12/01/2023 - Baseball Factory Academic All-American Tournament
Preston is a 2024 LHH 1B/RHP prospect with a tall frame at 6'5" 175 pounds. At first, he shows off efficient movements and good footwork. He squares the ball up when fielding and works hard to field the ball out in front. He has a quick arm action when making throws and makes accurate throws to his targets. He recorded a raw velo of 78 MPH. At the plate, he starts in an athletic, squared stance and has loose hands with an activated load. He has a very projectable frame and the ability to drive the baseball. He stays short to the baseball and works hard to get his barrel out in front. He has great pitch recognition and tracks the ball well as he recorded 4 walks in 6 plate appearances in game action. On the bump, he throws from an overhand slot and has good feel for the strike zone as he threw 65% of his pitches for strikes in game action. He has a relaxed knee lift and gets on-time separation with an easily repeatable delivery. He is able to finish strong out in front and does a nice job of staying in-line to his target and working downhill. He punched out one and allowed only one hit in two innings of game action. Preston is very projectable and should have the chance to play at the next level!
12/02/2022 - Baseball Factory Academic All-American Tournament
Preston is a tall and lean 1B/RHP in the 2024 class. In the field, he is a plus target for his defenders. He has the trust factor and makes all the routine plays with ease. He uses a high ¾ slot and makes accurate feeds on his throws and relays. Working to sink his hips will help him play lower to the ground and field out in front more. On the mound, he has a feel for pitching and shows composure. He pitches to contact and is around the zone. Shows loose arm action and gets downhill. His FB topped at 75 and his CB showed sharp break at 62-4. His CH showed good feel and deception at 67-8. At the plate, he is quiet and shows solid rhythm. Displays balance and a barrel path that is on-plane. Creates hard contact (86 exit velo). Overall, Preston is a must follow in the 2024 class.
10/09/2022 - Official College Recruiting Membership - Washington (Pittsburgh), PA
Preston is a talented 1B/RHP in the 2024 class. In the field, he has effective feet and solid pre-pitch movements. He moves well to his glove side and has the ability to read hops and use proper footwork on his drop steps. His exchanges are clean and uses a high ¾ release for accurate feeds. Has arm strength (79 velo) to make feeds that are on-line. Working to get square in his fielding position will allow him to work through the baseball more. On the mound, he gathers over the rubber well and works downhill. He uses a 3-pitch mix from a high ¾ release point. His FB topped at 72 with tailing action. His CB sat 62-64 with 11-5 shape. His CH sat 67-68 and shows solid depth. At the plate, he controls his long levers and positions himself well in his separation. Swings with the intent to do damage and produces lines drives by squaring his barrel to the baseball. Overall, Preston is a solid 2024 prospect who will continue to improve as he progresses in his game.
12/10/2021 - Baseball Factory Academic All-American Tournament
Preston continues to shine in his baseball abilities at the Academic All-American showcase. On the mound, arm strength has improved as he threw his top velocity to date at 69 mph. Fastball shows a range of 67-69 mph. Breaking ball displays 10/4 shape with gradual break. He maintains arm speed on his changeup with slight sink. Stock on the mound will continue to rise as he builds more arm strength through a long toss program. At 1B, he displays proper footwork around the bag and is a quality receiver. Glove action is clean and presents well out front. At the plate, he shows an open setup. Hands are quick and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. Lower half works well through the swing and he maintains balance. At the event, he was 2 for 5 with a 2B.
09/03/2021 - Baseball Factory's All-Region Tournament (HS)
Preston is a 1B/RHP prospect who showcased his skills during the All-Region Tournament. In the field, Preston shows proper footwork and makes the routine plays. His exchange is clean and he makes accurate throws to his target. At the plate, this LHH works through a level swing and produces solid contact. On the mound, Preston gathers over the rubber and separates his hands on time. He works with a clean arm and stays inline toward the plate, finishing with a controlled landing. Preston's fastball tops out at 66mph. Overall, Preston is a solid prospect who has the potential to further build upon his skills on the field.
08/01/2021 - Baseball Factory National World Series at Pirate City - Session 2 (HS)
Preston continues to show improvements in his baseball abilities. At 1B, he shows smooth / fluid actions. He displays proper footwork around the bag and is a quality receiver. Glove action is clean but needs to present more out front. Range will increase as he improves foot quickness. At the plate, he shows a closed setup. Hands are loose and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. On the mound, arm strength has improved as he threw his top velocity to date at 66 mph. Fastball is heavy with good arm side run. Breaking ball displays 10/4 shape with gradual break. Stock on the mound will continue to improve as he builds more arm strength through a long toss program. Mental makeup is a plus as he is very coachable and works hard to be the best player he can be.
05/02/2021 - National Evaluation and Tryout - Clarksburg, WV
Preston is a tall 2B prospect who continues to showcase his skills on the field. At 2B, Preston creates good angles and makes the routine plays. His exchange is clean and he makes accurate/on-line throws through his target. Getting into a more athletic fielding position can help Preston field ground balls more efficiently. At the plate, this LHH sets up in a square stance and takes a short stride. He shows fluid rhythm and works through a direct swing, producing consistent line drives. Preston can generate more pop off the barrel by engaging his lower half more. Overall, Preston is a solid prospect who has the potential to further build upon his skills on the field.
12/11/2020 - Baseball Factory Academic All-American Tournament
Heslep is a hard working, 2-way player (1B/RHP) who showed up to the Academic All-American event to compete. With the bat is where this lefty excels. He steps into the box with a purpose and is looking to swing it. He jumps on pitches he likes and looks to drive the middle of the field. At 1B, he hustles right and left and tracks GB's into hit mitt. He gets to the bag and has the ability to pick it. Continuing to develop his footwork/athleticism will help to increase lateral range. Heslep also gets on the mound and throws a FB & CB. He remains composed no matter the situation and gives his defense a chance. FB now tops out at 64 mph as he works it all over the zone. This 2024 grad has skills with still a ton of time to progress to get to where he wants to be.
07/23/2020 - Baseball Factory National World Series at Pirate City - Session 2 (Ages 12-14)
Preston is a lean, athletic 1B/RHP who has a promising future on the diamond. At 1B, he displays clean / smooth actions. Feet are active as he displays proper footwork as he works to square ground balls up. Glove action is clean but needs to present more out front. Range will increase as he continues to improve foot quickness. At the plate, he continues to shine through a squared setup. Hands are loose and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. On the mound, fastball showed a range of 61-63 mph. Breaking ball displays 10/4 shape with graduate break. He maintains arm speed on his changeup with tailing action. Getting on a long toss program to develop more arm strength will aid in improving abilities on the mound. Mental makeup is a plus as he has a positive attitude, works hard, and is very coachable. With 4 years to further develop, Preston has potential with time and room to continue to progress his game.
07/01/2020 - National Evaluation and Tryout - Clarksburg, WV
Preston continues to work hard on the diamond. With the bat, this lefty steps into box, looking to swing it. He takes a hack and hits consistent/hard line-drives back up the middle of the field. At SS, he comes to get the GB and works into a square/athletic fielding position. He funnels the ball to a clean exchange and makes accurate throws to 1B. Heslep is a hard worker who has upside on the diamond.
12/27/2019 - Baseball Factory Winter Classic (Ages 12-14)
Preston continues to shine on the diamond. At 1B, he displays smooth / fluid actions. His feet play well, and he moves with good body control to the baseball, displaying proper footwork around bag. Glove action is clean but needs to present more out front. Range will increase as he continues to improve foot quickness. At the plate, power potential has improved through an open setup. Hands are quick and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach. Power will increase as he utilizes his lower half more efficiently. On the mound, arm strength has improved as he threw his top velocity to date at 62 mph. Fastball showed a range of 54-62 mph. Breaking ball displays 11/5 shape with gradual break. He maintains arm speed on his changeup with arm side run. Stock on the mound will continue to rise as he builds more arm strength through a long toss program. Mental makeup is a plus as he is very coachable and works hard to be the best player he can be.
10/06/2019 - Interactive Video Program - Washington (Pittsburgh), PA
Preston worked out at 3B and on the mound during his last workout in Washington, PA. Defensively, Preston showed an aggressive approach to the ball through efficient footwork. He takes good angles, keeps it in front of his body, and throws with solid direction across the diamond. On the mound, Preston has a balanced delivery, he separates his hands on time, and gets good extension. He has a deceptive delivery, some glove side lead, and he keeps his eyes on the catchers glove. Offensively, Preston stands in athletically, he loads well, and keeps his head on the ball. He makes consistent contact and has pop to the pull side.
06/19/2019 - National Tryout Plus - Charleston, WV
Preston showed some hitting upgrades during his last workout with The Factory. He stands in the box squarely from the left side with good balance. He has active hands, works the middle of the field, and he works the ball gap to gap. At 1B, Preston keeps the ball in front of his body, he works around it well, and he gets rid of the ball quickly with consistency to his target. On the mound, Preston has a loose arm action and he keeps his eyes on target. He has good direction, a controlled landing toward home, and he is around the zone with his pitches.
03/02/2019 - Mid Atlantic Regional Hitting Weekend (Ages 12-14)
Preston is a coachable 1B prospect who worked hard on his skills during the Accelerated Training Weekend. At the plate, this LHH sets up in an athletic stance and takes a short stride. He is fluid getting into his load and hits against a strong front side. He gets good extension through the ball with decent bat speed, leading to loud contact and line drives. Preston can improve as a hitter by continuing to add strength. With five more years to develop, Preston has the time and potential to further progress his skills on the field.
01/18/2019 - Baseball Factory Spring Training at Historic Dodgertown
Preston is an athletic and talented 2024 2-way prospect that made in game adjustments. At 1B, Preston makes the routine play and makes accurate throws. He needs to continue to present a low/early glove, be on time with his prep step, and anticipate the ball off the bat. Building arm strength through his throwing program and improving his first to the ball will improve his overall game. At the plate, Preston has an athletic stance, he attacks the inside part of the ball, and creates backside drive with his lower half. He needs to continue to get his front foot down on time, load his hands back into the drive position, and hunt the fastball. On the bump, Preston shows confidence in his fastball and attacks the zone. He separates on time, has a clean arm action, and works north to south in his delivery. He needs to continue to ride his back leg toward the plate and develop a secondary pitch such as a changeup. Preston has a high baseball IQ and we hope to see his progress in the future.
12/09/2018 - Interactive Video Program - Morgantown, WV
Preston is a tall 1B prospect who will graduate in 2024. In the field, Preston fields in a square position and makes a clean exchange, working to keep his throws accurate to his target. At the plate, this LHH sets up in a tall stance and tracks the ball well. He takes a level swing and makes solid contact. Overall abilities can improve with work on the following.
Fielding
1. Footwork to field
2. Lateral range
3. Field out in front
Hitting
1. Square stride
2. Smoother load
3. Lower half drive