Prep Baseball Report

Western PA Open ID Showcase Analysis: Evaluating the Middle Infielders



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

It's rare when an event is top heavy on talented second basemen, but this one was. Several of these talented prospects showed the range, glove work and potential to slide to the opposite side of the bag and perform well at the shortstop position. Of those being highlighted, all were already ranked in their respective classes or have now entered the rankings.

Teddy BallgameTed Williams, 2B/SS, Class of 2014, Meadville HS
Williams topped all infield arms at the event with consistent throws of 79 mph across the diamond. The 5-foot-8, 140-pound prospect showed soft hands, good range and precise angles to the baseball. Williams has good feet and does a nice job of beating the baseball to the spot on a consistent basis. The left-handed hitter showed his foot speed with a 4.50 home-to-1B time and had an impressive round of batting practice. He used a short stroke and quick hands to consistently barrel the baseball to all fields. Williams is ranked No. 65 in the PA Class of 2014.

PittmanJosh Pittman, 2B/SS, Class of 2014, Central Catholic HS
Pittman is a 5-foot-8, 150-pound prospect who glided to the baseball. He made all the plays look routine and had a clean, effortless exchange. Pittman showcased a 4.55 home-to-1B time, a 73 mph throwing arm across the infield and a 76 mph bat exit velocity. Pittman was also impressive at the plate. He used a strong lower half and good extension to drive the baseball with signs of some power potential. His performance vaulted Pittman into the PA Class of 2014 rankings at No. 138.

Shane Churma, 2B/OF, Class of 2015, Penn Trafford HS
Churma is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound prospect who was impressive. He showcased well in all facets of the game and vaulted himself into the PA Class of 2015 rankings at No. 40. Churma ran a 4.58 home-to-1B time, threw 80 mph from the outfield and 75 mph across the infield. He impressed at the plate with an 85 mph bat exit velocity. He sits on the backside and uses a strong lower half to create barrel whip. Churma displayed excellent extension to his swing and definite power potential.

Ryan Creps, 2B/OF, Class of 2014, Indiana Area HS
Creps shows good size for a second baseman at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Creps showcased well in all facets of the game earning himself a spot in the Class of 2014 rankings at No. 100. He displayed good foot speed with a 4.45 home-to-1B time. Creps showed athletic actions and a 75 mph arm across the infield. He also showcased the top outfield arm at the event with a top throw of 81 mph. Offensively, Creps used a short swing path, a strong lower half and good extension to barrel up baseballs consistently to all fields with an 82 mph bat exit velocity.

John Bondi, 2B/SS, Class of 2015, Franklin Regional HS
Bondi is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound prospect who showed good foot speed with a 4.43 home-to-1B time and a 68 mph arm across the infield. He showcased athletic actions and soft hands as an infielder with good range. Bondi impressed with a short, compact, line drive swing that resulted in consistent line drives to all fields during his round of batting practice. He is ranked No. 39 in the PA Class of 2015 rankings.

Connor McGinnis, Class of 2014, Mars HS
McGinnis is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect that showcased a 4.56 home-to-1B time and a 76 mph arm across the infield. He showed good range and the ability to play through the baseball. McGinnis displayed an athletic, balanced swing that results in consistent barrel whip and solid extension. He was able to barrel the baseball repeatedly, driving the baseball to the pull side. As a result of his performance McGinnis has entered the PA Class of 2014 rankings at No. 129.

Christian Hirt, SS/2B, Class of 2014, Baldwin Whitehall HS
Hirt is a 5-foot-7, 150-pound athletic prospect who showcased well. He displayed his athleticism and foot speed by running the 2nd fastest home-to-1B time of the day at 4.37. Hirt displayed top velocities of 79 mph from the outfield and 74 mph from the infield. He showed soft hands and good range with a low 3/4 delivery on throws across the infield. Hurt barreled the baseball consistently during his round of batting practice with a bat exit speed of 73 mph. Hirt earned a spot in the Class of 2014 rankings at No. 148 as a result of his performance.

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