By Ethan Silverman
Missouri Scouting Director

Today, we are recapping the Top Underclass Prospects from the Preseason Prospect Showcase. Later this week, we will recap the best of the rest from the Underclass participants.

Top Underclass Performers (Class of 2015 and 2016)

1. Matt Vierling, OF/RHP, CBC, Class of 2015:
While he only hit and pitched at the event, his scope of work and natural abilities have us wanting to see more of Matt Vierling. The projectable 6-foot-3, 185-pound Vierling showed a strong, loose arm on the mound, with easy effort. His fastball sat 83-85, topping at 86-mph with late sink action. With the way his arm works, there are a few more miles per hour in that arm. He also showed a 11-to-5 breaking a (78-79 mph) with near fastball arm speed and a 73-77 mph change up down in the zone with arm side run. At the plate, Vierling has a quiet, easy swing and the ball jumps off his bat. He takes an economical path to the baseball with extension through contact and hard line drives. He shows some strength in his hands (89 mph exit velocity) and looseness in his swing. As he continues to fill out his frame, Vierling has potential to be a power threat. While he did not throw from the outfield, his arm action has us believing that he has a strong outfield arm.

 

2. Ryan Mantle, 3B/RHP, Linn HS, Class of 2015:
Mantle is s solidly built and strong 5-foot-10, 200-pound two way player who has impressed in all facets of his game, and further established him as a top level Class of 2015 player. In the infield, Mantle is quick to the ball with soft, quick hands and a clean exchange. He showed quick arm speed and a strong arm with a top throw of 85-mph across the field. Offensively, Mantle uses a strong lower half to generate power in his swing. He has strong, quick hands that produce barrel whip through the zone and power all fields. On the mound, Mantle has good rhythm, smooth mechanics, and a strong arm. He comes from a ¾ arm slot with short, quick arm action and easy effort. His heavy fastball topped at 86-mph and showed run and sink action, consistently around the strike zone. He also showed a sharp 11-to-5 breaking ball (70-73 mph) with fastball arm speed and a 69-72 mph change up with arm side run that stayed on the inside half of the plate.

 

 

3. Jake Brown, C/OF, Class of 2015:
One of the top all around athletes of the event, the solid 6-foot, 195-pound Brown looks to be a polished player for his age. From the crouch, his top pop time was 1.91 (78-mph), showing quick footwork, a clean exchange and quick release. While catching bullpens, Brown showed ability to stick balls in all parts of the zone; as well as good instincts and body control while blocking. In the outfield, Brown was aggressive to the ball, taking good routes and playing through the ball. His arm works quickly, with a top throw of 84-mph with some life to it. Offensively, Brown has sound hitting mechanics. Using a balanced setup with a short stride and smooth load, Brown shows quick hand speed that creates a level, line drive producing swing, with some pull side power.

4. Ian Nelson, MIF, Timberland HS, Class of 2015:
At the plate, the left handed hitting 5-foot-9, 180-pound Nelson showed power for a player of his size. He has a strong, active lower half with looseness in his swing and quick hand speed; consistently barreling up the ball and displaying pull side power (top exit velocity of 84-mpg). In the field, Nelson showed fluid footwork to the ball with smooth fielding mechanics and short, quick arm action while delivering accurate throws across the diamond.

5. Luke Matheny, RHP, Westminster, Class of 2015:
Matheny has a lanky 6-foot-2, 170-pound pitchers frame, and as he continues to fill out, we expect him to be a top level pitcher. Matheny has a long, loose arm with good rhythm on the mound and easy effort. His stride was a bit inconsistent; when it got longer he showed better command of his pitches and increased velocity. His fastball topped out an easy 84-mph with, leading us to think there is more in the tank. His heavy fastball has arm side run and was consistently on the inside part of the plate. He also showed a 69-71 mph 10-to-5 breaking ball thrown at near fastball arm speed with early break and a 69-73 mph change up with late fade down in the zone.

ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON 
Storme Cooper, MIF, Timberland HS, Class of 2015:
Cooper has a lanky 5-foot-10, 145-pound frame and showed advanced actions in the field; one of the top fielders of the event regardless of class. Cooper shows a good approach to the ball with fundamental footwork and a very quick, clean exchange with quick arm speed and a top throw of 79-mph. He showed good range to both his forehand and back hand sides, and looks to be a confident fielder. Offensively, Cooper is quiet in the box and takes a short, level path to the ball, with extension through contact. He was able to stay on top of the ball and effectively use all fields.

 

Stephen Haring, C/OF, CBC, Class of 2015:
Haring is a multi-positional player who looks to have some tools both behind the plate and in the outfield. Primarily a catcher, Haring showed ability to handle pitches in all parts of the zone as well as quick instincts and body control while blocking. On his throws to second, he showed good footwork with a clean transfer and quick release, his top pop time was 2.15. In the outfield, Haring showed quick and aggressive movements to the ball, with all throws on a line and a top throw of 85-mph, one of the stronger outfield arms of the event. At the plate, the left handed hitting Haring has a balanced stance with little wasted movement in his swing. He generates fast bat speed with a level swing path and an uphill finish that produces gap-to-gap line drives.

 

Justin Gellman, 3B, Clayton HS, Class of 2015:
Coming off injury a few weeks ago, Gellman still looks like a top Class of 2015 player. In the field, Gellman has a good approach to the ball with fluid footwork, soft hands, and a quick exchange while throwing through the ball. His velocity was down a tick, but we expect it to jump as he gets through the spring and summer. At the plate, the strong-bodied 6-foot-1, 195-pound Gellman has strong hands and looseness in his swing, generating quick bat speed and driving the ball to all fields with some pull side power.

 

Tanner Cantrell, 1B, Houston HS, Class of 2015:
Cantrell is a well built 6-foot-3, 220-pound first baseman who impressed with power at the plate. The left handed hitting Cantrell has a balanced stance at the plate with fast bat speed creating barrel whip through the zone and driving the ball with power and backspin carry to the right side. He swings hard and hits it hard, as evidenced by his 87-mph exit velocity off the bat. At first base, Cantrell showed to be a sure handed fielder with good footwork around the bag

 

Brandon Stuckenschneider, OF/RHP, Class of 2015:
Stuckenschneider has a projectable 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame and looks to be a player who has a high ceiling. In the outfield, Stuckenschneider is an athletic fielder who quick to the baseball with a clean exchange and fast arm speed, delivering all throws on a line (top throw of 82-mph). Offensively, the left handed hitting Stuckenschneider takes a slightly uphill path to the ball, and showed the ability to effectively use all fields. On the mound, the lefty has good rhythm and comes from a ¾ arm slot with loose arm action with the ability to command three pitches. His fastball topped at 81-mph with slight arm side movement. He also showed a two-plane breaking ball (66-69 mph) with near fastball arm speed and a 68-71 mph change up with arm side run and some depth, consistently down in the zone. With a bit more use of his legs and extension, he could see an increase in velocity.

Cory Chambliss, OF, Oakville HS, Class of 2015:
Chambliss is an athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound outfielder who showed quick movements to the ball, with good body control while playing through the ball. His arm works well, with accurate throws in the 75-79 mph range, a range we expect to see increase as his body continues to fill out. At the plate, Chambliss has an open stance with a long stride and good rhythm. He shows the ability to maintain a level swing plane and works the middle of the field well, with some glimpses of power.