Prep Baseball Report

BMO Harris Bank All-Kickoff Classic Team


Illinois Scouting Staff

The 2nd annual Metro East Kickoff Classic sponsored by Prep Baseball Report was a four-day event that took place from March 14 - March 17th (Wednesday-Saturday), featuring 35 teams from around the state of Illinois and one from Missouri. Games were played at five locations in the Metro East area; Edwardsville HS, O’Fallon HS, Belleville East HS, SIU-Edwardsville University and GCS Ballpark in Sauget, IL.

The Prep Baseball Report provided complete coverage of the Kickoff Classic, covering each location with game recaps including insider scouting notes and statistical highlights.

Over the course of the four-day event our staff saw several standout performances as some of the top prospects in the state got their seasons' started on the right foot.

BMO HARRIS BANK "MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER"

This year’s award goes to 1B Drake Westcott of No. 8 Edwardsville. Westcott, who started and hit .435 with, 11 doubles and 12 home runs for the Class 4A runner-up Tigers last season as a Freshman, picked up right where he left off. The imposing left-handed hitter, had a torrid three games, going 8-for-10, with three doubles, three runs, three RBI and a walk. In fact, every ball that was put in play on the weekend ended in a hit. The Louisville commit also showed off improved feel around the bag, routinely picking throws and bouncing off the bag to make plays.

Here's a look at the BMO Harris Bank All-Kickoff Classic Team

Pitchers

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Ryan Culley Belleville East 2018 LHP
5.2 0 2 10 3

Parkland commit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound, southpaw pitches in the mid-80’s. Went five innings against Benton, scattering two hits and striking out 10. 

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Jacob Maton Chatham-Glenwood 2018 RHP
5.0
0 0 10 0

Coastal Carolina commit. One of the top 2018 prospects in the state of Illinois, started on friday night and threw five innings of no-hit baseball, in front of a handful of scouts. Fastball sat 89-90 mph early on and showed off an impressive breaking ball that led to 10 strikeouts in his five innings. 

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Geoff Withers
Civic Memorial
2018 RHP
6.2
1 3 10 2

McKendree commit. Had one of the more impressive starts of the Kickoff Classic. Withers carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his start against Belleville East. Fastball sat 84-87 mph throughout and finished with 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched. 

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Jonathon Yancik Edwardsville
2019 RHP
6.2
0 2 9 2

The junior right-hander did not allow a run in two separate outings for Edwardsville. Scattered two hits and struck out four in four innings of work against Lincoln-Way West. Also, went 2.2 innings against Columbia without giving up a hit and struck out five. 

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Alex Vera Joliet Catholic 2019 LHP
5.0 0 0 8 2

Illinois commit. Tossed five innings of no-hit baseball against St. Joseph-Ogden, before being relieved. In his five innings of work he struck out eight while only walking two. Fastball was up to 83 mph, but it was 2/7 curveball that stood out.

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Connor Oliver Oak Forest 2019 LHP
2.1 0 0 7 4

Wichita St. commit. Limited to 2.1 innings due to pitch count, did not allow a ball to be put in play against. Struck out seven and walked four. Ran his fastball up to 87 mph and commanded a swing-and-miss breaking ball.

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Shane Schatz Oswego East 2018 RHP
7.0 0 2 5 1

Unsigned senior. Made two appearances on the mound. Against No. 1 Joliet Catholic pitched one scoreless inning, striking out two and allowing no hits. Started the next day against Salem, going six innings, two hits, three strikeouts, one walk and did not allow a run. 

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Ian Lohse StL Marquette 2020 LHP
4.0
0 1 8 2

Sophomore left-hander can run his fastball up to 86 mph. In a start against Lincoln-Way West went four innings, one hit, struck out eight and did not allow a run.

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Hayden Juenger O'Fallon 2018 RHP
6.0 1 3 6 2

Missouri State commit. One of the top 2018 right-handed arms in the state. Had two separate outings for O’Fallon on the week. Was electric in his first outing, a one-inning appearance vs. Breese Mater Dei. Struck out the side behind a fastball that sat 91-92 mph. Got the win in his second appearance, a start against No. 11 Brother Rice. Went five innings, scattered three hits and struck out three. Ran his fastball up to 93 mph in that start.

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Chris Cuppini Normal U-High 2018 RHP
5.0
0 2
8 1

Judson University commit. Tossed five scoreless innings against Breese Central on 85 pitches. Pounded the zone with a three-pitch mix seeing his fastball top at 83 mph. Finished with eight strikeouts over the five innings of works and only walked one.

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Adam Stilts Alton 2018 RHP
6.0
0
4 6
1

Junior right-hander went six shutout innings against Carbondale. Scattered four hits, struck out six and walked one.

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Nathan Deloian Lincoln-Way West 2018 LHP
4.1
0
3 7 0

Carson-Newman commit. The southpaw pitched 4.1 innings against St. Louis Marquette without allowing a run. Showed command of all pitches, striking out seven and walking none, scattering three hits.

Name School Class Pos IP ER H K BB
Logan Boente O'Fallon 2018 RHP
5 0
1 7 2

McKendree commit. Twirled a one-hit shutout in his start against a pesky Oak Forest club. In Boente’s five innings of work he struck out seven and walked two.

TWO-WAY PLAYERS

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB Pos IP ER H K BB
Charlier Erler Alton 2018 INF 8 5 2 0 3 5 3 1 RHP 4.2 0 3 8 3

Lipscomb commit. Athletic two-way prospect, got the start in game one against Freeburg. Pitched with emotion and energy in 4.2 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits, striking out eight with a combination mid-80s fastballs and curveballs, and walking two. In three games offensively, went 5-for-8 with five runs, three RBI, one walk and one strikeout.

Name School Class Pos AB H 3B HR RBI R BB Pos IP ER H K BB
 Shane Wilhem Columbia 2019  INF 6 2 1 0 0 1 3  RHP  5  1  4  7  1

Missouri commit, showed well on the mound and at the plate over Columbia’s two games. Started on the mound against Chatham-Glenwood and went five innings of one-run ball. Struck out seven and scattered four hits. At the plate went 2-for-6 in the two games with three walks and a triple.

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB Pos IP ER H K BB
 Aidan Tyrell Joliet Catholic 2018  OF 12 5 0 0 2 2
3 3  LHP  4  0  8  2

Notre Dame commit. Nearly untouchable in his four inning stint on the mound against Oswego East, allowing just one hit, striking out eight and walking two. The senior left-hander ran his fastball up to 86 mph, and showed command of three pitches. Hit in the two-hole in all four games, finished 5-for-12, with two runs, two RBI, three walks, and two strikeouts.

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB Pos IP ER H K BB
 Greg Ziegler Joliet Catholic 2019  OF 10 6 0 0 3 5
3 2 RHP   4  0  1  9  1

Missouri State commit. Junior right-handed pitcher threw 4 quality innings against Kaneland with nine strikeouts and allowed one unearned run. Quality three-pitch mix throughout and topped at 84 mph with his fastball. Offensively, he recorded six base hits, scored five runs, knocked in three runs and swiped three bases. 

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB Pos IP ER H K BB
 Trevor Durand Mt. Zion 2018  SS 7 3 2 0 3 1
1 1  RHP  5  0  3  6  1

Millikin commit. 6-foot-2, 162-pound, athletic, two-way prospect. Started on the mound against Salem and went five innings of shutout baseball striking out six. Had a big say at the plate against Triad going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, a run scored and a walk.

Position Players

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R BB
Drake Westcott Edwardsville 2020 1B 10 8 3 0 3 3 1

Louisville commit. One of the top 2020 prospects in Illinois. Standing 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, the left-handed hitting first baseman was an imposing force at the plate all tournament. Started his sophomore season by going a perfect 3-for-3 against Columbia, with two doubles, one run scored, one RBI, and one walk. The following day added two more doubles, two runs and two RBI, in a 2-for-3 outing against Tinley Park. Capped of the Kickoff Classic by collecting three singles in four at-bats versus Lincoln-Way West. On the tournament, finished 8-for-10, 3 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K.

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R BB
Cole Hembrough Chatham-Glenwood 2018 OF
9
6 1 0 4 2 0

6-foot-4, 225-pound physical right-handed hitter, was the catalyst for the Glenwood offense in their two games at the Kickoff Classic. Went 6-for-9 with a double, two runs, four RBI. Also, showed off a strong arm in right field.

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB
Marquis Jackson Brother Rice 2020 2B 6 4 0 0 1
2
2

Oklahoma commit. Despite only being a sophomore, Jackson was one of the more locked in hitters at the event. In the highly-anticipated matchup Friday night against No. 4 Plainfield North, Jackson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. His one out was the hardest hit ball of the night. Stole two bases as well.

Name School Class Pos AB H 3B HR RBI R SB BB
Sam Jones Brother Rice 2018 3B/DH
6 4
1 1 2 4 1 1

Indiana commit. Finished the two games of the Kickoff Classic, 4-for-6 with a home run, triple, four runs, two RBI and a walk. His most impressive at-bat came against O’Fallon, where he worked a long at-bat before getting an elevated fastball and hitting a no-doubt home run over the left-field wall. 

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB
Garret Cook Plainfield North 2019 OF 7 5 1 0 1
4 1
1

Junior, left-handed hitter, led No. 4 Plainfield North in hitting in their two games. Finished 4-for-6 with a double, four runs scored, a walk, a stolen base and an RBI. 

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B 3B RBI R SB BB
Josh Mesenbrink Triad 2018 3B 6 4
1 1 3 5 1 1

Senior right-handed hitter, led the way for Triad in their two games. In their loss against Mt. Zion he went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, three runs scored and two RBI. Overall, went 4-for-6 with five runs and three RBI.

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB
Angel Acevedo Kaneland 2019 OF/LHP 6 4 1 0 1 4 3 2

Junior left-handed pitcher/outfielder showed skill on all sides of the ball in the Kick-off Classic. Had four base knocks, four runs scored and caused havoc on the bases all weekend with three stolen bases. Showed off the arm defensively against JCA gunning down a runner attempting to go first to third. Also, threw a clean inning against Normal West with two strikeouts. 

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB
Riley Phillips Alton 2018
OF
10 6 1 0 5 5 2 1

6-foot-1, left/left, sophomore outfielder carried Alton offensively in their three games. Hit .600 with five runs, five RBI and walked once.

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB BB
Nate Hardman Normal U-High 2019
3B 13 5 0 0 6 4 3 2

Junior third baseman, was an integral part of the U-High offensive output. In four games, hit 5-for-13, four runs scored, six RBI, three stolen bases, two walks and four strikeouts. Also, played a steady third base throughout the event.

Name School Class Pos AB H 2B HR RBI R SB
Owen Martin Normal U-High 2018 CIF 16 7 0 0 4 1 1

Illinois Central JC commit. In 16 at-bats, put the ball in-play 14 times, collecting a hit seven of those times. Finished 7-for-16, one run scored, four RBI, one stolen base, zero walks and two strikeouts.

+ CLICK HERE for a look at last year's BMO Harris Bank All-Kickoff Classic Team.

+ CLICK HERE for full game recaps from the Kickoff Classic.

+ CLICK HERE for the entire scout blog from the Kickoff Classic.

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