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Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: Outfielders (Class of 2017/2018)

February 21, 2015

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Prior to embarking on their sophomore and freshmen seasons, 10 middle infielders descended on Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manheim to showcase their skills at the Preseason All-State Showcase. They are listed below in reverse alphabetical order. Why? See Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting Jake Gill's article today on Class of 2016 outfielders in attendance for the answer.

Mike SpeckMike Speck, OF, Central HS (PA), Class of 2017
Speck ran a 7.34 60-yard dash and showcased solid carry on throws of 78 mph from the outfield. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound sophomore hits from a square stance with no stride. The right-handed hitter uses a knee load and a flat swing plane that allows him to stay in the hitting zone for long periods of time. Speck barreled the baseball routinely showing the ability to use all fields with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph.

Chase SmithChase Smith, OF, Central HS (PA), Class of 2017
Smith is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter that hits from a wide, square stance. The sophomore uses a heel raise stride to initiate an explosive lower half. Smith hits off a stiff front leg and allows his back foot to release when engaging his hips creating an 86 mph bat exit velocity. For all the movement in his swing he stays balanced throughout and gets to extension routinely. Smith flashed solid foot speed (6.92 60-yard dash) and athletic actions defensively with a developing arm strength from the outfield (75 mph).

Brandon ReisBrandon Reis, OF/2B, La Salle HS (PA), Class of 2017
Reis is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound sophomore that ran a 7.43 60-yard dash and showed an accurate 69 mph arm from his outfield position. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and incorporates a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his hands. Reis showcased some length to his swing causing some barrel lag at times. When he got his foot down on time Reis showed the ability to square the baseball with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph.

Steve LorenzSteve Lorenz, OF, William Penn Charter (PA), Class of 2017
Lorenz impressed in all facets of the game further solidifying his spot as one of the top outfield prospects in his class. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and uses a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate his balanced swing. Lorenz currently authors much of his 87 mph bat exit velocity with his upper half. As he learns to incorporate his legs and hips into his simple swing mechanics power production is likely. Lorenz ran a 6.78 60-yard dash and flashed and 87 mph arm from his outfield position.

Michael LandryMichael Landry, OF, La Salle HS (PA), Class of 2017
Landry ran a 7.40 60-yard dash and showed solid straight line carry on accurate throws of 77 mph from the outfield. The 5-foot-7, 140-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short stride to initiate his swing. Landry showcased a short swing path and the ability to stay behind the baseball while squaring the baseball consistently with a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. Landry is fundamentally sound in all his actions and is likely to show significant gains as his athletic frame continues to fill out.

Maxx HarpalaniMaxx Harpalani, OF/RHP, Pine-Richland HS (PA), Class of 2017
Harpalani is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound sophomore that has made steady gains as he has matured physically over the past 24 months. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance while using a leg lift load to create significant barrel whip. Harpalani stays behind the baseball well and creates some backspin with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. He flashed improved arm strength (83 mph) from his outfield position and ran a solid 7.18 60-yard dash. The two-way prospect has positioned himself to be considered among the top outfielders in his class with his steady improvement.

Michael GeesamanMichael Geesaman, OF/SS, Lower Dauphin HS (PA), Class of 2017
Geesaman showed well in all facets of the game running a 6.78 60-yard dash and showcasing a 90 mph arm from the outfield. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound sophomore has an athletic frame and showed the ability to play the baseball on the move defensively. The left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Geesaman stays on plane well and gets a lot out of his lower half flashing signs of potential power to come. He squared the baseball routinely with a bat exit velocity of 86 mph.

Devon GarnerDevon Garner, OF, Daniel Boone HS (PA), Class of 2017
Garner is a solidly built 5-foot-11, 175-pound prospect that ran a 7.25 60-yard dash and showed athleticism defensively with an accurate 79 mph arm from the outfield. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a solid hip turn to create above average barrel whip with a bat exit velocity of 88 mph. The sophomore has a bit of barrel wrap in his load position that causes him to have to rush at times to the hitting zone. When on time the ball jumps of his barrel and power potential is evident.

James GaborJames Gabor, OF, William Penn Charter (PA), Class of 2017
Gabor is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound sophomore with a lot of fast-twitch actions whose potential is far from realized at this point. The left-handed hitter has lightning quick hands and has shown the ability to stay on plane and drive the baseball to all fields on multiple occasions. Gabor starts from a slightly open stance and uses solid lower half rotation to clear his hips and allow his hands to work. Gabor registered an 81 mph bat exit velocity and ran an impressive 6.69 60-yard dash. Gabor will need to continue to work on his defensive abilities and arm strength to continue his march towards playing at the next level.

Jordan Fiedor, OF/RHP, Hempfield Area HS (PA), Class of 2017
See notes from Wednesday's top prospects article.

Brayden ClairBrayden Clair, OF/RHP, Elizabethtown HS (PA), Class of 2017
Clair has a projectable 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame and showcased athletic actions defensively with solid straight line carry on throws of 78 mph from the outfield. The right-handed hitter swings the bat with a purpose from a square stance. Clair has a fluid, balanced swing and fully engages his hips to create above average barrel whip with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Clair flashed quick hands, a feel for the barrel and the ability to square the baseball to all fields. With time and room to add to his athletic frame Clair should develop into a solid middle of the order hitter at the next level.

Andrew BradyAndrew Brady, OF/RHP, Avon Grove HS (PA), Class of 2018
Brady ran a 7.19 60-yard dash and showed above average athleticism with the ability to play through the baseball defensively. The freshman displayed fluid actions and good carry on throws of 76 mph from the outfield. Brady is a 6-foot-2, 160-pound left-handed hitter that has plenty of room and time to add to his frame. He starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short stride to initiate his swing. Brady has a quiet lower half, quick hands and excellent rhythm to his swing. He showed the ability to consistently square the baseball with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph and will be a high follow in this class moving forward.

Jordan ArtJordan Art, OF/RHP, Lakeland HS (PA), Class of 2017
Art ran a solid 7.18 60-yard dash and showed athleticism defensively with a 74 mph arm from the outfield. The 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a toe tap stride to initiate his swing. Art has a quiet lower half and his hands work well to and through the baseball with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. The sophomore continues to make strides physically and could develop some gap power as he body continues to mature.

Nick AmeyNick Amey, OF/2B, Emmaus HS (PA), Class of 2017
Amey is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter that starts from a square stance. The sophomore utilizes a lift-and-replace stride and a strong lower half to create barrel whip and a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Amey flashed quick hands and good balance throughout his swing while squaring the baseball routinely. A 7.59 60-yard dash and 74 mph arm strength are items that Amey will need to continue to improve as he progresses towards the next level.

Additional Preseason all-state NEWS: