Prep Baseball Report

Evaluating the Infielders from the Western PA Top Prospect Showcase



By Greg Williams

There were twenty five infielders who showcased their talents before college coaches at the Western PA Top Prospect Showcase, with Ty Zimmerman (Punxsutawney), Class of 2013, Spencer Patterson (Woodland Hills) Class of 2013 and Austin Logan (Beaver), Class of 2013, standing out as the top infield prospects.  

                                              A look at the infielders by position:

1st Baseman:

Jake Kleindl (Shady Side Academy), ranked No. 38 in the Class of 2014
Kleindl had an impressive showing at two positions showing his versatility. Following solid work as a catcher, Kleindl moved to first base where he showcased soft hands, good footwork and a solid arm (79mph). He ran a 7.66 60-yard dash and had one of the top bat exit speed velos of the day at 84mph. Offensively Kleindl used a solid base to generate good pop as he squared baseballs consistently to both gaps.

Troy Glendenning (Kiski Area), Class of 2013
Glendenning is a 6-foot-4, 255-pound athlete, with athlete being the operative word. He ran a very respectable 7.78 for a prospect his size, showed agility and good glove work around the bag, and threw 75mph across the infield. Offensively he showcased a 90mph bat exit speed velo, tops at the event. His round of batting practice was impressive as he drove pitch after pitch to the wall, using all fields. Glendenning is a player to watch in the Class of 2013.

Zachary Craven (McKeesport), Class of 2014
Craven did not do anything to overwhelm scouts, but he stands out. At 6-foot-3, 175-pounds he is likely to mature into a solid corner infielder’s body. Craven ran a 7.62 60-yard dash, threw 72mph from his position and had a bat exit speed of 79mph. His batting practice round was solid and he had the best glove of the day at first base, but it is his wide eyed attitude about being on a baseball field that makes him a player to watch develop.

C. Brandon Rossier (North Allegheny), Class of 2014
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right hander ran a 7.81 60-yard dash, threw 71mph across the diamond and had a bat exit speed velo of 78mph. He showed good instincts and soft hands defensively around the first base bag. Rossier had a solid round of batting practice showing signs of power potential.


2nd Baseman:

Ted Williams (Meadville), ranked No. 40 in the Class of 2014
Williams displayed soft hands and good range with one of the top arms of all middle infielders (80mph). He ran a 7.40 60-yard dash and used loose, quick hands to spray line drives repeatedly to all fields during a solid round of batting practice.

Trent Sipes (Hollidaysburg), Class of 2014
Sipes was impressive with the glove, flashing soft hands, good range and the ability to make all the plays. The 5-foot-7, 135-pound prospect ran a 7.50 60-yard dash and threw 72mph across the infield. He demonstrated a solid approach at the plate with a bat exit speed velo of 71mph.

Vince D’Orazio (Mt. Lebanon), Class of 2015
The 5-foot-7, 150-pound right handed hitter showed very well. D’Orazio displayed soft hands and good angles to the baseball defensively. He has a solid arm (73mph) and ran a 7.28 60-yard dash. Offensively he utilized a 78mph bat exit speed velo to spray line drives to all fields. D’Orazio is a player to watch in the Class of 2015.

Ryan Denny (Butler), Class of 2014
The 5-foot-5, 140-pound middle infielder showed good glove work and the ability to play through the baseball. He threw 74mph across the infield and ran a 7.38 60-yard dash. Denny showcased a bat exit speed velo of 75mph and consistently squared the baseball during his round of batting practice.

John Bondi (Franklin Regional), Class of 2015
Bondi ran a 7.41 60-yard dash, threw 71mph across the infield and had a bat exit speed velo of 71mph. The 5-foot-10, 145-pound right handed hitter showed soft hands and solid range defensively. Offensively he has a solid round of batting practice consistently barreling the baseball to all fields.

Adam LaRue (West Allegheny), Class of 2013
LaRue is a 5-foot-8, 120-pound middle infielder who showed well in all facets of the game. LaRue was most impressive in his defensive workout showing soft hands, precise angles to the ball and good range. He threw 74mph from his position, ran a 7.88 60-yard dash and had a bat exit speed velo of 70mph.

Wesley Lang (Oil City), ranked No. 45 in the Class of 2014
Lang showcased a solid bat with a strong lower half and good barrel whip from the left side. He used a 72mph bat exit speed velo to generate consistent line drives and exhibited some gap power. Defensively Lang threw 67mph across the infield. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound 2B/C ran a 7.50 60-yard dash.

Bobby Suder (Central Valley), Class of 2014
Suder is a 6-foot, 170-pound two-way prospect who showed well on the mound and in the field. He used a 77mph bat exit speed velo to square baseballs consistently, while displaying some gap power. Suder threw 69mph across the infield and ran a 7.78 60-yard dash.

Noah Gasparin (Mars), Class of 2014
Gasparin had a solid event running a 7.68 60-yard dash, throwing 72mph from his position and displaying a 71mph bat exit speed velo. Defensively he played through the baseball and demonstrated good range. The 5-foot-11, 140-pound Gasparin had a solid round of batting practice in which he consistently squared the ball.

Paul Nussbaum (Pine Richland), Class of 2015
Nussbaum showed well in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-6, 130-pound left handed hitter ran a 7.35 60-yard dash, threw 65mph across the infield and had a bat exit speed velo of 68mph. Defensively he demonstrated soft hands and good range. Offensively he used a flat swing to produce consistent line drives to all fields.

Garitt Woodburn (California), Class of 2015
The 5-foot-7, 150-pound right handed hitter showcased a 70mph bat exit speed velo, threw 66mph across the infield and ran an 8.90 60-yard dash.


Shortstops:

Ty Zimmerman (Punxsutawney), Class of 2013
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound right handed hitter was the top middle infield prospect at the event. He exhibited advanced defensive skills and a strong arm (80mph). He ran a 7.35 60-yard dash and had a bat exit speed velo of 79mph. He produced consistent line drives to all fields while showing gap power during his round of batting practice.

Spencer Patterson (Woodland Hills), Class of 2013
Patterson exhibited solid defensive actions and good range. His 80mph across the infield was one of the strongest arms at the event. He ran a 7.37 60-yard dash and had a bat exit speed of 85mph.

Austin Logan (Beaver), Class of 2013
Logan was one of the most impressive prospects at the event. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect was near the top of every measurable category. He ran a 7.17 60-yard dash, threw 79mph from his position and had a bat exit speed velo of 82mph. His batting round was impressive as he laced pitch after pitch to the wall with a wood bat. Logan showed good range and soft hands defensively. Logan should see his stock rise as a result of his performance.

Collin Fantaskey (Warren), ranked No. 33 in the Class of 2014
Fantaskey showcased the top infield arm at the event (82mph). He also displayed the top outfield arm (85mph). His 7.21 60-yard dash and 79mph bat exit speed velo were also near the top of both categories. Fantaskey’s ability to play nearly every position on the field well makes him an interesting prospect. He should continue to see his stock rise.

Nick Patten (Butler), Class of 2015
Patten had a solid day in most facets of the game. He showcased a solid arm (78mph) and the ability to play through the ball. His 83mph bat exit speed velo was one of the best at the event. He ran the 60-yard dash in 8.00 and consistently squared the ball up during his round of batting practice.

Hyte Eurich (Knoch), Class of 2014
The 5-foot-10, 150-pound Eurich ran a 7.37 60-yard dash, and had a 75 mph bat exit speed velo. Defensively Eurich showed the ability to make all plays while throwing 74mph from his position.

Matthew Yough (Karns City), Class of 2015
Yough showed well in all areas of the game. The underclassman threw 70mph across the infield, topped at 73mph from the mound and had a bat exit speed velo of 73mph. The 5-foot-10, 145-pound two-way player should continue to progress with added growth and physical maturity.

Jake Terrick (Elizabeth Forward), Class of 2014
Terrick threw 73mph across the infield and ran a 7.97 60-yard dash. He showed solid actions in the field with good range. Terrick displayed a 72mph bat exit speed velo.
 

3rd Basemen:

Blaise McCarty (Riverside), ranked No. 55 in the Class of 2013
McCarty flashed a solid glove and quick feet. His throws had good carry across the diamond at 79mph. The 6-foot, 175-pound right hander topped out at 85mph from the mound earlier in the day and projects as a possible two-way player at the next level.

Justin Abbs (North Allegheny), ranked No. 42 in the Class of 2014
Abbs showed solid angles to the baseball and above average arm strength (75mph) on throws to first base. He displayed soft hands and good range as well.


For complete showcase results CLICK HERE.

PA Top Prospect Classic 2012