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Missouri Pitching Standouts at Top 100 Showcase

January 6, 2014

By Sean McCann and Rob Fleeup
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

On Saturday, December 28th Prep Baseball Report had the opportunity to attend the KC Barnstormers Top 100 Showcase at Missouri Western University in St. Joseph Missouri.

Today we take a look at four pitching prospects from Missouri high schools that stood out:

Zack Davis, RHP, Kearney HS, Class of 2015
The physical, athletic 6-foot-4, 195-pound Davis recorded the highest velocity of any pitcher at the camp at 88 mph, throwing a high percentage of fastballs in the strike zone with arm side run.  A 3-sport athlete for Kearney HS, Davis also worked out at shortstop making athletic plays and showing a strong arm.  He is a left-hand hitter that hits from a tall stance and delivered a number of middle of the field line drives during the hitting evaluation portion of camp.  He also ran a camp best 6.80 60-yard dash, very impressive especially considering how physical he is.  Let’s review this one more time: left-hand hitting shortstop, best fastball velocity, best running time, 3-sport athlete – pretty much exactly what major college baseball coaches and MLB scouts look for first and foremost - all wrapped up into a sizable 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame. 

David Leatherwood, RHP, Rockhurst HS, Class of 2015
Leatherwood is a little, athletic RHP with a simple delivery that pumped strikes at a level above all other participants at the showcase.  His delivery is near flawless and he has quick, clean arm action.  His fastball registered in the 81-83 mph range with a 69-71 slurve-ish type breaking ball.  Because his delivery is so repeatable he has a chance to develop high-level command in the future.  He also showed good actions and made strong, accurate throws during the infield workouts.  Leatherwood ran a 7.22 60-yard dash.  He plays with the KC Barnstormers organization in the off-season.

Jacob Schlesener, LHP, Logan-Rogersville HS, Class of 2015
The thin, athletic-framed 6-foot-2, 170-pound Schlesener combines right now pitchability with projection.  His clean arm action, simple delivery and high ¾ slot produce good sinking action away from right-handed hitters with both his 79-81 mph fastball and 72-76 change-up.  He also has good feel for a controllable 12-6 breaking ball.  Overall he showed command of all three pitches and has a frame that has plenty of room to add weight lending me to believe there is more in the tank velocity-wise.  Schlesener is a member of the Midwest Nationals organization out of Springfield, Missouri. To see a videos of Schlesener pitching click here.

Eli Patterson, RHP, Park Hill South HS, Class of 2015
Patterson is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound RHP that throws with long arm action and a ¾ slot that results in an 83-84 mph fastball that bores into right-handed hitters late.  His delivery has good early balance and rhythm.  He also showed a sinking 73-76 change-up.  Patterson also worked out with with outfielders making, as you might expect, several strong throws during the defensive workouts. He ran a 7.09 60-yard dash.  In the summer and fall he plays for the KC Barnstormers organization.  Click here to see Patterson pitching at the Top 100.

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