We are quickly approaching Prep Baseball Report Indiana’s most exciting time of the winter, the Preseason All State showcase.  This event has established itself as the most talented and most attended event we run during the winter showcase season.  This year’s Preseason All State showcase will take place on Saturday, February 23 at Lawrence North High School on the northeast side of Indianapolis. 

Last year’s event featured incredible underclass talent, with over 100 prospects participating.  Many of the top players from the event are ranked among the top players in their respective class.  Over twenty players in the 2013 class that attended the 2012 Preseason All State showcase have committed to play college baseball, with ten of those commits going Division 1.

Leading the way in last year’s event was senior Valparaiso commit Matthew Gatewood ,a 6-foot-1, 200 pound LHP/OF from South Decatur HS .  At the event he showcased plus speed, running a 6.65 60, along with a strong arm from the outfield at 89 mph.  On the mound he impressed with his 86-89 mph fastball.

Ohio State commit, Tanner Tully (2013) was the most impressive pitcher at last year’s Preseason All State event.   Tully (Elkhart Central HS), also a member of Team Indiana at the 2011 Under Armour Midwest Future Games, sat 86-87 from the left side and showcased one of the better off-speed pitches, a 73-74 mph breaking ball. 

Kyle Fiala, a senor 6-foot-1 SS/RHP from Carmel HS, has committed to Notre Dame, and was one of the top infielders at last year’s event displaying advanced actions in the field.  Fiala posted a 6.70 60, and was impressive on the mound with his 84-86 mph fastball.

Kevin Rex , a 6-foot-1 senior LHP/OF from Park Tudor HS, is committed to Harvard University.  Rex was 84-86 mph with his fastball.  From the outfield he showcased a strong, accurate arm at 88 mph with good defensive actions.  He impressed at the plate as well with an advanced approach and ability to drive the ball with pop.

Hagerstown’s Cole Bartlett is a 6-foot-2 senior RHP/SS committed to the University of Missouri.  He possesses a projectable frame and displayed a fastball that sat 84-87 mph.

Brian Wichman , a senior LHP/OF from Columbus East HS is committed to Murray State.  At last year’s event he was 84-85 mph with his fastball and displayed two good breaking pitches; a 12/6 curveball and a 72-74 mph slider.

North Central HS senior Demetrius Webb  was one of the top catchers at last year’s event.  The 5-foot-11 catcher is committed to Indiana University.  He was a consistent 2.01-2.09 with his pop times, and displayed a strong arm at 83 mph.

 Caleb Stayton , a 6-foot-3, 200 pound senior from Elkhart Christian Academy also excelled behind the plate at last year’s Preseason All State event.  He was 2.0-2.10 with his pop times, and displayed good power potential, with the ability to hit the gaps at the plate.  Stayton is committed to Ball State.

 Austin Schultz is a senior catcher at Greensburg HS and is committed to Northern Kentucky.  At last year’s event Schultz was 2.08-2.10 with his pop times.  He exceled most at the plate, displaying an advanced approach, with a short quick path to the baseball while producing good barrel whip. 

Glen McClain a senior C/RHP from Fremont HS is committed to Xavier.  At the event last year he showcased pop times between 2.04-2.17.  On the mound he was 81-84 mph with his fastball.

This year’s Preseason All State event is shaping up to be just as talented, if not more as last year’s.  Many of the top ranked players in the 2014 class have committed to attending along with several projectable 2015 and 2016 prospects.