By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

EVANSTON, IL - A select number of top 2018 prospects across the country, along with a few age-eligible 2017s and 2019s, spent nearly a week in Chicago for USA Baseball’s 17U National Team Development Program (NTDP). Roughly 40 players were divided among two teams, the Stars and Stripes, and they practiced, worked out, and competed against each other throughout last week.

I was on hand for last week’s workout and games on Tuesday and Thursday at Northwestern University. Before I launch into anything, let’s clarify a singular point: All the participants at USA Baseball’s NTDP are good players. They are all higher-level prospects. Now that we’ve clarified, there was a clear divide between the uppermost echelon and the rest. Especially with the pitchers.

In my opinion, there were four clear pitching standouts.

+ Cole Henry, RHP, Florence HS, AL, 2018
The 6-foot-3, 192-pound LSU recruit flashed the biggest velocity of the week, peaking at 95 mph, while sitting in the 92-93 range for most of his first outing. Along with his premium velocity, Henry also throws a sharp breaking ball and a changeup that can be a plus pitch down the road. ...