By Sean Duncan

The Prep Baseball Report Midwest Future Games, powered by Under Armour, on Aug. 6-7 at Benedictine University featured the brightest Class of 2013 talents from Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. Performing in front of a packed house of college coaches and pro scouts, Illinois players flourished over the weekend.

Team Illinois went 2-0, defeating Ohio 2-1 and Missouri 11-1. Illinois’ pitchers were particularly impressive, yielding only four hits in 19 innings of play. Harrisburg RHP/SS Ryne Roper, who’s the No. 1-ranked player in the class, earned Most Valuable player honors after the 6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way standout collected five hits and drove in three runs at the plate. On the mound, he pitched two shutout innings behind an 85-87 mph fastball. Less than 24 hours after the event, Roper verbally committed to the University of Illinois.

Some other highlights of the event:

* Keith Lehmann, a RHP from Lyons Township HS, established himself as the premier arm in the Class of 2013. Lehmann’s fastball reached as high as 90 mph, sitting at 88-89, during his two-inning stint. Lehmann’s curveball, however, is the true separator. His 72-74 mph curveball is a plus pitch. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Lehmann is currently the No. 2-ranked prospect in the class.

* No player in the event helped himself more than St. Rita OF Anthony Ray, who played on Team Indiana. All arms and legs, the 6-foot, 157-pound Ray is an extremely athletic – and projectable – left-handed hitting athlete who impressed in all phases. Ray ran a 6.6 60, was timed at a 3.91 down the line on a bunt, was clocked at 88 mph from the outfield, and showed ultra-quick hands at the plate.

* Dan Mayer, a RHP/OF/1B from Downers Grove South HS, not only proved he is one of the top arms in the class, but also a premier hitter. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Mayer worked two sterling innings, showing a fluid 85-87 mph fastball to go along with feel for a curveball and change. At the plate, Mayer first impressed during batting practice, as he took arguably the best round of BP. He followed it up in the game later that day, as he delivered the wood-bat event’s only home run of the weekend to left field.

* Colin Lyman, a left-handed hitting OF from Huntley HS, had an all-around impressive weekend. The 6-foot, 155-pounder tallied three hits, which included a double and two RBI, in the victory over Missouri, and added another hit in the second game. Lyman also ran a 6.86 60 and showed off his arm when he gunned down a runner at the plate with a laser of a throw.

* Spencer Gaa, a SS from Metamora HS, ran an event-best 6.47 60 and was clocked at 81 mph across the infield. A day after the event, Gaa committed to Bradley University.

* Kyle Pruemer, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound RHP from Teutopolis HS, threw three scoreless innings behind a heavy 84-87 mph fastball. Pruemer helped Teutopolis claim its second straight Class 2A state title last spring.

* Joe Hoscheit, a 6-foot, 195-pound OF from St. Charles East HS, is one of the more impressive physical athletes in the class. Hoscheit delivered the game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning to give Illinois a 2-1 victory over Ohio on Sunday. He also ran a 7.1 60 and played a sterling defensive outfield.

* Michigan-transplant Cody Campbell made his Illinois debut over the weekend. The physically impressive 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander looks to be one of the top arms in the state, as his fastball sat at 85-87 mph.

* Brad Margolin, a C/RHP from Glenbrook North HS, saw his stock climb as he proved to be one of the top athletes at the event. Margolin, who played on the Indiana team, also hit well during BP and game action, and showed a strong arm (1.94 pop) behind the plate, 82-84 mph on the mound.

* Bryce Only, a 6-foot, 182-pound 3B/RHP from Huntley HS, was one of the more impressive hitters at the event. He also showed an 83-85 mph fastball on the mound.

* River Pitlock, a SS/RHP from York HS, showed to be one of the top two-way players over the weekend. On the mound, he topped out at 85 mph, and at the plate he barreled up balls during most of his at-bats.

* Kyle Colletta, a left-handed hitting middle infielder from Niles West HS, showed the best defensive actions for Illinois, and made several impressive plays during the games.