Prep Baseball Report

2014 Draft Blog



Several states in Prep Baseball Report's coverage area have their own scout blog, covering the landscape of high school baseball to no end. The Draft Blog compiles any of those entries pertinent to the current draft year so you can read it in one, central location. The 2014 Major League Baseball Draft takes place June 5-7 this year and there are plenty of prospects within PBR's coverage that anticipate hearing their name called.

McKay’s Streak Comes To An End - 5/29/14

LHP Brendan McKay (Blackhawk HS, PA) saw his pursuit of the all-time national consecutive scoreless innings record end at 72 2/3 innings when West Allegheny HS was able to push across two runs against him in the 4th inning Thursday night. McKay showed similar numbers to previous outings this spring.

Miniard's Velo Inconsistent, But Breaking Ball Remains Sharp - 5/19/14

By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

RHP Micah Miniard (Boyle County HS, KY) took the mound against Garrard County HS in the opening round of 45th District Tournament. His fastball sat 89-91 mph out of the gate, but he struggled early with his command and racked up a lot of pitches in the first inning.

Latest Outing Not As Crisp For Bass - 5/18/14

By Ryan Quigley
Area Scout

A Notre Dame recruit, RHP Brad Bass (Lincoln-Way Central HS, IL), is one of the top draft prospects in the Midwest. He stands at a projectable 6-foot-6, 215 pounds with very athletic feet and arm for his size. His delivery is simple and repeatable and he maintains balance throughout, which should make him a consistent strike-thrower at the next level. He shows minimal effort and his height provides a good downward angle on his fastball.

Willeman's stock On The Rise - 5/18/14

By Dylan Hefflinger
Senior Writer/NW Scout

A 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect from Northwest Ohio, Zach Willeman (Napoleon HS, OH) has been dominant all season and in his latest outing, the righty was electric.

Skoug PIcking Up Steam - 5/12/14

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Ranked No. 3 in Illinois’ 2014 class, No. 5 overall, draft interest in C Evan Skoug is seemingly picking up steam, as there were a handful of high-level scouts to see the Texas Christian recruit on back-to-back days. Skoug should put me on his payroll because over the course of two years in the spring, summer and fall, Skoug is hitting like .800 when I am in attendance. His bat, however, is no fluke.

Varga Dominates Inferior Competition - 5/8/14

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

Thursday capped off my trip to Ohio as I went to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy to see RHP Cameron Varga. Pitching against Clark Montessori HS, OH, Varga dominated. He pitched all five innings of the 11-0, shortened game and struck out all 15 hitters he faced.

Shannon Struggles To Find Zone - 5/8/14

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

I traveled to Cincinnati this week because two pitchers with serious draft interest were scheduled to throw on back-to-back days—RHPs Zack Shannon (Anderson HS, OH) and Cameron Varga (Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, OH). Shannon was the first stop as Anderson was looking to clinch first place in its conference.

With approximately 10 scouts in attendance, including at least one national crosschecker, Shannon struggled in this appearance. He had trouble commanding all of his pitches and was lifted after four innings, allowing six walks and two hit batters while striking out six.

Ockimey's Size, Power Should Be Watched - 5/4/14

Because of his physical build and plus raw power, 1B Josh Ockimey (Neumann-Goretti HS, PA) is a draft prospect to watch this spring. The left-handed hitter drove a deep opposite field double off a mid-80s right-hander.

Even With Late Start, Latz's Stock On The Rise - 5/3/14

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Ranked No. 6 in Illinois’ 2014 class and No. 20 overall, LHP Jake Latz (Lemont HS, IL) is committed to Louisiana State, but is receiving draft interest this spring. Although he didn’t make his first start until April 10, the left-hander continues to see his draft stock climb with each passing start. Latz has been lights out in all four starts this season. Helping his cause is the scarcity of left-handed prospects in the Midwest. Latz is pitching with an enhanced level of polish this spring, working with a measured purpose, not always trying to light up the gun, but adding and subtracting on his fastball, and grabbing more velocity when he wants it, even in later innings. Everyone always talks about velocity, but Latz’s curveball is a true separator from his peers.

Mountain Vista-Regis Jesuit MatchUp Filled With Talent - 4/30/14

By John Cackowski
Colorado Scouting Director

Mountain Vista HS, CO, and Regis Jesuit HS, CO, matched up on April 30. The game featured three prospects to keep an eye on for the 2014 draft:

An athletic righty, Nick Leonard (Mountain Vista HS, CO) took the mound against No. 1-ranked Regis Jesuit. Leonard stands at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds is headed to Washington State on scholarship this fall. He throws with a clean arm action coming from a high three-quarter slot with above-average arm speed. His fastball had decent movement into right-handed batters and consistently sat at 88-89 mph throughout his seven innings of work, topping out at 92 mph on multiple occasions.

Big Day For Sullivan - 4/26/14

By Dan Cevette
New York Scouting Director

At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, OF Zach Sullivan (Corning HS, NY) is very projectable. In front of five scouts on Saturday, Sullivan showed quick hands at the plate with a confident approach. He had four RBIs on the day.

Blewett Solid In Third Start - 4/25/14

By Dan Cevette
New York Scouting Director

RHP Scott Blewett (Baker HS, NY) again showed signs of being a potential first-round draft pick this June. In front of more than 30 scouts, Blewett fired a handful of fastballs at 94 mph in the first inning. His 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame creates a lot of power, but still with a very quiet delivery.

Grieshaber Helps Marquette Sink Eureka - 4/24/14

Marquette HS, MO, improved to 12-4 on the year with a 2-1 victory over host Eureka on Thursday, thanks in part to SS Keith Grieshaber going 1-for-3 with a double. Grieshaber has all the tools to be successful at the next level.

Columbine's Anderson Displays Athleticism - 4/24/14

SS Austin Anderson (Columbine HS, CO), a Nevada-Las Vegas recruit, has an athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. He has a strong arm with good carry across the diamond and displays the same arm strength from deep in the hole. His accuracy is affected by a tendency to overthrow, but he has very good footwork and speed, taking good angles to balls to his left and right.

Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL) Vs. Glenwood (IL) - 4/23/14

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

It’s no secret that Illinois’ 2014 catcher class is as good as we’ve seen in many years. On Wednesday, Mitch Trees (Sacred Heart-Griffin HS, IL) confirmed yet again that he is unquestionably the top catch-and-throw prospect of the bunch.

Vancena Takes Perfect Game Into Seventh - 4/21/14

RHP Jayce Vancena (Lake HS, OH) took a perfect game into the seventh inning in front of more than a dozen scouts on Monday, building on his April 9 start in which he struck out seven.

Latz Edges Dietz In Pitchers' Duel - 4/18/14

A Louisiana State recruit, LHP Jake Latz (Lemont HS, IL) is ranked No. 6 in the state and 20th overall. He beat Sandburg HS RHP Matthias Dietz 1-0. He has ready stuff with polish and projection. Standing at 6-foor-2, 190 pounds, he has a typical lean and athletic build.

Montes de Oca Improves In Second Start - 4/17/14

By Sean McCann
Kansas Scouting Director

Once again a large contingent of MLB scouts lined up behind home plate, radar guns and camcorders in hand, to watch Lawrence HS senior right-hander Bryce Montes de Oca on Thursday. Montes de Oca is a massive 6-foot-8, 265-pounder—his teammates call him “Grande” and parents in the stands cheer for “Big Bryce” and Montes de Oca stands for “Mountain of Geese” in Spanish—all very appropriate.

Nutof Goes The Distance Against St. Charles North - 4/17/14

Ranked No. 16 in Illinois and No. 68 overall, RHP Ryan Nutof (South Elgin HS, IL) is committed to Michigan and stands at a sturdy 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. He has an athletic arm action and feet, working from a high three-quarter slot with short arm action and repeatable delivery. Pitching against St. Charles North HS, IL, this week, Nutoff gave an impressive performance.

Ruppenthal's Solid Outing - 4/10/14

RHP Matt Ruppenthal (Brother Rice HS, MI) will be followed closely by scouts this spring as he stands at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and possesses a good fastball. Michigan scouting director Brent Alwine was at a recent start, where Ruppenthal sat 88-90, touching 92 once.

Varga Doesn't Disappoint - 4/9/14

By Chris Valentine
Ohio Scouting Director

With a packed house of area scouts, crosscheckers and front office staff, RHP Cameron Varga (Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, OH) took the mound against one of Southwest Ohio’s strongest teams. Out of the gate, Varga showed the smooth, repeatable delivery that has cemented him as one of the top high school players in the nation.

Shannon Overpowers Opposing hitters - 4/9/14

By Chris Valentine
Ohio Scouting Director 

RHP/1B Zack Shannon (Anderson HS, OH) had six to eight scouts in attendance for his start on the mound Wednesday evening. In the first inning, The 6-foot-3, 200-pound two-way prospect’s fastball, which showed some arm side run, sat 90-92 mph, bumping up to 93 mph on occasion.

Vancena Strikes Out Seven - 4/9/14

By Dylan Hefflinger
Senior Writer/NW Scout

RHP Jayce Vancena (Lake HS, OH) got the job done on the mound as well as at the plate in front of numerous scouts. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Michigan recruit went six innings, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven.

Blewett's First Start Turns Into Scout Convention - 4/9/14

By Dan Cevette
New York Scouting Director

RHP Scott Blewett (Charles W. Baker HS, NY) stands at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds with a strong, athletic body. His legs are solidly built, but his upper body shows room for projection. In the first inning, Blewett pumped a few fastballs at 93 mph before settling in at 87-90.

Bass Flashes Nasty Stuff - 4/6/14

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Ranked No. 2 in Illinois’ 2014 class and No. 3 overall, RHP Brad Bass (Lincoln-Way Central HS, IL) is a Notre Dame recruit and one of the Midwest’s top draft prospects. He is highly projectable and athletic at 6-foot-6, 215-pounds.

Godfrey Looks Stronger In Second Outing - 4/5/14

By Ryan Quigley
Area Scout

RHP Jake Godfrey, (Providence Catholic HS, IL) held his velocity longer into the game in his second start of 2014. He came out sitting 90-91 in the first inning. In the third, he dipped down and flashed a few 87's before reaching back and touching 93 twice.

Weather Doesn't Deter SCouts From Seeing Godfrey - 3/29/14

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

RHP Jake Godfrey (Providence Catholic HS, IL) made his first start of the season on March 29 with a throng of scouts braving the cold weather. Physically, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Godfrey looked in the excellent shape. He came out in the first sitting 90-91 mph, touching 92 a few times.

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