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PA Notebook: January Events Taking Shape

December 10, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

With the fall season behind us and the summer schedule finalized, it's time to begin setting our sights on the month of January. The Western PA and Eastern PA College Prospect Showcases will take place a week a part in mid-January as a precursor to the Preseason All-State Showcase in February.

The two January events will offer a host of prospects an opportunity to showcase their abilities for the first time in front of PBR staff. While registrations for these two events will not close for another month, both rosters have begun to fill up with talented prospects. Today we highlight some of the top prospects already on the roster for January.

                  


Western PA College Prospect Showcase
January 12 - Penn State Greater Allegheny College (McKeesport, PA)


SS/2B Corbin Kessler (Seneca Valley HS, Class of 2016)

Kessler, ranked No. 29 in the PA Class of 2016, showcased fluid actions and a clean transition with throws of 75 mph across the diamond at the PA Underclass Games in July. The sweet swinging sophomore went 4-for-6 at the plate in game action, including a double and a triple. Kessler displayed an 83 mph bat exit velocity and took home MVP honors for the White Team. He has added two inches and 15 pounds to his frame since July and looks primed for a breakout sophomore season on the diamond.

2B/3B Dominic Peroni (Laurel Highlands HS, Class of 2016)

Peroni showed well in all facets of the game during the Fall College Prospect Program at Alderson Broaddus University. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound infielder displayed a flat bat path through the hitting zone and the ability to use all fields with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. He went 1-for-3 at the plate in game action. Peroni showcased athletic actions in the infield with fundamental actions and a 79 mph throwing arm. He is currently ranked No. 65 in the PA Class of 2016.


Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase
January 20, The Phelps School (Malvern, PA)


SS/2B Nate Fassnacht (Ephrata HS, Class of 2016)

Fassnacht displayed soft hands, quick feet and developing arm strength in the middle infield with throws of 79 mph across the diamond at the PA Underclass Games in July. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound prospect has added two inches and 15 pounds to his frame since that time. He demonstrated the ability to switch hit during batting practice, but hit solely as a righty in game action going 1-for-3 with a double on day two of the event. Fassnacht, a natural right-handed hitter showcased an 82 mph bat exit velocity from the right side of the plate. He is ranked No. 38 in the PA Class of 2016.

SS/2B Riley McGinley (Owen J. Roberts HS, Class of 2016)

McGinley is a right-handed hitter that displayed a square stance with a short stroke and the ability to stay inside the baseball at the Elite Prospect Showcase in November. He barreled the baseball consistently and used all fields well with a bat exit velocity of 75 mph. McGinley showed a soft glove hand and good feet in the middle infield. The 5-foot-8, 145-pound middle infielder showed a quick release and accurate throws of 75 mph across the diamond. McGinley is ranked No. 66 in the PA Class of 2016.

C/OF Austin Morgan (Episcopal Academy, Class of 2015)

Morgan is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound C/OF that will be making his first appearance at a PBR event. He was one of the top defensive catchers in the Inter-AC League in 2013 and has shown an above average 85 mph arm from the outfield.

2B/SS Nick Perilli (Berks Catholic HS, Class of 2015)

Perilli is a 5-foot-8, 170-pound middle infielder that showed the ability to make all plays in the field with an accurate 72 mph arm across the diamond. The right handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance with a toe tap trigger. He hits from a strong base and the ball jumps off his bat at times. He barreled most baseballs during batting practice with a solid bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Perilli is ranked No. 212 in the PA Class of 2015 rankings.

C/1B Justin Smith (Warwick HS, Class of 2016)

Smith went 1-for-2 with a double on day one of game play at the PA Underclass Games in July. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound prospect showcased pop times of 2.09-2.25 on throws of 69 mph out of the crouch. The left-handed hitter hits from a square stance and utilizes a flat bat path to create an exit velocity of 76 mph. Smith is currently ranked No. 64 in the PA Class of 2016.

C Sean Williamson (Pope John Paul II, Class of 2014)

Williamson is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound unsigned senior that showed well in last year's Preseason All-State Showcase. Currently ranked No. 208 in the PA Class of 2014, Williamson showcased pop times of 1.97-2.10 on throws of 79 mph from the crouch. He also displayed some gap power and a bat exit velocity of 80 mph.

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