By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting

Here are a few miscellaneous notes from recent happenings around the state.

+Karl Kauffmann, RHP, Brother Rice HS, 2016- Kauffmann was up to 88 mph on Saturday.  The freshman shows advanced polish and feel for a young age.   He is now 3-1 for highly touted Brother Rice HS.  He maintains a 3.21 ERA and a 2-1 strikeout to walk ratio.  He will be fun to watch at Top Prospect Games this summer.

+Keegan Baar, LHP, Hudsonville HS, 2014- The Michigan State commit has always had a high ceiling and he is coming into his own.  Baar was up to 88 mph recently and threw a no hitter with 11 K's.  He has been commanding his fastball better and worked well off of a much improved breaking ball.

+Patrick Leatherman, RHP, Jension HS, 2014- Leatherman was recently up to 89mph against Grand Rapids Christian HS.  He still needs to work downhill with better plane but the arm strength is certainly there.  Leatherman is attending this summer's Top Prospect Games in June.

+Austin Batka, LHP, Grand Rapids Christian HS, 2014- In the same meeting between Grand Rapids Christian and Jenison was 84-86mph on the mound.  The smaller lefty has a quick arm and a chance to be very good.

+Dakota Mekkes, RHP, Jenison HS, 2013- Mekkes committed to Michigan State after performing well in several events this past off season.  Recently he was up to 88 mph against Grand Rapids Christian.  Mekkes still has a ways to go in terms of overall stuff but he is making progress.  His secondary stuff needs the most improvement but the 6-foot-6 right-hander should be able to make the adjustments.

+Michael Hendrickson, LHP, Saline HS, 2014- Hendrickson struck out 13 hitters last night against Dexter.  He sat between 82-84 mph early on with three pitches for strikes.  Hendrickson a Midwest Futures Games participant last summer has been rounding into form recently.