By Ethan Silverman
Missouri Scouting Director

Continuing our recaps and coverage of the Kansas City Preseason prospect Showcase, we bring you the best of the Class of 2015 participants. The Class of 2015 had a large presence at this event and some players to keep your eyes open for the next few years.

Class of 2015 (in alphabetical order)
William Baker, OF, Lee’s Summit West HS, Class of 2015:
Baker is a 5-foot-11, 145-pound outfielder who showed ability to quickly get to the ball with a big crow hop keeping his momentum toward his target. All of his throws were on a line, with a top throw of 82-mph. At the plate, Baker has a quite approach with little wasted movement. He showed good bat control and worked the middle of the field very well, keeping his hands inside the ball and showing a repeatable swing. Baker also ran a 4.59 home to first. 

Connor Brumfield, OF/MIF, Rock Bridge HS, Class of 2015:
Brumfield has a projectable 6-foot, 158-pound frame, which as he continues to mature physically, possess some tools that should translate at the next level. In the outfield, Brumfield showed quick footwork to the ball, while playing through with a long and accurate arm. His top throw was 76-mph. In the infield, Brumfield showed good lateral movements and a smooth transfer. He had a tendency to stab at the ball at times, but showed to be sure handed. Offensively, the left handed hitting Brumfield has a slightly open stance and showed a smooth swing with quick hands, staying level with an uphill finish. He showed good bat control and was able to handle pitches in all parts of the zone, hitting the ball where it was pitched. Brumfield also ran a 4.18 home to first. 

Joey Cooner, LHP, Warsaw HS, Class of 2015:
Cooner is a physically advanced for his age at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, and he still has plenty of room to grow and fill out his frame. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Cooner’s fastball topped at 80-mph with some run and sink action. He also showed a gradual breaking 11-to-5 breaking ball (61-63 mph) and a 62-65 mph change up with some arm side action. With his mechanics and frame, we believe that there is more in the tank and expect to see his velocities increase. 

Logan Geha, C, Lee’s Summit West HS, Class of 2015:
Geha showed fundamental catching mechanics during bullpen sessions, sticking the ball in all parts of the zone with a firm wrist. He also showed good instincts while blocking, smothering the baseball and keeping it in front of him. While throwing to second, he showed quick footwork with a smooth, quick exchange and a top pop time of 2.02 (75-mph). At the plate, the 5-foot-9, 150-pound Geha keeps his hands inside the ball well, at times showing an inside out swing; pushing the ball to the right side. He made consistent contact with a level swing. 

Mitch Graham, SS, Lee’s Summit West HS, Class of 2015:
The undersized 5-foot-9, 154-pound Graham showed quick footwork in the infield with soft hands and short, quick arm action. He showed good range to his backhand side. Offensively, Graham showcased good balance at the plate and an easy, level swing with good bat control and hand speed that produced some line drives.  With a little more use of his lower half, he could find some more consistency in driving the baseball.

Jay Kaufman, 3B/RHP, Forsyth HS, Class of 2015:
Kaufman is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound two-way player who we like better on the mound. Coming from a high ¾ arm angle, he showed some good rhythm with short arm action and easy effort, while throwing all three pitches for a strike. Kaufman’s fastball topped at 80-mph with some late arm side run and sink. He also threw a 64-67 mph breaking ball with gradual 11-to-5 break and a 62-65 mph changeup with some depth. In the infield, Kaufman showed to be a consistent fielder with a quick exchange and accurate throws, recording a top throw of 74-mph. Offensively, Kaufman has along stride and big load, with an uphill swing path. With a shorter stride and keeping his weight back a bit, Kaufman should be able to be a consistent hitter with some power potential due to his strong lower half. 

Ryan Kayhill, OF, Lee’s Summit West HS, Class of 2015:
Kayhill is a small bodied 5-foot-9, 145-pound outfielder who showed good action to the baseball with a clean exchange while keeping his momentum toward his target and playing through the ball, with a top throw of 75-mph. At the plate, Kayhill showed good rhythm and a good approach with a short compact swing that stayed level through the zone. He showed the ability to spray the ball to all fields. Additionally, Kayhill ran a 4.50 home to first. 

Brett Lange, OF/RHP, Camdenton HS, Class of 2015:
Lange is a lanky 5-foot-11, 145-pound two way player. In the outfield, Lange showed to be a consistent fielder with a clean exchange and a top throw of 71-mph. With some more momentum toward his target, he should see that velocity increase as his frame continues to fill out. Offensively, Lange has a tall, open stance with a short compact swing, showing the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. On the mound, all of Lange’s pitches were around the zone, including a 67-69 mph fastball with some late cut action, and gradual breaking 10-to-4 breaking ball with good arm speed, and a 65-mph change up with near fastball arm speed and some sink.

Josh Scribner, C/3B/RHP, Raymore-Peculiar HS, Class of 2015:
Scribner is a strong bodied 6-foot, 195-pound multi-positional player, who showed well in all facets of his game. Behind the plate, Scribner has a good, wide base and showed to be a solid receiver with ability to handle pitches in all parts of the zone.  His top pop time was 2.04 (77-mph) with all throws on a line and right on the bag. In the infield, Scribner showed range to his back-hand side with a clean exchange and short, fast arm action. At the plate, Scribner showed some of the best power of the event. He uses his strong lower half and quick hands to produce some barrel whip through the zone, driving the ball with backspin carry. On the mound, Scribner comes from a ¾ arm slot with good rhythm, quick arm speed and long arm action. His fastball was thrown in the 77-78 mph range and breaking ball with 10-to-4 shape in the 66-67 mph range. Perhaps his best pitch was his change up, thrown at near fastball arm speed 71-73 mph with late arm side movement.