Prep Baseball Report

Team Pennsylvania Roster Nearing Completion



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

With just under three months until the 2015 PBR Future Games this year's Team Pennsylvania roster is nearing completion.  Initial roster invitations have been sent and additional announcements of roster additions are likely over the next two weeks as top Class of 2017 and 2018 prospects begin to finalize their summer plans.

Over the past three summers 46 players from Pennsylvania and two from West Virginia have represented Team Pennsylvania at this event with exactly half going on to Division I commitments.  That number should swell as many members of the 2014 roster are likely to choose a college this summer or fall. 

Additionally, a number of alumni from the inaugural 2012 roster are having breakout freshman seasons, none more so than Louisville LHP/1B Brendan McKay (Blackhawk).  Ranked No. 1 in PA and No. 5 in the PBR combined Class of 2014 rankings, McKay is currently 8-1 with a 1.65 ERA.  The 6-foot-2, 205-pound left-handed hitter is also hitting .323 as an every day starter when not on the mound and is widely regarded as the top two-way prospect in the country.

Following is a look at the 14 players that have already been added to the 2015 Team Pennsylvania roster that will likely grow to roughly 17 players when complete. To view past rosters and where those players are currently playing or will be playing their college baseball CLICK HERE.
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Player: Liam Bendo
Position:
SS
Class: 2017
State Rank: 11
High School: Garnet Valley
Height: 5-11
Weight:
165
Bats/Throws:
L/R
60-Yard Dash:
7.22
Position Velocity:
82
Exit Velocity:
77

Bendo shined at the 2014 PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle.  The left-handed hitter went 4-for-11 in game play while hitting a number of other balls on the nose. Bendo showcased athletic actions defensively and the ability to make plays on the move in the middle infield.
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Player:
Grant Breneman
Position:
C/1B
Class: 2017
State Rank: 26
High School: Cedar Cliff
Height: 6-0
Weight:
190
Bats/Throws:
R/R
60-Yard Dash:
6.92
Position Velocity:
71
Exit Velocity:
80

Breneman is a talented two-sport athlete, also excelling in football. He has shown next level ability as a corner infielder and behind the plate. The multi-position prospect will participate as a catcher and 1st baseman for Team Pennsylvania. The right-handed hitter has a simple approach at the plate, starting from a square stance.
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Player:
Bryce Cunningham
Position:
IF/RHP
Class: 2018
High School: Springside Chestnut Hill
Height: 5-11
Weight:
175
Bats/Throws:
R/R
60-Yard Dash: 7.26
Position Velocity:
85
Exit Velocity:
92
Fastball: 83-85

Cunningham is a physical prospect with soft hands and above average arm strength. He shows power potential with considerable bat speed for a player his age. Through 17 games of his freshman season, Cunningham is hitting .400 in the ultra-competitive Inter-Ac League and has struck out just five times in 42 plate appearances.
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Player:
Christian Fedko
Position:
SS/3B
Class: 2017
State Rank: 14
High School: Vincentian Academy
Height: 5-11
Weight:
190
Bats/Throws:
R/R
60-Yard Dash:
7.43
Position Velocity:
85
Exit Velocity:
84

Fedko is an aggressive right-handed hitter that has shown gap power and the ability to hit for average (.630 through 13 games this season).  Likely a 3B/2B at the next level, Fedko has enough arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield and has shown yearly development with his glove and footwork.
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Player:
Jordan Fiedor
Position:
OF/RHP
Class: 2017
State Rank: 6
Overall Rank:
141
High School: Hempfield Area
Height: 5-11
Weight:
195
Bats/Throws:
R/R
60-Yard Dash: 6.84
Position Velocity:
90
Exit Velocity:
94
Fastball: 83-85
Curveball: 72-73
Changeup:
72-74

Fiedor is a toolsy 5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitter with an easy stroke.  The ball jumps off his barrel (94-mph exit velo).  Fiedor runs a 6.84 60-yard dash and has good carry on his 90-mph arm from the outfield.  While Fiedor labels himself an outfielder first, the righty sits 83-85 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a slider/changeup combination of complimentary pitches.
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Player:
Michael Geesaman
Position:
OF
Class: 2017
State Rank: 33 
High School: Lower Dauphin
Height: 5-11
Weight:
170
Bats/Throws:
L/R
60-Yard Dash:
6.78
Position Velocity:
90
Exit Velocity: 86

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 at the Preseason All-State Showcase. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound sophomore has an athletic frame stays on plane well from the left side of the plate while getting a lot out of his lower half. Barreled ball in every at bat hitting to both sides of the field. During game action this spring Geesaman has shown good plate discipline and the ability to work counts. He glides to baseballs in the outfield and takes very good angles.
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Player:
Levi Kelly
Position:
RHP/OF
Class: 2018
State Rank: 1
Overall Rank:
1
High School: Nitro (WV)
Height: 6-3
Weight:
195
Bats/Throws:
R/R
Fastball:
85-87 (tops at 90 mph)
Curveball: 73-75
Changeup:
78-80

Kelly has quickly become one of the top recruits in the nation drawing college coaches to see him throw in nearly every start thus far in his freshman season.  The righty sits 85-87 with above average tilt to his fastball.  This spring he has routinely topped at 90 mph and sits 85-87. Kelly's 74 mph curveball shows advanced bite with solid arm speed and his changeup is an advanced third pitch in his arsenal. Kelly is currently ranked No. 1 in the initial PBR Class of 2018 combined rankings.
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Player:
Brandon Knarr
Position:
LHP
Class: 2017
State Rank: 10
High School: Eastern York
Height: 5-11
Weight:
200
Bats/Throws:
R/L
Fastball:
82-84
Curveball: 65-68
Changeup:
72-74

Knarr is a lefty that sits 82-84 with late life to his fastball and command of a three pitch mix.  He has a fluid delivery from a high 3/4 arm slot and his 1/7 breaking curveball shows two-plane action.  Knarr is 3-0 with 59 strikeouts in 28.2 innings of work thus far in his sophomore season.
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Player:
Dillon Marsh
Position:
LHP/1B/OF
Class: 2018
State Rank: 1
Overall Rank: 10
High School: Lancaster Catholic
Height: 6-1
Weight:
190
Bats/Throws:
L/L
60-Yard Dash:
6.99
Fastball: 83-85
Position Velocity:
90
Exit Velocity:
93

Marsh is a legitimate two-way prospect at the next level with advanced offensive abilities and an easy mid-80s fastball off the mound.  He runs well (6.99) and shows the potential to be a middle-of-the order left-handed stick at the next level with a 93 mph bat exit velocity.
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Player:
Justin Meyer
Position:
MIF/OF
Class: 2018
High School: Haverford School
Height: 5-9
Weight:
170
Bats/Throws:
R/R

Meyer is a primary middle infielder but broke into the starting lineup as a freshman at the Haverford School as an outfielder. The talented right-handed hitter is hitting .340 on the year with two home runs, 14 RBI and an on base percentage of .536 that leads the team. Meyer will participate with Team PA as an outfielder.
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Player:
Jack Pogyor
Position:
C/OF
Class: 2017
State Rank: 32
High School: La Salle
Height: 6-1
Weight:
185
Bats/Throws:
R/R

Pogyor is an athletic prospect with a physical frame that shows the potential to play both behind the plate and in the outfield at the next level. Pogyor shows some pop from the right side of the plate and has received regular playing time as a sophomore for La Salle, winners of two of the past three Class AAAA state titles in Pennsylvania.
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Player:
Curtis Robison
Position:
LHP/OF
Class: 2017
State Rank: 9
High School: Northern York
Height: 6-1
Weight:
195
Bats/Throws:
L/L
60-Yard Dash: 7.69
Position Velocity:
79
Exit Velocity:
79
Fastball: 81-84
Curveball: 67-68
Changeup:
69-71

Robison is a projectable lefty that sits in the low-80s with command of a 68 mph curveball with tight rotation and an above average changeup.  He is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA this spring with 24 strikeouts in 16.2 innings of work.  The left-handed hitter is also hitting .429 though 14 games.
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Player:
Pete Vaccaro
Position:
SS/2B
Class: 2017
State Rank: 22
High School: Oley Valley
Height: 5-9
Weight:
175
Bats/Throws:
L/R
60-Yard Dash:
7.33
Position Velocity:
79
Exit Velocity:
87

Vaccaro has shown an advanced left-handed swing with the potential for some power from the left side of the plate.  Best suited currently as a second baseman, Vaccaro is a physical athlete that could eventually make a permanent move to the left side of the infield with improved arm strength and foot speed.
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Player:
Charlie Varriano
Position:
OF
Class: 2017
State Rank: 22
High School: Oley Valley
Height: 5-11
Weight:
195
Bats/Throws:
R/R
60-Yard Dash:
6.84
Position Velocity:
81
Exit Velocity:
93

Varriano displays loose hands and advanced barrel whip from the right side of the plate. The sophomore uses no stride and clears his hips well allowing his hands to work freely. The 3B/OF will participate as an outfielder for Team Pennsylvania to showcase his 6.84 foot speed. Through 14 games this season Varriano is hitting .342.
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Player:
Kyle Virbitsky
Position:
RHP/IF
Class: 2017
State Rank: 15
High School: Episcopal Academy
Height: 6-4
Weight:
200
Bats/Throws:
R/R
60-Yard Dash: 7.55
Position Velocity:
82
Exit Velocity:
85
Fastball: 82-84
Curveball: 72-73
Changeup:
70-72

Virbitsky has shown rapid development in velocity and size over the past nine months.  The physical righty pitches from an over-the-top slot and has arm speed out front.  Virbitsky has a very good feel for his curveball at 72-73.  The sophomore has also shown capable offensive abilities but his recent growth likely will result in a move to a corner infield position.
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complete summer 2015 schedule of events

Showcase State Date Location
2015 PA Top Prospect Games (INVITE ONLY) PA Jun 16 La Salle University
2015 PA Underclass Games (INVITE ONLY) PA Jun 23 Misericordia University
2015 Western PA College Prospect Showcase PA Jun 30 Seton Hill University
2015 Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase PA Jul 1 Ephrata High School
Individual Player Evaluation (Year Round By Appointment) PA Jul 6 Keystone State Baseball Academy - Manheim, PA
2015 PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle (INVITE ONLY) PA Jul 21 Harford Community College (Bel Air, MD)
PBR Future Games Powered by Under Armour (Pennsylvania Invite Only) PA Jul 30 Grand Park, Westfield, IN
2015 WV Top Prospect Games (INVITE ONLY) PA Aug 8 YMCA Kennedy Center Field (Huntington, WV)