MN Top Prospect Games- Top Prospect List

August 15, 2016

Unsigned Senior Showcase 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

Prep Baseball Report's MN Top Prospect Games event took place on June 20 and 21, 2016. The event was held at Minnetonka High School in Minnetonka, MN. The event featured prospects from the 2017 class from Minnesota and North Dakota who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff and 50+ coaches in attendance.

Since the event, many player's have made their college decision, including Alex Belch (Kansas State), Graham Burke (Olivet Nazerene), Hunter Koep (North Dakota State), Max Meyer (Minnesota), Gabriel Pilla (North Dakota State), Nate Shoemaker (Creighton), Ronnie Sweeny (Iowa Western CC), and Zach Smith (North Dakota State).

There were a number of great individual performances this year at the MN Top Prospect Games; evident by the statistics collected at the event:

+ 36 players ran sub-7.2 60's.
+ 54 players recorded 85+ mph exit velocities
+ 20 players recorded 80+ mph infield throws
+ 23 players recorded 80+ mph outfield throws
+ 20 catchers recorded 70+ mph throws to second base
+ 5 catchers recorded sub-2.1 pop times
+ 47 pitchers were 80+ mph on the mound

CLICK HERE to view Complete Statistics in PDF Format.

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top Prospects (listed Alphabetically)

Alex Belch, RHP, Rochester John Marshall, 2017
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Athletic defined physique. Top velo on first day of event at 90 mph. Long deep arm circle translating into OT slot. Has connection in delivery with body control. Minor arm path adjustments will improve consistency with release point. Projects with above avg. stuff on mound. Fastball was 86-90 mph with cutting action and life. Sharp 12/6 breaking ball with depth. Above avg. fade on changeup thrown at fastball arm speed.

Brock Boltmann, C, Edina, 2017
6-foot-1, 192-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Athletic catcher with strong frame. 6.9 runner. Above avg. arm strength at 81 mph to second base. 2.04-2.09 pop times. Long release on throws, good blocker, plays with energy, quick twitch actions, raw receiver- will improve with reps. Leg kick trigger, above avg. bat speed, lift in swing plane, mid/pull approach, solid contact. 93 mph exit velocity.

Derek Drees, RHP/3B, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 2017
6-foot-5, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Projectable tall frame with stronger lower half. Clean arm action with good hand acceleration out front. Fastball is consistently downhill with varying run and cut at 84-88 mph. 12/6 breaking ball shows promise; with solid spin and shape. 7.22 runner. Leg kick trigger, solid line drive bat path, some spin tendencies with lower half, some extension through contact, 86 mph exit velocity. Active feet and athletic at third base. Solid exchanges and creates good angles to target. Slight sink on throws from ¾ slot. 86 mph arm strength across.

Tyler Fietek, 3B, Lakeville North, 2017
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Physical frame with strong lower half. 7.41 runner. Uses hands in swing, late load occasionally, controlled tempo, pull approach, with above avg. bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity. Shows solid hands, fields deep occasionally, but is active with feet and creates angles through ball, clean exchanges with solid accuracy to bag at 82 mph.

Evan Furst, RHP, Mankato West, 2017
6-foot-3, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Thin athletic frame. Long clean arm action with good extension and finish. Easy actions on mound and throws with minimal effort. Fastball was 81-84 mph with solid life at plate. Solid depth on breaking ball with 11/5 shape; thrown for strikes. Heavy action on changeup with developing feel for zone. Could be a sleeper in the 2017 class.

Jacob Goraczkowski, 3B/RHP, Chaska, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean athletic build. Projects to add strength. 7.42 runner. Loose hands in swing, works gap to gap, line drive swing plane, consistent hard contact, 79 mph exit velocity. Easy actions in field, good footwork and exchanges, clean arm action with solid carry and accuracy to bag, 85 mph arm strength. Good body control on mound, lands slightly across body, and hand speed through release. Live fastball at 84-85 mph, downhill plane, and jumps on hitters. Repeats well- consistent strike thrower. Solid shape on 11/5 breaking ball. Has feel for changeup in/around zone. Have seen up to 87 mph. Projects to continue to add velocity with present pitchability.

Danny Kapala, LHP, Eastview, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed pitcher. Lean athletic frame on mound that projects to add strength and size. Has solid body control with uptempo rhythm. Shorter arm circle on backside and is clean out front on release. Fastball was 82-84 mph with above avg. cutting action for strikes. Breaking ball shows promise with sweeping 2-plane break at 70-75 mph. Shows good feel for zone; consistently throwing changeup to arm-side of plate with fade.

Cam Kline, OF/RHP, Forest Lake, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.18 runner with compact athletic frame. Square stance with slight leg kick stride producing 93 mph exit velocity. Clean bat path with consistent hard line drives to the gaps. Above average outfielder with arm strength. Throws 89 mph with strong accuracy and carry to target. Easy actions on mound with ability to repeat. Shows solid run on fastball at 82-85 mph; with above avg. command to glove-side of plate. Breaking ball has tight rotation, short break, and above avg. depth at plate. Above avg. arm-side run and fade on changeup. Riser in 2017 rankings.

Hunter Koep, 3B/RHP, Northfield, 2017
6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.21 runner. Very physical with athleticism. Pull approach at plate with big raw power from pull gap to left-field line. Relatively clean bat path, slightly grooved at times, with well above average bat speed. 93 mph exit velocity. Solid feet and actions at third base. Good arm across diamond with carry and accuracy. 86 mph arm. Runs enough that corner OF could be option as well. Repeats on mound. Wrap on backside of arm circle. Moderate effort on release. Slight downhill plane on fastball with good arm strength. Fastball was 86-88 mph for strikes. 12/6 breaking ball shows solid shape and spin. Intriguing physical prospect in 2017 class with above avg. tools.

Thomas Krause, OF, Rochester Mayo, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Physically impressive left-hander hitter. 6.85 runner. Middle/pull hitter with bat speed. Shows power to pull side of field. Leg kick trigger effects timing occasionally. 91 mph exit velocity. Athletic actions if field with raw footwork and throwing mechanics, limited use of front side, produces 84 mph arm strength with average carry and solid accuracy.

Avery Lehman, OF, Coon Rapids, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Lean athletic player with good tools across board. 6.93 runner with 89 mph arm strength and 89 mph exit velocity off tee. High elbow set-up, strides slightly across body, gap to gap approach, ability to drive ball hard to oppo gap. Solid actions in outfield. Pie arm action with average carry and accuracy to target with above avg. arm strength.

Alex Lindstrom, OF, Eastview, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. 7.3 runner. Left-fielder in college. Aggressive swinger, leg kick trigger, stays down and through at contact, drives balls to gaps, consistent hard contact, 88 mph exit velocity. Raw in OF, new to position, with solid athleticism. Short clean arm action with solid carry and accuracy to target. 82 mph arm strength.

Ben Livorsi, C, Minnetonka, 2017
6-foot, 210-pound left-handed hitting catcher. St. Louis U. commit. Square stance with rhythm, clean bat path, solid mid/pull contact, longer stride, out front at contact occasionally, 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Leadership qualities behind plate, good feet, works low and through target on throws, solid carry with above avg. accuracy to bag. 1.99-2.06 pop times with 76 mph arm strength. Flashes ability to receive, sticks pitches down in zone, has lower half flexibility.

Max Meyer, SS/RHP, Woodbury, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Shortly after event- committed to U. of Minnesota. Lean loose frame. 7.29 runner. Uses lower half well in swing, good bat path, line drive swing, and shows ability to work both gaps. 90 mph exit velocity. Soft glove, good range, ability to throw from multiple angles, easy actions, 87 mph arm strength across diamond with occasional sinking action. Shows some of best all-around stuff on mound in MN 2017 class. True 3-pitch mix, thrown in any count, with above avg. action on each pitch. Fastball was 86-89 mph; touching 90 mph with late arm-side life. Tight rotation and shape on slider thrown with well above avg. velocity at 79-82 mph. 77-78 mph changeup might be best in class with late fade and sink; thrown at fastball arm speed.

Ryan Och, LHP, Chanhassen, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. Lean projectable arm that has gained significant recruiting interest through summer. Easy arm action from mid ¾ slot. Ball comes out of hand extremely clean. Late life on fastball at 82-85 mph. Inconsistent hand/release position on curveball; but flashes avg./above avg. in future. Avg. feel for changeup at 74-76 mph. Easy to dream on, projects very well, with high ceiling.

Mitchell Oehme, RHP, Minnetonka, 2017
6-foot-6, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall projectable frame. Velo was down from previous outings at this event. Short arm action with limited extension out front on release. Downhill plane on fastball, thrown for quality strikes, at 83-85 mph. Velo has steadily returned through summer. Was wrapping breaking early; losing arm speed. Usable changeup in game action.

Nick Onomiya, C, Cretin-Derham Hall, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Strong sturdy build. 7.3 runner at this event. 86 mph exit velocity. Leg kick trigger with good balance. Consistently on time during batting practice. Flashes pop in bat to pull side of field. Clean bat path through zone with good extension/separation after contact. Stayed on and through breaking balls away during game showing good approach.

Zach Parks, SS/RHP, Apple Valley, 2017
6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. Texas-Rio Grande Valley commit. Athletic frame with wide shoulders and lean strength. Whippy bat speed, stays in middle of field, with ability to drive gaps, consistent hard contact. 90 mph exit velocity. Athletic in field, plays uptempo, good hands and feet. Above average carry and accuracy to bag with quick release at 82 mph arm strength. Controlled delivery on mound with moderate effort on release. Pounds zone with three pitches. Athleticism translates to mound with ability to repeat and command strike zone. 81-84 mph fastball; breaking ball and changeup both show above avg. action with feel for zone.

Gabe Pilla, RHP, Holy Angels, 2017
6-foot-1, 220-pound right-handed pitcher. Sturdy build with strength. Controlled delivery, collects over rubber, with good direction and explosion to plate. Average effort on release. Fastball is hard and heavy with cut action at 85-87 mph. 79-82 mph is solid, more one-plane now, but has chance to be above avg. pitch in future. Fast riser in class who is receiving significant interest.

Maxwell Ploof, 3B/RHP, Anoka, 2017
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Tall physical infielder that should continue to add strength. Quality set-up, short to contact, mid/pull approach, and consistently squares baseball with authority. 91 mph exit velocity. Good footwork with clean exchanges. Appropriate routes and angles; plays through ball. 82 mph arm strength with carry and accuracy to bag. Ideal frame on mound. Long clean arm action with good extension to plate. Shows arm-side life on fastball at 80-84 mph. 12/6 breaking ball with solid shape and feel for zone. Flat action on changeup for strikes.

Patrick Pridgen, RHP, Eastview, 2017
6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed pitcher. Large durable build. Has tempo with body control. Repeats delivery well. Hand is fast out front on release. Clean arm action producing 83-86 mph fastballs; flashing downhill plane. 12/6 breaking ball has tight rotation with above average depth and is an above avg. pitch. Projects to gain strength along with velocity.

Jimmy Ramsey, 1B/RHP, Minnetonka, 2017
6-foot-7, 235-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.34 runner with 96 mph exit velocity off tee. Will be a monster physically in college. University of Oregon commit. Clean bath path and hit 2 extremely hard hit balls to oppo and pull gap in game action. Flashes power to both sides of field. Average defender at first base. Projects as RHP/DH in college. Controlled delivery with short draw on back-side and good arm speed out front. Fastball has life at 86-88 mph. Solid shape on breaking ball; inconsistent feel for zone that continues to improve. Cut action on firm changeup in/around zone.

Jordan Schramel, RHP/OF, Delano, 2017
6-foot, 178-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Strong athletic build. Consistent performer on mound. Fastball shows life down in zone with late run at 83-85 mph. Breaking ball has tight rotation with small shape; above avg. depth at plate. Good feel for changeup, firm, for consistent strikes. 7.09 runner. Leg kick trigger, uses hands in swing, solid pop in bat, off-time occasionally, gap to gap approach, 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Above average carry and accuracy from outfield with 87 mph arm strength. Clean arm action with solid footwork and glove.

Nate Shoemaker, RHP/OF, Minnetonka, 2017
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Athletic frame with wiry present strength. Committed shortly after event to Creighton University. Short draw on back-side, moderate effort, from mid ¾ slot, and turns fastball over on release. Fastball is heavy with running action at 82-85 mph. Inconsistent shape on breaking ball in this outing. Above avg. arm action and fade on changeup inducing weak contact. 7.18 runner. Mid/pull approach, solid contact, with short finish through baseball. Solid glove and footwork in outfield. ¾ slot with clean arm action. 81 mph outfield throws.

Zach Smith, C/RHP, Rochester John Marshall, 2017
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Strong sturdy build. 7.78 runner. Balanced stance, short stride, uses lower half well in swing, consistent hard contact, mid/pull approach, quiet head to contact and repeats swing well. 86 mph exit velocity. Quiet receiver with ability to stick pitches in zone. Soft glove and catches with ease. Moves well laterally, needs to improve blocking mechanics, clean exchanges, longer release, works low and through to target on throws, above average carry and accuracy to bag. 78 mph arm strength with 2.15-2.21 pop times. Repeats well on mound. Consistent strike thrower with downhill fastball from short arm action. Fastball was 85-86 mph in one inning of work. Good shape and rotation on 11/5 breaking ball for strikes. Avg./ok fade on changeup with slowed arm action.

Gus Steiger, SS, Minnetonka, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Solid all-around player with good tools. Athletic build and well above avg. runner- 6.69 60. Mid/pull approach with consistent solid contact. Uses hands well in swing. Clean bat path. Doubles power in bat. 88 mph exit velocity. Soft glove with good actions and body control. Quick release on throws with above avg. carry and accuracy to target. 82 mph arm strength across diamond.

Ronnie Sweeny, 1B, Woodbury, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. 7.4 runner. Still maturing into body. Will add considerable size and strength in college. Mature strike zone discipline, flashes power to both sides of field, finds barrel consistently, mostly producing hard line drives with occasional loft power. 86 mph exit velocity. Has continued to improve at first base. Still relatively new to position. Shows soft hands, reads hops well, and shows solid arm with ability to turn double plays. 78 mph arm strength.

Ben Wahlen, RHP/OF, Hopkins, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean projectable build with wiry strength. Controlled athletic delivery. Lands firm across body, hides baseball, with cross-fire delivery to plate. Good command of strike zone. Fastball shows life at 82-84 mph with good hand speed. Quality spin and shape on 12/6 breaking ball. 7.29 runner. Shows loose line drive swing with balance. Good extension through contact, consistent solid contact, and uses whole field. 81 mph exit velocity. Active in outfield with good footwork and routes to ball. Long arm action with solid carry and accuracy to target. 88 mph arm strength.

Jack Zigan, RHP, Eden Prairie, 2017
6-foot-1, 192-pound right-handed pitcher. Average build that will continue to add strength. Fast riser in the 2017 class. Some wrap and wiggle on back-side of arm action but has good hand speed; consistently throwing quality fastballs downhill to bottom of zone. Fastball was 84-86 mph with command. 11/7 breaking ball, at 72-75 mph, has solid shape and spin. Changeup is firm at 74-77 mph and is a usable pitch vs. LHH.

Nick Zwack, LHP, Monticello, 2017
6-foot-3, 195-pound left-handed pitcher. Projectable frame that should add strength. Clean arm action from OT slot with minimal effort. Solid velocity increase since previous event. Has maintained improved velocity through summer. Fastball is thrown downhill with solid command at 82-87 mph; touching 88 mph. 12/6 breaking ball has above avg. shape and depth. Tends to fall off on changeup occasionally creating flat action.