By Matt Huck
Midwest Area Scout / JUCO Wire Editor

The JUCO Wire is a new weekly feature that will continue to build on the Prep Baseball Report’s unparalleled coverage of amatuer baseball across the country. The JUCO Wire will provide updated information on junior college transfers, players moving on, who’s hot, and any other relevant news from around the country.

The JUCO Wire is a compilation of boots-and-the-ground scouting, information collected from our state-specific scouting staff, outside submissions, and any other news and nuggets gleaned throughout the year.

Transfer Wire

• RHP Brenden Heiss (Jacobs HS, IL, 2016) has transferred from Arkansas to John A. Logan in Illinois after making four appearances as a true freshman for the Razorbacks. Heiss impressed during his high school career, topping out at 96 mph at the 2016 Super 60 Pro Showcase. Heiss was drafted in the 31st round out of high school by the Chicago Cubs.

• Former Germantown (WI) RHP Joe Gahm (2016) has transferred from Auburn to Chattahoochee Valley CC in Alabama.

• IF Matt Burch (Warren HS, IL, 2016) has transferred from Arkansas to Wabash Valley JC in Illinois.

• Former Marquette University (WI) OF Connor Kimple (2016) has transferred from Oklahoma State to South Mountain CC in Arizona.

• Bryant Jordan (Homeschool, WI, 2015) was originally committed to Missouri, but spent his freshman season at Spartanburg Methodist in South Carolina, has transferred to Howard College in Texas.

• Jake Matheny (Westminster Christian, MO, 2016), who saw action in 32 games at Indiana University as a freshman, where he hit .247, has transferred to San Jac in Texas.

• RHP Nate Brown (Arrowhead HS, WI, 2016) has transferred from Florida to Madison JC in Wisconsin. Brown made 10 appearances as a freshman for the Gators. He was drafted in the 40th round out of high school by the New York Yankees.

• 1B Brice McDaniel (Columbus North HS, IN, 2016) has transferred from Purdue to Walters State in Tennessee.

• OF Adam LaRock (Eau Claire North HS, WI, 2016) has transferred from Iowa to Madison JC.

• RHP Ryan Swanson (Eden Prairie HS, MN, 2016) has transferred from Creighton to North Iowa Area CC.

• 1B Joey Polak (Quincy Notre Dame HS, IL, 2016) has transferred from South Carolina to Jefferson College in Missouri.

• Parkland JC in Champaign, Illinois has added six transfers for the upcoming season. Former St. Louis University RHPs Garrett Acton (Lemont, IL, 2016) and Josh Garner (Plainfield North, IL, 2016) have transferred in. Other incoming transfers include RHP Jordan Walden (Reed-Custer, IL, 2016) from Eastern Illinois, OF Cristian Sanchez (Minooka, IL, 2015) from Georgetown, RHP Sam Ballard (Alton, IL, 2016) from UIC, and OF Tyler Paulsen (Minooka, IL, 2015) from Illinois State.

• Sinclair CC in Ohio has added four transfers for the upcoming season. LHP Michael McDonough (Crestview Local, OH, 2016) has transferred in from Ohio State. McDonough was ranked No. 8 in the PBR Ohio Class of 2016 and No. 307 in the PBR Overall Ranks. 1B Malave Bettinger (Coldwater, OH, 2016) has transferred in from Toledo. Bettinger was ranked No. 50 in the PBR Ohio Class of 2016. SS Casey Demko (Bellbrook, OH, 2015) has transferred in from Ohio State. Demko was ranked No. 34 in the PBR Ohio Class of 2015. OF Tyler Zaluski (Chagrin Falls, OH, 2016) has transferred in from Youngstown State.

Moving On

• LHP Jack Egan of Madison College in Wisconsin has committed to Mississippi State. Eagan (Wautoma HS, WI) originally was at Indiana, but transferred to Madison College during the winter last year. At Madison, Eagan posted a 2.16 ERA while going 7-2 on the year. In 66.2 innings pitched he struck out 93. Eagan’s success carried over into the summer, where he pitched for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters in the Northwoods League. With the Rafters he went 7-1 with a 3.26 ERA in 66.1 innings he struck out 74.

Wallace-Dothan Picks up 3 Florida International Recruits

• A trio of 2017 prospects that committed to Florida International out of high school are now attending Wallace CC in Dothan, Alabama. OF Oraj Anu, RHP Altoon Coleman, and 3B Brandon Dorsey will start at Wallace. Anu (TNXL Academy, FL) was ranked No. 37 in the Florida Class of 2017 and No. 119 in the PBR Overall Ranks. Coleman (Winter Springs, FL) was ranked No. 81 in the Florida Class of 2017 and No. 320 in the PBR Overall Ranks. Dorsey (Riverdale Baptist) was ranked No. 13 in the Maryland Class of 2017.

Jodway Enrolls at Howard (TX)

• RHP Nick Jodway (Jimmy C. Draughn HS, NC, 2017) was originally slated to attend UNC-Wilmington but has enrolled at Howard College in Texas. Jodway was ranked No. 10 in the PBR North Carolina Class of 2017 and No. 120 in the PBR Overall Ranks. He showed a heavy fastball at the 2017 Super 60 Pro Showcase, working 93-94 mph.

Texas JUCOs Scrimmage

• PBR Texas Scouting Director Toby Bicknell was in Weatherford, Texas  for four games between Weatherford College, Hill JC, Grayson JC, and Panola JC. CLICK HERE for a Quick Hits story on some of the top performers from the action.

Seminole State (OK) Loading Up On Oklahoma 2018s

• Seminole State has landed 11 players in the top 45 of the PBR Oklahoma 2018 Rankings. Seminole State is coming off a season where they went 42-17

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
6	Robert Briley	OK	Wright City	2018	RHP	Seminole State JC (OK)
9	Kade Self	OK	Shawnee	2018	C	Seminole State JC (OK)
15	Mack Chambers III	OK	Broken Aarow	2018	SS	Seminole State JC (OK)
16	Cole Broughton	OK	Tushka	2018	RHP	Seminole State JC (OK)
17	Brayden Rodden	OK	Oktaha	2018	C	Seminole State JC (OK)
20	Holden Hopkins	OK	Norman North	2018	LHP	Seminole State JC (OK)
28	Tanner Lawrence	OK	Jenks	2018	OF	Seminole State JC (OK)
30	Cody Farmer	OK	Jones	2018	LHP	Seminole State JC (OK)
33	Tyler Dean	OK	Latta	2018	RHP	Seminole State JC (OK)
34	Tucker Dunlap	OK	Broken Arrow	2018	C	Seminole State JC (OK)
43	Gant Hathcock	OK	Dale	2018	OF	Seminole State JC (OK)

McHenry County College (IL) Cleans Up Locally

• MCC is coming off two big seasons in 2016 and 2017. In 2016 the Scots went 50-12 and made it to the NJCAA D2 World Series. In 2017, they posted a 41-12-1 record and won its second consecutive conference title. This week the Scots secured commitments from a bevy of local talent in McHenry County, Illinois. Crystal Lake South teammates RHP Kyle Lang and MIF Scott Skwarek will be joining the Scots along with Kyle Morgan (Huntley), Isaac Kaufmann (Marian Central Catholic), Justin Lavrisa (Jacobs), Owen Patzin (McHenry), and Danny Sperling (Wauconda).  

Have any relevant JUCO news or nuggets? Email Matt Huck at [email protected] with any updates.