The Prep Baseball Report Open I.D. Showcase on Feb. 15 featured a strong mix of prospects from all classes. While there were several standout performances – especially on the mound – no one stood out more than Penn HS senior Matthew Price (right), a 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed pitcher.
2010 Top Overall Prospects
1. Matthew Price, RHP, Penn HS: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander is one of the most improved pitchers in the state. We’re suspecting that after his performance he won’t be unsigned for much longer. As the top pitcher at the event, Price showed little effort in delivering 85 mph fastballs, coupled with a 70-71 mph curve, 12/6 breaking action. His 71 mph change is a solid pitch as well.
2. AJ Ehrlich, RHP, Crawfordsville HS: Ehrlich (right) has the prototypical pitcher’s body, standing 6-foot-4, 190 pounds with long arms. He accelerates well through the ball and consistently repeats his delivery. Ehrlich touched 84 with his fastball. His breaking ball has sharp two-plane break, and he also throws a change with late sink. 3. Jon-Marc Ream, OF, Frontier HS: The athletically built 5-foot-11 senior performed well in all phases of the game. From the outfield, he moves well and showed good arm strength (80 mph). At the plate, the right-handed hitting Ream has quick hands which produces pull power. Also, ran a 7.22 60.
4. Cortlin Simpson, 1B, Leo HS: The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Simpson has quick hands and a clean, compact hitting approach from the right side of the plate. Simpson demonstrated good power and a strong swing.
5. Ronnie Probasco, OF-LHP, Hobart HS: The 5-foot-5, 130-pound Probasco moves well and showed good arm strength (81 mph) from the outfield. The left-handed hitting Probasco has good hand eye coordination which produces a line drive swing. On the mound, he threw a 74 mph fastball, 65 mph curve, 68 change and commanded the zone.
2011 Top Overall Prospects
1. Travis Demerly, RHP, Frontier HS: This powerfully built 6-foot, 220-pound right-handed power pitcher topped out at 84 mph. He also showed a sharp, late-breaking 67-68 mph slider and feel for a knuckleball. Mechanically clean and commanded on all 3 pitchers, no doubt Demerly (right) could be throwing much harder in the future.2. Brady Thomas, 3B, New Palestine HS: The 6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed hitting Thomas was one of the top hitters at the event. With an advanced plate approach, and a quiet, compact swing, he hammered line drives to all fields. Thomas was equally impressive from third, as he moved athletically and with good hands, in addition to showing solid arm strength (78 mph), he ran a 7.13 60.
3. Nick Lorenc, LHP, Kokomo HS: The 5-foot-10, 155-pound Lorenc showcased the ability to throw three pitches for strikes. He demonstrated a quick arm, good extension and run with his 80 fastball. He has feel for a curve that, when down in the zone, had sharp two-plane break. He also flashed a late fading 75 mph changeup. With added strength to his athletic frame and clean arm action, there’s little doubt Lorenc will see significant velocity improvement in the coming years.
4. Adam Wilson, 1B, Fort Wayne Area Home School: At 6-foot, 200 pounds of muscle, Wilson is a physically strong right-handed hitting first baseman. Wilson was the best hitter at the event, as he showcased legitimate big-time power from the right side.
5. Anthony Cheky, OF, Portage HS: Completely unknown heading into the event, the top-ranked athlete at the event, Cheky (right) showcased lighting quick speed. The 5-foot-11, 157-pounder posted the best 60 time (6.7) and was the top ranked outfielder with his quick footwork and solid arm strength (78 mph). Offensively, Cheky was impressive from left side of the plate, demonstrating quick hands and sound hitting mechanics while peppering line drives.6. Sam Sweeden, SS, Penn HS: An all-around talent, Sweeden performed solid in all facets. He ran a 7.16 60, in addition to showing the event best shortstop actions and arm strength (78 mph). At the plate, the 6-foot, 160-pound Sweeden demonstrated a well balanced swing throughout. The right-handed hitter sprayed line drives to all fields.
7. Shane Bryant, RHP, McCutcheon HS: The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Bryant has a projectable pitchers body with his long arms and legs and loose arm action. He demonstrated good extension and run with his 80-81 fastball. He has feel for a changeup that had late fading break. With added strength, Bryant could be a preferred prospect in the years to come.
8. Dominic DeVito, C, Northridge HS: The 5-foot-11, 195-pound DeVito (right) is a physical backstop with considerable upside. At the plate, he has a balanced approach with power potential and good bat speed from the right side. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound DeVito is a strong defensive catcher. He blocks exceptionally well, receives with soft hands and has sound footwork behind the plate. He also showed solid arm strength (70 mph from the crouch), with a top pop time of 2.08.9. Austin Early, OF, Pendleton Heights HS: The physically strong 5-foot-9, 175-pound Early has projectable power potential as a left-handed hitting outfielder. Early demonstrated aggressive outfield actions and solid arm strength.
10. Tyler Ochi, 3B-RHP, Andrean HS: Ochi is a two-way talent who showed well in the field, at the plate and on the mound. Defensively, Ochi has soft hands. At the plate, he showed gap-to-gap power. On the mound, the right-hander has a big breaking 12/6 curve.
2012-2013 Top Overall Prospects
1. Tyler Thompson, LHP-OF, Penn HS, 2012: The 5-foot-11, 155-pound left-hander is one of the better pitching prospects we’ve seen in the sophomore class. Thompson’s fastball registered at 81 mph with some late action. He showed feel for a curve, which has downward action. Smooth and balanced mechanics, Thompson (right) also showcased a 73 mph plus changeup with sinking action.2. Trevor Storie, RHP-2B, Huntington North HS, 2012: Storie was one of the most versatile prospect at the event. The 5-foot-11 right-handed hitting sophomore demonstrated good hands and feet in the field, and showed a line drive swing at the plate. On the mound, Storie has an 80 mph arm with some acceleration, and throws a curve with tilt.
3. Colton Elbrecht, C-RHP, Hamilton Heights HS, 2012: Elbrecht is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher and pitcher who has a projectable frame. Elbrecht showed a quick, good hand-eye swing and the ability to drive the ball to either power alley. His top pop time was 2.22 behind the plate.
4. Anthony Gomez, LHP-1B, Munster HS, 2012: This 6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher has a projectable frame and whippy arm action. His hard spinning 12/6 curveball was his best pitch and has the makings of a dominating out pitch. Gomez (right) also showed arm side run on his 64 mph change to go with his 76 mph fastball. Defensively, he has soft hands at first base with an easy right-handed swing.5. Matthew Townsend, RHP-3B, Terre Haute South HS, 2012: A strong-bodied athlete, Townsend is a physical 5-foot-9, 215-pound prospect. He possessed a 75 mph fastball and was a 3 pitch strike throwing machine. At the plate, he showed power potential with his big right-handed swing.
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