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PA Top Prospect Games: BlueTeam Analysis

June 24, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Blue Team TPG 2013

The Blue Team lost both of their games played over two days at Bucknell University but had a number of prospects who turned in impressive performances. Following is a breakdown of the prospects who participated as part of the Blue Team at the 2013 PA Top Prospect Games.

Ben BombergerOF Ben Bomberger, Manheim Central HS, Class of 2014

Bomberger is a 5-foot-7, 145-pound OF that gets the most out of his athletic frame. He showcased an 84 mph arm from the outfield and the ability to take precise routes to the baseball. Bomberger hits out of an open stance, utilizing a strong lower half, quick hands and good barrel whip to create a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Bomberger consistently squared the baseball during his round of batting practice and went on to go 2-for-6 with a triple during game play. His all-around performance over two days earned Bomberger MVP honors for the Blue Team.

1B Zach Craven, McKeesport HS, Class of 2014

Craven showed solid footwork and a 75 mph arm across the infield during defensive evaluations. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitter creates an 85 mph bat exit velocity utilizing an open stance and a leg lift trigger. Craven displayed some gap power during his round of batting practice and went on to go 1-for-5 in game play over the course of the two days.

2B/OF Ryan Creps, Indiana Area HS, Class of 2014

Creps is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter that hits out of a square stance with a flat bat path through the hitting zone. He displayed solid defensive skills with soft hands and the ability to play through the baseball on throws of 82 mph across the diamond. Creps went 0-for-5 in game play, but showed good plate discipline and barreled the baseball repeatedly.

OF/RHP Hayden Gruber, Friends' Central School, Class of 2014

Gruber has a very projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. He hits out of a square stance with high hands and showed some gap power during a solid round of batting practice. Gruber showcased good straight line carry on throws of 79 mph from the outfield. Working out of a high 3/4 arm slot, Gruber sat 75-78 on the mound with command of an 11/5 breaking curveball. He went 1-for-5 with a double in game play during the course of the event.

RHP/1B Davidson Ludwikowski, Williamsport HS, Class of 2014

Ludwikowski has a solid 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame and showed some agility around 1B with throws of 73 mph across the diamond. The right-handed hitter showcased a flat bat path through the hitting zone and a bat exit velocity of 82 mph during his round of batting practice. Ludwikowski went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and an RBI during game play. He sat 76-78 off of the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot. Ludwikowski also displayed a 68 mph changeup and a 69 mph 11/5 breaking curveball.

C Marcus Malara, Mt. Pleasant HS, Class of 2014

Malara has an impressive 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame and receives the ball well behind the plate. He showcased pop times of 2.25-2.35 on throws of 70 mph out of the crouch. With some improvement to footwork those times could drop quickly. Malara hits out of a square stance with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. He went 1-for-5 at the plate over the course of two games.

SS/RHP John Matthews, Punxsutawney HS, Class of 2016

Matthews, the No. 9 ranked player in the PA Class of 2016, is a long limbed, 6-foot, 150-pound SS/RHP. He showed advanced footwork and soft hands at shortstop and a strong arm on throws of 82 mph across the diamond. Matthews will need to work to shorten his swing path but showed good hands and the ability to square the baseball consistently. He sat 78-80 while touching 82 mph from the mound out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Matthews also commanded a 69 mph 11/5 breaking curve ball and a 73 mph slider during his work on the mound.

3B/RHP Nick Patten, Butler Area HS, Class of 2015

Patten continues to get bigger, stronger and more fluid in all his actions. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound prospect showed improving footwork and soft hands at 3B with throws of 83 mph across the diamond. Patten barreled the baseball consistently with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph during his round of batting practice. He went on to go 1-for-5 in game play. Patten sat 77-78 out of a high 3/4 arm slot during his time on the mound. He also displayed a 63 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a 68 mph changeup.

2B/SS Trent Sipes, Hollidaysburg HS, Class of 2014

Sipes is a slick fielding 5-foot-7, 140-pound 2B/SS that flashed his defensive abilities throughout the weekend. He demonstrated good range, soft hands and a quick transfer on throws of 73 mph across the diamond. Sipes hits out of a closed stance with a toe tap trigger to produce a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. He went 1-for-5 in game play during the course of the event.

SS/RHP Jake Vesling, New-Hope Solebury HS, Class of 2014

Vesling showed well in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound SS showcased athletic actions and good carry on throws of 81 mph across the diamond. Vesling utilized a slightly open stance and a fluid swing to produce a bat exit velocity of 80 mph in a solid round of batting practice. He went on to go 1-for-5 in game play. Vesling showcased a 78-79 mph fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot during game action. He also commanded a 69 mph 11/5 breaking curveball and a changeup that sat 68-69.

OF Tyler Wansack, Sharpsville HS, Class of 2015

Wansack is an athletic outfielder with a projectable frame at 6-foot, 180-pounds. He showed fluid actions in the outfield and a strong outfield arm on throws of 85 mph to the plate. Wansack utilized a square stance and a toe tap trigger to barrel the baseball consistently during his round of batting practice. He showcased a bat exit velocity of 84 mph and went 0-for-5 in game play despite squaring the baseball in a number of at bats.

3B/OF Ryan Wardropper, Elizabeth Forward HS, Class of 2014

Wardropper took one of the more impressive rounds of batting practice at the event. Hitting from the left side, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound prospect used a square stance and an 84 mph bat exit velocity to drive baseballs to all fields with regularity. Wardropper stays behind the baseball well and incorporates his lower half well to create barrel whip. He displayed athletic actions at 3B with an 84 mph arm across the diamond. Wardropper went 1-for-5 in game play and displayed a fastball that topped at 81 mph in his time on the mound.

RHP Crae Watkins, Brookside HS (OH), Class of 2014

Watkins is a 5-10, 155-pound submarine style pitcher that showed considerable movement on his arsenal of pitches, but lacked the command necessary to make them effective. Watkins sat 72-73 with his fastball that had considerable arm side run and sink. He also showcased a 65 mph changeup and 69 mph slider. With continued work and additional velocity, Watkins could provide worth as a situational reliever at the next level.

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