With the temperature well over 100 degrees last Wednesday at Shaw Park, prospects from the Class of 2014, 2014, and 2016 showed a glimpse of things to come for high school players in Missouri.  The elements were not in their favor, but the players overcame the dry field and scorching heat to put their best foot forward and left a lasting impression.

We bring to you complete of the Future Prospect Showcase:
Showcase Top Performers
Kyle Anders, OF, St. Charles West HS, Class of 2014:
The athletic 6-foot, 178-pound Anders showed to be one of the top overall players of the event. In the outfield, Anders got good reads off the bat and took good routes to the baseball.  He showcased an accurate arm (81 mph) from the outfield that showed carry and ride.  Offensively, Anders has an easy left-handed approach with a strong lower half. He has looseness in his swing, creating barrel whip driving the ball to all fields with backspin carry, with power to the right center field power alley.

 

Mike Million, C/SS/RHP, CBC, Class of 2015:
The best overall athlete of the event, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Million is a versatile player and excelled in the field and at the plate. At shortstop, Million has quick, soft hands with a fast transfer and quick arm action while showing good impressive range to his forehand side and delivering accurate throws across the diamond (79 mph).  Behind the plate, Million had solid feet and a quick release with a best pop time of 2.13 and was clocked at 73 mph from the crouch.  Offensively, Million stayed inside the ball well and showed good balance through the zone.  He demonstrated barrel whip through the zone and sprayed line drives to all fields.  Additionally, Million ran an event best 7.09 60.

Alex Roy, SS, Bowling Green HS, Class of 2015:
Roy is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound shortstop who impressed with his fluid actions up the middle.  Roy exhibited smooth feet and soft hands, taking a good approach to the baseball and playing through the ball well.  He continued to impress with his arm strength (77 mph) across the diamond, showing life and accuracy on his throws. Offensively, Roy has a quiet swing, keeping his hands inside the ball.  He maintained excellent balance through contact and sprayed line drives to all fields. 

Brandon Downey, RHP, Lutheran South, Class of 2014
Downey is a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound pitcher who shows some upside as he continues to progress. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Downey has a smooth, relaxed delivery and showed command of the strike zone. His fastball sat 83-85, topping at an easy 86 mph, leaving us to think there is more in the tank. Downey’s breaking ball (67-69 mph) had 11-to-5 shape with near fastball arm speed. He also showed a 68-71 mph change up that had some arm side movement. Additionally, Downey showed some athleticism for a pitcher, running a 7.18 60. 

 

Best of the rest (alphabetically)
Sam Acker, LHP, Kirkwood HS, Class of 2014:
Acker has a projectable 6-foot-1, 175-frame and showed the ability to command three pitches for strikes. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Acker has a loose arm and delivered fastballs in the 73-75 mph range with some arm side movement. He also showed a 60-62 mph change up with near fastball arm speed that had late sink, possibly his best pitch. He also threw a 58-59 breaking ball. With some more drive on his back side, Acker has the mechanics and ability to gain a few more miles per hour on his fastball.

Jordan Ankrom, C, Farmington HS, Class of 2015:
Ankrom is an athletic 6-foot-3, 200-pound catcher who showcased a short, compact swing, squaring up the ball and producing line drives gap to gap.  Behind the plate, he showed the ability to stick the ball in all locations with a firm wrist. Ankrom showed good footwork and had a top pop time of 2.17 and 74 mph to second base. 

Jay Benard, 3B/RHP, Massac County (IL), Class of 2016:
The youngest player of the event, Benard impressed with his two way ability. At third base, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Benard showed fluid footwork and a quick, clean exchange playing through the ball with accurate throws on a line across the diamond (71 mph). Offensively, Benard has balance throughout his swing, with fast bat speed and a good lower half to produce some pull side power. On the mound, his fastball topped at 76 mph and was consistently thrown for a strike. He also showed a 11 to 5 breaking ball (66-68 mph) and a 65-68 mph change up with glove side movement and depth. 

Christian Burmeister, OF, MICDS, Class of 2015:
Burmeister is a 5-foot-11, 145-pound outfielder who showed one of the strongest arms in the outfield, with a top velo of 79 mph with accuracy and carry. Offensively, Burmeister has a balanced stance and short stride; producing a short swing that created line drives and some glimpses of power. 

Josh Estes, C, Vianney, Class of 2015:
Estes is a solidly built 6-foot-1, 220-pound catcher who impressed with his handling of pitchers and work ethic behind the plate. During drill work and bullpens, Estes showed confidence with the glove and fundamental mechanics. He also showed the ability to read the ball in the dirt. Estes recorded at top pop time of 2.22 (73 mph), and with some adjustments to his footwork should continue to see that pop time go down. At the plate, Estes has an open stance with a smooth load using his strong lower half to drive the ball gap to gap. He showed good extension through contact and has the potential to be a top level power hitter as he continues his progression. 

Ethan Harris, RHP, Lafayette HS, Class of 2015:
Harris is a lanky 6-foot-3, 160-pound right hand pitcher. Coming from a ¾ arm slot, Harris’ fastball topped at 78 mph with some late sink. He also showed a sweeping breaking ball with fastball arm speed that stayed down in the zone. Harris’ change up (67-69 mph) had both arm side and glove side movement, thrown for a strike either way it moved. 

Lane Huff, C/OF/SS, Park Hill Central HS, Class of 2014:
Huff is a undersized 5-foot-11, 138-pound multi-positional player who impressed behind the plate and in the outfield. Behind the plate, Huff showed to be a good receiver with soft hands and showed the ability to be an effective blocker.  He had a best pop time of 2.41 and was clocked at 65 mph from the crouch. In the outfield, Huff stayed behind the ball well, keeping his momentum going toward his targets. At shortstop, he showed to have sure hands and some range to both his forehand and backhand side. At the plate, Huff stays balanced through his swing making consistent contact and spraying the ball to all fields.

Jonathan Jones, LHP, Hickman, Class of 2013:
Jones is a long and lanky 6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed pitcher who showcased command of three pitches.  Operating from a ¾ arm slot, Jones is loose and has deception on the backside, as he threw a heavy 79-81 mph fastballs with sink.  Jones also impressed with his off-speed pitches, including a 67-68 mph curveball that showed sharp two-plane break, and a 72-74 mph changeup with late arm side run. 

Drew Jozwiakowski, OF, Rockwood Summit, Class of 2014:
The undersized 5-foot-8, 145-pound Jozwiakowski showed good instincts to the ball in the outfield with a quick, clean exchange and played through the ball. He has a high crow hop that really gets his momentum moving toward his target, with a top throw of 71 mph. At the plate, Jozwiakowski has a short stride and showed the ability to put the ball in play. Additionally, he showed some speed, with a 7.29 60.

Nathan Ketchum, 1B/RHP, Wentzville Holt HS, Class of 2014:
Ketchum is an athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound player who showed the strongest arm in the infield, 80 mph across the diamond from first the third. Ketchum moves well around 1B, with good body control and foot work in turning double plays. Offensively, Ketchum has a long swing that produces some pull side power. On the mound, Ketchum throws a fastball that topped at 79 mph, an 11-to-5 breaking ball with good arm speed (70-74), and a 65-68 mph change up with some depth.

Matthew McCauley, 3B/OF, Vianney, Class of 2015:
McCauley is an athletic 5-foot-11, 160-pound player who showed versatility in the outfield and at third base. In the outfield, when he was aggressive to the ball, McCauley showed the ability to get to the ball quickly and show a strong arm (77 mph) with some carry. In the infield, McCauley showed fundamental footwork and sure hands, with accurate 70-73 mph throws across the diamond. At the plate, McCauley has a balanced set up and is short and quick to the baseball. He demonstrated good control, swing looseness, and extension through contact as he sprayed line drives to all fields.

Evan Milner, C/3B, Montgomery County HS, Class of 2014:
The athletically built 6-foot, 175-pound Milner showed well as a catcher and third baseman. Behind the plate, Milner displayed solid blocking skills and quick feet.  His best pop time was 2.27. At third base, Milner showed a confident glove, athletic movements, and accurate throws across the diamond.  Offensively, Milner showcased a short, quick swing that produced live drives gap to gap. 

Troy Newell, LHP, Francis Howell Central, Class of 2014:
Newell is a projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pound left handed pitcher who showed the ability to command three pitches for a strike. Newell comes from a ¾ arm slot with good rhythm and a deceptive delivery as the ball jumps out of his hand. Newell’s fastball sat 80-82 mph and showed some late sink. He also threw a breaking ball with 1-to-7 shape with near fastball arm speed and stayed down in the zone. Newell also showed a 71-73 mph change up with some cut action. With some more use of his lower half and continued physical maturity, Newell should see a spike in velocity.

Ben Nobs, C, CBC, Class of 2015:
Nobs is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound catcher who showed fundamental ability behind the plate during drill work and while catching bullpens. Nobs showed a firm wrist and the ability to stick pitches. He also showed quick instincts blocking the ball during bullpens. Nobs posted a top pop time of 2.22 (67 mph) from the crouch. At the plate, Nobs has a wide but balanced stance and showed the ability to hit the ball on a line, using all fields. Nobs has a good frame for a catcher, combined with his ability at this point in time, should lead to continued progression. 

Dave Prost, C, Francis Howell North, Class of 2014:
Prost is a strong bodied 6-foot-1, 215-pound switch hitting catcher. From the right side, Prost showed loose hands and produced barrel whip through the zone driving the ball with back spin carry. From the left side of the plate, Prost kept his hands inside the ball and consistently hit to the right side of the field. Behind the plate, Prost is balanced and showed advanced blocking ability. He showed good footwork and a quick glove to hand transfer, posting a top pop time of 2.12 at 74 mph to second base.

Blake Strebler, 3B, Vianney, Class of 2014:
Strebler is a 5-foot-8, 135-pound infielder who demonstrated solid hands, fluid footwork, and a clean glove to hand transfer in the field, while being clocked at 72 mph from across the diamond with accurate throws.  Offensively, Strebler has a balanced setup and a solid lower half through his swing.  The barrel of his bat found the ball and he showed the ability to use all the fields.  

Logan Winder, SS/RHP, Farmington HS, Class of 2015:
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound two way player impressed on the mound and at shortstop. On the mound, Winder comes from a high ¾ arm slot and showed a fastball that topped at 78 mph with some late sink. He also showed a breaking ball with 10-to-4 shape in the 62 -65 mph range and a 68-70 mph change up with arm side movement that was consistently thrown for a strike. In the field, Winder showed good footwork and played through the ball with accurate throws across the diamond (73 mph). Offensively, he has loose hands and created some barrel whip through the strike zone producing hard line drives.