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During the month of December we will be counting down to the new year by looking back on the top performances of 2018 at a PBR event. Today we begin our review with a look at the top pitching performances over the past year.

+ Note: a number of top performances have already been discussed recently in our weekly editions of "Rounding the Bases".

David Platt RHP / Palisades, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 8 10/28/18 - PBR Mid-Atlantic ProCase 6-foot-2, 215-pound Harford CC commit. Arguably the big winner on the day. Platt was a member of the Team Pennsylvania roster at the 2017 PBR Future Games. Has added significant velocity and command since that time. On this day he sat 92-93 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a head wag that did not take him off his mid-line. Fastball is flat with late life up in the zone. A much improved changeup at 82-87 gives Platt a quality second offering. The pitch showed heavy arm-side run and sink and was thrown with good sell. A slider at 77-83 has cutter action and is still a work in progress.

Nick Bitsko RHP / SS / Central Bucks East, PA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 3 / POS: 1 8/19/18 - PBR Fall Kickoff Showcase Tournament 6-foot-4, 210-pounder sat 90-93 from a high 3/4 arm slot with five strikeouts over two innings of work. Also showcased solid feel for his curveball at 73-76 with two-plane 11/5 shape. Flashed an occasional slider with shorter break at 77-79 and good sell on his changeup at 81-84. Commanded the zone in wet, difficult conditions against a potent Allegheny Pirates offense.

Nathan Blasick 3B / RHP / Halifax Area, PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 2 10/28/18 - PBR Mid-Atlantic ProCase 6-foot-3, 195-pound two-way prospect is committed to West Virginia. The left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and strides to even to begin his swing from a deep load position. Displayed a flat barrel path through the zone with an above average feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph while swinging wood. Showcased active feet and an ability to play through the baseball while making throws from multiple arm angles at third base. 86 mph arm strength showed good carry across the diamond. Ran a 7.50 and sat 89-91 on the mound during his bullpen session.

Adam Grintz RHP / OF / Downingtown West, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 10 10/28/18 - PBR Mid-Atlantic ProCase 6-foot-2, 195-pound Tulane commit. Grintz pitched for Team Pennsylvania at the 2016 and 2017 PBR Future Games. Has changed his arm stroke considerably since that time, shortening up his take away allowing him to get on top of his fastball consistently. Pounded the zone with three pitches on this date sitting 87-90 from a high 3/4 arm slot with his fastball. Curveball has short, late 11/5 shape at 79-81. Changeup is above average with arm-side run at 81-83.

Jake Madden RHP / OF / East Pennsboro, PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 285 / POS: 85 8/19/18 - PBR Fall Kickoff Showcase Tournament Long, loose arm on 6-foot-4, 160-pound frame. Sat 87-88 out of a high 3/4 arm slot while touching 90 mph. Curveball at 73/75 lacked depth on this date. Changeup is thrown with good sell at 79-81. Repeats well and showed a feel for all three pitches. Room to add significant strength to his very projectable frame.

Chic DeGaetano RHP / 3B / Hazleton Area STEM, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 40 / POS: 18 10/28/18 - PBR Mid-Atlantic ProCase 6-foot-2, 195-pound Villanova commit. The righty sat 87-89 from an over-the-top arm slot with come cut to his fastball. DeGaetano works out of an up tempo delivery with a quick arm stroke and some head wag to his finish. Curveball at 75-79 at times shows hard 12/6 biting action. Tendency to get around the pitch at times causing it to back up. Changeup at 79-80 shows similar cutting action as his fastball, but a feel for the pitch is still in the works.

Best of the Rest

Tony DeLawrence LHP / 1B / Perkiomen Valley, PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 6 2018 PBR Future Games - top fastball 88 mph

Zach Garlinger RHP / OF / East Pennsboro, PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 11 PBR Fall Kickoff Showcase Tournament - top fastball 88 mph

Wyatt Henseler 3B / RHP / Emmaus , PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 4 2018 PBR Future Games - top fastball 88 mph

Ryan Kutz RHP / 1B / Lower Dauphin, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 73 / POS: 25 2018 Preseason All-State Showcase - top fastball 88 mph

David Shoemaker LHP / OF / State College, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 5 2018 PBR Mid-Atlantic ProCase - top fastball 88 mph

Colten Smith RHP / OF / Germantown Academy, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 9 2018 PBR Mid-Atlantic ProCase - top fastball 88 mph

Matt Henderson RHP / Daniel Boone, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 189 / POS: 58 2018 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games - top fastball 87 mph

Michael Kilker RHP / SS / Hazleton Area , PA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 5 2018 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games - top fastball 87 mph

Caleb Martin RHP / 2B / Honesdale, PA / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 9 2018 PBR Future Games - top fastball 87 mph

James Petrik RHP / OF / Pennridge, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 140 / POS: 45 2018 Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase - top fastball 87 mph

Rockne Seidel RHP / 3B / Cathedral Prep, PA / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 88 / POS: 28 2018 Western PA Top Prospect Games - top fastball 87 mph

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
2018 Holiday Showcase	PA	12/29	Keystone State Baseball Academy
Western Pennsylvania Junior Future Games Trials	PA	12/30	Pro Performance RX
Pittsburgh Outlaws Scout Day	PA	01/20	C-Side Sports Academy
2019 Preseason Preview	PA	01/26	Keystone State Baseball Academy
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/03	The Max
2019 Preseason All-State Showcase (Day One)	PA	02/16	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Preseason All-State Showcase (Day Two)	PA	02/17	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Pennsylvania Junior Future Games Trials (Session One)	PA	03/10	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Pennsylvania Junior Future Games Trials (Session Two)	PA	03/24	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Western PA Top Prospect Games	PA	06/11	Seton Hill University
2019 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games	PA	06/18	Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 16U (PBR Limited Series)	PA	06/29	Lebanon Valley College
2019 Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase	PA	07/09	Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 17U (PBR Limited Series)	PA	07/20	University of Scranton
2019 Western PA College Prospect Showcase	PA	07/23	Kelly Automotive Park
2019 Fall Kickoff Showcase	PA	08/15	Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 17U (Fall Kickoff Showcase Tournament)	PA	08/17	Millersville University

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