Flashback - History of Preseason Underclass South I Showcase

January 8, 2015

By JD Heilmann and Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Director of Scouting and Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

Throughout the month we will be recapping each of our showcases in 2014 with the top performers, commitments from participants, top statistical analysis based on numerous categories, and prospects to keep your eye on. To start we look at the Preseason Underclass South I Showcase that was on January 20th at Sinclair CC Field House.

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A list of out recaps from 2014 showcases:

Western Ohio Showcase - January

Top Performers - Preseason Underclass South I

Alec Graves, SS/3B, Moeller, 2016
Ranking: 49th in 2016 class
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds with a long legged, athletic frame. Registered a 60-yard dash time of 7.30. In the infield he throws through a high-3/4 slot with short arm action. Featured some good actions in the infield, showing the ability to use different arm angles and also displaying softness in hands. Had one of the better infield arm in the showcase topping out at 77 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter displays sufficient use of his lower half creating some impressive power. Tends to arm bar. Displays a smooth fluid stroke while using a level swing path. Projectable frame tied with his strong bat will likely put him as third baseman at the next level.

Brent Cox, RHP, Oak Hills, 2015
Ranking: 224th in 2015 class
Scouting Report: 6-foot-5, 185-pound right-handed pitcher with a highly projectable frame. Throws with long arm action through a high-3/4 to near over the top arm slot. Slow/methodical delivery. Fastball sat 78-80 mph and touched up to 81 mph. Speeding up his lower half should allow for a jump in velocity. His 69-72 mph breaking ball show some late breaking 11/5 movement. Also mixed in a 68 mph changeup. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Carson Cooper, MIF, Farfield, 2015
Ranking: 222nd in 2015 class
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 164-pounds with a projectable athletic frame. Ran a 6.91 60-yard dash time. Throws through a 3/4 slot with short arm action. Created and took good angles to the ball, while showing some fluid footwork. Some softness in hands. Struggled a bit with accuracy of throws, while topping out at 70 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a balanced set-up with small leg kick stride. Takes a smooth cut, while also displaying good balance throughout his swing. Linedrive production now, while projecting some more consistent gap power in future. Could turn into an offensive second baseman, or third baseman at the next level. Reached a top exit velocity of 84 mph off the tee.

Eric Terry, C, Summit Country Day, 2015
Ranking: 122nd in 2015 class
Scouting Report: 5-foot-7, 170 pounds with a strong frame. Switch-hitting catcher. Ran a 7.61 60-yard dash time. Behind the plate, he displays quick feet, exchange, and release. Recorded pop time splits between 1.99-2.06. Also reached a top arm speed of 76 mph behind the dish. At the plate, he uses a balanced base and short stride from the left and right side. Takes a short/quick bat path to the ball, and gets good extension through contact. Line drive type hitter that can put balls in the gaps from time to time. Will create more power with fully incorporating his lower half. Reached a top exit velocity of 82 mph.

Patrick Mullinger, C, Moeller, HS, 2016
Ranking: 28th in 2016 class
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds with a strong athletic frame. Registered a 7.30 60-yard dash time. Behind the plate, he features a quick transfer and quick feet. Technically sound. Recorded pop times between 2.02-2.09, while topping out at 71 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a leg lift stride and smooth load. Fluid stroke. Gap-to-gap type of production with plus bat speed at the plate. Creates good momentum with lower half through contact. Reached a top exit velocity of 83 mph off the tee. One of the top catching prospects in Ohio’s 2016 class.

Prospects to keep eye on

Logan Sabo, OF/LHP, Moeller HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 145-pound prospect with thin, athletic frame. The switch hitter showcased one of the top swings for a freshman in attendance. Looked most natural from the left side. Uses small leg kick that helps initiate his lower half. Maintains balance and head stays steady throughout swing. Line drive type production. Similar type swing from the right side. Starts open and shows some baring action, but creates slight uphill path and line drive production. From the outfield, he is aggressive to the ball. Shows athleticism in his feet and a quick transfer. Reached a top velocity of 72 mph. Will be one to watch with improve strength.

Thomas House, RHP/OF, Ross HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 135 pounds freshman. The pitcher throws through an over the top arm slot with long arm action. Throws on a noticeable downhill angle. Smooth rhythm. Features a 75-76 mph straight fastball, and a 64-65 mph curveball. The breaking ball displays gradual 11/5 movement. Also showed the ability to throw an above average 70-71 mph changeup. He is able to throw this pitch at near fastball arm speed, while displaying some decent fading action.

Players who earned Top Prospect Games, Future Games, or Underclass Games Invites Based On Performance At Showcase

Commitments From Preseason Underclass South I

Blake Zeller - Youngstown State
Cameron Edwards - Spalding University
Eric Terry - Emory University

Top Statistical Categories

Top Fastball: 81 mph - William Kling, RHP/IF, McNicholas HS, 2015 & Brent Cox, RHP, Oak Hills HS, 2015
Top Pop Time: 1.99 - Eric Terry, C, Summit Country Day HS, 2015
Top Catcher Velocity: 76 mph - Eric Terry, C, Summit Country Day HS, 2015
Top INF Velocity: 80 mph - Garett Zorb, 3B/RHP, St. Edward HS, 2015
Top OF Velocity: 81 mph - Cameron Edwards, OF/LHP, Campbell County HS (KY), 2015
Top Exit Velocity: 87 mph - Austin Hatfield, 1B/RHP, Lakota East HS, 2016
Top 60-Yard Dash: 6.79 - Dana Reeves, LaSalle, 2016

2014 PRESEASON UNDERCLASS SOUTH I ROSTER AND RESULTS