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Top Prospect Showcase: Top Overall Prospects

July 10, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director

Year after year the Top Prospect Showcase brings out the most talented uncommitted incoming seniors in the state. We have broken down the event position by position over the last week and today we will rank the top ten overall prospects from the event. It was a herculean task but none the less we have analyzed and reanalyzed all of the top prospects and after much deliberation we bring you our top tem prospect of the 2013 Top Prospect Showcase.

Top Ten Prospects

1. Laren Eustace, OF, Batavia, 2014
Dynamic athlete, smaller frame with a stronger build, 5-foot-9, 165-pound left handed outfielder. Advanced tools across the board. Shows plus foot speed, 6.68 runner. Defensively foot speed plays well on the field, attacks the baseball quickly with athleticism. Shows soft hands with the ball on the ground, quick and clean transfer with a quick release. Arm action is short and loose, over the top slot, excellent outfield arm action, demonstrates carry through his target, advanced arm strength, 91 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, flashes smooth load with short stride, highly athletic setup. Line drive hitter with a gap to gap approach, flashes occasional pull side pop. Advnaced hands at the plate, barrel awareness, advanced bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity. Eustace projects well at the next level as a top of the lineup type hitter who can defend the big part of the field.

2. Hunter Hart, RHP/SS, St. Joseph Ogden, 2014
Hart is a lengthy 6-foot-3 two-way player, his 180-pound build shows projectability and athleticism. Hart’s arm shows extreme acceleration out of its “Flex T” position, shortly after the event Hart was reported up to 93 mph which is easy to see with the amount of acceleration he generates. Timely delivery, works directionally. Arm action is loose, short back swing, slight stab, gets extension, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball showed excellent late life through the zone, sinking action with occasional run, 88-90 mph. Curveball showed 12/6 action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, 73-75 mph. Changeup showed feel, fastball similar arm action, 74-78 mph. Hart is a highly projectable arm that has a loose action and a high ceiling. He will undoubtedly be one of the top arms in Illinois’ 2014 class.

3. Sean Leland, RHP, Sandburg, 2014
Leland is a highly projectable right handed pitcher, at 6-foot-5, 200-pound he posseses a long lean frame that can carry plenty of added strength. Tall and fall delivery, pitches with rhythm, work towards his target athletically, squared landing and shoulders stay on line. Leland’s arm action is loose with length, shows plenty of arm speed from a ¾ slot. Fastball has lively action in the hitting zone, advance arm side run, showed command of the baseball, sat at 87-88 mph, touched 89 mph, very little effort. Slider has short quick darting action, 80 mph, late action when on top and spun correctly. Change up is best secondary pitch, shows plus action, highly deceptive, thrown with aggressive arm action, features arm side run with sink, 78-80 mph, showed excellent command down in the zone. Leland’s three pitch combination will tough for hitters to figure out, a running fastball coupled with an aggressive sweeping slider and plus action change all out of a ¾ window will be a dream to work with at the next level. His command is already present and has the structure to carry plenty of additional strength. Leland has the repertoire and potential to be a workhorse at the front of many rotations.

4. William Kincanon, RHP/1B, Riverside-Brookfield, 2014
Strong build, excellent physical frame, 6-foot-3, 185-pound right handed pitcher. Delivery shows effort, tall and fall approach, shows rhythm, open landing, athletic first base finish. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, advanced arm speed, long and loose arm action. Fastball has advanced arm side run, showed the ability to command the zone, 86-88 mph. Breaking ball had depth, flashed 12/6 action, 73-76 mph, showed above average feel. Change up showed plus action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, excellent arm side action, showed command, 76-77 mph. Kincanon shows swing and miss stuff in the strike zone. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly tall and open stance, short stride approach. Pull side hitter, line drive approach, slight lift. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

5. Braden Mosley, OF, Moline, 2014
Highly athletic, strong build, wide shouldered, 6-foot-2, 190-pound outfielder. Defensively works through the ball well, attacks the baseball, aggressive crow hop, footwork is quick and fluid, 6.82 runner. Arm plays at 89 mph from the outfield, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, some accuracy, arm played with carry through his target, played well off the turf. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Active and aggressive lower half, solid balance. Excellent bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee, pull side approach with lift, power potential.

6. Wyatt Trautwein, RHP, Barrington HS, 2014
High-ceiling prospect with projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, long arms and plenty of room to fill out. Trautwein emerged from event as one of the 2014 class’ highest-interest prospects. Shows four-pitch feel with a potentially plus slider. Arm works clean and easily, from high-3/4 slot, comes slightly across body, athletic delivery. Slider is high-level pitch: throws it hard, at 80-82 mph, with sharp, late break. Fastball sat at 87 mph, topping at 88, with late sink and run out of the zone. Also throws a cutter &77 mph) and a 75-77 mph changeup that showed some cut action. Overall, Trautwein has the stuff and upside to become one of the most coveted prospects in the Midwest.

7. Tyler Hasper, RHP/OF, Waubonsie Valley, 2014
Average frame with strength, 6-foot, 190-pound right handed pitcher. Hasper is one of the strongest arms in the Class of 2014. Delivery shows rhythm, shoulders stay online, works towards target. Arm works from a high ¾ arm slot, long arm action, loose arm. Fastball climbed to 93 mph, sat at 87-90 mph flashing occasional run, power fastball with life. Curveball has 11/5 action, showed depth, big velocity split from fastball, 67-70 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm action, slight sink, 80-81 mph, thrown aggressively and down in the zone. Hasper is one of the top arms in the 2014 class, his power fastball and aggressive feel for his changeup will play well at the next level. Added velocity to his breaking ball could make a deadly three pitch arsenal. In the outfield his arm played at 89 mph, showing carry and accuracy. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Lower half works, shows bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.

8. Willie Bourbon, 3B, Stevenson, 2015
Strong build, advanced physicality and athleticism, 6-foot, 185-pound left handed hitting third baseman. On the infield he showed soft hands, fields the baseball out in front, left of center, plays through the baseball well. Stays low when transferring the baseball, advanced lower half. Arm plays across the diamond, showed some accuracy, lowered arm slot, 76 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride slightly dives. Consistent hard contact, path creates some lift, left handed power potential. Bourbon is one of the strongest hitters in the Class of 2015 and shows soft defensive hands. High follow.

9. Jordan Fedro, RHP, Prospect HS, 2014
One of the fastest-rising prospects in Illinois’ 2014 class. Extremely projectable 6-foot-6, 185-pound frame with long arms and legs and plenty of room to fill out. Arm works fast and clean, high-3/4 slot, short on the backside. Works downhill, hides ball well, ball jumps out of hand. Fastball sat at 87 mph with sink down in the zone. Splitter shows swing-and-and capabilities, with late downer action at 80-82 mph. Curveball (73-76) is inconsistent, but flashed some promise. Also throws an 81-83 mph changeup.

10. Ian Kristan, C, Carmel Catholic HS, 2014
Physically impressive 6-foot-3, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Kristan was one of the clear offensive standouts at the Top Prospect Showcase. Has a simple, repeatable swing, hitting from a wide, slightly crouched setup. Left-handed power bat, comfortably works both power alleys, creates excellent leverage with natural lift and backspin carry. Ball jumps off his bat. Maintains balance throughout, has strong hands and gets excellent extension after contact. Defensively, receives solidly and shows adequate footwork. Registered pop times ranged between 2.12-2.19.

Just Missing the Cut (Listed Alphabetically)

Joe Becht, SS, Downers Grove South, 2014
Athletically built, 5-foot-10, 160-pound left handed hitting infielder. Defensively moved well on the infield, advanced lateral movement, showed above average range. Played through the baseball well, stays low, works to his target, 7.22 runner. Arm plays with carry across the diamond, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 81 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. Lower half is active, shows good balance throughout, line drive gap to gap guy. 86 mph exit velocity.

Cody Carroll, OF, Glenbrook South, 2014
Highly dynamic athlete, advanced physicality, 6-foot-2, 200-pound outfielder, advanced build and physical make up. High level foot speed, 6.78 runner. Defensively shows smooth footwork, fields the ball athletically, and plays through the baseball, smooth actions. Arm played at 89 mph from the outfield, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, showed accuracy and carry to his target. Offensively hits from a tall stance, short stride, solid balance. Quiet simple approach, above average bat speed, short path with extension, stays flat through the baseball, occasional pull side approach. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Joseph Duncan, SS/RHP, Highland HS, 2014
A big riser in the 2014 class, Duncan is an athletically built 6-foot-2, 170-pound infielder with considerable upside. Showed quick-twitch athleticism throughout event: ran a 6.81 60, athletic arm in the field, bat speed at the plate (89 mph exit velocity). Hands really work at the plate. Has level bat path, balanced, quiet approach, fast hands and showed power potential. Defensively, may profile more at third base at next level, though certainly has the requisite tools to play shortstop. Has athletic arm, plays through the ball well, accuracy across the infield at 77 mph. On the mound, fastball topped at 83 mph, and also threw a curveball (65-66) and changeup (69-71). Overall, Duncan has the frame to easily add strength while maintaining his athleticism and adding more power in the future.

Brett Newberg, LHP/1B, Moline HS, 2015
Top-level 2015 prospect. Physical 6-foot-1, 220-pound durable frame with developed lower half. High-pitchability left-hander with true three-pitch command. Arm works free and easily from high-3/4 slot; has good rhythm and tempo throughout delivery, repeats well and throws everything will same arm action. Fastball sat at 83, topping at 84, and have seen up to 86. Commands fastball with arm-side run and some sink. Changeup looks to be a plus pitch: 74-76 mph with arm-side sink down in the zone. Also commands 70-73 slider. Positionally, Newberg hits from the right side. Has a simple approach, using a minimal load and no stride, yet the ball jumps off his bat with backspin carry and loft. Had an 88 mph exit velocity, and shows soft hands around first base. In all, Newberg should be one of the most coveted prospects in Illinois’ 2015 class.

Kevin Sullivan, MIF, Brother Rice, 2014
Athletic frame, slight length, 5-foot-11, 170-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively shows advanced actions, hands show softness, rhythmic defender, rangy, 6.89 runner. Arm shows carry across the diamond, accurate at 83 mph, finishes through target. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, athletic setup. Middle of the field approach, line drive hitter, occasional length in barrel.

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CLICK HERE for complete Outfield Analysis
CLICK HERE for complete Catching Analysis
CLICK HERE for complete Pitching Analysis

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