A group of first time showcase participants took the field at College of the Ozarks on Saturday, September 29th, and the future looks bright for these players.

Complete player reports from the showcase: (alphabetical order)
Merrick Altis, C, Parkview HS, Class of 2016:
The 5-foot-8, 125-pound Altis showed some athleticism behind the plate, and showed to be a coachable player while making adjustments with instruction during bullpen sessions. He works hard behind the plate, showing instincts with balls in the dirt. Offensively, Altis showed the ability to put the ball into play consistently, spraying it to all fields. As Altis continues to mature physically, he should see improvements in all facets of his game.

 

Gunnar Friend, RHP/1B, Webb City, Class of 2014:
Friend is a physically imposing 6-foot-3, 225-pound two way player who showed well in all facets of his game. On the mound, Friend comes from a high ¾ arm slot with smooth rhythm and the ability to throw three pitches for strikes. His fastball sat 81-81 mph, topping at 82-mph with late arm side run. Friend also threw his off speed pitches for strikes, with near fastball arm speed on both. His breaking ball (70-73 mph) had gradual 11-to-5 break while his change up (74-75 mph) showed some arm side run and sink. At first base, Friend moves well for a player of his size, with the ball consistently finding his glove, and accurate throws to second and third (72-mph). At the plate, Friend has good rhythm while barreling up the ball and hitting it gap to gap. With some more use of his lower have, Friend has some potential to generate some more power.

 

Nicholas Hooper, RHP/OF, Willard HS, Class of 2014:
Nicholas Hooper is an athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound right handed pitcher an outfielder, who showed to have one of the strongest arms of the event. Hooper’s fastball topped at 83-mph with arm side run. He also threw a 11-to-5 breaking ball (66-70 mph) and a 73-75 mph change up with some depth. He looks to be a raw pitcher with quite a bit of upside and he fine-tunes his mechanics and pitches. In the outfield, Hooper took good routes to the ball and has good lateral movements. He has a quick, clean exchange and carry on his throws, with a top throw of 82-mph. Offensively, Hoper has a balanced stance with a short stride and quick hands to the ball. He takes a long, uphill bat path; hitting the ball gap to gap. Additionally, Hooper ran a 7.24 60 and 4.82 home to first.

 

Lane Ketterman, OF, Nevada HS, Class of 2014:
Ketterman is an athletic 5-foot-8, 165-pound outfielder who impressed with his outfield play and speed. His quick 7.16 60 and 4.37 home to first (top home to first time of the event) translated well in outfield with aggressive and quick routes to the ball while keeping his momentum toward his target with some carry on this throws (79-mph).  Offensively, Ketterman has a level swing with extension through contact from both sides of the plate. With some more hip drive and weight shift, there is some power potential in his swing.

 

Joseph Murray, OF, Waynesville HS, Class of 2014:
In the outfield, Murray starts with an athletic base and showed good instincts to the ball, taking aggressive routes while playing through the ball with accurate throws to third and home (69-mph). Offensively, Murray has a good approach with a long swing that showed the ability to make constant contact. Murray posted a 7.53 in the 60 and 4.79 home to first.

 

Keaton Pressley, OF, Willard HS, Class of  2014:
Pressley has a lanky 6-foot-1, 165-pouund frame, and looked to be one of the top overall athletes of the event. Pressley posted the top 60 time, with a 6.90, and the second fastest home to first with a 4.38. Pressley uses that speed to get to the ball quickly while playing through the ball and recording a top throw of 75-mph. At the plate, Pressley has an open stance and a short stride with good bat speed through the zone. He shows a level swing with extension through contact and the ability to hit the ball to all fields. As he continues to fill out his frame, Pressley has the tools to progress and be an impact player.

 

Blake Ramsey, MIF, Bolivar HS, Class of 2014:
The 6-foot, 165-pound Ramsey showed a good approach to the ball at shortstop with good footwork and an accurate arm across the diamond (72-mph). At the plate, Ramsey has a balanced setup with a smooth load. Ramsey has a long, level swing with good bat speed, showing the ability to hit the ball to the gaps. Additionally, Ramsey ran a 7.37 60 and 4.67 home to first.

 

Landon Steele, MIF, Branson HS, Class of 2013:
The undersized 5-foot-6, 143-pound Steele showed a good approach to the ball with fluid footwork and accurate throws across the diamond. At the plate, Steele has an open stance with a short stride. His bat takes an uphill path to the ball and showing the ability to hit gap to gap. If Steele can keep his weight back rather than hitting off his front side, he should see some more consistency in his swing.

 

Mason Williams, MIF, Webb City, Class of 2014:
The undersized 5-foot-6, 142-pound Williams showed to give max effort on every play, efforts that did not go unnoticed. Defensively, Williams shows the ability to cleanly field the ball with a quick release on his throws (70-mph). At the plate, Williams has an athletic setup and takes a long bat path to the ball, while still managing to produce line drives. When his swing was shortened, he showed quick hands to the ball. With a bit more balance at the plate, Williams has the ability to be a consistent hitter. Williams ran a 7.61 60 and 4.87 home to first.

 

Douglas Wolfe, RHP, Nevada HS, Class of 2014:
Wolfe has a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, with a long loose arm and easy delivery, showing repeatable mechanics. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Wolfe’s fastball sat 80-81 mph, topping at 82-mph and thrown consistently for a strike down in the zone. He also threw a 73-76 mph change up with near fastball arm speed, showing some late arm side movement.

 

Austin White, MIF, Webb City, Class of 2013:
White is an athletic 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder who showed good instincts to the ball with fundamental footwork, soft hands, and a quick clean exchange. Offensively, White has a balanced stance with a short stride. He has good rhythm and uses a strong lower half to produce some barrel whip through the zone; driving the ball gap to gap. White ran a 7.40 60 and was 4.76 home to first.