By Griffin Phelps and Sean Duncan

The Central Illinois Prospect Identification Showcase on Sept. 29 at Illinois Central College unveiled a wide-mix of high-interest prospects. Today, we will take a close look at the 2016 and 2017 prospects that were in attendance.

While there were a lot of impressive 2016 and 2017 prospect, LHP Geremy Guerrero from Metamora HS tops the list. Following closely behind were a pair of Limestone prospects – LHP Bryce Meyer and RHP/OF Tanner Rhoades.

All videos from the event are now posted in the players’ profiles.

A look at the 2015 prospects at the Central Illinois Prospect Identification Showcase:

1. Geremy Guerrero, LHP, Metamora, 2016
High-follow prospect in the 2015 class. 5-foot-11, 220-pound left handed pitcher commands three pitches for strikes. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a loose, easy arm action. Repeats delivery, lands open, creating significant arm-side run on 79-82 mph fastball. Breaking ball has a 2/8 shape with solid break, sitting 68-70 mph from the wind and 64-67 mph from the stretch. Changeup was thrown with deceptive arm action, sitting 72-74 mph, with arm side run.

2. Bryce Meyer, LHP, Limestone, 2016
High-follow prospect in Illinois’ 2016 class. Projectable frame, 6-foot-3, 155-pound lanky left-handed pitcher. Uses a clean, repeatable delivery and throws with a long arm from a ¾ slot. Meyer showed an advanced ability to command three pitches in his bullpen session. The fastball showed consistent run, sitting 76-78 mph from the wind and stretch, showing the ability to spot it at the bottom of the zone. Showed solid feel for his curveball, 61-65 mph with an 11/5 shape and firm break. The changeup was 69-71 mph with flashes of sinking action.

3. Tanner Rhoades, OF/RHP, Limestone, 2016
High-follow prospect in Illinois’ 2016 class. 5-foot-10, 185-pound two-way player who is an intriguing prospect. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot with a short, quick arm action, and minimal effort. His fastball flashed some life to it and sat 78-79 mph from the wind and stretch, flashing 80 mph once. His curveball has an 11/5 tilt with sharp bite, 66-70 mph. Showed feel for his changeup, throwing it with arm side run at 72-74 mph. From the outfield he throws with a long arm action with above average carry (83 mph). Showed solid defensive actions and plays through the ball well. At the plate he has a wide, slightly crouched stance and short stride. Has a line drive type swing with bat speed. Had an exit velocity of 79 mph off a tee. He ran a 7.89 60.

4. Caleb Ingles, RHP, Dunlap, 2016
Strong body, 6-foot-3, 190-pound pitcher who throws strikes. Throws from a ¾ slot with a short arm action. Delivery has rhythm and solid direction; repeats well. Fastball was straight and sitting 75-77 mph. Showed feel for his breaking ball, throwing it with a 10/4 shape and gradual break at 63-65 mph. Threw a straight changeup, 64-65 mph, flashing 67 mph. Also throws a knuckle ball at 60-62 mph.

5. Carter D’Aguanno, OF/RHP, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
Solid frame, athletic build, 6-foot, 170-pound two-way player, solid upside. On the mound, his delivery has smooth rhythm and minimal effort. He throws from an over-the-top slot, long arm action, above average arm speed. Fastball showed consistent running action at 75-78 mph from both the windup and stretch. Curveball has an 11/5 shape with solid breaking action at 64-66 mph. Changeup was thrown with fastball arm speed and had solid arm side run at 71-73 mph. For age, shows advanced feel for three pitches. Defensively, he moves well in the outfield and showed good footwork when playing through the ball. Throws from an over-the-top slot, long quick arm. Throws were accurate with carry at 80 mph. He ran a 7.51 60. At the plate he has a slightly crouched stance and uses a small leg kick trigger. Bat path is short and slightly uphill, above average bat speed. Has an aggressive swing and generates solid lift. Registered an 81 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Blake Begner, LHP/OF, Peoria Heights, 2017
5-foot-4, 110-pound left-handed, two-way player. At the plate has a balanced setup, short stride and maintains excellent balance through contact. Compact swing, solid swing mechanics. Off the tee had an exit velocity of 65 mph. From the outfield showed solid footwork and athletic movements. Overall solid outfield actions; throws with a long arm from an over-the-top slot with accuracy at 75 mph. Ran an 8.2 60. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot with a clean arm action. Delivery is clean and repeatable. Fastball sat 70-73 mph with strong arm side run out of windup and stretch, flashing 74 mph once. Curveball showed 12/6 tendencies, and sitting 58-61 mph, touching 62 mph. Changeup flashed good fading action and sat 60-63 mph from both the windup and stretch. Also showed the ability to throws strikes with all three pitches.

Patrick Belz, MIF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
5-foot-7, 125-pound infielder. Defensively, showed above average rhythm and feet when fielding ground balls. Throws with a short arm action at 74 mph across the infield. At the plate he has a wide stance, uses a leg kick trigger, solid balance throughout. Had an exit velocity of 71 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.65 60.

Jeremy French, 3B, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
6-foot, 220-pound third baseman. Hits from a wide stance, short stride and solid balance throughout the swing. Bat path is flat and gets extension, gap-to-gap approach, showed occasional pop. Posted an exit velocity of 76 mph off a tee. Defensively, he has clean actions and moves well for his size. Has clean transfers and throws it across the diamond at 72 mph with accuracy. Ran an 8.62 60.

Michael Gogan, MIF/RHP, Normal West, 2016
5-foot-10, 140-pound, athletic, two way player. Defensively showed the ability to play though the ball with proper technique. Throws with a long arm from an over-the-top slot, average carry at 72 mph. At the plate he has a balanced setup, minimal load, no stride. Bat path is uphill and produced an exit velocity of 73 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.94 60. On the mound he uses a tall and fall delivery that showed rhythm. Throws from an over-the-top slot with a long arm, stays on line and has an athletic finish. Fastball has occasional arm side run and sat 75 mph from the windup, 73-75 mph from the stretch. Curveball has an 11/5 shape and flashed sharp biting action for strikes at 63-65 mph, touching 66 mph once. Changeup sat 66-69 mph from the wind, 63-65 mph from the stretch.

Bradley Graybill, SS/RHP, Rantoul, 2016
5-foot-11, 135-pound two way player. At the plate he has a balanced stance and uses a leg kick trigger. Has a long bat path and an up the middle approach. Off a tee he had an exit velocity of 73 mph. Defensively, he throws from a ¾ slot with a long arm at 68 mph. He ran a 7.89 60. On the mound he throws from a ¾ slot with a long loose arm. Has a drop and drive style delivery with good direction. His fastball was straight, sitting 71 mph from the wind, 68-69 mph from the stretch and flashed 72 mph once. Curveball has an 11/5 shape with rolling break at 61-63 mph. Changeup flashed some sinking action and was 66-68 mph.

Mason Hale, C, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher. At the plate he has a wide, balanced setup with a pull side approach. Bat path is short with solid bat speed. Had an exit velocity of 81 mph off a tee. Behind the dish worked directionally out of the crouch when throwing to second, arm played at 74 mph, showed carry. Pop times ranged from 2.19-2.41. Ran an 8.22 60.

Dallas Johnson, SS, Warrenton (MO), 2016
5-foot-9, 170-pound infielder with above average bat speed. At the plate he has a balanced setup with a wide stance. Bat path is slightly uphill and produced an exit velocity of 84 mph off a tee. Defensively he throws with a long arm across the diamond, showed carry and accuracy at 76 mph. Ran a 7.27 60.

Quinn Miller, OF/RHP, Peoria Heights, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound, lanky two way player. From the outfield he throws from a ¾ slot with a loose arm and some accuracy at 68 mph. At the plate he has a wide, crouched stance, and no stride. Has a short, flat bat path, with a gap-to-gap approach. Had an exit velocity of 63 mph. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot, with a long, loose arm. Has a tall and fall delivery with good direction. Fastball was straight at 67-70 mph. Curveball has an 11/5 shape and loose breaking action, sitting 53-57 mph. Changeup flashed fading action at 61-64 mph. Ran an 8.2 60.

Noah Rathgeb, OF, Alton, 2016
5-foot-4, 125-pound outfielder. From the outfield showed athletic feet while moving to the ball. Throws from a ¾ slot with average carry at 75 mph. Offensively he has a balanced setup with a short stride and uses the lower half well. Swing is short and level with fluidity and rhythm. Registered exit velocity of 73 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.35 60.

Jacob Roberts, C, Elmwood, 2016
6-foot-2, 200-pound strong-body catcher. At the plate he has a balanced stance, smooth load and short stride. Has a short bat path that gets to extension with solid bat speed, generating occasional pop. Posted a 70 mph exit velocity off a tee. From behind the plate he throws from an over-the-top slot with a long arm at 68 mph. His pop times ranged from 2.3-2.5 seconds. Ran an 8.0 60.

Matthew Rosko, OF/RHP, Kaneland, 2016
6-foot-2, 170-pound, athletic, left-hand hitting two way player. Offensively, he has a tall setup and short stride. Swing is short and level, maintains balance throughout. Showed solid bat speed and had an exit velocity of 78 mph off a tee. From the outfield, showed sound outfield actions and footwork. Throws with a long arm from a high ¾ slot with average carry at 70 mph. He ran a 7.93 60. On the mound he throws from the same high ¾ slot, with a short arm action on the backside. The delivery is quiet and compact, with choppy rhythm. His fastball was straight and sat 69-73 mph from the wind and stretch. Changeup was straight and sitting 65-67 mph. Curveball was 63-64 mph with rolling break.

Austin Wood, SS, Limestone, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound infielder. Defensively showed sound footwork, smooth exchange, and plays through the ball well. Throws with a long arm from a ¾ slot with solid carry at 75 mph. At the plate has a wide stance, minimal load, and partial use of the lower half. Bat path is short and flat. Showed solid bat speed with an exit velocity of 75 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.61 60.

CLICK HERE for complete showcase statistics

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