By Chris Valentine
PBR Ohio Scouting Director

Below, we have recapped the players from Team 4 (Columbia) at the Ohio Underclass Games. To view the complete statistical results from the event, please click here.

Alex Barnes, RHP, Strongsville HS, 2015

6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed pitcher that throws from high ¾ to over the top arm slot. Comes downhill at batters. Fastball sat 83-86 mph with some sink to it. Relied on a 71-72 mph breaking ball that showed sharp 12/6 action down in the zone. Also threw a 74 mph changeup. Velocity will only increase as he learns to better use his lower half and consistently leads with his hip.

Brad Croy, IF, Ottawa-Glandorf HS, 2015

5-foot-10, 150-pound infielder with small, athletic frame. Projects as second base type. Short arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Accuracy to his throws. Reached a top velocity of 71 mph. Uses a quick exchange. Needs to consistently play through the baseball. At the plate, he starts with a slightly open stance. Smooth load with a short stride. Good balance through his swing. Short, slight uphill path to the ball. Registered a top exit velocity of 84 mph. Line drive production in his swing.

Casey Demko, IF, Bellbrook HS, 2015

6-foot, 150-pound middle infield prospect. Established himself as one of the top middle infielders in his class for the state. Quick, twitch athletic prospect that continues to get stronger. Fluid footwork with a quick exchange. Good angles to the ball. Reached a top velocity of 84 mph across the infield. At the plate, he swings from both side of the plate. Somewhat of a wide base to his swing. Contact type hitter with short, level path. Showed more lift from the left side. Continues to show progress and the ability to hit from either side with success in game play. Ran a 4.22 out of the box from the right side. High baseball IQ and aggressive baserunner. Father played at Kent State and older brother plays at Marietta.

Chase Antle, RHP, Grove City HS, 2015

6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed pitcher with big, solid frame. Continues to make progress each time that we see him. Uses short arm action with quick arm speed through high ¾ to over the top arm slot. Filled up the strike zone with all of his pitches. Consistently challenged hitters. Fastball sat 83-85 mph. Showed command on both sides of the plate. Used a good 12/6 breaking ball with good depth at 67-70 mph. Also threw a 74 mph changeup.

Christian Lowery, 3B, Cardinal Mooney HS, 2015

6-foot, 190-pound infield prospect with average, solid frame. In the field, he uses short arm action through ¾ arm slot. Tends to wind up his exchange. Reached top velocity of 72 mph. Shows average hands and feet at this stage. At the plate, he hits from the right side. Starts with slightly open stance. Uses short stride. Takes slight uphill path to the ball. Shows opposite field production. Registered a top exit velocity of 85 mph off the tee. Ran a 4.69 out of the box.

Cole Quillen, OF/LHP, Tippecanoe HS, 2015

5-foot-9, 175-pound two-way prospect with small, solid build. On the mound, he throws with average arm speed through high ¾ arm slot with short arm action. Fastball sat 80-83 mph with some arm side run. Only used a 73-75 mph changeup that showed some fade. From the outfield, he projects as a corner type. Showed top velocity of 80 mph on his throws. At the plate, the left-handed hitter starts with a closed stance. Loads his hands from his ears. Line drive type production with opposite field tendencies. Doesn’t consistently clear the front side. Registered top exit velocity of 85 mph off the tee. Ran a 4.35 out of the box.

Connor Curlis, LHP, Findlay HS, 2015

6-foot-1, 170-pound southpaw with thin, wiry frame. Tends to throw across his body some. Shows some quickness in his long arm action. Deceptive delivery with late life to his 82-84 mph fastball. Uses a 68-69 mph breaking ball with 1/7 action and good depth. Also throws a 70-73 mph changeup with good sink.

Connor Regan, C/1B, Walsh Jesuit HS, 2015

6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect with big, solid frame. Continues to show progress in his development as a catcher. Reached a top velocity of 73 mph from the crouch. Displayed quickness in his exchange. Pop times between 2.00-2.02. Will improve catch and receive abilities with time and additional reps. Offensively, he projects as a middle of the order bat at the next level. Shows power to all fields in his swing. Uses medium size stride and good utilization of strong, lower half. Hands are quick into the zone. Registered top exit velocity of 89 mph off the tee. Ran a 4.82 out of the box.

Derek Knisley, C, Bryan HS, 2015

5-foot-11, 165-pound catching prospect with solid, athletic frame. Uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. Shows strength and accuracy to his throws. Reached a top velocity of 77 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.15 to 2.17. Offensively, he swings from the left side. Shows good balance. Tendency to drop the barrel in his load, but still manages to consistently square the baseball up. Takes slight uphill path to the ball. Reached a top exit velocity of 82 mph off the tee. Ran a 4.6 out of the box.

Garret Sierra, IF, Defiance HS, 2015

5-foot-8, 140-pound infielder with small, thin frame. Uses short arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Showed accuracy on his throws. Reached top velocity of 75 mph. Average hands and feet at this stage. High motor and hustles around the field. At the plate, he starts in a tall, slightly open stance from the right side. Wraps in his load. Uses medium stride with a toe tap. Takes short, slight uphill path to the ball. Registered top exit velocity of 79 mph. Ran a 4.24 out of the box.

Joe Vranesic, RHP/OF, Moeller HS, 2015

6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect with solid, athletic frame. Continues to make progress and establishing himself as one of the top pitcher’s in his class. Throws with quick arm speed through high ¾ arm slot. Good use of his lower half with more to come. Fastball sat at 86-88 mph and reached up to 91 mph. Showed good command of a 71-72 mph breaking ball with 11/5 two plane action. Also used a 75 mph changeup with some sink to it. From the outfield, he shows good carry to his throws. Reached a top velocity of 84 mph with accuracy. Corner type guy. Plays through the ball and shows feel for the position. At the plate, the right-handed hitter shows a potential middle of the order bat. Pull power in his swing with a strong, explosive lower half. Strides gets long at times. Registered top exit velocity of 95 mph off the tee. Ran a 4.4 out of the box.

Jordan Ramey, IF/OF, Moeller HS, 2015

5-foot-6, 140-pound small, athletic prospect. One of the top athletes in his class. From the outfield, he shows the ability to play all three position. Likely best suited as a center fielder. Uses short arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Shows carry to his throws with accuracy. Reached a top velocity of 84 mph. Overall fluid footwork and good feel for the position. In the infield, he is likely suited as a second baseman at the next level. Uses quick feet and a quick transfer. Reached a top velocity of 75 mph on his throws. His feet will create opportunities for him offensively. From the right side, he starts from a slightly open stance. Uses a short stride. Wraps a bit in his load, which creates some length. Takes slight uphill path to the ball. Ran an impressive 3.92 out of the box.

Kyle Dockus, IF, Moeller HS, 2015

5-foot-10, 145-pound infield prospect with athletic frame. In the field, shows fluid actions. Likely best suited for second base at the next level. Uses short arm action. Throws well from all angles. Reached a top velocity of 73 mph with accuracy. Fluid footwork and receives the ball well. At the plate, he starts with a slightly open stance from the right side. Does a good job of using the whole field. Keeps his hands inside of the baseball and doesn’t try to do too much. Shows some quickness in his hands. Takes short, level path to the ball. Surprising pop for his size. Registered a top exit velocity of 85 mph. Ran a 4.47 out of the box.

Logan Giddings, RHP/OF/1B, Pickerington North HS, 2015

6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way prospect with mature, athletic frame. Likely projects best as a position player at this stage. Shows the ability to play a corner outfield and first base. Showed carry on his throws with a top velocity of 82 mph. Quick exchange and athletic actions in the field. At first base, he shows quick exchange with short arm action. Moves well around the bag. Offensively, he swings from the left side. Pull power in his swing. Starts slightly open. Takes uphill path to the ball. Gets his backs. Needs to work on consistently using the whole field. Registered top exit velocity of 91 mph off the tee. Ran a 4.4 out of the box. On the mound, the righty throws through a high ¾ arm slot. Uses a slight inward turn in his delivery. Regular effort. Fastball sat 80-84 mph with slight run. Uses a soft 73 mph breaking ball with gradual 11/5 break. Also showed a 74 mph changeup.

Malave Bettinger, 1B, Coldwater HS, 2016

6-foot-1, 200-pound first baseman with solid frame is establishing himself as one of the top left-handed hitters in his class. Uses a balanced, athletic stance with a short stride. Good use of his lower half with more to come. Slight uphill path bath with quickness in his hands. Recorded top exit velocity of 87 mph off the tee. Line drive production with power in his bat. Moves well around the bag at first. Reached top velocity of 74 mph with short arm action. Needs to continue shortening up his exchange and transfer.

Mason Deanna, C, St. Edward HS, 2015

5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher with small, wrestler type build. One of the top catch and receive guys in the state. Works hard behind the plate and doesn’t take plays off. Uses short arm action through high ¾ to over the top arm slot. Reached a top velocity of 76 mph from the crouch. Consistently 2.00 to 2.12 in workout and game action with accuracy. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts with a balanced stance. Tends to wrap in his load. Will add power with more use of his lower half. Line drive production. Ran a 4.69 out of the box.

Michael Hendricks, RHP/1B, Defiance HS, 2015

6-foot-3, 210-pound right-hander projects as a pitcher at the next level. Big, physical frame. Throws through high ¾ to over the top arm slot with quick arm speed. Some stiffness in his back arm action. Sat 86-88 mph and touched up to 90 mph. Shows some funk to his delivery. Needs to be consistent with lower half to help his repeatability. Also uses a 72 mph breaking ball. Defensively, reached a top velocity of 80 mph across the field. Long reach. Needs to continue improving footwork around the bag. At the plate, he starts with a slightly open stance. Uses a short stride and strong lower half. Raw power at this point. Registered a top exit velocity of 84 mph.

Parker Ruffer, RHP, Stryker Local HS, 2015

6-foot-3, 205-pound pitcher with tall, solid frame that will fill out in time. Shows some quickness in his arm speed through a high ¾ arm slot. Tends to his swing open but manages to stay closed with his lower half. Will add velocity as this stays on line and improves. Fastball sat 80-83 mph with some run. Relies on a 65-68 mph breaking ball with gradual 11/5 break.  

Tony Iero, LHP, North Canton Hoover HS, 2015

6-foot-2, 195-pound southpaw with tall, solid frame and wide shoulders. Throws through low ¾ to ¾ arm slot with some quickness. Delivery requires regular effort. Fastball shows some sink at 79-81 mph. Showed good command of a 68-69 mph with 1/7 break. Showed the ability to locate both pitches and keep hitters off balance. Left-handed batters struggled with pitch recognition and the ability to square up the ball during game play.

Treston Gonzales, IF/RHP, Paulding HS, 2015

6-foot-3, 192-pound prospect with tall, athletic frame. Raw potential at this point. Showed best skills for the level on the mound with good arm strength. Throws with long arm action through high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 80-83 mph with straight action. Curveball was a bit erratic with 12/6 action at 68 mph. In the field, he projects as a third base type. Showed some strength on his throws. Reached a top velocity of 77 mph. Average hands and feet. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts in a wide stance. A bit stiff in his stance. Bars his arm in his load. Uses a short stride. Still shows some pop in his bat.

Tristen Epp, OF, Liberty Union HS, 2015

6-foot, 180-pound left-handed hitting and throwing prospect with athletic frame. From the outfield, he shows short arm action through high ¾ arm slot with accuracy to his throws. Reached a top velocity of 79 mph. Fluid footwork and receives the ball with ease. Consistently plays through the baseball. Likely suited for a corner outfield spot at the next level. His best tool is his best. Starts in a tall stance. Uses a short stride and explosive lower half. Takes uphill path to the ball and consistently squares it up. Shows pull power at present that will only be enhanced with time. Definite follow as he continues to make progress each time that we see him.