By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting

The first annual Top Prospect Games is in the books, and the event was an undoubted success.  Lots of players saw their stock rise considerably. Here are some quick highlights.

Class of 2016

The Class of 2016 was represented well by both Karl Kauffmann (RHP, Brother Rice HS) and Connor Sampson (SS, Belleville HS).  Kauffmann proved once again why he will retain the No. 1 position in the Class of 2016 after sitting between 84-87 mph while showing his calm cool demeanor.  While Kauffmann was well known coming into the event, Sampson was the polar opposite.  Sampson was perhaps one of the best surprises of Top Prospect Games.  The 6-foot-3, 170-pound short stop showed well and certainly put himself on the map.

Class of 2015

The Class of 2015 was impressive.  With a list of names such as Riley McCauley (SS, Sterling Heights Stevenson HS), Nick Plummer (OF, Brother Rice HS), and Jacob Vander Wal (OF, Grand Rapids Catholic Central) the event was sure to be good.  But it was players like Grant Wolfram (LHP, Hamilton), Nick Holt (LHP, Muskegon Catholic Central) and Robbie Jones (OF, West Bloomfield) who no longer will be unknown in the state.

Class of 2014

The Class of 2014 had a strong showing as well. Grant Reuss (LHP, Cranbrook), a Michigan commit, may have struggled with his command but the 6-foot-6 lefty had scouts drooling over his potential.  Reuss sat between 83-88mph and bumped an 89.  Alex Sova (RHP, H.H. Dow) showed that he may be coming of age.  Sova opened up Day 1 with an impressive outing sitting 86-88mph. Finally it was Kyle Rago (RHP/1B, Berrien Springs) capping off the event sitting 85-88mph with his fastball and showed a 74-75mph biting breaking ball.

By the Numbers:

• 89 players attended top Prospect Games from the 2014-2016 recruiting classes..
• 30+ schools, including schools from the Big Ten, MAC, SEC and Summit League were all in attendance. 
• 9 major league scouts attended from the Indians, Rockies, Tigers, White Sox, Cubs, and Rangers.
• 13 pitchers were 85mph or better on at least one pitch.
• 30 pitchers were 83mph or better on at least one pitch.
• 40 pitchers were 80mph or better on at least one pitch.

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