Top Prospects: Minnesota Underclass
March 29, 2018
After 2017’s PBR Minnesota Preseason All-State in which introduced players who would later commit to schools like Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, and TCU, it appeared difficult for 2018’s event to live up to such high standards. However, after the two days in Vadnais Heights, and nearly 250 players, Minnesota is clearly still packed with uncommitted talent. As is to be expected so early in the year with many players just days removed from their winter sports, the pitching was a bit ahead of the hitting. There were front-end arms that will likely be the talk of the recruiting world this summer, and many others who will be popping up on the summer circuit that coaches will want to follow closely. Below are 15 standouts from the invent including one player from Iowa:
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Carter Baumler RHP / OF / Dowling Catholic, IA / 2020Rankings OverallRank: 164 / POS: 42
Baumler’s athleticism stood out at the event, and given his long frame and strong arm, he will likely be one of the more talked about recruits throughout the summer. Standing 6-foot-2, 187-pounds with lean strength throughout, Baumler comfortably touched 90 mph with his fastball without so much as breaking a sweat. Working linear down the mound with a still-head at release, Baumler delivered fastballs at 89-90 out of a high ¾ slot without much use of his lower-half. The pitch featured heavier arm side life at times, and he was able to routinely throw it to the bottom of the zone. His slider was tight at 77-79, and looks to be a future out pitch moving forward. It was thrown with fastball hand speed, and featured shorter, late-breaking action. Also a 6.81-runner in the 60-yard dash and an excellent defender in the outfield, Baumler’s athleticism should allow him to continue making quick advancements in coming years. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a simple approach with a short stride that allows his hands to work the barrel fast, uphill through the zone with strength. Still a bit raw, he should be even better by the time the Future Games rolls around in August. Overall, Baumler is certainly one of the top athletes in the class, and as he continues to get more game action against higher level competition, expect him to blossom into one of the better prospects as well. |
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