By Sean McCann, Shon Plack and Rob Fleeup
Prep Baseball Report

On Saturday, January 4, 2014 Prep Baseball Report Kansas and Missouri hosted the first ever Underclass Invitational, an invite-only event for area class of 2016 and 2017 prospects. The overall talent level was exceptional with a high number of the top freshman and sophomores from Kansas and Missouri participating. 

Below are the scouting reports on the 40 position players that took part in this event.  We had several two-way players (pitcher + position player) at this event, but keep in mind that the evaluations below are based solely on their performance as position players.  Last week we posted the scouting reports on all of the pitchers, a group that also included the 2-way players.  The state player rankings we adjust and publish throughout the year take into account all of the information we have on players - their talent level as pitchers and/or position players.

To see video of a player's performance (subscriber-only content) click on their name and you will be directed to their profile with scouting reports and video(s).

top prospects

1. Tyler Benninghoff, IF, Rockhurst HS (MO), Class of 2016
The very athletic Benninghoff stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 175 pounds.  During the infield drills he showed soft hands, quick footwork and quick exchanges.  He showed a strong accurate arm and had the top infield throwing velocity at 84 mph.  Hitting-wise he starts with a balanced set-up and wide stance.  He uses a simple stride and no hand load.  He has a short bat path, compact swing and bat speed, not common characteristics for long-armed hitters. He repeatedly drove the ball in the middle of the field.  His top exit velocity was 86 mph.  He projects as a 2-way player at the major college level and was the top overall prospect in the event among a group of very talented underclass prospects. 

2. Nolan Williams, IF, Turner HS (KS), Class of 2017
Williams is a very athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pound switch-hitting infielder.  During the infield workout he showed soft hands, quick footwork and quick exchanges.  He throws with long, clean arm action topping out at 82 mph and finished his work with three strong throws on the money.  From the left side of the plate he starts with an open stance, uses a simple, slightly closed stride with a minimal, smooth hand load.  From the right side he starts with a balanced set-up and strides inline with no load.  From both sides he demonstrated good balance throughout his swing and bat speed.  His exit velocity left-handed was 86 and right-handed 93 – the highest mark at the event - by a lot.  Williams is a national prospect in the 2017 class. 

3. James Cosentino, IF, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (KS), Class of 2016
The strong, athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound Cosentino is a left-hand hitting infielder.  During infield work he showed soft hands, quick footwork and quick, clean exchanges.  He showed the best infield actions of the group and made one accurate throw after another.  His throwing velocity was clocked at 78 mph.  He stood out during batting practice as well.  He starts with a tall, balanced set up and uses a leg kick as he strides inline.  He has a smooth load and line drive, gap-to-gap approach with bat speed.  He showed good balance throughout his swing and registered an 83 mph exit velocity.  Athletic left-hand hitting shortstops with advanced across the board skills are a premium commodity and Consentino definitely fits that mold.

4. Avery Jennings, IF, Rock Bridge HS (MO), Class of 2016
Jennings is an athletic 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-hand hitting infielder. In the infield he has soft hands and quick feet with good overall actions.  He threw with short, quick arm action from a ¾ slot. He made accurate throws with a top velocity of 79 mph.  Jennings hits from a tall, slightly open stance.  Jennings uses a short leg kick as he strides slightly closed with a short, smooth hand load.  He demonstrated a level swing, balance and extension with some bat speed as he drove the ball in the middle of the field.  His exit velocity was clocked at 85 mph. 

5. Sean Cooley, C, Staley HS (MO), Class of 2016
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Cooley is a left-hand hitting catcher.  During bullpens he showed advanced receiving skills. He had the top throwing velocity of all of the catchers at 77 mph with a 2.16 pop time showing quick feet and a short over-the-top throwing motion.  At the plate he has a tall set-up and slightly open stance.  He strides slightly closed with a mini-leg kick and has a smooth load.  Cooley has loose hands and good balance throughout his swing.  His swing is built to deliver gap-to-gap line drives.  His top exit velocity was 84 mph. 

6. Hunter Swift, OF, Staley HS (MO), Class of 2016
Swift is a 5-foot-7, 165-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  In the outfield he showed fluid footwork and clean exchanges.  He had the strongest arm from the outfield, with a top velocity of 85 mph, making one accurate throw after another.  At the plate, he has a tall set-up and open stance.  He then uses a slight leg kick as he strides inline.  He has a smooth load as he drops his hands before unloading and aggressive, explosive pull-side hack.  He has bat speed and power potential.  His exit velocity was clocked at 84 mph. 

7. Ross Messina, IF, Staley HS (MO), Class of 2016
Messina is a thin, athletic-framed 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-hand hitting infielder.  In the infield he showed some of the best infield actions of the group with quick, clean arm action from a ¾ slot.  He made all strong, accurate throws with a top throwing velocity of 80 mph.  At the plate, Messina starts with a tall set-up and open stance.  He has a controlled stride inline with the pitcher and a minimal, fluid load.  His bat path is short and level.  He showed an explosive lower half and extension through the baseball, driving the ball in the middle of the field.  His top exit velocity was 82 mph.  With the skill set to play shortstop and a frame built to add weight to, in time he should develop into a major college prospect.

8. McCae Allen, IF, Bishop Carroll HS (KS), Class of 2016
Allen is a rangy 6-foot-3, 190-pound corner infielder.  During infield work he showed soft hands and quick exchanges.  He also threw well, making all accurate throws with a top velocity of 80 mph.  At the plate he starts with a tall set-up and wide stance.  He has a simple stride, inline with the pitcher and simple, smooth hand load.  Allen’s bat path is short and level with a middle-to pull side power approach with bat speed.  His top exit velocity was 87 mph, one of the top marks in the event. 

9. Jack Duffy, OF, Staley HS (MO), Class of 2016
Duffy is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound thin, athletic left-hand hitting outfielder.  During the defensive drills he showed quick feet with fluid exchanges.  He throws with a quick, high ¾ throwing motion with his top throw clocked at 83 mph.  At the plate, the left-handed hitting Duffy starts with an open stance, uses a fluid backward load and strides closed, hanging his foot some before striding – his swing has good rhythm and flow.  He has a level bat path and overall line-drive approach with good bat speed.  Duffy’s exit velocity best was 85 mph. 

10. Kobe Gelles, C, Blue Valley HS (KS), Class of 2016
The strongly built 5-foot-11, 175-pound Gelles is a right-hand hitting catcher.  During the catchers throwing segment he showed fluid footwork and quick, clean exchanges as he delivered the ball to second base.  He made five accurate throws in a row with a top velocity of 73 and pop time of 2.08.  At the plate he starts with a balanced set-up and has a simple inline stride and hand load.  He showed a level bat path with extension driving the ball well.  Gelles had good balance throughout his swing and his exit velocity was clocked as high as 85 mph.

11. Dalton Dinkel, C, Eisenhower HS (KS), Class of 2016
Dinkel is a strong 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-hand hitting catcher. Behind the plate he showed advanced
receiving skills while catching bullpens. During the catcher throwing workouts he demonstrated quick
footwork, clean exchanges and a loose throwing motion. He was the top-throwing catcher at camp with a pop time of 2.06 and most of his throws on the bag or real close. At the plate he starts with an open stance, strides inline and has a smooth backward load. His swing path is short to the ball and he is very upper half dominant. His exit velocity high was 85 mph.

12. Tyler James, OF, Lee’s Summit West HS (MO), Class of 2016
James is a sturdy-framed 6-foot, 180-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  In the outfield he showed soft hands, fluid footwork and clean exchanges throwing with short arm action and high ¾ slot.  His top throwing velocity was 80 mph making several accurate throws.  Hitting-wise he starts with a balanced set up, strides slightly closed and has a smooth backward hand load.  He showed a level bat path with a mostly pull approach.  James’ exit velocity was clocked at 86 mph. 

13. AJ Knight, OF, Mill Valley HS (KS), Class of 2016
Knight is an athletic 5-foot-8, 150-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  In the outfield he showed quick feet, soft hands and threw from a high ¾ slot with short, quick arm action.  He was the most accurate thrower from the outfield at the event and threw up to 81 mph.  At the plate, he has an athletic set-up with high hands and slightly open stance.  He has a minimal closed stride and no hand load; he’s short to the ball with some extension.  Knight has average balance and showed mostly a middle-of-the field to pull approach.  His top exit velocity was 81 mph. 

14. Tanner Fox, IF, Blue Valley HS (KS), Class of 2016
Fox is an athletic 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-hand hitting infielder.  From shortstop he showed average hands, quick footwork and clean exchanges showing a quick arm throwing from a ¾ arm slot.  His top throwing velocity was clocked at 78 mph.  He hits from tall set-up, slightly open stance and strides slightly closed.  He has a smooth backward hand load and level bat path.  He showed good balance and extension.  His top exit velocity was 80 mph.  Fox is a good athlete that does a lot of things well.

15. Nick Mehlin, IF, Blue Valley Northwest HS (KS), Class of 2016
Mehlin is a 6-foot, 165-pound athletic right-hand hitting infielder.  During the infield workouts he showed soft hands and quick footwork – overall good actions.  He threw with quick, clean arm action from a ¾ slot making accurate throws, topping out at 75 mph.  At the plate, Mehlin starts with a balanced set up and strides inline.  He has no hand load and demonstrated good balance as well as extension through the baseball. He has a simple, yet strong middle of the field approach.  His exit velocity was clocked at 82 mph. 

16. Jack Riney, 1B, Lafayette HS (MO), Class of 2017
Riney is a strong 6-foot-3, 180-pound first-baseman that throws left and bats right.  In the infield he showed fluid footwork and soft hands.  He made accurate throws from first base at up to 78 mph utilizing a short, clean high ¾ throwing motion.  At the plate he has a balanced set-up and wide stance.  He has a controlled stride inline with the pitcher and smooth hand load.  He demonstrated excellent balance and extension through the baseball.  His exit velocity was clocked as high as 83 mph.  Already possessing an advanced approach at the plate and being such a physical freshman in high school Riney projects as well as anyone at this event to be a middle of the line-up presence at the major college level. 

17. River Wright, C, Bucklin HS (MO), Class of 2017
Wright is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-hand hitting catcher.  From behind the plate he showed quick feet and clean exchanges.  He had the top throwing velocity among the catchers at 77 mph and also flashed a pop time of 2.09.  All of his throws were on or near the bag.  At the plate he starts with a closed stance and stays closed as he strides.  He has no hand load allowing him to consistently deliver a level bat path. He worked mostly middle-oppo.  His top bat speed was 78 mph.

18. Corey Thomas, OF, Topeka HS (KS), Class of 2017
Thomas is an athletic 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  He showed quick feet and clean exchanges in the outfield.  He made several accurate throws with a top velocity of 81 mph.  At the plate he has an athletic, balanced set-up with a short, quick closed stride and no load.  His swing is simple and level producing mostly line drives.  Thomas’ exit velocity was clocked as high as 83 mph. 

19. Wills Wiedeman, IF, Rockhurst HS (MO), Class of 2016
The 5-foot-7, 145-pound Weideman is a right-hand hitting infielder with an athletic frame.  In the infield he showed soft hands and quick feet.  He threw from a ¾ slot with short, quick arm action with some effort to it.  He made accurate throws with good carry and a top velocity of 79 mph.  Wiedeman hits from a tall set-up, slightly open stance with a controlled toe-tap stride inline with the pitcher.  He has a short, fluid load and level bat bath.  He showed excellent balance and fluid rhythm as he flattened the ball out in the middle of the field.  His top exit velocity was 79 mph.  Overall, Wiedeman is a good athlete with a present high skill set; added size and strength should put him in the group of the better KC area infielders in the 2016 class. 

20. Ross Cappo, OF, Blue Valley West HS (KS), Class of 2016
Cappo is an athletic 5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting outfielder.  In the outfield he showed quick footwork and an easy over-the-top throwing motion with a top velocity of 79 mph.  At the plate he has a balanced stance and short, simple stride.  He has a smooth load with some length to it but delivers the barrel with some bat speed.  He showed good balance throughout his swing.  His top exit velocity was clocked at 83 mph.  Overall everything he does is easy and athletic - indicators of future success in baseball.

best of the rest (listed alphabetically)

Reid Briney, C, Blue Valley West HS (KS), Class of 2017
Briney is a 5-foot-9, 200-pound right-hand hitting catcher.  From behind the plate he showed fluid footwork and clean exchanges.  He throws with a short over-the-top motion with a top velocity of 71 mph and a pop time of 2.08.  He hits from a balanced stance using a short, inline stride and smooth backward hand load.  His bat bath is fairly level and he has a mostly gap-to-gap approach.  His exit velocity high was 81 mph.

Jack DeGarmo, IF, Liberty North HS (MO), Class of 2016
DeGarmo is a 5-foot-11, 150-pound right-hand hitting infielder.  During the infield workouts he showed average hands and fluid footwork.  He has quick, clean arm action from a ¾ slot.  His top velocity during infield workouts was 73 mph and he made several accurate throws.  At the plate he has a tall set-up and open stance.  He circles his stride foot while he strides inline.  He has a smooth back/down hand load and level swing, mostly a line drive, gap-to-gap approach.  His top exit velocity was 76 mph. 

Cole Duensing, IF, Blue Valley Northwest HS (KS), Class of 2016
The thin-framed Duensing is a 6-foot, 150-pound right-hand hitting infielder.  During infield workouts he showed average hands and footwork.  He threw with quick, clean ¾ arm action.  He threw up to 77 mph with accuracy.  Hitting-wise he starts with a tall set-up with an open and narrow stance.  He takes a long stride into a slightly closed position and employs a minimal hand load.  He has loose hands throughout.  His top exit velocity was 81 mph.

Jamey Fisher, OF, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS (KS), Class of 2016
Fisher is a wiry-framed 6-foot, 157-pound right-hand hitting outfielder. In the outfield he showed fluid footwork and clean exchanges.  He threw from a high ¾ slot with a quick arm.  He made several accurate throws from the outfield with a top throwing velocity of 81 mph.  At the plate he has an open set-up and uses a short stride inline with the pitcher.  He has a smooth load and level bat path working mostly gap-to-gap.  His exit velocity best was 81 mph. 

Jared Fry, C, Eudora HS (KS), Class of 2016
Fry is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound switch-hitting catcher. He made mostly accurate throws from behind the plate with a top velocity of 72 mph and 2.24 pop time.  Left-handed he hits from a tall set-up and closed stance.  He has a long closed stride, minimal hand load with level bat path.  From the right side he also has a tall set-up but a slightly open stance and strides inline with a similarly level bat path as his left-handed swing.  He showed good rhythm, loose hands and good extension from both sides of the plate.  His top exit velocity left-handed was 80 mph, right-handed 78. 

Tyler George, 1B, Raymore-Peculiar HS (MO), Class of 2017
George is a 6-foot, 210-pound right-hand hitting first-baseman.  At the plate George starts with a tall stance, then lowers himself into a near crouch as he takes a long stride inline to the pitcher.  He drops his hands in his load and his bat bath is fairly level with limited lower half involvement and abrupt extension.  His approach is mostly pull.  His exit velocity was clocked at 75 mph. 

Traice Hartter, C, Seaman HS (KS), Class of 2017
Hartter is a 5-foot-7, 140-pound switch hitting catcher.  Behind the plate he put several throws on the bag with a top velocity of 72 mph and pop time of 2.15 using a fairly loose, short over-the-top throwing motion and fluid footwork.  Left-handed he hits with a short stride, right-handed he toe-taps then strides.  From both sides of the plate he showed a simple, fluid load and overall good balance.  His top exit velocity left-handed was 67 mph, right-handed 73.  Being the rare switch-hitting catcher with solid present skills, the undersized Hartter could become an interesting player as he adds size and strength. 

Jared Hasik, IF, Liberal HS (KS), Class of 2016
Hasik is a 5-foot-7, 155-pound infielder.  At shortstop he showed quick feet, soft hands and easy actions.  He threw from a ¾ slot and was one of the most accurate throwers of the infield group.  He had a top throwing velocity of 69 mph.  At the plate, he starts with a narrow open stance with his bat on his shoulder.  He has a short, closed stride and smooth backward load with some length.  His bat path is short and level and is mostly a line drive, middle of the field hitter.  He has good balance throughout.  His exit velocity best was 73 mph. 

Austin Henderson, 1B, Louisburg HS (KS), Class of 2016
Henderson is a 6-foot, 225-pound right-hand hitting infielder.  During infield workouts he showed average feet with clean exchanges throwing with short arm action and high ¾ slot.  He made mostly accurate throws with a top velocity at 69 mph.  At the plate he starts with a balanced set-up and strides inline.  He has a simple smooth load and delivers the barrel with bat speed using a slightly uphill bat path.  His exit velocity best was 84 mph. 

Dalton Hill, OF, Lee’s Summit HS (MO), Class of 2017
The athletic-framed 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hill is a right-hand hitting outfielder.  During the outfield drills he showed quick footwork and clean exchanges.  He has a short throwing motion from a high ¾ slot.  His throwing arm was clocked as high as 76 mph making several accurate throws.  Hitting-wise he starts with a tall, balanced stance and no stride.  He drops his hands in his load and delivers the barrel with a short, compact swing.  He worked mostly gap-to-gap.  His exit velocity was clocked at 82 mph. 

Hans Hodes, OF, Rockhurst HS (MO), Class of 2016
Hodes is a thin, athletic-framed 5-foot-10, 150-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  From the outfield he showed average footwork and exchanges with a short over-the-top throwing motion. His best throw was clocked at 78 mph, making mostly accurate throws.  At the plate, he has a balanced set-up and has a short, slightly closed stride and minimal hand load.  Overall he has a simple, level line-drive approach. 

Will King, OF, Crane HS (MO), Class of 2016
King is a 5-foot-7, 180-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  In the outfield he showed average hands and feet with effort in his over-the-top throws. His throws were mostly accurate and his top throw was clocked at 74 mph.  At the plate he starts with a balanced set-up and slightly open stance.  He has no hand load and strides open.  His approach was directed towards pulling the inside pitch.  His top exit velocity was 79 mph. 

Grant Lathrop, Olathe East HS (KS), Class of 2017
The thin 5-foot-8, 125-pound Lathrop showed soft hands and quick feet from shortstop with and easy high ¾ throwing motion.  His top throwing velocity was 75 mph making mostly accurate throws with carry.  At the plate, the left-hand hitting Lathrop starts open; strides closed and drops his hands slightly in his load.  Overall he has good balance and is line-drive type of hitter.  His top exit velocity was 75 mph.  Left-handed hitting middle infielders have value and as the undersized Lathrop adds size and strength he could emerge as a solid college prospect.

Dylan MacKay, OF, Blue Springs HS (MO), Class of 2016
MacKay is a wiry, athletic 5-foot-10, 140-pound left-hand hitting outfielder. During the outfield workout he demonstrated soft hands and clean exchanges.  He threw with short arm action from a high ¾ slot.  His top throw from the outfield was clocked at 75 mph.  At the plate he has a balanced set-up.  He strides slightly closed and keeps his hands in tight close to his body at the start and as he strides.  MacKay has good rhythm starting with a forward weight shift then backwards before striding.  His swing is short with some violence to it as he worked mostly middle-oppo.  His exit velocity best was 83 mph. 

Andrew McEwen, 1B, Marquette HS (MO), Class of 2016
McEwen is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound right-hand hitting first baseman.  During the defensive workouts he showed average hands and feet with quick exchanges throwing 70 mph from first base using clean ¾ arm action.  Hitting-wise he starts with a tall set-up, takes a long inline stride and uses no hand load.  He has an upper body dominant swing with bat speed.  His top exit velocity was clocked at 84 mph.

Brenden Shutt, IF, Mill Valley HS (KS), Class of 2016
Shutt is a 5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed hitting infielder.  During the infield workouts he showed soft hands and fluid footwork with clean exchanges.  He threw with clean arm action from a ¾ slot. He was one of the most accurate throwers during the infield work with his top throw clocked at 76 mph.  At the plate he starts with a balanced set-up and high hands.  His stance is slightly closed and he has a short closed stride and minimal backward hand load.  He showed good balance, extension and a level swing. His top exit velocity was 79 mph. 

Garrett Stephens, C, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS (KS), Class of 2016
Stephens is a 5-foot-11, 155-pound right-hand hitting catcher.  During the catchers throwing segment he had a top velocity of 71 mph and 2.27 pop time showing average footwork and exchanges as he delivered the ball to second base.  At the plate he has a balanced set-up, forward weight shift followed by backward weight shift timed up with a smooth backward load then a short inline stride.  He has a fairly level swing with a high finish and works mostly in the middle of the field.  His top exit velocity was 80 mph.

Tristan Stevens, IF, Kickapoo HS (MO), Class of 2016
Stevens is a thin, athletic 6-foot, 160-pound right-hand hitting infielder.  In the infield he has quick feet and soft hands with good, loose actions.  He throws from a high ¾ slot with short, clean arm action.  His infield throwing velocity was up to 78 mph.  At the plate he has a tall set-up with a wide stance.  He uses no stride and has no hand load resulting in a very simple, efficient inside out swing built to hit oppo line drives.  His exit velocity high was 78 mph.  He’s another thin, athlete in this camp that is headed in the right direction and will likely make a jump with added strength. 

Robbie Suhr, IF, Summit Christian Academy, Class of 2016
Suhr is a thin-framed, athletic 5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting infielder.  In the infield he showed fluid footwork and average hands.  He threw from a ¾ slot with some looseness.  His top throw registered at 72 mph and he was one of the more accurate throwers.  At the plate he has an open set-up and strides closed.  He lays his bat back and has a short, fluid load.  He worked the middle of the field well and had an exit velocity high of 78 mph.

Vincent Vilott, OF, Olathe South HS (KS), Class of 2017
Vilott is a rangy, athletic 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-left outfielder.  During the outfield drills he showed fluid footwork and clean exchanges with a quick over-the-top throwing motion.  He made mostly accurate throws with a top velocity of 80 mph.  At the plate he starts with a tall set-up and takes a short, inline stride with no hand load.  He has a slightly uphill swing plane working mostly the middle of the field with some juice. He showed good balance throughout. His top exit velocity was clocked at 83 mph.

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