By Griffin Phelps and Sean Duncan

The Central Illinois Prospect Identification Showcase on Sept. 29 at Illinois Central College unveiled a wide-mix of high-interest prospects. Today, we will take a close look at the 2015 prospects.

The top 2015 prospect at the event was Charlie Cerny, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound two-talent from Bloomington HS. Not far behind Cerny was RHP/INF Jeff Lindgren from Champaign Centennial.

All videos from the event are now posted in the players’ profiles.

A look at the 2015 prospects at the Central Illinois Prospect Identification Showcase:

1. Charlie Cerny, RHP/3B, Bloomington, 2015
High-follow prospect in Illinois’ 2015 class. 6-foot-4, 185-pound two-way player with considerable upside. On the mound, he showed ability to repeat mechanics; delivery shows rhythm hides ball well. Throws from a high ¾ slot, above average arm speed, athletic finish. His fastball shows life, sits 84-86 mph from the windup and 83-85 mph from the stretch. Showed solid feel for his changeup, 75-77 mph, with arm-side sink, occasional running action. Changeup has swing-and-miss potential. Curveball has a 10/4 shape with soft break at 67-69 mph, showed signs of better bite when thrown 70-71 mph. Offensively, hits from an athletic stance with smooth loading action and no stride. Has a strong swing with good lower-half involvement. Bat stays flat through the zone, above-average bat speed, creates natural lift with some backspin carry. Posted an exit velocity of 86 mph off a tee. At third base, he showed feel for the position with clean actions and a strong arm. He throws with a long arm from a high ¾ slot at 76 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.53 60.

2. Jeff Lindgren, RHP/MIF, Champaign Centennial, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pound athletically built two way player. Defensively, he showed advanced actions to go along with soft hands, quick feet, and a clean exchange. Rangy athlete, strong backhand, transfer highly efficient. Arm plays across the diamond at 74 mph with accuracy. At the plate he has a balanced setup with a short stride and excellent balance throughout the swing. Has a line drive swing with a level bat path and extension. Showed above average bat speed and had an exit velocity of 82 mph off a tee. Has an aggressive pull side approach. Ran a 7.94 60. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot with a short arm action. Has a tall and fall delivery with easy effort, clean lines, and an athletic finish. Hides ball well. Showed feel for his fastball at 81-83 mph, touching 84 mph once, with occasional arm side run. His curveball has 10/4 tilt with gradual break, sitting 65 mph. The changeup was 75-77 mph, touching 78 mph once, with flashes of sink and arm side run.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Brennan Bergstralh, MIF, Canton, 2015
5-foot-8, 165-pound infielder. Defensively, he showed solid hands and a clean exchange. Throws with a long arm from a ¾ slot at 69 mph. At the plate he has a balanced setup with a smooth loading action, and sturdy balance throughout the swing. Bat path is short, line drive swing capabilities. Has solid bat speed and produced an exit velocity of 78 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.3 60.

Ben Cusac, RHP/1B, Alton, 2015
Athletic build, 6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way player. At the plate he has a tall, opened stance with a long stride. Has a pull side approach and posted an exit velocity of 68 mph. Defensively he showed clean actions and awareness around the bag. Throws with a long arm at 75 mph. On the mound he has a simple, repeatable delivery. Works from a ¾ slot, long clean arm action. Fastball sat at 74-77 mph. Curveball had a 10/4 shape with gradual breaking action at 59-64 mph. Also throws a changeup at 64-69 mph.

Jon Foster, OF, Central, 2015
5-foot-11, 145-pound outfielder with solid defensive actions.Traditional outfield arm action, long arm, over-the-top slot, some carry at 76 mph. At the plate he has a wide, tall setup, uses a small leg kick trigger. Has a level bat path with a line drive swing and solid bat speed. Off a tee had an exit velocity of 76 mph. He ran a 7.44 60.

Tyler Pasley, 3B, Canton, 2015
6-foot-3, 180-pound strong body third baseman. At the plate he has a tall set up with a short stride. Bat path is long and slightly uphill with a middle/pull approach. Showed solid bat speed and had an exit velocity of 78 mph off a tee. Defensively he showed clean third base actions with solid hands. Throws with a long arm and occasional carry at 73 mph. Ran an 8.58 60.

Tommy Schureman, 3B/RHP, Midwest Central, 2015
5-foot-10, 180-pound two way player. At the plate he has a balanced setup, smooth loading action, short stride, and good use of the lower half. The swing is quiet with a flat bat path. Off a tee he had an exit velocity of 65 mph. On the infield he throws with a long arm from a high ¾ slot, 75 mph with above average carry. He ran an 8.22 60. On the mound works from an over-the-top slot with a short arm action and standard arm speed. The delivery has clean direction and is very repeatable. Fastball sat 72-74 mph, flashing 76 mph. Curveball has an 11/5 shape with gradual breaking action, sitting 65-67 mph.

Matt Sekardi, OF/RHP, Glenwood, 2015
6-foot, 165-pound two way player with above-average foot speed, 7.02 runner in the 60. In the outfield he showed solid actions. Throws with a long arm action from a high ¾ slot with accuracy and carry at 84 mph. At the plate he has a tall, balanced setup and short stride. Has a long bat path with above average bat speed. Off a tee he had an exit velocity of 82 mph. On the mound he throws from an over-the-top slot. Delivery has some rhythm to it and is repeatable. Fastball sat 76-77 mph. The breaking ball has an 11/5 shape with gradual break, sitting 60-64 mph. Changeup registered at 56-59 mph.

Conner Sharp, RHP/1B, Mercer, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound, athletic body two-way player. At the plate he has a tall, balanced setup with no stride. Bat path is efficient and stays inside the ball well. Has a line drive type swing and produced an exit velocity of 72 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed solid feel around the bag.Throws it 71 mph across the diamond with accuracy. Ran a 9.01 60. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot with a long arm action and the delivery has solid rhythm. Fastball was straight and 73-76 mph. The curveball has slurve tilt and break sitting 65-67 mph, touching 68 mph. Showed feel for his changeup that was thrown with fastball arm speed and showing arm side run at 68-69 mph.

Cole Vetter, RHP, Alleman, 2015
Lanky frame, projectable build, 6-foot-2, 150-pound right handed pitcher. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a long arm action and solid arm speed. The delivery is simple, with good rhythm and repeatable mechanics. His fastball flashed occasional run, sitting 72-73 mph, flashing 74 mph once. Curveball has an 11/5 shape, rolling break, sitting 58-59 mph. Showed feel for the changeup, throwing it 68-69 mph with gradual arm side run.

CLICK HERE for complete showcase statistics

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