By Sean Duncan

The second-annual Southern Illinois Top Prospect Showcase on June 30 at John A. Logan JC in Carterville had a talented mix of prospects. While there were several standout performances, Harrisburg 3B/OF Keelin Rasch, Galatia RHP/OF/C Denton Reed and O’Fallon C/RHP Austin Bossart stood above the rest of the Class of 2011 prospects. There were also some stellar underclass prospects at the event; most notably, Harrisburg SS/RHP Ryne Roper, who appears to be the most talented Class of 2013 player that we’ve seen in the state.

A look at the top players at the event:

Class of 2011 Top Prospects

1. ) Keelin Rasch, Harrisburg HS, 3B/OF, Class of 2011: A physically strong, 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete, Rasch once again proved that he is one of the premier prospects in the state. An all-around talent, he possesses top-level arm strength and is one of the best pure hitters in the class. He is arguably the best defensive third baseman in the 2011 class – as he showed all season for Harrisburg. But Rasch was equally, if not more, impressive from the outfield, where he topped out at 92 mph. Rasch, who earned PBR second-team All-State honors as a junior, also put on a memorable round of BP, as the right-handed hitter smashed to all fields. He has an extremely quiet and compact swing, yet generates a lot of power from his strength and lower half.

2.) Denton Reed, Galatia HS, RHP/C/OF, Class of 2011: The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Reed (right) is likely the most versatile prospect in the Class of 2011. He performed at a high level in all facets of the game. As a catcher, Reed impressed with his quick feet and accurate 1.95-2.0 pop times. From the outfield, he showcased his arm strength (89 mph) and athletic instincts. At the plate, Reed is a switch-hitter with a mechanically sound swing from both sides. On the mound, Reed showcased a dominant three-pitch repertoire. The right-hander showed a plus curveball and changeup to go along with an easy 84-85 mph fastball that had serious arm-side run. Reed’s 77 mph changeup had late sink and curveball had sharp bite. Reed also ran a 7.28 60.

3.) Austin Bossart, O’Fallon, C/RHP, Class of 2011: The athletically built 6-foot-2, 180-pound Bossart opened eyes with his arm strength. He was clocked at 80 mph out of the crouch, as his accurate pop times ranged between 1.95-2.0. His arm strength also translated on the mound, as the quick-armed right-hander topped out at 88 mph. Offensively, he has an athletic setup while demonstrating solid hitting mechanics and the ability to drive the ball. Bossart ran a 7.27 60.

4.) Aaron Fink, Carbondale HS, C, Class of 2011: Unknown prior to the event, the 6-foot, 175-pound Fink emerged as one of the better catching prospects in the Class of 2011.  With a long, athletic frame, Fink showcased quick feet, soft hands and a solid, accurate arm. His pop times ranged between 2.00-2.05, all strikes on the bag. Fink is an athletic hitter with a quick and quiet hitting approach. He showed good barrel whip through the zone and the ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap.

5.) Cody Burton, Oswego East HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2011: Burton is a projectable 6-foot-1, 157-pound left-handed hitting shortstop with athletic actions. In the field, Burton’s soft hands and quick feet work fluidly together. At the plate, the left-handed hitter demonstrated sound hitting mechanics, along with an economical path to the baseball and excellent extension after contact. Burton, who ran a 7.18 60, should continue to get better as he physically develops.

6.) Paul DeJong, Antioch HS, MIF, Class of 2011: The 5-foot-11, 170-pound DeJong was one of the best defensive infielders at the event. He demonstrated advanced defensive actions at shortstop, as he fielded the ball in rhythm and moved with purpose. He showed soft hands and a solid arm across the infield. At the plate, he also impressed with an athletic setup and gap-to-gap approach. DeJong ran a 7.42 60.

7.) Brandon George, DuQuoin HS, RHP/INF, Class of 2011: The 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-hander has the bloodlines to throw hard. Brandon is the younger brother of Bryant George, who finished his career at Southern Illinois University throwing in the mid-90s.  Brandon’s arm works fast from a three-quarter arm slot. His two-seam fastball had good movement and topped at 83 mph with late life. He also commanded a two-plane slider low in the zone and had feel for a curveball and changeup.

8.) Brok Webb, Marion HS, 3B, Class of 2011: The 6-foot, 172-pound Webb was one of the event’s top hitters, as he demonstrated an advanced plate approach with a strong, explosive lower half and the ability to drive the ball to both power alleys. Webb also was sure-handed at third base and a solid arm across the diamond. Webb ran a 7.38 60.

9.) Pierce Borah, Mt. Vernon HS, SS, Class of 2011: The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Borah performed well in all facets. He moved fluidly at shortstop with a solid arm across the field. At the plate, he demonstrated a good hitting approach with sound mechanics and a quick line-drive producing swing. Borah ran a 7.29 60.

10.) Micah Wolfe, Matoon HS, RHP, Class of 2011: This wiry 5-foot-11, 150-pound right-hander has an extremely quick and loose arm. His fastball topped at 84 mph, which should increase as he develops more physically. Wolfe also threw a 72-74 mph curveball with late, hard bite and a developing changeup.

11.) Justin Busekrus, O’Fallon HS, 3B/OF, Class of 2011: Busekrus showed well in all facets – especially at the plate. Offensively, he is short, quick and strong to the ball as he sprayed line drives all over the field. He has a quiet, fundamentally sound approach and displayed excellent bat control. Busekrus also ran a 7.15 60 and showed good feet and rhythm at third base.

12.) Logan Leverett, Harrisburg HS, OF, Class of 2011: The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Leverett is a physically strong athlete who possesses legitimate power at the plate. Leverett doesn’t get cheated in the box; he has an aggressive approach and the ball jumps off his bat with excellent backspin carry. In the outfield he topped at 80 mph and also ran a 7.22 60.

13.) Matt Meadows, O’Fallon HS, OF, Class of 2011: The athletically built 6-foot-1, 165-pound Meadows showcased a fluid left-handed swing. Meadows stays tall,  gets excellent extension after contact, and the ball carries off his bat with good backspin carry. Meadows also ran a 7.03 60.

14.) Alex Bradley, Illinois Valley Central HS, C, Class of 2011: The left-handed hitting Bradley has the tools to be the next catcher for the vaunted Grey Ghost program after the graduation of former All-Stater and four-year starter Derek Sprout. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Bradley showed solid footwork behind the dish and a top pop time of 2.15. At the plate, he demonstrated a fundamental, line-drive approach from the left side.

15.) Robby Bohnenstiehl, O’Fallon HS, OF, Class of 2011: A fundamentally sound talent, Bohnenstiehl was one of the event’s top outfielders, as he demonstrated excellent instincts and a solid arm (81 mph). He also showcased a short and explo ive line drive swing at the plate.

 

Class of 2012, 2013 and 2014 Top Prospects

1.) Ryne Roper, Harrisburg HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2013: The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Roper (right) is the most impressive Class of 2013 prospect we’ve seen in the state. Fundamentally sound and athletically built, Roper is a standout both as a position player and as a pitcher. At the plate, Roper has an extremely quiet setup, quick hands and bat control, as he laced line drives all over the field. As a freshman at Harrisburg, he tallied 17 doubles, 6 HRs and 35 RBI. Defensively, he has advanced infield actions with excellent footwork and arm strength. On the mound, Roper, who was 10-1 on varsity, was even more impressive. His arm works effortlessly and showed feel for three pitches, including an easy 83-84 mph fastball that had late movement.

2.) Tyler McGowan, Harrisburg HS, RHP, Class of 2012: With an athletic frame and a fluid arm, this 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander should be another high-level prospect from the Class 2A powerhouse program. McGowan’s arm works free and easy; no doubt he his 82-84 mph fastball will climb in the coming years as he develops physically. McGowan also ran an event-best 6.97 60.

3.) Jacob Jarvis, O’Fallon HS, RHP, Class of 2013: Jarvis showed that he is clearly one of the premier prospects in the Class of 2013. With wide shoulders and a strong frame, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander’s arm works cleanly and with little effort. He showed command and feel for three pitches, including a 73-75 mph changeup that has the potential to be a plus pitch. His fastball was an easy 82-83 mph with arm-side run. At the plate, Jarvis demonstrated legitimate pull power potential.

4.) Tyler Leffler, Benton HS, RHP/SS, Class of 2012: This 6-foot-2 right-hander proved to be one of the more projectable prospects we’ve seen in the Class of 2012. Leffler features an athletic frame and a fast arm, which leads us to believe he has more than the 81-83 mph fastball he showed at the event. Leffler’s fastball has late life, and he also showed a sharp two-plane-break slider that has the potential to be an effective out-pitch. 

5.) Aaron Hancock, Marion HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2012: The 5-foot-10, 160-pound left-hander commanded three pitches for strikes. His arm works fluidly and throws all pitches out of the same window. His 80-81 mph fastball had arm side run, while his changeup had late fade and looked to be a strong out-pitch. At the plate, Hancock displayed a solid line-drive approach, and he also threw 81 mph from the outfield.

6.) Nick Roscetti, Williamsville HS, SS, Class of 2012: With an athletic build and extremely long legs, the 6-foot-3, 165-pound Roscetti possesses considerable upside as he physically develops. He demonstrated solid defensive actions with soft hands and an athletic hitting approach. Roscetti ran a 7.28 60.

7.) Ethan Wild, O’Fallon HS, RHP/1B, Class of 2013: Keep an eye on this 6-foot-3 right-hander in the coming years. With a long pitcher’s frame and a loose arm, Wild should see a significant velocity spike in the future as he fills out. Currently, he showed feel for three pitches, including a knuckle-curve that he was able to throw for strikes.

8.) Cory Beyersdorfer, O’Fallon HS, OF, Class of 2012: The left-handed hitting Beyersdorfer demonstrated sound hitting mechanics with excellent bat control. He’s short and quick to the ball and drove the ball to both sides of the field. In the outfield he displayed a solid arm (79 mph) and instincts.

9.) Brendon Tindall, O’Fallon HS, C, Class of 2013: The younger brother of 2009 PBR Player of the Year Nick Tindall, Brendon is an advanced receiver for his age. He possesses soft hands, sound footwork, and a strong aptitude for blocking. Tindall’s top pop time was 2.25.

10.) Cameron Cummins, Harrisburg HS, MIF, Class of 2012: Cameron is the younger brother of former PBR All-State infielder Christian Cummins. Like his brother, Cameron is quick in his actions, as the 5-foot-6, 145-pound infielder ran a 7.0 60. He also possesses smooth infield actions, fundamental hitting mechanics and quick hands at the plate.

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