Preseason Preview Analysis: Class of 2019 Prospects
January 18, 2018
The Preseason Preview Showcase took place January 13th at Keystone State Baseball Academy. Today we conclude our analysis of the players in attendance by taking a look at prospects from the Class of 2019.
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CLASS OF 2019
TOP PROSPECT
AJ Hansen, SS, Perkiomen Valley HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and initiates his swing with a knee-to-knee stride. Showcased and advanced feel for the barrel with an aggressive hip turn and registered a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Ran a 6.93 60-yard dash and displayed fluid defensive actions with confidence in his glove hand. Plays through the baseball routinely with accurate 81 mph arm strength across the diamond.
Hunter Johns, LHP, Ephrata HS (PA)
6-foot-2, 160-pound left-hander sat 79-81 from a high 3/4 arm slot with cut to his fastball. Delivery includes an extremely high leg kick that adds significant deception to his delivery. Stays online and balanced in spite of leg kick with solid command of four pitches. Curveball shows above average rotation and 1/7 shape at 63-67. Slider has a bit shorter, flatter shape at 67-69. Changeup is thrown at fastball arm speed with arm side run at 75-76. Junior has added 30 pounds to his frame and eight mph to his fastball over the past two years with more yet in the tank.
Trey Law, 2B/RHP, Cedar Cliff HS (PA)
5-foot-10, 145-pound two-way prospect stood out as one of the top players in attendance. The left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a leg hang stride. Hands and hips work well in unison and displayed an advance feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Displayed fluid, athletic actions defensively with an ability to make plays on the move and throws from multiple arm angles with a quick release. Right-hander sat 81-83 on the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot. Curveball displayed cutter action at 69-73 and changeup was thrown at a lower arm slot while sitting 74-77.
Mark McNelly, SS, Spring-Ford HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a solid hip turn and an ability to create back spin with an 84 mph bat exit velocity. Ran a 6.85 60-yard dash and showcased 81 mph arm strength across the diamond with an over-the-top arm slot throwing motion. Plays through the baseball routinely and showed enough athleticism and projectable frame to play a number of defensive positions moving forward.
REMAINING PROSPECTS (in alphabetical order)
Jack Cossa, RHP, Pope John Paul II HS (PA)
6-foot, 150-pound right-hander sat 72-74 from a 3/4 arm slot. Begins long in back motion with a short, side-rocker step and stays in line well throughout delivery. Fastball showed some arm side run and was commanded well. Curveball showed 11/5 rotation at 57-59 and changeup is thrown at near fastball arm speed at 65-66.
Thomas Cunningham, RHP/OF, Devon Prep (PA)
5-foot-7, 150-pound primary pitcher sat 79-81 from an over-the-top arm slot. Curveball showed tight 12/6 rotation at 66-70 and changeup displayed sligth run at 70-73. Also showcased a slider at 66-69 with similar shape as his curveball. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. An arm bar leads to length in the swing with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and flashed athletic actions defensively with accurate 85 mph arm strength.
Tyler Horgan, 1B/OF, Spring-Ford HS (PA)
6-foot-4, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing. Athletic, projectable frame with present power displayed the ability to routinely create back spin with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph. Displayed developing defensive skills at first base and in the outfield with 80 mph arm strength and ran a 7.41 60-yard dash.
Kevin Keown, RHP, Springfield Township HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-hander sat 77-80 from a 3/4 arm slot with sink to his fastball. Works from a deliberate, balanced delivery while staying directional throughout. Curveball sat 64-66 with 11/5 shape that included two-plane break when good. Changeup is advanced at 72-74 with good sell that includes sink and arm side run.
Anthony LoMastro, OF, Roman Catholic HS (PA)
5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Hands start from a high launch point and barrel drops into the hitting zone creating an uphill path to the baseball with some back spin. Displayed a solid feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 74 mph. Ran a 7.27 60-yard dash and showcased accurate 75 mph arm strength defensively from the outfield.
Hunter Murry, C, Elizabethtown Area HS (PA)
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Low, deep hand position in load phase of the swing minimizes ability to create barrel whip. Showcased a line-drive approach with an ability to use all fields and registered a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Displayed pop times of 2.26-2.40 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. Hitch in throwing motion slows release in spite of solid carry and arm strength. Ran an 8.07 60-yard dash.
Pierce Rucci, SS/RHP, Twin Valley HS (PA)
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Generates 74 mph bat exit velocity with a weight shift to front side. Ran a 7.64 60-yard dash and accurate 71 mph arm strength across the diamond with a quick release. Current defensive skill set projects best at second base at the next level. Right-hander sat 72-75 with some cut action to his fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Curveball sat 62-65 with 11/5 shape and changeup showed run and sink at 68-71.
Justin Swinko, SS, Hershey HS (PA)
5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his hands from a high-hands load position. Spins on back foot and clears hips early leading to some length in the swing with a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. Showcased confidence in his glove hand and the ability to make throws from multiple arm slots with 71 mph arm strength across the diamond. Ran a 7.53 60-yard dash.
Ethan Weber, RHP, North Penn HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-hander sat 73-76 from an over-the-top arm slot. Delivery is directional and balanced with a long take away. Changeup sat 59-61 with an 11/5 shape. Changeup is an advanced pitch with very good arm speed at 64-68 and sinking action. Athletic frame has room for added strength and projects for additional velocity moving forward.
Analysis article order:
Jan. 15 - Class of 2018 Prospects
Jan. 16 - Class of 2021 Prospects
Jan. 17 - Class of 2020 Prospects
Jan. 18 - Class of 2019 Prospects