Prep Baseball Report

Northern Ohio Showcase - Best of the Rest from the Class of 2015



By Chris Valentine and Dan Machovina
PBR Ohio Scouting Director and Assistant Scouting Director

Today, we break down the Best of the Rest from the Class of 2015 at the Northern Ohio Showcase in Westlake, Ohio. Previously, we broke down the Top Prospects from the Class of 2015 at the event.

Jacob Bangert, RHP, St. Ignatius HS

6-foot-1, 150-pound right-handed pitcher. Throws through high ¾ arm slot with short arm action. Fastball is straight at 73-75 mph. Will add velocity with more use of his lower half. Uses a 68-70 mph slider with some spin to it. Needs to develop more effective break to become his out pitch. Changeup shows some fade at 66-67 mph.

Dominic Brown, OF, Worthington Kilbourne HS

5-foot-9, 160-pound prospect with strong, athletic frame. His bat is his best tool. Swings it from the left-side. Uses leg kick trigger. Takes uphill path to the ball. Displays pull power. Ball jumps off his bat. In the field, he needs to be more aggressive and play through the baseball. Uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 78 mph. Registered a 7.56 60.

Jacob Burnett, C/3B, Brecksville HS

5-foot-10, 165-pound catching prospect. Uses short arm action and some quickness in his hands. Pop times ranged between 2.09-2.15. Will only improve by taking short path to his ear. Reached a top velocity of 69 mph from the crouch. Footwork tends to get long. Needs to improve direction of feet. At the plate, he starts in a narrow, open stance with high hands. Closed his front side with a small stride. Uses minimal upper half load. Takes level path to the ball.

Joseph Caporale, SS/RHP, Mayfield HS

5-foot-8, 171-pound prospect with strong build. Ran a 7.29 60. Projects best as a third baseman. Uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 79 mph across the infield. Tends to field the ball flat footed at times. At the plate, he starts with a slightly closed stance. Tendency to bar his arm during his load. Takes slight uphill path to the ball. On the mound, the righty throws with average arm speed through a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sits 75-77 mph with arm side run. Curveball shows gradual 12/6 break on his curveball. Changeup shows some arm side fade at 68-70 mph.

Cole Carey, 3B/C, Gahanna Lincoln HS

5-foot-10, 170-pound with smallish, athletic build. Registered a 7.85 60-yard dash. Uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 75 mph  across the infield. Tends to get flat footed as he receives the ball. Right-handed hitter that starts from a slightly open stance. Uses a short stride. Tends to bar his arm in his load, which creates some length to his swing. Typically takes level path from shoulder trigger.

Matthew Devney, RHP/3B, Padua Franciscan HS

5-foot-9, 180-pound with strong build. Ran a 7.7 60. Uses short arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Reached top velocity of 71 mph across the infield. Needs to continue to improve footwork as he gets flat at times. At the plate the right-handed hitter, starts with an open stance. He takes a long stride with a slight uphill path to the ball. On the mound, he throws from an over the top arm slot with regular effort. Fastball shows some arm side run at 72-74 mph. Tends to slow down his arm speed with his off-speed pitches.  Uses a 62-63 mph breaking ball and a 62-63 mph changeup with some arm side fade.

Seth Durham, IF/OF, Perrysburg HS

5-foot-10, 165-pound infield prospect. Registered a 7.08 60. Projects as second baseman type right now. Uses short arm action through high ¾ arm slot across the infield. Needs to continue improving arm strength. Reached a top velocity of 72 mph across the infield.  Shows good range. Left-handed hitter that starts from a closed stance. Uses leg kick trigger. Tends to collapse his back leg. Shows some strength in his hands. Takes slight uphill path to the ball. Creates line drive type production.

Shayne Erny, 3B/RHP, St. Edward HS

6-foot, 185-pound two-way prospect. Ran a 7.29 60. Uses short, stiff arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 73 mph across the infield. Needs to continue improving footwork as he is often on his heels. At the plate, the right-handed hitter shows some balance with a shot stride. Takes a level path to the ball. Tendency to bar his arm in his load. Line drive production. On the mound, he throws from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball is straight at 70-74 mph. Curveball is soft with gradual 11/5 break at 59-60 mph and changeup fluctuates between 68-73 mph.

Thomas Finegan, C/OF, Woodridge HS

5-foot-11, 190-pound with a solid frame. Ran a 7.94 60. Uses good glove to hand exchange with short arm action. Reached a top velocity of 69 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.24-2.35. Will improve with quicker footwork. From the outfield, he reached a top velocity of 75 mph. Projects as a corner outfield type. At the plate, the left-handed hitter starts with a slightly open stance and closed himself off with his stride. This stops his lower half from completing rotating. Displays quick hands into the zone (top exit velocity of 83 mph off the tee).  Shows pull tendencies in his swing. Definite power potential. Bat is his best tool at present.

Lucas Goehler, RHP/OF, Medina HS

6-foot, 155-pound prospect with lanky, athletic build. Ran a 7.22 60. Shows good actions from the outfield with long arm action and a top velocity of 82 mph. Plays through the ball and shows a good crow hop. At the plate, he uses an upright stance. Takes level path to the ball. Registered a top exit velocity of 72 mph off the tee. On the mound, the right-hander uses long arm action. His back leg collapses during his delivery. Fastball sits 77-79 mph. Curveball shows tight 11/5 break at 65-66 mph and his changeup sits at 71-73 mph.

Loie Greenwood, 2B/3B, Gahanna Lincoln HS

5-foot-11, 171-pound prospect with a soft frame. Ran a 8.06 60. Projects as a corner infielder. Uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 71 mph across the infield. Needs to play through the ball as he tends to get flat. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts in an open stance with a slight crouch. Takes short path to the ball. Reached a top exit velocity of 74 mph.

Jacob Kucia, SS/OF, St. Ignatius HS

6-foot, 160-pound infielder with average, athletic build. Ran a 7.26 60-yard dash. Uses short arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Reached top velocity of 73 mph across the infield with accurate throws. Needs to keep his feet moving through the ball. Tendency to get flat-footed. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a slight crouch and high hands. Takes level path to the ball. Line drive type production.

Charles Kuhn, SS/RHP, Twinsburg HS

6-foot, 170-pound two-way prospect. Ran a 7.40 60. From the outfield, he reached a top velocity of 71 mph. Needs to improve footwork and play through the baseball. In the infield, he reached a top velocity of 73 mph with his throws. Will improve as he takes better routes to the ball and keeps his feet moving. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts in a wide base with high hands. Reached a top exit velocity of 74 mph. On the mound, he throws through a high ¾ arm slot with long arm action. His fastball sits at 72-75 mph with straight action. His curveball sits at 60 mph with good depth while his slider shows sharper break at 63-64 mph. He tends to slow down his arm speed with his changeup, which sits at 65-66 mph.

Damian Maglione, SS, Lake HS

5-foot-9, 174-poud infield prospect with strong, athletic build. Ran 7.23 60. Receives the ball well. Shows some softness in his hands. Throws from low ¾ arm slot with short arm action. Reached top velocity of 74 mph. Right-handed hitter. Starts in a wide base with a slight crouch. Uses rotational mechanics without a stride. Takes level path to the ball. Line drive type production. Registered top exit velocity of 79 mph off the tee.

Zach Manos, SS/RHP, North Canton Hoover HS

6-foot, 180-pound prospect with average frame. Ran a 8.11 60. Uses short arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Shows average hands. Needs to play through the baseball as he tends to be flat footed while fielding the ball. Reached a top velocity of 74 mph across the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with an open stance. Takes a long stride that leads to a bit of a dive and shift in his balance. Reached a top exit velocity of 70 mph off the tee.  On the mound, he shows a slow, deliberate delivery that doesn’t require much effort. Shows good mound presence. Fastball sits 75-79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 break with good depth at 59-61 mph and changeup sits at 66-68 mph.

Zeke Martin, 1B/RHP, Medina HS

6-foot-5, 245-pound prospect with big, physical frame. Ran a 7.8 60-yard dash. Moves well around the bag. Uses quick transfer with long arm action. Reached a top velocity of 76 mph on his throws. Starts in a balance stance. Tends to drop his hands in his load. Needs to control with top hand. Still, he shows some speed into the zone (top exit velocity of 84 mph). Doesn’t consistently achieve extension. Posses the body and strength to be a power hitter.

Collin Minor, SS/2B, Medina HS

5-foot-11, 195-pound infield prospect. Registered a 7.67 60. Projects as a third base type. Throws through an over the top arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 74 mph across the infield. Takes good angles to the baseball. At the plate, he shows some balance in his swing from the right side. Triggers his swing with a toe tap. Starts his hands from his shoulder in his load. Takes level path to the ball. Shows pull tendencies in his swing. Reached top exit velocity of 80 mph off the tee.

Ross Nielsen, 1B/3B, Crestwood HS

6-foot-2, 190-pound corner infield prospect with long, lanky frame. Ran a 7.94 60. Uses short arm action with a long transfer. Reached top velocity of 59 mph. at the plate, he starts with a wide, closed stance. Hands start high in his load. Shows partial use of his lower half. Reached a top exit velocity of 76 mph. Contact type hitter that will improve as he gets stronger.

Matt Noel, C/3B, Tallmadge HS

5-foot-10, 185-pound catching prospect. Ran 7.47 60. Uses short arm action with a hitch. Reached a top velocity of 75 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.23-2.33. Accuracy and strength will improve as he consistently closed up his front side. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a toe tap. Shows a minimal upper half load with a short path to the ball. Reached a top exit velocity of 77 mph off the tees.

Antonio Pagan, OF/2B, Clearview HS

6-foot, 145-pound prospect with skinny frame. Registered 7.51 60-yard dash. From the outfield, he reached a top velocity of 70 mph from a low ¾ arm slot. Plays through the ball and uses crow hop. Needs to continue to improve foot work. At the plate, he starts with a wide stance and in a slight crouch. Takes level path to the ball. Reached top exit velocity of 67 mph.

Yanni Patten, 1B, Medina Highland HS

6-foot-2, 205-pound first baseman with a soft frame. Registered a 7.85 60. Moves well around the bag. Uses long arm action. Needs to continue to quicken transfer. Reached at top velocity of 65 mph. At the plate, the left-handed hitter continues to show improvement in his swing. Uses a short stride with an uphill path to the ball. Displays the makings of middle of the order bat with pull power. Reached a top exit velocity of 82 mph off the tee.

Jarod Pettry, OF/RHP, Brunswick HS

6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way prospect. Ran a 7.49 60. From the outfield, he reached a top velocity of 74 mph with short arm action through a high ¾. Displayed accurate throws. At the plate, the left-handed hitter uses a short stride. Contact type hitter with line drive production. Registered a top exit velocity of 76 mph off the tee. On the mound, he uses a slow rhythm with a high leg kick. Fastball sits 68-70 mph. Will add velocity with better use of his lower half. Breaking ball shows a small bite to it at 59-60 mph and his slider stays on one plane at 66 mph. His changeup registers at 59-60 mph.

Ryan Pitts, RHP, Stow Monroe HS

5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Uses long arm action. Tends to wrap during his back arm extension. Throws from a low ¾ to ¾ arm slot. Fastball shows good run at 79-81 mph. Curveball shows 10/4 break with small bite at 67-68 mph. Slider stays on one plane at 69-71 mph. Changeup is thrown near fastball arm speed at 68-69 mph.

Sam Russo, C/OF, North Canton Hoover HS

5-foot-10, 170-pound catching prospect. Ran a 7.59 60. Sets up in a wide base in his crouch. Throws from an over the top arm slot. Pop time fluctuates between 2.13-2.38. Will improve by shortening up his footwork. Reached a top velocity of 70 mph from the crouch. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a slightly open stance. Takes a short stride to the ball. Hands load from a high trigger. Reached a top exit velocity of 79 mph off the bat.

Mullen Socha, 2B/RHP, St. Ignatius HS

5-foot-10, 150-pound prospect with smallish build. Registered a 7.23 60. In the infield, tends to field the ball flat footed. Needs to play through the ball. Uses long arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Reached top velocity of 69 mph across the infield. At the plate, he starts in a wide base with high hands. Takes a downward path through the zone. Will enhance power with more use of his lower half. On the mound, he uses a slow deliberate delivery with long, wrapping arm action. His fastball sits at 70-73 mph while his curveball is at 58-61 mph and his changeup at 62-64 mph.

Brady Tieland, SS/2B, Revere HS

5-foot-8, 130-pound smallish infield prospect. Registered a 7.65 60. Receives the ball well in the infield. Shows some softness in his hands. Uses short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 74 mph. Consistently plays through the ball. At the plate, he starts with a slightly open stance. Uses a short stride. Line drive/contact type hitter.

Griffin Watterson, 2B/RHP, Bay HS

5-foot-10, 185-pound with solid frame. Ran a 7.52 60. Uses hsort arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Reached top velocity of 73 mph. Shows average feet and glovework. At the plate,  he uses a short stride and shows some quickness into the zone. Generated consistent line drives to all fields. Uses rotational mechanics. Solid right-handed bat. On the mound, his fastball sits 77-80 mph. His curveball fluctuates between 59-64 mph while his slider shows slurvey type action at 64 mph. His changeup shows some fade at 66 mph, but lacks command.

Garett Zorb, 3B/RHP, St. Edward HS

5-foot-8, 185-pound prospect. Ran a 8.15 60. Uses short arm action. Shows some softness in his hands. Needs to quicken his transfer. Reached top velocity of 76 mph on his throws. At the plate, he hits from the left side. Starts from slightly open stance and squares back up with short stride. Uses rotational mechanics. Shows partial use of his lower half. Power will increase with more use of it. Shows opposite field tendencies in his swing. Takes slight uphill path to the ball. On the mound, he uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sits 75-77 with occasional sink. Curveball shows small bite at 66-68 mph. Tends to show the pitch with a stiff wrist. Changeup shows occasional fade at 66-67 mph. 


MWFGtryoutsOH