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Preseason Underclass Showcase South I: Class of 2016 Complete Evaluations

January 28, 2015

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By JD Heilmann, Alex Schillig and Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Scouting Director, Assistant Director of Scouting and Editor in Chief/NW Scout

Preseason Underclass Showcase South I


We would like to thank all who participated in PBR Ohio’s Preseason Underclass Showcase South I. This was a great opportunity for 2016, '17 and '18 prospects to be put on college radars. Many players impressed during their individual workouts at the showcase. Below we have the complete statistical results from the event as well as the top performers across various different categories. 

In the coming weeks, we will be adding and updating profiles for each of the players in attendance, including complete analysis and video.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

For now, please take a look at the statistical results from the event by clicking here.

Also please take a look at the Top Tools Breakdown Article, which highlights the top performers using 12 commonly used criteria for analyzing prospects, by clicking here.

Preseason Underclass South I: Class of 2016 Evaluations


TOP PITCHERs: Ben Speer, RHP, Mason & Hunter Sexton, RHP/3B, Jackson
TOP POSITION PLAYERS: Austin Hatfield, C, Lakota East & Kyle Butz, 2B/OF, Moeller

Adam Ward, OF/SS, Mason, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 170-pound athletic build. From the outfield he has a quick exchange and opens up on his throw after a good crow hop. Throws from a high-¾ slot with 73 mph arm strength. Right-handed hitter that has a spread out stance for balance. Uses a leg kick to load with good rotation and an uphill swing. Registered top exit velocity of 78 mph and ran a 7.01 60-yard dash.

Alec Appel, SS/2B, Bishop Fenwick, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-9, 160-pound average build. From the infield he has soft and field the ball into his body. Has slow exchange and throws from a high-¾ slot with 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that is spread out and stays balanced. Quick, uphill swing that gets in and out of the hitting zone. Registered top exit velocity of 81 mph and ran a 7.25 60-yard dash.

Austin Hatfield, C, Lakota East, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-4, 215-pound strong, solid build. He just started catching a couple weeks ago and shows good signs of a future back there. Shows a quick release and will get better as his footwork improves. Throws from a short, high-¾ slot with pop times of 2.00-2.08 and arm strength of 74 mph. Right-handed hitter that uses a leg kick to load that shows quick hands and power to pull side with an uphill finish. Registered top exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 7.72 60-yard dash.

Austin McKee, C/1B, Ross, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 200-pound build. From behind the plate he has a tendency to wind up on his throw from a high-¾ slot. Pop times between 2.18-2.32 and 74 mph arm strength. If he shortens up his arm swing he will be quicker to second base. Right-handed hitter that starts with his hands high. Uses a little load with barrel getting in and out of the zone. Showed quick hands and ball has tendency to jump off his bat. Registered top exit velocity of 84 mph and ran 7.40 60-yard dash.

Ben Speer, RHP, Mason, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-4, 170-pound projectable frame. On the mound he has a repeatable delivery and stays on line at foot strike. He throws from a short, high-¾ slot with his fastball sitting 81-83 mph with down angle and some run. Shows a good breaking ball with late break at 69-70 mph and showcases a changeup at 69-71 mph with some fade when he doesn’t push it. Three-pitch mix guy with ton of projection.

Blake Griffith, 1B/RHP, Grove City, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-4, 190-pound projectable frame. From first base he is a good size target that moves well around the bag. Throws from a high-¾ slot with 79 mph arm strength across the diamond. His best tool is his bat. Right-handed hitter with a spread out stance. Good load with strength in his swing. Flat bat path that produces line drive. Registered top exit velocity of 90 mph and ran 7.36 60-yard dash. Long, lanky frame with a projectable body on the mound. The right-handed pitcher throws through a 3/4 slot while offering 76-79 mph fastball that bumped up to 80 mph on a couple occasions. Right now, his 66-67 mph circle changeup is his best offspeed pitch; features good diving action. His slider shows some sharp break at 65-66 mph.

Branden Focarett, C/RHP, Pickerington North, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-7, 175-pound strong, stocky build. From behind the plate he shows a quick exchange and release. Throws from a high-¾ slot with pop times ranging between 2.19-2.25 with 66 mph arm strength. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even. Has quick hands and the lower-½ is a little stiff. Finishes his swing high with 80 mph exit velocity and ran a 8.19 60-yard dash.

Bryson Lonsbury, OF/RHP, Kings, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 160-pound athletic build. From the outfield he is aggressive attacking the baseball and shows plus arm strength at 88 mph from a high-¾ slot. Right-handed hitter that starts open and get to even. Starts his hands high and away from his body. Has flat swing with good rotation. Registered top exit velocity of 82 mph and ran a 7.15 60-yard dash.

Casey Horch, OF/RHP, New Albany, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 175-pound athletic build. From the outfield he shows good athleticism attacking the baseball. Throws from a high-¾ slot with 83 mph arm strength and no crow hop. Right-handed hitter with a short stride and shows some strength in his swing. His path gets in and out of the zone with 78 mph top exit velocity and ran a 7.55 60-yard dash.

Chris Conley, OF/RHP, Middletown, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-3, 170-pound projectable frame. From the outfield he needs to utilize a run through ball for momentum on his throw. From over top he shows 77 mph arm strength. In the infield he fields the ball into his body with average range. Throws from a high-¾ slot with 69 mph arm strength across the diamond. On the mound he has good tempo in his delivery that he is able to repeat with good direction. Throws from a high-¾ slot with fastball sitting 71-75 mph. Uses a slider at 64-67 with good late break and showcased a changeup with good arm speed at 64-66 mph.

Dallis Schaefer, C, Lakota West, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 210-pound strong build. From behind the plate he opens up on his throw and would lower his pop times with better direction on his throw. His pop times ranged from 2.30-2.37 with 70 mph arm strength home to second. Left-handed hitter with a short, strong swing that has tendency to cut off with a high finish. Registered top exit velocity of 77 mph and ran 8.36 60-yard dash.

Dalton DiFrederico, 3B/OF, Carroll, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 178-pound projectable frame. From the outfield he needs to use a crow hop to gain momentum. Throws from a short, high-¾ slot that slightly opens up with 81 mph arm strength. From the infield he shows soft hands and clean exchange with 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that use a leg kick to load but needs to get his foot down sooner. Uphill swing with 79 mph exit velocity and ran a 7.44 60-yard dash.

Dana Reeves, RHP/OF, LaSalle, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 162-pound athletic build. From the outfield he fields the ball in front like an infielder. Throws from a high-¾ slot with 78 mph arm strength. Right-handed hitter with a spread out stance for balance. Has quick hands and swing gets in and out of the zone. Registered top exit velocity of 83 mph. Speed is his strength running a showcase best 6.61 60-yard dash. On the mound he has slow tempo delivery with good direction at foot strike. Throws from a high-¾ slot with good command and his fastball sitting 76-77 mph. Breaking ball with the ability to throw it for a strike and off the plate at 64-65 mph. Showcased a changeup with good arm speed at 68-71 mph.

Dillon Watkins, RHP/OF, Urbana, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 160 pounds with a long, thin frame. The right-hander uses long arm action with using a slightly slower tempo. Showing late life in the zone, his 77-80 mph fastball should challenge plenty of hitters this spring. His top offspeed pitch is his 72 mph changeup; pitch displays sinking action while being thrown with fastball arm speed. Also mixed in a 70 mph slider.

Hunter Sexton, RHP/3B, Jackson, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot, 205-pound strong, solid build. From the infield he shows good range with over the top arm action with some effort at 84 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that starts slightly open and gets to even. Shows strength in his swing and good rotation. Registered top exit velocity of 91 mph and ran 7.25 60-yard dash. On the mound the righty throws through an over the top slot while offering a 81-82 mph fastball. His best offspeed pitch is his 68-71 mph curveball; the pitch shows sharp, late breaking 11/5 movement with above average depth. He also mixes in a 73-75 mph changeup.

Jake Barren, LHP/1B, Hilliard Bradley, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 150-pound projectable frame. On the mound the southpaw has a slow tempo delivery that lands slightly closed at foot strike. Throws from an easy ¾ slot with fastball sitting 69-72 mph with some arm-side run. Breaking ball has tight spin at 63 mph and showcased a changeup at 65-67 mph with good arm speed and fade.

Jake Dupler, C/OF, Kettering Fairmont, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 205-pound build. From behind the plate he should really good accuracy with his throws. Good footwork and threw from a short-¾ slot with pop times between 2.08-2.15 and 76 mph arm strength. Right-handed hitter with a short, compact swing and rotates well on his lower-½. Flat barrel and needs to finish his swing. Registered top exit velocity of 92 mph and ran 7.57 60-yard dash.

Jared Breeze, RHP/1B, Turpin, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 193-pound projectable frame. From first base he shows soft hands and very good glove around the bag. Throws from a ¾ slot with 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even. Little leg kick for his load and showed good bat speed at 86 mph. Ran a 7.32 60-yard dash. On the mound he stays over his back leg well in his lift. Lands on time and throws from a short, high-¾ slot with fastball sitting 78-80 mph with some arm-side run. Throws two kinds of breaking balls. He slows down on his curveball at 62-65 mph with a 11/5 gradual break. His slider has tighter spine and later break at 68-71 mph. Tendency to hold to his changeup too long at 66 mph.

Johnny Noyen, RHP/2B, CHCA, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 189-pound projectable frame. From the infield he projects as a second base type. Shows average range and quick exchange. Opens up on his throw from a ¾ slot with 71 mph arms strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even. Compact swing with flat finish. Registered top exit velocity of 75 mph and ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. On the mound the righty stands tall with good direction at foot strike. Fastball from a high-¾ slot sits 76-79 mph with some run. He has tendency to fall off a bit on his breaking ball at 64-65 mph with 11/5 break and good spin. Showcases a changeup with good arm speed and some life at 71-72 mph.

Jon Erhard, 2B/SS, Newark Catholic, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 153-pound skinny frame. From the infield he projects as a second base type. He fields the ball into his body and needs to create more momentum charging the baseball. Throws from a short-¾ slot with 72 mph arm strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even. Starts with his hands away from his body and has quick hands and an uphill swing. Registered top exit velocity of 83 mph and ran a 7.19 60-yard dash.

Jordan Flynn, SS/3B, Carroll, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 190-pound athletic build. From the infield he shows soft hands and good exchange. Throws from an easy, high-¾ slot with 77 mph arm strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that starts his hands away from his body. Has a short, quick, compact swing with 80 mph exit velocity.

JP Bitzenhofer, C/OF, St. Xavier, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 180-pound athletic build. From the outfield he uses a good crow hop and throws from an easy, high-¾ slot with 84 mph arm strength. From behind the plate he show solid footwork and quick exchange. Pop times ranged between 2.07-2.18 and 75 mph arm strength. Right-handed hitter with high hands and good load. Quick hands and shows some power to pull side with 87 mph top exit velocity. Ran a 7.19 60-yard dash.

Kyle Butz, 2B/OF, Moeller, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 165-pound athletic build. From the infield he shows really good range and fields the ball into his body. Clean exchange and throws from a short, high-¾ slot with 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even. Shows quick hands and flat barrel that stays in the zone. Registered top exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 6.83 60-yard dash.

Luke Miller, RHP/1B, Hilliard Darby, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 210-pound solid build. On the mound the righty has a slow tempo delivery and throw a little across his body. Throws from a high-¾ slot with fastball sitting 81-83 mph with down angle. Throws two different breaking balls. His curveball shows good depth at 63-65 mph with 11/5 break. His slider has potential to be a swing and miss pitch at 68-70 mph with late break. Also, showed a solid changeup with good arm speed and a little run at 72 mph.

Mitchell Rose, C/1B, Fairfield, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot, 165-pound average build. From behind the plate he shows good footwork and throw from a short, high-¾ slot. Pop times ranged between 2.30-2.36 and arm strength of 68 mph from home to second. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even. Shows a good load and easy swing. Rotates well on his back side and produced a lot of lines drives during batting practice. Registered top exit velocity of 76 mph and ran 7.80 60-yard dash.

Patrick Mullinger, C/OF, Moeller, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 195-pound athletic build. From behind the dish he shows quick footwork. Throws from a real high-¾ slot with pop times ranging between 2.11-2.12 and 76 mph arm strength. His best tool is his bat and bat speed. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even with a big leg kick for his load and momentum. Shows strength in his swing with power to pull side. Registered top showcase exit velocity of 96 mph and ran 7.37 60-yard dash.

Siddharth Srinivasan, RHP/3B, Mason, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 185-pound strong build. From the infield he projects as a third baseman. He fields the ball into his body with good exchange. Winds up on his throw from a high-¾ slot with 78 mph arm strength across the diamond. Right-handed hitter with a simple approach, flat bat path that stays in the hitting zone. Shows good rotation and top exit velocity of 81 mph. Ran a 8.22 60-yard dash. On the mound, the right handed pitcher offers quick arm speed and a strong lower half. Throws through a 3/4 slot while visually showing some funk in arm action. Pounded the zone with a 75-77 mph fastball that showed some occasional arm-side run. Breaking ball sat between 62-63 mph while displaying gradual 10/4 break. Also mixed in a fading 66-69 mph that will prove effective with consistent command. 

Stephen Hoendorf, C/3B, Chaminade Julienne, 2016
Scouting Report: 6-foot, 190-pound solid build. From the crouch he shows quick feet and 73 mph arm strength from a high-¾ slot. Pop times ranged between 2.20-2.30. Right-handed hitter that stands tall and open. Gets to closed and lands heavy on his front foot. Uphill swing with 83 mph bat speed and ran 7.82 60-yard dash.

Torin Fletcher, OF/2B, Vandalia Butler, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 160-pound athletic build. From the outfield he utilizes a good crow hop and finish. Throws from a high-¾ slot with 80 mph arm strength. In the infield he shows soft hands and fields the ball into his body. Throws from a high-¾ slot with 75 mph arm strength. Right-handed hitter that starts open and gets to even. Leg kick to load and pulls off a bit with an uphill swing. Registered top exit velocity of 83 mph and ran a 6.90 60-yard dash.

Ty Smith, LHP, Lynchburg-Clay, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-9, 155 pounds with a athletic frame. The southpaw offers a good three-pitch mix, and should have some success this spring. Throws through a high-3/4 slot while displaying a smooth, polished delivery. Fastball sits 74-77 mph. Slider shows flashes of being an out while sitting  between 64-67 mph. Also mixed in a 65-67 mph changeup. Consistent command with all his pitches will be his key to success.

Zach Thomas, RHP/OF, St. John, 2016
Scouting Report: 5-foot-9, 145-pound average build. On the mound the righty has an up tempo delivery and opens up and falls off a little on his glove side. Throws from a ¾ slot with fastball sitting 74-76 mph. His breaking ball has good spin and 11/5 break with some depth at 62-65 mph. Also, showcased a slider with tighter spin and late break at 69-71 mph.

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