BMO Harris Bank All-Kickoff Classic Team

March 21, 2018
Illinois Scouting Staff

The 2nd annual Metro East Kickoff Classic sponsored by Prep Baseball Report was a four-day event that took place from March 14 - March 17th (Wednesday-Saturday), featuring 35 teams from around the state of Illinois and one from Missouri. Games were played at five locations in the Metro East area; Edwardsville HS, O’Fallon HS, Belleville East HS, SIU-Edwardsville University and GCS Ballpark in Sauget, IL.

The Prep Baseball Report provided complete coverage of the Kickoff Classic, covering each location with game recaps including insider scouting notes and statistical highlights.

Over the course of the four-day event our staff saw several standout performances as some of the top prospects in the state got their seasons' started on the right foot.

BMO HARRIS BANK "MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER"

This year’s award goes to 1B Drake Westcott of No. 8 Edwardsville. Westcott, who started and hit .435 with, 11 doubles and 12 home runs for the Class 4A runner-up Tigers last season as a Freshman, picked up right where he left off. The imposing left-handed hitter, had a torrid three games, going 8-for-10, with three doubles, three runs, three RBI and a walk. In fact, every ball that was put in play on the weekend ended in a hit. The Louisville commit also showed off improved feel around the bag, routinely picking throws and bouncing off the bag to make plays.

Here's a look at the BMO Harris Bank All-Kickoff Classic Team

Pitchers

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Ryan Culley	Belleville East	2018	LHP	5.2	0	2	10	3

Parkland commit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound, southpaw pitches in the mid-80’s. Went five innings against Benton, scattering two hits and striking out 10.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Jacob Maton	Chatham-Glenwood	2018	RHP	5.0	0	0	10	0

Coastal Carolina commit. One of the top 2018 prospects in the state of Illinois, started on friday night and threw five innings of no-hit baseball, in front of a handful of scouts. Fastball sat 89-90 mph early on and showed off an impressive breaking ball that led to 10 strikeouts in his five innings.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Geoff Withers	Civic Memorial	2018	RHP	6.2	1	3	10	2

McKendree commit. Had one of the more impressive starts of the Kickoff Classic. Withers carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his start against Belleville East. Fastball sat 84-87 mph throughout and finished with 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Jonathon Yancik	Edwardsville	2019	RHP	6.2	0	2	9	2

The junior right-hander did not allow a run in two separate outings for Edwardsville. Scattered two hits and struck out four in four innings of work against Lincoln-Way West. Also, went 2.2 innings against Columbia without giving up a hit and struck out five.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Alex Vera	Joliet Catholic	2019	LHP	5.0	0	0	8	2

Illinois commit. Tossed five innings of no-hit baseball against St. Joseph-Ogden, before being relieved. In his five innings of work he struck out eight while only walking two. Fastball was up to 83 mph, but it was 2/7 curveball that stood out.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Connor Oliver	Oak Forest	2019	LHP	2.1	0	0	7	4

Wichita St. commit. Limited to 2.1 innings due to pitch count, did not allow a ball to be put in play against. Struck out seven and walked four. Ran his fastball up to 87 mph and commanded a swing-and-miss breaking ball.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Shane Schatz	Oswego East	2018	RHP	7.0	0	2	5	1

Unsigned senior. Made two appearances on the mound. Against No. 1 Joliet Catholic pitched one scoreless inning, striking out two and allowing no hits. Started the next day against Salem, going six innings, two hits, three strikeouts, one walk and did not allow a run.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Ian Lohse	StL Marquette	2020	LHP	4.0	0	1	8	2

Sophomore left-hander can run his fastball up to 86 mph. In a start against Lincoln-Way West went four innings, one hit, struck out eight and did not allow a run.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Hayden Juenger	O'Fallon	2018	RHP	6.0	1	3	6	2

Missouri State commit. One of the top 2018 right-handed arms in the state. Had two separate outings for O’Fallon on the week. Was electric in his first outing, a one-inning appearance vs. Breese Mater Dei. Struck out the side behind a fastball that sat 91-92 mph. Got the win in his second appearance, a start against No. 11 Brother Rice. Went five innings, scattered three hits and struck out three. Ran his fastball up to 93 mph in that start.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Chris Cuppini	Normal U-High	2018	RHP	5.0	0	2	8	1

Judson University commit. Tossed five scoreless innings against Breese Central on 85 pitches. Pounded the zone with a three-pitch mix seeing his fastball top at 83 mph. Finished with eight strikeouts over the five innings of works and only walked one.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Adam Stilts	Alton	2018	RHP	6.0	0	4	6	1

Junior right-hander went six shutout innings against Carbondale. Scattered four hits, struck out six and walked one.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Nathan Deloian	Lincoln-Way West	2018	LHP	4.1	0	3	7	0

Carson-Newman commit. The southpaw pitched 4.1 innings against St. Louis Marquette without allowing a run. Showed command of all pitches, striking out seven and walking none, scattering three hits.

Name	School	Class	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Logan Boente	O'Fallon	2018	RHP	5	0	1	7	2

McKendree commit. Twirled a one-hit shutout in his start against a pesky Oak Forest club. In Boente’s five innings of work he struck out seven and walked two.

TWO-WAY PLAYERS

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Charlier Erler	Alton	2018	INF	8	5	2	0	3	5	3	1	RHP	4.2	0	3	8	3

Lipscomb commit. Athletic two-way prospect, got the start in game one against Freeburg. Pitched with emotion and energy in 4.2 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits, striking out eight with a combination mid-80s fastballs and curveballs, and walking two. In three games offensively, went 5-for-8 with five runs, three RBI, one walk and one strikeout.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Shane Wilhem	Columbia	2019	INF	6	2	1	0	0	1	3	RHP	5	1	4	7	1

Missouri commit, showed well on the mound and at the plate over Columbia’s two games. Started on the mound against Chatham-Glenwood and went five innings of one-run ball. Struck out seven and scattered four hits. At the plate went 2-for-6 in the two games with three walks and a triple.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Aidan Tyrell	Joliet Catholic	2018	OF	12	5	0	0	2	2	3	3	LHP	4	0	1	8	2

Notre Dame commit. Nearly untouchable in his four inning stint on the mound against Oswego East, allowing just one hit, striking out eight and walking two. The senior left-hander ran his fastball up to 86 mph, and showed command of three pitches. Hit in the two-hole in all four games, finished 5-for-12, with two runs, two RBI, three walks, and two strikeouts.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Greg Ziegler	Joliet Catholic	2019	OF	10	6	0	0	3	5	3	2	RHP	4	0	1	9	1

Missouri State commit. Junior right-handed pitcher threw 4 quality innings against Kaneland with nine strikeouts and allowed one unearned run. Quality three-pitch mix throughout and topped at 84 mph with his fastball. Offensively, he recorded six base hits, scored five runs, knocked in three runs and swiped three bases.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB	Pos	IP	ER	H	K	BB
Trevor Durand	Mt. Zion	2018	SS	7	3	2	0	3	1	1	1	RHP	5	0	3	6	1

Millikin commit. 6-foot-2, 162-pound, athletic, two-way prospect. Started on the mound against Salem and went five innings of shutout baseball striking out six. Had a big say at the plate against Triad going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, a run scored and a walk.

Position Players

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	BB
Drake Westcott	Edwardsville	2020	1B	10	8	3	0	3	3	1

Louisville commit. One of the top 2020 prospects in Illinois. Standing 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, the left-handed hitting first baseman was an imposing force at the plate all tournament. Started his sophomore season by going a perfect 3-for-3 against Columbia, with two doubles, one run scored, one RBI, and one walk. The following day added two more doubles, two runs and two RBI, in a 2-for-3 outing against Tinley Park. Capped of the Kickoff Classic by collecting three singles in four at-bats versus Lincoln-Way West. On the tournament, finished 8-for-10, 3 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	BB
Cole Hembrough	Chatham-Glenwood	2018	OF	9	6	1	0	4	2	0

6-foot-4, 225-pound physical right-handed hitter, was the catalyst for the Glenwood offense in their two games at the Kickoff Classic. Went 6-for-9 with a double, two runs, four RBI. Also, showed off a strong arm in right field.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB
Marquis Jackson	Brother Rice	2020	2B	6	4	0	0	1	2	2

Oklahoma commit. Despite only being a sophomore, Jackson was one of the more locked in hitters at the event. In the highly-anticipated matchup Friday night against No. 4 Plainfield North, Jackson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. His one out was the hardest hit ball of the night. Stole two bases as well.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB
Sam Jones	Brother Rice	2018	3B/DH	6	4	1	1	2	4	1	1

Indiana commit. Finished the two games of the Kickoff Classic, 4-for-6 with a home run, triple, four runs, two RBI and a walk. His most impressive at-bat came against O’Fallon, where he worked a long at-bat before getting an elevated fastball and hitting a no-doubt home run over the left-field wall.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB
Garret Cook	Plainfield North	2019	OF	7	5	1	0	1	4	1	1

Junior, left-handed hitter, led No. 4 Plainfield North in hitting in their two games. Finished 4-for-6 with a double, four runs scored, a walk, a stolen base and an RBI.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	3B	RBI	R	SB	BB
Josh Mesenbrink	Triad	2018	3B	6	4	1	1	3	5	1	1

Senior right-handed hitter, led the way for Triad in their two games. In their loss against Mt. Zion he went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, three runs scored and two RBI. Overall, went 4-for-6 with five runs and three RBI.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB
Angel Acevedo	Kaneland	2019	OF/LHP	6	4	1	0	1	4	3	2

Junior left-handed pitcher/outfielder showed skill on all sides of the ball in the Kick-off Classic. Had four base knocks, four runs scored and caused havoc on the bases all weekend with three stolen bases. Showed off the arm defensively against JCA gunning down a runner attempting to go first to third. Also, threw a clean inning against Normal West with two strikeouts.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB
Riley Phillips	Alton	2018	OF	10	6	1	0	5	5	2	1

6-foot-1, left/left, sophomore outfielder carried Alton offensively in their three games. Hit .600 with five runs, five RBI and walked once.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB
Nate Hardman	Normal U-High	2019	3B	13	5	0	0	6	4	3	2

Junior third baseman, was an integral part of the U-High offensive output. In four games, hit 5-for-13, four runs scored, six RBI, three stolen bases, two walks and four strikeouts. Also, played a steady third base throughout the event.

Name	School	Class	Pos	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB
Owen Martin	Normal U-High	2018	CIF	16	7	0	0	4	1	1

Illinois Central JC commit. In 16 at-bats, put the ball in-play 14 times, collecting a hit seven of those times. Finished 7-for-16, one run scored, four RBI, one stolen base, zero walks and two strikeouts.

+ CLICK HERE for a look at last year's BMO Harris Bank All-Kickoff Classic Team.

+ CLICK HERE for full game recaps from the Kickoff Classic.

+ CLICK HERE for the entire scout blog from the Kickoff Classic.