The Prep Baseball Report’s Underclass Invitational Showcase on Jan. 22 was the best overall assemblage of young players we’ve had at one event since 2005. The overall talent was truly impressive, as most of the prospects were athletically and physically advanced for their age. Roughly 85 underclass prospects from all over the state convened at the Max-McCook’s 125,000 open-turf facility to show what they can do. And man, what they did was mighty impressive.

Although it was extremely hard to sort through all the talent, here is a look at the top Class of 2014 and 2015 prospects at the event. The top 2013 prospect write-ups were posted yesterday.

 

Top 2014 and 2015 Prospects

1. 1.   Darius Day, Simeon HS, OF/LHP, 2014

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Day looks to be one of the premier Class of 2014 prospects in the state, as he showed extremely well in all facets of the game. Day graded out as the top defensive outfielder at the event, including all the top-level sophomores who participated. Day showed impressive arm strength from the outfield with throws coming in at 86 with plus carry and accuracy. Day moved well and showed good footwork, playing through the baseball and taking good routes. At the plate, Day displayed a level and balanced swing to go along with advanced bat speed for his age. Day also showed explosiveness in his lower half, which translated into hitting the ball with some power. He also displayed some foot speed running a 7.26 60.

 

1. 2.   Tyler Halas, St. Rita HS, SS/RHP, 2015

The way the 5-foot-10, 140-pound Halas performed, it was hard to believe the two-way prospect is only in eighth-grade. Certainly he has to be one of the best 2015 prospects in the state. At shortstop, Halas showcased advanced defensive actions. He showed range and foot speed to go along with a solid, accurate arm across the infield. Halas also displayed soft hands and played out front through the ball, always fielding the ball with rhythm and fluidity. At the plate, Halas continued to impress with a short, balanced, smooth swing which produced line drives to all fields. Halas has extremely quick hands and impressive barrel whip through the zone, and gets excellent extension through contact.  On the mound, Halas came from a ¾ arm slot and topped at 78 with his fastball, which was consistently thrown for quality strikes with arm side run. Halas also displayed a changeup with sink and curveball that showed some depth. Halas will attend St. Rita HS next year.

 

1. 3.   Nick Dalesandro, Joliet Catholic HS, C/RHP, 2015

Dalesandro, too, is a high-level eighth-grade prospect, certainly one who should develop into one of the most coveted players in the Midwest. On the mound, the 6-foot, 150-pound right-hander was especially impressive. He has a quick, whippy arm action, as he topped out at 82 mph from a ¾ arm slot. Dalesandro also flashed a tight, late-breaking slider with 10/6 break which should be a plus pitch in the future. Dalesandro will be one of the top two-way prospects for years to come, as he was also stellar behind the plate. He has tremendously quick feet and a strong arm, as he registered a top pop time of 2.1. Offensively, Dalesandro will also be force to be reckoned with. He showed plus-plus bat speed and an aggressive lower half. The ball really jumps off his bat and continues with backspin carry.

1. 4.   Joe Jumonville, St. Rita HS, C, 2014

The 5-foot-10, 166-pound catcher did not throw at the event, but impressed with his athleticism and bat. Jumonville showed impressive foot speed, not only for a catcher, but any position, as he ran a 6.91 60. At the plate, he showed a quiet, athletic setup with a balanced swing. He displayed a quick bat which worked the middle of the field with line drives. He takes an economical swing path to the ball, and gets excellent extension through contact.

 

1. 5.   Brandon Krennrich, Johnsburg HS, C/RHP, 2015

Krennrich is another top-level eighth-grader who should be an impact player for years to come. The strong 5-foot-10, 164-pound catcher threw an impressive pop time of 2.07. Krennrich showed good footwork behind the plate blocking and soft hands receiving. At the plate, Krennrich continued to impress with a short and level line drive swing; he consistently squared up the baseball and showed plus power potential for his age. Krennrich also showed bat speed and an explosive lower half at the plate.

 

1. 6.   Cory Wright, St. Charles North HS, OF/LHP/1B, 2015

An eighth-grader, the left-handed hitting Wright has an athletic, relaxed setup and showed impressive bat speed and barrel whip through the zone. He stays tall and gets excellent extension through contact, which resulted in well-struck balls with some carry. His bat speed leads us to believe he will hit for power as he physically develops. In the outfield, Wright showed a quick release and moved well, in addition to showing solid arm strength. On the mound, the 5-foot-11 left-hander came from a ¾ arm slot with some arm side run. He also demonstrated feel for his changeup.

 

1. 7.   Will Corn, Kirkland Hiawatha HS, OF/1B, 2015

For an eighth-grader, Corn is an impressive 6-foot, 180-pound prospect who has a strong frame and interesting upside. At the plate, he demonstrated power potential using his strong lower half and bat speed. He has a level, mechanically solid swing, one which should continue to develop. In the outfield, Corn showcased an accurate arm and moves aggressively to the ball. Overall, Corn’s power at the plate will make him a prospect to watch for years to come.

 

1. 8.   Rahman Williams, MIF, Morgan Park HS, 2014

A switch-hitting, athletic middle infielder, Williams is a prospect to keep tabs on in the future. He demonstrated smooth defensive actions at shortstop along with a solid arm for his age. He moves with fluidity and purpose, showcasing quick feet and hands. At the plate, Williams is a switch-hitter who consistently squared up balls from the right side. He also showed solid hand speed at the plate.

 

1. 9.   Liam Carter, Highland Park HS, RHP/3B, 2014

Carter has an extremely projectable 6-foot-3, 145-pound pitcher’s frame, one that should fill out nicely as he gets more physically developed. The long-limbed right-hander came from an over the top arm slot with a fastball in the mid-70s. Carter threw a cutter that showed some late movement, in addition to showing feel for a developing changeup that had some arm-side downward action.

 

1. 10.   Ryan Sargent, Jacobs, SS/OF/RHP, 2015

Sargent is another eighth-grader who we’re sure you will be reading about a lot in the future. The 6-foot, 150-pound two-way prospect showed solid hands, defensive actions and an accurate arm in the field. At the plate he exhibited a smooth and balanced swing which found the barrel. Sargent’s level swing, with continued physical development, will look to gain strength and power over time. On the mound the two-way talent came from a high ¾ arm slot with an easy arm action.

1. 11.  Tanner Kehrer, MIF/OF, Belvidere North HS, 2014

Kehrer showed solid fundamentals in all facets of the game. In the field, he showed he can play the outfield and middle infield adeptly. He demonstrated fluid footwork and an accurate arm across the infield. In the outfield, he moved well and showed an accurate arm. Offensively, he exhibited a well-balanced, mechanically sound swing, taking a short and quick path to the baseball. As he gets more physically developed, Kehrer has the fundamental base to become an impactful player.

 

12.  Nick Derr, SS/RHP/OF, Geneva, 2016

The youngest player at the event, Derr showed impressive athleticism by running a 7.31 60. The 5-foot-9, 140-pound seventh-grader moved well in the field and showed some range. At the plate, Derr displayed a fundamentally solid, line-drive swing. With his natural athleticism, Derr should continue to see stark improvements in his game as he develops.

 

Other Standout Players

 

Kevin Coppin, C/2B, Lisle HS, 2014

A left-handed hitting catcher, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Coppin registered a top pop time of 2.3. Offensively, Coppin demonstrated a quiet and compact left-handed swing. He showed good balance throughout his swing and got good extension through contact.

 

Nicholas Goldsmith, St. Rita HS, INF/ RHP, 2014

Goldsmith is a physically impressive 6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way prospect who has the size and strength to hit for power in the future. At the plate, he has a quiet, tall setup to go along with an aggressive lower half. On the mound, the strong right-hander came from a high ¾ arm slot with some late movement on his fastball.

 

Sean Grant, Bremen HS, OF/C, 2014

The left-handed hitting 5-foot-10, 145-pound outfielder showed an accurate arm and moved well through the ball. Offensively, Grant demonstrated the ability to hit line drives behind a level swing.

Diontrell Earls, Simeon HS, MIF, 2014

The athletic 5-foot-11, 165-pound middle infielder displayed some foot speed by running a 7.31 60. Earls also moved well laterally in the infield.

 

Michael Magdziarz, Lincoln-Way North HS, RHP/OF, 2014

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-hander consistently threw at 77 mph with his fastball, coming from a high ¾ arm slot. Magdziarz’s curveball also showed some depth, with tight spin and some bite.