By John Cackowski
State Director

The 3rd annual Top Prospect Games at Cherry Creek High School brought close to 70 of the best baseball players in the 2018 and 2019 classes with a few select 2020 players. Players came from Durango, Otis, Woodland Park, Pueblo, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Wyoming, and up and down the Front Range. Below are some highlights of Day 1 of Top Prospect Games.

 

Hayden Heinze, Rocky Mountain, OF, 2018
Heinze ran an impressive laser timed 6.6 60, the fastest of the day. Heinze also showed plus defensive skills in the outfield throwing 83 mph, and using that speed to show impressive range. At the plate Heinze drove a ball deep to left center and turned it into a 2-run triple, taking 10.75 seconds to get to 3rd.

Nick Merone, Rock Canyon, INF, 2018
After a solid batting practice round peppering line drives all over the field with a short compact swing, drove a ball well over 400 feet that sailed over the scoreboard in left. Very good fundamentals defensively as well. Merone has very underated power.

Tanner O'Tremba, Cherry Creek, OF, 2018
In the outfield O'Tremba ranged back deep in center and made it look routine, and also ranged far into left field to make a play as well, and displayed a strong arm. O'Tremba went 3 for 3 at the plate, but what impressed the PBR Staff was a hustle double on a single to left. O'Tremba is one of the best players in the state and he is always going hard.

Clayton Burke, Mullen,RHP/Corner, 2019
Standing 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Burke has a big projectable frame. At the plate drove a double off the fence in left, and went 3 for 3 on the day. On the mound has a nice loose arm from high 3/4 slot and short backside. Fastball was 81 to 83 with a heavy fastball that jumps on you. Pretty easy and effortless.

Sam Ireland, Mountain Vista, 1B/OF, 2019
Another big projectable body and frame. Ireland will be one of the top 2019's in our state this year. Crushed a deep homerun to left center field. Went 2-3 on the day with 3 RBI's. Also showcased an 83 mph arm on defense.

Frankie Shearn, Columbine, OF, 2018
We have seen Shearn a lot, and no player has shown more improvement than he has the last two years. You can never ignore the speed (running a 6.7 laser timed 60 today), but Shearn has cleaned up a lot of mechanics throwing and hitting. Went 2-2 with 2 RBI's at the plate today showing a nice level swing that now stays in the zone a long time. On defense arm strength has improved 78 mph from the outfield.

Tyler Shelley, Ponderosa, OF/INF, 2019
Standing only 5-foot-6, Shelley wowed the crowd with an 89 mph arm from right, highest on the day. At shortstop showed good actions, and good glove to hand transfer and was 85 mph across the diamond.

Related Material

Top Prospect Games Roster and Schedule