Prep Baseball Report

WV Top Prospect Games Review: Pitcher Analysis



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania and West Virginia came to a close with the inaugural WV Top Prospect Games on August 9 and 10. Prospects from four states assembled at the YMCA Kennedy Center Field in Huntington, WV for two days of nine inning games and showcase activities. Today we wrap up our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at the primary pitchers that participated.

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

wv top prospect games:
Pitcher analysis

top prospects


2016 RHP Jacob Bolander (East Fairmont HS, WV)

Jacob BolanderBolander was named Co-MVP of the Black Team following his five innings of work on the mound over two days of game actions. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound righty sat 81-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot giving up just one run on two hits while striking out four. Bolander also commanded a 71 mph curveball with tight 11/5 rotation and a 70 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. The junior has sound, repeatable mechanics and a frame that projects for velocity gains in the coming years.

2015 LHP/OF Kipp Brewer (Nitro HS, WV)

Kipp BrewerBrewer sat 80-81 for three scoreless innings from a high 3/4 arm slot with some cut action to his fastball. The 6-foot, 175-pound lefty also commanded a 73 mph curveball with tight 1/7 rotation and a 72 mph changeup with fade. Brewer pounded the corners and had a feel for all three pitches while striking out seven and yielding just three hits. The uncommitted senior registered a 78 mph bat exit velocity and flashed an accurate 74 mph arm from the outfield as well. Currently ranked No. 9 in the WV Class of 2015, Brewer is likely to draw considerable interest for his pitchability prior to the early signing period in November.

2015 RHP/3B Andrue Hughart (Independence HS, WV)

Andrue HughartHughart is a physical 6-foot-4, 220-pound righty that sat 81-84 with arm side run to his fastball from a high 3/4 arm slot. The uncommitted senior allowed one run over three innings while registering three strikeouts. Hughart also displayed a sharp breaking slider at 75 mph and a 77 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed. Hughart showcased a 78 mph bat exit velocity from the left side of the plate and an accurate 71 mph arm across the diamond with a quick release.

2016 RHP William (Zac) McNeel (Cabell Midland HS, WV)

William (Zac) McNeelMcNeel sat 81-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot while yielding one run in three innings of work. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior has a projectable frame and commanded a 68 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. McNeel yielded two hits while striking out three. The right-handed hitter barreled the baseball routinely from a square stance with a toe tap stride during his round of batting practice. McNeel went 0-for-2 at the plate and registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph.

2017 RHP/SS Ethan Osborne (Sheldon Clark HS, KY)

Ethan OsborneThe 6-foot-2, 165-pound sophomore displayed two-way abilities sitting 80-81 on the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot. Osborne worked three perfect innings facing the minimum with four strikeouts. The righty mixed a 69 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a knuckle ball that danced at 69 mph to allow just one ball that left the infield. Osborne went 1-for-5 with a walk at the plate in game action while registering a 79 mph bat exit velocity. The right-handed hitter hits from a square stance with a high hands load and displayed the ability to use all fields during batting practice. Osborne displayed an 81 mph arm across the infield, a number that should continue to improve as he develops the ability to play through the baseball.


best of the rest: (in alphabetical order)


2017 RHP/OF Dylan Appolloni (Bishop Watterson, OH)

Appolloni worked three innings sitting 79-81 from a high 3/4 arm slot while allowing just one run. The 6-foot, 150-pound righty has a long, loose delivery and his 73 mph curveball has tight 11/5 rotation with late down action. Appolloni struck out three and allowed just one hit in his time on the mound. The right-handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance with a high hands load. Appolloni showed good tempo to his swing in batting practice and flashed a 79 mph arm from his outfield position.

2016 LHP/1B Jared Bumpus (Ripley HS, WV)

Bumpus sat 69-70 from a high 3/4 arm slot while also displaying a 60 mph curveball with 1/7 rotation and a 61 mph changeup. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound lefty had a rocky first inning, but bounced back to retire six of the final seven hitters that he faced including two by strikeout. Bumpus showed capable actions around the bag at 1B with a 62 mph arm across the diamond. The left-handed hitter showcased a 78 mph bat exit velocity from a slightly closed stance while barreling the baseball routinely to all fields during batting practice.

2016 RHP/OF Jared Cleghorn (Bridgeport HS, WV)

Cleghorn sat 78-80 from a high 3/4 arm slot with some cut action to his fastball. The junior worked three innings allowing one run on two hits while registering three strikeouts. Cleghorn also commanded a very effective 69 mph curveball with tight 11/5 rotation that produced a number of swing-throughs. The right-handed hitter went 3-for-7 at the plate in game action while registering a 76 mph bat exit velocity from a square stance. Cleghorn displayed a quick release and an accurate 76 mph arm from the outfield defensively.

2016 RHP/2B Ryan Janvier (Chichester HS, PA)

Janvier worked three innings allowing two runs on four hits while sitting 77-79 from a high 3/4 arm slot. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound righty struck out two while also flashing a 69 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. Janvier went 1-for-5 at the plate hitting from a slightly open stance with a toe tap stride and a 75 mph bat exit velocity. The junior displayed athletic actions in the middle infield with an above average 82 mph arm across the diamond.

2015 RHP/OF Jeriah Joseph (Teas Valley Christian, WV)

Joseph faced the minimum over three innings sitting 78-79 form a high 3/4 arm slot with some arm side run to his fastball. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound uncommitted senior also showed a feel for a 68 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. Joseph registered one strikeout and recorded six ground ball outs during his outing. The right-handed hitter displayed a 74 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.44 60-yard dash.

2015 LHP/OF Brady Knapp (Woodrow Wilson, WV)

Knapp is 6-foot-5, 185-pound lefty that sat 72-74 from a 3/4 arm slot. The uncommitted senior effectively mixed a 70 mph 1/7 breaking curveball to give batters fits while working three scoreless innings. Knapp yielded just one infield hit while striking out three in his time on the mound. Knapp showed good tempo to his left-handed swing while barreling the baseball routinely to all fields during batting practice. He went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk in game play while registering a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Knapp showcased solid straight line carry on throws of 76 mph from the outfield.

2016 LHP/OF Logan McCoy (Ripley HS, WV)

McCoy is a 6-foot, 160-pound lefty that sat 72-73 from a high 3/4 arm slot during three innings of work. The junior allowed two runs on seven hits while working out of two jams by mixing in a 63 mph curveball with 1/7 rotation. McCoy also showcased a 74 mph arm from the outfield and a 68 mph bat exit velocity during the course of the two day event.

2015 RHP/1B Houston Morris (Bridgeport HS, WV)

Morris worked three scoreless innings sitting 79-80 from a 3/4 arm slot. The 6-foot, 185-pound righty also displayed a 64 mph slurve that he used repeatedly in his first inning of work to strike out the side. Morris went 1-for-5 at the plate and registered a 72 mph bat exit velocity. He displayed capable actions around the bag at 1B and displayed an accurate 71 mph arm across the diamond.

2015 RHP Michael Pierce (Dawson Bryant HS, OH)

Pierce sat 79-81 from a high 3/4 arm slot with some cut action to his fastball over three innings of work. The 6-foot, 195-pound uncommitted senior allowed four hits and one run while striking out two. Pierce also flashed a 71 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-3 in game action with a double and registered a bat exit velocity of 79 mph.

2017 RHP Holden Sions (Moorefield HS, WV)

Sions sat 72-74 from a 3/4 arm slot with some arm side run to his fastball. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound sophomore worked three innings allowing three runs on six hits while registering one strikeout. Sions also displayed a 61 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation.

2015 RHP Ryan Snodgress (Shady Spring HS, WV)

Snodgress effectively mixed a 77-79 mph fastball with a 67 mph changeup to register five strikeouts in three innings of work. The uncommitted senior allowed five hits but managed to limit the damage to just two runs allowed. The 6-foot-1, 150-pound righty displayed some arm side run to his fastball and his changeup was thrown routinely at fastball arm speed with some late fade.

2017 RHP/SS Abe Stearns (Point Pleasant HS, WV)

Stearns worked three very effective innings sitting 77-78 from a high 3/4 arm slot. The sophomore also commanded a 70 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed to keep batters off balance. Stearns yielded two hits and no runs during his time on the hill. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter went 2-for-5 at the plate from a square stance with a short swing path. Stearns barreled the baseball frequently in batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. He displayed an accurate 72 mph arm across the diamond defensively with the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles.

2015 LHP/1B Ty Wickline (Liberty HS, WV)

Wickline worked three innings from a high 3/4 arm slot with some hip coil to his delivery. He yielded one run on four hits while striking out two batters while sitting 74-76. Wickline also displayed a 66 mph curveball with 1/7 rotation and a 68 mph changeup. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed hitter showcased a flat swing path and the ability to use all fields in batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 72 mph. Wickline showed capable action around the bag at 1B with a 69 mph arm across the diamond.

2015 RHP/1B Jeff Wong (George Washington HS, WV)

Wong worked just one inning sitting 77-78 before discomfort forced him to not return to the mound. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound righty, who normally sits in the mid-80s, also displayed a 69 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation. Wong was effective in his lone inning retiring the side in order on a fly out and two ground balls. Wong went 1-for-2 at the plate in game action while registering an 82 mph bat exit velocity.

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