By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting 

The summer kicked off right with the Great Lakes Elite Showcase on June 12th.  Unfortunately due to the threat of rain we had to move the event inside but that did not stop several players from performing well. Today we take a look at the position players and who took home top honors from the Great Lakes Elite Showcase.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL RESULTS FROM THE GREAT LAKES ELITE SHOWCASE 

1.Tyler Frank, OF, Adrian HS, 2012- Frank took home top prospect honors from the showcase.  Frank has an interesting story as to why he is still available, but we will have more on that later.  Frank is incredibly athletic and has big wide shoulders.  The 6-foot, 205-pound Frank is an above-average runner at 6.78 in the 60.  He has the tools to play in both the outfield and the infield. Frank was 87mph from the outfield on the day and showed lightning quick hands at the plate spraying the ball to all fields.  There is no doubt this is a player who can play at the Division I level but now he needs a place to land.

2.Cameron Milne, OF, Dexter HS, 2016-  Has prototypical projectable body.  Long lanky body at 6-foot-1,160-pounds.  Good runner for freshman (7.1).  Long arm action from the outfield. Ball had some carry (77mph).  Over the top slot with the arm coupled with softer hands in the field.  At the plate hands worked well.  Looseness in the swing with some gap pop.  Starts even and closes up potentially cutting himself off.  Stayed up the middle well.  On the mound sat between 74-77mph.  Arm was loose but inconsistent.  Needs to work on tightening up mechanics.  Easy effort with smooth rhythm and athletic finish.  Should be one to watch moving forward. 

3. Matt Szabo, RHP/OF, Northern HS (CAN), 2015- Szabo is a 6-foot-1 RHP/OF from Canada. He best projects on the mound moving forward. Fastball sat between 81-86mph.  Worked from a higher slot almost over the top.  Showed good balance with a smooth delivery.  Secondary stuff was solid with potential to get better.

From the OF he had a long arm action the ball carried (84mph).  Showed good athleticism.  At the plate he starts balanced with a smooth load.  Line drive kind of hitter. Worked inside out.

4. Jacob Herbers, 1B, Battle Creek Lakeview, 2015- Herbers looks the part.  6-foot-2, 188-pound wide shouldered athlete.  Ran a 7.3 in the 60.  Accurate throws from 1B (76mph)  Soft hands with good footwork.  At the plate was balanced and athletic.  Batspeed was good. Exit velocity was 74mph.  Short stride coupled with a short path and gap to gap potential.  Does dive a bit so may struggle on inner half.  Easily correctable.

5. Cory Burdgick, C/OF, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central HS, 2014-Burdgick is a fantastic athlete.  An above average runner (6.8).  He is strong and physical.  Pop times slightly improved to 2.12.  Shorter arm action.  Athletic at the plate.  Linedrive stroke with gap to gap potential.  Getting better still a bit raw.

6. Sam Kerr, 3B, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central HS, 2014- Kerr is an athletic 5-foot-11, 190-pound third baseman.  Has solid actions in the infield.  82mph across the diamond.  Ran well at 7.10.  At the plate shows balance with a short path to the ball.  He needs to work on his lower half.  Should have more pop if he incorporates more lower half.  Has tendency to work uphill a bit.

Honorable Mention

Griffin Sheposh, OF, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 2016- Only a freshman Sheposh ran a 7.26 in the 60.  He has a lean body frame with room to grow.  Arm was shorter. 72mph from OF. Hands were softer.  Has ability to use whole field from the plate.  Line drive stroke.  Found the barrel consistently.  Balanced approach. Could work on his lower half to get more pop.  Bars out front arm a touch.

Drake Titus, MIF, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 2016-  Titus is a 5-foot-7 MIF with room to grow.  Showed loose arm 77mph across the diamond.  Ran well as a freshman (7.01) Exchange in the infield was clean. At plate starts in open stance.  Shows balance and athletcism.

Brian Cappiello, OF, Grandville HS, 2015- Cappiello is only a sophomore.  Above average runner at 6.77. Currently stands at 6-foot, 180-pounds.  Showed good long arm action from OF.  Utilized the long hop well.  Showed some carry (76mph).  Needs to continue to improve his footwork.  At the plate showed good balance and athleticism.  Seems to have an advanced approach and short stroke.  Looks to put the ball on a line.