Another day of non-stop action involving 14 more of the top junior college programs in the Midwest. Highlights from the second and final day included several big arms, including a few with Day Two Draft potential and a two-way prospect who was up to 94 mph on the bump while showing good bat speed in the batter's box.

Harrison Beethe, 6’4/200, RS-SO, RHP, North Iowa Area CC
Three-quarter slot righty with an unorthodox arm action. FB 90-94 mph, had some jump out of his hand. Showed an occasional flat 79-81 SL. Tough day finding strike zone, struggled to find timing with delivery and as a result a consistent release point.

Owen Behrens, 6’1/195, FR, RHP, Kankakee CC, IL
Loose armed righty with three-quarters slot. 85-86 mph FB showed some ride when up and sink down. 67 mph CB has depth, lacks velocity and hard bite. Tentative with 74 mph CH, slowed arm. Lower half needs cleaned up, does not throw against firm front side, affecting location.

 

Ashton Creal, 6’1/205, SO, OF, John Logan CC, IL
Strong and athletic with developing baseball skills. Plus runner; smooth, athletic stride. Above average arm strength. Hunts the FB at the plate and showed good bat speed when he got it. Offspeed really slowed his bat down. Trouble recognizing and adjusting. The tools are there, just needs to get to them and produce during the game.

Joe Darlin, 6’4/215, SO, RHP, John Logan CC, IL
Tall, strong bodied righty. Throws from a high three-quarter slot. Stiffness to delivery and arm circle in back, yet quick and loose out front. Threw strikes with 87-89 mph FB. Pretty true with fair deception.

Nate James, 5’6/145, FR, SS, Kankakee CC, IL
High energy, athletic, left-handed hitting shortstop. Quick hands with good actions. Near average arm. Line drive swing.

Shane Kelleher, 6’1/180, SO, 2B, North Iowa Area CC
Slender, athletic bodied infielder with smooth actions, good hands and above average range.

Nick Laxner, 6’1/160, FR, RHP, Kankakee CC, IL
Slender bodied righty with sling arm action. Strike thrower with 83-84 mph FB and flat 70 mph SL.

Nolan Lebamoff, 6’4/200, FR, RHP, Kankakee CC, IL
Intriguing sidearmer with loose arm and lively 83-85 mph FB. Very good feel for spin and 74-76 mph SL. Curious to see what more bend at the waist and a closed landing would do for his velocity and breaking ball. Could also learn to elevate FB on occasion for rising chase pitch after attacking down in zone with sinker/slider. Fun to watch and dream on this guy as a different look bullpen arm.

 

Brodie Paulson, 6’2/200, SO, RHP, North Iowa Area CC
Strong bodied righty with arm strength. 87-90 mph FB, most 87-88. Mixed in a near average 73-75 mph CB. Raw on the bump, but competed, threw strikes and got outs.

 

Andrew Peters, 6’2/185, SO, RHP, John Logan CC, IL
Loose, super quick armed righty with athletic delivery and clean arm action. Good down angle from high three-quarter slot. Threw strikes with more control than command on 92-94 mph FB. Firm with good carry to the plate. More thrower than pitcher at this point, yet showed feel for a short, late-breaking CB at 76-78 mph and one tumbling CH at 84 mph. Both have the potential to be above average future pitches. Late bloomer who has the potential to throw even harder in the near future. Struck out six, walked two in two innings pitched. Pro prospect with Day Two draft potential. Transfer from Maryville University, MO.

 

Noah Pierce, 6’2/190, FR, LHP, Kaskaskia CC, IL
Three-quarter slot lefty. Showed 86-88 mph FB early, settled in at 82-83 with consistent cut. Flat SL at 69-70 mph. Lower half needs cleanup. Does not throw against a firm front side.

Jason Rackers, 6’6/250, SO, RHP, Jefferson College, MO
Tall, large framed righty with intimidating presence and Noah Syndergaard hairstyle. Big sink on 91-92 mph FB. Average SL at 83. Have seen average to above average sinking CH during previous look. Looks like a reliever, but he’s a strike thrower with pitchability. Pro prospect with Day Two draft potential.

 

Johnny Ray, 6’3/205, RS-FR, RHP, John Logan CC, IL
Quick armed righty. Long stride, lands on-line. FB 91-95. Breaking ball 76-81 mph with short, slider-like break. CH thrown with FB armspeed at 80 mph. Was best secondary offering on this look, but can see these two pitches varying by the day. Has feel for both, just needs consistency. More thrower than pitcher at this point, but definite pro prospect.

 

Evan Reifert, 6’3/185, SO, RHP, North Iowa Area CC
Long limbed, loose armed righty. Moderate effort. Clean arm action to high three-quarter slot. Good arm speed. Sat 92-94 mph from both the stretch and windup for two innings. Will likely throw even harder in the near future. Very good down angle when not rushing delivery. Flashed above average breaking ball at 82 mph. Late action. Potential future plus pitch. Impressive arm. Pro prospect.

 

Tom Skoro, 6’3/225, SO, LHP, North Iowa Area CC
Physical bodied lefty with 88-90 FB from three-quarters slot. Jumped out of hand, got on hitters quick. Scattered FB location due to inconsistent release point. Mixed in a  sweeping slider at 79-80 mph. Above average at times. Also showed 73-74 mph below average CB.

 

Hunter Sullivan, 6’0/185, RS-SO, RHP/IF, John Logan JC, IL
Two-way talent. Left-handed hitter. Competed in the batter’s box. Good bat speed. Turned around several balls for hard contact while staying disciplined and not chasing when not his pitch. Complete hitter with gap power on this look. On the bump, pumped adrenaline-filled FBs early at 92-94. Settled at 90-91 for the remainder of his two inning appearance. Overall, FB was firm, but pretty straight. Short slider 79-81 mph, below average pitch on this look. Showed excellent body control while throwing a breaking ball; tripped on the turf during his landing and still managed to throw the pitch for a strike.

 

Trevor Tietz, 6’2/190, FR, RHP, Jefferson College, MO
Athletic, loosed armed righty throws from high-three quarter-plus slot. Good arm speed. Repeated delivery and filled the zone with strikes. FB 87-89. CB 75 has velo and shape, fair bite.

 

 

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