Major League Scouts On Holliday
Moon Lefty Attracting Much Interest
By John E. Sacco

A year ago, Brian Holliday won eight of 10 decisions, including a two-hit shutout in the PIAA Class AAA championship game to lead the Moon Tigers to a state title.

Holliday starred throughout the season and playoffs and in the process "got his name in the spotlights," as Moon coach Tom Hoffman said.

According to major-league scouts, sources at Baseball America and various collegiate and scholastic coaches in the district, Holliday is the only high school senior in Western Pennsylvania with an excellent chance at being selected in the June amateur draft.

The Moon left-hander struck out 105 in 62-1/3 innings in 2002, yielding just 42 hits.

"He definitely has a good chance of being drafted," Hoffman said, "depending on the kind of year he has. This is a pretty big year for him. Last year was sort of a stepping stone."

Alan Simpson, editor of Baseball America, said about eight to 12 players in Pennsylvania will likely be drafted this spring, the bulk of those prospects reside in the central or eastern part of the state. The following are the some of the top high school prospects in Western Pennsylvania in 2002, according to major-league scouts, Baseball America and a variety of scholastic coaches:

Brian Holliday

6-3, 180, P, Moon

Rated as the top prospect in Western Pennsylvania this year. The left-handed Holliday was as a big reason the Tigers won the PIAA Class AAA championship in 2000. Rated the fifth best prospect in the state by Baseball America's Prospects Plus. Has committed to Kentucky.

Weston Lambert

6-3, 240, C, New Brighton

Moving up quickly on many lists. Scouts say Lambert is the top catcher overall in the WPIAL and they love his size and strength. He's a powerful kid. One scout said Lambert's name has just sort of popped up recently. Ranked by Baseball America as the 17th best prospect in Pennsylvania.

Justin Gregula

6-1, 200, SS-P, Washington

Has added a couple inches and about 20 pounds to his frame in the past year. He projects as a shortstop or third baseman. Can hit and has soft hands. Led the Little Prexies to the PIAA Class AA football title as their quarterback last year and could become Wash High's first four-time all-section baseball player this spring. Minnesota scout Jay Weitzel said Gregula's willingness to compete stands out. Baseball America rates him the 20th best prospect in the state.

Matt Lucas

6-4, 200, 1B, Trinity

He has committed to Xavier and has a chance to be selected in the draft if an organization is willing to take a shot on his boundless power. Said Weitzel: "He's a big kid and he has that power, which is a money tool." Ranked as the state's ninth-best prospect by Baseball America.

Derek Blyzwick

6-2, 196, P, Moon

A productive performer for the Tigers, teaming with Holliday to give Moon an outstanding one-two pitching punch. Some scouts rate him pretty high, others place him a bit lower. Blyzwick was Moon's quarterback the past few years and possesses good overall athletic skill. Has committed to play baseball at Pittsburgh.

Matt Maropis

6-0, 165, INF, Franklin Regional

One of the top infielders in the WPIAL, Maropis was an All-Section 1-AAA shortstop in 2001. He is rated as the 21st-best player in the state by Baseball America. Scouts say he is a flashy player; one said he plays with a "little too much flash" but that he is a solid player with potential.

Vance Hall

6-2, 215, P, Allderdice

While he isn't rated in the top 28-best prospects in the state by Baseball America, Hall has impressed scouts and coaches with his fastball and overall abilities. Said Weitzel: "He's got some dirt on that fastball."

Keep An Eye On

John Janco, P, Canon-McMillan

John Skender, OF, Pine-Richland

Matt Bova, C, Baldwin

Brendan Enick, 1B-3B, Upper St. Clair

Mike Rhoden, P, Woodland Hills

Regis Burris, OF, Penn Hills

Chris Koutsavlis, P-1B, Mount Lebanon

Brian Kimutis, SS, Trinity

Ryan Rinaldi, Of, Moon

Martin Nasiadka, OF, North Catholic

Brad Wilson, C, Upper St. Clair