The Prep Baseball Report’s Class of 2012 Showcase at Oakton Community College on July 29 featured some intriguing prospects in the junior class, many of whom were unknown heading into the event. Here’s a look at the top performers at the event, led by Rock Falls middle infielder Brett Chappell:

 

1.) Brett Chappell, Rock Falls HS, MIF: The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Chappell showed top-level defensive abilities. His plus actions were characterized by soft hands, an ultra-quick transfer and tremendous rhythm through the ball. He moves with fluidity and purpose to his right and left, and plays the ball with ease on the run. At the plate, Chappell was equally impressive, as he showcased a quick and economical line-drive swing with backspin carry to the gaps.

2.) Adam Glogovsky, Warren HS, OF/LHP: The athletically built 6-foot, 170-pound Glogovsky impressed in all facets of the game. A switch hitter, Glogovsky showcased sound fundamentals and quick hands from both sides of the plate. Glogovsky was the top defensive outfielder in attendance, moving fluidly to the gaps. He also ran an event-best 7.06 60. On the mound, Glogovsky pounded the strike zone and touched 80 with late arm side run.

 

3.) Mark Ash, Grayslake Central HS, RHP: The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Ash stands tall, throwing downhill with advanced feel. Ash consistently throws three pitches for strikes, commanding the ball to the to both sides of the plate. His best pitch is a late-biting curve that has the potential to be a plus out-pitch in the future. Ash’s fastball touched 83, and with his size and fluidity, he should see his velocity jump in the coming years.

 

4.) Chris Hall, New Trier HS, C/OF: The wiry strong 6-foot-1, 175-pound Hall is a versatile, multi-position performer with natural feel for the game. At the plate, Hall stands tall in the box and swings down through the ball to create excellent backspin carry. Hall also showcased impressive arm strength both in the outfield (83 mph) and behind the plate (2.10 pop time). 

 

5.) Josh Jimenez, Minooka HS, LHP: The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Jimenez was the top left-handed pitcher at the event. Jimenez showed feel for three pitches, including a fastball that touched 80 mph with late arm-side action. Coming from a three-quarter arm slot, all three pitches had natural movement, including a 68-69 mph slurve that slides across the zone.

 

6.) Jimmy Frankos, Maine South HS, C: A left-handed hitting catcher, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Frankos showed an advanced hitting approach, demonstrating a balanced swing and excellent extension through the ball. Defensively, Frankos has quick feet, soft hands, an accurate arm and had a top pop time of 1.96.

 

7. Joseph Gregory, Antioch, C: This 5-foot-11, 190-pound backstop was the top defensive catcher at the event. Gregory possesses quick feet behind the plate, evidenced by his pop times ranging between 1.92-1.98. At the plate, Gregory has a strong lower half and has power potential.

 

8.) Mark Chemello, Lincoln-Way East HS, RHP: The solidly built 6-foot, 180-pound Chemello repeats his delivery well with consistent tempo and clean hand break. His solid fundamental base allows him to throw three pitches for strikes to the bottom of the zone. Chemello’s fastball touched 81, but his best pitch was a parachute change with late fade that no doubt will give high-school hitters fits.

 

9.) Chris Marras, Vernon Hills HS, C: The 6-foot, 180-pound Marras showed well on both sides of the ball. At the plate, he used a compact, rotational approach and stayed on top of the ball nicely. Defensively, Marras possesses soft hands and solid footwork with advanced blocking ability. His top pop time was a 2.0.

 

10.) David Wilk, Downers Grove North HS, 3B/RHP: Wilk is a strong-bodied two-way talent who impressed both as a position player and as a pitcher. On the mound he touched 83, showcasing a quick arm and tight-breaking power curve. At the plate, Wilk used a powerful lower half and rotational approach to produce line drives to all fields. He also moved well laterally and displayed good hands at third base, while running a 7.34 60.

 

11.) Nick Hedge, New Trier HS, LHP/OF: The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Hedge is a physical, two-way talent with considerable upside. At the plate, he possesses quick hands and hips with good extension through the ball. On the mound, Hedge touched 80 and showed feel for both a changeup and curve.

 

12.) Ronell Coleman, De La Salle HS, MIF/OF: A Class of 2013 prospect, Coleman showcased top-level defensive actions at shortstop. He has extraordinarily quick hands and feet, and plays the ball on the move with precise rhythm. A switch-hitter at the plate, the 5-foot-4, 130-pound Coleman also showed his athleticism with the bat. Once he develops physically, he has the potential to be a premier prospect in the 2013 class.

 

13.) Nick Coutre, Libertyville HS, OF/2B: Coutre is a well-rounded player with a strong fundamental base. In the outfield, he showcased solid arm strength (81 mph) and accuracy. At the plate, the left-handed hitting Coutre sprayed line drives to all fields, hitting the ball where it was pitched.  

 

14.) Campbell Lipe, New Trier HS, 1B/3B: Lipe was perhaps the most physically impressive player at the event. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, the muscular corner infielder has legitimate power potential. He stays tall and quiet, and is explosive through contact.  

 

15.) Zachary Gordon, Stevenson HS, RHP: The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Gordon is a lean, projectable right-hander with a quick arm. All three of his pitches come out of the same window with consistent hand speed. His fastball sat in the low 80s, touching 82, but he should see a velocity spike as he develops physically.

 

16.) Derek Breit, Thomas Jefferson HS, MIF: This 6-foot-1, 155-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder displayed impressive defensive actions. He moves well laterally and fielded the ball in rhythm. At the plate, Breit had good barrel whip through the zone and quick hips.

 

17.) Robert Fletcher, Simeon HS, MIF: A Class of 2013 prospect, the 5-foot-9, 135-pound Fletcher showcased extremely quick hands and bat speed through the zone for his size at the plate. Defensively, Fletcher moves well laterally and fields the ball fluidly while showing soft hands and a quick transfer.

 

18.) Nick Gerber, Oswego HS, RHP/OF: Gerber is an athletic, multi-positional player who was one of the top athletes at the event. On the mound, Gerber’s fastball touched 83 with late-riding action in the zone. His best pitch was a tight-breaking curve with some depth. At the plate, Gerber has an aggressive approach and showed considerable bat speed. Gerber also ran a 7.15 60.

 

19.) Jon Savarise, Loyola, LHP/1B: The 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-hander touched 78 on the mound with smooth acceleration. Savarise also showcased feel for a slider and changeup with late fade. At the plate, the right-handed hitter stayed inside the ball well as he sprayed line drives to the power alleys.

 

20.) Jake Rzeszutko, York HS, MIF: As one of the top athletes at the event, the 5-foot-7, 135-pound Rzeszutko ran a 7.06 60. His athleticism plays in the field, as he moves well laterally and fielded the ball cleanly.

 

21.) Jake Hickey, Lincoln-Way East, C: A strong-bodied, athletic catcher, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Hickey ran a 7.19 60 while demonstrating an accurate throwing arm behind the dish. His pop times ranged between 2.03-2.11.  

 

22.) Chance Simpson, Lewistown HS, RHP: Simpson is a physically imposing 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-hander with upside. His fastball touched 79 and he showed feel for his secondary pitches.

 

23.) Tyler Curtis, Glenbard West HS, RHP/OF: The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Curtis was solid on the mound, touching 82 with good extension through his target line. Curtis’ best pitch was a 12-6 curve that he commanded to the bottom of the zone.

 

24.) Tyler Woolbright, Rockford Lutheran, 1B/RHP: Woolbright is a physical 6-foot-2, 190-pound first baseman with raw pull-power at the plate. On the mound, Woolbright touched 78 and showed feel for his changeup.

 

25.) Wyatt Spector, Lake Zurich HS, LHP: At 6-foot-2, 155 pounds, Spector has a projectable frame and considerable upside. Delivering from a three-quarter arm slot, his fastball has natural arm-side run. No doubt Spector will gain velocity as he begins to physically develop.

 

For complete showcase statistics, Click Here.