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2024 Prep Baseball Iowa Wood Bat Exposure: Takeaways

October 1, 2024
Rob Allison, Parker Hageman, Pascal Paul
Prep Baseball Iowa

2024 PREP BASEBALL IOWA UPPER MIDWEST WOOD BAT EXPOSURE

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Below are some notable performances as observed by our scouting staff from the Prep Baseball Iowa Upper Midwest Wood Bat Exposure.

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WEEKEND STANDOUTS

+ Austin Baldwin (2026, MIF, Beatrice) had a strong showing on both sides of the baseball for the Nebraska Prospects. One of Nebraska’s top uncommitted players in the class, Baldwin drove an outer-half fastball up the middle for a base hit and would later top out at 87 on the mound in a relief appearance. Rawness on the pitching side but buoyed with overall athleticism: His metrics are impressive (6.72 60, 84 across the diamond, and 95.7 exit velo). 

+ Matt Mieras (2026, C/1B, Waconia) showcased well over the weekend for West Metro, including a double to center and two opposite field home runs. The 2024 Future Games participant pulled out a 100.6 max exit velocity in showcase setting and his ability to drive the ball the other way with authority show just how well that power plays in game. Moreover, his 6-foot-2 frame has plenty of room for added strength, making his projection that much higher. His defensive work behind the plate has improved steadily and he also climbed on the mound only to max at 87. Ranked 22nd in Minnesota's class of 2026. 

+ Kaden Harris (2025, MIF, Linn-Mar) was stellar all weekend at the plate for ITB. Harris' line included a ground-rule double to right, two-run single to left, and a two-run home run to center. A 6.7 runner with good rotation, he's a player who should continue to progress as he adds more strength to his 5-foot-10 frame. The recent Black Hawk commit is Iowa’s no. 47 prospect in the class of 2025. 

+ Miles Jungroth (2026, LHP/OF, St. Louis Park) came armed with all sorts of filth for West Metro. The uncommitted lefty hides the ball well, changes tempo and looks, attacks the zone with multiple pitches in any count. Spins curve & slider with impressive feel and ability to land. Fastball was up to 87 with ride though the zone. A member of Team Minnesota for the 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games, Jungroth also added a grand slam and threw out a runner at third from right field. No. 22 in Minnesota's class of 2026. 

+ Dakota Hughes (2026, RHP, Concordia) the 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games Team Midwest alum has cleaned his frame up some since our last look. Usual 3-pitch mix around the zone with movement for the Nebraska Prospects. Fastball (84-87, T88) was located to both sides of the plate and has late run at times, the curveball (73-75) has equal parts sweep and depth, and the changeup (74-76) has fade with fastball arm speed.

NOTABLES

29ERS

+ Jonathon Rossi (2026, 3B/RHP, Benet Academy) with a big frame and downhill fastball (79-82). Breaking ball had sweep (67-70). 

+ Tristan Lakis (2025, RHP, Benet Academy) sitting 83-85 mph. Simple mechanics, stretch only, working fastball exclusively with solid life to both sides of the plate. Has been up to 86 in high school season.

+ Gavin Awbrey (2025, 2B, Orion) jumps all over a first-pitch fastball, driving it to the gap for a double and two RBIs. Athletic frame with lean present strength. Ranked 230th in Illinois. 

COMPLETE ATHLETE

+ Samuel Kramer (2026, LHP, Benilde-St. Margaret’s) showed good feel for spin, landing the breaking ball for strikes and chase (CB 68-70). Fastball was 78-80 with late arm-side run.

+ Colin Schneider (2028) barrels a baseball deep to the right center gap, legging out a triple. 

+ Cooper West (2028, 3B, Centennial) inside outs a baseball for a single, picking up an RBI

IOWA PROSPECTS

+ Logan Wildebour (2026, RHP, Ankeny Centennial) went right at hitter with a 79-83 mph fastball. Movement varied with slight cut/run. Hides the ball well and pounded the zone, resulting in a lot of weak contact. No. 65 in Iowa’s class of 2026. 

+ Miles Lorentzen (2026, RHP, Roosevelt) is an uptempo mover on the mound, who works down the slope efficiently. Clean long-to-short AA, fastball was 79-82, curveball at 69-71.

IOWA STICKS

+ Nicholas Berardi (2028, 2B, Dowling Catholic) turns and burns on this pitch hitting a deep fly ball for a ground rule double. 

+ Brody Borg (2028, RHP/3B, Lynnville-Sully) gets one up in the jet stream, lifting a double to the left-center gap. Maxed out at 72 MPH on the mound at the recent Iowa Sticks Scout Day.

ITB

+ Ben Garvin (2025, RHP, Wilton) with a quick arm and biting breaking ball. Athletic mover on the mound who fills the zone. Fastball was 78-81, curveball had a late break at 68-71.

+ Tate Van Dyke (2026, RHP, Hudson) was 79-82 with some life through the zone and slider had late movement. 

+ Jameson Gregoire (2027, RHP, Central Dewitt) with a six-three frame and long clean arm path. Has been up to 86.7 in event, was at 80-83 in the fall. Overall velo should jump with added strength. No. 10 ranked player in Iowa’s 2027.

+ Tavian Soppe (2026, 1B/RHP, Linn-Mar) continues to be an interesting follow into the offseason. Has been up to 80 on the mound with life up in the zone and has shown some power at the plate, including this ground rule double to the left-center gap. 

KNUCKLEHEADS

+ Leo Noonan (2028, SS/RHP, Cascade) was a varsity starter as an eighth grader, slaps a single up the middle collecting 2 RBIs. Above average bat to ball skills, prototypical lead-off hitter, above average runner. 

NEBRASKA PROSPECTS

+ Garrett Andersen (2026, SS, Creighton Prep) is a long, rangy, smooth defender. Has leverage with the bat. Barrels this inside fastball for a ground rule double. Was 81-83 on the mound. The no. 20 ranked player in Nebraska’s 2026, 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games participant.

+ Cal Anthony (2026, OF Creighton Prep, Nebraska commit) has a simple, quiet setup and approach. Bat is on plane with hand strength through the zone resulting in multiple hits, including a single and double. No. 3 ranked prospect in Nebraska’s class of 2026 (444th nationally). 

+ Cale Belfrage (2025, RHP/OF, Tekamah) has present physicality in frame with metrics that project (6.72 60, 86 OF, 100.7 Exit). On the mound, the right-hander was 79-83 with some backspin carry through the zone. The curve was 68-72 and located for strikes.

+ Eli Goldsberry (2027, OF/RHP, Millard South) has projection in his longer wiry frame.  Easy effort in the arm. Fastball (80-82) worked both sides of the plate. Curveball (70-73) had late bite generating swing/miss.

+ Cameron Curtis (2025, LHP, Papillion LaVista South) tunneled a 3-pitch mix very well. Late movement to fastball (80-83), changeup (71-73) showed plus ability to turn the baseball over. No. 27 ranked player in Nebraska’s 2025 class.

+ Ricky Scarpello (2026, 1B/LHP, Bellevue East). Interesting look at 6-5, 195 lbs left-handed prospect. Controlled tempo and movements, in and around the zone, projectable frame and will continue to add strength. Compact repeatable arm action producing 81-84 mph fastball with occasional downhill tilt. Breaking ball is above average with a tight 1/7 shape and late break. 

+ Hank Frohloff (2027, RHP, Elkhorn South) is an easy mover on the mound. Athletic actions. Fastball (77-80) with some life, bigger break on the curve (68).

+ Hudson Schwartzkopf (2025, RHP, Gretna) has some funk to his delivery while using his length down the mound. Fastball had some run at 81-83.

TOP TIER IOWA

+ Carver Cruse (2028, RHP/SS, Muscstine) was up to 84 on the mound, sitting more in the 79-82 range. Ball had carry through the zone while curve had a bigger break used it up counts for weak contact and swing/miss. Cruse was a member of the 2024 Team Midwest Junior Future Games squad. 

+ Christian Sawyer (2027, RHP, West Senior HS) has height and physicality. His fastball had some late run, sitting 79-82, paired with a slurve breaking ball, manipulating in and out of the zone. 

+ Andrew Hartley (2027, 3B/RHP, Central Dewitt) throwing a heavy fastball at 78-80 T81 while attacking the strike zone. Good framework in body, clean arm action. 

+ Tanner Dye (2026, SS/RHP, Rockridge) is a physical up-the-middle player, good hands + quick release. Drives this pitch into the RCG for a triple. 

+ Ryley Lawler (2026, LHP/1B, Dubuque) with a fastball that sat 79-81. Had success at the bottom of the zone. 

+ Sam McDermott (2026, C/OF, Western Dubuque) with length and athleticism to frame.  Good adjustability in swing going down getting this ball putting it on a frozen rope to the pull side.

+ Max Dougherty (2028, 3B, Xavier) is a long athlete with simple movements in the box. Adjusts well to off-speed here to barrel this single to center field.

WEST METRO

+ Grady Hague (2026, MIF, Wayzata) punctuated his day with a three-run home run to the pull-side. Added two doubles to his line and took competitive at-bats all tournament. Solid bat-to-ball skills and sprayed the field with line drives. 

WOW FACTOR

+ Dayne Franks (2028, LHP/OF, Orion) is an interesting prospect on the mound. Hides the ball well with a crossfire action, lands spin. Fastball was 79-80, curveball at 69.

+ Keagan Swain (2027, RHP, Rock Island) has height and funk on the mound. Long levers, projectable frame. Fastball was 78-80 and 12/6 curve came in at 68-70. 

+ Kellan Kennedy (2025, C, United Township HS) with a strong barrel and drives a single to LF collecting 2 RBIs. Smaller compact frame, solid strength, has usable skills defensively behind the plate with catch/throw ability. 

+ Brody Oppendike (2026, LHP, United Township HS) is a lefty to follow. Medium size athletic frame with quick twitch movements. Arm is quick and compact, producing 82-84 mph fastballs paired with a 74-75 mph breaking ball with tight spin and late break.

YARDYBOYS

+ Cash Shoemaker (2026, LHP/OF, Lincoln Southwest) is a free mover with a skinny projectable frame.  Loose quicker arm, ball jumps out of his hand some from the left side. Fastball 76-79.