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St. Louis Preseason Prospect Showcase: Best of the Rest Class of 2016 and 2017

March 1, 2013

By Ethan Silverman
Missouri Scouting Director

Earlier this week we brought you the top underclass performers from the St. Louis Preseason Prospect Showcase. There were many other impressive performances, and here are the best of the rest of the Class of 2016 and 2017 participants.

Pitchers:
Eric Downing, LHP, Timberland HS, Class of 2016:
On the mound, the lanky 5-foot-10, 125-pound Downing showed the ability to throw three pitches. Operating from a high ¾ arm slot and displaying balance throughout his delivery, Downing’s fastball sat 65-70 mph with some cut action. He also showed a late moving 2-to-8 breaking ball with near fastball arm speed thrown in the 56-59 mph range and a 56-60 mph change up with some sink action. His pitches are still developing and as he continues to fine tune has ability to be an effective pitcher. 

Ryan Knerschield, RHP/3B, Vianney, Class of 2016:
Knerschield is an athletically built 5-foot-11, 180-pound two way player. On the mound, Knerschield comes from a ¾ arm slot with long arm action. His fastball sat 74-76 mph, topping at 77-mph. He also threw a 12-to-6 breaking ball with gradual break in the 68-71 mph range and a 68-72 mph change up with near fastball arm speed on the 70-71 mph range. In the infield, Knerschield moved well to the ball with a clean exchange and quick arm action, showing some arm strength for a player of his age (top throw of 76-mph). Offensively, Knerschield has a balanced setup at the plate with a smooth load and short stride. His bat takes a long, uphill path to the ball, showing ability to make consistent contact. He still has plenty of room to develop his skills and could be a player to watch over the next few years. 

Douglas Payne, MIF/RHP, Eureka HS, Class of 2017:
The youngest player at the event, the small bodied 5-foot-6, 125-pound Payne impressed with his composure and efforts. In the infield, Payne showed aggressive actions toward the ball and looks to have sure hands. His throws across the diamond had some accuracy. At the plate, he showed bat control with a long swing, slapping the ball to the opposite field. As he continues to mature physically, his bat speed should increase and he should have the ability to hit the ball to all fields. On the mound, Payne has good rhythm with long, loose arm action. His fastball topped at 72-mph with slight arm side movement. He also displayed an 11-to-5 shape breaking ball (65-70 mph) and a change up (69-73 mph) with some arm side action down in the zone. Once again, as he continues to fill out, he should see a spike in velocity and more movement on his pitches. 

Levi Pearce, 3B/RHP, Beont HS (IL), Class of 2016:
The 5-fot-10, 160-pound Pearce showed to be a consistent player both in the field and on the mound. On the mound, Pearce comes from a ¾ arm slot with a fastball that sat 63-66 mph, topping at 67-mph. His breaking ball had sweeping motion with early break, thrown 51-53 mph and his change up was thrown 60-62 mph. With some mechanical adjustments, Pearce looks to have the ability to have good command of all three pitches. In the field, Pearce shows a good approach to the ball. He moved well laterally to the ball with sure hands. At the plate, Pearce showed a level swing and ability to work the middle part of the field, making consistent contact. With a bit more use of his lower half and less movement in the box, Pearce should find more consistency at the plate. 

 

Position Players:
Alexander Bearden, 3B, MICDS, Class of 2016:
Bearden is an undersized 5-foot-6, 125-pound infielder who showed to be a sure handed fielder with a clean exchange. He showed some range to his backhand side, fielding with confidence. Bearden gave a max effort on each ball hit to him. At the plate, Bearden has a balanced setup and displays a controlled short, compact swing with the ability to consistently put the ball into play.

Chris Cornelius, SS, Vianney, Class of 2016:
Cornelius has an athletic 6-foot, 170-pound fame. He showed athletic actions and an accurate throwing arm (71-mph).  With some more use of his lower half on his throws, his velocity should increase. Cornelius moves well laterally and takes precise angles to the baseball. He showed a quick exchange and the ability to make plays on the move. Offensively, Cornelius showed a short swing path and good extension with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. He squared the baseball consistently and showed the potential for some power with added maturity to his athletic frame. 

Drew Harlow, C, Park Hill Central HS, Class of 2016:
Harlow is a 6-foot, 185-pound catcher who has quiet actions behind the plate and showed good blocking skills behind the plate during bullpens, as well as fundamental receiving skills. His throws from the crouch were 68-70 mph and he had a best pop time of 2.02. At the plate, has a big load and long swing. He showed ability to hit the ball where pitches and use all fields.   

Isaac Olson, 3B, Chaminade, Class of 2016:
In the infield, the lanky 6-foot-4, 180-pound Olson showed soft hands and range to his glove hand side with accurate throws across the field. 

Mac Rogers, OF, Parkway Central HS, Class of 2016:
Rogers is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound outfielder who showed to be a sure handed outfielder. He plays through the ball and had a top throw of 74-mph. At the plate, Rogers has little wasted movement with good rhythm and a level swing.  He showed ability to hit line drives to all fields and recorded a top exit velocity of 79-mph 

Peter Zimmerman, C, Chaminade, Class of 2016:
Behind the plate, the athletically built 6-foot-2, 185-pound Zimmerman showed showed quick instincts and body control while blocking, He has quick footwork and a good glove to hand transfer, recording a top pop time of 2.26 and top throw of 70-mph. At the plate, Zimmerman shows balance through his swing, with extension through contact, creating some barrel whip through the zone and hitting the ball to all fields. 


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