Future Games: Team Select Illinois Players' Highlights

August 7, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Future Games took place this weekend at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana outside of Indianapolis. The Future Games is comprised of ten teams from different states in the PBR coverage area. Day one featured a showcase format for the positional players, while days two and three gave each team the opportunity to play three games. Team Select was comprised of players from different states within the PBR coverage area and included several Illinois prospects who we will highlight below. Team Select finished 3-0 over the two days of games, led by PBR Director of Operations Matt Yarber, who combed the nation looking for prospects.

Here’s a look at Team Select’s Illinois Prospects over the three day event:

Team Select’s Illinois Player Highlights

Danny Oriente, OF, Downers Grove South, 2016
Oriente had a great three days, starting with running a 7.08 60, throwing 84 mph from the outfield, and producing 98 mph exit velocity during Thursday’s workouts. He took an impressive round of batting practice, spraying line drives from gap-to-gap from an open, crouched stance, where he starts his hands low and crowds the dish. Oriente went 2-for-6 at the plate over three games, showing a patient approach with three walks as well. He filled out the stat sheet with an RBI, a run scored, and two stolen bases as well.

Tyler McAlister, RHP, Waterloo, 2016
McAlister boasts a plus, projectable frame at 6-foot-4, 175-pounds. His fastball sat 83-85 mph over his two outings, but what’s really intriguing is the hard 75-76 mph slider he breaks off, which could bode well for a velocity spike in his future. He also hit in game two, going 1-for-3 with a line drive single past the shortstop on a hanging breaking ball. He promptly stole second base, showing off his athleticism.

Joey Butler, RHP/3B, Minooka, 2016
While Butler was invited to the event as a pitcher, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound lanky athlete impressed at the plate as well, starting off day one going 4-for-4 with four singles on day one. Overall, he finished 4-for-6 during the two days of games, with two walks, three stolen bases, three runs scored, and two RBI. Butler ran a 6.90 60, threw 85 mph across the infield, and produced 91 mph exit velocity off the tee. On the mound, Butler threw two scoreless innings with a strikeout. His fastball sat in the 81-83 mph range, touching 85 and 86 one time apiece. He also threw his curveball for strikes between 69-74 mph.

Josh Garner, RHP, Plainfield South, 2016
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound lanky and projectable right-hander was a late addition to the Future Games Select Squad and impressed over his two outings. His fastball sat 86-87 mph touching 88, and he paired it with a sharp breaking 66-68 mph curveball that notched two strikouts. He also flashed a 77 mph pitch with cutter/slider action, though we have not seen him throw it in the past, and he quite possibly could have just been on the side of a changeup. Garner comes at hitters with uphill shoulders, which helps his breaking ball achieve vertical, two-plane, 12/6 action.

Cal Elvers, C/OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher/outfielder showed off a big time arm setting a Future Games record throwing 95 mph from the outfield. He threw 78 mph from the crouch, reeling off pop times between 1.94-1.98, and ran a 7.08 60. He went 1-for-3 with a single in game one for Team Select. It would be intriguing with his arm strength and athleticism to see him on the mound in the future.

Bryce Gray, C/1B, Homewood Flossmoor, 2016
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound catcher/first baseman ran a 7.54 60, threw 78 mph across the diamond, 75 mph from the crouch, reeled off pop times between 1.90-2.0, and produced 83 mph exit velocity on Thursday’s workout day. In game one Gray went 0-for-2 with a walk, hit by pitch, run scored, and an RBI groundout. In game two he went 1-for-3 with stolen base. Gray will also play quarterback this fall for the HF Vikings.

Hank Christie, RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed pitcher currently ranked No. 40 in Illinois' 2016 class. Christie worked scoreless innings in Team Select's first and third games. His fastball sat 82-85 mph, touching 86. He paired it with 70-73 mph curveball. He allowed one hit, with one walk, and two strike outs in his two outings.