Prep Baseball Report

PBR Future Games Recap: Team PA Outfield Analysis



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Team Pennsylvania carried three primary outfielders on its roster at the 2014 PBR Future Games and each took a turn at standing out during the course of the three day event. Following is a look at each along with the two-way players that also saw time in the outfield.


Primary Outfielders:


Jake Burlingame
(Horseheads, NY), 2016

Jake BurlingameBurlingame ran a 7.17 60-yard dash, flashed an 85 mph bat exit velocity from the left side of the plate and showcased an 86 mph arm from the outfield during scout day activities. The lone prospect from the state of New York to participate in this year's event, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound continued to show the fluid left hand swing that caught our eye at the PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle. Burlingame's two run triple to left-center field against Team Select staked Team PA to a two run lead. The junior displayed the ability to be a top of the order hitter at the next level reaching base in four of his seven plate appearances in three games.

Brian Verratti (Neumann-Goretti), 2016

Brian VerrattiVerratti made the defensive play of the event for Team PA with a sliding, back hand catch on the warning track in right center field to take away a triple from a Team Kansas hitter. The junior made the catch in full stride near the 390' sign after making a long run to even have a chance to come up with the ball. Verratti ran a 7.04 60-yard dash, registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity and showcased an 88 mph arm from the outfield during scout day activities. The right-handed hitter consistently worked himself into hitters counts and displayed the ability to get on base routinely against quality pitching reaching in three of his six at bats (two walks and a hit by pitch). 

Jake Wapinsky (Fleetwood Area), 2016

Jake WapinskyWapinsky carried the hottest stick for Team PA during the course of the event. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitter went 3-for-5 with a walk during game action, showing the ability to turn around upper 80s velocity. Wapinsky ran a 7.41 60-yard dash, registered a 79 mph bat exit velocity and showcased an 87 mph arm from the outfield during scout day activities. The junior made several quality throws during game action and displayed the ability to cover a good deal of ground in the outfield. Currently uncommitted and ranked No. 42 in the PA Class of 2016, Wapinsky definitely made an impression with his play in Indiana.


Two-Way Prospects:


In addition to the three primary outfielders who saw the bulk of the defensive innings for Team Pennsylvania several two-way prospects also made appearances. RHP/OF Druw Bowen (George Washington, WV) showcased an 88 mph arm during defensive workouts and went 2-for-2 at the plate in game play the final day. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound junior also ran a 7.17 60-yard dash. C/OF Kenny Bergmann flashed an 89 mph arm from the outfield. The primary catcher was one of the most impressive prospects at the event during scout day activities and barreled the baseball all weekend in game action. MIF/OF Corbin Kessler (Seneca Valley) ran a 6.92 60-yard dash and the athleticism that makes him projectable at several positions moving forward. The right-handed hitter flashed an 87 mph bat exit velocity and went 1-for-2 at the plate in game action on the final day of play.


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