By Griffin Phelps and Sean Duncan

The Central Illinois Prospect Identification Showcase on Sept. 29 at Illinois Central College unveiled a wide-mix of high-interest prospects. Today, we will take a close look at the 2014 prospects, with reports on the 2015, 2016 and 2017s to follow.

The top 2014 prospect at the event was Kevin Ulrich, a 6-foot-3 left-hander from East Peoria HS. Already verbally committed to Illinois Central College, Ulrich flashed the best velocity of the event, topping at 87 mph with, it appears, more in the tank.

All videos from the event are now posted in the players’ profiles.

A look at the 2014 prospects at the Central Illinois Prospect Identification Showcase:

1. Kevin Ulrich, LHP, East Peoria, 2014
Athletic frame, 6-foot-3, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. Dynamic delivery, generates separation while staying in rhythm. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a loose arm action, advanced hand acceleration. Fastball showed solid life with hard running action at 85-87 mph from the windup and 83-84 mph out of the stretch. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed and creates consistent sink at 71-75 mph. Slider is work in progress, ranging between 71-74 mph. Verbally committed to Illinois Central College.

2. Sam Geraci, SS/RHP, Illinois Lutheran, 2014
5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic two-way player. At the plate he has a balanced setup and a short toe tap stride, solid balance throughout the swing. Has a line drive swing, level bat path, bat speed present. Advanced exit velocity of 88 mph off a tee. Defensively, he showed quality footwork and clean hands. Across the diamond he throws it with accuracy and carry at 82 mph. Ran a 7.32 60. On the mound he throws with a long, quick arm action from a ¾ slot. Delivery has some effort and choppy rhythm. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, touching 83 mph once. Breaking ball has slurve shape with gradual break at 65-67 mph. Changeup was 69-74 mph and straight.

3. Jack Myers, OF, Prairie Ridge, 2014
5-foot-11, 180-pound athletic outfielder.Defensively showed clean actions and a strong arm. Arm plays at 86 mph from the outfield, ¾ slot with a clean arm action and solid carry. At the plate he has a balanced setup with a smooth load and leg kick trigger. Swings it aggressively with some whip and above average bat speed.Posted an exit velocity of 86 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.29 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Brad Borzick, OF, Lakes Community, 2014
5-foot-7, 150-pound small body outfielder. At the plate has a balanced setup and solid lower half. Showed some bat speed with an exit velocity of 84 mph off a tee. Swing is short and level with a pull- side approach. In the outfield he works through the ball and throws with a long arm at 70 mph. Ran a 7.38 60.

Blake Fitch, C, Flora, 2014
5-foot-8, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, he throws with a long arm, over-the-top slot. Moves well from behind the dish with above average footwork. Pop times were in the 2.29-2.4 range, 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate he has a balanced set up, smooth load and a short stride. Swing is strong with extension. Showed solid bat speed and had an exit velocity of 79 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.91 60.

Darren Raby, C, Prairie Central, 2014
6-foot, 220-pound catcher. At the plate he has a tall, narrow stance with aggressive lower half. Bat path is short and slightly uphill with extension. Bat speed present, swings hard with pull side approach. Posted an exit velocity of 91 mph off a tee. Behind the plate he is a solid receiver with clean catch and throw mechanics. Throws it 71 mph from the crouch with pop times in the 2.29-2.34 range. Ran an 8.19 60.

Noah Showalter, 1B, Peoria Christian, 2014
5-foot-11, 178-pound first baseman. At the plate he has a tall, balanced setup with no stride. Swing plane is short with standard bat speed. Had an exit velocity of 74 mph off a tee. In the field he showed average footwork around the bag and threw with accuracy at 77 mph. He ran a 7.46 60.

Clayton Welker, OF, Williamsville, 2014
5-foot-10, 150-pound athletic outfielder. Defensively showed solid outfield actions to go along with good  footwork. Throws with a long arm from a ¾ slot at 73 mph. At the plate he has a tall, balanced stance, smooth loading action, and a leg kick trigger. Maintains balance through the swing and uses his lower half well. Has short, level bat path with solid bat speed, producing an exit velocity of 77 mph. Has a line drive type swing with fluid rhythm. Ran a 7.22 60.

CLICK HERE for complete showcase statistics