By John Cackowski
State Director

On the eve of the state playoffs, Prep Baseball Report takes a look at the top 2016 players we have video on that are still participating in the playoffs. Good luck to everyone out there this weekend. 

Jake Eissler, RHP/3B, ThunderRidge 2016
Currently ranked No. 2 in the 2016 class and committed to TCU. 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting RHP/3B. Swing path is slightly uphill creating a ball with good carry.  Good extension out front at contact and strong lower leg drive creates an exit velocity of 93 MPH.  In the field he is athletic and moves well to the ball.  He shows good actions and transfer and delivers from along over the top arm slot.  He showcased a 93 MPH arm with accuracy at Top Prospect Games. On the mound has three plus pitches. Fastball is consistently 87-88 mph, but we have had as high as 91 mph before. Has good run into right-handers, and his curveball has late sharp break away from right-handers.

 

Maverick Handley, C, Mullen, 2016
Currently ranked No. 2 in the 2016 class and committed to Stanford. 5-foot-10, 210-pound right hand hitting catcher.  Ran a 7.25 60.  Balanced and level at the plate.  Strong lower half through the ball with short extension at contact.  Shows quick hands and turns well on the inside pitch but also has opposite field power.  He had a 92 MPH exit velocity off a tee.  Behind the plate he is as good as it gets in the state of Colorado. Handley is solid on balls in the dirt and showcases a quick transfer and 83 MPH very accurate arm. Also has very quick feet. Plays with a ton of confidence defensively.  Pop-times were 1.76-1.82 off a coach.   

Nate Sweeney, RHP/INF, Cherry Creek, 2016
Currently ranked No. 9 in 2016 class and committed to Arizona. 6-foot-3, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher with a very live arm.  Delivery is square and smooth with strong effort to the plate throwing off two feet. Will fall off to the 1B side a couple of times.  Arm is long and loose and lightning quick.  Throws from an over the top arm slot. We have seen Sweeney throw as high as 91, but today he was focused on taking something off to throw strikes. Struggled early with command but each inning found a way to settle down. Threw 4 innings and was mostly 84-85. At his size shows a ton of projectability.

Jake Greenwalt, RHP/INF, Windsor, 2016
Currently ranked No. 11 in the 2016 class and committed to Colorado Mesa. 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Bats and throws right. Lanky build and very projectable. One of the best arms at the tryout. Starts slightly closed in stance and throws from a 3/4 arm slot from an uphill delivery. Lands square to plate, throws off two-feet, and falls off towards first base.  Hides ball well, tough to pick up. Fastball was 87-88 mph with one 90. We have had Jake as high as 92 in a live game. Curveball has good tight spin with late 11/5 tilt at 67 mph. Change up has some sink at 74 mph. Both pitches same arm speed as fastball. At the plate loads back and is short to the ball with uphill swing through zone. Some pull tendencies. Uses leg kick and short stride. Exit velo was 84 mph off the tee. At SS throws from a 3/4 arm slot. Shows good action, closes down and gains ground on throws to first base. Threw 79 mph to first. Ran a 7.21 60 time. Very projectable. Player to follow.

Matt Burkart, SS/RHP, Eaton, 2016
Currently ranked No. 13 in the 2016 class and committed to University of Northern Colorado. 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Bats and throws right. At the plate has open stance, leg kick approach. Comes off as smooth and has ability to drive the ball through the outfield. Like his rhythm, and bat speed is very fast through the zone, and ball jumps off the bat. Strong lower half, good extension through the zone with 2 hands.  Had a 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. At ss showed good actions and attacks the ball. Gains ground on his throws with good feet and hands. Threw 81 mph to first base. On the mound is very deceptive displayed a loose arm with a slight stab out of the glove.  Arm speed was quick and over the top. Hides ball extremely well, hard to pick up. Good balance point all owed shoulders to stay level and landing to be square to the plate.  Fastball was 84-85 with slight run and good command both in and out in the zone.  Knuckle Curve was on display and registered 75-77 with sharp 12/6 break. Was thrown for strikes low and out in the zone. Threw a slider at 76 mph. Burkart finished his day with a 77-78 MPH change with near FB arm action and slight cut.  

Bailey Hansen, RHP/OF, Air Academy, 2016
Currently ranked No. 14 in the 2016 class and committed to Pacific.  6-foot-5, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, was the top pitcher at this year’s USG.  He impressed with an 88 MPH fastball and good command of the zone.  Throwing from a motion with good balance and drive to the plate, his tall body allows him to deliver a pitcher that gets on you in a hurry.  He has an over the top motion and good arm speed on all pitches.  His curve was 67-69 with 11/5 break and most of the time it started in the middle of the plate and worked off the outside corner.  He added a 76 MPH change that had good down movement. Also a player who shows a lot of power potential. At the plate hits from a tall,  balanced stance and short stride. Simple swing lets his hands and bat speed do the work. Showed power at the plate hitting 2 homeruns at the event. Bat comes through the zone and generates good back-spin on the ball for drive and carry, and produced a 92 mph exit velo off the tee. Has good lower half. In the outfield gets behind ball well on fly balls. Projects as a corner OF.  Ran a 7.31 60 time. Player to follow.