The Year In Review - 2019
December 20, 2019
The Year In Review - 2019
Each of us here at PBR Ohio want to thank you for making 2019 the best year yet. We look forward to continuing to bring the best baseball coverage to the Buckeye State. Happy Holidays to all!
"The best part about our profession is having a small part in helping a player find his dream school. In my opinion 2019 was our best year yet when it came to serving players/families during this confusing, often stressful process that is recruiting. I can’t wait for 2020 and to continue to make a positive impact and create more friendships through this process." - Jordan Chiero, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting
"I feel with the relationships we've made and the experiences I had personally throughout these past 12 months, that 2019 was a banner year for PBR Ohio. Being able to help high school athletes reach their dreams of playing at the next level while building personal relationships is something I enjoy daily. The showcase season is great and I love everything about it, but as most who know me understand, I love the high school and summer seasons and I'd like to thank all who made those two seasons the best we could make them. Thanks to the interns that helped a bunch during the spring and summer seasons. I also want to give a big shout out to Alec Palmer and Carter Franklin for their great help at the state tournament as well as the outstanding hospitality provided by the OHSAA and the Akron Rubberducks MiLB organization at the state tournament (See below). Thank you very much to the athletes, parents, coaches and all in the great Buckeye State and have a great holiday season."- Dylan Hefflinger, PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Ohio Scout
"The opportunity to talk to so many quality players from different parts of North America is a joy to me. Listening to them tell about their baseball journey, their dreams to continue playing the game as long as they can and the hard work that goes with it brings an appreciation of the commitment it takes to play on the college level and beyond. So many times when I have conversations with these players for PBR articles, the topic includes family, the values taught at home and how that helped them in their quest to play baseball at the highest level possible. I look forward to hearing more players tell their story and what it takes to succeed as they get ready to take the next step in their lives." - Bruce Hefflinger, PBR Ohio Senior Writer
"2019 was another step in the right direction for PBR Ohio. I believe from a showcase standpoint we have created an environment for players to feel comfortable and maximize their opportunity in front of college coaches and our Scouting Directors on site. We also received great feedback on the tournament side of our business and understand that there are always ways to improve as a whole. All in all I believe 2019 was a huge success and plan to build on the foundation we have set for 2020." - Luke Wolford, PBR Ohio Vice President of Operations and Multimedia
"The addition of tournaments in Ohio was worthwhile in 2019. We tried to add another level of scouting to differentiate ourselves and I think we capitalized on that. In 2020 we look forward to developing current relationships as well as establishing new relationships with summer coaches." - Alex Schillig, Vice President of Operations and Multimedia
2019 Showcase Recap
Prep Baseball Report events are designed to give players the maximum exposure needed to advance to the next level. In 2019, not only did they receive high-level exposure from college coaches at each event, but all players at these events were videotaped, with the edited performance being posted onto the website with the opportunity to be seen by more than 800 colleges and pro teams who subscribe to the Prep Baseball Report services.
In 2019, PBR Ohio hosted 61 showcases/workouts throughout the year. This included 29 Scout Days, which provided the top summer organizations in the state the ability to show what their program has to offer College/MLB organizations. In this article, you will find the "best of the best" for the year in numerous categories, with the top 10 being highlighted.
Looking ahead to 2020, we at PBR Ohio look forward to bringing you comprehensive year-round coverage throughout the state and continue to be the No. 1 resource for amateur baseball in the state thanks to our variety of events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, multimedia platforms and more. With more than 800 colleges and pro teams subscribed to Prep Baseball Report services, we look to continue to help the prospect reach their dreams of playing at the next level.
Ohio High School Spring Season Recap
PBR Ohio covers the High School spring season unlike any other. Each year we have brought more and more coverage throughout the state, with 2019 being our biggest year yet. We brought you in-depth Team Previews, Spring Scout Blog, Preseason/Postseason All-State Teams, Preseason/In-season Team Rankings, as well as complete coverage of the OHSAA State Tournament.
January through the start of the season saw many team previews placed online, click here to view each of the previews from 2019.
To view the 2019 Scout Blog, please click here.
To view the final 2019 Team Rankings, click below
To view the 2019 All-State Teams, click below.
To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.
Division I State Championship Recap - No. 12 Saint Ignatius vs No. 10 Mentor
Division II State Championship Recap - No. 1 Chaminade-Julienne vs No. 5 Gilmour Academy
Division III State Championship Recap - No. 4 Coldwater vs No. 22 Ridgewood
Division IV State Championship Recap No. 5 Toronto vs No. 1 Hillsdale
PBR Ohio 2019 Player Of The Year
In 2019, there were numerous players who were in contention for the PBR Ohio Player of the Year, including:
- 2019 RHP Yianni Skeriotis (59 IP. 10-1, 0.12 ERA, 73 K).
- 2019 OF Jase Bowen (44-80, .550 AVG, .621 OBP, 9 2B, 6 3B, 1 HR, 31 R, 31 RBIs, 15 BB, 14 SB).
- 2019 RHP Nick Wissman (67 IP, 11-0, 0.84 ERA, 80 K).
- 2021 RHP/SS Ben DeMell (74.2 IP, 11-1, 0.28 ERA, 105 K | 44-94, .477 AVG, 6 2B, 8 3B, 2 HR, 45 R, 40 RBIs, 20 BB).
- 2019 LHP Rigo Ramos (78 IP, 11-1, 1.17 ERA, 138 K).
- 2019 LHP/OF Jay Luikart (68.1 IP, 11-0, 0.61 ERA, 122 Ks, 11 BB | .505 AVG, .548 OBP, 12 2B, 11 HR, 54 RBIs, 46 R, 15 BB, 20 SB).
- 2019 SS/RHP Nathan Karaffa (68.1 IP, 11-0, 0.61 ERA, 122 Ks, 11 BB | .505 AVG, .548 OBP, 12 2B, 11 HR, 54 RBIs, 46 R, 15 BB, 20 SB).
Along with these seven prospects, who put on outstanding seasons statistically in 2019, there were numerous other outstanding seasons in 2019, but there could only be one winner and that honor went to 2019 3B/RHP Nate Stahl (.370 AVG, 9 2B, 8 HR, 25 R, 42 RBIs, 16 BB | 52.1 IP, 9-0, 0.27 ERA, 70 K). Even though the Indiana commit was unable to help get his Walsh Jesuit Warriors to the State Final Four, Stahl did put together an outstanding year at the plate while playing some top notch competition all year. Stahl was also lights out on the mound, which included beating Yianni Skeriotis (the only loss in Skeriotis's HS career) 1-0 in the regional semifinal game between two top five teams in the state Walsh Jesuit and Massillon Jackson.
Future Games - Team Ohio
The eighth annual Future Games, held previously at Grand Park north of Indianapolis, was held for the first time at LakePoint in Cartersville, Ga. on July 31-Aug. 3. Top uncommitted prospects in the classes of 2021, 2022 and 2023 participated in one of the most popular events of the year.
There were 28 teams, including Team Ohio, with players representing 38 states plus the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Each team played three games the final three days of the event after all position players went through a showcase workout on the first day of the Future Games.
To read about each of the prospects experience at the Future Games, please click on this article. Every single prospect talked about their experience, the highlights, the competition and much more. A must read to say the least. Click here for article.
Uncommitted/Committed Spotlights
In 2019, we were blessed to have OPSWA Hall of Fame writer Bruce Hefflinger back for his second full year. With Bruce on board, we were able to provide numerous commitment articles and uncommitted spotlights throughout the year. As of this date, in combination with Dylan Hefflinger's top uncommitted by position articles, we have written 58 uncommitted articles in 2019 and almost 150 since late 2017. To view the uncommitted spotlights throughout the year, please click here. When it comes to commitment articles, in 2019 we provided 64 articles and almost 150 since 2017. To view each of the commitment tracker articles, please click here.
In 2020, look forward to another year of spotlights heading your way.
2019 MLB Draft
The 2019 MLB Draft took place June 3-5. We at PBR Ohio took time to do a preview for the draft which highlighted eight potential draftees. To view the preview, which featured Mack Anglin, Joey Velazquez, Jack Frank, Jase Bowen (Video), Christian Lothes, Morgan Colopy, Nate Stahl and Owen Recker ... click here.
To view a couple of MLB Draft signing articles, click below:
Our guys at the national level Nathan Rode () and David Seifert () took liberties in putting together notes on each day of the draft, you can find each days notes below.
Early Signing Period
The NCAA early signing period took place November 13th. We at PBR Ohio broke down each individual Division 1 and JUCO commitments from in-state prospects, where they are headed and what tools they will bring with them.
- To view the Division 1 In-State Recruiting Breakdown, click here.
- To view the Division 1 out of state Recruiting Breakdown, click here (Video Below).
- To view the JUCO In-State Recruiting Breakdown, click here.
Look Ahead At 2020
With 2019 behind us, we look ahead at what 2020 has to offer.
Throughout the year we will offer numerous showcases across the state, click here to view our 2020 showcase schedule.
When it comes to the OHSAA spring season, we just started working on our in-depth Team Previews. We will also provide the 2020 Spring Scout Blog, Preseason/Postseason All-State Teams, Preseason/In-season Team Rankings, as well as complete coverage of the OHSAA State Tournament. We look forward to being your number one spot for HS baseball coverage in the spring.
Come summer time, we look to scour the entire state, covering Travel Ball/ACME/Legion tournaments. We will be hosting our second year of Summer Limited Series Tournaments. We will also have full coverage of the Worthington Wood Bat Tournament. We also have numerous showcases including the Top Prospect Games, Future Games, Preseason All-State Showcase and many more.
Also throughout the year, we will be updating the individual Player Rankings. To view the current rankings, please click below:
- To view Class of 2020 Rankings, click here.
- To view Class of 2021 Rankings, click here.
- To view Class of 2022 Rankings, click here.
- To view Class of 2023 Rankings, click here.
