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With Seneca Valley brought up, what are your thoughts on rivals North Allegheny?

North Allegheny lost a lot of talent to graduation following 2013. Similar to Seneca Valley the Tigers have also displayed the ability to reload on a yearly basis. Look for a very talented group of 2014 prospects, many of which have been waiting for their opportunity to shine should give NA a chance to repeat in 4A. Buffalo recruit RHP/OF Mitchell Machi will lead the lineup that should be senior heavy again in 2014.

Debating on whether or not to go to the Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase since it is in the off-season. What are some benefits of going? Do you know how many schools will be there scouting?

Any player that utilizes the winter months to play another sport or to step away from baseball activities to rest and get stronger should not be attending the Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase or any other showcase for that matter. Winter showcases are an opportunity for those players that are still actively training to show improvements they have made since the fall and provides a spring board to additional opportunities in the spring and summer months with a good showing. The winter months are a quiet period for DI schools so all schools in attendance will be DII, DII, JUCO and NAIA schools.

What players should teams in the chesmont look out for?

It could be a low-scoring year in the Ches-Mont National this spring. No reason to think Coatesville's Brian Brown (NC State), 2013 PBR District I Pitcher of the Year, won't return as the top southpaw and overall pitcher. West Chester East's 6-foot-3, 175-pound 2015 RHP Culver Hughes (Virginia Tech) could end up as the hardest thrower. Downingtown West will be able to run out a pair of D1 RHPs in River Carbone (Maine) and AJ Catanese (Wagner), while Downingtown East has their own ace in Eric Sigovich (Appalachian State).
In the American division, however, offense could be the name of the game. Unionville IF Nick Ward (VCU) and West Chester Rustin IF Jimmy Brennan (Radford) are sparkplugs for their squads, while OF Mark Osis (George Washington) could be the guy driving Brennan in. Unionville OF Drew Jarmuz and Great Valley IF/RHP Tom Allen were the only 2015s named to the all-division 1st-team as sophomores. Sun Valley 2015 CJ Pruitt is a two-way player still figuring out if his future lies behind the dish or on the bump. Command of a solid curveball is one reason Oxford Area 2015 RHP Joe Boggs has a chance to keep offenses in this league off-balance.

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Is the answer for velocity spikes natural growth, stregnth training, mechanics, or all of the above?

Definitely all of the above. A consistent long toss program is also very important.

What are your thoughts on the Seneca Valley team this year?

Seneca Valley has shown the ability to reload every year and this year should be no different. The SV pitching staff will be led by Virginia Tech recruit Connor Coward. The loss of Gianpaul Gonzalez will affect them, but SV could very well make another run at a WPIAL 4A championship.

What WPIAL pitcher could break out this year?

Several WPIAL pitchers have a chance to have break out years on the mound. RHP Jake Potock (Shaler Area) & RHP Colin Claus are both highly ranked 2015 pitchers that are likely to have big years. Watch for 2016 LHP Alex Kirilloff & 2015 RHP Brian Albert to also potentially impress depending on how much Kirilloff is used on the mound and if Albert can rebound from arm problems.

Philadelphia Catholic League standouts for this upcoming season?

The top power hitter and best draft prospect is Neumann-Goretti 1B Josh Ockimey (Indiana U). The best defensive infielder is Archbishop Wood SS Erik Bowren (Millersville). St. Joseph's Prep OF Jawan McAllister (Pitt), 2015 La Salle OF Jimmy Herron (Duke), and Archbishop Ryan IF Bobby Romano (Fairleigh Dickinson) are all toolsy athletes who will make a major impact. The top returning pitcher is reigning PBR District XII Pitcher of the Year, La Salle's Dom Cuoci (Saint Joseph's), who was the only non-senior to be chosen for the 1st-team all-PCL pitching staffs.

How do you get on the PA Big 26 team

The Big 26 coaching staff holds tryouts in western and eastern PA in May. The roster is selected following the two tryouts. All details can be found at www.big26.org.

Biggest players in terms on size in 2015?

The PA Class of 15 is littered with "big" prospects in the top 50 spots in the rankings. Among those, two of the biggest physically are RHP Eli Nabholz (Pottsville HS, #6 in the class & a Penn State commit) and RHP Jake Potock (Shaler Area HS, #14 in the class and still uncommitted). Nabholz is 6-foot-6, 230-pounds. Potock is 6-foot-5, 225-pounds.

Your thoughts on the Mount Saint Mary's recruiting class?

Mount St. Mary's has not released their complete early signing class to date. Three PA prospects signed an NLI with the Mountaineers in November. RHP Jeremy Hileman (Red Land), RHP Michael Collins (Mercersburg Academy) & RHP Noah Smith (Norwin) should all see time on the mound early for a program that went 11-37 overall and 6-26 in conference play in 2013.

Have you assessed the 2014 recruiting classes for Pennsylvania universities and CC's? If so, can you share that info here?

We ran articles on the following PA 2014 Early Signing Classes (Lehigh/ Temple/ PennState/ SetonHill/ SlipperyRock/ Lafayette/ Millersville/ Bloomsburg/ IUP/ Shippensburg/ Mercyhurst/ Villanova). You can view each of the stories by clicking on a given school in the upper right hand corner of the page at www.prepbaseballreport.com/pennsylvania

What is the selection process for picking players for the MWFG?

Most members of the roster, but not all, will have attended at least one PBR event. Pennsylvania is a huge state and the time it takes to properly scout the talent in a given class is endless. We will run 3 separate events this winter that coupled with what we have already seen from the Class of 2016 will aid us in our initial invitations. We will utilize the high school season and the PA Top Prospect Games in June to finalize any remaining roster spots that have not been filled.

What players get invited to the MWFG?

The 2014 Midwest Future Games will be for top prospects from the Class of 2016 and select players from the class of 2017. Invitations are extended to top prospects in each of the 10 states that PBR operates. Team Pennsylvania invitations will begin to go out shortly after the completion of the Preseason All-State Showcase. Here is a link to view last year's Team PA roster >> http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/past-showcases/PA/midwest-future-games-pennsylvania-2013

Top ten players in district 6?

We will do a complete preview of teams, leagues and districts leading up to the start of the high school season. 2013 District 6 champions Bishop McCort, Somerset and State College all return a number of talented prospects. RHP Justin Vardian (Bishop McCort) has been the biggest mover in the rankings recently, moving to No. 34 in the PA Class of 2014 after an impressive bullpen session at the Elite Prospect Showcase in November. Vardian is a Penn State recruit.

Who has the biggest upside with the bat in 2016?

We have just begun to get significant looks at prospects in this class. Many will get their first taste of real varsity action this spring. Admittedly, we have not seen all players in this class and have definitely seen some, more than others. Some hitters that have stood out so far are Nicky D'Amore (Neumann-Goretti), Connor Hood (Susquehannock), Adam Celidonia (Montour) & Corbin Kessler (Seneca Valley). We will have an opportunity to see many of the top prospects in this class side-by-side this winter in preparation for naming our Team PA roster for next summer's Midwest Future Games. Here is a link to our winter schedule >> http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/pennsylvania/events

If you put together a 2014's tournament with every state in the PBR coverage area represented, which state would win it all?

We do that in a way with our PBR Midwest Future Games each summer. In 2012 it was the Class of 2014 that comprised the rosters from the six states in the PBR family at that time. Illinois and Missouri had the most impressive rosters in attendance with 7 Illinois pitchers touching 90 mph or better. Here is a link to last year's rosters for the Midwest Future Games powered by Under Armour >> http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/FutureGames . Five members of last year's Team PA roster have announced Division I commitments.

Thoughts on the Bicentennial league this year? Do any teams have a shot at taking down powerhouse Devon Prep?

At first glance, the BAL Independence could be a dogfight, with three teams -- Devon Prep, Holy Ghost Prep, and New Hope-Solebury -- that all return four players who made 1st- or 2nd-team all-league last season. If pitching drives the train, Devon (Zach Schellenger) and Holy Ghost (Tim Brennan, Curtis Staropoli) are probably the favorites. However, if Spencer Tinkel takes a step forward in his development, NH-S will have an arm who is capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone in the league as well.
In the Constitution and Presidents divisions, the all-league 1st-teams were very senior-laden, so a lot will depend on how underclassmen have developed over the off-season. We certainly hope to learn more from the all league coaches after we send out pre-season questionnaires in February.

Are there any projectable arms I'm the 2014 class playing at small division 1 schools who you think could develop well over time?

We've already written a lot about Seton Hall commit Zach Schellenger (Devon Prep), who is #1 in the 2014 class in PA. The University of Kentucky staff is excited about incoming 6-foot-4, 180-pound Erich Hartman (York Catholic). 6-foot-4, 175-pound St. Bonaventure signee Brandon Schlimm (Elk County Catholic) ran his FB up to 89 at the PBR PA Top Prospect Games. You didn't ask about the 2015 class, but we'll give a bonus answer: keep an eye on starting QB John Bowman (Canton), who has a loose arm and touched 87 at the PBR PA Underclass Games after not throwing a baseball in two months.

If you had to take a rough guess as to what 4 schools would win a state title this year who would they be?

That is a question best answered come spring. We will preview teams and leagues from around the state as we get into February and March. We will also roll out our preseason team rankings with our best educated guesses at that time. High school baseball is not an easy sport to forecast but it definitely is fun to look into the crystal ball.

Does Spring-Ford have a legitimate shot at a state title in 2 years with all of their talent and recent success with that class?

I assume that you are referring to the success the underclassmen have had at the Junior Legion level. Although their accomplishments on that stage are impressive, don't read to deep into it. Junior Legion baseball is only played by a very small percentage of the age eligible prospects in the state. Many of the top players in the state are playing at national and regional showcase tournaments instead. With that said, it is a very talented group and should give Spring-Ford a legitimate shot at advancing deep into the playoffs if the players are able to transfer that to the high school diamond.

Most underrated player in the 2015 class?

Rather than look at it from the standpoint of being underrated, let me discuss a few prospects that we feel are primed to potentially see a jump in the rankings. In a class loaded with pitching depth, all 3 happen to be pitchers. RHP Colin Claus (West Allegheny) is a physical 6'3", 220-pound prospect that sits in the mid 80s with late life to his FB. RHP Joe Molittiere (Pennridge) was as high as 86-88 at points this summer with heavy arm side run to his FB. LHP Cordell Shannon has the makings of being a heavily recruited lefty. At 6'4", 180-pounds Shannon is likely to add significant weight and velocity in the coming months and years. All three are likely to have a host of college programs following their progress this spring and summer.

Do you think anyone from the Big 26 has a chance at being drafted?

If he returns to full health, LHP LaRon Mitchelll would have the greatest chance. At 6'5" 215-pounds, Mitchell sits in the upper 80s when he is right. Several others on the roster may have an opportunity to hear their name called at some point during their college careers.

Opinions on the PAC-10 this year?

I should definitely have included the PAC-10 in earlier discussions of the top leagues in Pennsylvania. AJ Bogucki (Boyertown), the No. 1 player in the PA Class of 2014, has graduated and is now at North Carolina. Look for Spring-Ford to make a move to the top of the league. They bring back the bulk of their impact players and have solid front line pitching.

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