The pitcher/catcher portion of the Fall Prospect Showcase at Maryville University on Saturday October 13 yielded some high level talent, with a number of players making a name for themselves and increasing their stock as they go into the winter.

A look at all of the pitchers, catchers, and two-way players from the Classes of 2013 and 2014:

Class of 2013 and 2014 (in alphabetical order)
Sam Acker, LHP, Kirkwood HS, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound left handed throwing Archer comes from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm and showed feel for three pitches.  Archer’s fastball showed some slight arm side movement and was consistently thrown for a strike during his bullpen session. He also showed a 1-to-7 breaking ball in the 62-66 mph range along with a 65-67 mph change up  with fastball arm speed and arm side run. Acker ran a 7.44 60. 

Dalton Archer, RHP, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2014:
Archer is a lanky 6-foot, 150-pound right-handed pitcher who has some rhythm in his delivery with long, loose arm action. His fastball sat 69-72 mph, topping at 73-mph with some sink action. His breaking ball (62-67 mph) had 10-to-4 shape with gradual break, while his change up (67-70 mph) had near arm side run with some arm side movement. Archer ran a 7.15 60.

Brennan Barnes, LHP/OF/1B, Pattonville HS, Class of 2014:
Barnes is a versatile 6-foot-2, 150-pound multi positional player. On the mound, the left handed thrower comes from a ¾ arm slot with god rhythm, showing a 71-73 mph fastball, topping at 74-mph with slight cut action. His breaking ball had gradual 1-to-7 shape (62-64 mph) and change up with some fade (63-66 mph). In the outfield, Barnes showed controlled movements to the ball with a good glove to hand transfer while playing through the ball. At first base, he showed to be a sure handed fielder, working well around the bag, and the ability to pick. Offensively, the left handed hitting Barnes has a balanced stance, with good balance through his swing and some power.

Nathaniel Berendzen, RHP, Ft. Zumwalt East HS, Class of 2014:
The physically imposing 6-foot-6, 280-pound Berendzen showed smooth rhythm on the mound with easy effort on all his pitches. His breaking ball seemed to be his best pitch, with 10-to-4 shape thrown in the 68-71 mph range. He also threw a 77-79 mph fastball, topping at 79-mph with slight cut action, as well as a 73-75 mph change up, also with some fade. 

Chis Beckmann, LHP, Francis Howell HS, Class of 2014:
With a strong lower half, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Beckmann delivered fastballs in the 72-74 mph range, topping at 75-mph with cut action. With his body type, we expect to see an increase in velocity over the next few years. His breaking ball had 2-to-8 shape, with late movement and thrown on the inner half of the plate. He also threw a 67-70 mph change up with some sink action. 

Ryan Bradley, RHP, Oakville HS, Class of 2014:
Bradley is a wiry 6-foot-4, 174-pound right handed pitcher. Coming from a low ¾ arm slot, Bradley has quick arm speed and a long loose arm. He has a deceptive delivery and the ball jumps out of his hand with a fast ball that topped at 81-mph, showing both cut and run action. He also showed a 64-66 mph change up with glove side movement, consistently down in the strike zone. Bradley also threw a gradual breaking 11-to-5 breaking ball in the 64-67 mph range.

Bill Branstetter, RHP, Parkway West HS, Class of 2014:
The 6-foot, 190-pound Branstetter comes from a ¾ arm slot and showed the ability to throw three pitches. His fastball sat 67-71 mph, topping at 72-mph, while his breaking ball was in the 56-59 mph range with sweeping action. Branstetter also showed a 64-67 mph change up that had arm side movement at times.

Ian Cassidy, C, Parkway South, Class of 2014:
Behind the plate Cassidy showed a firm wrist and good framing ability, as well as the ability effectively block the ball during bullpen sessions. He fired a top pop time of 2.16 at 74-mph  At the plate, Cassidy has a level swing, spraying the ball to all fields. 

Keanen Davila, C, Vianney, Class of 2014:
Behind the plate, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Davila showed good catching fundamentals with a stiff wrist and the ability to stick the ball. Davila showed the ability to be an effective blocker during bullpen sessions. He has a top pop time of 2.08. At the plate, Davila has a slightly open stance with a short stride and good rhythm. When he stayed back on the ball, he was able to consistently hit the ball to all fields. 

Brad Dockler, LHP, Timberland HS, Class of 2013:
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Dockler comes from a high ¾ arm slot with loose back arm action, and kept all of his pitches down in the zone. His fastball sat 69-73 mph, while his breaking ball has 1-to-7 shape in the 61-65 mph range. He also showed a 65-67 mph change up with some late fade. 

Mark Elbert, RHP, SLUH, Class of 2014:
Elbert is a 6-foot, 180-pound right handed pitcher who comes from a high ¾ arm slot with free arm action and feel for three pitches. His fastball was thrown in the 76-78 mph range and at times showed some cut action, while being consistently thrown for a strike. He also showed a 11-to-5 breaking ball with early break (64-68 mph) and a 70-73 mph change up with some late fade. Additionally, Elbert ran a 7.56 60. 

Brendan Florian, RHP, CBC, Class of 2013:
Florian is a solidly built 5-foot-10, 180-pound right handed pitcher. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Florian has good rhythm on the mound with easy effort on all pitches. Florian’s fastball sat in the 67-70 mph range, topping at 71-mph. His breaking ball has gradual 10-to-4 break (63-66 mph), while his change up (67-70 mph) was thrown at near fastball arm speed and was kept down in the zone. Florian ran one of the fastest 60 times for a pitcher, posting a 6.90. 

Alex Graville, RHP/INF, Timberland HS, Class of 2013:
The lanky 6-foot, 165-pound Graville comes from a low ¾ arm slot, with a deceptive delivery. He showed the ability to locate his 73-76 mph fastball, as well as showing some feel for his 10-to-4 breaking ball (61-64 mph) with gradual break. He also showed a 70-mph change up with arm side movement. In the field, Graville showed to be a sure handed fielder, with range to his forehand side. He has soft hands with accurate throws across the diamond.  At the plate, Graville has a balanced stance with a short stride. His swing stays level through contact and showed the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. Graville ran a 7.55 60.

Harrison Hawk, RHP/CIF, Marquette HS, Class of 2014:
Hawk is a wiry 6-foot-2, 180-pound two way player, who showed some athleticism with a 6.99 60 time. On the mound, he comes from a low ¾ arm slot with easy effort while showing feel for all his pitches. Hawk’s fastball was in the 72-75 mph range, topping at 75-mph. He also showed a sweeping breaking ball (64-66 mph) that found the strike zone and a 70-73 mph change up with arm side movement down in the zone. In the field, Hawk showed to be a confident fielder with some range at both infield positions. Offensively, Hawk shows good balance and rhythm through his swing, taking a long path to the ball. 

Lane Huff, C, Park Hill Central, Class of 2014:
Behind the plate, the 5-foot-11, 145-pound Huff has a good base and showed the ability to receive with a firm wrist and soft hands. Huff showed good instincts with blocking during bullpen sessions, smothering the ball with good body control. His pop times ranged from 2.24-2.29, with throws on the bag. 

Jake Hussey, RHP, St. Dominic, Class of 2014:
Hussey is a lanky 6-foot, 150-pound RHP who showed the ability to command three pitches. Coming from an over the top arm slot with a long, loose arm, Hussey ‘s fastball sat in the 75-78 mph range, topping at 79-mph with late arm side run. Both of his offspeed pitched had quick arm speed; a sharp 64-68 mph 11-to-5 breaking ball  and a 67-72 mph change up with some sink. With his frame, Hussey could have a few more miles per hour in him as he continues to fill out his frame. Hussey ran a 7.28 60 

Jack Kemper, LHP/OF, Vianney, Class of 2014:
Kemper is an athletic 5-foot-10, 155-pound two way player. On the mound, the left handed throwing Kemper comes from a ¾ arm slot and showed feel for three pitches. His fastball sat 70-72 mph, topping at 73-mph with some sink action. He also threw a gradual breaking 1-to-7 breaking ball at 63-65 mph and a 64-66 mph change up with arm side run. In the outfield, Kemper stays behind the ball well and fields everything moving forward, taking his momentum toward his target. His top throw was 71 mph. At the plate, the left-handed hitter is quiet in the box with good rhythm and a short, level swing showing the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Additionally, Kemper ran a 7.41 60. 

Gregory Knight, RHP, Francis Howell HS, Class of 2014:
Knight has a projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame and has the potential to be a front of the rotation starter. Coming from a low ¾ arm slot, Knight has a loose arm and throws with easy effort. His fastball sat in the 78-82 mph range, topping at 82-mph with late arm side run. Every now and then, his arm slot got a bit higher, and his fastball showed some cut action. He also showed a 65-66 mph change up that he kept on the inside part of the plate, with some arm side run. 

Brett Maessen, C/3B, Wentzville Holt HS, Class of 2014
Maessen is a solid all-around receiver who demonstrated fundamental footwork and reliable hands in the bullpen, with the ability to block. Maessen’s top pop time was 2.28. Offensively, he consistently made hard contact and showed occasional pull-side pop 

Brandon Moeller, RHP/3B, Warrenton HS, Class of 2014:
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Moeller has quick arm speed with sound arm action, showing the ability to command three pitches for strikes. Coming from a ¾ arm slot, Moeller’s fastball at 76-77 mph, topping at 78-mph with some late arm side run.  He also showed good arm speed on his offspeed pitches, a 11-to-5 early breaking curve ball (64-67 mph)and a 69-71 mph change up with some depth. In the field, Moeller has a good approach to the ball and showed some range, with a smooth glove to hand transfer. At the plate, he has a tall, balanced stance with a smooth load. His swing gets a bit long at times, but still shows the ability to make consistent contact. 

David Prost, C, Francis Howell North HS, Class of 2014:
Prost is a strong bodied, switch hitting catcher who has a good base behind the plate with the ability to stick balls in all parts of the zone. During bullpen sessions, the 6-foot-1.215-pound Prost showed above average blocking ability and the confidence needed to be an upper level catcher. He has good footwork and fired a top pop time of 2.04. Offensively, from the right side of the plate, Prost keeps his hands inside the ball with a level swing and extension through contact. From the left side of the plate, he shows some power with backspin carry and loft to the right side. 

Evan Rosson, RHP/CIF, McCluer North, Class of 2013:
Rosson is an athletic 6-foot, 165-ppund player who showed versatility on the mound and in the infield. On the mound, Rosson comes from a ¾ arm slot with short arm action. His fastball was in the 68-71 mph range, down in the zone with arm side run. He also showed an 11-to-5 breaking ball with early break (59-61 mph) and a 65-68 mph change up with near fastball arm speed. In the field, Rosson showed to be an aggressive fielder with some range and an accurate arm. Offensively, the switch hitter showed a quick level swing from the right side that produced some line drives. His left hand swing takes a slightly uphill path to the ball, making consistent contact. Rosson ran a 7.8 60. 

Grant Sherrod, RHP, Priory, Class of 2014:
Sherrod is a lanky 6-foot-1, 160-pound right handed pitcher, who as he continues to fill out his frame, has the potential to add a few miles to all his pitches. He has a controlled delivery and smooth rhythm, while delivering fastballs in the 71-75 mph range, topping at 76 mph with slight arm side run. His breaking ball (60-63 mph) has 11-to-5 shape, while his straight change up was 66-70 mph. Sherrod posted the second fastest 60 time, running a 6.81. 

Grant Starke, LHP, Wentzville Holt HS, Class of 2013:
The left handed throwing Starke has a projectable 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame and showed the ability to command three pitches for strikes. Starke’s fastball sat 78-80 mph, topping at 81-mph with some sink action. He also showed a 61-63 mph breaking ball with sharp, late 2-to -8 shape, which looked to be his best pitch. He also threw a change up that had arm side movement. Starke showed some athleticism by running a 6.95 60. 

Ryan Watkins, RHP, Pattonville, Class of 2014:
Watkins has a lanky 6-foot-1, 170-pound pitchers frame. He has a long, loose arm from a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat 72-75 mph, topping at 78-mph with arm side run at times. He showed fastball arm speed on a sharp 11-to-5 breaking ball (64-66 mph) that was consistently thrown for a strike. Watkins’ change up showed slight arm side movement and was thrown in the 70-73 mph range. Additionally, Watkins’ ran a 7.38 60. 

Andrew Weaver, C/RHP, Belleville East  HS (IL), Class of 2013:
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Weaver has a solid, athletic frame and showed the ability to be an effective player both behind the plate and on the mound. Behind the plate, Weaver showed a good frame and the ability to receive and frame with confidence. He showed good body control in the squat and fired a top pop time of 2.12 with accuracy. On the mound, Weaver has a smooth delivery and showed the ability to throw three pitches for a strike. Coming from a ¾ arm slot, Weaver’s fastball topped at 80-mph, and stayed down in the zone. His breaking ball (65-66 mph) had 11-to-5 shape with early break, while his change up (75-mph) looked to be an effective pitch with good arm speed and cut action. Additionally, Weaver ran a 7.18 60.