By Phil Wade
Director of Operations, PBR Indiana

On Monday, February 18^th, PBR Indiana hosted it’s first Underclass Showcase at Indiana Wesleyan University.  Several underclassmen showcased their ability to play at the next level with junior Mitch Gibson (Greenfield Central HS) and Marshall Farren (Brebuef HS) leading the way. Below are the top 10 underclassman performances from Monday’s showcase.

1. Mitch Gibson, SS/RHP, Greenfield Central HS, 2014:

5-foot-11, 150 pound junior possesses good athleticism.  In the field plays through the ball well and shows good body control.  The glove works, showing soft hands.  His feet are short and choppy, but shows some range.  Shows a quick release and a strong arm at 77 mph. Possesses solid overall defensive actions. At the plate hits from both sides of the plate.  He is stronger from the right side where he has quick hands, and displays an overall athletic swing.  He starts tall and uses a long stride.  Shows good extension, gets the barrel through the zone.  From the left side, he uses a similar set up, just lacks the bat speed he possesses from the right side. On the mound throws from a high ¾ arm slot.  The arm is loose and shows some run with his 78-81 mph fastball that he keeps down in the zone.  His 10/4 breaking ball is near his fastball arm speed and comes in at 72 mph.  He throws his changeup with fastball arm speed and has some arm side run.

2. Marshall Farren, SS/OF, Brebeuf HS, 2015:

6-foot-2, 165 pound sophomore shows a projectable, athletic frame and runs a 7.03 60.  In the infield he moves well and shows a clean exchange.  Possesses an above average glove and was 75 across the diamond.  From the outfield has a short arm action and throws from a high ¾ arm slot at 80 mph showing good carry.  His feet are fluid and plays through the ball well.  Showcases athletic actions.  At the plate he gets good lift on the ball producing backspin carry.  Bat speed is above average. Uses his lower half well, and has an overall advanced feel at the plate. 

3. Jonathan McGee, 1B, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2016:

6-foot, 175 pound freshman shows quick hands and a loose swing at the plate.  Good athleticism in his swing.  Uses a toe-tap and loads down. Gets the barrel through the zone. The swing plane is uphill, producing a lot of lift, but good pop.  As he works on leveling out his swing plane he projects to have plus power.  In the field was 69 mph across the diamond, and showed a good glove at 1B.    

4. Clay Farren, SS/OF, Brebeuf HS, 2016:

5-foot-10, 155 pound freshman runs a 7.04 60.  Possesses an athletic frame.  His arm action is short and at times stiff.  Throws from a ¾ arm slot and was 66 mph across the diamond with good accuracy.  His hands are soft and shows a quick, clean exchange will have to develop more arm strength to remain on the left side.  Moves well in the field with quick feet. Hits from the left side and starts with a wide base and loads down.  Showcases a good swing plane, but needs to improve the bat speed.  Has good balance and the ability to take the ball to opposite field. He is a follow in the 2016 class

5. Brayden Luce, OF/RHP, Avon HS, 2015:

5-foot-11, 170 pound sophomore shows a long, loose arm action from the outfield.  Throws from a ¾ arm slot with good accuracy and carry at 80 mph.  Shows above average hands in the field and is fluid with his feet, but needs to improve foot speed.  Needs to field the ball more out front and work on setting up his throws.  At the plate uses a balanced setup with a short stride.  Has some bat speed with an uphill swing plane.  Barrels up most balls, producing line drives.  On the mound he throws from a high ¾ arm slot displaying a quick arm, short arm action.  His fastball sat 76-78 mph showing some sink.  The 11/5 breaking ball was thrown with near fastball arm speed, and had late action and thrown for a strike.  At the present time like him more as a pitcher.

6. Nolan Lavender, 2B/OF, Martinsville HS, 2015:

5-foot-9, 180 pound sophomore runs a 6.90 60.  In the field uses a quick, long arm action and throws from a ¾ arm slot at 77 mph with some carry.  Footwork is a little choppy, hands work and will have to develop playing through the ball more. At the plate uses an athletic, balanced setup with a short stride.  Gets a little rotational at the plate  but the upper half works, Good bat speed and uses a level swing path. 

7. Aaron McGee, 1B, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2015:

6-foot, 205 pound big bodied sophomore shows average  running speed a 7.31 60.  In the field displayed a solid glove and moves well.  Was 70 mph across the diamond.  At the plate uses a balanced setup with a smooth load and wide base.  Showcased a quick bat, and gets the barrel through the zone producing backspin carry.  The swing plane is uphill right now, and shows projectable pop.  Needs work to become more consistent with the lower half.  Projectable power. Produced the top exit velo at the event at 88 mph.

8. Nicholas Kiehl, IF/OF, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2015:

5-foot-9, 155 pound sophomore shows above average speed, 6.85 60. In the infield throws from a ¾ arm slot at 71 mph.  Demonstrates some stiffness in his throws.  His actions are currently raw and erratic, but shows a quick release with quick feet. Possesses a lot of quick twitch.    In the outfield he moves well, but the actions are raw, projects to be an outfielder at the next level.  Shows some arm strength from the outfield at 76 mph. At the plate uses a minimal load and glides to the baseball.  The swing plane is uphill and shows quick twitch again but overall still very raw at his age. Could make a big jump in coming years.

9. Tanner Sizemore, OF/RHP, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2015:

5-foot-9, 130 pound sophomore was 78 mph from the outfield.  Throws from a ¾ arm slot with a short arm action.  His hands are good for a sophomore.  Has a clean exchange.  .  At the plate uses a balanced setup with a two part load.  Shows quick bat speed with a good approach. His swing path is a little long. Projects as a two hole hitter produces line drives.  On the mound throws from a high ¾ arm slot with a short, quick arm action.  His fastball was a heavy  79-81 mph with downward movement.  His 10/4 breaking ball shows some gradual movement at 68 mph, and tends to come around the pitch. 

10. Chase Allen, 3B/OF, Vincennes Rivet HS, 2014:

6-foot-2, 200 pound junior runs a 7.22 60.  In the infield showcases an accurate arm at 78 mph.  His hands work at the high school level.  Plays through the ball and possesses a clean exchange.  He moves well, but needs to improve his foot speed.  At the plate starts open and uses a smooth load.  His stride is short.  Lower half lacks involvement at the plate.  Shows some bat speed.  Line drive hitter.