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 underclassmen making a name for themselves and giving us many players to follow in their young careers. 

A look at all of the pitchers, catchers, and two-way players from the Classes of 2015 and 2016:

Class of 2015 and 2016

Stephen Clark, LHP, Wentzville Holts HS, Class of 2015:
The left handed Clark has a 6-foot, 200-pound frame and comes from both an over the top and ¾ arm slot. His change up showed to be his best pitch, consistently thrown for a strike in the 64-67 mph range with near fastball arm speed, at times showing arm side run and at times a straight change. His fastball was thrown in the 73-77 mph range, topping at 79-mph on his last pitch. His breaking ball showed early 2-to-8 break at 58-59-mph. With some more use of his lower half and quicker rhythm, expect to see Clark’s velocity to increase over the next few years. He also ran a 7.51 60.

 

James Dunger, LHP, Ladue HS, Class of 2015:
Dunger is a 5-foot-10, 195-pound left handed pitcher. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot with a loose arm and somewhat smooth delivery, Dunger’s fastball sat in the 76-71 mph range with sink action and consistently thrown for a strike. The best pitch he threw was his 63-65 mph change up with near fastball arm speed and arm side movement. He also showed an 11-to-6 breaking ball (63-65 mph) with big, early break.

 

Dane Galloway, RHP, Francis Howell HS, Class of 2016:
Galloway has a lanky 6-foot-1, 150-pound frame with good rhythm on the mound. Coming from a ¾ arm slot, his fastball showed late arm side run wile being throw in the 73-77 mph range, topping at 78-mph. He also threw a 10-to-4 breaking ball with gradual break and staying down in the strike zone, his most consistent pitch. Galloway’s change up showed good arm speed and was thrown in the 68-71 mph range with late fade. As he continues to fill out his frame, Galloway should see a spike in his velocity over then next few years.

 

Matthew Gibbs, LHP, Parkway Central HS, Class of 2015:
Gibbs is an undersized 5-foot-9, 140-pound left handed pitcher who showed the ability to throw three pitches. Gibbs comes from a ¾ arm slot with loose arm action. His fastball was in the 71-73 mph range, topping at 74-mph and was consistently thrown for a strike. He also showed a sweeping breaking ball (62-63 mph) and a 62-66 mph change up.  With a bit more rhythm and use of his lower half, Gibbs should see more command of his pitches and some more velocity.

 

Josiah Imhoff, RHP/OF, Helias HS, Class of 2016:
The 5-foot-11, 155-pound Imhoff is a two way player two pitch pitcher who showed the ability to effectively throw both pitches for a strike. His fastball was thrown in the 71-74 mph range, topping at 76-mph, showing some arm side run at times. His change up has arm side movement and was thrown 63-65 mph. In the outfield, Imhoff moves quickly to the ball, taking good routes with accurate throws. At the plate, Imhoff has a balanced stance with an easy level swing, with extension through contact showing the ability to effectively pull the baseball.

 

Kyle Hentis, RHP, Red Bud HS (IL), Class of 2016:
Hentis is a projectable 6-foot-1, 160-pound pitcher who showed command of his three pitches. He showed long back arm action with a controlled balance point and good rhythm. His fastball sat 74-78 mph, topping at 80-mph. He also showed a 10-to-4 early moving breaking ball and a 68-71 mph straight change up. As his frame continues to fill out and fine tune/smooth out his mechanics, he could be a pitcher to watch in the Class of 2016 in Illinois.

 

Andrew Moats, C/OF, Francis Howell Central HS, Class of 2015:
Moats is a solidly built 5-foot-10, 165-pound multi-positional player. In the outfield, Moats takes accurate routes to the ball with a quick, clean exchange while keeping his body in good position to throw and a top throw of 72-mph with throws on a line. Behind the plate, Moats catches with a firm wrist and showing natural instincts while blocking during bullpen sessions. At the plate, Moats has a slightly crouched stance and slight load. His swing is level and controlled, with the ability to make consistent contact while hitting the ball to all fields.

 

Austin Nelson, C/INF, Francis Howell HS, Class of 2015:
Nelson is a 5-foot-9, 155-pound multi positional player. Behind the plate, Nelson has a good base and showed a firm wrist and good receiving skills with the ability to stick the ball in all parts of the zone. His pop times ranged from 2.11-2.22. At shortstop, Nelson showed good lateral movements to both his forehand and backhand side with a quick glove to hand transfer and accurate throws across the diamond (75-78 mph). Offensively, Nelson makes consistent contact and showed the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Nelson also ran a 7.18 60.

 

Ben Nobs, C, CBC, Class of 2015:
Nobs is a athletically built 5-foot-10, 175-pound catcher.  Nobs showed the ability to catch with a firm wrist and stick the ball in all parts of the zone with soft hands. He also showed good body control when blocking. Nobs has quick footwork and a smooth transfer while throwing to second base, with pop times in the 2.04-2.12 range. Offensively, Nobs has a balanced set up, keeping his hands inside the balls and driving the ball gap to gap with backspin carry. As he continues to mature physically, he has potential to hit for more power. Additionally, Nobs ran a 7.22 60.

 

Andrew Ohlsen RHP/OF, Ladue HS, Class of 2015:
Ohlsen is an undersized 5-foot-10, 135-pound two way player. On the mound, Ohlsen comes from a ¾ arm slot with long back arm action and some rhythm. His fastball was thrown in the 72-73 mph range with some run and sink action. His breaking ball (slider) had 10-to-4 shape with near fastball arm speed and kept on the outside half of the plate. Ohlsen’s change up was in the 68-70 mph range with some arm side movement. In the outfield, Ohlsen showed good movements to the ball and got in position to throw to his targets, especially on fly balls. His throws were accurate and on a line. At the plate, Ohlsen has a balanced stance with a smooth load and balance throughout his swing, spraying the ball to all fields. As he continues to mature physically, Ohlsen should see his velocity increase and more ability to drive the ball at the plate.

 

Chris Robinson, RHP, Edwardsville HS (IL), Class of 2015:
Robinson has a slim 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame and showed the ability to throw three pitches. With good rhythm, easy effort, and repeatable mechanics, Robinson throws a heavy fastball sitting 76-78 mph, topping at 79 mph with some arm side run. His breaking ball (62-64 mph) is thrown with 11-to-5 shape. He also showed feel for a 68-71 mph change up with good arm speed and late sink, consistently staying down in the strike zone.

 

Sam Schaeffer, C, Parkway Central HS, Class of 2016:
Schaeffer is an undersized 5-foot-8, 145 pound catcher who impressed with his overall efforts. Behind the plate, Schaeffer showed to be an effective receiver with a firm wrist and soft hands. He showed good instincts while blocking and fundamental footwork while throwing to second base, with pop times in the 2.12 to 2.25 range on the bag. Offensively, Schaeffer has a balanced stance with a smooth load and short stride.  His swing is a bit long, but remains level, showing the ability to pull the ball. Schaeffer has a lot of room to mature physically, and if he maintains his current skill set as he continues to grow, has the potential to be an impact player in the future.

 

David Shepherd, RHP/OF/INF, Ft. Zumwalt South HS, Class of 2016:
Shepherd is a lanky 5-foot-11, 145-pound multi-positional player. On the mound, Shepherd commanded three pitches for a strike. Coming from a ¾ arm slot, his fastball sat 72-75 mph, topping at 77-mph with slight arm side run. His breaking ball had slight break, but when thrown with more effort, showed better movement. Shepherd threw his change up with near fastball arm speed, keeping it down in the zone with arm side run. In the outfield, Shepherd found the ball quickly off the bat, taking good routes to the ball and keeping his momentum toward his target. His top outfield throw was 75-mph with some carry. At shortstop, Shephard showed to be a confident fielder with a smooth glove to hand transfer and accurate arm. Offensively, he has a long swing with an uphill bat path. He made consistent contact, with the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. Additionally, Shepherd ran a 7.38 60.

 

Cameron Shipley, RHP/SS, Washington HS, Class of 2015:
Shipley is a lanky 6-foot, 157-pound two way player. On the mound, Shipley comes from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm. His fastball was thrown in the 76-77 mph range, topping at 78-mph with easy effort, leading up to believe there is more in the tank. Shipley’s breaking ball (62-65 mph) showed 11-to-5 shape, with early break. His change up (68-71 mph) was thrown with near fastball arm speed and was kept down in the zone, with some glove side movement. In the field, Shipley showed concise lateral movements to the ball and looks to be a sure handed fielder. Offensively, Shipley starts with a high hand position and slightly open stance. His swing got a bit long at times, but was still able to stay level and show some pull side power.

 

Danny Strohm, RHP, Lutheran South HS, Class of 2015:
Strohm is a 5-foot-8, 154-pound right handed pitcher with an athletic looking frame, showing the ability to throw three pitches for strikes. Strohm comes from a high ¾ arm slot with quick arm speed and short arm action.  His fastball was in the 76-78 mph range, topping at 79-mph with slight arm side run. He also threw a 65-68 mph 11-to-5 breaking ball and a 66-69 mph change up with arm side run and sink. Additionally, Strohm ran a 7.55 60.

 

Nate VonderHaar, RHP, Priory, Class of 2015:
VonderHaar is a strong bodied 6-foot-5, 200-pound who showed some potential on the mound. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, VonderHaar showed command of his fastball thrown in the 73-74 mph range, topping at 75 mph, with slight arm side run at times.  His breaking ball (61-63 mph) showed early break and 11-to-5 shape and his straight change up was thrown 67-69 mph. With more use of his strong lower half, VonderHaar should see an increase of velocity. 

 

Erik Webb, C, Francis Howell Central HS, Class of 2016:
Webb is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound player who showed solid catching mechanics. Behind the plate, Webb showed to be a strong receiver during bullpen sessions, while showing quick instincts and body control while blocking, He has quick footwork and a good glove to hand transfer, recording a top pop time of 2.16. At the plate, Webb shows balance through his swing, with extension through contact, creating some barrel whip through the zone and hitting the ball to all fields. Additionally, Webb showed some speed, running a 6.90 60.