Last week, we brought you analysis of the pitchers from the St. Louis Preseason Prospect Showcase, after long last, we bring Part One of Two for the position player analysis.

Dean Ballenger, 1B/OF, Francis Howell Central, Class of 2012:  A veteran of PBR events, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior displayed sure hands on the infield as well as improved range.  He also showcased a 73-76 mph arm with accuracy.  At the plate, the physically built right-handed hitter’s short stride and fast hands yield explosive power, especially to the pull side.

Chris Barry, C/3B, Triad (IL), Class of 2013:  The 6-foot, 175-pound catcher showed advanced blocking and framing skills, a quick release, and a strong, accurate 74-75 mph arm.  Barry also exhibited his athleticism by running a 4.88 40-yard dash.  A right-handed hitter, Barry has a compact swing and direct bat path that will lead to increased power as he continues to get stronger.

Cory Canterbury, C/OF, Christian HS, Class of 2014:  Another impressive Class of 2014 player at the event, Canterbury demonstrated advanced actions both in the outfield and behind the plate.  As a catcher, the 5-foot-10, 155-pounder showed good width in his blocking form and received the ball well.  He recorded 2.05-2.16 pop times and delivered strong and accurate 70-73 mph throws to second base.  In the outfield, Canterbury was fundamentally sound and took advanced routes to the baseball while uncorking 72-75 mph throws.  At the plate, the versatile right-handed hitter had good barrel whip (thanks to strong, quick hands) that generated backspin carry to all fields

Cliff Chi, OF, Parkway West, Class of 2014:  The 5-foot-10, 155-pound underclassman demonstrated body control and smooth defensive actions overall in the outfield.  Chi showcased one of the stronger 2014 arms at event by producing strong, 67-70 mph throws.  At the plate, the right-handed hitter used level extension to make consistent contact.  Chi has the chance to be a good hitter once he develops more rhythm and eliminates some extra movement at the plate.

Brandon DePoy, 3B/1B, Columbia (IL), Class of 2013:  A 6-foot-1, 202-pound corner infielder, DePoy moves well for his size (5.12 40-yard dash) and showed above average range on the infield.  He played through the ball well thanks to soft hands and sound footwork, and showed off an accurate 74-75 mph arm.  The right-handed hitter attacks the top half of the ball at the plate and generates level extension after contact.  DePoy also does a good job of staying inside the ball and driving it the other way.

Kelan Doria, MIF, Webster Groves, Class of 2013:  Doria, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound middle infielder, exhibited soft hands and a strong arm from shortstop, with good instincts to be ball (75-78 mph). A right-handed hitter, Doria has a quick bat and hits off of a firm front side, which yielded a considerable amount of line drives to all fields. 

Kyle Fletcher, OF, Timberland, Class of 2014:  The 5-foot-7, 160-pound Fletcher performed well in all facets of the game.  His athleticism and quickness played well in the outfield, as he was able to consistently get behind the baseball and deliver accurate 72-74 mph throws.  A left-handed hitter, Fletcher has a level swing and direct bat path that yields line drives from line-to-line.

Tyler Ford, C/OF, Windsor, Class of 2012:  Ford showcased his athleticism both in the outfield and behind the plate.  As a catcher, he recorded pop times of 2.04 and 2.05 as well as a 74-76 mph arm.  In the outfield, Ford displayed advanced defensive actions and a quick release.  His strong arm translated well, as he delivered 75-76 mph throws with carry.  At the plate, the right-handed hitter’s bat speed and short path resulted in line drives from gap-to-gap.

Dakota Glore, OF/INF, Potosi, Class of 2013:  The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Glore was impressive in all facets of the game.  He used his 4.79 40 speed in the outfield while taking aggressive but controlled actions to the baseball.  He also showcased one of the better arms, placing strong, 74-78 mph throws on the bag.  A left-handed hitter, Glore possesses a short, quick swing thanks to quick wrists and advanced pitch recognition.

Drew Jozwiakowski, OF, Rockwood Summit, Class of 2014:  In the outfield, the 5-foot-8, 145-pounder took good angles to the ball and showed natural defensive actions.  Using a crow hop, Jozwiakowski produced 63-66 mph throws from the outfield, which will only improve as he develops physically. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a level swing that produces consistent line drives.  As he gets stronger, Jozwiakowski could develop gap power.

Travis Kostello, C/OF, CBC, Class of 2013:  The 6-foot, 180-pounder recorded pop times of 2.08-2.12 as well as a 75-76 mph arm from behind the plate.  In the outfield, Kostello took good routes to the ball and delivered crisp 76 mph from there, too.  A right-handed hitter, he possesses an opposite-field approach at the plate and extends through contact.  With better use of his lower-half, Kostello has the potential to be a gap-to-gap, line drive hitter. Kostello has shown consistent progress at each PBR event he has attended.

Jordan Linton, MIF, Civic Memorial (IL), Class of 2012:  The 5-foot-8, 162-pound middle infielder demonstrated good lateral movement on the infield as well as an ability to play through the ball and square his shoulders before throwing.  He delivered crisp 74-77 mph throws from the left side of the infield and, in general, quick instincts.  A left-handed hitter, Linton has pull-side power and generates backspin carry thanks to an open stance and quick wrists.

Devan O’Bryan, SS/3B, Ft. Zumwalt East, Class of 2013:  The 5-foot-10, 185-pound infielder showed good footwork as well as quick hands in the field.  O’Bryan also showed a strong arm, delivering crisp 70-73 mph throws across the diamond.  The physically strong right-handed hitter generates considerable power from his lower-half and drives the ball with authority to all fields.

Corey Pohle, OF/3B, Parkway South, Class of 2014:  The 5-foot-10, 155-pounder demonstrated an ability to take care of the baseball in the outfield and produced highly accurate 68-71 mph throws. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a balanced set up, short stride, and direct bat path to drive the ball to all fields.

Michael Potter, OF, St. Louis University High, Class of 2013:  In the outfield, Potter impressed with his athleticism and aggressiveness to the baseball.  The 5-foot-10, 150-pounder produced 76-78 mph throws with good carry.  On offense, the right-handed hitter flashed glimpses of power and displayed quick hands and a knack for consistent, hard contact.  As he continues to develop, Potter could be a player to watch over the next two years.

Derek Renner, C/3B, Lindbergh, Class of 2015:  At 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, Renner possesses considerable strength for his age.  Behind the plate, Renner recorded pop times of 2.16-2.14, showed good width in his blocks, and had 68-71 mph throws to second base.  On the infield, Renner played through the ball and exhibited an accurate, 70-72 mph arm.  With improved pitch selection at the plate, Renner will have power potential as he continues to develop.

Jason Schmeid, OF/MIF, Duchesne, Class of 2013:  The versatile 5-foot-11, 170-pound Schmeid showed natural actions in the outfield as well as a 74-77 mph arm.  As an infielder, he was quick the baseball and showed a slightly stronger (78 mph) arm.  The right-handed hitter displayed quick hands and a level swing at the plate that produced good, consistent contact.

Shane Strom, MIF, Timberland, Class of 2014:  Strom, a 5-foot-10, 155-pound middle infielder, showed soft hands in the field as well as a quick transfer and release.  He showed range and good instincts on the infield.  He also demonstrated an accurate 66-69 mph arm.  A right-handed hitter, Strom does a good job of keeping his hands back despite landing hard on his front foot.  His level swing produced consistent contact and line drives from gap-to-gap.

Landon Thomas, OF, Mt. Vernon Township (IL), Class of 2013:  The 6-foot, 160-pound Thomas, who ran a 4.92 40-yard dash, showcased quick, natural instincts in the outfield.  He also displayed an explosive 77-81 mph with excellent carry.  At the plate, the left-handed hitter exhibited a smooth, fluid swing as he made consistent contact with some power.  Over the next two seasons, Thomas has the potential to be an elite power hitter.

Tyler Wood, C/OF, Marquette, Class of 2014:  The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder showed well as a catcher and in the outfield.  Behind the plate, Wood possesses a quick release and generated 70-71 mph throws to second base with accuracy.  He recorded pop times of 2.15 and 2.17.  As an outfielder, he took quick, natural movements to the ball and delivered 67-68 mph throws with carry.  At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a true power stroke thanks to excellent use of his lower half.  He could be one of the top power hitters in the Class of 2014.