By Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

As the Northwest Ohio scout for PBR there will always be players that I watch that I feel are undervalued and overlooked.

For the 2013 class, that would be the 182nd-ranked Weston Rivers (Lincoln Trail commit), 6-foot-4 LHP Defiance High School (83-86 FB, mid-70s knuckleball, 64-68 CB, 0.31 ERA, 87 K, 68.2 inn. including an almost perfect game in the state championship, while striking out 15).

For the 2014 class, that would be shortstop Derek Drewes, ranked 130th. Drewes is a left-handed-hitting shortstop with a smooth swing. Being  from Division IV Tinora, Drewes has not had the eyes on him that bigger program players have had. But Drewes has shown the ability to hit all types of pitching with his line drive, gap-to-gap approach. My own personal opinion is that Drewes has a no doubt Division I swing. The 6-foot, 180 pound Drewes has improved his infield actions after hard work between his sophomore and junior season and he now looks to take another step forward during his senior season. Drewes' arm strength is strong enough to stay at short, but also could make a seamless move to second base. With his high school's approach on the basepaths, Drewes has not had too many opportunities to steal many bases, however he is a heady baserunner that uses his smarts to his advantage. He runs a 60 around 7.0.

Another reason why Drewes has been overlooked is because he has not had the time to get his name out there (unable to make it to showcases) being a three-sport athlete. With plans to make it to the 2013 Top Prospects Games, Drewes was unable to make it when he helped lead his high school baseball team to the state tournament for the third year in a row and was not allowed to participate in the showcase. Later in the summer, Drewes was unable to make it to the Unsigned Senior Games due to his responsibility to his high school football team (leading the summer/fall workouts).

Also during his junior season Drewes started the season out with a dislocated middle finger on his right hand (dislocated during the Rams long tournament run in basketball), that was swollen for the first half of the baseball season. Also midway through the baseball season Drewes got diagnosed with mono, that the lefty played through.

Other key notes on Derek Drewes:

* Drewes was on Team Ohio in the Midwest Future Games in 2012.

* Drewes is a four-year starter in baseball and has led the Rams to three straight trips to state while going 5-10 with three doubles in the three state games from 2011-2013.

* Hit .528 going 28 for 53 with 18 RBIs, 10 doubles and 5 stolen bases with only 3 strikeouts as a freshman.

* In 92 at bats, hit .457 with 12 doubles, 9 triples, 32 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 23 walks and 1 home run while striking out just 8 times in 2012 as a sophomore.

* In 79 at bats, hit .405 with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 31 RBIs, 26 runs scored, 17 walks and 1 home run while striking out just 3 times.

* Through his junior year Drewes has 102 hits in 224 at bats which is a career .455 BA with over 40 extra base hits. The lefty has over 50 walks while striking out just 14 times.

* Drewes is a four-year starter in basketball and was All-state in 2012: 14.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, shot 48.6% from 2, 46% from 3 and 75% free throws and 3 SPG.

* Drewes is also a four-year starter for Tinora in football where the three-sport athlete has played QB/RB/WR while also setting the school record for interceptions as DB in 2012.

Here is an example of scouting notes on Drewes from Dan Machovina, PBR Ohio Assistant Scouting Director:

"The 6-foot, middle infielder is a three-sport standout at Tinora HS. All-State basketball player, and set school record for interceptions as a DB for team. Shows good clean actions at shortstop in which he plays through the baseball well. Shows solid arm strength and good enough to stay at the position. Hit in the cleanup spot for Tinora. The left-handed hitter shows ability to use all parts of the field with gap type power presently. A bit of a slower runner than you want to see out of your shortstop but has tools to work with." 

What schools have you visited? Are you taking any visits soon?

I have visited the university of Toledo and the coaches were very welcoming. They are very nice and love the game and the kids which is important. 

Do you have a leader right now?

No leader as of right now.

What did you do this last summer baseball wise? How was the competition? How did you do? How did summer ball help you improve as a baseball player?

This last summer, I played on the Northwest Ohio River Dogs. The competition was tough and competitive and I competed very well with them. Summer ball helped me improve my game every day and just getting better at not only the physical part of the game, but also the mental part of baseball. 

Coaches always want to know a players baseball intelligence. Let me know your mindset at the plate as a hitter. What you are trying to accomplish?

As a hitter, every time I go up to the plate I have the mindset that I am going to hit the ball hard and that starts before I go into the box. I like to scout out the pitcher before and see what he has and what some of his tendencies are. I learned this past summer that as long as you hit the ball hard, then you shouldn't be very upset even if you get out because the key is to have a good at bat and hit the ball hard and that had really helped me out. 

As a middle infielder you need to be a leader. What makes you a good defensive player and leader?

I try to lead more by example but as a middle infielder and now as a senior, I realize that I need to be a more vocal leader and that started a little during my sophomore year and a lot last year as a junior. Having quick hands and good fundamentals, I think, makes me a good defensive player and also giving 110% every play. Playing quarterback in football has really helped out with my leadership skills because everyone listens to you before every play and that has helped out tremendously. 

Being a four-year starter (counting the upcoming season) and making long runs to state three years in a row, what has the experience been like and how has it helped you grow and improve as a baseball player?

My first three years of high school have been amazing and I couldn't ask for much more. We went to state for the first time in school history when I was a freshmen and that success has carried over to the next seasons. We made it down to Columbus three years in a row and the experience is unbelievable. It has helped me out a lot with experience because I have played on the biggest stage of high school baseball against the best teams in the state for three straight years, and it has given me confidence and helped me improve my game. 

Being a three-sport standout, how does that help you as an athlete? How does being a QB and the guy with the ball in basketball translate to being a leader for your baseball team?

Playing three sports is really hard to do but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I believe that playing sports all year round, and playing different sports, helps out with the other sports because I am constantly competing in games. Playing quarterback and having the ball a lot in basketball is very important for my leadership. Those are some of the main positions so you almost have to be a leader to help your team out and it carries over to baseball as well. 

Playing three sports in high school obviously makes it hard to concentrate on your craft in baseball. When you put all your concentration on just baseball, how do you think you will be able to improve as a baseball player?

It is hard to just concentrate on one sport because I am constantly playing or practicing for another. When I put all my time into baseball, I think my game will improve tremendously because I will be able to focus on one thing and I will have more time to be able to work on the things I need to get better at. 

What do you wish to improve on from your junior to your senior year?

I need to improve on everything from last season to this next one. There is always room for improvement. 

Grades? ACT?

I maintain a 3.7 GPA (unweighted) and have a 21 on my ACT, that I will be retaking this Winter.