By Mike Penn and PBR Michigan Staff

The Border Battle Games at Wayne State University turned out four teams of good players.  Today we will start our break down of each of the teams provided scouting notes on each player and the top prospects from each roster.

 

Top Prospects

1. Miles Hardy, OF, Lake Orion HS, 2015
Hardy took home top prospect honors for the white team.  The 6-foot-, 155-pound outfielder shows above-average actions and an 81mph arm from the outfield.  He has broad shoulders and a high waist with plenty of room to grow.  From the outfield he shows quick, clean actions and accurate throws that are on line.  At the plate he is balanced and athletic.  He generates easy gap power with a good swing path.  More power should develop in him.  He doubled in game action as well.

2. Cliff Landess , RHP, Airport HS, 2014
Landess takes home top pitching prospect honors from the White team.  The 6-foot-6 Landess sat a comfortable 83-85mph.  His long, lanky body leads us to believe there is plenty more in the tank.  Breaking ball was 71-73mph.  Kept the ball down well. A bit of effort in the delivery.  Next spring don’t be surprised if he is 86-87mph touching 88mph.

3. Max Schuemann, SS/MIF, Portage Northern HS, 2015
Schuemann had a good day overall.  Has above-average actions in the middle infield for his age.  Good-sized kid standing 6-foot, 160-pounds, with more room to grow.  Threw from multiple arm angles.  Takes good routes to the ball.  78mph across the diamond with good accuracy.  The ball had good carry to it.  At the plate shows good balance and potential to hit with some pop. Had good reads on the basepaths and stole a base. One of the better 2015 middle infield prospects in Michigan.

4. Jordan Swiss, SS/RHP, Petoskey HS, 2015
Good overall athlete.  Above-average runner.  Is put together well physically at 6-foot-1, 171-pounds.  Still has more strength to gain.  Above-average arm across the diamond (81mph).  Quick feet and soft hands in the infield.  At the plate has more of sit-and-spin mechanics.  Used whole field well.  Steeper path.  Looks to lift the ball.  In game action picked up an RBI base hit to left and had hard contact in another at-bat.  Good player to follow for sure.  Natural instincts. 

5. Thomas Lindeman, SS/RHP, Milan HS, 2015
6-foot-0, 150-pound middle infielder with strong arm across the diamond. Good carry and accurate throws. Can make all of the plays.  Footwork still needs to improve to be considered an elite defender.  At the plate has good balance. Used whole field well.  Partial lower half with some pop.  Line drive results during BP.  Good motor with good baseball IQ.  Stole a base in game action.

Best of the Rest (Alphabetically)

Ian Borthwick, RHP, Northville HS,  2015
Smaller RHP with room to grow and time on his side.  High ¾ arm slot with fastball ranging between 73-74mph.  Breaking ball is softer at 61mph.  Does show 11/5 shape.  More to come as he is only 5-foot-11, 145-pounds.

Dugan Darnell, 3B/MIF, Northville HS, 2015
Good looking athlete.  Only 5-foot-10, 145-pounds.  More strength and pop to come down the road.  Longer arm action in the infield but playable as a 3B. 75mph across the diamond. Soft hands.  Natural instincts.  Has a knack for the ball.  Left-handed hitter. Live drive.  Good path through the ball.  Has offensive upside as he gains strength. Follow.

Sam Houston,  RHP/OF, Northville HS, 2014
Houston is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound big bodied athlete.  Long arm action from the outfield with soft hands.  Needs to improve consistency with throws.  73mph from OF.  At the plate flashes occasional pop.  Starts with open stance and smooth load. Arm bars out a bit causing a longer swing path but can put a charge into it. 

Miles Ivory, 3B/C, Ypsilanti Lincoln HS, 2015
Ivory is a stocky 5-foot-8, 180-pound 3B/C from Ypsilanti Lincoln HS. Liked him more at third base than behind the plate although he is serviceable behind the dish.  Short arm action at third.  Soft hands and accurate arm.  70mph across the diamond.  Showed decent feet. At the plate has simple repeatable swing. Starts from open stance.  Physically has more time to develop and mature.

Adam James, RHP, North Huron Boston, 2016
James is a big bodied 5-foot-10, 210-pound right-hander from New Boston Huron HS.  Only a sophomore, James has plenty of time to improve.  He sat 68-71mph with his fastball.  Delivery is compact and simplified.  Stays online.  Breaking ball had 11/5 shape and should improve as velocity ticks upward.

Jacob McKenzie, MIF/RHP, Hudson HS (OH), 2015
McKenzie had a good showing.  Solid middle infielder that best profiles at second base at the next level.  5-foot-8, 150-pound compact player.   Clean exchanges and softer hands.  Also pitched an inning.  Up to 74mph on this day.  11/5 breaking ball at 64-65mph.  High ¾ arm slot.  Only a junior.

PJ Zocharski, C/3B, Cousino HS, 2014
Unsigned Senior with catch and throw abilities.  Above average arm behind the plate.  Pop times below 2.0 consitently. Ranged between 1.94-.207.  Accurate strong arm.  Physically is on the smaller side at 5.-foot-10, 165-pounds. Has more strength to gain.  Line drive hitter with open stance.  Doubled off the wall in game action.