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The Western Pennsylvania 2017 showcase schedule concluded on Saturday with the Western Pennsylvania Thanksgiving Review. Gannon University's Recreation and Wellness Center in Erie played host to the event with 20 prospects from three states participating. Today we take a look at those prospects from the Class of 2019 in attendance.

+ For complete results from all prospects in attendance - CLICK HERE.

Top Prospects

Chase Angotti, 2019, Ringgold HS, 2B
5-foot-10, 155-pound middle infielder flashed a solid all around skill set. Offensively, swing is initiated from an open set up with knee-to-knee leg kick and stride to neutral. Angotti shows an aggressive weight shift and hip turn while staying behind baseball with excellent leverage.  There is a good feel for the barrel and bat spends extended time in hitting zone. Hands are held somewhat low in load. Separation could be gained through working back elbow/hands up and back in load. An 81 mph bat exit velocity was recorded.

Defensively, there is considerable range with commitment to attacking and working through the baseball. Hands are soft and ball is played from bottom up and out front. Angotti recorded an event best 7.04 60-yard dash.

Juston Jones, 2019, Monn Area HS, OF/LHP
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral with controlled stride staying neutral. There is an aggressive weight shift and hip turn. Good balance, rhythm, separation and bat whip are present. There is a solid feel for the barrel while working around a firm front side and achieving excellent leverage. There is some length to swing.

On the mound, Jones has the makings of a classic soft tossing lefty. He is a strike thrower with above average secondary offerings. Delivery is repeated well and is low effort. Fastball sat 78-79 with little movement. Curveball at 63-65 mph showed 1/7 shape with late break and moderate depth. Changeup at 67-68 had excellent late fade/sink and was thrown with fastball arm speed. All offerings were commanded.

Matthew Manczka, 2019, McDowell HS, RHP/SS
6-foot-2, 150-pound right-handed thrower and hitter worked out as two-way player on this day. However, his next level potential appears presently to be on the mound. He works out of a mid-to-high 3/4 arm slot with a long, loose arm action. Mechanically, delivery is repeated well while demonstrating good balance and rhythm. Subtle front side softness is noted immediately following stride foot landing. Fastball sat 82 mph with considerable sink and run. Curveball at 67-69 mph showed 11/5 shape with late break and moderate depth. Changeup at 68-70 mph was thrown with excellent sell and late sink/fade. Command was demonstrated to all quadrants. Manczka's overall presentation represents a very interesting follow in Class of 2019 as his presently slight frame continues to fill out.

Offensively, initiates swing with a heel-raise and no stride. There is a tendency to collapse back side and connect early with back elbow resulting in uphill swing plane and compromised separation. A bat exit velocity of 76 mph was recorded.

Defensively, Manczka would benefit from committing to attacking and working through baseball as well as working out front and bottom up.

Remainder of Roster (in alphabetical order)

Shane Hamschin, Peters Township HS, 3B
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from open set up with stride to neutral while gaining ground. There is adequate weight shift and separation as well as a solid feel for the barrel. Lower half is passive following weight shift. Hamschin would benefit from sitting longer through back leg and being more explosive in turn. An 84 mph bat exit velocity was recorded with more to come in accordance with strength gains and mechanical adjustments.

Jared Orwell, 2019, North Allegheny HS, SS
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from an open set up with pronounced stride to neutral. An aggressive weight shift and hip turn are present. Hands are quick and there is solid barrel whip with bat exit speed of 83 mph recorded. Balance, rhythm and separation are excellent. There is a substantial arm bar creating length.

Defensively, Orwell flashes considerable overall athleticism to his actions. He shows a soft, confident glove hand while working out front and bottom up. Proper hops and angles are created by attacking and working through the baseball. Arm strength of 69 mph across the diamond may precipitate a move to second base.

Hunter Sorenson, 2019, McDowell HS, RHP/SS
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from neutral set up with heel raise and no stride. Excellent separation is achieved through aggressive weight shift away from hands. Hip turn following weight shift is somewhat passive and there is softness in front knee. Balance and bat speed could be improved by incorporating a more aggressive hip turn and working around a firm front side.

Defensively, hands are adequate. Would benefit from more consistently working bottom up and out front as well as attacking ball to create angles and hops.

On the mound, Sorenson works out of high 3/4 arm slot with a repeatable, in-line delivery. Fastball sat 76-77 mph and showed subtle arm-side run. Curveball at 65 mph had 11/5 shape with rolling action. Changeup was thrown at 69-71 and was cut to glove side.

John Sorisio, 2019, Leechburg, 1B/RHP
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitter initiates swing from a wide, slightly open set up. He utilizes a knee-to-knee leg kick with stride to neutral. Back knee has tendency to open and sway outside of back foot in load. Hip turn is passive leading to some front hip sway. A 75 mph bat exit velocity was recorded. Would benefit from loading against a grounded back knee/leg and turning aggressively around a firmer front side.

On mound, right-hander worked out of high 3/4 arm slot with fastball sitting 67-68. Curveball was thrown at 58-59 with 11/5 shape and rolling action. Changeup at 63-64 was thrown at fastball arm speed demonstrating subtle arm-side fade.

Colin Watts, 2019, North East, RHP
6-foot, 150-pound righty worked out of low-to-mid 3/4 arm slot with excellent balance, rhythm and repeatability to his delivery. Arm action is long and loose. Fastball sat 76-77 with little movement. Curveball thrown at 62-63 mph had 11-5 shape with late break and some depth. Changeup sat 68-69 mph with late sink/fade and excellent sell. All pitches were commanded on this day. Overall, there is a lot to like in his delivery. A substantial bump in velocity is expected with coming strength gains.

 

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