By Matt Yarber

The Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior Showcase on January 14 featured nearly 100 players at The Max in McCook. The event reconfirmed that there are a lot of talented Class of 2012 prospects who are still on the board.

While there were several standout performers, Oak Lawn RHP Michael Yacko earned top honors at the event. Below is a look at the top pitching prospects at the Unsigned Senior Showcase.

1.) Michael Yacko, RHP, Oak Lawn HS, Class of 2012
The 6-foot, 180-pound Yacko proved that he is a premier right-handed pitcher, and certainly one of the top unsigned arms in Illinois. Yacko has advanced feel for three pitches, all which he throws with movement. Coming from a 3/4 arm angle, Yacko’s fastball sat at 85-87 with run and sink. He also throws a power changeup, in the 76-79 mph range, with arm-side sink. His changeup was the best pitch of the event. Yacko also throws a tight, sharp-breaking slider in the 73-75 mph range. In all, Yacko’s complete repertoire, coupled with his mound presence and deception, make him one of the most coveted right-handers still available.

2.) Jake Rubin, LHP, Highland Park HS, Class of 2012
The wide-shouldered 6-foot-2, 205-pound Rubin was the best left-hander at the event, as his fastball consistently sat in the 86-87 range with some late life. Showing rhythm on the mound, Rubin looked natural and will continue to develop at the next level.  Rubin also threw a 65-67 mph curveball, and a 73 mph changeup. With continued development of his secondary stuff, Rubin has the potential to be high-level left-handed pitcher.

3.) Cody Smith, RHP/OF, Canton HS, Class of 2012
Unknown to us heading into the event, Smith opened eyes with his potential on the mound. Smith, who has a projectable 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, should continue to throw harder as he fills out.  Working from over the top slot, Smith has a quick, long arm action and throws with easy effort. Smith’s fastball sat in the 84-86 range with some run. He also throws a 67-69 mph curveball that has an 11/5 shape and a changeup that sits 71-72 mph.  Smith continued to display his athleticism in the field, showing solid actions in the outfield, clocked at 83 mph.  Additionally, Smith ran a 7.29 60.

4.) Chris Hoffman, RHP/OF, Lakes HS, Class of 2012
Hoffman was one of the most athletic prospects at the event, proving to be a solid two-way talent. On the mound, the 6-foot, 160-pound Hoffman has long limbs and a quick arm. He comes from an over-the-top arm slot, long and loose on the backside. Hoffman showed feel for three pitches, including an 83-84 mph fastball that had sink. As his lanky frame fills out physically, he should see a velocity spike. He also showed a solid curveball that had an 11/5 shape that flashed late break, and a changeup that had arm side run and sink.  Defensively, Hoffman moves with athletic fluidity, and got downhill well, as he delivered 84 mph strikes.  Hoffman also ran a 6.84 60.

5.) Nicholas Davito, RHP, Lockport HS, Class of 2012
Davito is a lanky, athletic 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher who has a long, loose delivery.  Davito has long legs and arms, the type of frame that should fill out nicely in the coming years. Currently his fastball sat at 83-85 mph. His secondary pitches are a 75-76 mph slider, and a 77-78 mph changeup.

6.) Joe Kadela, RHP, Morton HS, Class of 2012
Kadela is a 6-foot, 180-pound right-handed pitcher who impressed with his easy 84-85 mph fastball. Kadela remains smooth throughout his delivery, coming from a high 3/4 arm slot.  Kadela is loose on the backside and showed good acceleration throughout.  In addition to his fastball, Kadela also throws a 70-72 curveball that had an 11/5 shape, and a 73-75 mph changeup with arm side run.

7.) John Swisher, LHP, Peotone HS, Class of 2012
Swisher was one of the top pitchers of the event, showing feel for three pitches.  Standing at 5-foot-9, 150-pounds, Swisher has a slow delivery with a deceiving front leg kick, but his arm works quickly as the ball jumps out of his hand.  Swisher throws from a 3/4 arm slot and showed excellent arm acceleration.  His fastball topped at 85 mph, sitting in the 82-83 range, with some late life. He also throws a harder slurve, in the 78-79 mph range, and a 74-78 mph changeup.

8.) Corey Peterson, RHP/3B, Prairie Ridge HS, Class of 2012
Peterson impressed with his two-way abilities, as he showed well in all facets of the game.  Standing at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, Peterson features a strong, athletic frame.   On the mound, Peterson comes from a 3/4 arm slot.  He has a smooth, clean delivery and good feel for all three of his pitches, all for strikes. His fastball sat at 79-82 mph and showed some run and sink.  His best pitch, however, was his curveball that had an 11/5 shape with sharp, late break to it. His arsenal also included a 72-73 mph changeup that also flashed sink. Peterson continued to impress at the plate, where he proved to be one of the best overall hitters at the event. He has a balanced setup, takes an economical approach to the baseball and is able to generate bat speed.  He uses his strong lower half and generates good torque; the ball jumps off his bat with good backspin carry.  Defensively, Peterson moves well laterally at third base, and was clocked at 79 mph from his position. 

9.) John Boidanis, RHP/3B, Glenbrook North HS, Class of 2012
Boidanis is a 6-foot, 190-pound two-way player who showed solidly in all aspects.  On the mound, he operates from from a high-3/4 arm slot with a fastball that was in the 82-84 mph range. He also flashed a solid curveball that demonstrated some late bite at 72 mph. Offensively, Boidanis has a balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride.  He has an explosive lower half with good balance throughout and generated some bat whip as he drove the ball with authority to both power alleys.

10.) Zachary Morgenstern, RHP, Peoria Notre Dame HS, Class of 2012
Morgenstern is a lanky 6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed pitcher with long legs and an over the top arm angle.  Morgenstern demonstrated feel for four pitches; an 81-83 mph fastball, two breaking balls, and a changeup.  His two breaking balls consist of a 71-74 mph slider that has some two-plane action, and a 68 mph curveball.

11.) Brandon Genenbacher, LHP, Quincy HS, Class of 2012
Genenbacher is a physical 6-foot-2, 215-pound left-handed pitcher who works from a high 3/4 arm slot.  He sat at 80-81 mph with his fastball and showed a solid curveball that had some depth when down in the zone. He also threw a 71-75 mph changeup.

12.) John Savarise, LHP, Stevenson HS, Class of 2012
Savarise is a 6-foot, 190-pound left-handed pitcher who throws from a 3/4 arm slot with a deceptive motion.  He filled the zone with his 79-80 mph fastball that displayed some arm-side run. Furthermore, Savarise showed feel for a 65-67 mph curveball, and a 66-68 mph changeup.

12. Tanner Butler, 3B/RHP, Linton Stockton HS (IN), Class of 2012
Butler is a physical 6-foot-2, 215-pound two-way player.  On the mound, Butler topped at 85 mph, sitting in the 83-84 range. He also threw a curveball with an 11/5 shape that ranged between 68-72 mph, and a changeup in the 76-79 mph range. Butler also showed some feel for a 72-75 mph splitter. Defensively, Butler played through the ball and showed some carry on his throws across the diamond (83 mph).  Offensively, Butler has an aggressive approach, flashing some pull-side power potential.  Additionally, he ran a 7.56 60.

Best of the Rest

David Angell, RHP, Marian Catholic HS, Class of 2012
Angell is a 6-foot-5, 240-pound right-handed pitcher.  Angell, who operates from an over-the-top arm slot, has three pitches: a 77-78 mph fastball, a 71-75 mph changeup, and a 68-71 mph slider that flashed some two-plane life.

Cody Bennett, RHP, Winnebago HS, Class of 2012
Bennett is an athletically built 6-foot-5, 175-pound right-handed pitcher who uses his height, as he works downhill well. Bennett featured a 79-80 mph fastball, a 69-70 mph changeup, and a 64-66 mph breaking ball.

Kyle Bledsoe, RHP, Plainfield North HS, Class of 2012
Bledsoe is a 6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher who showed fluid mechanics and demonstrated good rhythm on the mound. Bledsoe, who comes from a high 3/4 arm slot, impressed with his a tight 68-69 mph slider that showed two-plane break. He also commanded the zone with an 80-81 mph fastball. 

Zach Carstens, RHP, Quincy North HS, Class of 2012
Carstens is an athletically built 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher who throws over the top with some hand acceleration.  Carstens showed three pitches: a 75-78 mph fastball, a 64-65 mph curveball that flashed some late 12/6 break, and a 73-74 mph changeup.

Ryan Fejt, RHP, St. Joseph HS, Class of 2012
Fejt is a lanky 6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with long legs and a projectable frame. Fejt operates from an over-the-top slot and showed rhythm in his delivery.  Fejt has three pitches: a77-79 mph fastball, a 65-66 mph curveball, and his best pitch, which was his 71-73 mph changeup that has arm side sink when down in the zone. 

Matthew Harper, RHP/3B, Peotone HS, Class of 2012
Harper is a 6-foot-1, 220-pound two-way player. On the mound, the right-hander’s fastball sat at 80-82 mph. He also threw a 72 mph curveball and a 71-74 mph changeup. As a position player, Harper showed solidly at third base, displaying soft hands and clean transfer.  Also he showed an accurate arm that was clocked at 80 mph. 

Jake Kolakowski, RHP, Bolingbrook HS, Class of 2012
Kolakowski is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher who throws from an over the top arm angle.  Kolakowski’s fastball topped at 81 mph, sitting in the 79-80 range. He also threw a 65-67 mph changeup and a 57-60 mph curveball.

Sam LoBosco, RHP, Bartlett HS, Class of 2012
LoBosco is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Coming from a high 3/4 arm slot, he hides the ball well in his delivery.  LoBosco showed three pitches: a 72-75 mph fastball, a 57-63 mph curveball and a 66-68 mph changeup.

Michael Lutz, LHP, Grant HS, Class of 2012
Lutz is a 5-foot-7, 150-pound left-handed pitcher who showed solid feel for all three of his pitches.  He throws from over the top and showed some rhythm on the mound.  His pitches include a 74-76 mph fastball, a 66-68 mph curveball that showed tight spin, and a 73 mph changeup.

JC Pawlak, RHP, Carmel Catholic HS, Class of 2012
Pawlak is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher whose fastball topped at 84 mph, sitting in the 82-83 range. He works from a high 3/4 arm slot and showed some hand acceleration.  He also threw a firm 74-75 mph slurve, and a 67-70 mph changeup.

Patrick Pokrovac, RHP, St. Laurence HS, Class of 2012
Pokrovac is a 6-foot, 174-pound right-handed pitcher. A side-armer, Pokrovac has good deception and showed fluid mechanics throughout. His fastball topped out at 76 mph and showed some arm side run and sink. He showed excellent feel for his 67-70 mph changeup that exhibited late sink down in the zone. He also threw a 64-66 mph curveball that showed some depth.

Matt Suter, RHP, Lincoln-Way West HS, Class of 2012
Suter is an atheltically built 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher who has long legs and a quick arm. He works from over the top arm slot and demonstrated solid rhythm and throughout his delivery.  Suter has three pitches: a 77-79 mph heavy fastball, a 69-70 mph curveball that showed some bite and depth when down in the zone, and a 72 mph changeup.

Bo Venezio, RHP, Lincoln-Way North HS, Class of 2012
Venezio is a 5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with a long over the top arm angle.  Venezio showed good deception and tempo on the mound.  He has three pitches: a heavy fastball sitting at 81 mph, a 65-71 mph two-plane curveball in which he showed good feel, and a 73-74 mph changeup with some sink.

Click Here for the Top 20 overall prospects at the event.

Coming next: Top position players at the event.