Fall Underclass Games: Kansas Position Players
December 6, 2015
Shon Plack
Kansas Scouting Director
On November 1, Prep Baseball Report Missouri/Kansas held the Fall Underclass Games in Manhattan, Kansas. Several players from Kansas high schools attended the event. Below is a look at Kansas high school position players from the event.
CLICK HERE, to see the Instant Analysis for the Fall Underclass Games
CATCHERS
Jackson Cobb, C, Topeka Seaman (KS), 2018
Cobb is a physical 6-foot-3 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher in Kansas 2018 class. Cobb ran a 7.14 60 and 4.59 home-to-first. At the plat, Cobb starts in a tall/balanced stance, smooth rhythm, slight dive with stride, level path to extension, middle to pull side line drives during batting practice, 88 mph, top left-handed exit velo of the event, singled to right during game action. Behind the plate, pop times between 2.15 and 2.30, short over the top release, quick footwork working with clean exchange, most throws at the bag at second base, event high of 73 mph positional velo for catchers.
Connor Hughes, C, Olathe North (KS), 2018
Hughes is a 5-foot-10 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2018 class. Hughes ran a 7.78 60 and ran a 4.91 home to first. At the plate, he had an 84 mph exit velo, had a good round of batting practice displaying consistent line drives, gap-to-gap, balanced stance, some hand load, level path with aggressive bat speed, singled to center in game action. Behind the plate, pop times 2.20 and 2.54, positional velo of 68 mph, hand and feet in sync to throw, over the top release, fluid exchange, quick release, mostly accurate throws.
Connor Jeffers, C, Burlington (KS), 2018
Jeffers is a 5-foot-11 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2018 class. Jeffers ran a 7.19 60 and a 4.46 home-to-first. At the plate, smooth rhythm in set-up, hands and front foot separate in stride, lands in line, level path, works inside ball, gap-to-gap approach, 82 mph exit velo. During catching evaluations, pop times between 2.08 and 2.51, one to top pop times for the event, 71 mph positional velo, short over the top release, quick hand to glove exchange and release, momentum towards second, short and quick footwork, mostly accurate throws to first base side of second, athletic moves well.
Jacob Kindhart, C, St. James Academy (KS), 2019
Kindhart is a 5-foot-10 155-pound left-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2019 class. Kindhart ran a 8.37 60 and 4.89 home-to-first. At the plate, 71 mph exit velo, Balanced stance, has toe touch and stride, level bat path, uses middle of the field. Behind the plate, over the top release, moves well, soft hands, accurate throws, 66 mph positional velo, creates momentum and direction to throw.
Griffin Larsen, C, Shawnee Mission South (KS), 2018
Larsen is a 5-foot-9 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.15 60 and had an exit velo of 81 mph. At the plate, controlled and smooth load, front foot slightly open in stance, in line stride, quick bat speed, showed power potential to middle and pull side. Behind the plate, posted pop times between 2.11 and 2.41, 70 mph positional velo, aggressive and quick footwork, clean arm action, over the top release, throw have carry the bag, mostly accurate.
Clayton Leathers, C, Blue Valley Northwest (KS), 2018
Leathers is a 5-foot-9 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2018 class. Leathers ran a 7.31 and 4.83 home-to-first. Offensively, balanced stance, used leg kick to generate power, mostly pull side during batting practice, short and quick path, fast hands, 81 mph exit velo. Defensively, pop times between 2.06 and 2.15, 72 mph positional velo, one of top pop times and velos for the event, quick exchange and release, throws have carry to the bag, mostly accurate.
Mikey Strong, C, St. Aquinas (KS), 2018
Strong is a 6-foot-2 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2018 class. Strong ran the 60 in 7.79-seconds and and a 4.70 home-to-first. Balanced set up, no wasted movement in load, loose hands, pull approach, 83 mph exit velo, body controlled and balanced during swing, hit two singles in game action. During catching evaluations, pop times between 2.15 and 2.27, 72 mph positional velo, one of top velos among catchers, quick glove to hand transfer, clean arm action, throws have carry to bag, short and quick footwork, over the top release, accurate throws to the bag. Shows improvement in many areas from last event.
Jonah Watt, C, Shawnee Mission East (KS), 2018
Watt is a 5-foot-10 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2018 class. Watt ran a 7.63 60 and got down the line in 4.46-seconds. Offensively, had an 81 mph exit velo, had a good round of batting practice, consistent line drive to middle of field, thin stance, long stride, level path to extension, quick bat speed. Behind the plate, pop times between 2.19 and 2.35, 70 mph positional velo, over the top release, quick footwork, quick exchange, accurate throws with carry to the bag.
OUTFIELDERS
Pryce Anderson, OF, Labette County (KS), 2018
Anderson is a 6-foot 169-pound switch-hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. Anderson has a 60 time of 7.65 and ran a 4.69 home-to-first. Balanced set up at the plate, short in-line stride, gap-to-gap approach, 78 mph exit velo, balanced throughout swing. In the outfield, has a 78 mph positional velo, over-the-top release, plays behind and through the catch, mostly accurate throws to the bag at third from right field.
Drew Black, OF, Blue Valley Northwest (KS), 2018
Black is a 6-foot-2 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.18 60 and 4.66 home-to-fist. At the plate, tall and balanced stance dropping into back leg to load, simple/short stride, gap-to-gap approach, level to extension, loose hands, showed power to middle of field, 84 mph exit velo. Black had one of the top outfield velos on the day at 81 mph, easy/loose arm action, over the top slot, momentum through catch, fluid footwork, quick exchange and release, accurate throws. Singled to left in game action. Lean and projectable build and has showed improvements across the board since last event.
Jackson Burrell, OF, Spring Hill (KS), 2018
Burrell is a 5-foot-5 142-pound left-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. Burrell ran one of the event best 60’s at 7.02-seconds, and had a home-to-first time of 4.35-seconds from the left side. At the plate, hands work inside the ball, minimal load, level path through contact, line drives to middle/opposite gap during batting practice. In the outfield, 70 mph positional velo, moves with ease to the ball, momentum towards target to throw, over-the-top release, quick catch and release, throws were near the bag at third base.
Mitchell Drew, OF, Louisburg (KS), 2018
Drew is a projectable 6-foot-1 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.52 60 and 4.33 home-to-first from the right side. At the plate, 83 mph exit velo, hands separate from stride, level path to extension, gap-to-gap appraoch. In the outfield, 70 mph positional velo, over the top arm slot, long/loose action, attacks the ball with momentum through the catch, clean exchange and quick release, throws around the bag at third base.
Chase Elias, OF, St. Thomas Aquinas (KS), 2018
Elias is a 5-foot-10 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas' 2018 class. Elias ran a 7.03, one of the top for the event, and an 83 mph exit velo, another one of the top among LHH. He ran a 4.40 home to first. At the plate, slight rhythm in balanced set up, short stride, minimal movement in load, power potential to pull side, consistent solid contact during batting practice. In the outfield, 76 mph positional velo, over the top arm slot, long/loose action, attacks the ball, quick exchange, athletic footwork, somewhat accurate throws.
Tyler Halstead, OF, Riley County (KS), 2018
Halstead is a 5-foot-11 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. Halstead posted one of the event’s best 60 times at 6.77, and had an 85 mph exit velo, also one of the top for the event. Halstead ran a 4.32 home-to-first from the left side. At the plate, started in slightly open stance, minimal movement in hands during load, hands and back side in sync, sprayed ball to both gaps during batting practice, power potential to pull side. In the outfield, 76 mph positional velo, high three-quarters release, quick feet and quick exchange, plays through the ball, mostly accurate throws.
Cole Machovsky, OF, Shawnee Mission East (KS), 2018
Machovsky is a 6-foot-2 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. Machovsky had an exit velo of 86 mph, one of the event’s best. He ran a 7.33 60 and a 4.64 home-to-first. At the plate, slight rhythm in set-up, no stride, upper body dominate, level and quick path to extension, showed power to pull side with gap-to-gap approach. In the outfield, 77 mph positional velo, high three quarters release, clean exchange and release, fluid footwork, throws near bag at third base. Lean and projectable frame.
Nick Modes, OF, Paola (KS), 2018
Modes is a 5-foot-7 151-pound right-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. Modes ran a 7.00 60, one of the event’s best, got down the line in 4.59-seconds. At the plate, wide set-up, short stride, gap-to-gap approach, fluid acceleration, body stays under control, 82 mph exit velo. In the outfield, 77 mph positional velo, high three quarters release, moves to the ball with a purpose, takes good route with momentum through catch, quick exchange and release.
Connor Nekola, OF, Mill Valley (KS), 2018
Nekola is a 5-foot-10 150-pound right-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2018 class. Nekola ran a 7.13 60 and a 4.65 home-to-first. At the plate, 74 mph exit velo, thin and open stance, in line stride, level path through contact, gap-to-gap approach, balanced finish. In the outfield, high three-quarters arm slot, loose arm action, quick footwork creating momentum through the catch, quick catch and release, 77 mph positional velo, throws were near bag.
Trey Riggs, OF, Hays (KS), 2019
Riggs is a 5-foot-11 140-pound right-handed hitting outfielder in Kansas’ 2019 class. Riggs ran a 7.75 60 and a 4.65 home-to-first. At the plate, open stance with some hand movement to load, gap-to-gap approach, quick level path to extension, 77 mph exit velo. In the outfield, 75 mph positional velo, high three-quarters release, plays though catch with fluid footwork, fluid glove-to-hand exchange, fluid release, loose arm action, somewhat accurate throws.
Jared Sharp, OF, Blue Valley Southwest (KS), 2018
Sharp is a 5-foot-8 1150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Sharp ran a 7.98 60 and a 4.75 home-to-first. At the plate, 79 mph exit velo, repeatable swing mechanics with consistent solid contact to middle of the field, gap-to-gap approach, smooth load, no wasted movement with controlled leg kick, level to extension, body under control during swing. In the outfield, 72 mph positional velo, high three quarters release, fluid work with quick catch and release, throws near bag at third base.
Mikey Strong, OF, St. Thomas Aquinas (KS), 2018
Strong is a Strong is a 6-foot-2 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher in Kansas’ 2018 class. Strong ran the 60 in 7.79-seconds and a 4.70 home-to-first. Balanced set up, no wasted movement in load, loose hands, pull approach, 83 mph exit velo, body controlled and balanced during swing, hit two singles in game action. In the outfield, he had an 81 mph positional velo, one of the top for the event, throws downhill with loose arm action, clean exchange, quick release, momentum towards target, mostly accurate throws.
MIDDLE INFIELDERS
Chase Burgess, SS, Blue Valley West (KS), 2019
Burgess is a 5-foot-3 145-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2019 class. He ran a 7.40 60 and a 4.56 home-to-first. Burgess has a gap-to-gap approach, with a short and compact swing, smooth load, quick hands, balanced finish, 76 mph exit velo. On the infield, 75 mph positional velo, made all the plays cleanly, quick catch and release, fluid work. Will continue to trend upwards and he develops physically.
Connor Cahill, SS, Blue Valley Northwest (KS), 2018
Cahill is a 6-foot 190-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas 2018 class. He ran a 7.35 60 and a 4.69 home-to-first. Cahill had one of the top exit velos on the day at 86 mph, balanced set up, in-line stride, used the middle of the field during batting practice, gap-to-gap, approach, showed pop to both gaps, loose hands. On the infield, 74 mph positional velo, quick catch and throw, momentum through the catch, fluid footwork, short over the top release.
Grant Chandler, 2B, Olathe Northwest (KS), 2019
Chandler is a 5-foot-8 115-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2019 class. He ran a 8.25 60 and a 5.12 home-to-first. At the plate, tall and balanced set up, hands separate from stride, hands load, level path to extension, quick hands, gap-to-gap approach, 68 mph exit velo. On the infield, 66 mph positional velo, clean exchange and release, fluid footwork. Projectable frame that has room to add strength with already athletic actions.
Taylor Foss, SS, Shawnee Mission West (KS), 2018
Foss is a 5-foot-11 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.41 60 and a 4.84 home-to-first. At the plate, up-tempo rhythm during pre-swing, short stride, quick hands, consistent line drives to middle of the field, stays on ball after contact, 74 mph exit velo. Foss has a 78 mph positional velo, one of the top for the event among middle infielders, fluid footwork, creates momentum through the catch, clean transfer, over the top release. Singled to left during game action.
Gage Miller, SS, Mill Valley (KS), 2018
Miller is a 5-foot-10 145-pound switch-hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.31 60, a 4.48 home to first from the left side and a 4.53 home to first from the right side. At the plate, on the left side, hands walk away from stride, gap-to-gap approach, level path, more consistent contact than right side, used toe touch on right side for timing, in line stride, 74 mph exit velo from both sides. On the infield, 70 mph positional velo, clean exchange, over the top release, accurate throws, fluid footwork.
Tyler Nelson, SS, Riley County (KS), 2018
Nelson is a 5-foot-10 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.02 60, one of the fastest times for the event, and got down the line in 4.60-seconds. At the plate, balanced stance, toe touch to in-line stride, hit flat line drives to the middle of the field during batting practice, 83 mph exit velo. Defensively, 67 mph postional velo, made all plays cleanly, over the top slot, quick release, fluid footwork, mostly accurate throws.
Jacob Peterson, SS, Blue Valley Southwest (KS), 2018
Peterson is a 6-foot-1 160-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.59 60 and a 4.72 home-to-first. During batting practice, showed power to pull gap with gap-to-gap approach, athletic set up, reverse toe tap and stride, level path, body controlled throughout swing, 80 mph exit velo. During defensive evals, 73 mph positional velo, momentum through the catch and towards target, short three quarters arm slot, quick catch and throw, mostly accurate throws. Singled down third base line during game action.
Brent Shinkle, SS, Blue Valley Southwest (KS), 2018
Shinkle is a 5-foot-9 145-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2018 class. He ran a 7.28 60 and got down the line in 4.27-seconds. At the plate, 80 mph exit velo, simple load with no wasted movements, body stays under control with short compact swing, gap-to-gap approach, quick and loose hands, consistent line drives. On the infield, over the top release with momentum through the catch, feet work with hands, soft quick transfer, 74 mph positonal velo, accurate throws. Improvements in arm strength and speed since last event.
Brady Slavens, SS, Olathe Northwest (KS), 2019
Slavens is a 6-foot 145-pound left-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2019 class. Slavens ran a 7.59 60 and a 4.90 home-to-first. At the plate, wide set up, minimal load, aggressive bat speed, swing produced gap-to-gap line drives, 81 mph exit velo. On the infield, Slavens has a 78 mph positional velo, one of the top middle infield velos for the event, projectable build with loose arm action, arm works, over the top release, quick feet and quick catch and release, mostly accurate throws. Singled to right during game action.
Zach Todd, SS, Shawnee Mission West (KS), 2018
Todd is a 5-foot-10 180-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.69 60, ran a 4.56 home-to-first from the left side. At the plate, pushes hands back and walks away from front side to load, used whole field during batting practice, loose and free hands with level path through extension, 82 mph exit velo. On the infield, 77 mph positional velo, high three quarters release, soft hands with fluid footwork and clean exchange, accurate throws.
Brett Westerman, SS, Derby (KS), 2018
Westerman is a 5-foot-7 140-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Kansas’ 2018 class. He ran a 7.75 60 and a 4.52 home-to-first. At the plate, 78 mph exit velo, consistent middle of the field line drives, smooth load, some load in hands, minimal stride, level path. On the infield, short over the top release, quick transfer, fluid footwork creating momentum through catch, accurate throws at 68 mph.
CORNER INFIELDERS
Austin Gerety, 3B, Nemaha Central (KS), 2019
Gerety is a 6-foot 200-pound right-handed hitting third baseman in Kansas’ 2019 class. He ran a 7.34 60 and a 4.81 home-to-first. At the plate, pull approach, 84 mph exit velo, high and controlled leg lift, strong hands, power to pull side, quick bat speed, strong lower half. Defensively, Gerety posted one of the event’s best infield velos at 79 mph, over the top release, aggressive to the ball, quick exchange, plays with a high motor, aggressive.
Carter Jones, 1B, Shawnee Mission East (KS), 2019
Jones is a 5-foot-10 165-pound left-handed hitting first baseman in Kansas’ 2019 class. Jones ran a 8.90 60. At the plate, Open stance, inline stride, level path, middle to pull line drives, 74 mph exit velo. At first base, 54 mph positional velo, over the top release, fields ball in athletic position, fluid catch and throw, fluid footwork. Projectable build with room to add speed and strength.
Ethan Kaus, 3B, Manhattan (KS), 2018
Kaus is a 6-foot-1 185-pound right-handed hitting third baseman in Kansas 2018 class. Kaus ran a 7.60 and a 4.35 home-to-first. Offensively, 83 mph exit velo, simple load with no wasted movement, quick hands, line drives to the pull side during batting practice. On the infield, 77 mph positional velo, clean exchange, over the top release, plays through the catch, accurate throws. Singled to left during game action.
Devon Lujan, 1B, Olathe East (KS), 2018
Lujan is a 6-foot-1 196-pound right-handed hitting third baseman in Kansas 2018 class. Lujan ran a 7.63 60 and a 5.08 home-to-first. Lujan has an 89 mph exit velo, one of the top of the event for RHH, open stance, accelerated swing, aggressive up the middle, quick and strong hands, stays on ball after contact, solid consistent contact up the middle. On the infield, 79 mph positional velo, three quarters release, aggressive to the ball with quick feet, quick catch and throw, mostly accurate throws.
Reid Seacat, 1B, Olathe Northwest (KS), 2018
Seacat is a 5-foot-11 180-pound left-handed hitting first baseman in Kansas 2018 class. He ran a 7.07 60 and got down the line in 4.44-seconds. Seacat posted one of the top LHH exit velos on the day at 88 mph, showed power to both gaps, short quick swing with quick bat speed, consistent solid contact during batting practice. On the infield, soft hands, 68 mph positional velo, three-quarters release, momentum through catch, fluid footwork, accurate throws.
Jared Sharp, 1B, Blue Valley Southwest (KS), 2018
Sharp is a 5-foot-8 1150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Sharp ran a 7.98 60 and a 4.75 home-to-first. At the plate, 79 mph exit velo, repeatable swing mechanics with consistent solid contact to middle of the field, gap-to-gap approach, smooth load, no wasted movement with controlled leg kick, level to extension, body under control during swing. On the infield, 70 mph positional velo, high three quarters release, made all plays cleanly, accurate throws, fluid footwork, quick field and throw.
Cole Summers, 3B/1B, Shawnee Mission West (KS), 2018
Summers is a 5-foot-9 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman in Kansas’ 2018 class. Summers ran a 7.28 60 and 4.53 home-to-first. Summers posed one of the event’s best infield velos at 78 mph, and one of the event’s best RHH exit velos at 88 mph. At the plate, slightly open to square stride, short to contact, quick bat speed, good round of batting practice with consistent solid contact to middle/pull side. On the infield, fields ball in athletic position, quick catch and throw, fluid footwork, hands and feet work together, over the top release, mostly accurate throws. Singled to left during game action.
B.J. Walker, 1B, Piper (KS), 2019
Walker is a 5-foot-11 185-pound right-handed hitting first baseman in Kansas’ 2019 class. Walker ran a 8.85 60 and a 5.33 home-to-first. At the plate, smooth rhythm, minimal load, level path through contact, gap-to-gap approach, 71 mph exit velo. At first base, 70 mph positional velo, high three-quarters release, clean arm action, fluid footwork and clean exchange, mostly accurate throws
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