Bloomington Prospect I.D. Showcase Top Prospects

1.  Tyler Hurt Bloomington, MIF/P, Bloomington North HS, 2012:  Hurt is a 5-foot-9 inch MIF that has been a regular at PBR events, and he continues to impress at each one. As a sophomore he was 82mph on the mound and displayed some flash defensively. As a junior, Hurt has improved to a legitimate two way prospect. He possesses the speed, quick defensive actions, range and strong arm needed to play MIF at the next level.  At the plate he has a short path to the baseball with a line drive plane from both sides. On the mound, Hurt has a quick arm, and sat at 83-86mph with the ability to throw a slider and a changeup. 

2.  Zach Brown, MIF/P, Seymour HS, 2013- Brown (Pictured Right) is a raw 6-foot-1 inch MIF with an athletic build. From shortstop he showcased advanced defensive actions. He shows good range and foot speed to go along with a solid, accurate arm across the infield. At the plate Brown demonstrates an athletic base with quick hands, getting to extension well. He shows the ability to hit for power, but will project to be more of a doubles guy that occasionally hits the ball out of the park. On the mound, he displays a quick arm and projects to add velocity with added strength. Brown showcased a 79-83 mph fastball along with an above average change up (70-74) and a 69- 72 breaking ball.

3.  Kellen Otto, OF, Columbus East HS, 2012 – Otto is a physically strong athlete at 6-foot 180 pounds.  From the outfield he moves through the ball well and shows above average arm strength (84mph). Otto was seen as the second best hitter at the event, displaying a short compact swing with pop to all fields. He has a small leg trigger, and when his foot gets down on time he is explosive through the zone with a slight upward swing path.

4.  Kevin Swango, MIF, Bloomington South HS, 2011- A 5-foot-10-inch MIF, Swango is one of the top unsigned seniors in the state. He shows advanced hands with a quick release, and some arm strength at 78-81mph across the diamond. Swango also possesses foot speed in the field and when running the bases with a 4.03 from home to first. At the plate, he displays an explosive swing that on occasion will get long. He is a tough out with good knowledge of the strike zone.

5.  Michael Oliphant, P/3B, Bloomington North HS, 2012- Oliphant (pictured left) has a very projectable frame at 6-foot-4 inches and 170 pounds. Defensively he projects as a corner infielder, with good footwork and arm strength. At the plate, Oliphant shows quick hands with the ability to hit the ball to all fields with power. Onthe mound he is consistently 80-81 mph with a raw delivery. His frame has not been filled out yet. Look for Oliphant to continue to climb the rankings.

6.  Brock Sokolowski, OF, Center Grove HS, 2012- Sokolowski is a 6-foot-1 inch 175 pound outfielder.  He ran a 4.11 home to first at the Bloomington event and then followed that up with a consistent 80-83 velocity from the outfield. He shows the ability to cover ground and works through the baseball. Offensively, he demonstrated power to all fields with a slightly open stance.

7.  Zach Hull, 1B/3B, Northview HS, 2012- Hull is a 6-foot- 4 inch corner infielder. His arm is strong enough to play either infield position. Defensively at first base, he shows good athleticism, soft hands, and works well around the bag. At the plate, he demonstrates a smooth, simple swing with quick hands. Hull has the ability to drive the baseball to all sides of the field. His frame should add weight making him a potential power threat. 

8.  Colby Stratten, SS/P, Bloomington North HS, 2013- Stratten is a 5-foot-11 inch 150 pound SS that possesses defensive flash. His approach is off center to start, but then gets his feet and hands positioned correctly, and works through the ball well. His arm is 74-76 mph across the diamond, however on the mound is 77-79 mph. He projects as an infielder. Offensively, he demonstrates quick hand’s, with an open stance. 

9.  Kody Kavanaugh, OF, Center Grove HS, 2012- Kavanaugh is a 6-foot 180 pound outfielder with a great athleticism. He was the best tools guy at the event, running an event best 4.02 from home to first, and threw an event best 88mph from the outfield. Kavanaugh’s swing is raw but does have quick hands. With his athleticism and quick hands at the plate, Kavanaugh could become an interesting prospect in the upcoming season.

10. Bryce Aldridge, C/MIF, Bloomington North HS, 2014- Aldridge is a 6 foot-2 inch 180 pound physically mature catcher. He threw an impressive 2.16 pop time, with a quick exchange behind the plate.  In the infield he was consistently 74-76 mph across the diamond.  Offensively, he demonstrates some strength in his upper half, with quick hands. Aldridge quickly asserted himself as a potential catching prospect.

Best of the Rest 

Cole Belcher, OF, Seymour HS, 2013- Belcher is a 5-foot-11 inch outfielder that shows lots of athleticism.  He is currently coming off an injury and is expected to run better in the spring. His arm plays anywhere as he showed 83-85 mph velocity from the outfield.

Austin Combs, C/2B, Center Grove HS, 2012- Combs is a 5-foot-5 inch catcher that is very quick, demonstrating an event best 2.02 pop time with a quick exchange.  From the crouching position he was 73 mph. Offensively, Combs possesses a balanced, short, and compact swing, projecting to hit for average..

Zak Eckerle, RHP, Eastern Greene HS, 2013 - Eckerle (pictured Right)is a 6-foot 180 pound right handed pitcher with a strong arm. He has a consistent 78-82 mph fastball. Mechanically he is raw, but with improvement he should increase velocity.

Grady Hughes, RHP, Bloomington South HS, 2013- Hughes is a 6-foot 190 pound RHP with a fastball touching 80 mph. With growth, expect him to increase his velocity.  Hughes also possesses an above average changeup.

Will Hunker, MIF, Cathedral HS, 2012- Hunker is an all-round solid player. He ran a 4.16 home to first, and threw 76 mph across the diamond. Offensively, he showed a compact swing, that has the potential produce a high average.

Jacob Johnson, MIF, Terre Haute South HS, 2014- Johnson already possesses three advanced tools. He ran a 4.06 home to first, and defensively he demonstrates a good understanding of how to play shortstop. Across the diamond he was 78 mph.

Jordan Kelly, P/1B, Plainfield HS, 2014- Kelly (pictured left) is a 6-foot-3inch physically mature freshman. He shows smooth actions at first base with a strong arm (78mph). On the mound, Kelly was 76-79 with his fastball, and also shows a good change up at 66-68 mph.

Blake Kistler, C/OF, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2013- B. Kistler is a 5-foot-11 inch catcher with quick feet and a quick exchange.  He displayed an impressive pop time of 2.09.  From the crouching position he is 74 mph, and from the outfield he is consistently 76-78 mph.

Grant Kistler, OF/3B, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2013- G. Kistler is a 6-foot-1 inch 165 pound outfielder with good athleticism.  From the outfield, he shows some quickness, and above average arm strength at 78-81 mph.  From the infield he shows good hands, and was 76-78 mph. At the plate, G. Kistler shows the potential for power to all fields when staying balanced. 

Austin Muhn, P/1B, Central Catholic HS, 2012- Muhn is a 6-foot 180 pound athlete that projects to be a pitcher at the next level. He possesses an 80-83 mph fastball, as well as a breaking ball and changeup that are both 70-73 mph.

Alec Nelson, 3B, Westfield HS, 2014-. Nelson is a 5 foot- 9 inch 150 pound corner infielder. He demonstrates good knowledge of how to play defensively, and has quick feet and hands.  Offensively, he shows athleticism with projectable pop.