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By Brent Alwine and Dylan Hefflinger
Michigan Scouting Director and Michigan Editor in Chief/Regional Scout

Throughout the month we will be recapping each of our showcases in 2014 with the top performers, commitments from participants, top statistical analysis based on numerous categories, and prospects to keep your eye on. To start we look at the 2014 Preseason Underclass Invitational that was on February 15th at the Diamonds Training Center.

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Top Performers - 2014 Preseason Underclass Invitational

Blake Dunn, RHP/MIF, Saugatuck HS, 2017
 Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds with an athletic frame. Young 2017 two-way prospect that shows plenty of potential on the mound. The right-hander throws through a high-3/4 slot with short arm action. Features impressive arm speed, and an easy effort delivery. His top pitch is his 83-87 mph fastball that displays some late life in the zone. Off-speed pitches are still continuing to develop. The 11/5 breaking ball sits between 65-66 mph with some late breaking action. Arm speed on the curveball tends to slow. His 67-68 mph changeup displays arm-side run while being thrown at near fastball arm speed. Definitely a guy to keep an eye on. Registered a 7.06 60-yard dash time. Offers tools in his game as a position player as well. In the infield, he features soft hands, and a clean exchange. Topped out at 78 mph on throws to first. Also caught, featuring a quick arm and recording pop times between 2.05-2.08. At the plate, he uses a wide setup with short stride. Uses a short compact swing with level swing path. Line drive production. Power will add as he continues to mature physically. Reached a top exit velocity of 88 mph off the tee. 

Caleb Scoles, RHP/3B, Gull Lake HS, 2016
 Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed pitching prospect. One of the top arms in Michigan’s 2016 class. Throws through a 3/4, and gets plus movement on all of his pitches. Features plus arm speed with a smooth delivery. He pounded the zone with his 83-85 mph fastball. This pitch features plenty of late moving arm-side run, and will be extremely tough on hitters. Displayed good feel for his 72-73 mph breaking ball featuring sharp 10/4 action. He will continue to develop his 77-78 mph changeup that features above average fading action. 

Grant Hartwig, RHP/C, Detroit Central Catholic HS, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds with a projectable big, solid frame. One of the top right-handed pitchers in Michigan’s class of 2016. Intimidating on the hill, as he shows good mound presence. He consistently pounded the zone while sitting between 84-86 mph with his fastball. The fastball features arm-side run. His best off-speed pitch is his 71-72 mph breaking ball. This pitch can create a ton of problems for hitters as it is thrown with fastball arm speed, and has sharp late breaking 12/6 action. An absolute hammer. Also offers a 71-74 mph changeup featuring some sink. Mark him down on your prospect lists. Behind the plate, he throws through a 3/4 slot and topped out at 74 mph. Displays a quick transfer and recorded pop time splits between 2.06-2.23. At that plate, the right handed hitter uses a balanced stance with short stride. Some occasional bat wrap in load. Currently displays line drive type production, but his size and strength give him some power potential. Reached a top exit velocity of 82 mph off the tee.

Steve Mann, OF, Detroit Country Day HS, 2017
 Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-hand hitting outfielder. Frame is advanced for a 2017 prospect, as he features a strong, athletic frame. Ran significantly better then when we saw him in January, as he clocked in a 6.81 time. In the outfield, Mann topped out at 83 mph while using long, loose arm action. He also features fluid footwork, and a quick release. At the plate, he is still a bit raw but he offers a powerful right-handed stroke. Uses a slightly open setup and creates plus bat speed. Has obvious pull power, but also barreled some balls to the opposite field as well. Reached a top exit velocity of 88 mph off the tee. Talented to 2017 prospect with plenty of upside.

Prospects to keep eye on

Brenden Lovell, RHP/SS, Vicksburg HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds with an athletic frame. Two-way prospect. Young 2017 right-handed pitcher that uses long/loose arm action through a 3/4 slot. Quick arm speed. His fastball consistently sat between 80-82 mph but jumped up to 84 on a couple occasions. Fastball features plenty of natural arm-side run. Showed the ability to throw a splitter with some sink that sat between 74-75 mph. Also offers 66-67 mph slider and a 69-72 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed. In the infield, he features some softness in hands. Will improve by attacking, and playing through the ball. Showed the ability to use multiple arm angles in the field while topping out at 78 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a tall setup with toe tap stride. Uses a slightly uphill bat path, and consistently barreled the ball while having a nice round of BP. Line drive production. Reached a top exit velocity of 88 mph off the tee. Registered a 7.09 60 yard dash time.

Noah Bloye, OF, Byron Center HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds with a slim frame. Ran a 7.32 60 yard dash time. The right-handed hitting outfielder uses an open setup with short stride. Smooth load with a tendency to arm bar. Displays noticeably quick bat speed, and generates some consistent line drive production. Reached a top exit velocity of 73 mph off the tee. In the outfield, he throws through a high-3/4 slot with short arm action. Attacks the ball with authority allowing him to create some good pace on his throws. Showed plus accuracy on throws, while topping out at 75 mph.

Nolan Petroelje, RHP/1B, Hudsonville HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 6-foot-3, 190-pound with a pitchers body. The right-hander throws through a high-3/4 slot with loose arm action. Repeatable technically sound motion. Easy effort delivery. Consistently kept fastball down in the zone while sitting between 80-81 mph with some late life. Breaking ball showed gradual slurvy like movement at 71-74 mph. Also used a 76-77 mph straight changeup. Expected jumps in velocity should be in his future as he continues to develop.

 

 

Players who earned Top Prospect Games, Future Games, or Underclass Games Invites Based On Performance At Showcase

• Noah Bloye, OF, Byron Center, 2017
• Chase Coselman, RHP/3B, Fenton, 2017
• Drew DeVine, SS, Marshall, 2016
• Griffin Green, C, Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 2016
• Grant Hartwig, RHP/C, Detroit Central Catholic, 2016
• Steve Mann, OF/3B, Detroit Country Day, 2017
• Thomas Miller, SS, Saline, 2016
• Bennett Norry, RHP/OF, Kenowa Hill, 2016
• Bailey Peterson, SS, Grandville, 2016
• Joey Prechtel, RHP/OF, Rochester Adams, 2016
• Caleb Scoles, RHP/3B, Gull Lake, 2016
• Alec Seipenko, LHP/OF, Detroit Catholic Central, 2016
• Griffin Sheposh, OF, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 2016
• Ian Simek, 3B/1B, Lake Orion, 2016
• Trace Slancik, C/MIF, Vicksburg, 2016
• Drake Titus, SS/RHP, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 2016
• David Williams, C, Holland Christian, 2016

Commitments From 2014 Preseason Underclass Invitational

• Drew Devine - Western Michigan
• Griffin Green - Northern Kentucky
• Joey Prechtel - Toledo
• Thomas Miller - Oakland University

Top Statistical Categories

• Top Fastball: Top Fastball: 87 mph - Blake Dunn, RHP/C, Saugatuck HS, 2017
• Top Pop Time: 1.99 - Trace Slancik, C, Vicksburg HS, 2016
• Top Catcher Velocity: 76 mph - Zak Zabonick, C/3B, Macomb Dakota HS, 2016
• Top INF Velocity: 85 mph - Kevin Large, RHP/SS, Utica Ford HS, 2016
• Top OF Velocity: 83 mph - Simon Lidwell, RHP/OF, Stevenson HS, 2016 & Steve Mann, OF, Detroit Country Day HS, 2017
• Top Exit Velocity: 91 mph - John Baker, RHP/3B, Hartland HS, 2016
• Top 60-Yard Dash: 6.81 - Steve Mann, OF, Detroit Country Day HS, 2017

THE MICHIGAN 2014 UNDERCLASS INVITATIONAL ROSTER AND RESULTS