The Prep Baseball Report's Underclassmen Showcase featured several impressive prospects on July 7th. Here are the top performers at the event:
Jonah Patten, RHP/SS, Norwell HS, Class of 2014: The 6-foot-2, 168-pound Patten showed to be an impressive two-way prospect, both at the plate and on the mound. Patten has a loose, fluid arm, with clean mechanics. He located his 82 mph fastball, 68 mph curve, and 76 mph slider down in the zone. In the field, the smooth fielding shortstop featured advanced actions with solid arm strength. Patten is one of the top 2014 prospects we’ve seen.
Austin Schultz, C, Greensburg HS, Class of 2013: The top-rated hitter at the event, Schultz (right) is a physical, right-handed hitting catcher with legitimate power. The 6-foot, 180-pound Schultz demonstrated sound swing mechanics with impressive barrel whip and an explosive lower half. Behind the plate, Schultz showcased solid receiving skills, along with quick feet, transfer and strong arm. Payton Scott, OF/1B, Mississinewa HS, Class of 2013: The 6-foot, 165-pound Scott is an athletic left-handed hitting outfielder with upside potential. At the plate, Scott used a gap-to-gap approach and compact swing to barrel balls into the gaps.
Blake Baumgartner, OF/RHP, Fishers HS, Class of 2012: The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Baumgartner has a long, lean projectable frame. Mechanically, he throws from a high arm slot which creates a downhill angle with arm side run. Baumgartner’s best pitch was his tight breaking 12-6 curveball when down in the zone. At the plate, Baumgartner sprays the ball to all fields.
Khristian Reynolds, SS/RHP, Avon HS, Class of 2014: An all-around performer, Reynolds (right) was one of the top athletes at the event. He moved fluidly with lateral quickness in the field, showcased solid arm strength, and barrels the ball at the plate. Reynolds was also impressive on the mound, where he showcased smooth acceleration and good plane on his 79 mph fastball. Reynolds’ best pitch was a 71 mph change with late fade and good arm action.Trent Pennington, RHP, Salem HS, Class of 2013: The 6-foot-1, 155-pound Pennington showed well on the mound. He demonstrated a clean arm action and locates the ball down in the zone with all three pitches. Pennington repeats his delivery well and showed feel for 3 pitches, including a change with late fade.
Dalton Coppock, C/OF, Mississinewa HS, Class of 2012: The 6-foot-1, 155-pound Coppock is an athletic catcher with a strong arm and upside potential. Behind the plate, Coppock used his strong arm to post a consistent 2.2 pop time with quick feet.
Jack Dynes, C, North Central HS, Class of 2013: The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Dynes showed well as a defensive minded backstop. The Class of 2013 catcher received well and handled pitches.