The August 10^th Open Identification Showcase at beautiful Prasco Park featured some of the best uncommitted 2012 prospects from the Southwest region of the state as well as a few talented rising 2013 and 2014 prospects. While the event wasn’t heavy on pitching, there were 7 players with sub 7.0 60-yard dash times.

A look at the top players at the event:

1. Ryan Arington, IF, Cincinnati Christian, 2013
Arington, a 6-foot-6, 185-pound infield prospect impressed in all facets of the game. He registered a 6.89 in the 60-yard dash. In the field, he uses fluid footwork and showed exceptionally soft hands at shortstop. Although he needs to quicken his transfer, he uses short arm action from a high ¾ slot to register 81 mph across the infield. At the next level, he could project at a number of infield positions. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a balanced setup, short stride, and explosive lower half to show gap-to-gap power.

 

2. Ryan LeFevers, OF, Moeller, 2012
LeFevers a 6-foot, 170-pound outfield prospect impressed with his overall athletic ability. He registered a 6.82 in the 60 yard dash. He uses long and loose arm action to register 82 mph from the outfield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter displayed an advanced approach and smooth, short load that produces line drives to all fields.

 

3. Brandon Hemberger, 1B/OF, Oak Hills, 2012
Hemberger, a 6-foot, 210-pound prospect impressed as one of the top power bats at the event. He registered a 7.44 60-yard dash. He projects as a left fielder or first baseman at the next level. From the outfield, he showed 88 mph velocity. While some may argue that he needs to clean up some mechanical issues at the plate, the right-handed hitter showed confidence at the plate with quick bat speed as he sprayed line drives all over the park.

 

4. Jordan Simpson, IF, Moeller, 2012
Simpson, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect impressed as one of the top infielders at the event. He registered a 7.03 60-yard dash. In the field, he uses fluid footwork, soft hands, and a quick exchange. Using a high ¾ arm slot, he displayed 80 mph velocity across the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed explosive bat speed and a short, uphill bat path that creates power to all fields.

 

5. Cole Fitzgerald, OF/1B, Centerville, 2012
Fitzgerald, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound prospect is a solid, undersized prospect. He registered a 7.41 60-yard dash. In the field, he likely projects as a corner outfielder. He displayed 81 mph from the outfield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a big leg kick and load. He uses an explosive lower half and quick bat speed to show pull power.

 

6. Nicholas Mason, RHP, Anderson, 2012
Mason, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect, proved to be the top uncommitted pitcher at the event. He uses long and loose arm action to generate a consistent 82-84 mph fastball with arm side run. His curve, which registers 67-72 mph, has a hard 11/7 bite. His changeup, which may be his best off-speed pitch, is thrown with the same arm speed as his fastball. It checked in at 74-77 mph with consistent arm side run.

 

7. Kyle Miller, LHP, Wilmington, 2012
Miller, a 5-foot-10, 150-pound prospect, wasn’t the biggest prospect at the event, but he can surely hold his own with an arsenal of pitches. He uses a steady tempo and quick arm action to consistently pound the zone. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Miller registered an easy 77-78 mph fastball with consistent sink (note- he threw in the SWOL All-Star game the night before). His curveball, which registered at 64 mph, has big, sweeping movement. His changeup, which registered at 71 mph, displayed consistent sinking action in the zone. His slider, which registered at 68 mph, displayed a hard 2/8 bite.

 

8. Braden Burdine, C, Fairfield, 2012
Burdine, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound prospect, was the top catcher at the event. He registered a 6.8 60-yard dash. Behind the plate, he registered 75 mph velocity and a 1.96 pop time. At the plate, he uses his short and solid stature to generate surprising power for his size. The right-handed hitter uses an open setup, short stride, and level extension with his bat path.

 

9. Nick Edwards, RHP/OF, Moeller, 2012
Edwards, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound OF/RHP, was one of the better two-way prospects at the event. He registered a 6.87 60-yard dash. In the field, he displayed 86 mph velocity, one of the top recordings at the event. If he works on attacking and coming through the ball, this should only improve. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed consistent line drives to right field.

 

10. Parker Roe, OF/1B, CHCA, 2012
Roe, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect, showed great potential as an offensive threat. He registered a 6.94 60-yard dash. At the plate, the right-handed hitter is a pull-power hitter with good balance, a short stride, and fast bat speed.

 

2014 Watch- Zach Logue, LHP/OF, Moeller
Logue, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound athletic prospect, held his own amongst his older peers. He registered a 7.48 60-yard dash that will inevitably improve with time. From the outfield, the left-hander registered 77 mph velocity. At the plate, the left-handed hitter displayed one of the smoothest swings of the day. He uses a balanced setup, explosive lower half, and fast bat speed. He continually kept his hands inside of the baseball as he sprayed line drives to all fields.

 

Top Committed Prospect- Aaron Goe, RHP, Grant County (KY)
Goe, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound prospect, proved to be the top overall pitcher at the event. The 2011 Moorehead State commit is a tall, powerful right-handed pitcher with an easy 86-88 mph fastball. His curveball, which registered 70-71 mph, has a hard 12/6 bite. His changeup, which registered 75-77 mph and has consistent fade, is thrown with the same arm action as his fastball. 

 

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