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On June 23-24, we hosted the third annual Top Prospect Games at Grand Park in Westfield, IN.  The event consisted of 117 players, primarily within the 2016 and 2017 classes, which made up six teams (Red, White, Gold, Purple, Gray and Black).

Below we take a look at the players from Team Red.

Alphabetical Order  

Ben Balogh, RHP, Brebeuf Jesuit, 2016:  The 5-foot10 140 pound RHP sat 80-83 with the fastball.  Command was erratic but got a feel after a few hitters.  Arm action was quick and over the top.  Ben pitches with some rhythm and finishes athletically.  Breaking ball was 68-70mph with late break and 11/5 shape. 

Brenden Bube, RHP/SS, Lanesville, 2017:  The 5-foot-9 155 pound infielder has an athletic frame with above average hands.  Footwork was fluid and exchange was quick.  Athletic actions defensively.  Positional velocity was 81mph across the infield.  Braden ran a 7.38 60. On the mound pitches from a 3/4 slot with some arm speed.  Good line to the plate, lands open with an athletic finish.  Fastball sat 80-83 with downward movement.  Sweeping breaking ball at 75-76 with gradual break, but erratic in the zone.  

Ben Clevenger, RHP, Carmel, 2016:  The 6-foot-1 185 RHP showcased a FB at 83-85 with late run.  Delivery was easy with a high ¾ arm slot and quick arm action.  Breaking ball was 67-70 with 10/4 shape and hard break.  Ben threw several strikes with different pitches and missed barrels.  Possesses above average arm speed with a long arm action.  Tall to fall type delivery with some rhythm.  Good line to the plate, lands sqaure. 

Chris Fundich, 1B, Lake Central, 2017:  The 6-foot-1 215 pound left-handed hitter displayed a balanced setup with a crouch.  Bat speed is fast with a level swing plane. Registered a high velocity of 85.  Defensively, Chris has average hands and fluid footwork.  Throws were accurate with a velocity of 72. 

Chad Garisek, INF, Zionsville, 2017:  The 6-foot-1 185 pound infielder showcased soft hands and a quick exchange.  Arm action changes but is quick.  Positional velocity was 80mph.  Chad ran a 6.96 60.  Offensively, he has an athletic setup and is slightly open.  Small leg kick in the load and has a tendency to land heavy.  Bat speed was above average and found several barrels in BP.  Exit velocity was 86mph.

Niko Kavadas, OF/RHP, Penn, 2017: The 6-foot 205 pound outfielder threw with a loose arm action with accuracy at 89mph.  Showcased solid defensive actions with fluid feet and soft hands.  Exchange was quick and clean.   Niko ran a 7.76 60 and had an exit velocity of 83. At the plate hits from an open setup with a smooth load.  Good approach at the plate with a level path consistently producing hard contact. Fluid rhythm.    

Jimmy Kizer, C, Ben Davis, 2016:  The 6-foot-1 190 pound catcher ran a 7.75 60.  Exit velocity was 83mph.  Defensively, Jimmy has quick feet and short arm action. Pop times were 2.00-2.12 and was 74 from the crouch. Showed the ability to stick pitches well.  At the plate hits from an open setup, showing an arm bar during the load.  Stride is short.  Level path to the baseball, pull-side hitter.  Has some stiffness at the plate. 

Carter Lohman, LHP, Hamilton Southeastern, 2018:  The 6-foot-1 174 pound 2018 LHP showcased a projectable frame and loose arm action.  Carter has a ¾ arm slot with a tilt/topple delivery.  Rhythm is smooth and easy.  Fastball sat 81-83 and commanded well at the knees.  Breaking ball was thrown at 73-76 with late break and slider shape.  Change-up was also commanded at 75-76 with late depth.  High follow for 2018 class.

Caleb Matthews, 2B/3B, New Castle, 2017:  The 5-foot-10 160 pound infielder ran a 7.84 60.  Defensively, possesses average hands and feet, plays through the ball with some athleticism.  Arm action was short and throws were accurate with average arm strength.  Poistional velocity was 79.  At the plate,  Caleb has a tall and open setup.  Stride is long and bat path is level.  Line drive approach.  Exit velocity was 81.

Nolan Metcalf, C/1B, Penn, 2017:  The 6-foot-4 225 pound physical catcher displayed good actions behind the plate with the ability to stick pitches well. Transfer was quick along with short, quick arm action.  Velocity was 79 from the crouch.  Pop times were 1.99-2.08.  Offensively, Nolan had an exit velocity of 88mph.   Offensively, hits from a balanced setup and loads back.  Stride is short with good balance.  Possesses bat speed and gets to extension regularly producing gap to gap power.  

Griffen Miller, C/1B, Cardinal Ritter, 2016: The 5-foot-10 185 pound catcher has an athletic frame with a short, quick arm action.  Transfer was long, feet were quick.  Pop time was 2.02-2.15.   Positional velocity was 71.  At the plate, he has a balanced setup and above average bat speed.  Hit line drives throughout BP.  Exit velocity was 79.  Griffen’s 60 time was a 7.65.

Luke Schneider, INF, Penn, 2016:  The 5-foot-10 165 pound infielder from Penn has smooth defensive actions.  Hands were soft and exchange was quick.  Plays thru the ball well.  Throws were accurate with some carry.  Positional velocity was 77mph.  He ran a 7.09 60.  Offensively, Luke has a balanced setup and short bat path.  Barrel drags at times.  Presented a right-center approach.  Exit velocity was 81.

Tony Smodilla, INF, Terre Haute North, 2017:  The 5-foot-10 168 pound infielder ran a 7.51 60.  Arm action was short and loose.  Throws were accurate.  Hands were above average with a quick exchange.  Solid defensive actions at SS. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup and loads back.  Stride is short with good use of his lower half.  Showcased average bat speed with a level path to the baseball.  Line drive hitter.  Recorded a high exit velocity of 82 mph. On the mound, Tony sat 81-83 with the fastball and thrown for strikes.  He produced several ground balls.  Slider was thrown at 68-70 with gradual break.  Tony’s change-up was 70-72 with a slower arm action.

Krae Sparks, RHP/1B Greenwood Christian, 2016:  The 6-foot-5 190 pound pitcher sat 76-77 for strikes with the fastball.  Curveball sat 62-66 with gradual break and 11/5 shape.   Krae has good rhythm and balance.  He ran a 7.53 60 yd dash.  Offensively, hits from a balanced setup and loads back.  Stride is short.  Average bat speed with a long path to the baseball.  Has some stiffness at the plate.  Recorded a high exit velocity of 74 mph.  

Coby Taylor, INF, Lawrence North, 2016: The 6-foot-1 215 pound left-handed hitting infielder displayed some explosive actions at the plate.  Setup is open and balanced.  Short stride and uphill swing.  Explosive bat speed and average balance.  His exit velocity is 88.  Defensively, Coby displaced clean footwork and smooth actions.  Arm action was short and loose.  Velocity was 81 across the infield.  Coby ran a 7.58 60 yard dash.

Bricem Thompson, OF/RHP, Castle, 2017:  The 6-foot-2 185 pound displayed above average arm strength from the outfield with an over the top arm action.  Footwork was fluid and exchange was long.  On the mound, Brice displayed average balance and and good direction.  His fastball sat 76-78 with some sink.  Breaking ball was 75-77 with gradual break.  Offensive, he has a wide setup with above average bat speed.  His exit velocity was 87.    Brice ran a 7.18 60 yd dash. 

Trevor Waite, OF, Penn, 2017: The 6-foot-1 195 pound outfielder has a short and loose arm action.  Footwork is quick and exchange is clean.  At the plate he has an open setup and short stride.  Bat path is short.  Produced line drives in BP.  Trevor had an 84 exit velocity.   He also ran a 6.7 60 yd dash.

Cade Willard, RHP, Eastside, 2017:  The 6-foot-1 174 pound RHP sat 81-83 with the fastball with downhill movement.   Curveball was thrown at 66-68mph with gradual break.  Tendency to slow the arm on the CB but was thrown for strikes.  Arm action is overtop with some effort.  Rhythm is smooth and shoulders stay in line.

Kyle Weiss, OF, Columbus East, 2016:  The 5-foot-10 165 pound outfielder has a long and loose arm action.  Throws were accurate with some carry.  Positional velocity was 81.  Offensively, presented a slightly open setup with a short stride.  Load was smooth and bat path was short.  Hit several line drives during BP.  Exit velocity was 82.  Kyle ran a 7.25 60.