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Over two weeks ago (February 22, 2018) more than 60 players worked out in front of our New York boots-on-the-ground scouting staff. Overall, the talent was exciting to say the very least. Several new names to the system impressed while some veterans to PBR continue to improve and raise their stock. Today we take a look at a few pitching prospects that impressed February, 22. Let's get started.

2019

Kyle Taborne RHP / OF / Vestal, NY / 2019 Stands 5-foot-10, 150-pounds with a wiry frame that will continue to grow as he physically matures. Mechanics are clean with fluid tempo, high knee lift with a slight front shoulder tilt prior to driving towards home. Arm-action is clean with no restrictions, fastball stays on a downward plane sitting 82-84 mph with late life, curveball has advanced spin sitting in the upper 70's, 11/6 shape. Expect to see Taborne take another step forward this summer.

Zach Monica LHP / 1B / Baldwinsville, NY / 2019 Athletic build with size projection from the 2019 lefty. On the mound he uses a side step with a high knee lift, repeatable pace to his delivery, stays on the power line as he drives forward nice long hip stride, arm action is long and back with slight ball rotation as his arm accelerates forward, fastball peaks at 81 mph, sits it's mostly in the 78 to 80 mph range with arm side run, curveball shows loose gradual shape, would like to see more hand speed on the pitch, at times has 12-6 break at 68 mph, change up at 70 to 72 mph with some fade to the arm side.

2020

Jacob Lapham RHP / SS / Lansingburgh, NY / 2020 On the mound there is plenty to dream on, mechanics are very sound for his age, appear to be repeatable with fluid tempo, he uses a high knee lift, arm action is back and shorter, releases from a high 3/4 slot with full extension out in front over his left knee, long stride with above average hip flexibility.  Fastball peaked at 83 mph showing some depth at times. curveball sits in the 70 - 71 mph range, at times has 12-6 shape. Exciting young prospect from the greater Albany area.

Connor Eisenmann SS / RHP / Frontier Senior, NY / 2020 On the mound there's a lot to get excited about with the 2020 graduate.  mechanics are quick-tempo but repeatable, front knee coils back past the rubber for increased momentum and and drive towards home. arm swing is fluid and consistent, full extension out in front on the high 3/4 release, long front side with shoulder tilt. fastball sits 80-83 mph with plenty more velocity in the tank, curveball shows advanced shape, 11/5 hard late bite,  very promising young 2020 right-handed pitcher to keep a close eye on from the Buffalo area.

Matthew McHale OF / RHP / Arkport , NY / 2020 From the mound, is mechanics show fluid pace slightly fast in tempo, high leg lift.  He uses the drop and drive method, drives hard on his back side towards home plate, lands with full hip separation and stride length, delivers the pitch from a high 3/4 slot with clean arm action, 81 mph fastball, curveball has 10/5 late shape at 65-68 mph.  Overall, extremely talented 2020 prospect to keep a close eye on from the Southern Tier of New York.

Derek Jann RHP / 3B / CBA-Syracuse, NY / 2020 Jann has ideal size on the mound standing an impressive 6-foot-3, 190-pounds with a think long lower half. Mechanics are repeatable, consistent tempo with a high knee lift prior to driving forward. Arm action is back and fluid, front side is long, would like to see him more aggressive with his stride length. Fastball sits 77-79 (up since last summer 3-MPH), curveball has a chance to be a very nice secondary pitch. Sitting upper 60's low 70's with 11/5 shape, sharp at times, appears to be very close to taking his game to another level, expect to see big things from Jann this summer.

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