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Penn State Announces 2017 Early Singing Class

December 6, 2016

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting

Penn State and head coach Rob Cooper have announced the signing of seven players to National Letters of Intent, including three standouts from Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions went 28-27 in 2016, including a 12-12 mark in the Big 10 Conference. The 2017 signing class is ranked among the top 50 in NCAA Division I baseball.


2017 Pennsylvania EARLY COMMITS

Kyle VirbitskyKyle Virbitsky, RHP, Episcopal Academy (PA)
PBR Rank: #8 in PA, #283 in PBR overall Class of 2017 rankings 
PBR Notes: Virbitsky impressed with an 87 mph fastball from an over the top arm slot and a power breaking ball at 77 mph with 12/6 rotation at the 2015 PBR Future Games. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound righty worked two solid inings also displaying a solid changeup at 78 mph. Virbitsky flashed his athleticism by showcasing an 87 mph arm across the diamond while running a 7.46 60-yard dash on evaluation day. The right-handed hitter displayed a 95 mph bat exit velocity and went 2-for-6 with a walk at the plate during game action.

Jeff TaylorJeff Taylor, LHP, Penn Manor (PA)
PBR Rank: #12 in PA
PBR Notes: 6-foot-1, 180-pounder sits 84-87 topping at 88 mph from a high 3/4 arm slot. Taylor has shown the best curveball among left-handers in this class. The pitch shows two-plane action at 70-73 and is an out pitch for him at the next level. The lefty pounds the strike zone and shows an elevated feel for a changeup at 71-73.

Conor LarkinConor Larkin, RHP, Spring-Ford (PA)
PBR Rank: #22 in PA. #377 in PBR overall Class of 2017 rankings
PBR Notes: 6-foot-1, 200-pounder Penn State commit pitches out of a three-quarter slot with some effort from a slightly crossfire delivery. Holds hands and separates behind midline, long arm action, gets wrist underneath ball at back of armswing. FB at 86-88 shows life and heavy armside sink at times. At its best, CB at 71-74 has 11/5 action with some depth, although it occasionally gets slurvier on him. Changup at 77-78 is a lesser used third pitch.

REMAINDER OF THE CLASS

Tyler Dearden, OF, Rancocas Valley (NJ) 
PBR Rank: #71 in North Carolina
PBR Notes: 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitter. 6.90 runner with above average arm strength and present power at the plate.

Bailey Dees, RHP, Charlotte (NC) 
PBR Rank: #51 in North Carolina
PBR Notes: 6-foot-7, 230-pound high 80s right-hander. Top ten arm out of North Carolina.

Ralph Gambino, RHP, Freehold (NJ) 
PBR Rank: #22 in New Jersey
PBR Notes: High 80s right-hander. Some effort to his delivery. Quick, clean arm action.
Breaking ball is sharp and late at 75-77 MPH.

Tommy Gibson, SS, Williamstown (NJ) Tommy Gibson
PBR Rank: #74 in New Jersey
PBR Notes: Very athletic at 5-foot-8, 160 pounds. Runs a 6.90 60-yard dash. Displays bat speed and above average hands which allow him to adjust to off-speed. Athletic defender has a quick release and carry on his throws. He controls his body extremely well and is very instinctual; showing to have great reads on angles and hops.


ADDITIONAL PA NEWS: