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Preseason All-State (2021): Quick Hits

March 5, 2020
Indiana Staff

The Preseason All-State is one of Indiana's most highly anticipated events of the year. The invitation-only event for the state's top junior prospects was held on Saturday, February 29 at Roundtripper Sports Academy in Westfield, IN. Over 100 of Indiana's best 2021 prospects represented themselves at the sold-out event. Below is a quick glance at some of the top prospects that stood out. 

QUICK HITS

HIGH LEVEL UNCOMMITTED RIGHT-HANDERS

There were plenty of high level uncommitted arms at the event, but when looking at premium velocity; Blake Lemmon (Chesterton HS) and Aric Ehmke (Deklab) separated themselves from the pack. 

Lemmon, an athletic 6-foot-3, 170 pounder was a consistent 88-90 in his bullpen session, topping out at 92 mph. Lemmon was also 94 mph from the outfield, ran a 6.95 and was at the top of each athletic test leaderboard.

Ehmke, who stands in at 6-feet, 180 pounds, was anywhere from 87-91, also topping out at 92 mph.

Calvin Shepherd (Lawrence North HS) made a significant jump in velocity since we saw him last October when he was 82-84. At Saturday's Preseason All-State the 6-foot-2, 180 pound righty ran his fastball up to 89 mph, sitting 86-88. 

Mt. Vernon HS RHP Eli Clotfelter was another arm that saw a jump in velocity. As recently as December the 5-foot-9, 175 pounder was topping out at 86. On Saturday, he sat 86-89, running it up to 90 mph. 

Rex Stills (Wheeler HS) has a projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. The right-hander showcased an 86-88 mph fastball with a quick arm and plenty of more velo in the tank.

Central Noble junior Dylan Eggl has a strong, athletic build at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. He was a consistent 87-88 with a sharp 73-75 mph slider.

2019 Future Gamer Bryce Martens once again ran his fastball up to 88 just like he did down at LakePoint last August. He also threw one of the better curveballs at 70-73 with depth and swing and miss capabilities. 

More RHPs: Brennyn Abendroth (West Vigo HS), Diego Cardenas (John Adams HS), Enas Hayden (Lawrence North HS) and Gavin Morris (Northview HS) each ran their fastballs up to 87. 

Noblesville righty Jared Crandall has a projectable 6-foot-4, 190 pound frame with above average arm speed and fastball up to 86. Breaking ball was inconsistent in the zone, but did flash sharp action. 

Another Lawrence North arm showed well at the event. Caleb Olsen, who has a physical 6-foot-2, 205 pound frame, was up to 85 from a shorter high 3/4 arm action and quick arm speed.

Peyton Olejnik (Hanover Central HS) may not have had the high end velocity that others did at the event, but he does have a highly-projectbale 6-foot-6, 165 pound, long limbed frame. He has smooth rhythm and a repeatable delivery with a clean arm action. His fastball was up a couple ticks at 82-83 from when we saw him in January when he sat 80-81. Has feel for the breaking ball; a potential swing-and-miss offering in the future.

UNCOMMITTED SOUTHPAWS

Cole Elkins (Concordia Lutheran HS) was consistently 85-87 from a loose, high 3/4 arm slot with quick arm speed. 

University HS junior Tyler Galeyan has a projectable pitchers frame at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds. Shows good rhythm with some deception in the delivery. His fastball held at 83-84 and showed command of his offspeed. 

AVAILABLE OUTFIELDERS

Camden Jordan (Cathedral HS) is an ultra-athletic 5-foot-11, 170 pounder with plus speed (6.76-60) and athletic twitch throughout all facets of his game. Defensively he showcased twitchy, athletic footwork with arm strength (88 mph). From the right-side of the batters box he showcased loose hands with a simple, line-drive approach. 

Auston Brewer (Snider HS) is a strong 5-foot-10, 183 pound athlete that ran a 6.90 in the 60 yard dash. He once again showed off his pull-side power during his BP round, getting to extension with quick bat speed. His throws from the outfield topped out at 91 mph.

Garrett Esposito (Beech Grove) showcased electric bat speed from the right side. Has twitch in the box, regularly getting to extension with present pull-side pop. Tied for an event high with a 95mph exit velocity off the tee. He moves well defensively with athletic feet and actions. He also ran a 6.94 in the 60.

Garrett Causey (Evansville Central HS) has a simple approach from the right-side with quick bat speed. The 6-foot-1, 175 pounder has fluid rhythm with gap-to-gap type power (89 Exit Velocity). He ran a 7.20-60 and had throws top out at 85 from the outfield.

Sergio A Lira Ayala (NorthWood HS) had fluid rhythm and sequencing at the plate. Longer path, got to extension, hard contact. High exit velocity of 88 mph. Also ran a 7.10 in the 60 and was 86 from the OF.

UNCOMMITTED INFIELD STANDOUTS

Jack Moroknek (Brebeuf HS) was one of the more intriguing players in attendance. He's an athletically built 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. He tied for the top exit velocity at the event at 95 mph, and his power and bat speed showed well during his BP session. He hits from an athletic/balanced setup with a leg lift timing trigger. He showcased rhythm with projectable power, consistently making loud contact. Defensively he showcased twitchy hands and feet with a strong arm across the infield at 90mph.

Darien Pugh (Covenant Christian HS) had one of best BP rounds of the entire event. At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds the left-handed hitter presented an advanced approach with great barrel control. He showed a quick bat and consistently made hard contact with projectable gap power. Projects more as a second baseman at the next level; sure handed defender with fluid actions, average arm strength across the diamond (83 mph); up to 90 mph from the OF. His top 60 time is a 6.85.

Nate Kelly (Penn HS) is a 5-foot-11, 170 pound sure-handed defender with a quick/clean exchange and carry on his throws across the infield (87 mph). Offensively he showcased a gap-to-gap approach with above average bat speed.

Casey Sorg (Floyd Central HS), an athletic 6-foot-2, 185 pound switch-hitting infielder, had an impressive showing offensively. He shows a mirrored setup (tall/narrow) from both sides of the plate with a little more bat speed from the left-side. He was consistently on plane making hard contact. High exit velocities of 90-L and 89-R.

AJ Bordenet (Lafayette Central Catholic) is a 6-foot-1, 185 pound premium defender. Showcased advanced actions defensively with soft hands and fluid footwork. Exchange was quick and clean and plays through the baseball with athleticism. Loose arm across the diamond; throws topped out at 81 mph.

AVAILABLE CATCHERS

Ty Mathews (Brownsburg HS) is a 6-foot-1, 187 pounder with flexibility behind the plate. Displayed firm hands while receiving with quick footwork. Throws topped out at 79 from the crouch, accurate on the bag with pop times consistently at 1.99-2.01. Offensively pull-side power with quick bat speed. Was the event leader in bat speed according to Blast (79.6mph).

Evan Waggoner (Bedford North Lawrence HS) is a physical 6-foot-2, 208 pound left-handed hitting catcher. Waggoner has made improvements offensively since we saw him last at the Future Games in August. He hits from an open stance; sits low in his legs with a lower hand setup. Showcased present pull-side pop (high exit velocity of 88). Behind the dish he produced pop times in the 1,88-1.98 range and was 79 from the crouch. Has quick footwork and good direction on his throws.

Cade Conlon (Cathedral HS) showcased advanced feel behind the plate. Showcased steady hands with great receiving and blocking ability. Athletic setup. Receives balls low in the zone very well. Pop times were 1.97-2.01 consistently on the bag. Offensively, showed quick bat speed (76.4-Blast) with a shorter path, fluid rhythm and gap-to-gap type power. High exit velocity of 92 mph).

Cordell Coburn (Evansville North HS) has a 6-foot-2, 205 pound build. One of the better receivers at the event; soft hands, quick feet, good flexibility, quiet setup. Registered pop times of 1.96-2.10. Offensively has good barrel control with above average bat speed; gap-to-gap approach.

Jaden Deel (Hobart HS) has a strong frame at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. Showcased flexibility with an athletic setup behind the dish. Ability to block well, quick footwork. Was 77 mph from the crouch with throws consistently on the bag (2.00-2.12 pop times). At the plate showcased loose hands with a pull-side approach. High exit velocity of 92 mph.

Vincent Ambrose (Elkhart Central) is an athletic 5-foot-9, 170 pound receiver. He showcased a quiet setup behind the dish with flexibility in his lower half. Firm hands, quick feet. Pop times of 1.86-1.97 and 82 mph from the crouch. 

COMMITTED STANDOUTS

The top performance of the day went to Purdue commit, Carter Doorn (Lake Central HS). At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds the righty sat 91-92, topping out at 94 with the fastball. He showed feel for his three off-speed; ability to throw all pitches for strikes. 

Garrett Harker, a Cincinnati commit, out of Lebanon HS had a big time showing throughout the entire event. He ran a 6.93 in the 60, was 93 across the infield and recorded a high exit velcoity of 92 mph off the tee. He also made the Top 25 Blast Leaderbard in multiple categories. On the mound, Harker was a consistent 88-89 with a sharp 77 mph slider.

Indiana commit Carter Mathison proved once again he's one of the top bats in the class. All the left-handed hitter did was find the barrel during his BP round. He has plus feel in the box, regularly gets to extension with fluid rhythm. His Blast metrics stood out in both bat speed (74.4mph) and rotational acceleration (22,9 Gs); both in the Top 15 of all hitters at the showcase.

6-foot-3, 210 pound Zionsville right-hander Nate Dohm (Ball State commit) was 87-88 with a heavy fastball and good arm side run on his 79-83 mph CH. 

Purdue commit Ty Gill (Valparaiso HS) is a smooth fielding shortstop with a lanky 6-foot-1, 155 pound frame. He has advanced feel at the SS position with an accurate arm at 89 mph. Offensively, the LHH has advanced barrel control with quick bat speed and pop to his pull-side. Recorded a high exit velocity of 92 mph. Ran a 6.97 in the 60.

Ball State commit Hunter Dobbins once again showed off his bat speed and power. Off the tee he recorded a high exit velocity of 94 mph. His Blast Metrics had him at a 76.9 mph bat speed (sixth highest at the event) and his rotational acceleration at 27.7 G's which led all hitters at the event. 

Murray State commit Kyle Lavanchy (North Posey) had a solid performance running a 6.89-60, 82-INF and 86-EV. The 5-foot-11, 160 pounder displayed athletic actions defensively with soft hands and fluid footwork.

Outfielder Blake Herrmann (Castle HS) looks to be improved in all facets of his game. The Evansville commit had a solid round of BP showing bat speed with more power then when we saw him at last year's Future Games (92 mph Exit Velocity). According to Blast, Herrmann's bat speed registered at 77.5 mph, which was top 5 in the event.

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