Prep Baseball Report

Top Class of 2014 Prospects from the Fall Top Prospect Showcase



Today, we break down the prospects from the Class of 2014 at the Fall Top Prospect Showcase.

Wes Noble, RHP, Lebanon HS

6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Definite D-1 prospect. Aggressive mound presence. Has quick arm speed through upper 3/4 arm slot. Delivery requires some effort Fastball shows some explosion late, ranging 86-89 mph. Two types of breakers, a downward spin curveball (71-72 mph) and a 75-76 biting slurve. Has good arm speed on change (78-80 mph).

Zac Carey, RHP/OF/IF, London HS

6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way prospect. Good physical projection in body. Good two-shot guy. On the mound, has good delivery with quick, easy arm action through upper 3/4 slot. Fastball shows good late life in zone (83-85 mph). Has downward spin on curve (69-71 mph) with some depth and excellent arm action on change (70-72 mph). Ran 7.04 60-yard dash. Has good infield skills with good arm strength. Upright hitting stance, shoulder trigger with power potential. Good finish and lower half.

Blaine Griffiths, OF, Lakota West HS

6-foot-1, 175-pound switch hitting outfielder. Shows physical projection in body. Solid corner outfield type. Arm strength from outfield (82 mph) that shows good carry. Will need to enhance 7.4 60-yard time. A natural righty hitter, but a switch hitter who makes solid contact from both sides. Shows more potential from the left side. Shoulder trigger both sides. Lefty side more compact with better finish. Gets lower half torque.

Caleb Ferguson, LHP, West Jefferson HS

6-foot-3, 210-pound southpaw. Has made great strides since we last saw him in the late summer. Delivery is much more repeatable. Strong body hurler who should be a D-1 prospect. No windup but uses balanced delivery. Has moderate, loose arm speed through 3/4 arm slot. Fastball shows some late life in zone, ranging 83-86 mph. Has slurvy type breaker with some depth (72-73 mph). Changeup has some cut action and occasional sink (77-80 mph).

Matthew Fowler, LHP, Kings HS

6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. Velocity has taken a jump since we saw him in July. Lanky body with some physical projection. Has moderate arm speed through the 3/4 arm slot. Has some cross body in delivery and need to improve backside finish (follow through). Relies on upper body with straight up and down leg kick without much torque. More to come as he makes mechanical adjustments. Fastball shows some late life, ranging 82-85 mph. Has some feel for off speed, curve spins in downward tilt (66-68 mph) and shows good arm side run with fade on change (71-73 mph).

Chad Roberts, IF, Wilmington HS

6-foot-1, 190-pound infielder. Physically strong kid. His hitting ability will be his key on the next level. Left-handed hitter that uses upright power stance. He triggers hands from the shoulder with bat speed. Squares ball well on barrel with controlled upper-cut. Has good hand finish and lower body torque. Shows raw skills (7.21 60-yard dash & 77 mph arm strength).  Needs to improve his lower base and overall balance defensively.

Quillan Austria, IF, Cleveland St. Ignatius HS

6-foot-1, 160-pound athletic infielder. Wiry typed player. Shows good raw skills. Ran 6.92 60 yard dash and has good arm strength (76 mph) from all angles. Good defensive hands and balance. Needs to continue to improve footwork. Has compact swing offensively. Triggers hands from chest with bat speed into zone. Squares barrel well with good hand finish and lower body torque. 

Jake Mason, RHP, Anderson HS

6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Has arm strength with moderate speed through upper 3/4 arm slot. Lanky body pitcher. Has high backside extension. Shows some funk and effort in delivery. Maintained 80-84 mph fastball with some life. Has slurvy tilt breaking ball ranging 67-68 mph. Change up was basically straight (72-75 mph). He is the younger brother of Nicholas Mason (2012 Parkland College recruit).

Trey Abney, OF/RHP, Dayton Miami Valley School

6-foot, 150-pound prospect. Athletic raw player with outstanding raw skills. Ran showcase best 6.84 60-yard dash along with 86 mph arm strength from the outfield. Shows switch hitting ability at the plate. Needs continued development in this area. Hits with open stance from both sides. Displays more natural abilities from the right side. Has some bat speed into zone but needs to get lower body torque and square up front side towards pitcher. On the bump, quick, short arm action. Fastball ranged 79-82 mph with 73-74 mph cutter and 70-74 mph change.

Thane Walton, RHP/1B, Sandusky Perkins HS

6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way prospect. Has some two-shot potential on the next level. Hits from the left side. Bat seems to be his best key. Hits from upright stance, has good power potential. Triggers hands from shoulder. Squares barrel on ball with good hand finish and lower body torque. Registered 7.9 60-yard time. Fields around bag well with good hands. On the hill, has moderate arm through upper 3/4 slot. Some funk in delivery. Fastball sits 81-83 mph with slurvy tilt breaker (70-73 mph) and change (72-73 mph).

Mike Martin, RHP/1B, Independence HS

6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect. Has physical strength from medium, athletic body. Future is on the mound. Used good high 3/4 arm action to throw his fastball at 79-82 mph. Used a tight spinning curveball at 71-73 mph. Also, used good arm action to throw his changeup with sink at 69-71 mph. In the field, his actions will work as a first baseman. Fields position well around the bag with good hands. He uses a smooth level swing, but needs to improve on his balance as he tends to get out on his front foot a bit too soon.