David
Kessler

Physical: The recent IUP commit stands in at a strong, athletic 6-foot, 190lbs. 7.19 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Offensively: RHH - Upright, rhythmic stance as the feet started narrow and open to begin. Utilized a leg-lift stride to initiate a flat, adjustable barrel path into the hitting zone for damage to the middle/pull-side of the field. Worked short to extended, able to let the hands operate away from the body towards the finish. Produced lots of flush line drives during his round (56% line drive rate via Trackman) with confidence in the bat to ball skills. Matched pitch plane early out of the hand with efficient lower half involvement, en route to a near 340 foot batted ball distance. Recorded a T101 mph bat-exit velocity with easy middle of the order appeal (doubles/HR juice).

Defensively: The primary shortstop continues getting softer and more rhythmic from the left side of the infield. Above-average defensive feel, beating the ball to the spot with short-box quickness and natural angles. Played with pace low to the ground and released up to 86 mph across the diamond from H ¾ (game like).

Physical: Perfect blend of strength and athleticism in a 6-foot, 180-pound frame. Actually lost a couple pounds recently to move quicker in the middle, and it has paid off greatly. 6.92 runner in the 60-yard dash. 

Offensively: RHH - Open, balanced stance as the hands started in a traditional position above the shoulder. Utilized a quick leg kick stride with ability to hold onto the same, strong posture throughout the swing. The barrel worked through a high-intent, slight uphill attack with ability to manipulate barrel angles based on pitch quadrant. Extra-base hitting machine evidenced by a big time offensive performance where he placed second on Team PA in hitting at this past summer’s Northeast Future Games. Recorded both confidence in the bat to ball skills and above-average power production (366 foot peak batted ball distance / 97 mph bat exit velocity). Flashed a 100% hard hit rate (batted balls over 90 mph) and a 33% line drive, which played admirably into a middle-pull side approach during batting practice. Will be a mainstay at the top of the batting order where he can handle the bat with the best of them. 

Defensively: The primary shortstop featured quick, rangy actions with noticeable confidence in the glove hand. Handled plays all over the diamond with sub-4.20 second feet and easy downhill momentum towards the target. Fielded off of the left foot with repeated funnels into the belt line, assisting a live 87 mph arm strength across the diamond. Will be an impact defender at the next level with ability to stick on the left side moving forward.

Physical: Solid and durable 5-foot-11 185-pound frame with quality strength / athleticism throughout. 6.91 runner in the 60-yard dash. 

Offensively: RHH. Continues to get better each time we see him with increased feel in the box. Wide, balanced stance with a slight bend in the knees as the hands started with quick back and forth rhythm at the shoulder. Utilized a quick leg kick stride to initiate a violent and accurate, slightly uphill barrel path through the hitting zone. Repeatedly squared the ball up at the front of the plate with ability to manipulate the bat head based on quadrant he’s pitched into. An adjustable and powerful lower half allowed the hands to match plane early in the swing generating more than enough rotational power in the box to yield loud results during batting practice. Showed a gap to gap approach with maturity in the approach, took the momentum over to game action where he shined with > 50 % quality at bats against premiere pitching / 4 hits overall. Recorded a peak bat-exit velocity of 96 mph according to Trackman Baseball / 341 foot maximum batted ball distance. 

Defensively: The primary shortstop featured a medium-low center of gravity and bounced around during defensive evaluations. Beat the ball to the spot playing downhill through the fielding window on the approach, fielded off of his left side in rhythm using quick transfers and kept the butt low in the posture. Was able to move well ranging to either side with comfortability towards the glove hand side; made the play on the run with ease, continuing to improve as a defender showing off advanced athleticism in the movements, threw accurately across the diamond from a high ¾ slot (moderate arm circle). INF - 88 mph

Physical: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds; Athletic, solid build. 7.2 runner in the 60. Offensively: RHH. Balanced stance with his feet just wider than shoulder width apart; Uses a quick leg kick and gets the foot down in time to consistently deliver the barrel to the ball. Leg kick initiates an active lower half  with Able to consistently find the barrel with an efficient, slightly uphill and simple swing; 11 degree bat angle into the zone via Blast Motion. Kessler is able to produce 12.4 G’s of force with an on-plane efficiency of 78%.  Shows some present juice to the pull side; average Trackman exit velocity of 87.35 MPH; peak exit velo was 95 MPH.
Defensively: Starts in an athletic position ready to attack the ball; Aggressive approach of the ball allows him to work through the ball. Shows his glove early and has soft hands and transfers during a quick shuffle step to first; Quick arm swing with high 3/4 arm swing. INF - 82 MPH.

Showcased quality feel for an athletic 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame with present physicality in his actions and fluidity in his movements. The right-handed hitter begins with a wide, balanced stance using a controlled knee-knock stride to initiate his swing. Featured an advanced lower half allowing for present sink and fluidity in the swing, creating easy barrel whip through a slightly uphill path into the hitting zone. Displayed a strong top hand, arriving consistently to the ball in front of the plate at contact generating noticeable pull-side lift. Created solid extension through the ball with advanced hip/hand connection yielding a 96 mph bat-exit velocity during one of the top batting practice rounds of the day. Ran a 4.63 home-to-first using compact, powerful strides. The primary shortstop demonstrated fluidity in his footwork creating downhill momentum towards the target with regularity. Flashed range to both sides with a low center of gravity and natural instincts on the diamond yielding advantageous routes to the ball. Recorded an accurate 82 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a high ¾ arm-slot with ability to make the play to the run athletically while throwing from multiple arm-angles on the run. 

Demonstrated a physical and athletic 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame with strength in his actions. The right-handed hitter begins with a wide, even stance utilizing a knee-knock stride to generate advanced barrel whip through a slightly uphill path in the hitting zone. Displayed a strong round of batting practice with noticeable power in the lower half creating athleticism in the box and quality hip-shoulder separation. Recorded an 87 mph bat-exit velocity and ran a 7.06 60-yard dash showing off the feel for his current frame. The primary shortstop showcased a low center of gravity with advanced range to both sides and active feet that played consistently through the ball towards the target. Featured a soft glove hand and fluidity in his movements during defensive evaluations allowing for an accurate 85 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a repeatable, high ¾ arm-slot. An overall impressive frame and day that should translate to big results this spring.

5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a short leg-hang stride to begin. Displayed balance throughout with a feel for the barrel during one of the better rounds of batting practice on the day. Registered a bat exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 7.53 60-yard dash. Showcased active feet and the ability to play through the ball defensively with developing 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. Athletic frame has plenty of room to add strength in the coming years. A move to a corner infield or outfield spot is not out of the question due to current foot speed and arm strength.