CA: Alex Ramsay, Severna Park HS (Md.)
1B: Tim Kiene, Avon Old Farms HS (Conn.)
2B: Mike Antonio, George Washington HS (N.Y.)
3B: Colin Moran, Iona Prep HS (N.Y.)
SS: Sean Coyle, Germantown Academy HS (Pa.)
OF: Mitchell Shifflett, Cosby HS (Va.)
OF: Anthony D'Alessandro, Mahwah HS (N.J.)
OF: Mark Podlas, Westhampton Beach HS (N.Y.)
DH: Tom Zengel, North Hunterdon HS (N.J.)
UT: Cito Culver, West Irondequot HS (N.Y.)

SP: Robbie Aviles, Suffern HS (N.Y.)
SP: Bobby Wahl, West Springfield HS (Va.)
SP: TJ Pecoraro, Half Hollow Hills West HS (N.Y.)
SP: Jesse Biddle, Germantown Friends HS (Pa.)
SP: Kevin Ziomek, Amherst Regional HS (Mass.)
UT: Cito Culver, West Irondequot HS (N.Y.)

Storylines

Prospective Helium

Even without a load of early-round candidates, the East will be an interesting region to monitor this spring, with a fair number of players poised to move up a tier (or even two) on draft boards by June. Bobby Wahl, RHP, West Springfield HS (Va.) (pictured) has been a PnR favorite for some time, and is considered here to be a candidate to be selected as a first day player in June, even without eye-popping stuff right now. He sports a mid- to upper-80s fastball that can touch 90/91 mph. His arm action is about as free and easy as it comes, and his broad frame is quite projectable, making it easy to picture him ultimately sitting low-90s and touching 94-96. Wahl also throws a low-70s curve and a slider around 80 mph, both of which are inconsistent but show promise. His change-up makes a fourth pitch he can throw with at least decent feel, though he can throw it a little too hard (fluctuating between mid-70s and low-80s with the offering). Though he's most recently been projected closer to the 5th - 8th Round range by national publications, the ball looks terrific coming out of his hand, and all of the pieces are there for the Ole Miss commit to develop into an impressive pro player.

Robbie Aviles, RHP, Suffern HS (N.Y.) is seldom mentioned when top arms like Taillon, Cole, Whitson and Covey are being discussed, but the New York righty has all of the tools to establish himself as a potential 1st Round selection. Aviles has a pro body right now, with room to add strength as he grows into his workhorse frame. His stuff is a legit, starting with an 88-92 mph fastball that he throws on a tough downward angle. Aviles's change-up is probably his best overall pitch, playing-up considerably due to the deception in his excellent arm speed, as well as his arm slot (both of which sync-up well with his fastball). He gets both depth and fade, which when added to a velo delta of around 10 mph from his fastball results in lots of swings-and-misses. The Florida commit also mixes in a low-80s curve with hard downer action. He gets excellent spin and the offering could be a third average or above pitch as he continues to refine it. Cold weather kids sometimes lag behind in the hype department, but Aviles is certainly worthy of 1st Round consideration now, and could prove to be one of the "helium" kids when the draft boards of ML organizations begin to leak closer to June.

The biggest knock on TJ Pecoraro, RHP, Half Hollow Hills West HS (N.Y.) right now is his frame, which is a bit thin in the hips and shoulders. Most publications tend to group him with the mid-round talents, but the Vandy commit could pitch his way into early-second day consideration if he sees any bump in his already impressive stuff. The righty can get his fastball up to 91/92 mph, and generally sits in the 88-90 mph range. He utilizes a minimalist motion and generates his velocity with plus arm speed (while he can get his arm out early in back, he shields it well with his body, helping the ball to jump on the batter when he quickly rotates through). His slider has some tilt and can be an above-average pitch when he's hitting his release point, sitting 76-78 mph. He also shows a good feel for a change-up, throwing it with solid arm speed and getting some depth on the pitch around 71/72 mph. Throwing in or backyard, he'll be a PnR close follow over the next four months.

Today's Mid-Round = Tomorrow's Early-Round?

In addition to the helium candidates listed above, the All-Region team boasts a couple of position players that likely aren't yet developed enough to make a huge splash on draft day, but possess the makings of big-time producers as they continue to develop. Mark Podlas, OF, Westhampton Beach HS (N.Y.) is a UVA commit with developing strength and excellent athleticism. The outfielder shows potential for above-average hitting and power tools, short to the ball and with good length and extension through contact. It's a low effort swing that could turn into something special with a little more time.

Brother to Brian, 2009 7th Round selection (Seattle Mariners) out of UNC, Colin Moran, 3B, Iona Prep HS (N.Y.) is a projectable third baseman committed to the Tar Heels if he doesn't sign with a pro club this summer. Like his brother, Colin has a slight build, but his long frame works well already to generate good leverage. His swing is projectable with easy mechanics and stands a good chance to see a big in-game spike in power production. If Moran loses a bit of quickness as he fills-in, he could be athletic enough to shift to an outfield corner before having to move over to first base. Both he and Podlas could develop into two of the better players in the ACC should they find their way to UNC and UVA, respectively, in the fall.

Rare Commodity: Strength in Lefties

In a class very light on prep lefties, the East can claim two of the best -- each with Day 1 potential. Kevin Ziomek, LHP, Amherst Regional HS (Mass.) (pictured) is already sitting in the upper-80s with his fastball, touching the low-90s, with room to add a bit more velocity and strength. He sports a four-pitch mix including his fastball, a soft upper-60s to low-70s curve, a sharp upper-70s slider with good bite and tilt, and a rudimentary mid-70s change-up. He may end up scrapping his curve if he can't tighten it up, but his slider looks like a potential plus pitch down the line as he gains consistency, and is the better breaking-ball fit with his low-3/4 arm slot. His short, quick arm action, coupled with his ability to shield the ball from the batter, adds to his deception, though his arm action could be cleaned-up some (he has a tendency to both wrap his arm and lift with his elbow on the back side).

Jesse Biddle, LHP, Germantown Friends HS (Pa.) is a big body with good stuff to go along with his durable frame (6-6/220). His fastball is upper-80s to low-90s and should see a bump to the consistent 92-94 mph range, perhaps higher, as he tightens his physique and gains strength. He generates his velocity with good arm speed and an increasingly strong core, which also helps him to spin an impressive curve with big depth. He does a good job of centering over the rubber and repeating his mechanics, as well. An interesting combination of "now size" and projection, Biddle could see a Matt Hobgood-esque climb up the boards (though likely not a Top 5 pick) if his velocity jump comes sooner, rather than later. He could give Oregon a second consecutive year with the top prep lefty committed to the Ducks (Tyler Matzek signed with Colorado this past year, passing on his scholarship to Oregon).