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2018 Future Games Draws Raves As 'Unique Experience'

WESTFIELD, Ind. - As you eventually find the correct parking lot at Grand Park, the jaw begins to drop.

Walking toward the facility where the Future Games is played, you pass cars with license plates from Maine to Arizona, from Florida to California, from New York to Texas. And then you enter the gate and see standing room only. Scouts, coaches, parents and fans are everywhere.

That is what this Prep Baseball Report event has become.

“This is one of, if not the biggest stages a high school player can be on in the country,” explained Jordan Chiero, Ohio Director of Scouting. “It’s not every day as a player you get to perform in front of more than 200 scouts.”

Now completing its seventh year, the Future Games is undoubtedly one of the premier events that exists in regard to college exposure, this year drawing in 253 scouts/coaches from across the country. That is up from 247 a year ago, 150+ the previous year and 125+ the year prior.

“Every prospect that is in attendance is very physically talented as is blatantly obvious during the showcase portion,” Chiero said. “The amount of sub 6.7 runners, position players with upper 80s arms and 90+ exit velocities is crazy. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Many of the standout players are from Ohio.

“It was a unique experience to have so many of the top prospects in the United States there and it was a privilege to compete against them,” said Archbold’s Kade Kern (#10 in picture above), who hit three home runs, one on evaluation day (just one of two outfielders to hit a HR during the evals) and two during games, over the course of the week.

The game competition stood out to Chiero.

“I love watching BP bombs and huge arms across the diamond as much as anybody, but the game play is where the true uniqueness of this event comes out,” Chiero explained. ”What this event does, and why it’s called the Future Games, is it gives players/coaches a look at a D-1 game years before it happens. This provides a ton of clarity for college and allows players the chance to really improve their stock, because if you produce here….well odds are you will do the same at the next level.”

And that is what the players are trying to do.

“If you want to play college baseball, the Future Games is a great opportunity for exposure,” pointed out Olentangy Liberty junior AJ Rausch.

Chiero felt the Buckeye state made a statement in the four days at Grand Park..

“From an on-field perspective, I thought the guys really showcased well,” Chiero said about the Ohio players. “The arms were as good as we’ve had since I’ve been doing this and we had athletes all over the place. Position player-wise, I don’t think my phone has stopped ringing with scouts asking about our guys since we left.

“Off the field, this team was one of my favorites to be around since I’ve been doing this. For players with such a high level of talent, there wasn’t a ton of ego to go along with it. In other words, the dugout was a lot of fun to be in. I had a blast coaching these guys.”

Making it as special was the chance to represent the state you live in.

“Being a part of Team Ohio was amazing,” explained Central Crossing’s Tyler Ronevich. “It was a true honor to be able to represent my state. To do it playing the game I love was even more of a blessing.”

Others agreed.

“Representing the state of Ohio was a big honor and it is something I am very proud of,” noted Blake Buzzeo, a Lakewood St. Edward sophomore who committed to Miami of Ohio soon after the Future Games. “I was also very impressed with how the event was organized.”

Scouts from across the country took advantage of the opportunity to see so many future college players in one setting.

“A huge thing is the Future Games creates a national audience,” Chiero said. “Speaking from an Ohio perspective, this is one of, if not the only time a year players get to perform in front of a multitude of college coaches from the south and the west and vice versa for college coaches getting to see Ohio guys.”

That didn’t go unnoticed by the players.

“You are playing in front of almost every school you dream of playing in front of,” noted Justin Hornschemeier, a pitcher from Moeller who threw two no-hit innings at the event.

Back for his second year at the Future Games, Logan Danzeisen should know what it means being there as much as anyone.

“The competition was really good,” the Sylvania Southview two-way junior said. “It was a one-of-a-kind experience and I was grateful to be there.”

A PBR thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to the following players on Team Ohio that gave their thoughts about the event (including what schools have been in contact with them since the event):

***** If you were on Team Ohio and did not share your thoughts, feel free to email us and we will get them included within this article. *****  

To view the complete statistics from the positional workout, please CLICK HERE.
To view Team Ohio's in-game pitching velocities, please CLICK HERE.

Team Ohio

Kade Kern OF / RHP / Archbold, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 10 PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? First off, I had a great experience and met a lot of new friends. It was an honor to compete for Team Ohio, and PBR put on a great show! I was happy with my Wednesday workout and the measurables. Game wise, I had a two-run HR vs Ontario, and then a grand slam vs Michigan when we were tied 2-2.  PBR: Assess your performance. Overall I feel like I performed close to my potential, but can always improve. I had a personal best in the exit velo test, and felt like I barrelled the ball well all week.... PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out. It was fun to have some of these other prospects and fine athletes a part of your team rather than competing against them. It was truly a great experience and I made many memories... PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. As far as other teams, it was a unique experience to have so many of the top prospects in the United States there and it was a privilege to compete against them. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? Participating in the Future Games, I believe, solidified myself as a prospect among the best in the state and perhaps the U.S. It gave me a lot of confidence to compare notes with peers.  PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended? I have heard from many colleges as a result of the games and am excited to explore these opportunities in the near future.

Logan Danzeisen OF / RHP / Sylvania Southview, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 5 PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? Pitching was a highlight as well as having some quality at-bats. PBR: Assess your performance. I am pleased with how I played. I competed and had an awesome time with the guys. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out. Meeting a bunch of new guys was great. It was exciting and the coaches were top notch. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. The competition was really good. It was a one-of-a-kind experience and I was grateful to be there. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? The exposure to all the schools has been extremely beneficial. PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended? I have heard from a number of D-I schools since the event. I look forward to taking visits during the fall.