The Prep Baseball Report’s Open I.D. Showcase at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill., featured a range of impressive prospects from both Illinois and Missouri. While there were several standout performances on Sept. 12, Danny Heim, a senior RHP from Parkway North HS, stood above the rest.

A look at the top 2011, 2012 and 2013 top prospects at the event:

Top Class of 2011 and 2012 Prospects

1.) Danny Heim, RHP, Parkway North HS (MO), Class of 2011: Heim is a solidly built 5-foot-11, 195-pound right-hander who showed feel for five pitches (yes, five), including a fastball that sat at 86 mph. Heim has a strong lower half and demonstrated good hand acceleration. Also in Heim’s repertoire is a tight 76-77 mph slider, which had sharp two-plane break, in addition to a curveball, changeup and a 67-mph knuckleball. The knuckleball was surprisingly a good pitch.

2.) Andrew Clark, OF, Galatia HS (IL), Class of 2011: As the best outfielder and hitter at the event, Clark (right) showed that he is a prospect recruiters should pay close attention to. A physically strong 5-foot-10, 184-pound right-handed hitter, Clark demonstrated an advanced plate approach: quiet, quick and explosive through the ball with some power. He launched a few balls out of GCS Ballpark and, against live pitching, he drove one off the top of the left-field wall. In the outfield, he showed athletic actions and solid arm strength (82 mph). Clark ran a 7.35 60.

3.) Ryan Barnes, C/1B, Vianney HS (MO), Class of 2011: The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Barnes showcased plus left-handed power. Using a strong lower half and solid overall hitting mechanics, Barnes blasted four homers in his round of BP, including one that nearly cleared the second retainer wall in right field. Defensively, Barnes receives well and he put most of his throws on the bag, with top pop times of 1.90 and 2.0. He also showed the ability to play first base.

4.) Connor Judge, OF, Collinsville HS (IL), Class of 2012: Judge is an athletic, 6-foot-3, 188-pound left-handed hitting outfielder who showed solid tools across the board. From the outfield, he moved fluidly with good natural instincts while demonstrating accurate, above-average arm strength (83 mph). Offensively, he has quick hands, impressive barrel whip and extension through contact from the left side. Judge ran a 7.20 60.

5.) Kyle Culli, RHP, Mascoutah HS (IL), Class of 2011: Don’t be deceived by his 5-foot-8, 150-pound stature, Culli can flat-out pitch. He has an extremely quick arm, which he used to deliver 84-85 mph fastballs. Nothing Culli throws sits still. He showed the ability to cut and run his fastball, in addition to throwing a tight 74-75 mph curveball with late 12-6 break. His changeup, while a bit hard (78-79 mph), had impressive fade.

6.) Robbie Gordon, RHP, LaDue HS (MO), Class of 2011: The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Gordon has a clean arm and an athletic pitcher’s build. He demonstrated the ability to command three pitches, including a plus changeup (70-71 mph) that had late fade. While his changeup is a legitimate outpitch, Gordon also throws a 68-69 mph curveball that has some depth, and an easy 81-83 mph fastball.

7.) Alec Mitchell, RHP/OF, Westminster HS, Class of 2011: At an athletic 6-foot-2, 172 pounds, Mitchell has smooth mechanics and a fluid delivery. With a fastball sitting 77-78 mph, changeup (65-67) and late-breaking curveball (64-67 mph), Mitchell showed good command of three pitches.  At the plate, Mitchell has a strong lower half, short compact swing and the ability to make consistent solid contact.  In the outfield, Mitchell showed the ability to quickly get to the ball and threw with accuracy on all throws, topping at 79 mph.

8.) Carter Smith, LHP, Parkway West HS, Class of 2011: This tall and lanky left-hander, who stands 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, was the best pure pitcher of the showcase.  Facing live batters, Smith dotted both sides of the plate with effortless 79-80 mph fastballs, in addition to showing a curveball (67-68 mph) with good two-plane break, and a plus changeup (70-71 mph) that showed late fade.  Smith has clean mechanics and quick arm action, making the ball appear to jump out of his hand.

9.) Patrick Woerner, RHP/OF,Chatham Glenwood HS (IL), Class of 2011:  At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Woerner is an athletic and lean right-hander who has clean mechanics and a quick arm. Woerner demonstrated feel and command of three pitches, his best being an 80-81 mph fastball with late life. Woerner also showed a 71-72 mph changeup and a 63-65 mph curveball. With his athletic frame and arm quickness, Woerner should see a velocity spike in the coming years.

10.) Danny Boyer, C/OF, Northwest HS, Class of 2011: The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Boyer was the top overall athlete at the event, as he led all 60 times with a 6.85 on a slow track. Behind the plate, Boyer showed above-average receiving skills, as he demonstrated quick feet and athleticism during bullpens. Boyer had pop times of 2.10 and 2.28. Offensively, he showed gap-to-gap power behind a short, compact swing.  Boyer also showcased the ability to play the outfield, highlighted by solid arm strength (81 mph).

11.) Nick Jacobs, OF/RHP, Eureka HS, 2011: A lanky 6-foot-4, 175 pounds, Jacobs showed athletic actions in the outfield. He also demonstrated an advanced plate approach: he’s quiet and quick to the ball with good balance and a smooth, level swing. Jacobs ran a 7.38 60. In addition to the outfield, he has showed feel for a fastball (75-79), curveball, and changeup off the mound.

12.) Forrest Herrmann, LHP, Parkway South HS, 2011: At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, the left-handed Herrmann’s fastball has late arm-side movement, sitting 81-82 mph, topping out at 84.  In addition to his fastball, Herrmann throws a fading change-up and curveball to complete his repertoire of pitches.

13.) Adam Carlisle, 3B, Eisenhower HS, 2011: Carlisle is strong 6-foot-1,195-pound infielder who displayed an above-average arm strength across the diamond (81-82 mph), soft hands and solid lateral quickness in the field.  At the plate, Carlisle showed a smooth swing and ability to hit the ball hard to all fields.

14.) Mark O'Moran, 3B/RHP, Mehlville HS (MO), 2011: O’Moran possesses an athletic body at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds O'Moran used a strong lower half to spray the field with line drives. His easy swing produces consistent contact with some power potential.  Defensively, O'Moran showed athletic instincts and soft hands with an accurate arm at third base.

 

Class of 2013 Top Prospects

1.)  Brandon Miller, RHP/3B, DeSmet HS (MO), Class of 2013: At 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Miller (right) is an extremely projectable right-hander. Miller possesses a long, athletic pitcher’s frame, one that should physically develop in the coming years. Miller’s fastball registered at 78-79 mph, topping at 80. He also threw a 72-74 mph changeup with some run, and a developing splitter. As Miller develops physically, he should see a significant velocity spike.

2.) Reed Watson, C, Rochester HS (IL), Class of 2013: Watson is a physically mature 6-foot-1, 190-pound catcher with power potential. Defensively, Watson is a solid receiver with athletic feet. His pop times ranged between 2.05-2.2. At the plate, he demonstrated sound hitting mechanics, strong hands, and the ability to drive the ball to both fields.

3.) Jordan Heckler, SS/RHP, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2013: The 5-foot-10, 155-pound Heckler showed advanced defensive actions at shortstop. He demonstrated soft hands, and moved with fluidity and rhythm, in addition to a quick transfer. Offensively, Heckler allows the ball to travel deep in the zone, using a quick and compact swing to barrel line drives. Heckler is an all-around fundamentally sound player who should continue to get better as he physically matures.

4.) Turner Miller, C, DeSmet HS (MO), Class of 2013: Miller is a solid 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher who showed soft hands and above average receiving skills.  Miller had accurate throws to second base with pop times of 2.25-2.36.  At the plate, he had a balanced setup and sprayed line drives to all fields.  As Miller continues to develop, his ability to hit for power should increase.

5.) Aaron Lohmann, MIF, Hazelwood West HS (MO), Class of 2013: The quick and athletic Lohmann showed a good approach to the ball in the field with soft, quick hands and accurate throws across the diamond. At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, Lohmann ran a 7.38 60. Offensively, Lohmann used an easy swing to show his ability as a contact hitter.

Click Here for complete showcase statistics.