Top Stories of 2014: #2 - Grove and Minnick Shine at PA Top Prospect Games

December 25, 2014

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

2015 C/3B Zach Minnick (Logan HS) and 2015 RHP Michael Grove (Wheeling Park HS) jump started their summer recruiting schedule by both standing out at the PA Top Prospect Games in June. Minnick (Campbell University) and Grove (West Virginia University) both made commitments to their respective schools during the course of the summer and signed their respective letters of intent in November. Since the completion of the event a total of 35 prospects have gone on to make their college commitments.

Over the course of the two day event Minnick went 5-for-5 in game play at the pate including a double, two triples and a 385 foot opposite field home run. The six foot, 215-pound catcher ran a 7.01 60-yard dash, and flashed an 87 mph arm from the crouch with pop times of 1.84-1.99 during defensive evaluations. Minnick went on to throw 88 mph across the diamond from 3rd base and 91 mph from the outfield. The right-handed hitter completed his impressive performance by turning in one of the top bat exit velocities of the event at 96 mph.

Grove showcased a heavy fastball that sits 87-89 with late life. He showed repeatable mechanics and the ability to make in game adjustments to allow himself to have success. Grove is a strike thrower that does not use his 71 mph curveball or his 77 mph changeup often, but his fastball is good enough currently that he doesn't need to. The current senior also flashed two-way abilities running a 6.92 60-yard dash and showcased an 86 mph arm across the diamond. With his size and room for added growth, Grove projects as a corner infielder or outfielder if he continues to play both ways at the next level. The right-handed hitter displayed an 88 mph bat exit velocity and power potential to both gaps. He went 3-for-6 in game play including an inside the park home run to dead center field in his team's first game.

An MVP was named from each of the six teams at the completion of game play. The following prospects were recognized from their respective teams.

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Grey Team (2015 OF Reid Werth, Butler, PA)
Gold Team (2015 RHP/SS Michael Grove, Wheeling Park, WV)
White Team (2017 OF/RHP Joe Lancellotti, Archbishop Wood, PA)
Black Team (2015 2B/SS Kordell Collins, Juniata Valley, PA)
Red Team (2015 OF/RHP Isaac Neal, Parkland, PA)
Blue Team (2015 C/3B Zach Minnick, Logan, WV)