EVENT DATE: 7/18/2005

LOCATION: Baseball Factory Field, University of Maryland @ Baltimore County

A home game…a break from the road, a chance to wake up at home and go to bed at home…and a chance for more players to see our home field – Baseball Factory Field on the campus of the University of Maryland @ Baltimore County.

This Top 5 features another 2005 PUMA Pre-season All American, and once again shows off young talent. It also has a very Regional flavor, with five different states being represented. Hitters dominate the list this time, so it was only fitting to put the best offensive prospect at the top.

Top 5 Prospects

The Top 5 Prospects were selected by Andy Ferguson (Director of Scouting) based on their performance at the event. The ranking is based on their status as college prospects, and is relative to the entire group of players we saw on the day – we now consider underclassmen in our selection process.

IMPORTANT – We list players at the position(s) where we feel they are prospects. This may result in a player being listed at a position they did not play for us, or having a position they did play for us go unlisted. As usual, all references to “average” are based on high school standards.

1. Steven Proscia, SS/RHP, 2008 – Suffern, NY (St. Joe’s Regional HS), 6-0, 185, R/R. Proscia is one of the top offensive prospects I have seen at a Regional event so far this year, and he just turned 15 about a month ago. He showed above average bat speed and barrel accuracy through two rounds of batting practice. He created great backspin, drove a ball out to left center and consistently through the gap. His stroke was short, simple and balanced. He also showed good feet in the infield, along with a strong arm – arm action was fluid and he carried the ball across the infield well. On the mound he topped at 81 mph, and again showed a loose and lively arm stroke. His secondary stuff was not thrown with enough arm speed, this is the biggest area for him to improve. He ran 7.24 in the 60 yard dash. 

2. Mike Russo, OF/RHP, 2008 – Hamilton Square, NJ (The Hun School), 6-3, 175, R/R. Along with a pretty complete set of tools, Russo also featured a lean body with length and width. He ran 6.99 in the 60 yard dash and showed low effort, fluid actions across the board. His level stroke created easy life off the barrel, and he made solid contact to both gaps. Bat speed was present, he showed he could accelerate the barrel through the hitting zone while holding his ground very well. His long and loose arm action showed both in the outfield and on the mound, where he topped at 81 mph. His breaking ball had tight spin and near 12 to 6 break with signs of depth. He has some feel for his change-up, kept his wrist loose and spun it but did not keep his arm speed up. Overall, an above average athlete with a ton of potential. 

3. Corey Phelan, IF/OF, 2006 – Newark, DE (Charter School of Wilmington), 5-9, 160, R/R. I last saw Phelan in May 2004. Since then he improved notably in the infield, and his line drive stroke has started to produce more lively contact. His body is well proportioned, with some size on his square shouldered frame. He ran 7.00 in the 60 yard dash and showed an above average arm from SS and the OF (hit 83 mph on the radar gun). He still grades out a little better in the OF, though the quickness and life he shows in the infield makes me think he will continue to improve. At the plate he drove some balls out to left center field, created great backspin with his loose and easy stroke. There was some rhythm to his prep, is certainly not an effort power guy (as you may think with his size). His bat holds his main value, and he is athletic and tooled enough to play most anywhere on the field – which is why I listed him as IF/OF.

4. Joe Russo, SS, 2007 – Lancaster, PA (Conestoga Valley HS), 5-11, 165, R/R. Russo was a 2005 PUMA Pre-season All American, and since that event in January his body has changed – he has added length and still holds his athletic proportions. His offensive ability stood out most to me. He featured rhythm and a good stroke, resulting in above average barrel accuracy. Opposite field line drives flew off his bat, and backspin line drives were featured throughout his round of batting practice. In the infield he worked from right to left with his glove out front, and good flow to his actions. His exchange was easy and fluid, and he kept his feet underneath him very well. He touched 80 mph on the radar gun, and his arm played as strong average across the infield. Has made a good jump in just six months, and is still young – look for more good things from him.

5. Adam Genn, RHP, 2006 – Baltimore, MD (Friends School), 6-3, 185, R/R. Genn featured a low effort delivery and control of a three pitch mix. His arm was whippy and loose out front, and his delivery had good rhythm and sequence. His fastball was 84-86 mph with slight arm side run. He showed an above average curveball with tight spin and good depth on a near 12 to 6 shape. His change-up has steady action to his arm side along with some sink, had feel for the ball but lost some arm speed. He is pretty upright throughout his delivery, and does not finish with much aggression. Has length in his frame, but not much strength yet. With strength and a more aggressive move down the mound he has a chance to find some more life in his already quality stuff.

Top Prospects ARCHIVE

See below for more information about the B.A.T.S. Program, and the Rookie Program. Also, be sure to click on the link for our complete 2005 schedule.

B.A.T.S VIDEO SCOUTING SESSIONS
– includes edited video and scouting report on personal web page
– also an opportunity to tryout for National Tournament Teams
– call 800-641-4487 to register

ROOKIE SESSIONS
– includes on field instruction and take home baseball ability assessment
– also an opportunity to tryout for National Tournament Teams
– call 800-641-4487 to register

Baseball Factory 2005 Schedule