Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect Games: Player Analysis Pt. 3



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By Jerry Shank
MD/VA Scouting Director

Mitchel Orf OF Stephen Decatur 2018
Orf is an athletic and raw right-handed hitting outfielder. He hits from a wide, balanced set up with a simple hand position right below the shoulder. He rocks back slightly before quickly picking up and putting down his front foot. His hand speed allows his barrel to work through the zone quickly on a level path. He gets adequate extension if he stays through the ball with his hips. In the outfield, he has average footwork and showed an ability to see the ball up well with his feet. He has an average transfer to go along with a decent arm action. Position velocity topped out at 78mph.

Justin Pelletreau C Archbishop Spalding 2018
Pelletreau is an interesting catching prospect who has some untapped potential to go along with an already built frame. At the plate, he starts narrow and open before coiling into his back hip with a slight leg kick. His momentum comes forward as he strides and his barrel is launched on level path through the zone. He gets some extension and was driving balls to the gaps. He already has some bat speed and should add more pop as he learns to stay in his legs more. Exit velocity of 88mph. Behind the plate, he is a quiet receiver and has a solid first step before unloading throws to the bases. His transfers are clean and he should be able to lower his 2.01 pop time. Moves well and showed ability to block the ball.

Jaden Pinkney OF CH Flowers 2018
Pinkney is a raw prospect who can play all over the field. At the plate, he hits from a narrow setup before utilizing a short stride in order to get on time with the pitch. His barrel flies through the zone on a level path. He has some hand speed which means he will continue to add bat speed as he fills out his frame. In the outfield, he has efficient footwork and ability to get behind the ball. His catch and release is solid, and his long arm action gives him some carry on throws despite having a velocity of 75mph.

Colt Price 3B North East 2018
Price is a well-rounded athlete who is just scratching the surface. He is a right-handed hitting outfielder with an exit velocity of 87mph and position-velocity of 80mph. At the plate, he has a smooth, loose stroke that produces effortless pop to the gaps. He starts open behind striding to a solid hitting position. His barrel works deep in the zone and he showed ability to barrel balls up on both sides of the plate. In the infield, he sets the ball up well with his feet and keeps them active before and after the catch. He funnels the ball to his midsection and showed an ability to catch and release quickly. Throws were consistently accurate.

RJ Price C John Carroll 2018
Price is lengthy right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, he starts slightly open before employing a quick leg lift. His weight comes off his backside as he strides and his barrel is pushed through the zone on a relatively level path. He gets some extension. He may have trouble handling higher level pitching until he learns to stay into his backside and legs better. His hand and bat speed allow him to compensate. He should add gap power as he continues to develop. Exit velocity of 90mph. Behind the plate, he is a solid receiver who minimizes wasteful movements. He has a quick transfer and solid arm strength which translates into a sub-2.0 pop-time. Should be able to stick behind the plate. Price has a lot of room to develop and will help whichever program he joins.

William Rhoderick RHP Thomas Johnson 2018
Rhoderick is right-handed pitcher with a two-pitch mix. He has an up-tempo delivery coupled with a violent leg kick. He gets a little bit of hip load before unwinding squarely down the mound. His arm action is relatively short and choppy, and he releases from a ¾ slot. His fastball topped out at 77mph and had cut. He also showed a breaking ball that had a 11/5 shape and late bite down in the zone.

Lucas Richards RHP/3B Watkins Mill 2018
Richards is an interesting right-handed pitcher who already possesses a strong lower half. He has a controlled delivery with minimal effort and free actions. His arm works cleanly before releasing the ball from a high ¾ slot. He gets a little bit of hip load which helps him finish over his front side. His fastball topped out at 83mph with some late life. He was able to command it well to his glove side and wasn't afraid to flash it inside. His breaking ball has an 11/5 shape with depth. He located it well with two strikes and kept hitters off balance. He also showed a changeup that he was able to throw off of his fastball slot. He did slow his delivery down a bit when throwing it. Positionally, Richardshits from a square set up at the plate. Has a smooth load back with short stride to hitting position. Has a short swing path at the plate with some extension through contact. Gets out of balance at times during the swing, losing his lower half. Shows some pop at the plate. from the corner, has sound actions with clean exchange. Would like to see him improve his first step quickness on balls of feet a bit more. Short quick arm across the diamond with carry on throws. Solid overall prospect that could give some two way potential.

Cesar Rivera C Bowie 2018
Rivera is a raw right-handed hitting catcher. He has a simple setup with a slight leg kick. His bat worked through the zone on a deep, level path but he was unable to get much extension. He uses his lower half fairly well and might add some gap pop as he adds size. Behind the plate, he is an average receiver with average footwork. His feet are quick but slightly out of control. He has a solid transfer which helped to make up for average arm strength.

Ryan Rogan C St. Paul's 2018
Rogan is physically mature right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, he has a simple setup and swing highlighted by a well-timed leg kick. He uses his lower half well which helps provide some bat speed. His barrel works on a short, inside path to the ball and extends well after contact. He showed some gap power potential and had an exit velocity of 89mph. Behind the plate, he is a quiet receiver with some extra movement. Despite some lacking first step quickness, Rogan's feet work efficiently and allow his clean transfer and average arm to produce 2.07-2.2 pop times.

Sammy Senders OF/LHP Bullis 2018
Senders is a left-handed pitching prospect with a three-pitch mix. He has a controlled and compact delivery to go along with a free arm action and high ¾ release point. Despite being somewhat undersized, Senders gets down the mound well after a strong hip load. He lands square over his front side and each pitch that he throws has life. His fastball topped out at 85mph with a little bit of run. He attacked hitters early in the count with it and commanded well to both sides of the plate. His breaking ball had 11/5 shape with depth. He was able to throw it in and out of the zone for strikes. He also showed a changeup that was a bit shaky but gave hitters something else to think about.

Robert Shorts SS/RHP St. Georges Tech (DE) 2018
Shorts with an athletic, quick-twitch right-handed hitting middle-infielder with a simple, smooth swing. He gets the bat through the zone on a level path and utilizes his lower half well. He showed a line drive approach and gap power potential. In the infield, he has advanced footwork and hands and is able to range each direction. He has a decent arm to go along with a clean, solid transfer. He can stick in the middle of the field.---- on the mound, Shorts has a controlled delivery with smooth tempo. has has a shorter sound arm action creating nice arm speed throwing from a high three quarter slot. Has a very clean and efficient delivery that he repeats well. Fastball is straight up to 84 mph sitting 80-82. Breaking ball has 12/6 action with gradual bottom out action at 73. Changeup has fade to the pitch at 74 mph.

Andrew Smith C Parkside 2018
At the plate, Smith has a smooth left-handed stroke. His swing looks the part and he utilizes a short leg kick and bat tip. He gets the barrel on plane early and extends well after contact. He uses his lower half and showed an ability to barrel balls to all fields. Advanced hitting prospect that should fill the middle of an order for some program.  Behind the plate, he is a solid receiver with a solid transfer and decent arm. He showed command of pitch calling and an ability to be the leader of the defense.Solid prospect overall and can give potential and versatility at another position as well.

Drew Sturgess RHP Richard Montgomery 2018
Sturgess is a right-handed pitching prospect. He has a methodical delivery to go along with a loose, easy arm action and ¾ release point. He gets minimal hip load and doesn't quite get over his front side. Sturgess features a three-pitch mix. His fastball topped out at 78mph and had some run down in the zone. He showed a changeup that had downward action but was thrown after slowing his delivery down. He also displayed a sharp slider with 10-4 shape and late bite.

Kyle Sulkowski RHP Towson 2018
Sulkowski is a right-handed pitcher who filled up the zone and showed some pitchability. His fastball topped out at a heavy 82mph and he complimented it with a curveball at 66-68mph. He has a slow and controlled delivery with an aggressive leg kick. He has good balance and gets down the mound over his front side after loading into his back hip. His arm works in a circular motion and releases the ball from an over-the-top slot. Overall, there is some effort in his movements but the ball jumps out of his hand.

Luke Weddell 2B Queen Anne's 2018
Weddell is an athletic mid-infielder with a smooth, compact lefty stroke. He has a simple setup and stride and gets to an adequate hitting position. He has solid movements with his hips and legs which allow his barrel to work long through the zone. He gets some extension after contact and displayed a line drive approach. In the field, he has active feet and average hands. He funnels the ball to his chest and is able to get the ball out of his glove quickly. His throws were accurate and displayed an ability to play on the run.

Kevon Wharton OF North Point 2018 
Wharton has an athletic swing that produces consistently sound contact. He has a simple stride and leg kick and is able to get the barrel on plane with the pitch early. He improved upon his lower half usage and should be able to put balls in the gaps from time to time. In the outfield, he doesn't set the ball up very well and has some trouble getting the ball out of his glove. Throws have average carry.

Seth White RHP Riverdale Baptist 2018
White is a right-handed pitcher with a two-pitch mix. Has a compact controlled delivery with an average leg kick. Shorter drawn out arm action almost bow and arrow like out of glove to a longer action when he goes to release position. Adds some deception to his pitching. Nice lower half involvement. Fastball has slight run on the pitch and two seam sink as well.  Fastball topped out at 81 mph. Looks to have some more int he tank. Breaking ball has 11/5 action with later action and swing and miss ability. Nice compliment to his two seam.  He displayed some pitchability and command down in the zone. More in te tank.

Kaleb Whitlock OF Bowie 2018
Compact, athletic frame at 5-foot-7, 150-pounds. Hits from a wider athletic set up with hands just outside the shoulder. Double tap like load with weight back and knee into to hitting position. Level swing path with quick hands and slap style approach to the middle of the field. Exit velocity of 75 mph. Active feet in the outfield, could work thru the ball more. Has a clean exchange and loose arm action from a three quarter slot. Throws were accurate at 71 mph. Room to add strength to frame with a nice foundation.

Zach Willett OF/LHP Linganore 2018
Athletic frame with room to grow at 6-foot, 160-pounds. Hits from a a blaanced set up at the plate. short load back with knee turn to hitting position and slight arm bar. level path with some bat speed and barrel stays in zone. Shows some extension through contact. Nice rhythm; gets out of balance at times. Sound actions in the outfield. Active feet and works thru ball well. Quicker athletic arm actoin throwing from a three quarter slot. Position velocity of 73 mph. ---- On the mound, Side step delivery with nice rhythm. Stays stacked in high leg kick and reaches out with lead leg as he works downhill. Gets some hip load and backside involvement. Fastball has slight run to the pitch that topped out at 77 mph and ranged 73-75 mph. Breaking ball has shorter 1/7 action with gradual break up to 66 mph.

Ryan Woelkers LHP/1B Middletown 2018
Athletic projectable frame at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Hits from a slightly open athletic set up at the plate. Smooth, quick load to hitting position, landing slightly closed off. Free hands that are direct to the ball and some extension through contact. Gets some lower half, but gets out of balance at times from closing off. Nice rhythm thorughout. Sprayed ball over the field all day. Handles the bag well at first. Moves laterally well with a quick release and clean exchange. ---- On the mound, has a compact, deliberate controlled delivery. Compact in lift with good lower half involvement. Free arm action throwing from a high three quarter slot. Fastball has slight run to the pitch with occasional sink to the pitch up to 80 mph ranging 75-77.  Breaking ball has shorter 1/7 action on the pitch with nice life and near fastball arm speed. Change up has fad to the pitch with near fastball arm speed.