Prep Baseball Report

Player Analysis: Team Black from the Top Prospect Games



By Chris Valentine and Sean Duncan
PBR Ohio Scouting Director and PBR Executive Director

Previously, we release the complete statistical analysis from the 2013 Top Prospect Games. 

Andrew Burton, RHP/IF, Middletown HS, 2014

5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way prospect with athletic body. Registered a 6.98 60-yard dash. In the field, he reached a top velocity of 81 mph. His feet work, but he has a tendency to get long with his transfer. With his athleticism, may be best suited in the outfield or second base at the next level. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a wide stance. Uses a short stride and partial use of his lower half. Takes a short path to the ball. Reached a top exit velocity of 84 mph off the tee. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher uses short arm action with above average arm speed through a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball was straight at 81-84 mph while his curveball sat between 65-69. Had a tendency to get outside of it and create flat spin at times. When on top, he showed gradual, 12/6 break.

Brad Wilson, RHP, Northridge HS, 2014

6-foot-1, 225-pound right-handed pitcher with solid build and strong lower half. Uses short arm action with average arm speed through high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 80-83 mph straight movement. Relies on a 71-72 mph breaking ball with gradual 11/5 break. Shows drop and drive type mechanics to his delivery.

Bryan Janson, IF, Beavercreek HS, 2014

6-foot, 160-pound infield prospect. Registered a 6.89 60-yard dash. Registered a top velocity of 73 mph across the infield. Needs to continue improving footwork and shorten length of exchange. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a tall setup and high back elblow. Tendency to dive in his stride. Registered a top exit velocity of 81 mph off the tee.

Casey Demko, IF, Bellbrook, 2015

6-foot, 150-pound middle infield prospect. Registered a 6.95 60-yard dash. Shows fluid actions in the field. Good instincts and routes to the baseball. Throws from all angles and shows a rhythm to his play. Reached a top velocity of 81 mph on his throws. At the plate, he hits from both sides. Contact type hitter from both sides. Starts with wide base and his hands at his ears in his load. Showed the ability to drive the ball the other way from the left side. Power should increase as his body continues to mature.

Chandler Stahl, RHP, Manchester, 2014

6-foot-1, 207-pound right-handed pitcher. Uses short arm action with average arm speed through a high ¾ arm slot. Delivery requires some effort to it. Fastball is straight at 80-84 mph. Uses a 69-70 mph breaking ball with 11/5 movement. Also uses a 74 mph changeup thrown near fastball arm speed.

Dakoda Brown, LHP, Toledo Christian, 2014

6-foot-1, 175-pound southpaw with 78-81 mph fastball. Throws from high ¾ arm slot with short arm action and average arm speed. Delivery requires regular effort. Curveball sat at 69 mph with 1/7 break. Also showed a straight changeup at 71 mph near fastball arm speed.

Dallas Hall, OF, Bishop Fenwick, 2015

5-foot-9, 175-pound outfield prospect with athletic, solid build. Registered a 7.18 60-yard dash. Showed short arm action. Reached a top velocity of 76 mph on his throws. At the plate, the right-handed hitter shows an aggressive approach. Consistently squared up the baseball with some pop in his bat. Reached a top exit velocity of 88 mph off the tee.

Eric Terry, C, Summit Country Day, 2015

5-foot-7, 160-pound catcher with short, solid build. Uses short arm action from the crouch to reach a top velocity of 70 mph. Good setup. Shows a quick transfer and fluid footwork. Little wasted movement in his actions. Pop times ranged between 2.11 to 2.23. At the plate, the switch hitter showed strongest from the right side. Starts with his hands high in his load. Shows pull tendencies. Line drive type production. From the left the side, he uses a short stride with decent use of his lower half. Contact type hitter that didn’t show much power. Registered a 8.14 60-yard dash.

Greg Simpson, RHP/IF, Sycamore HS, 2014

5-foot-9, 180-pound prospect with plenty of raw tools. Registered a 6.94 60-yard dash. Showed best on the mound with an 83-87 mph fastball that showed some run to it. Throws from a high ¾ arm slot with quick arm speed and short arm action. Struggled at times with repeatability of his delivery and command. Also used a 73-74 mph breaking ball with 11/5 break to it.  In the field, he shows some quickness in his feet, but needs to improve routes to the ball and glovework. Reached a top velocity of 77 mph across the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a toe tap in his load. Tendency to wrap his bat, which creates some length to his swing. Still shows some quickness in his hands (83 mph exit velocity off the tee).

Jacob Nicewaner, RHP/IF/C, Tecumseh HS, 2014

6-foot, 192-pound prospect with athletic, solid build. Registered a 7.67 60-yard dash. In the field, he showed the ability to play a corner spot. Threw through a high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Reached a top velocity of 76 mph across the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a balance setup. Shows some length in his load. Tendency to get stiff and bar his arm. Strong player that shows power when he squares up the baseball (90 mph exit velocity off the tee). On the mound, he throws through a high ¾ arm slot with short arm action. His fastball sits 79-81 mph with extreme cutting action. Also showed a 74-75 mph breaking ball with 11/5 movement and a 73 mph slider.

JD Orr, OF, Mount Vernon HS, 2015

5-foot-10, 185-pound left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder. Possess a strong, solid build. Registered an impressive 6.5 60-yard dash and 3.95 down the line during game play. Proto-typical lead off hitter. At the plate, the left-handed hitter uses a balanced setup. When he stays inside the baseball, the ball jumps off his bat. Shows quick bat speed (85 mph exit velocity off the tee) and a confident approach. Tendency to open the front side early and get around the baseball. In the field, he uses short arm action. Needs to quicken his transfer and exchange. Shows 81 mph arm strength on his throws. Exceptional athlete that is still learning how to maximize his strength and speed.

John Heckman, IF, Hamilton HS, 2014

5-foot-10, 165-pound infielder with athletic build. Registered a 6.94 60-yard dash. In the field, he uses short arm action and shows accuracy in his throws. Transfer has a tendency to get long. Reached a top velocity of 77 mph across the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a balance setup and short stride. Maintains his balance throughout his swing. Takes a short, level path to the ball. Line drive type hitter. Registered a top exit velocity of 83 mph off the tee.

Josh Tarter, OF/RHP, Carlisle HS, 2014

6-foot-4, 175-pound prospect with tall, athletic build. Future may be on the mound. Throws from a high ¾ to over the top arm slot with short arm action. There is some quickness in his arm. Fastball sits 83-85 mph but ramps up to 88 mph. Showed a 79-80 mph cutter with limited movement and a 74-76 mph changeup that showed occasional arm side run. In the outfield, he tends to throw uphill. Reached a top velocity of 87 mph on his throws. Registered a 7.35 60-yard dash. At the plate, the left-handed hitter starts with a closed stance. Uses a minimal load. Relies on his upper body. Swing will be aided by more incorporation of his lower half. Registered a top exit velocity of 85 mph off the tee.

Kyle Davis, IF/C, CHCA, 2014

6-foot, 195-pound prospect with solid build. Registered a 7.16 60-yard dash. While he primarily played third base in high school this past year, he may project best as a catcher at the next level. Uses short arm action and quick feet. Pop times sat between 1.94-2.04. In the field, he shows good body control at third base and some softness in his hands. Reached a top velocity of 81 mph on his throws.  Could eventually play first base at the next level as well. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a slightly open stance. Uses a leg kick to trigger his swing. Swing will improve as he maintains balance throughout swing. Exceptional bat speed with 94 mph exit velocity off the tee.

Levi Boyer, C, Carlisle HS, 2014

6-foot, 195-pound catching prospect. Registered a 7.18 60-yard dash. Shows quick feet and transfer behind the plate. Needs to improve direction of his feet.  Registered 1.92-2.07 pop times and a top velocity of 76 mph from the crouch. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a tall setup. Uses a choppy rhythm to his swing. Will only get better as he increases the use of his lower half. Still shows good bat speed with 90 mph exit velocity off the tee.

Nolan Dyko, LHP, Revere HS, 2014

6-foot-3, 185-pound southpaw. Throws from a ¾ arm slot with average arm speed and long arm action. Shows regular effort and tall and fall type delivery. Fastball sits 78-79 mph with straight action. Shows a 70-71 mph breaking ball with 2/8 break. Changeup sits at 68-70 mph. Will only get better as he develops better use of his lower half.

Peyton Burdick, OF/C, Glen Este HS, 2015

6-foot-1, 190-pound outfield prospect with athletic build. Registered a 7.25 60-yard dash. Uses short arm action through over the top arm slot. Shows accuracy and carry on his throws. Reached top velocity of 96 mph from the outfield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a slightly open stance. Uses a small leg kick. Shows quickness with his hands (91 mph exit velocity off the tee).  Definite power potential.

Sam Ankrom, LHP, Thomas Worthington HS, 2014

6-foot, 205-pound southpaw with solid build. Shows above average arm speed with short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat 82-85 mph with some life to it. Also uses a 66-69 mph breaking ball with late 1/7 break. At times, the pitch shows good depth. Also throws a changeup at 72-74 mph with similar run to the fastball.

TJ Dunn, OF, Mason HS, 2014

6-foot-2, 175-pound athletic outfielder. Registered a 7.13 60-yard dash. Shows carry and accuracy on his throws from the outfield. Reached a top velocity of 86 mph from the outfield. At the plate, he uses a leg kick, which creates some balance issues at times. Shows some strength in his hands. Takes uphill path to the ball. Displays pull tendencies in his swing. Registered a top exit velocity of 91 mph off the tee. Plenty of size, tools and athleticism for the next level.

Trey Abney, RHP/IF, Miami Valley School, 2014

6-foot, 175-pound two-way prospect. Registered a 6.85 60-yard dash. Registered a top velocity of 81 mph on his throws. Shows some athleticism and quickness in his feet. Hits from both sides at the plate, but is better from the left side, where he uses a wide base and shows pull power in his swing. From the right side, he starts with an open stance. Tends to get heavy on his front side during his load. On the mound, the right-hander sat 80-81 mph. he uses average arm speed through a high ¾ arm slot. At times, he struggled with his command. His curveball fluctuated between 69-73 mph with late 11/5 break.

Ty Duvall, C, Lebanon HS, 2016

5-foot-10, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher with solid build. Recognized as one of the top players for his age in the Midwest. Registered a 7.59 60-yard dash. Behind the plate, he shows advanced skills. Uses short arm action. Quick feet with little wasted movement. Transfer is clean and repeatable. Stays low through his throws. Pop times ranged between 1.92-2.01. Reached an impressive top velocity of 83 mph from the crouch. At the plate, the left-handed hitter utilizes a strong lower half. Shows an advanced approach. Quick hands into the zone and the ability to hit to all fields. Registered a top exit velocity of 87 mph off the tee.

Ty Helton, 1B, Milford HS, 2014

6-foot-2, 190-pound first baseman. Registered a 7.14 60-yard dash. Moves well around the bag. Showed strong accurate throws to second base and third base. Good receiver. At the plate, he starts with a balanced setup. Uses a short stride and smooth load. Quiet swing with little wasted movement. Line drive type hitter with some pop in his bat. Big, physical prospect. Registered a top exit velocity of 89 mph off the tee.

Tyler Burdick, OF/1B, Glen Este HS, 2014

6-foot-2, 220-pound corner outfield prospect. Registered an impressive 6.85 60-yard dash for his size. Best tool is his bat. The left-handed hitter starts with a tall, open stance. Utilizes a strong lower half. Takes an uphill path to the ball. Definite power in his swing. Shows pull tendencies. Potential middle of the order bat at the next level. In the field, he uses long arm action. Shows carry and accuracy to his throws. Reached a top velocity of 86 mph from the outfield.

Tyler Magley, RHP, Liberty Union HS, 2014

5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed pitcher with above average arm speed and short arm action through a high ¾ slot. He is a strike thrower. Shows command of his fastball and slider. The fastball sat at 79-81 mph and reached up to 82 mph with some run to it. Uses a hard 74-75 mph slider with late 11/5 break.

Tyson Schnitkey, RHP, Archbold HS, 2014

6-foot-4, 175-pound right-hander with long, lanky build. Uses a high ¾ arm slot with quick arm speed. Needs to continue improving use of his lower half. Tendency to sit on his back-side and open lower half too early. Still, shows obvious potential with size and velocity. Fastball sat 84-85 mph and ran up to 88 mph with some life to it. Shows the makings of a plus breaking ball at 76-78 mph with late 11/5 break. Also throws a 77 mph changeup with straight action.

Zack Artis, RHP, Akron Ellet HS, 2014

6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher. Uses long, loose arm action through a ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat at 81-84 mph. Breaking ball shows gradual 11/5 break at 70-72 mph. Also uses a 77 mph changeup.

Zack Blair, IF, Tippecanoe HS, 2015

5-foot-10, 165-pound infield prospect. Registered a 7.00 60-yard dash. At present, his bat is his best tool. Features balanced setup and smooth load. Displays a quiet swing with little wasted movement. Head stays steady. Shows quick bat speed (91 mph exit velocity off the tee) with a short path to the ball. Line drive type production. In the field, he uses long arm action through an over the top arm slot. Needs to continue improving footwork and playing through the baseball. Reached a top velocity of 74 mph across the infield.