By Brian Feekin
Prep Baseball Report Nebraska

The Nebraska Top Prospect Showcase was an opportunity for 2017, 2018 and 2019 prospects from Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota to showcasetheir talents in front of our scouting staff and 20+ college coaches in attendance. Prep Baseball Report's Nebraska Top Prospect Showcase event took place on Sunday, 22nd, 2016 at Ultimat Omaha Westside High School in Omaha, NE. Thank you to the players, parents, staff and Westside HS Head Coach Bobby Greco for such a great event. Westside HS offers some of the finest facilities in the Midwest.. 

There were breakout performances, opportunities to see new players, and gave PBR Nebraska the opportunity to create an extensive follow list of prospects to see over the course of the summer. Many individuals, as well, placed themselves into the fray for our 2017 and 2018 state-wide player rankings which will be released in the future.

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Tyler Schatz, Elkhorn South, SS, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder ran a 7.65 60 yard sprint. Overall has very controlled approach at the plate and in the field. Quiet approach at the plate. Simple hand swivel triggers front side timing. Contact approach with a controlled barrel. 76 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, feet get heavy as the ball gets deep into fielding stance. Throws accurately across the diamond at 79 mph.

Ryan Obrecht, Millard North, RHP/1B, 2018
6-foot-2, 155-pound long levered RHP and first baseman ran a 7.53 60 yard sprint. At the plate, slight toe tap trigger with aggressive slightly uphill swing plane. Hands stay inside the baseball and hits line drives to all parts of the field. Some stiffness in the field but hands and feet work for 1st base. 79 mph velocity across the infield. Simple repeatable mechanics on the mound. Hands break cleanly on the back side and has a tendency to flatten out on his backside leg not leveraging his height. Throws from a mid ¾ arm slot with heavy 73-75 mph change up. Breaking ball showed good depth when released out front.

Jensen Gates, Ankeny Centennial (IA), INF, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder ran a 6.82 60 yard sprint. Athletic compact frame. At the plate, stride triggers good rhythm of swing. Shows barrel control to all fields.  Posted an exit velocity of 79 mph off a tee. In the field, funnels the ball through his body and has an extra tap through release. Throws were accurate across the infield at 83 mph.

Evan Sinz, Elkhorn, SS/RHP, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound active shortstop/ right-handed pitcher that ran a 7.50 60 yard sprint. High energy infielder that has a quick release from a low ¾ arm slot. Has playable hands and feet in the field. Actions of a 2nd baseman.  At the plate has an open stance. Has drop into a slight arm bar after stride. Good contact to all fields on a line drive swing plane. On the mound, has repeatable mechanics. Works at a quick pace and topped out at 81 mph from a mid ¾ arm slot. Showed feel for both a 70-72 mph breaking ball and 71-73 mph changeup.

Denton Porter, South Sioux City, SS/RHP, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.22 60 yard sprint. Early stride, crouched load, line drive swing plane, avg. pop in bat, mid/pull approach, 79 mph exit velocity. Works from ground up,  fields ball deep in stance, playable hands and feet, quick release, solid accuracy to 1st. 77 mph arm strength across infield. Simple delivery to plate with short arm action and direction to plate. Fastball was 78-80 mph with varying cut for strikes. Lands breaking ball for strikes with 11/5 shape. Flat action on changeup for strikes.

Caiden Hill, Papillion LaVista, SS/RHP, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound right handed hitting two way player ran a 7.41 60 yard dash. At the plate, strong contact to pull side. Small toe tap triggers line drive swing plane. Pull side approach. In the field, has active feet and good hands. Works through the ball with an accurate arm that topped out at 84 mph across. On the mound, topped out at 83 mph from a low ¾ arm slot with heavy sinking action with his fastball. Simple repeatable mechanics with some effort. 71-72 mph breaking ball has tight spin and was thrown for strikes. Change up carries the same heavy action as his fastball with good arm speed.

Keaton King, West Harrison (IA), SS, 2017
5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed SS/OF ran a 7.31 60 yard sprint. Compact strong build. Open stance. Leg kick that arrived on time to the ball with good pop. Slightly uphill swing path that posted an exit velocity of 83 mph off a tee. In the field shows good fundamentals of working around and through the ball. Above average feet and hands for his age. Accurate and online throws across the diamond at 77 mph.  Aggressive routes in the outfield with a quick release. Throws were accurate topping out at 80 mph.

Carter Wilken, Millard West, 3B, 2017
5-foot-8, 180-pound 3rd baseman ran a 7.25 60 yard sprint. At the plate, has a simple load to his back side.  Long barrel path with good pop to pull side of the field. Posted an exit velocity of 88 mph off a tee. Active feet in the field, with a quick release. Hands work down then up and presents early out front. Made accurate throws across with a 74 mph arm across the infield.

Austin Schultz, Norris, SS, 2018
5-foot-8, 170-pound shortstop showed top overall athleticism including a 6.72 60 yard sprint. At the plate, showed a linear swing that produces middle to pull side line drives. High motor on the infield with active footwork, soft hands and above average velocity of 88 mph across the infield for his age. Potential top 2018 infield prospect for the state of Nebraska.

Frank Novotny, Louisville, RHP/2B, 2017
6-foot, 140-pound wiry infielder ran a 7.34 60 yard sprint. At the plate, square stance, stays tall, slightly uphill swing path and good weight shift off back side. Okay contact to all fields. In the field, feet have a tendency to slow, fields ball out front and throws from a mid ¾ arm slot topping out at 76 mph across the infield. On the mound, has a simple, repeatable mechanics. Showed the athletic ability to repeat with little effort. Fastball is downhill topping out at 80 mph. Showed feel for a change up with some sink at 68-71 mph. 10/6 shaped breaking ball with some downward tilt.

Ethan Peterson, Elkhorn South, 2B, 2018
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting infielder ran a 7.50 60 yard sprint. Stays tall with good rhythm at the plate. Open stance with a compact swing with pop to his pull side. Good extension and transfer off his backside. In the field, waits for hops rather than working through and towards the base. Has playable hands and a quick transfer to release topping out at 77 mph across the infield.

Camden Parks, Millard North, INF/RHP, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound two-way player that ran a 7.84 60 yard sprint. On the mound topped out at 82 mph with some funk and run from a mid ¾ to low ¾ arm slot. High energy demeanor, compact delivery with feel for both his changeup and breaking ball. Breaking ball had good action and arm speed. Has an open stance at the plate, slight stride closes before hands start. Compact line drive swing plane. Posted an exit velocity of 78 mph off a tee. In the field, presents early, hands play through the body, feet get heavy at arrival. Throw accurately across to first base topping out at 78 mph.

Nathan Berg, New Prague (MN) SS, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound athletic infielder ran a 7.62 60 yard sprint. Slightly crouched stance, good barrel control and early actions with hands. Showed gap to gap approach with line drive contact. Some of the better pop at the plate for the event, posting an exit velocity of 87 mph off a tee. Above average actions in the field for his age. Advanced feet and glove, threw accurately across at 81 mph with a quick release from a ¾ arm slot.

Cameron Blossom, Creighton Prep, SS, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound infielder that ran a 7.25 60 yard sprint. Open stance, closes front side with toe tap. Slight arm bar, level swing plane gets long through the zone. Okay contact to all fields. 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. Fundamentally sound in the field, actions of corner infielder, playable hands and feet, extra glove taps with transfer and throws from a mid ¾ arm slot at 73 mph across. Good routes in the outfield, release could be quicker. Throws were accurate and online to the catcher.

Jacob Pinkerton, Beatrice, 2B, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound infielder that ran a 7.56 60 yard sprint. Open crouched stance. Pull approach. Gets stuck on back side and spins through contact. Okay actions in the field with a quick release, reads hops and funnels through body. High ¾ release with accurate 70 mph velocity across the infield.

Drew Gilin, Millard South, SS, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitting shortstop ran a 7.03 60 yard sprint. At the plate has a square stance with good balance and weight shift off his back side. Leverages an uphill swing plane with some power to his pull side. Posted an 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Athletic actions in the field with active feet and a quick release from a high ¾ arm slot. Ball carried to the bag with accuracy topping out at 79 mph. Has a chance to be one of the top infield prospects and bat in the 2018 Nebraska class.

Cole Evans, Grand Island, SS, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop that ran a 7.56 60 yard sprint. Mature approach and actions for a 2019 graduate. Balanced stance with compact swing plane with some lift. Hands stay inside the baseball with good pop. In the field is fundamentally sound with advanced footwork and soft hands. Quick release from a variety of arm slots and 79 mph velocity across the infield. Good actions in the outfield with accurate online throws to the catcher from a high ¾ arm slot. Potential to be one of the top 2019 prospects in Nebraska as he continues to develop.

Jaxon Walls, Bellevue East, SS, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting shortstop that ran a 7.09 60 yard sprint. Strong physical build. Stays tall at the plate with a square stance. Short compact swing, posted one of the top exit velocities at 90 mph. Playable hands and feet in the field. Projects to move to either 3rd or 2nd at the next level. Good carry across the infield at 82 mph.

Shay Schanaman, Grand Island, SS/RHP, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound shortstop/RHP stood out as the top two-way player at the event. He ran a top 6.9 60 yard sprint. At the plate, has an athletic set up, leg kick stride and compact line drive swing. Mature actions in the field with good feet and a strong 87 mph arm across. One the mound, showed a loose, two-piece arm action with some effort. Sat 87-89 mph with his fastball, topping out at 90 mph. Also showed a hard spinning 75-77 breaking ball with good depth and tilt and feel for 72-73 mph changeup.

Talon Little, Lincoln Northeast, SS, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop ran a 7.69 60 yard sprint. Upright squared stance at the plate. Small stride triggers hands with an uphill swing plane. Front side has a tendency to spin off the ball. Some pop and elevation to the pull side. Posted an exit velocity of 85 mph off a tee.  Active feet in the field, fields out front working up through the hops. Upper body stiffness on throws. Threw accurately across the infield at 77 mph.

James Valdivia, Elkhorn South, C/INF, 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting infielder that ran a 7.16 60 yard sprint. Tall open stance at the plate. Mature approach and strong contact for age. Hands tilt to a compact elevated swing path and follow through. Above average footwork and hands in the field. Funnels through the body with accurate quick release to the bag. Potential to be one of the top 2019 prospects in the state of Nebraska.

CJ Hlavac, Bellevue West, RHP/SS, 2017
6-foot, 190-pound two-way player that ran a 7.66 60 yard sprint. Strong physical build. At the plate has a square stance. Leg kick triggers online stride, line drive swing plane. Posted an exit velocity of 87 mph. In the field, has active feet and playable hands. Works through the ball with clean transfers. Threw across from a high ¾ arm slot topping out at 76 mph. On the mound, mixed in three pitches for strikes on both sides of the plate. Throws from a high ¾ with life on a downhill plane. Delivery has some effort and funk on the backside of his glove break. 71-73 mph 10/4 breaking ball has good spin and tilt. Heavy 71-73 mph changeup with downward action.

Jared Jennings, Elkhorn South, 3B, 2018
5-foot-11, 195-pound corner infielder that ran a 7.41 60 yard sprint. Slightly open stance at the plate with a short compact line drive swing plane. Pull side approach. Posted an exit velocity of 86 mph. Corner infielder actions. Soft hands with good rhythm while working through the ball. Throws are accurate and controlled across the infield at 74 mph.

Brandon Anderson, Omaha Skutt, RHP/1B, 2017
6-foot-2, 200-pounder that ran a 7.78 60 yard sprint. Strong physical build. Square stance, arm bar to stride with an uphill swing path. Showed barrel control to both sides of the plate. Posted an exit velocity of 85 mph off a tee. Playable hands and feet at first base. Reads hops, threw from a quick ¾ arm action across at 76 mph. On the mound, topped out at 83 mph with a heavy running fastball. Clean mechanics. Long on the backside and finishes online out front. 66-68 mph breaking ball shows good depth and spin. Change up was thrown with a repeatable arm action for strikes.

Brandel Riekenberg, Beatrice, SS, 2017
6-foot-3, 200-pound shortstop that ran a 7.66 60 yard sprint. Strong durable build. Slight crouch and open stance. All fields approach. Quick hands threw the zone with the ability to elevate. In the field, handles the ball out front with clean hand and feet actions. Throws from a low ¾ arm slot topping out at 77 mph.

Jackson Berney, Holdrege, SS/RHP, 2017
6-foot-4, 200-pound switch-hitting shortstop that ran a 7.07 60 yard sprint. Athletic durable frame. At the plate, square stance. Slight toe tap triggers hands. Quick compact swing with good pop from the right side of the plate. Gets longer from the left side. Posted an exit velocity of 92 mph. In the infield, feet and hands work well, funnels through the body with an extra glove tap release. Threw across at 79 mph. Projects to move to a corner spot. Threw online with carry to the catcher at 81 mph from the outfield. On the mound, simple clean mechanics. Hands break cleanly on the back and leverage’s height to drive downhill. Fastball shows late life topping out at 83 mph. Showed feel for 69-70 mph changeup with sink. 68-71 mph breaking ball had tilt and good spin when released out front.

Nick Henrichs, Omaha Westside, RHP/1B, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound two-way player that ran a 7.46 60 yard sprint. Open stance, high leg kick to square, with good rhythm. Slightly uphill swing plane with an all fields approach. Posted an exit velocity of 87 mph off a tee. Active feet at 1st base with soft playable hands. Threw across to the bag at 73 mph. Fielded ball out front reading hops in the outfield. Threw accurately to home topping out at 79 mph. Quick release from a high ¾ arm slot. On the mound topped out at 84 mph with his fastball with late life to the arm side. Front side leaks open, stays online towards home and repeats mechanics. Some jerk to glove side on 73-75 mph slider. Tight spin on breaking pitches. Hard 75-77 mph changeup with repeatable arm action.

Jake Bunz, Elkhorn South, LHP/1B, 2018
6-foot-4, 205-pound two-way player that ran a 8.01 60 yard sprint. Square stance, leg kick trigger, slight arm bar. Compact line drive swing plane. Posted an exit velocity of 81 mph off of tee. Feet and hands work for 1st base. Accurately threw across at 71 mph to 3rd base. On the mound, topped out at 80 mph with a two-piece arm action that is short on the backside and long out front. Ball is on a downhill plane with some arm side life. Changeup showed a chance to be an advanced pitch in the future. Heavy sinking action with good arm speed at 70-73 mph. 65-67 mph breaking ball has good depth when released out front.

Trent McMullen, Omaha Montessori, 1B/RHP, 2017
6-foot-2, 217-pound two-way player that ran a 7.50 60 yard sprint. Strong durable build. At the plate, quiet tall stance, slight toe tap triggers aggressive compact swing with hard contact to all fields. Posted an exit velocity of 92 mph off a tee. Active feet and soft hands at first base. Throws with an extra tap from a low ¾ arm slot at 82 mph across. On the mound, throws from a low ¾ arm slot topping out at 84 mph with some effort. Drop and drive mechanics and the ball sits on a flat plane with some ASR. Opens font side early. Breaking ball was thrown at 67-68 mph with depth and tilt. Sinking 71-73 mph changeup was thrown from strikes down in the zone.

Cooper Allen, Creighton Prep, 1B/RHP, 2018
6-foot-4, 225-pound right-handed hitting first basemen that ran a 8.1 60 yard sprint. Wide base at the plate, slight stride and arm bar, quick triggered swing on a line drive swing plane. Good barrel control to all fields. Posted an exit velocity of 82 mph off a tee.  Hands and feet work for first base, threw across from a long high ¾ arm slot at 73 mph. On the mound, has repeatable mechanics from a ¾ arm slot. 79-81 mph fastball sits on a downhill plane and thrown for strikes to both sides of the plate. Stays closed and online with a long finish out front. 70-72 mph breaking ball had good spin when finished. Tendency to shorten finish on breaking ball. Changeup was thrown in 71-72 with running action to arm side.

Michael Ripa, 3B, Papillion LaVista, 2017
6-foot, 185 pound corner infielder ran a 7.1 60. Strong physical frame. At the plate, tall stance, stride triggers slight arm bar. Compact swing on line drive swing plane. Best contact is back when he gets off his backside. Mid to pull approach. Posted an 86 mph exit velocity.Corner actions in the field. Active feet, and playable hands. Works up through the ball. Throw accurately across at 81 mph.

 

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