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Sneak Peek into the Preseason All-State Showcase

February 19, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois

Today we will take a sneak peek into what we saw at Sunday’s Preseason All-State Showcase. The event was again packed with high level talent from the junior class. The Class of 2014 already has 21 commitments from our rankings and there is no doubt that many of the athletes from this showcase will not be far behind.

It’s always fun to watch pitchers light up the radar gun, and this event was no different. The pitching saw a number of strong arms that have upside at the next level. A few pitchers who showed advanced arm strength were RHP Brian Hobbie (Glenwood HS), RHP Tanner Houck (Collinsville HS), RHP Alex Hitney (St. Laurence HS), LHP Darius Day (Simeon HS), RHP Tyler Hasper (Waubonsie Valley HS), RHP Andrew Owen (Loyola HS) and RHP Gabe Jelley (Zeigler Royalton HS) who all touched 88 mph, while Luke Morgan (Lincoln-Way West) hit 90 mph on his last pitch.  RHP Mitch Vogrin (Minooka HS) sat 86-87 mph while showing by far the best secondary stuff of the day.

Outfielder Mizraim Fuentes (Roberto Clemente HS) showed again why he is one of the top outfielders in his class. His 90 mph arm from the outfield played even better than its velocity showed, staying on line and through his target with exceptional carry and bounce off the turf. Fellow outfielder James Davison (Morgan Park HS) took one of the best offensive rounds of the day showing exceptional bat control and bat speed from the left side. Davison projects well at the top of the lineup as a guy who can really handle the bat.

There was plenty of speed in the house as well as some of the fastest athletes in the class showed off their wheels. SS Don Buonavolnto (Hinsdale South HS), OF Aaron Fuller (St. Rita HS), OF Darius Day (Simeon HS) and OF Braden Mosley (Moline HS) all posted 60 times in the 6.6 range.

Shortstop Rahman Williams (Morgan Park) was head and shoulders above the rest of the middle infield group showing a strong 85 mph arm across the diamond while flashing soft leather in the field. He also showed an advanced offensive approach from both sides of the plate.

Keep checking the website for complete positional analysis and stats on this event later this week.

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