Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Senior Games: An Inside Look at a few of the Talented Prospects that will take the field on Sunday



By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The Kentucky Unsigned Senior Games Showcase, which continues Sunday morning at Northern Kentucky University, will feature two different teams of players as Team Royal and Team Navy square off in a double-header. 

Prior to game play, all position players will take part in an extended infield/outfield and on-the-field batting practice.  As with Saturday’s teams, Sunday’s teams will feature several talented prospects.  The following is a look at a few of the prospects that will take the field Sunday at NKU.

Seth Caple will lead the Royal team behind the plate.  Caple, a 6-foot, 215-pound catcher from Dixie Heights HS was extremely impressive at our Owensboro event in June.  He showed good arm strength at 79 mph from the crouch and a top pop time of 1.87.  Caple is ranked No. 29 in Kentucky’s 2014 class.

Tyler Niemann is a catcher from Canton HS in Missouri who was an all-state selection in Class 2A this spring.

Taylor Henley is a 6-foot-4, 235-pound first baseman from Lexington Catholic HS that shows good bat speed (91 mph tee exit velo) and power potential. The right-handed hitter hit well during game play of the Top Prospect Games event in June.  Henley is ranked No.38 in the 2014 class.

Justin Warren is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound third baseman from Henry Clay HS.  Warren made several nice plays at the Top Prospect Games in June and showed some gap-to-gap power at the event as well.  Warren is ranked No.66 in the 2014 class.

Sam Springer is a 6-foot, 160-pound outfielder from St. Xavier HS who ran a 6.65 sixty in June.  Springer showed an 80 mph with tough throwing conditions into a strong wind, and showed the ability to consistently square up the baseball at the plate.  Springer is ranked No. 67 in the 2014 class.

Reed Spata is a shortstop from Scott HS who showed good defensive actions and a quick bat this spring during the high school season.  Spata will play for the Navy team and is ranked No. 59 in the 2014 class.

Blake Rose is a left-handed hitting third baseman from Tates Creek HS who plays with a lot of energy, good leader on the field and a solid swing from the left side.  Rose is ranked No. 58 in the 2014 class.

Jeremy Downs is an outfielder/RHP from Ryle HS who shows athletic outfield actions and a solid arm.  Downs ran a 6.81 sixty at the Top Prospect Games event and will also pitch for the first time at a PBR event and should show good arm strength on the mound.  Downs is ranked No.70 in the 2014 class.

Nathan Verst is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound RHP/SS from Bishop Brossart HS who should show mid-80's velocity on the mound.  Verst is ranked No.61 in the 2014 class

Several other solid prospects will also take the field on Sunday including several pitchers who should show low to mid 80’s velocity.