The Top Prospect Showcase at Rockhurst University on August 14^th drew some high end talent from both the Missouri and Kansas sides of Kansas City. 

While the weather was a bit damp, but the skill of the players overshadowed the weather and some impressive performances were on display.

A look at the players who participated in the Top Prospect Showcase: 
Top Performers:
Dalton Moats, LHP/OF/1B, Park Hill, Class of 2013:
Moats is a long and projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound multi-positional talent who impressed in all facets of the game. On the mound the left-handed pitcher showcased command of three pitches.  Operating from a high ¾ arm slot, Moats is loose and deceptive, as he fired 85-87 mph fastballs with arm-side run.  Moats continued to impress with his off-speed pitches, including a 66-68 mph curveball that showed tight spin and good two-plane action, a power 70-74 mph slider with late, hard break, and a 76-78 mph changeup with late sink. Defensively in the outfield, Moats moved well in the outfield with a quick transfer and got momentum behind his accurate throws playing through the ball (85 mph). At first base, Moats works well around the bag, showing sure and soft hands. At the plate, Moats keeps his hands inside the ball with a slightly uphill bat path and was able to drive the ball to all fields, with power to right center. With his body type and arm action, Moats has become one of the more coveted left-handers in the Class of 2013.

Brian Sharp, C/3B/RHP, Liberty North, Class of 2015:
The youngest player of the event, Sharp is a projectable and extremely athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound two way player who excelled in all facets of his game and looks to be one of the top Class of 2015 prospects. Behind the plate, Sharp showed above average receiving and blocking skills, with quick instincts. He also showcased quick feet and a strong and accurate arm (74 mph), with a best pop time of 1.98. At third base, Sharp has a good approach to the ball with fundamental fielding mechanics, a clean glove to hand transfer, and some life on his throws (79-mph). Offensively, the left handed hitter has a strong lower had and advanced hitting skills for a player of his age. He has good rhythm with a strong lower half and produced barrel whip through the zone producing consistent hard line drives. On the mound, Sharp works quickly with a heavy 82-85-mph fastball that had late sink, a 67-70-mph sweeping breaking ball (67-70 mph), and a 70-74 mph change up with arm side movement. He has the mound presence of a Jason Motte like pitcher.

 

Adam Thies, SS, Olathe East (KS), Class of 2014:
Defensively, the projectable and athletic 6-foot, 160-pound Thies displayed athleticism in the infield by utilizing his soft hands and fluid footwork as he handled every ground ball with natural actions.  He exhibited a quick, clean exchange and an accurate arm (80-mph).  Offensively, he starts with a slightly open stance with a short stride. Thies has a good lower half and takes a short, level path to the ball with good extension through contact, driving the ball gap to gap. He had the top exit velocity of 89-mph off the bat.

Best of the rest (in alphabetical order)

Drew Blair, OF/RHP, Lee’s Summit, Class of 2013:
Blair is an undersized 5-foot-9, 135-pound two way player who has shown progression since his last PBR showcase. In the outfield, Blair showed good instincts to the ball with fundamental footwork. He has a quick, clean exchange with accurate throws that had some carry to third and home (80-mph). At the plate, Blair has good rhythm with quick hands that stay inside the ball, spraying it to all fields. He also ran a 4.44 home to first.  On the mound, Blair comes from an over the top arm slot with a quick loose arm. His fastball topped at 77-mph, while his 11-to-5 breaking ball (53-57-mph) was thrown with fastball arm speed. His best pitch was his change up (68-70-mph) with fastball arm speed and late arm side movement.


Carter Buresh, OF, Hickman, Class of 2014:
Buresh is a wiry 6-foot-4, 175-pound outfielder who showed good movements to the ball, catching it high and in front while getting himself in good position to throw the ball. His throws were accurate to third and home (72-mph). At the plate, Buresh his quiet in the box, keeping his hands inside the ball and showing the ability to make consistent contact. He showed some speed, with a 4.42 home to first. As Buresh continues to mature physically, he should be able to drive the ball hard with consistency.


Nick Dorman, C/OF, Blue Springs HS, Class of 2013:
Dorman is a solidly built 5-foot-10, 168-pound player who showed versatility in the field and behind the plate. In the outfield, Dorman showed good instincts and was always in proper position to field and throw. All of his throws were on a line and showed some accuracy, with a top throw of 74-mph. Behind the plate, Dorman showed solid receiving and blocking skills. He recorded a top pop time of 2.12. Offensively, Dorman has loose hands and a quick swing. He showed a level, line drive swing and the ability to drive the ball to the right side.


Dalton Dreier, RHP/OF, Benton HS, Class of 2013:
Dreier is a strong bodied 6-foot-3, 200-pound two-way player. In the outfield, Dreier took good routes to the ball and had accuracy on his throws (72-77 mph). At the plate, Dreier uses his strong upper half to muscle the ball with a powerful, uphill swing plane showing the ability to hit the ball hard. With some more use of his lower half, he has the potential to be a more consistent hitter with better power. He had an exit velo of 85-mph, showing that the power is there. On the mound Dreier comes from a high ¾ arm slot and showed command for his 75-78 mph fastball.  He also throws a gradual developing 62-64 mph curveball and a 65-mph change up with some depth.


Grant Gavin, RHP/1B, St. Pius X, Class of 2013:
Gavin is a athletic 6-foot-2, 175-pound two way player who showed well on the mound, at first base, and at the plate. On the mound, Gavin comes from a high ¾ arm slot with a quick, loose arm and good rhythm. His heavy fastball was consistently thrown for a strike and sat 83-84 mph, while uncorking one 88-mph pitch. He also showed good arm action on a sharp, late breaking two-plane breaking ball (72-74 mph). At the plate, Gavin has loose hands and a short, quick swing while making consistent solid contact with pull side power. He also recorded an exit velo of 85-mph. At first base, Gavin showed to be a confident fielder with good hands and footwork while turning double plays and accurate throws. Additionally, Gavin is a standout football and basketball player.


Corbin Hare, 1B, Blue Springs HS, Class of 2013:
The strong bodied 6-foot-1, 200-pound Hare impressed at the plate with his ability to drive the ball hard, showing some pull side power.  Hare has a smooth load with a short stride and strong lower half. He has looseness in his swing and showed barrel whip through the zone as he barreled up the ball time and time again. Hare has potential to be a top level power hitter. At first base, Hare stays in front of the ball and showed to be sure handed, with good footwork, working well around the bag.


Grant Hargis, LHP, Blue Springs HS, Class of 2013:
The 6-foot, 200-pound Hargis showed the ability to command four pitches for strikes during his bullpen session. Coming from a ¾ arm slot with smooth rhythm, Hargis’s fastball sat 72-75 mph with some arm side run and sink.  He also threw a 63-64 mph curveball and a 67-68 mph slider. He also showed good arm speed on his 65-67 mph change up with late glove side movement.


Ryan Hendricks, LHP/OF, Lee’s Summit HS, Class of 2013:
Hendricks is a lanky 6-foot-1, 180-pound multi-positional player who has potential on the mound. The left-hander comes from a ¾ arm slot and showed feel for three pitches. His fastball topped at 71 mph with late arm side run, while his curveball sat at 60-62 mph with 10-to-4 shape.  Additionally, he threw a changeup that sat at 63-65 mph with impressive arm side run, possibly his best pitch. With a few mechanical adjustments, Hendricks should see his velocity spike.  In the outfield, Hendricks has controlled body movements toward the ball with a quick, accurate arm (69-mph) and momentum toward his target.  Offensively, the left handed hitter showcased a level, line drive swing with good bat speed and barreled up balls to all fields. Hendricks had an exit velo of 81-mph and ran a 4.42 home to first.


Deric Link, 1B, Fair Grove HS, Class of 2103:
Link is a physically imposing 6-foot-3, 215-pound player who impressed at the plate. Link has a quiet, balanced set up, and utilizes his strength and explosive lower half to drive the ball with backspin carry. Link generates god bat speed and barrel whip while maintaining good bat control. Defensively, Link exhibited solid feet around the bag and topped at 79 mph across this infield.


Boone Newell, SS, Olathe North (KS), Class of 2013:
Newell is a lanky 6-foot, 160-pound middle infielder who showed a fundamental approach in all facets of the game. Defensively, he demonstrated soft hands and the ability to play the ball on the move. He was quick to the ball and moved well laterally, playing through the baseball with accurate throws across the diamond (70 mph) when he kept his momentum toward first base.  At the plate, Newell has a balanced setup and short stride to the baseball.  He displayed an easy, level swing and made solid contact, spraying the ball to all fields.  Additionally, Newell ran an event best 4.32 home to first.


Brady Newland, OF, Liberty HS, Class of 2014:
Newland is an outfielder with a lanky 6-foot-1, 158-pound frame. In the outfield, Newland has good instincts to the ball and consistently catching the ball high with his momentum toward his target. He has a clean exchange with accurate throws (79-mph). At the plate, Newland is relaxed with quick hands and a level, line drive producing swing that showed the ability to hit to all fields. Additionally, Newland ran a 4.44 home to first. As Newland continues to mature physically, he should progress in all facets of his game.


John Oliver, SS, Staley, Class of 2014:
In the field, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Oliver showed good range to both his forehand and back hand side, while getting to the ball quickly both directions. He has smooth fielding mechanics with a quick, clean exchange and some arm strength across the diamond (74-mph).  Offensively, Oliver has good rhythm and a level, line drive producing swing with the ability to hit the ball to all fields.


Trenton Orr, C, Blue Springs HS, Class of 2013:
At the plate, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Orr uses a strong lower half to generate power in his swing. With a balanced stance, Orr has looseness in his swing, keeping his hands inside the ball with some barrel whip producing gap to gap line drives. Behind the plate, Orr showed fundamental receiving and blocking skills. He recorded a top pop time of 2.02 (69-mph).


David Stober, SS, Blue Springs HS, Class of 2015:
Stober is an athletic 6-foot, 175-pound shortstop who showed a good approach to the ball, fielding with his hands out in front and soft hands. He has short, quick arm action across the diamond and recorded the top velo across the infield at 81-mph. Offensively; Stober has a balanced stance with a smooth load and little wasted movement in the box. He has a long, level swing and does not get cheated, hitting the ball hard gap to gap. Additionally, he showed power potential with an 82-mph exit velo off the bat.


Wes Summers, C/3B, Smithville HS, Class of 2013:
Summers is a 5-foot-8, 160-pound player who showcased solid skills behind the plate and at third base.  Behind the plate, Summers exhibited a clean exchange, athletic feet and quick arm, all of which resulted in a best pop time of 1.92 (70-mph).  At third base, Summers takes a good approach to the ball, fielding everything out in front and has a quick, accurate arm (72-mph). He also showed good range to both his forehand and backhand side. Offensively, Summers showcased an aggressive, repeatable swing with extension through contact. He remains quiet through contact, with little extra movement. He uses his strong lower half and quick hands to barrel the baseball with gap-to-gap power.


Austin Tate, LHP, Blue Springs HS, Class of 2013:
The left handed throwing Tate is has a projectable 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame, and showed the ability to command three pitches for strikes. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Tate’s fastball, which topped at 77-mph, showed late arm side run and sink. He also showed a plus sharp, two plane breaking ball (62-65 mph) with near fastball arm speed that was kept down in the zone, a legit out pitch. He also threw a 66-68 mph change up with arm side movement. With his size and easy effort on the mound, we think there is more in the tank with this lefty.


Jordan VanTrump, C, Raymore-Peculiar, Class of 2014:
VanTrump is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound switch hitting catcher who showed the ability to stick the ball in all parts of the zone and demonstrated good body control while blocking. He recorded a top pop time of 2.33 (72-mph). Offensively, from the right side he has a wide crouch stance and took an uphill bat path to the ball, making consistent contact. As a lefty, VanTrump showed a level, strong swing that produced some barrel whip through the zone driving it to the right side.