The Top Prospect Invite Showcase at the St. Louis Sports Center in Affton, Missouri featured many impressive pitching prospects.  Seven arms were 83+ mph and several above 85, led by Matt Kellis (right), a RHP from CBC, who topped out at an easy 88 mph. Kellis amoung other saw their stock rise in their respective class rankings.

Here is a look at the top pitchers from the event:

1. Matt Kellis, RHP, CBC, Class of 2013: The lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound Kellis showed to be the top pitcher of the event. Kellis showed a smooth, controlled delivery while firing easy 84-87 mph fastballs, consistently touching 88 mph. Kellis also showed fastball arm speed on his offspeed pitched with a sharp, late breaking 75-78 slider and a 74-76 mph change up with depth. Look for Kellis to make a big jump in the Class of 2013 rankings and he has the tools to be one of the top pitchers in the Class of 2013.

2.Ben Lovell, LHP, Westminster, Class of 2013: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound left handed Lovell impressed with command of all pitches and showed to be a polished pitcher. Lovell has a very deceptive delivery with smooth mechanics. His fastball sat 80-82 mph with late movement, and consistently hit his spots. Lovell also showed a sharp, late moving 10-to-4 slider (66-68 mph) that stayed down in the zone. His best pitch could be his change up; a deceptive pitch with fastball arm speed and downward arm side run (71-73 mph). With Lovell’s frame and mechanics, look for an increase in his velocity as he continues to progress and fine tune his mechanics. 

3. Paul Sullivan, RHP/SS, CBC, Class of 2012: The athletic 5-foot-10, 160 pound Sullivan impressed with his arm strength, both on the mound and in the field. Defensively, Sullivan showed  fundamental footwork, soft hands, and a quick transfer, and the top arm across the infield at 87 mph. On the mound, Sullivan continued to show that arm strength, firing 84-86 mph fastballs for strikes. He also showed  a sharp 11-to-5 breaking ball (70-72 mph) and a 76-78 mph change up with arm side run. Sullivan also had one of the top home to first times, 4.21.

4. Hunter Haynes, LHP, Mexico HS, Class of 2012: Committed to Mizzou, the 6-foot, 180-pound lefty Haynes showed to be a polished pitcher, showing fluid mechanics and good command of all pitches. Haynes has a deceptive delivery, and the ball jumps out of his hand. His fastball sat 82-83 mph, topping out at 84, with more in the tank. Haynes also showed fastball arm speed on his off speed pitches, a 69-71 mph late breaking curve ball and a 72-74 mph change up with arm side run.

5. Tim Agne, RHP/3B, Vianney , Class of 2012: The two way Agne (5-foot-11, 170-pound) continues to impress, showing progression on the mound, in the field, and at the plate through his numerous PBR Showcases, with his best performance to date.  On the mound, RHP Agne showed quick arm action and good rhythm with all pitches. Agne’s fastball sat 82-85 mph, topping out at 86 mph. He also showed a sharp 10-to-4 breaking ball (68-72 mph) and a changeup with some depth (78-79).  In the infield, Agne showed to be a sure handed fielder, with strong, accurate throws (81-84 mph) across the infield. Offensively, Agne has a quick, easy line drive producing swing, driving the ball gap-to-gap.

 

6. Dalton Horstmeier, RHP/INF, Fulton HS, Class of 2014: Horstmeier has a projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame and has the potential to be an impact player on the mound and in the field as he progress and becomes more physically mature.  On the mound, Horstmeier came from a high ¾ arm action with good arm action and repeatable mechanics, delivering a 79-81 mph fastball, topping at 83 with some late arm side run. He also showed a late moving 11-to-5 breaking ball (66-68 mph) and a 71-74 mph change up. In the field, Horstmeier showed good footwork and good fielding mechanics with accurate 79-83 mph throws across the diamond. At the plate, Horstmeier used a good lower half and barrel whip to show some pull side power. He also ran a 4.34 home to first.

7. Nick Carlton,RHP/INF Seckman, Class of 2012: Carlton is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound RHP/3B who showed well in all facets of the game, and has shown progression since his last PBR event. Carlton impressed on the mound with a heavy 83-84 mph fastball, topping at 86 mph. He also showed the ability to keep his 11-to-5 breaking ball (65-66 mph) and change up (70-72 mph) down in the strike zone. At the plate, Carlton showed  a level swing, with extension through contact  to produce gap to gap power. In the field, Carlton showed to be a sure handed fielder with some arm strength across the diamond (75-79 mph).

8. Austin Southmayd, LHP, Francis Howell, Class of 2013: Southmayd is a projectable 5-foot-11, 150-pound left handed pitcher who should show continued progress as he continues to develop. Southmayd has deceptive delivery and an arm that works well, with fastballs from 81 to 83 mph that had arm side run. He also showed good feel for a sharp 11-to-5 breaking ball. Southmayd also showed a 75-76 mph change up, with late sink. The movement of his pitches looks like he could be very tough on left handed hitters.

The best of the rest (listed alphabetically): 

Jared Anthis, RHP, Mt. Vernon (IL), Class of 2012: Anthis is a lanky 6-foot-4, 175-pound RHP. Anthis showed good command of all three pitches. Coming from a low ¾ arm slot, Anthis flashed a 75-78 mph fastball, topping out at 81 mph. Anthis also showed a 11-to-5 breaking ball (66-69) and at 68-71 mph changeup with late fade.

Ben Bouse, OF/RHP, Herrin (IL), Class of 2012: The solidly built 5-foot-10, 190-pound Bouse showed to be a player who give max effort in every facet of the game, while showing versatility in the outfield and on the mound.  In the outfield, Bouse took aggressive routes to the ball with accurate 69-73 mph throws. At the plate, Bouse is a power hitter with good bat speed and opposite field power, driving the ball hard to the right side consistently. On the mound, the right handed Bouse flashed a 73-74 mph fastball, 61-63 mph 11-to-5 breaking ball, and a 67-69 mph change up with arm side run. Bouse also showed some speed, with a 4.34 home to first.

Burke Echelmeier, C/RHP, Fulton HS, Class of 2012: The lanky 6-foot, 155-pound Echelmeier showed to be effective behind the plate and on the mound.  As a catcher, Echelmeier showed good receiving skills with a stiff wrist and fundamental blocking abilities. His top pop time was a 2.12.  At the plate, Echelmeier has a quite set up with a smooth load, quick hands, and a level line drive producing swing. On the mound, the RHP Echelmeier showed a sharp curveball (67-71) and a sharp, late breaking slider, which has potential to be his best pitch if thrown with a bit more consistency. He also showed a 77-78 mph fastball and 69-71 mph change up with some sink.

Michael Edgcomb, RHP/3B, CBC, Class of 2013: Edgecomb is a lanky 6-foot, 180-pound two way player. In the field, Edgcomb showed natural instincts and plays through the ball firing accurate 81-86 mph throws across the diamond.  At the plate, Edgcomb has loose hands and made consistent contact.  On the mound, the right handed Edgcomb sat 77-78 mph, topping out at 79 mph. He also showed a 10 to 4 slider (68-73 mph) and a 74-77 mph change up with some arm side run.  

Sam Fox, RHP, Clayton HS, Class of 2012: Fox is a lanky 6-foot-4, 160-pound RHP. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot Fox impressed with a 68-69 mph late moving slider, which has the potential to be an out pitch. Fox also showed a 75-77 mph fastball, topping out at 79 mph with some cut. Fox also throws a 69-72 mph change up, a pitch that if thrown with more consistency, could be an effective pitch.

Daniel Hartmann, LHP, Mehlville HS, Class of 2013: The wiry 6-foot-2, 180-pound Hartmann is a LHP showed the ability to throw all pitches from a consistent ¾ arm slot. Hartmann showed a 79-81 mph fastball, topping out a 82 mph, and consistently down in the strike zone. Hartmann also threw a 65-68 mph breaking ball, that when thrown hard, showed to have late, hard break. Hartmann also showed a 70-72 mph change up, with near fastball arm speed.

Andrew Hughes, RHP/INF, Northwest HS, Class of 2012: The long and lanky 6-foot-7, 190-pound Hughes showed to be a versatile player. On the mound, Hughes showed a 75-76 mph fastball, 62-64 mph breaking ball, and 66-68 mph change up. In the outfield and infield, Hughes showed good athletic movements for a player of his size, showing soft hands and good routes to the ball. Hughes showed some good speed for his size, with long strides from home to first, recording a time of 4.46

Christopher Mathes, RHP/SS, Collinsville HS (IL), Class of 2013: The lanky 6-foot 4, 175-pound Mathes who showed to be a versatile two way player. On the mound, Mathes showed repeatable mechanics with a 79-81 mph fastball.  Mathes also threw a 12-to-6 curveball (63-65) with late movement and a 70-71 mph change up with good depth.  As a SS/3B, Mathes showed good range and soft, sure hands, fielding the ball out in front and showing a good glove to hand transfer. At the plate, Mathes showed a line drive producing swing, with the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. Mathes also ran a 4.20 home to first.

Andrew Quinn, RHP, SLUH, Class of 2013: The wiry 6-foot-3, 190-pound Quinn has a good pitchers frame and showed easy, free arm action on all pitches. His fastball sat 79-80 mph, topping out at 81. Quinn also showed a 68-70 mph 10-to-4 breaking ball and a 71-72 mph change up. With his frame, Quinn has the potential to see a jump in velocity as he continues to physically mature.

Adam Richter, RHP/MIF, Mater Dei (IL), Class of 2013: The lanky 6-foot-1, 160-pound showed well in all facets of the game. On the mound, Richter showed repeatable mechanics while delivering a 81-82 mph fastball, topping at 83 mph. He also showed a sharp 10-to-4 slider (72-73 mph) and a fading change up (75-77 mph).  In the outfield, Richter took good angles to the ball and had a real quick transfer, with strong 84-86 mph throws with some carry. As an infielder, Richter showed fundamental mechanics to the ball with sure, soft hands and accurate throws across the diamond (78-82 mph). At the plate, the left handed hitting Richter showed good balance and the ability to square up on the ball. He ran a 4.31 home to first.

Andrew Weaver, OF/RHP, Belleville East HS (IL), Class of 2013: Weaver is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound OF/RHP who impressed both on the mound and in the field. On the mound, Weaver showed good rhythm and arm action, while having good feel for all three of his pitches. His fastball sat 75-77 mph and a 12-to-6 breaking ball came in at 63-66 mph. Weaver also showed good command of a 71-73 mph breaking ball with some depth. In the outfield, Weaver took good routes to the ball and showed accuracy on all throws (72-76 mph). At the plate, Weaver made consistent contact, using the right side of the field. He ran a 4.37 home to first.

Casey Willenbrink, 3B/RHP, Parkway South, Class of 2012: The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Willenbrink has a well built athletic frame, and showed ability as a two way player. On the mound, his best pitch is a late moving 11-to-5 breaking ball (76-71 mph), which has the potential to be a legitimate out pitch. He also showed a 72-74 mph change up with late movement. Willenbrink’s fastball sat 76-78. At the plate, Willenbrink has power potential, and with some fine tuning could be a consistent power hitter. He showed some barrel whip, driving the ball gap-to-gap.