PBR Scouting Directors

• National

  Sean Duncan

  President

  Duncan founded the Prep Baseball Report in 2005, initially as an Illinois-based print magazine. Over the years, the Prep Baseball Report has evolved into one of the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting services, with a singular focus of providing comprehensive coverage in every state we are in. Duncan has been covering and scouting baseball since 1997. He began his career in Central Florida, covering high school baseball and the Florida State League. From there, he moved to Southern California, where he was the Prep/JC Editor at the Daily Breeze in Torrance, and also covered the Dodgers and Angels. Duncan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and also received a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University.

  Nathan Rode

  National Supervisor

  Rode came to Prep Baseball Report from Baseball America, where he established himself as one of the nation’s foremost experts of high school baseball. In his six years at Baseball America, Rode primarily served as the national high school editor. Rode’s responsibilities included compiling BA’s Top 100 player rankings, providing coverage from top national events, and assisting in BA’s comprehensive draft coverage. Rode also served as co-chair on the national ranking committee, in which he coordinated information for the High School Top 25 team rankings. Furthermore, Rode played an integral role in the birth of the National High School Invitational, working with USA Baseball to find and invite the top teams in the country for the 16-team tournament. Originally from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, he attended Elon University in North Carolina where he received a degree in journalism in 2007.

  Shooter Hunt

  National Crosschecker

  As the National Crosschecker, Hunt is involved in scouting all prep prospects, with a heavy focus on underclassmen at the state, regional and national levels. Hunt’s high-level baseball background, evaluative eye and overall energy and enthusiasm for scouting benefits the Prep Baseball Report team, which in turn benefits the players, coaches, pro scouts and fans alike. As a player, Hunt was a first-round pick (31st overall) by the Twins in 2008 out of Tulane, where he earned Conference USA Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-America honors. He originally attended the University of Virginia as a catcher and pitcher before transferring to Tulane. In 2006, Hunt led the Cape Cod League in strikeouts, and was named a high school All-American coming out of Ramapo HS in New Jersey in 2005. Hunt also coached at Tulane in 2013-2014.

  David Seifert

  Director of College Scouting

  Seifert comes to the Prep Baseball Report from the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom he worked for the last nine years. He served as the Central Regional cross-checker for two years and a Midwest area scout for seven years prior. Before becoming a professional scout, Seifert was the head coach at the University of Evansville from 2006-2008; he also served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Evansville. Prior to Evansville, Seifert was the head coach at Parkland College, where he guided the Illinois-based program to the NJCAA-II national championship in 2002, and a fourth-place finish in 2003. Seifert also worked in the front office of the Oakland A’s, serving as the Assistant Director of Scouting, from 1995-1999. As the Director of College Scouting, Seifert is responsible for coordinating the spring and summer collegiate prospect coverage, along with overseeing our expanding junior college coverage.

  Kerrick Jackson

  MLB Draft League President

  Prior to coming to Prep Baseball Report, Jackson served as the head coach at Southern University, where he took a 9-win team to the NCAA Tournament in three years. Jackson was named SWAC Coach of the Year for leading the Jaguars to the 2019 Starkville Regional. In 2018, Jackson was tapped by the American Baseball Coaches Association to chair the Diversity committee focused on minority recruiting and sustainability for players and coaches of color in baseball. Before his stint at Southern University, Jackson worked for the Boras Corporation as a certified player agent for two years. Jackson came to the Boras Corp from the University of Missouri, where he served as the recruiting coordinator for five years (2010-2015). During his tenure at Mizzou, the Tigers captured the program’s first Big 12 championship and had multiple nationally-ranked recruiting classes. Jackson also served as the Midwest Area Scouting Supervisor for the Washington Nationals, overseeing Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska and the Dakotas for three years.

  Tad Slowik

  Special Assistant, Scouting Operations

  Slowik served 22 years within the Houston Astros’ scouting department, including three as the Astros’ Coordinator of Amateur Scouting (Scouting Director), in which he led all draft initiatives between 2005-2007. He also spent six years as their national crosschecker, four as their Central Region Supervisor and six years as the Astros’ Upper Midwest Area Scout. He also served three years on the major-league side of scouting, and as an advanced scout during the Astros’ 2005 World Series run. In a 10-year span while at the top of the Astros’ scouting department, Slowik assisted in scouting and developing over 100 major-league players, including all-stars Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, Ben Zobrist and Brad Lidge, to name a few. During that span, the Astros made six playoff appearances, won three division titles and the club’s first-ever World Series appearance in 2005.Slowik also served as a pitching coach in Class A, working under first-year manager Manny Acta. Slowik has coached at the collegiate,  junior college and amateur levels as well.As a player, Slowik pitched six years professionally, five with the Cubs and one with the Astros, between 1983-1988, advancing to Triple-A. The 6-foot-5 right-hander was drafted in the 27th round by the Cubs out of Rollins College, where he played baseball and basketball.

   

  State Scouting Directors

• Alabama

  David Sharp

  Alabama State Director

  A native of Huntsville, Sharp’s baseball roots run deep throughout Alabama. A decorated coach with a long history of winning at all levels, Sharp has spent the last four years working with USA Baseball as a coach, evaluator and scout. In 2017, Sharp was named the manager of USA Baseball’s 12U National Team, in which he guided the squad to the WBSC World Cup championship, and in the process earned USA Baseball Developmental Coach of the Year. He also was part of USA Baseball’s 12U World Cup championship in 2015 as an assistant coach, and earned a silver medal at the COPABE Pan American Championships in 2016. Beyond his successes with USA Baseball, Sharp is entrenched in the Alabama high school baseball scene, having coached in the state for the 24 years, including the last six years as the head coach at perennial state power Huntsville High School. At Huntsville, Sharp was part of a state championship in 2011. Sharp also spent nine years at Lee High School, his alma mater. A former catcher, Sharp played collegiately at Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL.

  Austin Sharp

  Alabama Director of Scouting

  Sharp played collegiate baseball at Calhoun Community College (Decatur, AL) for 2 years before attending Auburn University and assisting the baseball team as the bullpen catcher. Sharp has been involved with USA Baseball for the past four summers. He has scouted and been involved with the selection process of numerous 12U National Team events in Cary, North Carolina and Los Angeles, CA. Sharp joined Prep Baseball Report in Alabama from the beginning in 2018.

• Arizona
  

  Paul Panaccione

  Arizona Director of Scouting

  Panaccione comes to Prep Baseball Report from Grand Canyon University, where he served as an assistant coach for three years, including helping the Lopes advance to the school’s first Division I Regional in 2021.
  
  A shortstop, Panaccione was drafted in the 10th round by the Washington Nationals after his decorated career at GCU between 2013-2016. As a player, he twice earned first-team All-WAC honors (2015-2016) and, overall, was one of the Antelopes’ most decorated performers in school history.
  

• Arkansas

  Brian Walker

  Arkansas Director of Scouting

  Walker has been successful at every level of baseball. A former catcher, Walker played at the University of Arkansas from 2005-2007 under head coach Dave Van Horn, Todd Butler, Matt Deggs and Dave Jorn. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 29th round, and ascended up to Triple-A in 2010. Walker spent three years as the volunteer assistant coach at Arkansas, where he helped lead the Razorbacks to a trip to the College World Series in 2012. In 2013, Walker became the recruiting coordinator at Wichita State, working under Todd Butler until 2017, where he helped bring in two top 25 recruiting classes.

• California

  Les Lukach

  California Director of Scouting

  Lukach has been ingrained in the Southern California baseball scene for nearly a decade. After coaching in high school, Lukach began scouting in Orange County, covering prep players for a blog he created that took off. From there, he broadened his reach to all of Southern California. Eventually Lukach was contracted to scout from different services online before shifting his focus solely on his blog. Lukach graduated from Long Beach State University

  Blaine Clemmens

  Northern California Director of Scouting

  Since 2004, Clemmens has run a successful showcase in Northern California, Bay Area World Series (BAWS), which has seen 28 former participants reach the big leagues and over 200 draft picks. Very few baseball people in Northern California have the depth of experience that Clemmens has. Clemmens began his coaching career at Solano College before moving on to the University of San Francisco, where he served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator from 2000-2002. From there, Clemmens became the National Scouting Director at Team One Baseball and Perfect Game before serving as an area scouting supervisor for the Atlanta Braves. With the Braves, he worked for two years under scouting director Roy Clark before returning to run his own business full time in 2010.

• Canada

  Chris Valentine

  Canada, Michigan, New England and Ohio Executive Director

  Valentine joined PBR in May 2011 with the inception of PBR Ohio. Since that time, he has gone on to help oversee the growth of PBR in Michigan, New England, and Canada. Currently, Valentine helps with Bo Jackson Elite Sports in Ohio. Prior to his time with Bo Jackson Elite Sports, he helped found the Ohio Elite Baseball organization and oversaw their high school age teams. Valentine has extensive experience in coaching (including stops at Olentangy Orange and Dublin Jerome HS), as we well as many off-field ventures having worked in politics and public affairs for eight years. He was the youngest elected school board member in Ohio at the age of 19 and is currently serving his fourth term on the board.

  Chris Kemlo

  Director of Scouting - Canada

  Kemlo’s scouting, coaching and playing roots are firmly entrenched in Ontario. A native of Oshawa, Ontario, Kemlo worked for the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau in Ontario for five years (2008-2012).  During his tenure with the MLB Scouting Bureau, Kemlo attended MLB Scout School in Phoenix. Aside from his scouting background, Kemlo has coached in Ontario since 2005. He currently coaches for the Toronto Mets and also covers Canada for the San Diego Padres. During his amateur playing days, Kemlo was a member of Team Canada, Team Ontario, and the Oshawa Legionaires. The 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher attended Santa Fe CC in Gainesville, FL, and was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 34th round out of high school in 2001 and played professionally with New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks.

  Todd Hubka

  Alberta Director of Scouting

  Prior to joining Prep Baseball Report, Hubka has been heavily involved in Alberta baseball and Hubka’s baseball roots are firmly entrenched in Alberta as he led Prairie Baseball Academy on a streak of seven consecutive Canadian College World Series titles and during his tenure as head coach, has compiled a record of 258-179, as well as helped to move over 150 players on to four-year schools. "Hub" brings plenty of scouting and evaluation skills to the table as he also is an associate scout for the Minnesota Twins. 

  Jordan Broatch

  British Columbia Director of Scouting

  Jordan has been competing as a player and coach within British Columbia for nearly 15 years, so it's only fitting that he's our area scout for PBR. Broatch has come through the levels as a coach by starting as an assistant in 15U, before being a head coach for a handful of years in the provinces elite-travel team league. Now in his second year with Douglas College as the pitching coach, Jordan also works with the 17U and 15U All-State teams in the summer when the college season is on summer break. Aside from his coaching background, Jordan oversees an indoor baseball cage/training facility just outside of Vancouver, B.C., and Baseball Operations for a community baseball association.

  George Halim

  Assistant Director of Scouting - Canada

  A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Halim played his high school ball in BC before accepting a baseball and soccer scholarship to Huntington University in Indiana. Since moving to Ontario in 2010, Halim served as an assistant coach at the University of Toronto for one season, before accepting a role as assistant coach at Humber College, a position he held for four seasons. Halim now serves as a head coach with the Fieldhouse Pirates and is their director of player development. George resides in Grimsby, Ontario. 

• Colorado
  

  Mike Anderson

  Colorado Director of Scouting

  While Anderson has achieved a lot over the course of his 30+ year coaching career, he is best known for his tenure at the University of Nebraska, where he guided the Cornhuskers to the school’s first College World Series in 2005, with a 57-15 record (best in school history). Anderson served as the head coach at Nebraska between 2003-2011, going 337-196-2 while earning Big 12 Coach of the Year honors and landing two national seeds in 2005 and 2006. Anderson also served as an assistant at Nebraska under Dave Van Horn from 1995-2002. In all, spent 16 years at Nebraska. After his tenure at Nebraska, Anderson took the head coach position at perennial power Regis Jesuit HS (CO) in 2012 before the college game came calling again. From 2013-2017, Anderson went back to the Big 12, where he served as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma.From Eaton, Colorado, Anderson played collegiately at Northern Colorado University, where he was drafted by the Anaheim Angels as an outfielder in 1986. Anderson played three years of pro ball before he first began his coaching career at Northern Colorado Lab School (1991-1994). He then went back to his alma mater at Northern Colorado as an assistant coach for a year before going to Nebraska to work under Van Horn.

• Florida

  Doug Freeman

  Florida Director of Scouting

  Prior to coming to the Prep Baseball Report, Freeman most recently served as the Associate Head Coach at Broward College. Before to his stint at Broward, Freeman served as the recruiting coordinator at Seminole State College of Florida in 2012-2014. During his time at Seminole and Broward, he helped coach and recruit eight draft picks, including two eventual third-round picks in Jake Cosart and Austin Hays. Focusing on catching and the offense, two of the four catchers he coached went on to be drafted in Keith Skinner, an All-American at Seminole, and Yordany Salva. Prior to coaching, Freeman played at Seminole State College of Florida, where he was the Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his college career at King University before spending time with two independent professional league teams in the Fort Worth Cats and Alexandria Aces.

• Georgia

  Phil Kerber

  Georgia Director of Scouting

  Kerber joined Prep Baseball Report in the January of 2017 as an Associate Scout, spending 18 months covering Illinois/Wisconsin, before transitioning into the role of North Florida and JUCO Wire Editor. After a year covering amateur and Junior College baseball in Florida, Kerber moved north to LakePoint Sports Community to become the Lead Scout at the facility, and Director of Scouting for the state.  A 2010 graduate of Notre Dame College Prep (Niles, IL), he played collegiately for the Illinois Wesleyan University Titans under head coach Dennis Martel. After pitching for four year with the Titans, he transferred to Benedictine University (IL) where he worked as Sports Information Assistant while completing his B.A. in Economics.

• Illinois

  Drew Locascio

  Illinois Director of Scouting

  In short time, Locascio has built an industrious reputation as a fast-rising collegiate coach in the Midwest. Prior to coming to the Prep Baseball Report in July 2015, Locascio served as an assistant coach at Purdue University for a season. Prior to his stint at Purdue, Locascio served as the recruiting coordinator at Danville Area CC for four years, where he helped the central Illinois junior college to four consecutive 32-plus-win seasons. Locascio also coached one season at Eastern Illinois University. A middle infielder, Locascio played collegiately at Indiana University Southeast, where he earned two-time all-conference selection honors. A Naperville North HS graduate, Locascio has experience recruiting all corners of Illinois.

  Steve Nielsen

  Wisconsin and Illinois Scouting Supervisor

  Prior to starting with the Prep Baseball Report in September 2012, Nielsen coached at Ranger College in Texas for five years, his final two seasons in which he served as the head coach. A native of Joliet, IL, Nielsen led Joliet Catholic Academy to a state runner-up finish in 2000. He was drafted that year in the 44th round by the Kansas City Royals, but opted to attend Triton (IL) JC. He was drafted again in 2001 by the Angels, but chose to continue his pitching career at Indiana University from 2002-205. Nielsen went on to play in the independent leagues with the Joliet Jackhammers (Northern League) and Mid-Missouri Mavericks (Frontier League).

  Andy Sroka

  Staff Writer

  Prior to joining the Prep Baseball Report, Sroka spent time in the front office at the Rochester Honkers of the Northwoods League before taking a media relations opportunity with the Arena Football League. Born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, he attended Marian Central Catholic High School and is a graduate of Winona State University.

• Indiana

  Phil Wade

  Indiana Executive Director

  Wade has been Indiana’s Executive Director since 2013. He has covered and scouted baseball in the Hoosier state for PBR since November of 2010. He, along with Indiana Scouting Director Blake Hibler, helped found Team Indiana in 2015; the state’s premier 18U travel organization. Wade also serves as an associate scout for the Kansas City Royals. From 2010 to 2013 he was Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Partnerships at Pastime Tournaments. Wade graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Sports Managment in 2005 and received his Masters in Business Administration in 2012.  

  Blake Hibler

  Indiana Director of Scouting

  Hibler  joined the PBR family in November 2010. At the time he was in his second stint as  pitching coach for Lawrence Central HS where he had two pitchers get drafted in 2011; Christian Montgomery (11th round, Mets) and Jared Ruxer (29th round, Indians).  He is currently the President of Bullpen Tournaments at Grand park in Westfield, IN. Hibler and Indiana Executive Director Phil Wade founded Team Indiana in 2015; the state’s premier 18U travel organization. Prior to Bullpen Tournaments he served as the Vice President of Operations for Pastime Tournaments from 2006-2012. Blake played collegiately at Danville Area Community College.

• Iowa

  Rob Allison

  Iowa and Minnesota Director of Scouting

  Allison is one of the most respected recruiters and talent evaluators in the Midwest, having been the recruiting coordinator at Iowa Western CC for eight years. During that time, Iowa Western reached the Division I Junior College World Series seven times and won three national championships;2010, 2012 and 2014. Since 2007, 80 Reivers have committed to D-I programs to continue their playing careers while 27 went on to play pro ball. Before coaching at Iowa Western, Allison spent seven years at Muscatine (IA) CC, including six as the head coach. Allison began his playing career at Morningside College in Sioux City before transferring to Westmar University, where he earned all-conference, all-region and all-American honors as a catcher.  

  Abe Welckle

  Iowa and Minnesota Associate Scout

  Welckle was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. He attended Minneapolis South High School and went on to continue his academic and athletic career at Augsburg University. He was a two-year captain for the Auggies. After his playing career, Welckle started his coaching career as the head coach for Mahtomedi Legion. During that time he also helped start and coach for a club in the Twin Cities; along with coaching for multiple club organizations since. Abe has been scouting, evaluating, and assisting with events with Prep Baseball Report Minnesota and Iowa for four years.

• Kansas

  Andy Urban

  Kansas / Oklahoma Director of Scouting

  Prior to becoming the Prep Baseball Report’s Oklahoma Scouting Director, Urban served as an assistant coach at Central Missouri University, where he helped lead the Mules to a fourth-place finish at the Division 2 World Series in 2016. Urban also pitched at Central Missouri, earning first-team All-Conference as a closer. Urban went to Hutchinson CC in Kansas, where he helped lead the team to a third-place finish at the Junior College World Series in 2010. He finished his decorated career at Hutchinson CC second all-time in career ERA (1.37), second all-time in single-season ERA (1.12), third most complete-game shutouts. From Hutchinson CC, Urban earned a scholarship to Creighton University before transferring to Central Missouri, where he also earned his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. After college, Urban pitched two years in the Frontier League for the River City Rascals.

• Kentucky

  Chris Fuller

  Kentucky Director of Scouting

  A native of Cincinnati, Fuller joined PBR in 2012 with the launch of PBR Kentucky. He graduated from Glen Este HS, OH, in 1988 with a career pitching record of 28-3 and went on to pitch at Xavier University. He returned to Glen Este in 2008 to serve as the pitching coach and was part of three conference titles as well as two sectionals and one district. His pitching staff led the conference in ERA in three of the five years he spent as pitching coach. He also worked as a head coach in the Midland Redskins' organization from 2002-2006 and with the Ohio Heat from 2007-2008.  

• Louisiana

  Alex Armand

  Louisiana Director of Scouting

  Born and raised in Lake Charles, Armand played four years under legendary high school coach and mentor Glenn Cecchini at Barbe High School, where he helped lead the Buccaneers to the 2006 Louisiana Class 5A State Championship. Armand went on to play collegiately at McNeese State University, before going back to Barbe High School, in which he served under Cecchini as an assistant coach from 2009-2012 - his first of two assistant coaching stints under Cecchini. Armand later came back to his alma mater from 2017-2020. Armand is one of two people in the state to have won a Louisiana baseball championship both as a player (2006) and as a coach (2012 and 2019). National powerhouse Barbe has a long history of churning out draft picks, including first-rounder Gavin Cecchini (2012) and third-rounder Garin Cecchini (2010), to name a few.
  

• Maryland

  Jerry Shank

  Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Director of Scouting

  Shank comes to the Prep Baseball Report with 10 years of college coaching experience, including eight at the Division I level, six of which as recruiting coordinator. Shank's Division I experience includes stints at the University of Hartford, North Carolina Central University and Canisius.  While at Hartford, Shank recruited left-hander Sean Newcomb, who went on to become the No. 15 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Angels. In all, Shank reeled in two of the top three draft picks in Hartford's history. He recruited and/or coached 16 players who moved on to play professional baseball. While at North Carolina Central, Shank helped lead the school to its three winningest seasons in program history.

  Kyle Campbell

  Maryland Scouting Director

  Campbell joins Prep Baseball Report Maryland staff from the junior college ranks, having served as the head coach at CCBC Dundalk for the three seasons. Before Dundalk, Campbell coached seven years at Franklin HS in Reisterstown, Maryland, three as the head coach. Campbell is entrenched in the Maryland baseball landscape, having also coached numerous summer teams and grew up playing for several very successful Maryland amateur baseball organizations. A native of Maryland, he attended Franklin HS and was a four-year starter then played at Northwest Shoals Community College in Alabama. Campbell holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Masters in Physical Education K-12 from McDaniel College.

• Michigan

  Adam Goodwin
  

  Director of Scouting - Michigan

  Goodwin has most recently served as the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for nationally recognized Kellogg Community College. During his time at Kellogg, Goodwin has seen 30 players move on to the next level. A few of those schools include; Butler University, Ohio University, Western Michigan University, and Central Michigan University. Goodwin came to KCC from Western Michigan University where he served as the volunteer assistant coach during the 2019 season. Prior to WMU, he coached at Saginaw Valley State University and as an assistant coach for the American Legion Baseball program Midland Berryhill Post 165. Coach Goodwin graduated from Midland High where he pitched for the Chemics.

  
  Chris Valentine

  Canada, Michigan, New England and Ohio Executive Director

  Valentine joined PBR in May 2011 with the inception of PBR Ohio. Since that time, he has gone on to help oversee the growth of PBR in Michigan, New England, and Canada. Currently, Valentine helps with Bo Jackson Elite Sports in Ohio. Prior to his time with Bo Jackson Elite Sports, he helped found the Ohio Elite Baseball organization and oversaw their high school age teams. Valentine has extensive experience in coaching (including stops at Olentangy Orange and Dublin Jerome HS), as we well as many off-field ventures having worked in politics and public affairs for eight years. He was the youngest elected school board member in Ohio at the age of 19 and is currently serving his fourth term on the board.

• Minnesota

  Rob Allison

  Iowa and Minnesota Director of Scouting

  Allison is one of the most respected recruiters and talent evaluators in the Midwest, having been the recruiting coordinator at Iowa Western CC for eight years. During that time, Iowa Western reached the Division I Junior College World Series seven times and won three national championships -- 2010, 2012 and 2014. Since 2007, 80 Reivers have committed to D-I programs to continue their playing careers while 27 went on to play pro ball. Before coaching at Iowa Western, Allison spent seven years at Muscatine (IA) CC, including six as the head coach. Allison began his playing career at Morningside College in Sioux City before transferring to Westmar University, where he earned all-conference, all-region and all-American honors as a catcher.  
  
  Andy Judkins

  Minnesota Assistant Director of Scouting

  Andy has tremendous coaching experience at all levels from High School ball to DI with his latest collegiate stop at Butler University from 2014 to 2016. During his second season, Butler led the Big East Conference in numerous offensive categories. Judkins also coached at Southern Illinois University, Central Arizona College, and Minnesota State University, Mankato. While at Central Arizona, the Vaqueros finished second in the 2011 NJCAA World Series. The MSU Mavericks also made a trip to the DII World Series in 2010. Judkins has coached over 30 players drafted by the MLB along with 3 All-Americans. A native of Lakeville, Minnesota; Judkins played for Iowa Central CC in Fort Dodge before continuing on to play at Concordia University, St. Paul.

  Josh Threlkeld

  Minnesota Associate Scout

  Hailing from Burnsville, MN; Threlkeld played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Upon finishing his playing career Josh served as the volunteer assistant for the Bulldogs under Head Coach Bob Rients. Josh served as a volunteer assistant in the Chanhassen High School program, the Burnsville Legion team, was the head coach of the Burnsville Rattlers Junior Legion team and the head coach for the Prior Lake Legion program. From 2012-2014 Josh was the Graduate Assistant with the Minnesota State University-Mankato Mavericks finishing as national runner-ups in 2013 and third place in 2014. He also served as the assistant coach at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, IA for the 2014-2015 season overseeing both the offense and defense.

  Abe Welckle

  Iowa and Minnesota Associate Scout

  Welckle was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. He attended Minneapolis South High School and went on to continue his academic and athletic career at Augsburg University. He was a two-year captain for the Auggies. After his playing career, Welckle started his coaching career as the head coach for Mahtomedi Legion. During that time he also helped start and coach for a club in the Twin Cities; along with coaching for multiple club organizations since. Abe has been scouting, evaluating, and assisting with events with Prep Baseball Report Minnesota and Iowa for four years.

• Mississippi

  Matt Miller

  Mississippi Director of Scouting

  A 1990 graduate of Leland High School, Matt played at Mississippi Delta CC, leading the nation with 19 saves in 1991. From there he played at Delta State University, where was an ABCA All-American pitcher in 1995 - recording a school record ERA of 0.36 in 28 appearances. Matt played professional baseball for 13 years with seven different organizations, including 5 seasons at the Major League level with the Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies. He retired in 2008, playing in 100 games in MLB with a 2.72 career ERA. 

• Missouri

  Kevin Moulder

  Missouri Director of Scouting

  A native of Missouri with a long track record of success as a collegiate head coach and recruiting coordinator, Moulder’s baseball roots run deep across the state. Moulder came to Prep Baseball Report after completing his 16th year of coaching and second year as head coach at Jefferson College, in which he compiled a record of 63-19 during a two-year stint. His first season was a record-breaking season as the Vikings went 47-10, which set the school record for victories during the regular season that included a school-record 29-game winning streak. Prior to Jefferson College, Moulder spent over a decade at the NCAA Division I level, including four years as the head coach at Murray State University. Moulder also served as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Saint Louis University from 2008-2014, helping lead the Billikens to three straight conference championships in his final three years.  Before Saint Louis University, Moulder spent two years at University of Central Missouri as recruiting coordinator and pitching coach. Moulder broke into the coaching ranks at the junior college level in 2005 as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Lake City CC in Florida. 

• Nebraska

  Pascal Paul

  Nebraska Director of Scouting

  Paul coached at Iowa Western and Indiana State University.  During his five seasons; IWCC recorded 253 wins (50 per year), five consecutive ICCAC regular season Conference Championships, four NJCAA World Series Appearances, four Regional & District Titles, 11 NJCAA All-Americans, one NJCAA Pitcher of the Year and three of the highest MLB draft picks (3rd round, 5th round, 6th round) in program history at the time. In total, 59 Reivers went on to sign Division I scholarships. In his two seasons at Indiana State Paul assisted with leading the pitching staff to a Nashville regional appearance, one Unanimous All-American,  Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and 2x MVC 1st Team All-Conference pitchers.  Paul played at IWCC and West Virginia U- helping the Reivers win a National Championship in 2012 and then leading the Mountaineers in saves and appearances both seasons and a third-place finish in the Big XII in 2013.

• Nevada

  Brett Harrison

  Nevada Director of Scouting

  A standout middle infielder at Green Valley HS, Harrison was drafted in the 18th round and signed with the Detroit Tigers out of high school in 2011. An arm injury cut his four-year professional career short. Harrison then went back to get his business degree at UNLV, where he also served as a student manager there. Harrison, who grew up in the golden age of Las Vegas baseball with the likes of Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant and Joey Gallo, has also helped coach at his alma mater, Green Valley HS, where his brother Matt is now the head coach. Harrison also previously worked with the Vegas Golden Knights for three years and coached travel baseball.

• New England

  Dennis Healy

  New England Director of Scouting

  A decorated high-level recruiter and coach, Healy brings a wealth of baseball experience to the Prep Baseball Report. For the last six years Healy has served as the pitching coach at Wake Forest University. During his tenure Healy helped lead the Demon Deacons to a nationally ranked recruiting class in 2013, and berths to the ACC Conference Tournament in 2011, 2012 and 2014. Prior to his work at Wake Forest, Healy was the head coach at Marist College for five years, where he paved recruiting in-roads all across the northeast. In 2009, he guided Marist to the MAAC championship. Before taking the helm at Marist, Healy served as an assistant coach at the University of New Orleans.

  Trevor Brown

  New England Director of Scouting

  A well-known coach in the Northeast, Brown comes to PBR after four seasons at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Most recently, Brown served as the associate head coach while overseeing recruiting as well as working with the pitching staff and assisting in the day-to-day operations. In 2014, the Stags had one of the best pitching staffs in the MAAC with a 3.77 ERA and set the program record for wins (32) and tied the program record in saves (11). Prior to his work at Fairfield, Brown spent two seasons as the pitching coach at Fordham University. While working with the Rams, Brown was able to cut the pitching staff ERA almost in half and helped them to a 30-win season. Before Fordham, Brown spent seven years at Pace University and two years at Georgetown University. Brown, a 2000 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, began his coaching career at his alma mater from 1999-2000.

  Chris Valentine

  Canada, Michigan, New England and Ohio Executive Director

  Valentine joined PBR in May 2011 with the inception of PBR Ohio. Since that time, he has gone on to help oversee the growth of PBR in Michigan, New England, and Canada. Currently, Valentine helps with Bo Jackson Elite Sports in Ohio. Prior to his time with Bo Jackson Elite Sports, he helped found the Ohio Elite Baseball organization and oversaw their high school age teams. Valentine has extensive experience in coaching (including stops at Olentangy Orange and Dublin Jerome HS), as we well as many off-field ventures having worked in politics and public affairs for eight years. He was the youngest elected school board member in Ohio at the age of 19 and is currently serving his fourth term on the board.

• New Jersey

  TJ Hunt

  New Jersey Director of Scouting

  With his roots firmly entrenched in New Jersey, Hunt comes to the Prep Baseball Report with a wealth of knowledge of the Garden State. After a decorated career at Ramapo High School, where he played for his father, Mickey, a longtime coach at the Wyckoff-area school, Hunt went on to star at Monmouth University. At Monmouth, Hunt earned several accolades, including throwing a no-hitter, and finished his career among the school's top 10 in wins and complete games. Hunt comes from a strong baseball family. His older brother, Shooter Hunt, was drafted in the first round out of Tulane University in 2008.

• New York

  Dan Cevette

  President of New York

  Cevette has a wealth of high-level baseball experience and knowledge that he brought to PBR with the launch of New York in early 2014. After being named Pennsylvania's 2002 Gatorade Player of the Year, Cevette was drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Indians and signed out of high school. The hard-throwing 6-foot-4 left-hander was fast-tracked in the Indians organization, making it up to Triple-A at the age of 21. A torn labrum interrupted his progress and he retired in 2009, becoming the recruiting coordinator at Niagara. In 2010, Cevette was named the head coach at Corning CC, a position he held for two years. After a brief stint in coaching, Cevette decided to give pitching one more try. At an open tryout, Cevette hit 97 mph and was immediately signed by the Pirates. His arm injuries resurfaced in the Puerto Rico winter league, forcing him to walk away from playing for good.

  Jared Carrier

  New York Scouting Director

  A native to the Hudson Valley region of New York, Carrier has 10+ plus years of experience at the JUCO level where he's served as an assistant and hitting coach for Sullivan CC, leading the team to two top 10 finishes in team batting average and producing 4 position players who received All-American recognition at the NJCAA D2 level. Prior to joining Prep Baseball Report Carrier spent 15 years as lead instructor and General Manager at Pro Prospects Training Center in Monticello working with hundreds of player that moved on to college and professional ranks while also running showcases, shooting and editing marketing videos and writing player evaluations. Concurrently with his position at Pro Prospects he was General Manager and Head Coach for the Sullivan Spartans and Northeast Pride of the local Hudson Valley Collegiate League where he hosted local and out-of-state players from across the country, producing several independent and affiliated signings.

• North Carolina

  Brandon Hall

  North Carolina Director of Scouting

  Hall’s baseball roots and experiences run deep throughout North Carolina. Raised in Raleigh, Hall coached 14 years at UNC Charlotte, including seven years as associate head coach and 11 seasons as the recruiting coordinator. Prior to joining the coaching staff at Charlotte, Hall spent four seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, UNC Wilmington, where he also worked with the pitchers. In all, Hall has spent the 18 years coaching at the Division 1 level in North Carolina. In his 18 seasons as an assistant at the two schools, Hall's teams have won eight regular-season championships and seven of his pitching staffs have been ranked nationally in ERA, including the top spot in the nation in 2007 (at 2.64). The 2011 squad finished 10th in the country with a 2.81 ERA, while allowing the sixth-fewest hits per nine innings (7.43) in the nation. Additionally, for the second-straight year, Hall was named to the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars coaching staff in which he assisted the 2015 18U National Team in selecting the participants for the National Team Trials.

• Ohio

  Jordan Chiero

  Ohio Director of Scouting

  Chiero served as an assistant coach at Wright State University. While at Wright State, he helped the Raiders to a runner-up NCAA regional finish in 2015 as well as a Horizon League Conference Tournament Championship. Prior to his time at Wright State, Chiero was an assistant coach at Otterbein University in Columbus. In his playing days at NCAA Division II Tiffin, Chiero was a four-year letterman, becoming a two-time All-GLIAC selection as a corner infielder.  He played professionally shortly after his time at Tiffin, spending one season with the Taos Blizzard of the Pecos League.

  Chris Valentine

  Canada, Michigan, New England and Ohio Executive Director

  Valentine joined PBR in May 2011 with the inception of PBR Ohio. Since that time, he has gone on to help oversee the growth of PBR in Michigan, New England, and Canada. Currently, Valentine helps with Bo Jackson Elite Sports in Ohio. Prior to his time with Bo Jackson Elite Sports, he helped found the Ohio Elite Baseball organization and oversaw their high school age teams. Valentine has extensive experience in coaching (including stops at Olentangy Orange and Dublin Jerome HS), as we well as many off-field ventures having worked in politics and public affairs for eight years. He was the youngest elected school board member in Ohio at the age of 19 and is currently serving his fourth term on the board.

• Oklahoma

  Andy Urban

  Oklahoma Director of Scouting

  Prior to becoming the Prep Baseball Report’s Oklahoma Scouting Director, Urban served as an assistant coach at Central Missouri University, where he helped lead the Mules to a fourth-place finish at the Division 2 World Series in 2016. Urban also pitched at Central Missouri, earning first-team All-Conference as a closer. Urban went to Hutchinson CC in Kansas, where he helped lead the team to a third-place finish at the Junior College World Series in 2010. He finished his decorated career at Hutchinson CC second all-time in career ERA (1.37), second all-time in single-season ERA (1.12), third most complete-game shutouts. From Hutchinson CC, Urban earned a scholarship to Creighton University before transferring to Central Missouri, where he also earned his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. After college, Urban pitched two years in the Frontier League for the River City Rascals.

• Oregon

  Dan Jurik

  Oregon Director of Scouting

  Jurik comes to Prep Baseball Report after 6 years of college coaching between the D1 and D3 levels. He was one of the first scouts to be involved with our inaugural summer collegiate league coverage. After spending time scouting the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL), Jurik shifted to the Cape Cod League and New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). Once his scouting responsibilities were over, Jurik continued to stay involved with PBR in the Northeast before relocating to the Seattle area to begin as scouting director for Washington and Oregon.

• Pennsylvania

  Greg Williams

  Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

  Williams began as Pennsylvania’s Director of Scouting in June of 2012. Williams was a four-year starter in the outfield for Slippery Rock University, serving as the captain of the 1989 Division II third-place team that won 42 games. Williams was an All-PSAC performer that season, was a member of the North Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team and was named to the Division II World Series All-Tournament Team as well. He has spent the past 30 years involved in the game. Williams worked in the Houston Astros organization, coached high school baseball in Florida and Pennsylvania, and most recently was a full time high school athletic administrator. During his tenure as the head coach at Meadville HS, Williams led the Bulldogs to a 66-35 overall record, and the only two District 10 Championships in school history in 2002 and 2003.

• South Carolina

  Sammy Esposito

  South Carolina Director of Scouting

  Esposito comes to Prep Baseball Report from the University of Houston, where he served as an assistant coach for two years. Prior to his stint in Houston, Esposito worked as the recruiting coordinator at Wichita State between 2017-2019.
  
  Prior to Wichita State, Esposito spent a decade in Columbia, SC - the first five years as the volunteer assistant coach, the last five as the recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks. In his tenure, South Carolina enjoyed an unprecedented run of playing in three-straight national championship series, winning two..

• Tennessee

  Colton Provey

  Tennessee Director of Scouting

  A native of Columbia, Tennessee, Provey spent 2019 as a graduate assistant for the Tennessee Tech baseball team where he mainly oversaw baseball operations, scouting/analytics reports and academic affairs. Prior to joining the Tennessee Tech staff, he spent one season as a member of the 2018 Golden Eagle baseball team. A key member of the Tech pitching staff, Provey became the first Golden Eagle ever to earn victories against both Vanderbilt and Tennessee. He made key appearances out of the bullpen for the Golden Eagles during their historic Super Regional Run, a team that defeated No. 2 nationally-ranked Ole Miss twice to capture the Oxford, Miss. Regional title. While at Tech, he earned the OVC Medal of Honor for academics after accumulating a 4.0 GPA as a senior. Provey began his collegiate career at Walters State Community College, where he set both the program’s single-season and career saves records. After accepting a scholarship to South Carolina, Provey sustained an injury prior to transferring to Tennessee Tech as a fifth-year senior. In his collegiate career, Provey posted a career line of 12-2 with 15 saves and 131 strikeouts in 121 innings. 
  
  

• Texas

  Phil Haig

  Texas Director of Scouting

  A former collegiate pitcher, Haig has served the last eight seasons on staff at Texas, Tulane and Sam Houston State. Haig spent the last three years as pitching coach for the Longhorns, helping guide Texas to a College World Series berth in 2018. Before Texas, Haig spent the previous two seasons as a volunteer coach at Tulane, where he assisted David Pierce with the pitching staff. While there, he helped the Green Wave to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances. In 2016, Haig played a large part in guiding Tulane to an NCAA-best 13 shutouts, setting a single-season school record, surpassing its nine in 2015, Haig’s first season at Tulane. The 2015 Green Wave pitching staff was one of the best in the nation. Prior to Tulane, he spent three years as Pierce’s volunteer coach at Sam Houston State. In each season with the Bearkats, Haig helped SHSU to the Southland Conference title and an NCAA Regional appearance. Before starting his collegiate coaching career with the Bearkats in 2012, Haig spent the 2011 season as a left-handed pitcher at Florida International University after sitting out the 2010 season due to transfer rules. While at FIU, he led the Golden Panthers in wins (nine), innings pitched (99.1) and strikeouts (72). His 9-4 record helped FIU to a 40-20-1 record and an NCAA Regional Appearance. From 2008 to 2009, Haig was a dual-sport athlete at the University of Illinois, where he lettered in both football and baseball. During his sophomore season with the Fighting Illini, Haig went 7-3 in 82.1 innings, leading the team in wins. 

• Utah

  Jeff Scholzen

  Utah Director of Scouting

  Scholzen comes to the Prep Baseball Report after serving nine years as the Four Corners Scouting Supervisor with the Milwaukee Brewers (2011-2020). Prior to his run with the Brewers, Scholzen worked for the Los Angeles Angels for 11 years (1999-2010), serving in a similar capacity as the Four Corners Scouting Supervisor. With the Angels, Scholzen created an Angels Scout Team, in which he coached the likes of Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant, Kevin Gausman, Greg Bird, Tyler Wagner, Aaron Blair, Joey Rickard and Donn Roach, to name a few. Prior to becoming a professional scout, Scholzen served as the head coach at Southern Utah University between 1993-1997. At the time, Scholzen was the youngest Division I head coach when he was first hired at 24 years old. The Southern Utah baseball program was dropped after the 2012 season. A native of Utah, Scholzen played at Hurricane HS before moving on to Utah Valley CC and Eastern Oregon University. Scholzen played in the Angels’ organization in 1991-1992.

• Virginia/DC

  Jerry Shank

  Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Director of Scouting

  Shank comes to the Prep Baseball Report with 10 years of college coaching experience, including eight at the Division I level, six of which as recruiting coordinator. Shank’s Division I experience includes stints at the University of Hartford, North Carolina Central University and Canisius.While at Hartford, Shank recruited left-hander Sean Newcomb, who went on to become the No. 15 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Angels. In all, Shank reeled in two of the top three draft picks in Hartford’s history. He recruited and/or coached 16 players who moved on to play professional baseball. While at North Carolina Central, Shank helped lead the school to its three winningest seasons in program history.

  John Nolan

  Assistant Virginia Director of Scouting and Content Manager

  Nolan was raised in Northern Virginia, graduating Chantilly High in 2003. He played college ball at St. Bonaventure University and was a member of the Bonnies' 2004 Atlantic 10 Championship team. After graduating St. Bonaventure in December 2006, Nolan began his coaching career as the pitching coach at Catholic University. During his five years with the Cardinals, he would rise to Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator and the program would win three Landmark Conference championships and make its first NCAA Tournament appearance. Nolan then took the pitching coach job at Patriot High School when it opened in 2011. He coached there for four years and remains there as a teacher. He currently helps train pitchers in Northern Virginia and has been with Prep Baseball Report Virginia/DC since it was launched in 2014, and has been the Assistant Director for Scouting and Content since late 2015.

• Washington

  Dan Jurik

  Washington Director of Scouting

  Jurik comes to Prep Baseball Report after 6 years of college coaching between the D1 and D3 levels. He was one of the first scouts to be involved with our inaugural summer collegiate league coverage. After spending time scouting the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL), Jurik shifted to the Cape Cod League and New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). Once his scouting responsibilities were over, Jurik continued to stay involved with PBR in the Northeast before relocating to the Seattle area to begin as scouting director for Washington and Oregon.

• West Virginia

  Josh Kuykendall

  West Virginia Director of Scouting

  West Virginia native Josh Kuykendall will officially take over the reigns as Prep Baseball Report's Director of Scouting for the state as of September 1st. Kuykendall's baseball roots run deep in the Mountain State. Following high school the Keyser native went on to tie the school record for wins at Potomac State (17) as a left-handed pitcher and was named Second Team All-Region 20 along the way. During his two years as a Catamount he helped set the school record for wins (41) and helped lead Potomac State to the JUCO World Series. Kuykendall played his final two years of collegiate baseball at West Virginia State for legendary coach Cal Bailey. The lefty also had the chance to pitch in the historic Valley Baseball Summer League for the Waynesboro Generals (named the 4th ranked team in the country in 2006). Most recently Kuykendall was the Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Potomac State for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

• Wisconsin

  Steve Nielsen

  Wisconsin and Illinois Scouting Supervisor

  Prior to starting with the Prep Baseball Report in September 2012, Nielsen coached at Ranger College in Texas for five years, his final two seasons in which he served as the head coach. A native of Joliet, IL, Nielsen led Joliet Catholic Academy to a state runner-up finish in 2000. He was drafted that year in the 44th round by the Kansas City Royals, but opted to attend Triton (IL) JC. He was drafted again in 2001 by the Angels, but chose to continue his pitching career at Indiana University from 2002-205. Nielsen went on to play in the independent leagues with the Joliet Jackhammers (Northern League) and Mid-Missouri Mavericks (Frontier League).

• Junior College

CONTACT STATE DIRECTORS