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By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania continued this week with the 2017 Western PA Top Prospect Games on July 18 and 19. 55 prospects from across the state gathered for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities at the Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber, PA. Today we continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at those that participated as position players as a member of the Red Team.

Red Team (Position players)

TOP PROSPECT

Cade Patterson, 2019, C, Penn-Trafford HS
5-foot-11, 160-pound backstop with an athletic frame that should continue to develop in coming years.  Advanced catch-and-throw abilities. Set event record with 79 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times of 2.03-2.08.  Displayed quick feet a clean transfer and solid carry with throws consistently on the bag.  Quick feet were also evident in Patterson's 6.84 60-yard dash.  Right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg hang to initiate his swing.  Tendency to pull bat head through the zone leads to some barrel drag.  Registered an 83 mph bat exit velocity and went 5-for-5 with two doubles and a walk during game action. Patterson plays 3B currently in high school with teammate Josh Spiegel, a 2018 Oklahoma State commit, currently filing the starting role behind the plate.

Remainder of Roster: (in alphabetical order)

JD Armstrong, 2019, SS/2B, Pine-Richland HS
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a heel-raise stride to initiate his swing. Went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly in game action on day two while registering a bat exit velocity of 82 mph.  Solid defender plays through the baseball routinely and continues to demonstrate the ability to make all plays in rhythm.  Registered 78 mph arm strength across the diamond and showed improving foot speed with a 7.72 60-yard dash.

Justin Dattoli, 2018, 3B, Seneca Valley HS
5-foot-11, 185-pound corner infielder displayed capable glove work at both corner infield positions with 70 mph arm strength across the diamond.  Projects best at first base at next level due to foot speed (8.15 60-yard dash).  Right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open, wide stance and utilizes a short, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing.  Displayed a feel for the barrel with a line drive approach to all fields during batting practice.  

Seth Derugen, 2018, OF/2B, Juniata Valley HS
5-foot-9, 140-pounder displayed a well rounded skill set during the course of the two day event.  Ran a 6.94 60-yard dash and showcased 88 mph arm strength from the outfield with athletic actions. Also flashed quick feet and solid 81 mph arm strength across the diamond during work in the middle infield. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and showcased a short swing path with a line drive approach while displaying a middle-opposite approach in batting practice.  Went 2-for-5 with a walk and two double during game action.

Bryce Eberly, 2018, 1B/LHP, Manheim Central HS
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a high hands load to initiate a pull oriented swing.  Displayed solid lower half action and the ability to drive the gap with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph.  Showcased capable footwork and a soft glove hand around the bag at first base with accurate 71 mph arm strength across the diamond. Ran a 7.33 60-yard dash and worked one solid inning on the mound allowing one hit while registering three strikeouts.  The lefty sat 75-76 with natural cut to his fastball from an over-the-top arm slot.  Hides ball well allowing for his velocity to play up.  Flashed a biting curveball with 1/7 rotation at 65-66 that he threw to the back foot of right-handed hitters for repeated swing throughs.

Jacob Keene, 2018, 3B/1B, Butler Area HS
6-foot, 215-pound corner infielder displayed above average abilities at both positions with a chance to play both at the next level.  The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance displayed balance throughout his swing with above average barrel whip (85 mph bat exit velocity).  Showcased the potential for some power in his batting practice round and drove a ball to the gap for a triple in game action.

Cameron Panyko Morris, 2020, OF, West Allegheny HS
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing.  Showcased a flat barrel path through the zone with a feel for the barrel and a bat exit velocity of 81 mph.  Went 3-for-6 in game action and ran a 7.56 60-yard dash. Displayed accurate 82 mph arm strength from the outfield while playing through the baseball.

Brett Pitzer, 2019, OF, Mohawk HS
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes an abbreviated leg-hang stride to initiate a compact swing.  After a slow start to his round of batting practice he displayed an ability to routinely barrel the baseball with a short swing path and an ability to stay inside the baseball.  Registered a bat exit velocity of 79 mph and ran a 7.31 60-yard dash. Showcased accurate 81 mph arm strength from the outfield and the ability to play both corner outfield positions.

Cameron Vozel, 2019, C/1B, Seneca Valley HS
5-foot-10, 180-pounder with advanced receiving skills.  Quiet receiver with excellent blocking skills. Showcased pop times of 2.07-2.15 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch.  Ran a 7.57 60-yard dash and registered an 82 mph bat exit velocity.  Right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short leg-lift stride to initiate his swing.  Turns on lower half well and works through the baseball with the potential for some future power.  

Koby Winslow, 2018, 2B/SS, Rocky Grove HS
5-foot-6, 135-pounder gets a lot out of his physical stature.  Ran a 7.03 60-yard dash and showcased defensive abilities best suite for second base at the next level.  Showcased active feet, a quick release and accurate 75 mph arm strength across the diamond.  The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride.  Hands work well through contact and displayed a line drive approach with feel for the barrel in batting practice.  Gets out of the box well as evidenced by a 4.29 home-to-1B on a ground ball to short.

ANALYSIS SCHEDULE

7/20 Complete Results & Top Performers
7/21 Red Team (Pitcher Onlys)
7/22 Red Team (Two-way Prospects)
7/23 Red Team (Position Players)
7/24 Navy Team (Pitcher Onlys)
7/25 Navy Team (Two-way Prospects)
7/26 Navy Team (Position Players)
7/27 Team PBR (Pitcher Onlys)
7/28 Team PBR (Two-way Prospects)
7/29 Team PBR (Position Players)