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2017 Rankings Update Preview: Risers

August 17, 2015

By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

Today's article on prospects who made big jumps in to our soon-to-be updated 2017 rankings is the second installment of a preview for the entire list being released at the end of the week. The rest of the week will be devoted to an early look at the first seventeen prospects on the list (i.e. the Top 17 in '17).

Three rising juniors -- Wissahickon corner infielder Alexander Tappen, Knoch outfielder Dominic Bucko, and Wyoming Valley West catcher Justin Vought -- all made leaps from the fringes of the Top 50 to the aforementioned Top 17. Tappen is a physical right-handed hitter with power potential who verbally committed to Virginia earlier this summer. Bucko is a toolsy switch-hitter with good speed who was the sparkplug on Knoch's state championship squad this spring. Vought is a quality catch-and-throw guy with some juice in his bat as well who is verbally committed to Maryland.

Pottsville Area 3B/RHP Gavin Hinchliffe showed very well at the PBR PA Top Prospect Games in June. His fastball sat 85-87 and touched 88, while he also featured a mid-70s slider with short, hard tilt. The right-handed hitter exhibited power potential and solid speed, especially for a corner infielder.

Two left-handed hitting middle infielders -- Blackhawk's Mark Engel and Dallastown Area's Tye Golden -- both find themselves more prominently featured that in the previous iteration of the list. At the Top Prospect Games, Engel showcased quality defensive skills along with a smooth stroke and good footspeed. Golden, who verbally committed to Old Dominion, is a solid defender with a short, quick swing and demonstrated ability to hit to all fields.

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