Prep Baseball Report

PA Underclass Games Analysis: Black Team



The PA Underclass Games were held at Consol Energy Park in Washington, PA on September 22 and 23. Today we take a look at the prospects who participated as members of the Black Team.

                                Black Team Underclass Games

Luke Basko, RHP/1B, Class of 2014, Saegertown HS
Basko had a solid performance in his showcase portion of the weekend with a bat exit speed of 81mph and throws of 75mph across the infield. The 5-foot-11, 145-pound pitcher shined in game play. In three innings of work on the mound Basko gave up just one unearned run. He used a 79mph fastball, a 66mph changeup and a 68mph curveball to effectively keep hitters off balance. Basko's curveball showed good rotation and a late 11/5 break.

Drew Durasa, 3B/OF, Class of 2014, Saegertown HS
The 5-foot-10, 150-pound right handed hitter demonstrated the ability to play multiple positions effectively as he played 3B, SS and OF on the weekend. Durasa showcased good baserunning abilities, stealing several bases as well.

Noah Smith, RHP/OF, Class of 2014, Norwin HS
Smith showcased a strong arm from the outfield (78mph) and a solid bat exit speed at 77mph. He showed promise in his four innings of work on the mound topping out at 81mph.  Smith's fastball has late life and some armside run.

Matt Wilke, SS/2B, Class of 2014, Chartiers Valley HS
Wilke demonstrated a bat exit speed of 75mph and good range defensively. The 6-foot, 155-pound middle infielder was 1-for-3 at the plate in his only game played on the weekend.

Wes Lang, 2B/C, Class of 2014, Oil City HS
Lang ran a 7.51 60-yard dash and showcased a bat exit speed of 73mph. The left handed hitter had a solid weekend with four singles in seven plate appearances.

Joel Shaffer, RHP/SS, Class of 2015, Central Catholic HS
Shaffer showcased well during the first day running the second best 60-yard dash of the event at 7.09. He also had a solid bat exit speed of 80mph. Shaffer had two hits on the weekend and showed well on the mound. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound sophomore used a 79mph fastball, a 71mph changeup and a 66mph curveball to limit the opposition to just one run in his three innings of work.

Alex Salesky, C/3B, Class of 2014, Wilson HS
Salesky had a strong showcase portion of the event, displaying pop times of 2.12-2.19 on throws of 73mph from the crouch. He also showcased a solid bat exit speed of 79mph. During game play the left handed hitter went 3-for-7 with an RBI. Salesky also displayed excellent glove work and good range at third base.

Jesse Staudt, OF, Class of 2014, Cochranton HS
Staudt showcased well in all facets of the game. Following a Friday evening football game he ran a 7.28 while not at 100% and showed one of the better bat exit speeds of the day at 83mph. Staudt went 1-for-3 in the only game he played on the weekend.

Matt Gordon, RHP/1B, Class of 2014, Grove City HS
Gordon was one of the top pitchers at the event. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound right hander showed why he was selected to participate for Team Pennsylvania in the Underarmour Midwest Future Games in August. Gordon showcased an 83mph fastball, a 75mph changeup at near fastball arm speed and a 68mph curveball with good rotation.

Christian Porterfield, C/3B/1B/OF, Class of 2014, West Middlesex HS
Porterfield had a strong showing in the showcase portion of the event. His 87mph bat exit speed and 78mph throws from the crouch as a catcher were among the top velos on the weekend. The member of Team Pennsylvania at the Under Armour Midwest Future Games in August, had an RBI in the Black Team's first game on Saturday, but saved his best for Sunday. In the final game of the weekend Porterfield put on a show. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound right handed hitter went 5-for-5, with a double, 2 RBI and a tape measure homerun to left field. Porterfield was named the MVP of the Black Team for his efforts.

                                 Christian Porterfield MVP

Ben Wilke, RHP/OF, Class of 2016, South Fayette HS
Wilke was one of only three freshmen that participated in the event. The 6-foot, 215-pound right hander worked one inning, giving up one run. He displayed good control of his fastball and changeup.

Zach Wielgus, LHP, Class of 2015, William Penn Charter HS
Wielgus is ranked No. 5 in the Class of 2015, and was as good as billed. Wielgus threw four innings on Saturday giving up just one run on two hits. He struck out eight, including seven of the final nine batters he faced. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound lefty showed an 84mh fastball with good late run. He also commanded his 72mph curveball and 74mph changeup effectively. Wielgus has a projectable frame and a size 14 shoe that indicates additional size and velocity are inevitable.

PA Top Prospect Games 2012