PBR Top Prospect Showcase Highlights

July 9, 2011

Continuing our coverage of the Top Prospect Showcase at Rock Bridge High School, we bring to you our third batch of top performers from the event. With the collection of talent at the event, this group of eighteen players stood out with top level hitting, fielding, and pitching performances.

Joe Schrimpf, CBC, MIF/OF, Class of 2013

Schrimpf (right) displayed a solid, accurate arm (76 mph) from the OF with carry. He displayed athleticism and took good routes to the ball, with a quick exchange. At the plate, he exhibited a strong lower half and some power potential. Schrimpf sprayed line drives to all fields and consistently barreled up the baseball. The athletic OF also showed some foot speed by running a 7.09 60

Austin Coleman, Sullivan HS, INF/OF, Class of 2012

The undersized Coleman demonstrated sound fielding techniques at SS. He consistently fields the ball out in front and displayed good footwork in turning double plays. At the plate, the 5-foot-10, 150 pound Coleman displayed some bat speed and showed a well-balanced swing that produced line dives.

Thomas Solorio, Garden City (KS), C, Class of 2014

The only Class of 2014 participant, the 5-foot-10, 165 pound Solorio has a strong lower half and showed an accurate arm while throwing a pop time of 2.45. Offensively, he was aggressive at the plate and showcased a quick, level swing.

Jonathan Jones, Hickman HS, Class of 2013

The athletic 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-hander consistently threw strikes with all three pitches. Jones came from a high three-quarter slot with a fastball that topped at 82 mph. He also had a good feel for his change and curveball with good depth and tight spin. Jones works down in the zone, and all three pitches he threw with confidence.

Klay James, Webb City HS, OF, Class of 2012

James displayed athletic actions to the ball and an accurate arm (75 mph) from the OF. At the plate, he exhibited a good lower half and some power potential. James sprayed line drives to all fields and consistently barreled up the baseball.

Lucas Norton, Liberty HS, OF, Class of 2012

At the plate, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Norton displayed athletic hands and setup, allowing him to be quick to the ball and spray line drives to all fields. In the OF, Norton showed above average body control, consistently staying behind fly balls and catching them coming forward, while using quickness and athleticism to field ground balls. His throws (75 mph) had accuracy and good carry.

Joseph Campbell, Waterloo (IL), C, Class of 2012

The strong-bodied 5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher recorded a pop time of 2.18 with quick feet and an accurate arm. Campbell also displayed advanced receiving and blocking technique. At the plate, Campbell showed good extension through contact with some bat speed and ability to drive the ball with authority.

Jeffrey Lemberger, Blue Springs South HS, C/3B, Class of 2012

The 5-foot-7, 140-pound Lemberger displayed good hands in the infield and moved well laterally. As a catcher, he showed good feet, a quick transfer, and an accurate arm, with a top pop time of 2.11. At the plate, Jeffrey stayed inside the baseball and exhibited a short, quick swing through the ball. Jeffrey consistently found the barrel and hit line drives.

Drew Blair, Lee?s Summit, OF, Class of 2013

The undersized Blair (5-foot-7, 125-pounds) opened some eyes with surprising arm strength for a player of his size. His throws had consistently good carry, and as his body develops and he gets stronger, Blair should see an increase in velocity from his 71 mph throws. Blair took good routes to the ball in OF and had a quick, clean exchange.

Chase Leavy, Warrensburg HS, OF, Class of 2013

In the outfield, the 5-foot-9, 150-pound Leavy consistently played through the ball and showcased a quick, loose arm that produced strong (75 mph) and accurate throws to each base. At the plate, Leavy used a balanced set up and strong lower half to generate line drives to all fields.

Collan Payne, Kearney HS, MIF, Class of 2012

The 6-foot, 175-pound middle infielder demonstrated fluid footwork and a clean, over-the-top release that resulted in 72 mph throws across the infield. Payne also exhibited balanced and compact mechanics at the plate, with a short bat path that yielded consistent contact.

Zane Wilt, Savannah HS, INF, Class of 2013

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Wilt showed good hands in the field, as well as an accurate arm with average carry. While his footwork still has room to improve, his quick release and high-three-quarter arm slot resulted in 72 mph throws across the infield. At the plate, Wilt?s short stride, good balance and average bat speed allowed him to spray line drives from line-to-line while demonstrating rhythm.

Casey Willenbrink, Parkway South HS, RHP/INF, Class of 2012

On the mound, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Willenbrink pounded the strike zone with his 75-77 mph fastball, while also consistently locating a 65-67 mph curve and 71 mph change up with good arm speed and fade. In the field, he showcased an accurate arm (73 mph) with decent carry. At the plate, Willenbrink demonstrated good bat speed when he kept his weight back, and his level extension generated gap-to-gap contact.

Drew Standifer, Ft. Osage HS, OF, Class of 2012

The strong-bodied (6-foot-2, 190-pounds) outfielder showed some speed by running a 7.29 60, which translated into impressive closing speed in the outfield. Standifer exhibited a strong and accurate arm (75 mph) while playing through every ball. At the plate, Standifer showed good balance in his set up, a smooth load and good rhythm.

Pete Forsee, Webster Groves HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2013

The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder featured a 70-72 mph fastball on the mound, and showed the ability to locate both his curveball and change up. In the field, Forsee showed average hands and a quick, clean exchange at first base, while accurately throwing the ball across the infield. Although he currently has a gap-to-gap approach, a smoother load and better extension will surely increase his power.

John Osborne, Rock Bridge HS, RHP/1B, Class of 2012

A presence on the mound, the tall (6-foot-4, 193-pounds) right-hander used an over-the-top arm angle to attack the strike zone with his 77 mph fastball. He also showed similar arm speed to his fastball on his splitter (63-65 mph) and change up (66 mph). In the field, Osborne showed average hands and played through the ball, and his throws showed solid carry across the infield. Hitting from the left-side, Osborne showed pull-power potential thanks to a firm lower half, short stride and average bat speed.

Dean Orr, Lee?s Summit HS, MIF, Class of 2012

At 5-foot-8, 150-pounds, Orr showed better-than-expected arm strength on the infield (71 mph), while making consistent, accurate throws. At the plate, Orr demonstrated a line drive approach with a short stride and level extension while keeping his hands inside the ball.

Alec Ford, Centralia HS, SS, Class of 2012

The 6-foot-2, 160-pound Ford showed a quick and consistent arm on the infield which will get stronger when he starts fielding the ball more out in front. At the plate, Ford used an athletic setup with good rhythm that suggests there?s plenty of untapped power.