By Sean Duncan

The Prep Baseball Report’s Open I.D. Showcase at Normal West HS in Normal was, above all, extraordinarily hot. Many players who braved the heat on August 12 enjoyed breakout performances, many of whom should become higher level prospects in the coming years. Ridge Ackerman, an athletic 6-foot-5 RHP from Sacred Heart-Griffin HS, emerged as the top 2012 prospect, while Normal West SS/RHP Matthew James and Metamora INF Spencer Gaa established themselves as premier prospects in the Class of 2013.

A look at the event’s top prospects:

Class of 2011 and 2012 Top Prospects

1.)  Ridge Ackerman, RHP, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2012: At 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, Ackerman has an athletic frame and long arms. With his size, athleticism and arm quickness, there’s little doubt Ackerman will continue to add to his 83-84 mph fastball he showed. His fastball had late life, in addition to showing feel for a splitter that had sharp tumble. With some mechanical tweaks, Ackerman should be one of the more projectable prospects in the Class of 2012.

2.) Ryan Nagle, C/3B, Streator HS, 2012: This 6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher was one of the best hitters at the event. Nagle showed loose, quick hands with excellent barrel whip through the zone and gap-to-gap power. Defensively, Nagle has athletic actions behind the plate, demonstrating quick feet and transfer. His top pop time was 1.88 with a range to 2.13. He also showed well at third base.  With continued development, Nagle looks to be one of the better catching prospects in the Class of 2012.

3.) Zak Worsley, OF, Marquette HS, 2011: Worsley was the best athlete at the event, as the 5-foot-9, 155-pounder ran a 6.8 60. His athleticism also showed in the outfield, where he demonstrated good instincts and feet. At the plate, he showcased a quick and aggressive swing, as he generated some pop with hand speed and barrel whip through the zone.

4.) Brandon Taylor, RHP, Normal Community HS, 2011: At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Taylor has a lean pitcher’s frame and a loose arm. Taylor’s best pitch is a tight 12-6 curveball that had sharp bite and depth – a pitch that should be a legitimate out-pitch. His fastball topped out at 83 mph, but looks to have more in the tank.

5.) Justin Detweiler, RHP, Normal West HS, 2012: Detweiler is a junior who possesses considerable upside, as the athletically built 6-foot, 175-pounder topped out at 84 mph, sitting at 81-83, with little effort. He also showed an impressive 12-6 curveball with tight rotation and depth.

6.) Jacob Hanson, C, Aurora Christian HS, 2012: Hanson is a strong-bodied athletic catcher who possesses arm strength and quick feet behind the plate. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hanson delivered 1.9-2.04 pop times with accuracy and ease. He receives comfortably, and showcased advanced blocking abilities. At the plate, he displayed some power potential.

7.) Tyler Sabol, OF/RHP, Streator HS, 2012: The athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound Sabol showed well in all facets of the game. As one of the event’s better hitters, Sabol showcased a quiet and compact path to the baseball, and used an explosive lower half and loose hands to drive the ball to all fields.  From the outfield, Sabol had good carry on his throws (81 mph) and moved athletically. He ran a 7.1 60. On the mound, he showed feel for three pitches, including a changeup with late fade, and repeated his delivery well.

8.) Nick Unes, 3B/OF, Brimfield HS, 2012: Unes is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound projectable physical athlete who ran a 6.99 60. Unes also displayed pull power potential from the left side, as he put on an impressive round of batting practice. A versatile defender, he showed polish at third base, showcasing lateral quickness and soft hands.

9.) Adam Seifert, OF, Normal West HS, 2011: The 5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder showcased a pure left-handed swing. Seifert takes an economical path to the baseball, using excellent lower-half rotation and extension after contact to drive the ball to all fields. Seifert, who ran a 7.19 60, also showed athletic outfield instincts, along with an accurate arm.

10.) Andrew Christensen, RHP/1B, Metamora HS, 2012: At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Christensen is a physical presence on the field. He demonstrated raw pull power potential at the plate, as he smoked balls to left field with good backspin carry. On the mound, the big right-hander uses a straight over-the-top delivery to throw a solid 12-6 curveball with some depth. Christensen’s 80-81 mph fastball has late life.

11.) Connor Judge, OF/3B/P, Collinsville HS, 2012: The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Judge has a projectable, athletic frame and is uniquely gifted, as he can throw with either arm. A versatile defender, Judge showed well in the outfield, where he demonstrated above-average arm strength. A 7.0 runner, Judge has an aggressive plate approach and showed some power potential from the right side.

11.) Zack Wallace, LHP/OF, Bureau HS, 2011: The 6-foot, 165-pound left-hander’s arm works with little effort. He showed feel for three pitches, including a curveball with depth, and a 78 mph fastball with arm side run.

12.) Kevin Burton, RHP, Armstrong HS, 2011: Burton is a lean and projectable 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-hander with long arms. He throws a solid 71-72 mph changeup with run and sink, in addition to an 80-82 mph fastball from a high three-quarter arm slot.

13.) Carson Neushwander, RHP/OF, Minooka HS, 2012: This 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-hander’s arm works free and easily, as he pounded the zone with three pitchers. His fastball topped at 82 mph, sitting at 80-81, with some arm side run. With continued development, his changeup has a chance to be a solid out-pitch. He also ran a 7.0 60.

14.) Keith Askins, OF, Meridian HS, 2012: The 6-foot, 160-pound Askins ran a 7.22 60 and showcased a solid swing at the plate with gap power. In the outfield, he moves athletically and with purpose; he throws on a downhill plane with solid carry on his throws.

15.) Taylor Morgan, C, Pontiac HS, 2011: Morgan is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher who displayed sound catching mechanics and an accurate arm. His pop times ranged between 1.95-2.13.

Class of 2013 and 2014 Top Prospects

1.)  Matthew James, SS/RHP, Normal West HS, 2013: James appears to be one of premier Class of 2013 prospects we’ve seen in the state. The 6-foot, 150-pounder showed to be a legitimate two-way prospect, one that will make an impact as a position player and as a pitcher. A left-handed hitting shortstop, James has a compact, mechanically sound swing and displayed the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Defensively, he is tremendously smooth with advanced infield actions to go along with solid arm strength. Still physically developing, James also impressed on the mound, where he showcased feel for three pitches, a clean arm swing and acceleration through the ball. His fastball topped at an effortless 82 mph, and his changeup has the potential to be a plus out-pitch.

2.)  Spencer Gaa, SS/3B, Metamora HS, 2013: The 6-foot, 150-pound Gaa is one of the most promising sophomore prospects we’ve seen in the state, as he does everything on the field well. Gaa was one of the best athletes at the event, running a 7.0 60. He also showed excellent footwork, rhythm and actions in the field, along with above-average arm strength (78 mph). At the plate, he has loose, quick hands and barreled line drives to all fields. As Gaa continues to physically develop, he has the tools to be a top-level prospect in the Class of 2013.

3.) Curtiss Johnson, Marquette HS, C, 2013: Johnson looks to be one of the better catching prospects we’ve seen thus far in the sophomore class. At a solidly built 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, Johnson showed advanced receiving abilities, in addition to a solid, accurate arm. His pop times ranged between 2.05-2.16. At the plate he demonstrated quick hands and the ability to put the barrel on the ball.

4.) Alec Skender, MIF, Metamora HS, 2013: Skender showed impressive infield actions, demonstrating quick feet and rhythm and plays through the ball well. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound Skender is still physically developing; nevertheless, he enjoyed a strong round of BP, as he sprayed line drives to all fields.

5.) Zach Cleinmark, MIF, Olympia HS, 2014: Only a freshman, Cleinmark showcased an all-around fundamentally solid skill set. Defensively, he demonstrated advanced actions at shortstop, displaying quick hands and transfer, and fielded the ball in rhythm and purpose. At the plate, he has sound hitting mechanics; Cleinmark also ran a 7.34 60.

For complete showcase statistics, Click Here.