Prep Baseball Report

PBR IA Preseason All-State: Event Preview


Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa


On Sunday, March 11th, Prep Baseball Report will return to SportsPlex West in Waukee, IA and hold its 5th annual IA Preseason All-State event. Perennially, this event gives us an additional opportunity to take a closer view at a number of Iowa's top talents we have seen prior; along with introducing us to some under-the-radar and underclass prospects that have made considerable strides recently.

Over the last four years; over 300 prospects who attended the IA Preseason All-State event have committed to colleges to continue their baseball career. This is year should be no different. The IA Preseason All-State historically brings out the most talented prospects in the state. 17 players in the 2020 class who are currently ranked in the PBR Top 25 for the state will be performing Sunday with numerous prospects who will ranked soon attending as well. The Iowa 2021 class is represented equally as well; with many of the state’s top prospects slated to attend.

CLICK HERE for this year’s roster.

Our staff is eagerly anticipating seeing a strong 2020 group highlighted by 7 players in the class who have already made their college commitments. 2018 Future Games participants Carter Baumler (Dowling Catholic) who has committed to TCU and Andrue Henry (Dubuque Hempstead) to Kirkwood CC, 2017 Future Games participant Calvin Harris (Western Dubuque) who has pledged a commitment to Ole Miss, RHP/OF Logan Smith (Dallas Center-Grimes) and RHP Jackson Payne (Waukee) who are both committed to South Dakota State, Casey Young, LHP/UTL, (Winterset) who is set to attend Northwestern U. and 1B/LHP Alec Nigut (Des Moines Roosevelt, who will be attending the U. of Iowa. The roster is stacked with many 2020 players in the state who are currently ranked- and will look to make an additional impression on college coaches with their progress.

Carter Baumler, OF/RHP, Dowling Catholic, 2020

 

This event has always yielded some of the top freshman and sophomore talent in the state as well. The 2021 class in the state has become trend-setting; as 11 players in the class have already made college commitments before their junior year of high school. Louisville commit, Aaron Downs (Pella) - will be in attendance this year. Downs became the second 2021 grad in the Iowa class to make a college commitment after his MVP performance at the 2018 PBR Future Games event in August.

Aaron Downs, SS, Pella, 2021

 

In total, 6 committed 2021’s will be performing this weekend with U. of Iowa commits- C/UTL Gehrig Christensen (Urbandale), LHP Weston Fulk (Ankeny), and SS/RHP Mitch Wood (Ottumwa). RHP/SS Chase Becker (Iowa City Regina) has pledged his commit to U. of Minnesota and recent Kansas State commit RHP/IF Jackson Wentworth (Waukee) in attendance as well.

Look for many of these prospects to continue to cement their prospect status at the event; along with numerous other uncommitted players who are ready to leap to the fore-front in their respective classes. The event has continued to grow over the last four years in attendance and talent. The 2019 PBR IA Preseason All-State event looks to be the deepest and most talent laden event yet. 

Excited to see everyone in Waukee on Sunday!

 

EVENT information

Session 1- 2021 & 2022 Grads
Session 2- 2020 Grads

WHERE:
SPORTSPLEX WEST
890 SE OLSON DRIVE
WAUKEE, IA 50263


SCHEDULE:

2021 & 2022 Grads (Session 1)
Coaches Checkin: 8:45am
Event Start: 9:00am
Event Completion: Session 1 will end at 1:00pm.

2020 Grads (Session 2)
Event Start: 1:00pm
Event Completion: Session 2 will end approximately 6pm.


FORMAT:

Infielders, Outfielders, Catchers

  • Running Times (60-yard dash)

  • Offensive Evaluations

    • Exit velocity (from a tee)

    • Mechanical evaluations

    • Round of BP

  • Defensive Evaluations (Catchers, Outfielders, Infielders)

    • Arm strength

    • Agility/range

    • Positional analysis/profile

Pitchers & Catchers

  • Pitchers' Bullpen Sessions

    • 15-17 pitch bullpen

    • Sequence of fastball and secondary pitches from both windup and stretch

  • Catcher's Evaluations During Bullpen

    • Receiving/pitch presentation

    • Blocking/agility