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Quick Hits: Class of 2018 Showcase

October 17, 2016

By Steve Nielsen and Matt Huck
Illinois Scouting Staff

As October continues to roll, the PBR showcase schedule moved on the the Class of 2018 Showcase this past Sunday, October 16. 100 2018 graduates came out to put their skills on display, several of which grabbed the attention of our scouting staff. Today we take a “quick hit” on some of the standouts in attendance.

Be sure to continue to follow our coverage of this event and more over the next several weeks.

  • 6-foot-4, 200-pound physical RHP Ryan Vice (Lincoln-Way Central) emerged as the biggest winner from the event topping out at 90 mph with his fastball twice in his bullpen and sitting 87-90 mph.

  • Top 20 prospect Francois Castillo (Roberto Clemente) showed out again for the PBR staff. One of the top prospects in attendance, he took an extra loud BP and showed confident actions both on the infield and outfield accompanied by plus arm strength. Castillo threw 91 mph across the infield and from the outfield.

  • At 6-foot-3, 220-pound 3B Mason Sykes (Conant) looks well suited for the football field, but the right-handed hitter showed off the best power in BP taking a loud round from a tall setup with good balance. Sykes registered a 93 mph exit velocity from a tee.

  • Athletic OF Jack Rigoni (Neuqua Valley) had a solid all around day running 6.90 60 yard dash, threw 86 mph from the outfield, and had an 88 mph exit velocity.

  • The top runners in the 60 were OF Trey Torain (Loyola Academy) ran a 6.79, SS Ryan Howe (Prospect) ran a 6.83, and OF Tommy Nelsen (St. Charles North) ran a 6.85.

  • OF Brandon Simon (Gwendolyn Brooks) had an event best 95 mph exit velocity, ran a 7.05, and threw 84 mph from the outfield.  

  • Lanky 6-foot-4, 180-pound right-handed hitting OF Cameron Robinson (Champaign Central) has continued to improve running a 7.30 60, throwing 84 mph from the outfield, and having 87 mph exit velocity.

  • LHP Nick Skurka (St. Charles North) has a solid three pitch feel. Skurka’s fastball sat 82-83 topping out at 84 mph with running action for strikes. His slider has lateral breaking action at 67-79 mph. Showed feel for a changeup with sinking action at 68-71 mph.

  • RHP Jeffrey Massey (Gwendolyn Brooks) made a huge jump since last seen by PBR staff. As a freshman, Massey was a 5-foot-8, 120-pounder with a fastball barely scratching the low 70’s. Fast forward to his junior campaign and six inches later, he now stands 6-foot-2 while still a slender 155-pounds with a lively 82-83 mph fastball, and excellent feel for a sharp 11/5 curveball. Plus his frame and arm action still leave plenty more for the imagination.

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