Neil Devlin From the Dugout: 2017's on the Recruiting Trail

By Neil H. Devlin
Senior Writer
Denver Metro Area

Hot? Participants in the latest Prep Baseball Report Showcase, held the past Saturday at the Metro State Complex, knew all about it.

As a couple of dozen players headed into their senior years and participated in assorted drills as well as under game conditions, they hoped to be as warm in recruiting as Colorado's recent stretch of scorching, dry weather.

While entering into another year of chasing their dream of playing college baseball, leave it to L.J. Kochevar, an aspiring psychiatrist who had to sit out his junior prep season, to put it into perspective.

"With the rankings, videos and (evaluations), for sure, I want to see what this can do for me," he said.

At his first showcase, L.J. (it stands for Little John), who transferred back to his district school, Palmer Ridge, from Pine Creek, didn't turn angry after missing an entire season.

No, he said, "I looked at it as a blessing, as a disguise. I got to get bigger, faster, stronger  and better in school. I looked at it as a positive. Now, I am so excited and ready to compete, ready to play. We have a lot of returning guys and we're just excited and want to prove a lot of people wrong. I hope to lead our guys."

A third baseman who's also trying to add middle infielder to his defense repertoire, Kochevar said he has been chatting recruiting with a couple of colleges, notably Garden City Community College.

As for Padric Walsh, a 6-6 right-hander at Smoky Hill in Aurora, doing his favorite thing, he hopes, will get him to college. Walsh won four of the Buffaloes' eight games on the mound the past season as a junior and is looking to make a significant jump as a 12th-grader.

It's a process and he's seeing progress.

"I'm getting something accomplished; that's the goal," he said. "(PBR Colorado) does promote a lot of people. It gets out and a coach called from Kansas and wanted me to play for him (in the summer) ... I've been to a couple of these and, hopefully, I'll get seen and will be able to play somewhere."

To date, Colorado Mesa and Hutchinson have expressed preliminary interest. Plus, his grades aren't a problem -- he has a 3.4 GPA and is leaning toward sports management as a major.

Morgan McIntosh, who will switch to third base from middle infielder next prep season for Highlands Ranch, has his eyes on a spot somewhere on the west coast.

"I'm just here to play my game and feel good about what's going on here and see if anybody has interest," the 5-8, 185-pounder said.

Saying he definitely envisions college baseball in front of him, McIntosh, who batted .463 last spring, enjoys "just competing and showing who you are and how good you can be."

In addition, a familiar face can't hurt.

"I'm here with Brett Newman (a Falcons teammate) and it's just fun going against each other," McIntosh said.

A veritable veteran of the showcase circuit, Newman said it was fun to "be here with someone I've played catch with a lot."

At 6-1, 170, Newman has played multiple positions for the Falcons, indicative of him possibly becoming an entrepreneur. He has interest in the University of Dallas, Regis, Adams State and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

For him, he regards it as quite simple -- "I just really want to get an education, play some baseball, and get out and get a good job," he said.

Newman batted .339 with 16 RBIs in 19 games last spring.

And while the education aspect resonates with so many of the state's senior prospects, it certainly rates highly with Columbine's Russell Cruz, who has been exchanging e-mails with the likes of Dartmouth.

The 6-foot, 200-pounder, who primarily was a designated hitter last season for the Jefferson County Rebels, said he's "trying to go for the big academic schools, where I can get a good education. Nothing big has been happening, we're just talking."

He batted .345 in limited action, but the aspiring engineer is motivated by balancing academics with his favorite game. And he's realistic.

"Baseball's a bonus," Cruz said. "I'd love to continue the sport. But if it doesn't work out ...

"Baseball's just something I've always done, from taking fly balls with my dad as little as a little kid and with my family and we all love it. I've worked had at it and love to keep my efforts going."

Walsh said it's universal for showcase participants, "a common goal. Everyone here wants to play college baseball."

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