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Underclass Showcase Preview

October 22, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Underclass Showcase will take place this Sunday, October 26th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. This event is open to all 2017 and 2018 graduates, and acts as an identifier for January’s Underclass Invitational, February’s Preseason All-State Showcase and next summer’s prestigious Future Games for the class of 2017. All events are by invitation only.

Click Here to register for this year's Underclass Showcase.

Last year’s Underclass Showcase included several prospects who have made an impression over the last year and are included in the PBR Illinois State Rankings.

Rankings from last year’s event were split up by class, and Moline’s Mitch Owens took home top honors thanks to his two-way potential, with a fastball sitting in the 84-86 mph range. Wheaton St. Francis’ Ryan Hodgett is currently ranked No. 33 in Illinois’ 2016 class, and flashed a fastball from 84-88 mph. Other impressive prospects in attendance who are currently ranked among Illinois’ top 50 players in the class of 2016 include St. Rita’s Max Franklin, Romeoville’s Matt Bottcher, and Champaign Central’s Alec Barger. Barger is currently ranked No. 28 in Illinois and put on a show at June’s Top Prospect Showcase running a 6.64 60, throwing 89 mph from the outfield, and producing 88 mph exit velocity off the tee.

Mount Carmel shortstop Zion Pettigrew was named the Top Overall 2017 Prospect at last year’s event, and currently is ranked No. 14 in Illinois’ 2017 class.

Richards’ left-handed pitcher Angelo Smith was the second ranked 2017 prospect at the event, is ranked No. 20 in the 2017 class, and has impressed this fall with 78-80 mph fastball from a quick, athletic arm action.

This year’s crop of underclass prospects should prove to be equally as talented, and the showcase will also provide a first glimpse of several players for collegiate coaches and the PBR Scouting Staff. CLICK HERE for this year’s Underclass Showcase Roster.

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