Prep Baseball Report

Super 60 'An Amazing Event' For Ohio Quartet


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer

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FRANKLIN, Wis. - There is no doubt that Ohio has become a hotbed for baseball and Sunday’s Super 60 was proof.

Four players from the Buckeye State were represented at Prep Baseball Report’s 19th annual event and each left their mark at the MOSH Performance Center south of Milwaukee.

Participating in a field of 74 standouts representing 32 states and the Canadian province of British Columbia, Gavin Bruni, Ryan Gilbert, William Cook and Brayden Lybarger enjoyed their moment in the sun before approximately 80 MLB scouts. It was a number that was down from previous years due to a limit of no more than three per major league team because of covid.

“The Super 60 was an amazing event,” explained Bruni, the top-rated 2021 in Ohio who lived up to his reputation. “The atmosphere surrounding us was incredible. From the venue, to the staff working the event, and the players who were in attendance. It was really cool having like-minded guys who all have the same ultimate goals.”

Gilbert, an Indiana commit from Kenston, also had high praise.

“Overall the event was great,” Gilbert said. “The players were amazing and it was exciting to have worked to be in such a select group. Everything ran smoothly and there weren't any complaints from players.”

Being part of the field was a blessing for Cook, a Louisville commit.

“It was really fun to be around all those good players and get all that gear,” Cook said. “It was probably the most prestigious event I’ve ever been invited to.”

Lybarger was also happy to be part of the Super 60, an event which last year included the Ohio trio of Mackenzie Wainwright, Kade Kern and Caden Kline.

“I was pretty excited to be invited,” Lybarger said. “Being able to go to the Super 60 was exciting, especially after hearing the past couple years how many players have been drafted and the opportunities after.”

The Ohio quartet, which numbers-wise was only bested by Missouri and Arizona which had five participants each, did their best to make a name for themselves and that they did.

Bruni, an Alliance senior committed to Ohio State, had the second-best fastball at 96 - a velocity which was best among left-handed pitchers at the event.

“The highlights for me were definitely the gear that Prep Baseball Report and Mizuno provided for us, and then the performance I was able to show at the event,” Bruni said. “There were so many other great features, but those are definitely my top two.”

The southpaw also produced the top speed among breaking balls and Shooter Hunt, National Crosschecker for PBR, certainly took notice listing Bruni among five pitchers in his Super 60 Standouts following the event.

“Bruni was unafraid of the bright lights, and actually appeared to gain some juice from all the scouts in attendance,” Hunt said of the ninth-ranked 2021 LHP in the country. “He has a frame that all scouts crave at 6-3, 205 pounds with natural strength throughout, and he moves exceptionally well down the mound which allows his quick arm to work freely before pumping 96 mile-an-hour fastballs into the zone.

“He showed more of a slider for his breaking ball, and it has continued to make progress which should allow him to continue trending up. When it comes down to it, he's left-handed and throws 96 plus he's an excellent athlete who carries a confident aura. All those things should shine brightly on him when July comes.”

When it came to hitting, Gilbert was among those that stood out with the top exit velo of 112 in batting practice and then hitting 107 during the event.

“My highlights would be meeting all the new people and showing them what I can do,” noted the eighth-ranked Ohio senior. “I was fairly confident going into this event and had little to no worries I wasn’t going to perform.

“Performing in front of all the scouts at this point seemed normal. I’ve had a decent amount of attention from scouts prior to the event, so I felt comfortable with everyone there.”

Hunt was enamoured with the 51st-ranked 2021 outfielder in the nation.

“Gilbert threw up some silly numbers including a 6.68 60-yard dash time and 112-plus miles-per-hour exit velocity per Trackman in BP, including a max distance of 415 feet,” Hunt said. “His 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame is impressive, and even more so is his ability to impact the baseball while creating torque with the hips. He definitely opened eyes as a guy scouts are going to have to check out in the spring.”

While his numbers with the bat did not match Gilbert - few if any in the field did - Cook also stood out with a 96 exit velocity in addition to the third best infield velo of 90.

“I thought I put up some good numbers,” Cook explained. “You can always do better but I showed well for myself.”

Hunt had strong adulation for the second-ranked 2021 in Ohio.

“Cook was easily one of the big surprises of the event,” Hunt related about the Miamisburg 6-5, 200-pound senior. “Long and lean, he was the last hitter to go and it was worth the wait. Fluid in the approach with excellent barrel awareness and accuracy, he showed natural lag in the zone while working gaps. I think there is more power on the way and as his frame fills out he should acquire it quickly.”

Back on the mound, Lybarger was able to hit 93 with his fastball and the 6-6 183-pound Michigan commit from Elida was happy with the showing.

“My highlight was being able to show scouts what I can do,” said the top-ranked 2021 RHP in Ohio. “It’s great playing in front of scouts and other high-end players. The atmosphere was full of competitiveness from the second I walked in and nothing beats that feeling.”

Being seen and assessed by pro scouts added to the enjoyment of the day. 

“Having scouts evaluating my talents was a really good way to kick off the spring, and then into summer,” Bruni said. “It was obvious we all had great talents and abilities, and it was all about going out there and showing your best stuff.”

The chance to communicate with scouts only added to the excitement for those lucky enough to do so.

“Pro scouts have since been in contact with me on the phone,” Bruni said.

The same goes with Gilbert.

“A few scouts talked to me at the event itself and a decent amount reached out to me over the phone after the showcase,” Gilbert said. “For me, I knew I was going to perform and show people what I had. This means that I did what I said I was going to do. And I was expecting the attention after the event.”

Lybarger also had the chance to speak with scouts.

“I talked to a couple just about if I’d have a spring season and how I thought we’d be,” Lybarger related. “It meant a lot for a pro scout to come up to me. It made me feel like I might be able to get to my dream of making the pros one day.”

In addition to exposure to scouts, there was a matter of learning what might help down the road for those participating. That was the case for Cook.

“I need to get a lot bigger and stronger,” Cook admitted. “Some of the guys there were built pretty good.”

After a long year that began with the cancellation of the high school season last spring, Bruni summed up the Super 60 well.

“I cannot thank Prep Baseball enough for the opportunity,” Bruni said. “A first-class event with a first-class group of players. It was an awesome way to bring in the new season.”

Complete Statistics

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2021 Super 60 Statistical Breakdown - Ohio Prospects

Gavin Bruni

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