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Labor Day showcase at Vincennes results

October 16, 2010

The Prep Baseball Report?s Open I.D. Showcase at Vincennes University featured a range of impressive prospects from all over the state. While there were several standout performances on September 6, Jeff Zahn, a senior outfielder from Castle HS, stood above the rest.
A look at the top 2011, 2012 and 2014 top prospects at the event:
Top Class of 2011
1.) Jeff Zahn, OF, Castle HS: As the best outfielder and hitter at the event, Zahn showed that he is a prospect recruiters should pay close attention to. A physically projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed hitter, Zahn demonstrated an advanced plate approach: quiet, quick and explosive through the ball with some power. In the outfield, he showed athletic actions and arm strength (85 mph). Zahn ran a 7.28 60.       
2.) Scott West, SS/P, West Vigo HS: The 6-foot, 180-pound West (right) showed advanced defensive actions at shortstop. He demonstrated soft hands, and moved with fluidity and rhythm, in addition to a quick transfer. Offensively, West launched a few balls out of the ballpark and he drove the ball to all fields. On the mound, West topped 82 mph with a 72 mph breaking ball. He ran a 7.28 60.
3.) Jake Luebbe, RHP, Castle HS: The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Luebbe emerged as one of the better pitching prospects in the Class of 2011 after his performance at PBRs September 6 showcase in which he was the event?s top pitching prospect.  Luebbe?s fastball topped 84 mph from an easy projectable arm action.  He should see an increase in velocity as he continues to develop.  Luebbe also threw a 66-69 mph curve and a 69-71 mph change with good arm speed and late action. 
4.) Brendon Hardin, SS, Vincennes Lincoln HS: Hardin is an athletic, 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop who showed solid tools across the board. Offensively, he has quick hands, impressive barrel whip and extension through contact. Hardin blasted a couple homers in his rounds of BP.  From the infield, he moved fluidly with good actions, accurate, above-average arm strength (78 mph).
5.) Braxton Siddons, C/P/OF/SS, Churubusco HS: The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Siddons (right) showcased right-handed power. Using a strong lower half and solid overall hitting mechanics, Siddons drove the ball with power in his rounds of BP. Defensively, Siddons did it all! Catching 2.0-2.1 pop times, RHP 83 mph, in the outfield top 81 mph, and showcased well at short.
6.) Ryan Szklarek, 3B/OF, Penn HS: The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Szklarek flat-out barrels balls at the plate. Szklarek showcased bat speed with the ability to drive the ball out of the park with his quick hands. He also showed the ability to play third base and outfield (79 mph). Szklarek ran a 7.25 60.
7.) Jeremy Shelmadine, OF, FW Carroll HS: Don?t be deceived by his 5-foot-9, 165-pound stature, Shelmadine can flat-out play. He has a quick arm (81 mph) from the outfield and good bat speed at the plate which produced home run power.  One the mound, Shelmadine throws a tight 68-69 mph slider with late break and his changeup had impressive fade. Shelmadine ran a 7.19 60.
7.) Zach Wagner, C/OF, Zionsville HS: At an athletic 6-foot, 170 pounds, Wagner hassmooth hitting mechanics and keeps his hands inside the baseball which produces a gap-to-gap stroke.   Behind the plate, Wagner produced accurate throws with a consistent pop time. He also showcased well in the outfield.
8.) Shawn Kahre, OF, Vincennes Lincoln HS: This tall and lanky outfielder, who stands 6-foot-4, 160 pounds, was the event?s top runner with his 6.87 60 time.  Kahre showcased an 80 mph arm from the outfield with his on-target throws to the bags.
9.) Tory Hall, C, Jasper HS: At 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, Hall (right) is an athletic and lean catcher who hits from the left side. Behind the plate, Hall showed receiving skills, as he demonstrated quick feet, strong arm (75 mph) and athleticism. Hall had pop times of 2.05 to 2.11. Offensively, he showed gap-to-gap power behind a short, easy, and compact swing. 
10.) Zach Vanlandingham, 3B, FW Carroll HS: Vanlandingham is strong 5-foot-10,178-pound infielder who displayed above-average infield actions. At the plate, Vanlandingham showed a smooth swing and ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He also ran a 7.06 60.
10.)Steven Reed, C/RHP, Concord HS:  Reed possesses a strong body at 5-foot-9, 195 pounds. Reed used a strong lower half to spray the field with line drives as a switch hitter. Defensively, Reed showed a strong arm (78 mph) from the catchers position. On the mound, he topped 81 mph.  
Class of 2012 Top Prospects
1.) Tyler Hurt, 3B/RHP, Bloomington North HS: Hurt (right) is a physically advanced 5-foot-8, 160-pound third baseman. At the plate, he demonstrated sound hitting mechanics, strong hands, and the ability to drive the ball to both fields as a switch hitter. Defensively, Hurt has solid hands with athletic feet. On the mound, he topped 82 mph with a quick arm.  
2.) Ethan Bailey, OF, Greensburg HS: The 5-foot-9, 150-pound Bailey showed advanced defensive actions in the outfield. He posted the second best 60 time at 6.90. Offensively, Bailey allows the ball to travel deep in the zone, using a quick and compact swing to barrel line drives. Bailey is an all-around fundamentally sound player who should continue to get better as he physically matures.
3.)John Hardwick, RHP, Perry Meridian HS: The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Hardwick has a clean arm and a projectable pitcher?s build. He demonstrated the ability to command three pitches, including an above changeup (67-70 mph) that had late fade. Hardwick also throws a 68 curveball that has some depth, and an easy 81-82 mph fastball.
4.) Reid Thayer, RHP/SS, Hauser HS: At 6-foot-1, 150 pounds, the right-handed Thayer?s fastball sat at 80 mph with a 68 mph curve and a late breaking 69 mph change.  In addition to being able to pitch, Thayer (right) ran a 7.07 60, fielded the ball cleanly at short, and swung the bat from the right side.
4.) Alec Shull, OF, New Palestine HS: Shull is an athletic 5-foot-9, 165-pound outfielder. Shull showed athletic actions in the outfield with a strong arm (83 mph).  Offensively, Shull possesses an easy mechanically sound swing with bat speed. Shull also ran a 7.28 60.
5.) Clayton Tressler, SS, Greensburg HS: The strong Tressler showed a good approach to the ball at the plate with bat speed, pop, and ability to drive the ball. At 6-foot, 180 pounds, Tressler showcased infield actions with a 75 mph arm.
5.) Cole Johnson, C/3B, North Central-Farmersburg HS: Johnson demonstrated an advanced plate approach: he?s quiet and quick to the ball with good balance and a smooth load. The left-handed hitting catcher showcased defensively at third and behind the plate.
Class of 2014 Top Prospect
1.) Landon Hoagland, RHP/1B, Robinson HS (IL): At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Hoagland (right) is a right-hander with arm strength. His fastball topped 80 mph, sharp 65 mph curve, and 71 mph slider. Hoagland possesses a strong, athletic pitcher?s frame, one that should physically develop in the coming years.