Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Super 60 State Director Spotlight: Drew Locascio

December 20, 2019
Tino Abarca
PBR Staff

In Illinois, the Prep Baseball Report flagship state, there’s been no shortage of talent and stellar performances at the annual Super 60. Drew Locascio, Illinois scouting director, heads into the fourth event of its kind. He narrowed down some of the most impressive outings he has seen each of the past few years.

Cooper Johnson, 2016 participant, was part of the loaded ‘16 roster. A catcher from Carmel Catholic, Johnson turned in a high-level performance at the event, especially at the defensive end. Johnson showed off his dynamic catch and throw abilities at the event. Johnson was highly-athletic out of the crouch with an electric transfer and strong, accurate arm. Johnson topped out at 85 mph from behind the plate and recorded pop times of 1.80-1.83. Johnson ran a 7.26 laser-timed 60-yard dash, further solidifying his status as a high-level athlete for the position. He’s recognized as one of the best defensive backstops to come through Chicago in recent memory.

/var/www/html/login/modules/Playerss/shortcodes.json not found
(Cooper Johnson, 2/7/16)

Johnson was selected in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds in the 28th round but chose to attend Ole Miss. In his final season, he was named to the Buster Posey Award watch list, earned All-SEC Second Team honors and was listed on the SEC All-Defensive Team. This past June, Johnson was taken by the Detroit Tigers in the 6th round of the MLB Draft.

 

Reid Detmers, now a Louisville standout projected to be drafted in the first round in the 2020 draft, participated in the 2017 Super 60. At the event, he solidified himself as one of the top arms in the Midwest, if not the country. Detmers spotted up to both sides of the plate with a fastball that sat 89-90 mph and featured arguably the best breaking ball at the event.

/var/www/html/login/modules/Playerss/shortcodes.json not found
(Reid Detmers, 2/5/17)

Detmers was drafted out of Chatham-Glenwood high school in the spring of 2017 in the 32nd round by the Atlanta Braves but opted to attend  and play for coach Dan McDonnell at Louisville. The left-handed pitcher is now entering his junior campaign and has seen his fair share of success as a Cardinal (to say the least). Among numerous accolades, in 2019, he was named First Team All-America by four outlets. He was the 2019 ACC pitcher of the year and a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist.

The past couple Super 60’s have seen Alek Thomas and Kendal Ewell represent Illinois. Both reigning from prestigious Chicagoland private schools, Thomas attended Mount Carmel, while Ewell graduated from Marist.

Ewell was one of the more eye-popping prospects in the Super 60 in 2019. Ewell, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound, highly-athletic, high-waisted prospect, ran a 6.53 60-yard dash, was 94 mph from the outfield and recorded an exit velocity of 102 mph. The tools, frame and performance he put on during BP warranted a number of looks throughout the spring.

/var/www/html/login/modules/Playerss/shortcodes.json not found
(Kendal Ewell, 2/3/19)

Ewell opted to attend Eastern Kentucky University after being selected in the 40th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. 

 

Thomas, a high-level multi-sport athlete who was committed to play football and baseball at Texas Christian is one of the better pure athletes to come through Chicago in some time. Thomas, who was an impact player for the Caravan since his freshman season, attended the ProCase in 2017 and the Super 60 in 2018. He was the No. 1 ranked player in his class (overall and positionally) throughout his high school career. Our national staff had Thomas as the 19th-best prospect on the PBR Draft Board.

/var/www/html/login/modules/Playerss/shortcodes.json not found
(Alek Thomas, 2/4/18)

Thomas was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB Draft. In pro ball, Thomas has received honors such as MILB.com Organization All-Star, Futures Game selection, Mid-season and Post-season All-Star. He currently plays for the Visalia Rawhide in Class A advanced.

 

Ben Hernandez, No. 56 on the PBR Draft Board, is set to attend the 2020 Super 60. Hernandez is a prospect that has raised his stock over the past year arguably more than any other prospect in the class. At last year's Preseason All-State, Hernandez emerged as one of the top arms in the country when he sat an easy 93-94 mph and showed advanced feel for a plus changeup. 

/var/www/html/login/modules/Playerss/shortcodes.json not found
(Ben Hernandez, 2/10/19)

In the summer of 2019, Hernandez, a UIC commit, was a standout at the MLB PDP League, earned a spot in the high school All-Star Game hosted at Progressive Field and the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field. 

 

RELATED CONTENT


Premium Content Area

This article is only available to PBRPlus Subscribers. If you wish to continue reading this article:

Login to the Subscriptions Website.
To purchase a NEW SUBSCRIPTION, please click here to go to our subscription products page.