By Phil Wade
Director of Operations, PBR Indiana 

Today we take a look at the top 2015 position players from the 2013 Preseason All State Showcase. Leading the way is Lawrence North's Nolan Watson (MIF), Cowan's Luke Miller (OF), and Garrett's Dillin Diehm (Corner IF). Below are the top 5 2015 MIF, OF, and Corner IF from the February 23 Preseason All State Showcase.

Top 5 2015 MIF

1. Nolan Watson, SS/3B/RHP, Lawrence North HS, 2015:

6-foot-2, 185 pound sophomore possesses an athletic frame with tons of arm strength.  Currently a top 10 ranked player in the 2015 class, Watson is a highly projectable 2-way player at the next level (IF/RHP).  In the field he looks the part displaying a solid glove with advanced actions.  His feet are heavy at the SS position, but moves well laterally, showcasing good range.  Projects higher at 3B.  He plays through the ball and shows arm strength across the diamond at 83 mph with life.  At the plate uses a balanced setup with a smooth load.  Possesses a quick bat and is very aggressive in his approach.  Tends to rotate out, but showcases tons of juice with projectable power.  Watson is a high follow in the 2015 class.  Also showcased well in the OF where he showed off his arm strength at 90 mph.  

2. Brandon Yoho, SS/RHP, Fishers HS, 2015:

6-foot-1, 170 pound sophomore possesses an athletic frame.  Showcased an above average glove. Has some athleticism. Throws from a low ¾ arm slot and was 74 mph across the diamond.  Feet are a little heavy, but shows some range.  Projects to be more of a 3B.  At the plate starts tall and narrow.  Loads back with good use of the lower half.  His bat speed is average and barrels up a lot of balls, making hard contact.  Shows some power projectability with an exit velo of 86 mph.

3. Brian Haas, MIF, Cathedral HS, 2015:

5-foot-8, 160 pound sophomore is undersized but showcased good speed running a 7.07 60.  Was 78 mph across the diamond with accuracy.  Displays an average glove at the HS level with fluid footwork and a clean exchange.  Overall actions are solid.  At the plate projects to be a 2-hole type hitter.  Uses a balanced setup with a quick bat.  Makes hard contact with a short, quick path to the baseball.  Overall approach is good, and possesses good balance throughout his swing.  

4. Austin Thomas, 2B/RHP, Crown Point HS, 2015:

5-foot-11, 160 pound sophomore showcased soft hands in the field with quick feet.  Is athletic in his actions and plays through the ball well.  Across the diamond was 75 mph.  At the plate uses a balanced setup.  Will get wide throughout his swing and collapses with his lower half.  Shows a short, quick path to the baseball with quick hands.  Projects to hit for average.  

5. Brayton Nyland, MIF, Avon HS, 2015:

6-foot, 185 pound sophomore runs a 7.06 60.  Possesses a strong lower half.  In the field shows an above average glove with the ability to pick it.  Footwork is fluid and displays some range.  Projects to be more of a 2B.  Across the diamond was 71 mph.  At the plate uses a wide base with no stride.  Loads back and spins with his lower half.  Showcases a quick bat and gets to extension.  Produces some barrel whip.   

Top 5 2015 OF

1. Luke Miller, OF, Cowan HS, 2015:

6-foot-3, 170 pound sophomore runs a 6.96 60 and possesses an athletic frame.  Miller is a top 5 prospect in Indiana’s 2015 class and arguably the best right handed hitter in the class.  From the OF uses a long arm action and throws over the top at 88 mph with carry.  The arm is quick.  Moves well and shows advanced actions in the OF.  At the plate uses a balanced setup with a smooth load.  The stride is short and is explosive with the lower half.  Shows excellent balance throughout the swing.  Showcased explosive bat speed with an advanced approach at the plate.  Shows gap to gap power and is fluid with his rhythm.  

2. Anthony Travelsted, OF/RHP, Brownsburg HS, 2015:

6-foot-1, 170 pound sophomore runs a 6.86 60.  Possesses an athletic frame and athletic actions in the field.  Showcased a solid arm from the OF at 85 mph with carry.  Uses a long arm action and throws from a high ¾ arm slot.  His feet are fluid and plays through the ball.  Tends to field the ball deep.  Good feel for the position.  At the plate hits from a crouch with a wide base and slightly open front foot.  Dives towards the baseball during his stride.  Shows good balance throughout the swing.  His bat speed is very quick and shows some projectable pop.  

3. Justin Martin, RHP/2B, Plainfield HS, 2015:

5-foot-10, 165 pound sophomore uses a long arm action and throws over the top at 84 mph with some accuracy.  Plays through the ball well with an above average glove.  At the plate uses a balanced set up with a smooth load.  Uses his lower half well and displays good balance.  Possesses quick bat speed with a short, level path to the baseball.  Gets to extension making hard contact.  Shows good bat control and projects to be a 2-hole type hitter.

4. Tommy Waites, OF, Cardinal Ritter HS, 2015:

5-foot-10, 180 pound sophomore runs a 7.0 60. Possesses a solid frame and overall strength.  From the OF uses a short arm action and throws from a high ¾ arm slot.  Shows some arm strength at 84 mph.  Plays through the ball with a clean exchange.  At the plate uses a balanced setup.  His load is smooth, though will slightly drop the hands on occasion.  Tends to lock his lower half and displays good balance.  Showcased quick bat speed.  Barrels up most balls making hard contact.  Displays some projectable pop. 

5. Evan Whigham, OF, Cathedral HS, 2015:

6-foot-2, 175 pound sophomore runs a 7.12 60.  Possesses long limbs.  From the OF uses a short arm action and throws over the top at 81 mph with some carry and accuracy.  His feet and hands work while displaying athleticism.  Overall defensive actions are solid.  At the plate uses a balanced setup with a wide base.  Dives towards the baseball during his stride.  Some stiffness throughout his rhythm.  Possesses quick bat speed and hands producing line drives.  Lower half is OK, but tends to spin out at times.  

Top 5 2015 Corner IF 

1. Dillin Diehm, 1B, Garrett HS, 2015:

6-foot-2, 195 pound sophomore is the top left handed hitter in the 2015 class and is easily one of the top overall hitters in the class.  At the plate he starts slightly open in his balanced setup.  He’s explosive with his lower half and displays good balance throughout his swing.  Gets to extension using quick bat speed.  Shows projectable power with fluid rhythm.  Tons of juice and pop.  In the field at 1B shows an advanced feel for the position.  Possesses good arm strength at 78 mph across the diamond.  Works well around the bag with fluid feet and a solid glove.  

2. Evan Giles, 3B/RHP, Franklin HS, 2015:

6-foot, 173 pound sophomore runs a 6.93 60.  In the field uses a long arm action and is over the top at 84 mph with carry.  Showcased soft hands and fluid footwork.  Has an advanced feel for the position with the ability to pick it.  Solid defensive actions with athleticism.  At the plate starts open with a smooth load.  Uses a short stride with good use of his lower half.  Displays quick bat speed with a solid approach.  Gets to extension using a short path to the baseball.  Shows some projectable pop and gap to gap power.  Barrels up most balls with hard contact.  

3. Thomas Hall, 1B/OF, Pendleton Heights HS, 2015:

5-foot-11, 165 pound sophomore runs a 7.19 60.  Good, short arm action, was 74 mph across the diamond.  Works well around the bag with a solid glove.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance.  Uses a smooth load and a short stride.  Some use of his lower half and displays good balance.  Showcased above average bat speed.  Swing path is uphill and produces line drives.  

4. Matt Simmerman, 1B/C, Shelbyville HS, 2015:

6-foot, 240 pound sophomore showcases some arm strength at 78 mph.  Moves well around the bag and shows an above average glove.  At the plate starts with a wide base in his balanced setup.  Has a short stride with good use of his lower half.  Displays a quick bat and gets to extension.  Has projectable power to the left side.  Tons of pop. 

5. Aaron McGee, 1B/RHP, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2015:          

6-foot, 205 pound sophomore moves well around the bag with a solid glove.  Across the field was 70 mph.  At the plate has a balanced setup with a smooth load.  Shows some bat speed and projectable power.  Produces good backspin carry.  Lower half is inconsistent. Displays an uphill swing plane with a long path to the baseball.  Showcased an exit velo of 88 mph at a previous showcase.