Prep Baseball Report

Elite Prospect Showcase Analysis: Class of 2018 Outfielders



By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

The 2015 Elite Prospect Showcase took place Saturday, November 7th at Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manheim, PA with 75 prospects from four states displaying their skills. Today we continue our analysis of all prospects in attendance by reviewing outfielders in the class of 2018.

Donegal outfielder Kyle Hess stood out, or, more accurately, ran to the head of the class, with a blazing 6.64 60-yard dash. The 6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and strides to slightly closed. His hands work and he keeps his head still throughout his swing. Has some strength in his wrists and forearms that helped generate an 86-mph exit velocity. Defensively, he exhibited a nice, short arm action and his throws of 83-mph traveled true with carry. As a freshman, Hess was one of only two underclass starters on the Indians' PIAA Class AAA state semifinal squad.

 

Trent Baker, OF, Spring Grove Area
5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed hitter who ran a 7.07 60-yard dash and posted an 80-mph exit velocity. Hits from a square stance with a slightly uphill path. Limited weight transfer (most of it says on his backside) causes bat to come out of zone early instead of staying through contact. Defensively, he would see improvement in his 70-mph arm strength if he would square up his front foot toward his target so he could work through the throw.

James Balogh, RHP/OF, Pocono Mountain East
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.88 60-yard dash and posted an 82-mph exit velocity. Primary pitcher (who showed well on the mound) hits from a slightly open stance, incorporating a heel-raise stride. Arm bar in load creates some stiffness in swing, although he showed an ability to barrel the baseball during his BP round. Defensively, he exhibited athletic actions and a long, loose arm action that generated 81-mph arm strength.

Brady Bash, OF/RHP, West Chester Henderson
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 7.31 60-yard dash and posted an 86-mph exit velocity. Hits from a slightly open stance and stayed inside the baseball. Body drifts forward with stride and he was occasionally late getting his front foot down. Defensively, there is some effort to his throw, but he flashed peak arm strength of 85-mph.

Tracy Carr, OF, Dallastown Area
5-foot-7, 150-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.82 60-yard dash and posted an 88-mph exit velocity. Starts from an open stance and strides to slightly open. Attacks the baseball from a high hands launch point, with a short path and flashes some bat speed. Barreled the baseball during his BP round, mostly to the pullside. Defensively, he exhibited solid athleticism and 78-mph arm strength.

Evan Marushak, OF, Emmaus
5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter who ran a 7.25 60-yard dash and posted an 86-mph exit velocity. Hits from a slightly closed stance with an approach geared to the opposite field. Somewhat low launch point with armbar created during load, but barreled the baseball throughout his BP round. Defensively, his throws of 83-mph had some carry to them.

Ben Mongelluzzo, OF/RHP, Penn-Trafford
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.95 60-yard dash and posted an 87-mph exit velocity. Starts from a slightly open stance and takes minimal stride to square. Gets into his front side early, while his hands work reasonably well and he keeps his head fairly still. Defensively, he showcased 81-mph arm strength with a wrist wrap in his arm action.

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