Midwest ProCase: Preview

With the 2020 MLB Draft in the books, eyes are already turning to the class of 2021. For the past five years, the ProCase – Midwest has served as an early identifier for the top prospects in the class. On Tuesday, July 7, Prep Baseball Report will host the sixth annual Midwest ProCase event at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, Illinois. This showcase has become integral to the scouting community for identifying the top 2021 prospects in the region.

For more information on the event, check-in times, etc., CLICK HERE.

For a glance at this year’s roster, CLICK HERE.

Currently, there are over 45 prospects set to attend this year’s ProCase from nine different states – Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Last year, we had the chance to see some high-profile players entering their senior seasons, like OF CJ Cepicky (Vianney, MO), SS Christian Knapczyk (Joliet Catholic, IL), C Calvin Harris (West Dubuque, IA), 1B Drake Westcott (Edwardsville, IL), RHP Ben Wiegman (Carmel Catholic, IL) among many, many others. CLICK HERE for a look at last year’s roster.

This year’s crop of talent looks to be just as talented, if not more so.

From Illinois’ two physical right-handed arms lead the list in Ben Hess (Charleston; Indiana) and Brennyn Cutts (Toledo-Cumberland; Indiana State commit). Both run their fastballs comfortably into the low-90’s, while Hess features some of the more dynamic secondary offerings in the state as well. Another one to keep an eye on from Illinois is two-way prospect SS/RHP Nicholas Demarco (St. Charles North; Notre Dame), currently ranked No. 4 in the state. Demarco has been a mainstay on varsity since his freshman year, featuring a plus arm across the infield, a middle-of-the-order right-handed bat and can run his fastball up to 90 mph along with a swing-and-miss curveball.

SS Noah Miller (Ozaukee, WI; Alabama) and RHP Vincent Trapani (Eau Claire Memorial, WI; Arkansas) should be two high-level talents from the Badger state in attendance. Miller is a switch-hitter with a long-limbed, athletic frame and is one of the smoothest shortstops in the Midwest with an advanced feel for the game. Trapani sits comfortably in the low-90’s with reports that he has been even firmer as of late. 

Noah Miller (3.1.20)

A couple of other high-level names to know for Tuesday are SS Brock Daniels (Vianney, MO; Oklahoma), C Will Rogers (Mounds View, MN; Arizona State), RHP Victor Quinn (Liberty-Wentzville, MO; Oregon State), C Austin Bode (Columbus North, IN; Louisville) and OF Ivan Brethowr (St. Thomas Aquinas, KS; Arizona State). Daniels, sports a 6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic frame, runs a 6.72 60 and is a polished left-handed hitter. Rogers, ranked No. 2 in Minnesota, has a physical 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame, runs a 6.96 60-yard dash, has advanced strength in his right-handed swing, is 80 mph from the crouch and consistently shows sub 2.0 pop times with accuracy to the bag. Quinn has a wide-shouldered, 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame and was recently up to 95 mph at an event at Lake Point. Bode is a left-handed hitting catcher and has done nothing but hit everywhere he goes. Brethowr is listed at a long, yet well-proportioned 6-foot-6, 230-pounds and controls his levers well in the right-handed batters box, creating easy power while staying short to the baseball.

Will Rogers (3.15.20)