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Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Middle Infielders

July 4, 2015

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The 2015 Western PA College Prospect Showcase took place on June 30, with 76 prospects from Pennsylvania and West Virginia gathering at Seton Hill University. Our rundown of the participants begins today with the sixteen middle infielders in attendance.

Middle Infielders:  Class of 2016


Killian Cavanaugh, MIF, Shady Side Academy

Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance with a heel raise stride. Barreled baseball frequently with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Showed solid feet (6.96) but displayed a tendency to throw up hill. 72 mph arm strength could be improved by playing through baseball routinely and getting over front side.

Mitchum Donatelli, MIF, Gateway

Donatelli continues to show development. 5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter flashed loose hands from a square stance with a heel raise stride and an 84 mph bat exit velocity. 7.48 runner displayed ability to play through the baseball with an accurate 75 mph arm across the diamond. Double glove tap on release will need to be eliminated to allow him to play on the left side of the infield at the next level.

Alex Huff, MIF, Franklin Area

Smallish 5-foot-9, 135-pound left-handed hitter with a feel for the barrel. Starts from square stance with lift and replace stride. Displayed improving arm strength (79 mph) and the ability to make all plays. Size and 7.42 foot speed likely will keep him at second base at next level.

Zach Jacobelli, MIF, Penn-Trafford

Physical maturation has led to improvements in all areas for the 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter. Jacobelli starts from square with a high hands load and a leg lift stride. Stays on plane through hitting zone and creates barrel whip with solid lower half action (90 mph bat exit velocity). Showed ample arm strength (81 mph) to stay on left side of infield, but will need to continue to work on footwork and fluidity. 

Owen Means, MIF, Cathedral Prep

5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter displayed the ability to barrel the baseball routinely from a square stance with a lift and replace stride and a 77 mph bat exit velocity. Short swing path with simple approach results in a consistent feel for the barrel. Improvements to 7.71 foot speed and 71 mph arm strength will be needed in order to allow for a move to the left side of the infield at the next level.

Brady Minetti, MIF, Montour

5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed hitter with above average foot speed (6.85). Head travels a bit as he glides a bit to the baseball but showed solid feel for the barrel. Best suited at this point as a second baseman. Displayed 76 mph arm strength from low arm slot. Showed soft glove hand and above average body control in making slow roller play look easy.

Jared Walters, MIF, Red Land

5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a toe tap load to initiate a swing that has some length. Head tends to travel during load phase causing eye level to change leading to some difficulties in routinely barreling the baseball. Walters 7.60 foot speed and 69 mph arm strength will likely prevent a move to the left side of the infield in the near future. 

Middle Infielders:  Class of 2017


Mason Akers, RHP/MIF, Everett Area 

5-foot-6, 130-pound right-handed hitter. All-around game will benefit from strength gains with maturation. Hit from square stance with heel-raise stride in which heel retreats when it lands. Swing has some length, while it is fairly balanced and hands work pretty well. Ran a 7.88 60-yard dash and in-game best 4.93 home-to-1B time. Showcased 65-mph exit velocity and 70-mph arm strength during workout. Exhibited good hands, solid feet, and ability to get rid of the ball quickly.

Morgan Bell, MIF, Somerset Area

Bell starts from a square stance with a short lift and replace stride. Showed a feel for the barrel with a 77 mph bat exit velocity. Loads hands deep leading to some barring of the lead arm. 6-foot, 160-pounder showed fluid actions defensively with a 74 mph arm across the diamond with much more in the tank. Defensive actions make Bell a definite follow in this class. 
 
Jared Kollar, MIF/RHP, Greater Latrobe

Kollar starts from a square right-handed base and utilizes a heel raise load with no stride to initiate his swing. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder flashed a direct path to the baseball and the ability to get to extension routinely with a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Kollar ran a 7.59 60-yard dash and 77 mph arm strength across the diamond. A tendency to stand upright following fielding the baseball in a solid position should be able to be corrected leading to improved arm velocity.

Mike McCarty, MIF, Knoch

6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short stride to initiate his swing. Short, direct swing path and solid feel for the barrel with a 78 mph bat exit velocity. A soft glove hand and solid lateral movement with a quick release make up for McCarty's current 73 mph arm strength. The 7.18 runner has a projectable frame and should continue to develop arm strength allowing him to remain on the left side of the infield.

Cade Negley, RHP/MIF, Butler Area

Projectable 6-foot-1, 185-pound primary pitcher. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance with a high hands load and a short, lift and replace stride. Good rhythm to swing with direct swing path creates an 88 mph bat exit velocity. Negley's physical size and 7.50 foot speed will likely find him making a slide to 3B in near future. Soft glove hand and 79 mph arm make him a legitimate two-way prospect moving forward.

Mason Petrosky, MIF/RHP, Greater Latrobe

5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter displayed a 82mph bat exit velocity from a wide, square stance. Petrosky initiates his swing with a heel raise with no stride. When on time to the hitting zone he flashed the ability to barrel the baseball to all fields. Petrosky ran a 7.69 60-yard dash and showed a 72 mph arm across the diamond defensively.

Anton Rearick, MIF, Elizabeth Forward

5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance with a small, lift-and-replace stride. Some barrel drag leads to difficulties getting to hitting zone on time on a consistent basis. Showcased a 7.64 60-yard dash and a 73 mph arm across the diamond. Displayed the ability to make the routine play defensively with some effort to his throwing motion. Continued strength gains and physical maturation will help his overall game.

Korey Shoupe, MIF, Kiski Area

5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short, lift and replace stride to initiate his swing. Compact swing leads to an 81 mph bat exit velocity with good balance throughout the swing. A bit of barrel wrap during load causes Shoupe to be late to hitting zone at times. Shoupe ran a 7.57 60-yard dash and showed capable actions defensively with a 74 mph arm across the diamond. 

Cory Storm, MIF/RHP, Hollidaysburg 

5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short, lift and replace stride to initiate his swing. Loads hands away from body leading to some arm-bar action with an 80 mph bat exit velocity. Storm ran a 7.09 60-yard dash and displayed a 77 mph arm across the diamond defensively. Displayed a soft glove hand and good feet with the ability to make throws from multiple arm angles.

Middle Infielders:  Class of 2018


Max Cebulak, RHP/MIF, Central Catholic

5-foot-10, 185-pound primary pitcher starts from a wide base as a right-handed hitter. A short stride and limited flexion in the back leg creates some balance issues but Cebulak showed a feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 75 mph. An 8.15 60-yard dash and 73 mph arm strength are both areas Cebulak will need to improve to be considered a two-way prospect as a middle infielder. 

Previous Western PA College Prospect Showcase News

 2015 Eastern PA Fall ReviewCreate a Free Player ProfileWestern PA Fall Review 2015