By Sean Duncan

The Prep Baseball Report?s Class of 2012 Preseason All-State Showcase on Saturday, Feb. 19 was the best assemblage of juniors we?ve ever had at one event, which says a lot. Ninety-four prospects from all over the state convened at the Max-McCook Athletic & Exposition Center to show what they can do. And what they did was mighty impressive.

 Exactly how good was the event? How about this: 19 of the 39 pitchers were 85-plus on the mound; 12 of those pitchers were 87-plus. Indeed, it was a pitching-heavy event, but many position players put forth impressive performances, especially at the plate. Many players saw their stocks soar at the event, which will be evident when the new statewide Class of 2012 rankings are released in the coming weeks.

Complete player write-ups, analysis, and event rankings will be posted next week.

Here?s a look at some abbreviated highlights of the event:

-  The top-ranked prospect of the event was Alex Young, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound LHP from Carmel Catholic HS. Young quickly established himself as a top-10 prospect in the state after his bullpen session. Young?s fastball sat at 87-88 mph, to go along with an electric slider that projects to be a plus pitch at the next level. Young also showed a power changeup with sharp downward arm-side break. In all, Young should be one of the most coveted 2012 prospects in Illinois.

- The No. 2-ranked prospect at the event is actually a Class of 2013 player, Adam Dressler from Hinsdale Central HS. A solidly built 6-foot, 180-pound RHP, Dressler firmly established himself as one of the top sophomore prospects in the Midwest after he showed feel and command of three pitches, including an easy 86-88 mph fastball. Dressler has polished mechanics and an extremely smooth arm action.

Rounding out the top 10 prospects at the event:
1. Alex Young, Carmel Catholic HS, LHP
2. Adam Dressler, Hinsdale Central HS, RHP (2013)
3. Michael Lutz, Lake Zurich HS, RHP/3B
4. Mitchell Holtz, Aurora Christian HS, OF/RHP
5. Jake Johansmeier, St. Charles North HS, RHP/SS
6. Devin Pickett, Marian Catholic HS, 3B
7. John Schram, Lake Park HS, RHP/C
8. Zach Stoner, Rockford Boylan HS, C/1B
9. Kevin Ross, Niles West HS, INF
10. Jake Rubin, Highland Park HS, LHP

Top Max Fastballs
1.  Sean Eder, Lake Zurich HS, RHP ? 90 mph
2. Alex Young, Carmel Catholic HS, LHP ? 88 mph
2. John Schram, Lake Park HS ? 88 mph
2. Adam Dressler, Hinsdale Central HS, RHP ? 88 mph
2. Michael Lutz, Lake Zurich HS, RHP ? 88 mph
2. Jake Johansmeier, St. Charles North HS, RHP ? 88 mph

Top Outfield Arms
1.  Shane Brown, Simeon HS ? 91 mph
2. Mitchell Holtz, Aurora Christian HS ? 88 mph
2. Sean Eder, Lake Zurich HS ? 88 mph
4. Corey Ray, Simeon HS (2013) ? 87 mph
5. Jake Romano, Dundee-Crown HS ? 86 mph

Top Infield Arms
1. Jake Johansmeier, St. Charles North HS, RHP ? 89 mph
2. Kevin Ross, Niles West HS, SS ? 88 mph
3. John Brodner, St. Charles North HS, SS ? 86 mph

Top Defensive Catchers
1. Matt Krenz, Prairie Ridge HS
2. Chad Johnson, Galesburg HS
3. Jeremias Delgado, Evanston HS
4. Elbert Dunnigan, Simeon HS (2013)
5. Jason Scholl, Glenbrook North HS

Top Overall Hitters
1. Mark Self, Jacobs HS, OF/C
2. Zach Stoner, Rockford Boylan HS, C/1B
3. John Brodner, St. Charles North HS, SS
4. Mitchell Holtz, Aurora Christian HS, OF/RHP
5. John Schram, Lake Park HS, RHP/C
6. Kevin Ross, Niles West HS, SS
7. Zach Jones, Glenbrook South HS, 1B
8. Corey Ray, Simeon HS, OF (2013)

Top 60 Times
1. Billy Reed, Lockport HS, OF ? 6.75
2. Eric Fight, Normal Community HS, OF ? 6.85
3. Matt Lawrence, Lake Forest HS, OF/C ? 6.96

Again, complete showcase write-ups and analysis will be posted next week.

Click Here for complete showcase statistics