Though there were only a few Class of 2014’s at the Top Prospect Showcase in Joliet, they did not disappoint.  The event was dominated by outfielders, with one individual standing out above the rest, Darius Day from Simeon High School. 

1. Darius Day, OF, Simeon, Class of 2014
Day continues to show why he is the top prospect in the Class of 2014.  The 5-foot-11, 170-pound outfielder ran a 6.89 60 while showing top-level defensive skills. Day moves fluidly through the ball and topped at 87 mph from the outfield. Offensively, Day has a smooth left handed stroke with power potential to all fields.

2. Patrick Crowley, OF, Vernon Hills HS, Class of 2014
Crowley is an athletic 6-foot, 160-pound outfielder who ran a 6.88 60.  He displayed a true feel for his position, taking concise routes to the baseball and getting behind his throws.  Crowley exhibited some carry as his throws that was clocked at 81 mph.  At the plate, Crowley exhibited quick hands through the zone, creating solid whip as he barreled up balls to all fields. 

3. Brian Richard, OF, Oak Forest HS, Class of 2014
Richard is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder who impressed with his easy, compact swing.  Richard has an advanced, relaxed plate approach, one that showed swing looseness and barrel control. Richard starts with a balanced setup and takes an economical approach to the baseball.  He showed whip through the zone as he sprayed line drives to all fields.  Defensively, Richard possesses an accurate arm with solid carry (78 mph).  Additionally, Richard ran a 7.45 60.

4. Fred Manke, RHP/OF, Lodi (WI), Class of 2014
Manke is a 6-foot, 180-pound two-way player who impressed on the mound with his easy delivery. Manke’s arm works with little effort, as he showed command of an 83-84 mph fastball, a 66-68 mph curveball with solid bite and depth, and a 73-78 mph changeup, which has a chance to be a legit out pitch showing solid two plane action.  Defensively, Manke moved well in the outfield and got momentum behind his accurate throws (85 mph).  Additionally, Manke ran a 7.19 60.

5. Even Sandmann, SS/C/RHP, Lincoln Way East HS, Class of 2014
Sandmann is a 6-foot, 160-pound multi-positional player who showed well in all facets of the game.  Sandmann can do it all, exhibiting good footwork and solid angles in the outfield with accurate throws that were clocked at 84 mph.  At shortstop, he showcased solid hands and good lateral movement with a quick transfer.  Behind the plate, Sandmann had solid feet and a quick release with a best pop time of 2.01 and was clocked at 75 mph from the crouch.  At the plate, he starts with a slightly open stance and has a smooth swing that generates good pop.  On the mound, Sandmann showed a fastball that topped at 83 mph and a curveball that sat in the 65-69 mph range.  His third pitch was a 65-67 mph changeup.  Additionally, Sandmann ran a 7.29 60.

6. Adam Harvey, C, Antioch HS, Class of 2014
Harvey is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher who looks to be one of the premier defensive catchers in the Class of 2014. Harvey showed advanced receiving skills during bullpens, as he handled balls in the dirt, velocity and everything thrown his way with natural ease. Harvey stays low, receives with a firm wrist and showed arm strength (77 mph from crouch). His top pop time was a 2.12, and he ran a 7.34 60. 

7. Cully Day, OF, Mahomet-Seymour, Class of 2014
Day is a 6-foot, 170-pound outfielder who impressed with his loose left-handed swing at the plate. Day has a relaxed approach, as he maintains balance and rhythm throughout. He has an easy line drive swing as he showed the ability to hit to all fields. In the outfield, Day exhibited a solid feel defensively playing through the baseball and getting on top of his throws (77 mph). 

8. Matthew Sullivan, SS, Huntley, Class of 2014
Sullivan is an athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pound shortstop who displayed soft hands and smooth feet up the middle.  Sullivan took good angles to the ball in the field, playing through the ball and making accurate throws across the diamond (79 mph).  At the plate, Sullivan exhibits an easy swing and showed some solid pop in his bat.  Additionally, Sullivan ran a 7.02 60.

9. Baylor Holmes, LHP/1B, Wheaton Warrenville South HS, Class of 2014
Holmes is a physically advanced 6-foot-2, 215-pound multi-positional player who has intriguing upside on the mound. The left-hander showed feel for three pitches. His fastball topped at 81 mph, while his curveball sat at 63-65 mph.  Additionally, he threw a changeup that sat at 70 mph. With a few mechanical adjustments, Holmes should see his velocity spike in the coming years. Offensively, he showcased a level, line drive swing.  Holmes barreled up balls to all fields, showing some power potential.

10. Michael Bainbridge, RHP/3B, Marian Catholic HS, Class of 2014
Bainbridge is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound multi-positional player who impressed at the plate with his easy left-handed swing.  Bainbridge showed a good approach at the plate, keeping his weight behind the ball and maintaining solid balance throughout contact.  Defensively, Bainbridge moved well laterally and showed an accurate arm that was clocked at 79 mph from across the diamond.  He also ran 7.07 60.  On the mound, Bainbridge features three pitches; an 80-83 mph fastball, a 67-71 mph curveball, and a 72-75 mph changeup.

10. Jack Holden, OF, Schaumberg HS, Class of 2014
Holden is an athletically built 6-foot-2, 180-pound outfielder with a projectable frame.  Holden took concise routes in the outfield and fielded the ball in rhythm as he delivered accurate throws (79 mph).  Offensively, Holden has a loose left-handed swing, taking an economical approach to the baseball and maintaining balance throughout.  Additionally, Holden showed off his athleticism by running a 7.12 60.

Best of the Rest (Alphabetically)

Greg Anast, OF/SS, Stevenson HS, Class of 2014
Anast is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound multi positional player who has a level line drive swing.  Anast moved well in the outfield taking concise routes to the baseball, and was clocked at 74 mph.  Additionally, Anast ran a 7.6 60.

Sam Geraci, RHP/SS, Illinois Christian, Class of 2014
Geraci is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player who showcased soft hands and a solid arm across the infield (79 mph).  Offensively, Geraci has an athletic setup, exhibiting a smooth load and economical approach to the baseball.  On the mound, Geraci throws from a high 3/4 slot and showed a 78-81 mph fastball.  He also throws a 68-69 mph curveball that had an 11/5 shape.  His third pitch was a 67-70 mph changeup.

Jake Hart, OF/LHP, Shepard HS, Class of 2014
Hart is a 5-foot-7, 175-pound multi-positional player who showcased a level, line drive swing while maintaining solid balance throughout contact. Hart has a slightly open stance and takes a short stride to the baseball.  On the mound, Hart exhibited a fastball that topped at 73 mph and a curveball that sat at 64-66 mph.  Additionally, he threw a changeup for strikes that sat at 62-64 mph.

Joshua Kuntz, OF, Lyons Township HS, Class of 2014
Kuntz is an athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pound outfielder who impressed with his outfield abilities. He is quick to the ball, creating rhythm and gets downhill well. He showcased an accurate arm with some carry (84 mph).  Offensively, Kuntz showed quick hands and maintains balance throughout contact, barreling up the ball with consistency.  Additionally, Kuntz ran a 7.21 60.

Kristian Meyer, OF, Fenwick, Class of 2014
Meyer is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound outfielder who exhibited an accurate arm that was clocked at 73 mph.  Offensively, Meyer hits with an open stance with an active lower-half.  Additionally, Meyer ran a 7.37 60.

Chris Pedrak, RHP/1B, Downers Grove South, Class of 2014
Pedrak is a 6-foot, 188-pound multi-positional player who showcased a level, balanced swing through the zone resulting in consistent line drives.  On the mound, Pedrak showed a fastball that was in the 73-76 mph range with some movement to it.  His off-speed pitches consist of a 62-65 mph curveball and a 59 mph changeup.

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