Follow @PBRVirginiaDC

By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

Benedictine middle infielder Gregory Ryan has committed to attend the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2018. Benedictine had a strong spring that saw them enter the VISAA Division I State Tournament as the number three seed before being upset by sixth seeded St. Anne’s-Belfield in the quarterfinals. The Cadets finished the season ranked in the final Prep Baseball Report Virginia/DC Power 25 after their strong season. Benedictine will have to look to its youth to step up in 2016 as the Cadets lost Michael Geary (LHP, Virginia Military Institute), Reid Leonard (MIF, Morehead State), Jake Ottinger (RHP, Virginia Military Institute), Nick Roth (RHP, St. Joseph’s), and Wesley Steelman (RHP, Lynchburg) to graduation.

At the Underclass Invitational in February, Ryan hit from a tall stance with flexed knees and was loaded on the backside to start. He had a minimal load back that was smooth and took a short stride that was on line and had balance throughout the swing. Ryan was confident in his ability to hit and had rhythm to match. He had good hands with average bat speed that generated a 79 mph exit velocity off of the tee. He took a short path to the ball with good extension and has a line drive stroke that works gap to gap. Ryan can flat out hit. In the field, threw from a three-quarters arm slot with a long, loose arm action and showed accuracy with his throws. Ryan had athletic actions and played through the ball, showing soft hands with fluid footwork and quick, clean exchanges. Ryan showed average arm strength with a positional velocity of 75 mph.

When he arrives at Pittsburgh, Ryan should immediately help the Panthers as someone who could crack the lineup as a freshman or be an impact bat off of the bench who can defend at multiple positions on the infield. As his career progresses and his frame fills out, Ryan has the potential to grow into a middle of the lineup hitter who will hit for a high average with decent doubles and some home run power. As he fills out, it’s possible that Ryan outgrows the middle infield, but he would make a very good defender at third and the Panthers will like his bat anywhere that they can fit it in their lineup.

Congrats Gregory!