Prep Baseball Report

PA Top Prospect Classic Wrap Up



The Pennsylvania Top Prospect Classic at Pullman Park in Butler, PA showcased 25 prospects from the Class of 2013, 2014 and 2015, with a number of players who stood out.  Mitchell Machi (North Allegheny), the No. 32 ranked player in the Class of 2014, shined as a two-way threat. Machi began the night by taking an electric round of batting practice, repeatedly driving balls to and off of the wall in left field. He followed his offensive performance up by showcasing the top outfield arm of the event at 85mph. He then went on to work two solid innings on the mound for the white team topping at 86mph with his fastball. Machi has the potential to be a two-way player at the next level.

Mitchell Machi

The event began with both teams taking live batting practice and several players stood out. Brandon Nania (Franklin Regional), Class of 2014, showed his power potential as he drove balls to the pull side. Nania showed an advanced approach at the plate and a strong lower half. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound left handed hitting C/3B/1B, went 1-for-3 in the game as well.

Tyler Walters, ranked No. 17 in the Class of 2014, is well known for his ability to hit the baseball. He did not dissapoint today as he showcased his power stroke during batting practice, driving balls to all fields. He also showed a solid two-strike approach in his first at bat of the game, lacing a single to right center field when he got behind in the count. Walters also showcased his throwing arm in the game with three assists from behind the plate. He threw out two would be base stealers and also picked a runner off of first base with good footwork and a quick release on an outside pitch.

Others who stood out on the evening were:

Ross Dirienzo (Somerset), Class of 2014 and Alex Dirienzo (Somerset), Class of 2014. The twin brothers who play 2B and SS respectively, both showed solid gloves and the ability to be quality hitters at the next level.

Ted Williams (Meadville), ranked No. 40 in the Class of 2014, topped all middle infield arms at 78mph.

Jamie Switalski (Pine Richland), ranked No. 31 in the Class of 2014, showcased his all-around skills topping at 82mph from the mound, 79mph from third base and had one of the top rounds of batting practice on the evening.

Jacob Digiacomo (Saegertown), Class of 2013, tossed a scoreless inning touching 81mph. He showed a solid arm from the outfield at 83mph and had two hits in three at bats during game play.

Blaise McCarty (Riverside), ranked No. 55 in the Class of 2013, topped out at 85mph in his two innings of work on the mound.

Christian Porterfield (West Middlesex), ranked No. 26 in the Class of 2014, impressed with the bat during a solid round of batting practice in which he drove baseballs to the wall with consistency. He followed that up with a single and two RBI during the game.

Zachary Craven (McKeesport), Class of 2014, had a two hit performance in game play after a solid round of batting practice. Craven also showed a good glove, solid footwork and a 75mph arm across the infield from first base.

Austin Logan (Beaver Area), Class of 2013, consistently squared up the baseball and drove balls to all fields during batting practice. In game play Logan had a triple and two RBI.

Matt Roberts (Tamaqua), Class of 2014, had a solid round of batting practice driving baseballs to all fields. He went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI in game play.

PA Top Prospect Games 2012