, Class of 2018

6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitter has added two inches and 15 pounds to his frame in the past year. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed loose hands and good rhythm throughout swing with a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Went 2-for-3 in game action on day one of event and ran a 7.08 60-yard dash. Flashed above average defensive abilities with athletic actions and accurate 82 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Dakota Sunday, RHP, Blairsville HS, Class of 2018

6-foot, 175-pound right-hander sat 78-81 from a high 3/4 arm slot and long arm motion. Also commanded a 68 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation during three innings of work in game action. Worked efficiently down in the zone registering three strikeouts while also inducing five ground ball outs. Solid frame projects for additional velocity moving forward.

Brine Takahashi, RHP/1B, Bridgeport HS (WV), Class of 2017

5-foot-9, 190-pound two-way prospect sat 81-83 from a 3/4 arm slot with solid tempo to his delivery. Also displayed a 74 mph slider and a 70 mph split change during three innings of work in game action. All three pitches are quality offering capable of leading to success at the next level, but command was an issue on this date.

Right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and strides to square. Showcased the ability to use all fields during BP with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Went 2-for-6 at the plate in game action and ran a 7.45 60-yard dash. Flashed solid foot and glove work around the bag at first base with accurate 75 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Thomas Zbezinski, LHP, Pine-Richland HS, Class of 2017

5-foot-9, 165-pound lefty sat 77-79 with sound, repeatable mechanics out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Pounded the zone with his fastball with command to both sides of the plate and also flashed a sharp breaking 66 mph curveball with 1/7 two-plane rotation. Third pitch in arsenal is a 65 mph split-change that tumbles at the plate. Worked three effective innings in game action striking out four while inducing three ground ball outs.

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