By Brian Duffy

Talented players gathered in Edwardsville, IL on June 21 for the Prep Baseball Report Prospect Identification Showcase. The event was primarily dominated by underclassmen. Class of 2013 and 2014 players emerged, including the top prospect from the event.

A look at the top players from the event:

1. 1.     Drew Curtis, OF/RHP/INF, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2013 – The 6-foot-5, 195-pound athlete performed as the top overall prospect at the event. Curtis displayed a strong arm from the OF (84 mph) with carry, while playing aggressively though the ball. Curtis moved well and took short routes while getting behind all throws. At the plate, Curtis continued to impress with a well-balanced swing that will look to continue to add power as he develops. Curtis sprayed line drives to all fields and exhibited a strong lower half. On the mound, he showcased a 79-81 mph fastball while operating from an over the top arm slot.
2. 2.     JC Demuri, LHP/OF, Parkway West HS (MO), Class of 2013 – On the mound, Demuri impressed with a loose and long arm action while operating from a high ¾ arm slot. The lefty’s fastball sat at 79-80 mph and topped at 81 mph. His curveball flashed sharp 11/5 break and displayed some feel for his changeup. In the field, he moved well in the field and showcased an accurate arm from the outfield. At the plate, Demuri showcased a level well balanced swing that exhibited a strong lower half.  Overall, Demuri looks to be one of the better Class of 2013 prospects in Missouri.
3. 3.     AJ Childerson, RHP/3B/1B, Greenville HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The 6-foot-1, 220-pound right-hander came from a high ¾ arm slot with a fastball that sat at 83-84 mph and topped at 85 mph. The big righty displayed a tight 12/6 breaking ball with good depth. His changeup also displayed solid movement, fading away arm side down in the zone.
4. 4.     Collin Holton, MIF, O’Fallon HS (IL), Class of 2014 – In the field, Holton impressed with great actions and a solid arm across the infield. Holton exhibited soft hands and a quick release in the field. At the plate, Holton sprayed line drives to all fields and showcased good balance throughout his swing. On the mound, Holton exhibited a short arm action and compact delivery. His fastball sat at 78-80 mph and showed good rhythm throughout his delivery. With added physical development and foot speed, he has the potential to be a high-level player.
5. 5.     Nick Lonergan, C/RHP/INF, Routt Catholic HS (IL), Class of 2013 – On the mound, Lonergan came from an over the top arm slot and showed a feel for all three pitches. His fastball sat at 79-81 mph with arm side run. Lonergan also displayed a tight, late breaking 12/6 curveball and a feel for his changeup.  At catcher, he threw a 2.12 pop time and showcased arm strength, throwing 77 mph from the crouch. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound player has raw arm-strength that looks to continue to develop.
6. 6.     Collin Renth, RHP/3B, Mascoutah HS (IL), Class of 2014 – The 6-foot-1, 165-pounder on the mound sat at 79-80 mph. Renth exhibited a clean arm action and displayed a feel for his changeup. His changeup was consistently located for a strike down in the zone. Renth displayed soft hands and an accurate arm in the infield. At the plate, Renth consistently found the barrel hitting line drives. Additionally, he showed some bat speed and power potential.
7. 7.     Tyler Lewis, 2B/SS, Triad HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The 5-foot-10, 160-pound player showed some foot speed running a 6.9 60. In the field, Lewis displayed soft hands and good actions. Lewis showcased an accurate arm, quick release and showed some range. At the plate, Lewis started in an open stance and showcased some bat speed and power. He displayed solid hands and extension through the ball while hitting line drives.
8. 8.     Dereck Page, OF, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The 6-foot, 208-pounder displayed pop at the plate. Page showed bat speed and an explosive lower half. In the field, he played through the baseball aggressively and showcased a solid arm at 84 mph. The athletic OF exhibited an accurate arm and carry on throws. Page also ran  a 7.16 60.
9. 9.     Tim Agnew, RHP, Vianney HS (MO), Class of 2012 – On the mound, Agnew showed as one of the top pitchers at the event. Agnew operated from a ¾ arm slot with a fastball that sat at 82-83 mph. Agnew displayed arm side run on his fastball and showcased good rhythm throughout. His curveball exhibited an 11/5 shape and flashed late movement. In the field, Agnew displayed a solid arm, and at the plate he exhibited a level, balanced swing with a strong lower half.

10. Brandon Gutzler, OF/INF, Desmet HS (MO), Class of 2012 – In the outfield, Gutzler excelled, playing aggressively through the baseball. Gutzler took good routes and showcased a solid, accurate arm with carry. At the plate, he showed power potential and bat speed. He exhibited a level swing that consistently hit line drives. Gutzler also displayed some foot speed, running a 7.14 60.

11. Jeff Haas, RHP, O’Fallon HS (IL), Class of 2014 – On the mound, Haas displayed a short, quick arm action with a fastball that sat at 77-79 mph. The right-hander’s best pitch was his changeup, which showed command and sink. His curveball exhibited an 11/5 shape and displayed good depth. At the plate he showed quick hands, and in the field he showcased solid actions and an accurate arm.

12. Jacob Fisher, MIF, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2014 – At the plate, Fisher displayed some power, while showcasing a level line-drive-conducive swing. Fisher displayed good rhythm and sprayed line drives to all fields. In the field, he showed good actions and moved well laterally. His speed was also on display during his 7.24 60. With additional physical development, Fisher will be a top level infielder in the 2014 class.

13. Jevon Boyd, 1B/RHP, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The big right-hander operated from a low ¾ arm and was able to locate three pitches for strikes. His fastball sat at 80-82 with arm side run and changeup displayed fade down in the zone. At the plate, Body exhibited some raw power to all fields. His level swing and strong lower half consistently found the barrel. In the field, Boyd displayed solid hands and an accurate arm.

14. Kyle Wilson, LHP, O’Fallon HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The left-hander displayed a feel for all three pitches and a clean arm action while operating from a high ¾ arm slot. Wilson’s fastball sat at 79-80 mph with arm side run. His changeup displayed fade and was consistently located down in the zone. Wilson’s curveball displayed good depth and was also thrown for a strike.

15. Tanner Kemma, OF/3B, Blair Oaks HS (MO), Class of 2012 – The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder showed as one of the top athletes at the event, running a 6.94 60. Kemma in the outfield displayed an accurate, solid arm with some carry. At the plate, he showcased pull side power potential and some bat speed. Kemma consistently found the barrel while staying inside the baseball.

16. Matthew Mokriakow, OF/RHP, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The 5-foot-8, 162-pound athlete showed exceptionally well defensively in the outfield. Makriakow displayed a solid arm while playing through the baseball. His throws displayed carry and came in at 81 mph. At the plate, he found the barrel consistently and was quick through the zone. On the mound, Makriakow topped at 83 mph and sat at 80-82 mph.

Best of the rest:

Elijah Blecha, C/MIF, O’Fallon HS (IL), Class of 2013 – At the plate, Blecha displayed a balanced, level swing that hit line drives. The 5-foot-7, 145-pound catcher threw a 2.32 pop time and moved well behind the plate while blocking.

Matthew Boivon, RHP/INF, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The 6-foot-3, 186-pound prospect came from a ¾ slot with a fastball that sat at 77-79 mph and topped at 80 mph. His fastball displayed arm side run and was able to hide the ball on the back side of his arm action. His changeup displayed fade down in the zone.

Drew Burns, MIF, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2013 – In the field, Burns showed solid feet and hands while playing through the ball. Burns in the field additionally showcased an accurate arm. At the plate, the 5-foot-10, 130-pound player displayed good balance and a level swing.

Cameron Clouser, OF/2B, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2012 – In the field Clouser fielded the ball in an athletic position and displayed an accurate arm. At the plate, he showcased a level swing.

John Demuri, OF, Parkway West (MO), Class of 2012 – At the plate, Demuri worked the middle of the field with line drives and displayed a balanced swing. In the field, Demuri showcased an accurate arm.

Ryan Demuri, OF, Parkway West HS (MO), Class of 2012 – In the field, Demuri played aggressively though the baseball and exhibited an accurate arm. He took solid routes and got behind all throws. At the plate, Demuri found the barrel consistently. He displayed some bat speed and a solid lower while hitting line drives.

Jordan Heckler, SS/RHP, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2013 – In the field, Heckler showcased a quick release and accurate arm. He fielded the ball in an athletic position and out front. At the plate, Heckler displayed a well-balanced level swing which produced line drives. Heckler also ran a 7.34 60. On the mound, Heckler topped at 79 mph with arm side run. He also exhibited sink on his changeup.

Keith Henderson, LHP/OF, Collinsville HS IL), Class of 2012 – At the plate, Henderson showcased a short, level stroke that consistently squared up the ball. On the mound, the left-hander showed good rhythm and sat at 75-77 mph.  In the field, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound player displayed an accurate arm.

Connor Henley, C, Parkway North HS (MO), Class of 2012 – Behind the plate, Henley displayed a short, quick release and a pop time of a 2.16. At the plate, Henley exhibited a balanced swing that stayed inside the baseball.

Matthew Huelsmann, SS/3B, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2012 – Huelsmann moved well laterally and displayed an accurate arm across the infield. His foot speed was also on display during his 7.12 60. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete at the plate showcased some bat speed and power.

Mitchell Larkin, 3B/SS, St. Dominic HS (MO), Class of 2013 – In the field, Larkin exhibited soft hands and solid footwork while moving though the ball. Larkin stayed lowed and fielded the ball out front. At the plate, he displayed an aggressive swing while hitting line drives. He also ran a 7.25 60.

Justin Palmer, MIF/3B, Lanphier HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The 6-foot-1, 170-pound player showcased solid hands and feet in the field. At the plate, he showcased a level swing which found the barrel consistently.

Alec Pizzini, C/OF, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2013 – Behind the plate, Alec threw a 2.15 pop time and blocked well. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound player at the plate, displayed some bat speed and balance throughout his swing. Pizzini also displayed some foot speed running a 7.16 60 time.

Taylor Sachs, MIF/OF, St. Dominic HS (MO), Class of 2013 – Sachs at the plate showcased a level swing that hit line drives. Sachs used the whole field and exhibited a solid lower half. In the field, he showcased an accurate arm and solid hands.

Zack Sparks, RHP/3B, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2013 – At the plate, Zack showcased a level, short swing. He displayed good rhythm and a balanced swing while hitting line drives. In the field, Zack displayed an accurate arm. On the mound, Zack sat at 75-76 mph and showcased a 12/6 curveball with some depth.

Jim Solberg, OF, University HS, Class of 2012 – At the plate, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound athlete showcased a level, balanced, short swing. Solberg displayed some power and consistently hit line drives. In the field, he moved well and displayed a solid arm with carry. He also displayed some foot speed running a 6.85 60.

Cole Strohmeier, LHP/1B, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2014 – On the mound, the 6-foot, 165-pound lean left-hander operated from a high ¾ arm slot. Strohmeir’s fastball sat at 71-73 mph with some downward movement. His changeup was his best pitch and showcased fade while consistently being located for a strike.

Jake Warren, RHP, O’Fallon HS (IL), Class of 2013 – In the field, Warren got behind all throws and played aggressively through the baseball. Warren displayed an accurate arm from the outfield. At the plate, he showcased a short, level swing. He also showed some foot speed running a 7.2 60.

Ethan Wild, RHP, O’Fallon HS (IL), Class of 2013 – On the mound, Wild operated from an over the top arm slot with a fastball that sat at 76-79 mph. Wild stayed tall and balanced while leading with his front hip. His curveball flashed tight 12/6 movement and change displayed downward fade. At the plate, the left-hand hitter showcased a level swing and stayed inside the baseball. 

Zachary Wilson, OF/LHP, Taylorville HS (IL), Class of 2013 – The 5-foot-10, 184-pounder ran an impressive 6.91 60 time. In the outfield, Wilson displayed an accurate arm. At the plate, he showcased a level swing and hit line drives to the opposite field. On the mound, he sat at 74-76 mph and topped at 77 mph.

Andrew Wise, 3B/SS, Triad HS (IL), Class of 2012 – The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder displayed a solid, accurate arm and soft hands. At the plate, he found the barrel consistently and displayed some power. The left-handed hitter exhibited a strong lower half and solid hands while hitting.