Spring weather in northern states is always a factor, but this spring has been especially challenging with late snowstorms and rain wreaking havoc on schedules and when games do get played, the conditions are far from ideal. While we’re not out of the woods yet, things do seem to be making a turn for the better. RHP Mike Vasil (Boston College HS, MA) made his first regular season start and the PBR Midwest Select enjoyed some good weather before another a front rolled through.

In front of a large crowd of scouts, Vasil started out his senior campaign by retiring the first 20 batters he faced. A double broke up the perfect game with two outs in the seventh, but he finished with 13 strikeouts. The fastball sits in the low 90s with arm-side run and sink. He shows command of the pitch to both sides of the plate. The breaking ball was big in shape, sitting 73-76 mph. He shows the ability to throw it for strikes, but he likes to challenge hitters with his fastball. The changeup is a solid pitch with fade and sink at 78-81. Vasil’s delivery is on line with his feet and he leans forward slightly as he makes his way to his foot strike. His front shoulder tracks very well, allowing him to have a soft front side and solid direction up top. The arm is clean and fast, coming through above a 3/4 slot.

Also on the mound in the Northeast last week was RHP Shane Smith (Governors Academy, MA). The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has a small crossfire action in his delivery with his feet and a high glove side. He has a high-3/4 slot and clean arm action. His fastball sat 87-90 with arm-side run and his breaking ball has good shape and depth at 74-75. The changeup has improved immensely, sitting 78-81 with fade and sink.

At the Midwest Select, a few hitters stood out in OF Nick Schnell (Roncalli HS, IN), 3B Nick Northcut (Mason HS, OH) and IF Jared Poland (Cathedral HS, IN). Schnell went 5-for-9 across three games with a double and two triples while Poland was 4-for-10 with three triples. Northcut played a doubleheader on Saturday and went 2-for-6 with a double. He also smoked a ball off the center fielder’s glove, reaching second on the error. For more on those three, and others, check out the Midwest Select scout blog.

Here are notes on more high school draft prospects from around the country…