The All State Invitational Showcase at Rock Bridge HS in Columbia drew some of the top talent in the state, and put a few players on the map, while other solidified themselves as top level players in their respective class.

Scouts and college coaches were treated to outstanding fielding performances and some impressive rounds of batting practice.

Write ups of the position players from the All State Invitational Showcase.

Class of 2012:

Alec Greminger, Valle Catholic, Class of 2012:
Greminger is an athletic 5-foot-10, 150-pound shortstop who displayed soft hands and quick footwork at shortstop. Greminger showcased an extremely quick transfer; he moved with purpose taking concise routes to the ball, and was one of the top fielders of the event. Greminger also showed some speed, running a 6.85 60. At the plate, he is a scrappy hitter who consistently put the ball in play and showed the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. 

Class of 2013:

Jansen Smith, Rock Bridge HS, Class of 2013:
A veteran of PBR events, Smith continues to progress as a player and show improvement in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Smith showed good power for someone of his size, with a strong lower half, good balance and bat speed that produced barrel whip through the zone. He has the tendency to have a bit of an uphill bat path at times, when he stays level, Smith is able to drive the ball gap to gap. Smith showed well in the infield as well, as a middle infielder. While he is probably best suited at second base, Smith had a good approach to the ball with fluid footwork and confident hands. His throws come from a high ¾ arm slot, and a quick release on his 74-76 mph throws across the diamond. Smith also ran his best 60 time at the event, posting a 7.33, down from his previous time of 7.46.

Josh Abegg, Wentzville Holt HS, Class of 2013:
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Abegg showed the top outfield arm of the event, 83-87 mph, with carry on his throws. All throws were on a line, and fairly accurate to both third base and home plate. Abegg showed good body control and consistently played through the ball while fielding and throwing. He has a long, loose arm in the outfield, and does a good job of keeping his body momentum moving forward in the outfield. At the plate, when Abegg stayed back and  when he didn’t lunge at the ball, showed the potential to be a consistent hitter, spraying line drives gap to gap. His swing got a big long at times, and after an adjustment, shortened his swing showing better bat control and a more compact swing. Abegg also showed some speed, with a 7.15 in the 60 

Chase Young, Dexter HS, Class of 2013:
Young is a muscular, well built 5-foot-10, 165-pound outfielder who showed good speed, which translated to impressive play in the outfield. Young ran a 6.71 60, one of the fastest times of the day. That speed showed in the outfield as Young got to the ball quickly and showed a good transfer to deliver strong, consistent throws to both third base and home (76-81) mph. At the plate, the left handed hitting Young has a short level swing, with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He has good balance and a smooth load with little wasted movements in his swing.

Anders Jovagg, Northwest HS, Class of 2013:
Jovagg is an undersized, but hardworking 5-foot-10, 155-pound catcher who delivered a top pop time of 2.49. He showed consistent catching fundamentals and showed to be a confident blocker. Offensively, Jovagg showed the ability to square up on the ball, while not consistent, when he did, hit the ball hard.

Sean Murley, Eureka HS, Class of 2013:
Murley had a good approach to the ball at shortstop and showed smooth, fundamental fielding mechanics with accurate throws from a high ¾ arm slot across the diamond (70-73). A the plate the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder had smooth load with quick hands and a short, compact swing which sprayed the ball to all fields. Murley had one of the top 60 times, running a 6.71 

Broc Kreitler, Ste. Genevieve HS, Class of 2013:
Kreitler is 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder who impressed with his lateral movements at shortstop and range to both forehand and back hand side. Kreitler showed to be a confident fielder with good instincts to ball hit to ether side of him. Offensively, Kreitler has good rhythm and drove the ball gap-to-gap. At times had the tendency to drift his weight forward, but when he kept it back, showed some power potential. Kreitler ran a 7.38 60.

Ricky Ward, Branson HS, Class of 2013:
Perhaps the best all around athlete of the showcase, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Maxey have an extremely projectable frame which should translate to success at the next level. Ward showed his athleticism, running a 6.66 in the 60, the second fastest time of the day.  At the plate, the switch hitting Ward is very controlled and balanced from both sides of the plate. From the right side, Ward has a short, compact, level swing and bat control that drove the ball to al fields and showed the ability to hit for power. As a lefty, Ward uses his strong hands with a smooth swing, generating good bat speed through the zone showing the ability to square up on the baseball and drive it hard to the right side. In the outfield, Ward used his athleticism and quickness to take concise and efficient routes to the ball, with good body control and momentum toward his target. Ward wasn’t able to throw due to some shoulder pain, but when healthy, we assume he has a strong arm to stay consistent with the rest of his ability. 

Wyatt Fones, Wentzville Holt HS, Class of 2013:
Fones performed as the top defensive catcher at the event. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder threw pop times in the 1.99-2.08 range, consistently on the bag (72-74 mph). During bullpens, Fones showed advanced glove work and received with soft hands and a firm wrist while showing advanced blocking skills. At third base, Fones showed fluid footwork, a quick exchange and strong, accurate throws across the diamond. Offensively, Fones displays a short, balanced swing that stayed inside the ball and showing some pop in his bat. At times he had the tendency to lunge at the ball, but when he stayed back, showed the ability to drive the ball. 

Ethan Berringer, Harrisburg HS, Class of 2013:
The wiry 6-foot-2, 170-pound Berringer posted the top pop time of the catchers, with a 1.97. He showed good footwork behind the plate with a quick transfer and quick arm action resulting in consistent throws on the bag. He also received well, with a firm wrist and showed good instincts blocking the ball during bullpen sessions. At shortstop, Berringer has a good approach to the ball, consistently fielded with two hands resulting in a quick transfer and plays through the ball with some arm strength (76 mph). Offensively, Berringer has a short, level swing with extension through contact spraying the ball to all fields. Berringer also showed coachability, as he had the tendency to lunge at the ball, and after suggestion from one of the coaches, made the adjustment to stay back on the ball, resulting in a strong second round of hitting.

Brock Hammit, Nixa, Class of 2013:
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Hammit is a projectable, athletic middle infielder who ran a 7.19 60. Defensively, he plays through the ball well, in addition to showing soft hands and an accurate arm across the infield. He has fluid footwork and good lateral movements. At the plate, Hammit continued to impress with his balanced approach. He showed excellent hand acceleration through the zone, which produced consistent hard line drives. He also demonstrated repeatable rhythm throughout his swing. 

Landan Ruff, Parkview HS, Class of 2013:
Ruff as a 6-foot-3, 185-pound athletic outfielder who showed well in all facets of the game. Ruff’s athleticism came through in the 60, running a 6.90, and also in the outfield, as he moved with purpose to the baseball. Ruff demonstrated solid arm strength (79 mph) with accurate carry from the outfield. Offensively, Ruff has an aggressive approach. He showcased extremely quick hands at the plate with a short, level path. He showed good power and the ability to drive the baseball to the power alleys. Ruff is also an exceptional student, with a 5.0 GPA, 30 ACT, and No. 1 academic rank in his class.

Curtis Smith, Parkway West HS, Class of 2013:
Smith is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound catcher who impressed not only with his abilities, but his work ethic stood out above all participants of the event. Behind the plate, he demonstrated quick, precise footwork, and a fast exchange. All of Smith’s throws were on the bag with pop times of 2.00-2.01-2.05. Smith stays low for a catcher of his size, and showed confident and consistent receiving skills during bullpens with advanced blocking mechanics. Offensively, he has an aggressive approach and demonstrated some bat speed and barrel whip through the zone.

Class of 2014:

Andrew Curran, Francis Howell North, Class of 2014:
Curran is a 5-foot-8, 150-pound athletic middle infielder who impressed with his ability in the field and at the plate. In the field, Curran showed fundamental fielding technique with soft hands and above average footwork. He had a good glove to hand transfer and consistently accurate throws (71-73 mph) across the diamond. At the plate, Curran is very balanced and quiet in the box. He has a repeatable swing that remained level and kept his hands inside the ball with good extension through contact, producing consistent line drives. Curran was one of the most consistent hitters of the event.

Cory Canterbury, O’Fallon Christian HS, Class of 2014:
The lanky 5-foot-10, 155-pound Canterbury showed versatility in the outfield and behind the plate. In the outfield, Canterbury has good instincts to the ball and to quick, aggressive routes to both fly and groundballs. Canterbury consistently fielded the ball cleanly and he showed some arm strength (79-84 mph). Behind the plate, Canterbury registered consistent and accurate pop times between 2.05-2.17. He blocked and received exceptionally well during bullpen sessions. At the plate, he showcased a level, short swing that worked all fields. Canterbury also ran a 6.97 60. 

Michael Buxton, Rock Bridge HS, Class of 2014:
Buxton is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound third baseman who displayed good instincts.  He showed soft hands, a quick exchange, and took good routes to the ball showing some range.  Offensively, Buxton has a balanced setup and short stride at the plate; he features a short compact swing with extension through contact as he made solid contact. With some more use of his lower half, Buxton could find more consistency in his swing.

Trey Turner, Neosho HS, Class of 2014:
Turner is an athletic 5-foot-11, 162-pounder who is one of the most versatile prospects in the Class of 2014, showing well in the outfield, infield, and behind the plate. Turner moves athletically to the ball in the outfield, showing quick instincts to be ball and good carry on his throws (80-84 mph). As a middle infielder, Turner demonstrated soft hands, quick feet and a clean exchange with accurate 81-84 mph throws. Behind the plate, Turner showed athletic feet and an accurate arm while posting pop times between 2.18-2.22.  Offensively, Turner has a quick and compact swing. He takes a short stride with a smooth load, and consistently laced line drives to all fields with a level swing and good extension through contact. Turner also impressed with his speed, running a 6.97 60. 

Chandler Ardini, Rock Bridge HS, Class of 2014:
Ardini is a projectable 6-foot-2, 165-pound middle infielder who exhibited excellent fundamental mechanics in all facets of the game.  Defensively, Ardini displayed athleticism at shortstop by utilizing his soft hands with a quick, clean exchange and an accurate arm (69-72) mph).  Offensively, Ardini demonstrated fundamental mechanics in his swing that resulted in consistent line drives, showing some pull side power.  He showed good hands and balance throughout, which produced some looseness in his swing. Ardini ran a top 60 time of 7.15. As he continues to mature physically, Ardini has the potential to be an impact player. 

Sean Huggins, Rock Bridge HS, Class of 2014:
Huggins is 5-foot-5, 145-pound outfielder who impressed with his speed, running a 6.63 in the 60, one of the fastest times we have seen at a showcase in recent memory. Huggins uses his speed in the field, getting to the ball quickly. At the plate, the switch-hitting Huggins has a slightly open stance. From the right side he has a level swing and consistently put the ball in play. As a lefty, he showed to be more of slap hitter. Huggins looks like the kind of player that will wreak havoc on the bases for opposing teams.

Chandler Kovar, Centralia HS, Class of 2014:
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Kovar has an extremely strong build, with big strong legs that have the capability of producing a powerful swing. At the plate, Kovar uses that strong lower half to generate bat speed and barrel whip through the zone and good extension through contact, with pull side power driving the ball hard. Kovar has a lot of movement at the plate, with a bit more body control he should be able to drive the ball harder and be a bit more consistent with that power. He has the ability to be one of the top power hitters in the state with a few small tweaks. In the field, Kovar is aggressive and quick to the ball, showing a confident glove, good approach to the ball and accurate throws across the diamond.

Dylan Bradshaw, Lebanon HS, Class of 2014:
The 6-foot, 175-pound Bradshaw showed well in the outfield and at shortstop. Defensively, he takes precise, fluid routes to the baseball, and had an accurate arm to third and home (74 mph). At third base, Bradshaw showed athleticism with concise lateral movements, fluid fielding actions, and some good range. Offensively, he has an aggressive approach and showed pull-side power potential. He has a strong lower half, which he used to drive the ball to the left side of the field.

Class of 2015:

Jeremy Eierman, Warsaw HS, Class of 2015:
Eierman is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound middle infielder who we think will develop into a top prospect in Missouri. His skills in the field are advanced for a player of his age. Defensively, Eierman showed fundamental fielding mechanics and natural instincts to the ball. He consistently fielded the ball out in from with soft hands, quick feet and a clean exchange. Offensively, Eierman has a wide stance with good balance and a level swing. He was able to square up the ball and generate some power with a short, compact swing and gap-to-gap power. Eierman flashed some speed with a 6.92 60. 

Travis Burris, Jefferson City, Class of 2015:
Burris is a strongly built 6-foot, 190-pound catcher who showed solid fundamentals for the game. Behind the plate, Burris registered consistent pop times between 2.30-2.35. Burris additionally blocked and received well during bullpen sessions. Offensively, Burris stayed balanced and showed a level swing. With some fine-tuning mechanically to his swing, Burris has the potential to be a power hitter as he continues to mature physically and use his strong frame to his advantage.

Connor Brumfield, Rock Bridge HS, Class of 2015:
Brumfield has a lanky and projectable 6-foot?, …-pound frame and showed well in the outfield and at the plate. In the outfield, Brumfield was quick to the ball, fielding everything outside his left foot and has a good glove to hand transfer. He also stayed behind fly balls, catching everything coming forward and momentum toward his target, with 70-74 mph throws. At the plate, Brumfield has a very repeatable swing with good balance and a good lower half, consistently driving the ball. Brumfield has the potential to be an exciting player has he continues to mature physically the next few years.