By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Competing in front of more than 110 college coaches from all the major power conferences, the top uncommitted 2016 and select 2017 prospects from 10 states convened at Grand Park Complex in Westfield, IN on July 31-August 2 for the fourth-annual Prep Baseball Report Future Games.

While the athletes in attendance were certainly showcasing their individual abilities, they were also competing for state bragging rights.

For the second straight year, Team Ohio shared the unofficial championship with Team Select. Both Ohio and Select went 3-0 on Friday and Saturday. Team Select was comprised from players from several different states within the Prep Baseball Report coverage area. Last year, Ohio shared the championship with Team Michigan.

A look at the team records:

Select – 3-0
Ohio – 3-0
Missouri – 2-1
Illinois – 1-1-1
Kentucky – 1-1-1
Indiana – 1-1-1
Kansas – 1-2
Michigan – 1-2
Wisconsin – 0-2-1
Pennsylvania – 0-3

Individually, SS Duncan Pence (Farragut HS, TN), playing on Team Select, took home MVP honors of the Future Games. Pence, a Tennessee recruit, showed the most advanced bat at the Future Games. 1B/LHP Joey Wentz (Shawnee Mission East HS, KS), a 6-foot-5, 190-pound two-way talent, also earned MVP votes, and in the process, established himself as one of the premier left-handed hitting prospects in the Midwest.  

Several Prep Baseball Report Future Games records were shattered as well.

+ RHP Brenden Heiss (Jacobs HS, IL) didn’t throw a fastball under 90 mph in two innings, sitting primarily at 90-92. But on Saturday, he dialed one up to 95 mph, breaking the previous record of 92, held by several past participants.

+ C Cooper Johnson (Carmel HS, IL) broke the pop time record with several throws, but his best was a 1.79 while being clocked at 81 mph from the crouch. The previous record was held by Tanner Murphy (Malden HS, MO), who was drafted in the fourth round by the Braves in 2013. Shortly after the conclusion of the Future Games, Johnson verbally committed to Ole Miss.

+ C/OF Cal Elvers (Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin HS) came into the Future Games known primarily for his arm strength behind the plate. But the slightly built 6-foot Elvers made a big name for himself with his arm strength from the outfield. Elvers destroyed the previous record of 92 mph when he notched 95 mph from right field to third base.

+ Wentz consistently barreled balls all weekend, including putting on one of the top rounds of BP during the workout on Thursday. Wentz has an easy, fluid swing, which makes his record-setting 101 exit velocity off a tee that much more impressive.