Prep Baseball Report

2020 Preseason All-State Southeast: Session 1 & 2 Standouts


Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

The Preseason All-State Southeast kicked off action in the Pennsylvania All-State tour with invitations to the 2020 Pennsylvania State Games on the line. Two days of action involving 130 prospects took place at Keystone State Baseball Academy on February 15th and 16th. Following is a look at a small sampling of the talented prospects in attendance. For complete results for all prospects in attendance ... CLICK TABS BELOW.

Session 1 (February 15, 2020)  //  Session 2 (February 16, 2020)

Breakout Performances

Rueben Livingston 3B / RHP / Wilson West lawn, PA / 2022

One of the most physical athletes in attendance over two days of the event. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, slightly open stance and uses a controlled lift-and-replace stride to begin. Stays in his legs and clears his hips well to allow his hands to explode through the zone creating consistent back spin. Registered a 94 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.00 60-yard dash. Showcased active feet and a soft glove hand defensively with above average 90 mph arm strength across the diamond. The righty sat 85-88 off the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot with solid leg drive. Curveball at 72-75 showed advanced two-plane break with tight 11/5 rotation. Changeup at 75-78 is commanded down in the zone with arm-side fade.

 

Gilbert Saunders RHP / 1B / The Hill School, PA / 2022

Standout performer from Day One of the event. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound primary pitcher is athletic in his frame and while still raw has a tremendous amount of potential. The righty sat 85-88 with a max effort delivery that includes a hip coil. Additional work to become more efficient with his lower half and to allow his arm to work fluidly could easily see five mph of velocity added in short order. Curveball at 75-80 showed tight, short break and changeup was thrown at near fastball arm speed with arm-side fade at 77-78. Command was an issue on this date. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Showcased balance throughout and a combination of bat strength and speed that led to balls exploding off his barrel. Registered the top bat exit velocity of the event at 102 mph and ran an impressive 6.88 60-yard dash. Defensive skills at first base are a work in progress with a move to the outfield a possiblity to utilize solid foot speed and athleticism.

 

Joseph Wilga 3B / 1B / Central Bucks East, PA / 2023

6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitter starts from square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Showcased balance throughout with excellent hip rotation while producing consistent back spin with power to both gaps. Took one of the most polished rounds of batting practice over two days of event. Registered a bat exit velocity of 93 mph and ran a 7.94 60-yard dash. Displayed active feet and played through the baseball routinely defensively with 81 mph arm strength across the diamond from third base. Definite early high follow in the Class of 2023.


Former Team Pennsylvania Players (PBR Future Games)

Jake Books 1B / LHP / Spring-Ford, PA / 2022

2019 PBR Future Games. 6-foot-1, 200-pound left-handed hitter took arguably the most polished round of batting practice over two days. He starts from a square stance and utilizes a controlled lift-and-replace stride to begin. Showcased a very efficient lower half while getting on plane early and staying through pitches. Creates back spin on the inner half while also showing the ability to drive the opposite field gap. Registered a bat exit velocity of 93 mph and ran a 7.34 60-yard dash. Displayed a soft glove hand and solid foot work around the bag at first base with 80 mph arm strength across the diamond.

 

Justin Butler

Justin Butler C / Quakertown Community , PA / 2021

2019 PBR Future Games. 6-foot-1, 186-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Physical hitter makes a hard move to his front side but stays behind the baseball well with a gap-to-gap approach. Registered a bat exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 7.32 60-yard dash. Athletic receiver showcased the top pop time of the event at 1.98-2.05 on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch.

 

Cam Conley SS / 2B / Malvern Prep, PA / 2021

2018 PBR Future Games. 5-foot-10, 165-pounder is noticeably bigger and stronger than the last time we saw him. The right-handed hitter stars from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to begin. An explosive lower half results in advanced barrel whip and consistent loud contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 98 mph and ran a 6.83 60-yard dash. The uncommitted junior has more than enough arm strength at 87 mph to remain on the left side of the diamond at the next level. Defensive actions are clean and he plays low to the ground with an ability to make throws from multiple arm angles.

 

Committed Prospects

Spencer Butz SS / OF / York Suburban, PA / 2021

Pitt commit. 5-foot-10, 170-pound Pitt recruit ran an event best 6.54 60-yard dash. Strong and athletic, the right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a constrolled leg-lift stride. Displayed balance throughout with an ability to create back spin. Registered a 98 mph bat exit velocity. Continues to develop defensively with clearner, more efficient actions at shortstop. 87 mph arm strength will play anywhere on the diamond at the next level, including all three outfield spots.

 

Sam Morris RHP / OF / Owen J. Roberts, PA / 2021

La Salle commit. 5-foot-11, 175-pound La Salle commit. Primary pitcher sat 83-85 from a 3/4 arm slot with sink to his fastball. Curveball showed depth and 11/5 shape at 68-70. Changeup at 69-70 is still a pitch in development. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and uses a heel-raise stride to begin. Showcased a quiet load wiht balance throughout and a strong hip turn while consistently making loud contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 92 mph and ran a 6.94 60-yard dash. Played through the baseball with athletic actions in the outfield while showcasing the top arm strength of the event at 91 mph to home plate.

 

RJ Rickabaugh C / OF / Coatesville Area, PA / 2022

Pittsburgh commit5-foot-11, 185-pound Pittsburgh commit. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and fires his hands from a point of strength with a simple heel-raise stride. Showcased a solid hip turn and a gap-to-gap approach with a feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 87 mph and ran a 7.56 60-yard dash. Polished receiver with quiet receiving skills showcased pop times of 2.09-2.15 on throws of 79 mph out of the crouch with a brief pause in his transition that could be quickly eliminated to lower times to the 2.00 range.

 

Asa Wilson C / OF / Exeter Township, PA / 2021

Pennsylvania commit6-foot-3, 185-pounder continues to make improvements and impressed again on this occasion. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a leg-lift stride to begin. Showed a feel for the barrel with balance throughout while creating consistent back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 92 mph and ran a 6.80 60-yard dash. Solid receiver works hard behind the plate and has the qualities to be a leader behind the dish. Showcased pop times of 1.98-2.03 on throws of 78 mph from the crouch.


Uncommitted Prospects

Danny Ciotti OF / RHP / Pennsbury, PA / 2021

5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and uses a toe-tap stride to begin. Showcased very quick hands and an explosive lower half while making loud contact. Swings with intent and creates back spin regularly. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran a 6.78 60-yard dash. Showed advanced athleticism defensively with above average carry on throws of 90 mph from the outfield. Also sat 82-84 off the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot with life in the zone. Curveball showed solid depth at 69-72 with 11/5 rotation and changeup had arm-side fade at 76-77.


Charles Evans OF / RHP / Pennsbury, PA / 2022

5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter continues to get better every time we see him. He starts from a narrow, slightly open stance and utlizes a leg-hang stride to begin. Showcased advanced barrel awareness and the ability to create back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 6.91 60-yard dash. Advanced defender will be a difference maker in center field at the next level. Gets excellent reads and takes precise routes to the baseball. Displayed 87 mph arm strength on this date.


Sean Finn SS / 2B / Central Bucks South, PA / 2022

Talented two-way prospect worked out solely as a position player on this date. The right-handed hitter impressed starting from a square stance while using a leg-lift stride to begin. Showcased an explosive lower half while making consistent loud contact with routine back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 7.24 60-yard dash. Displayed more than enough arm strength at 88 mph to play anywhere on the diamond defensively.


Jack Giovenco C / OF / Parkland, PA / 2021

6-foot, 170-pounder had a breakout performance. Ther right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a knee-to-knee strride to begin. Showcased balance and rhythm throughout with a compact swing path. Registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph and ran an impressive 6.62 60-yard dash. Showcased polished, athletic actions defensively behind the dish with quick feet, a clean release and pop times of 2.05-2.11 on thrrows of 74 mph out of the crouch.


Ian Korn RHP / 3B / York Suburban, PA / 2021

5-foot-10, 190-pounder impressed with a well-rounded skill set that should make him a sought after prospect in the coming year. The primary pitcher sat 85-87 from a high 3/4 arm slot starting from a controlled side rocker step. Curveball at 67-72 showed two-plane biting action that was late. Also worked a cutter off the fastball at 82-84 that could become a very effective pitch with adjustments to the grip. Changeup at 78-79 was thrown at fastball arm speed with even more cut. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-lift stride. Showcased balance throughout with a middle of the field approach while staying behind the baseball. Registered a bat exit velocity of 92 mph and ran a 6.95 60-yard dash. Finished off an impressive performance by showcasing athletic actions at third base with 90 mph arm strength across the diamond.


Michael Lennon LHP / 1B / North Penn, PA / 2021

6-foot-4, 188-pound left-handed pitcher sat 82-85 from a high 3/4 arm slot with arm-side run to his fastball. Delivery is repeatable and controlled with some hip coil. Curveball at 65-69 had slider action while changeup at 74-76 showed arm-side fade. Long, lean frame has room to add significant strength with additional velocity likely to come.


Matthew Martinez C / 3B / Bethlehem Catholic, PA / 2021

One of the most physical prospects in attendance over two days. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and uses a lift-and-replace stride to begin. Showcased a compact, repeatable swing with little wasted motion. Stays in legs well and creates consistent back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 7.33 60-yard dash. Displayed quiet receiving skills behind the dish with pop times of 2.09-2.15 on throws of 76 mph out of the crouch.


Quinn Moody SS / 3B / Central Bucks East, PA / 2022

5-foot-11, 175-pounder has added two inches and 20 pounds to his frame in the past year. The right-handed hitter starts from a slighlty open stance and initiates his swing with a leg-lift stride. Displayed above average barrel whip and gap-power with back spin when on time with his front foot. Registered a bat exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 6.73 60-yard dash. Plays low to the ground defensively and displayed active feet with advanced 87 mph arm strength across the diamond.


Kaden Peifer C / RHP / Red Land, PA / 2022

6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and begins with a lift-and-replace stride. Showcased a compact swing with balance throughout and a middle of the field approach. Registered a bat exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 7.53 60-yard dash. Two-way prospect displayed pop times of 2.07-2.14 on throws of 76 mph from the crouch. The righty also sat 83-85 from a 3/4 arm slot on the mound with heavy arm-side run on his fastball. A slider at 71-74 showed tight, late break and changeup at 74-76 was thrown with good sell and had some sinking action.


Aidan Quinn 3B / OF / Central Bucks West, PA / 2022

6-foot, 187-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a pronounced leg-hang stride. Has shown the ability to control the leg-hang and get his foot down on time repeatedly in game action. Creates advanced barrel whip and above average back spin with current pop to both gaps. Registered a bat exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 7.44 60-yard dash. Solid defender at third base showcased active feet and confidence in his glove hand while routinely playing through the baseball. Displayed 83 mph arm strength across the diamond.


Joseph Wileczek SS / RHP / West Chester East, PA / 2021

5-foot-6, 150-pound right-handed hitter impressed with a well-rounded skill set. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short leg-lift stride to begin. Stays in legs well and showed above average feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran one of the top 60-yard dash times of the day at 6.66. Plays low to the ground defensively with active feet and solid lateral range while displaying impressive 88 mph arm strength across the diamond.


Josh Zambito 1B / C / Penn Hills, PA / 2021

6-foot-3, 235-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and uses a controlled lift-and-replace stride to begin. Displayed balance throughout while attacking the ball with intent creating consistent back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 96 mph and ran a 7.71 60-yard dash. Showcased capable defensive actions at both corner infield postions with 85 mph arm strength across the diamond.


UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2020 Preseason All-State - NE/Central PA 02/29 Liberty Sports Arena
2020 Preseason All-State - Northwest (SOLD OUT) PA 02/29 Erie Premier Sports
2020 Keystone State Bombers Scout Day PA 03/01 Keystone State Baseball Academy
2020 Jr PA State Games Trials (10 spots left) PA 03/08 Keystone State Baseball Academy
2020 Northeast JUCO Day PA 06/03 Dutchess Stadium


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