The pitcher/catcher portion of the Fall Prospect Showcase at Maryville University on Saturday October 13 yielded some high level talent, with a number of players making a name for themselves and increasing their stock as they go into the winter.

A look at the top performers from the Pitcher/Catcher portion of the event:
1. Jonathan Riley, RHP, Oak Park HS, Class of 2013:
Riley has a power pitcher frame, standing 6-foot-2, 207-pounds, and with his heavy 83-85 mph fastball has to potential be a top level pitcher. He has quick arm speed with loose arm action and easy effort. His fastball stayed down in the zone and was consistently thrown for a strike. He also throws a late moving 77-79 mph cutter.  Riley’s breaking ball (71-72 mph) has 11-to-5 shape, with fastball arm speed and late break.  His change up (70-73 mph) has some cut and sink action, and looks to be an out pitch.  With a few small tweaks to his delivery and use of his lower half, he should see his fastball rise into the upper 80’s. Riley also showed some athleticism, running a 6.97 60.

2. Michael Pickrell, C, Rolla HS, Class of 2014:
The top overall athlete of the event, Pickrell made a name for himself by showing the ability to be a top level catcher, with sound mechanics, leadership, and all around athleticism. The two-sport standout (he also plays football), posted the top 60 time of the event, running a 6.78. Behind the plate he showed to be a confident catcher, taking charge of the bullpen sessions, and displaying above average mechanics. . In bullpens, he demonstrated advanced catching abilities, showing quick feet, soft hands and a firm wrist. He had consistent pop times, with his best at 2.00 (74-79 mph), all strikes on the bag.
 

3. Hank Vandaveer, OF/LHP, Pacific HS, Class of 2014:
Vandaveer is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound athlete who impressed with his overall ability and is poised for a big jump in the Class of 2014 rankings. As one of the top overall athletes, Vandaveer ran a 6.93 60, which translated to quality outfield play. In the outfield, he has fluid movements to the ball, moving quickly and fielding the ball in position to throw to his target. He had accurate 73-76 mph throws with some carry. At the plate, the left handed hitter has a balanced stance with a line drive producing swing, creating some backspin carry to the right center field power alley. He takes an economical path to the ball, showing good bat control in all the swings he took. On the mound, Vandaveer comes from a high ¾ arm slot with quick arm speed and loose arm action. His fastball in the 75-78 mph range had late arm side run, while his 65-68 mph breaking ball had 1-to-7 shape with sharp, late break. He also showed a 69-71 change up with near fastball arm speed that had some fade.

4. Tanner Brown, C/SS, Pacific HS, Class of 2014: 
Brown is an athletic 6-foot, 170-pound player who showed to be effective both behind the plate and at shortstop. Brown has a good base with fundamental mechanics behind the plate, showing the ability to stick the ball in all parts of the zone as well as quick instincts with blocking during bullpen sessions. He has quick footwork and a quick transfer, with pop times ranging 1.89-2.00 on the bag.  At shortstop, Brown has good footwork with soft hands and and a quick glove to hand transfer, delivering accurate 74-77 mph throws across the diamond. Offensively, Brown has a slightly open, crouched stance. He takes a short path to the baseball, keeping his hands inside and creating some barrel whip through the zone with level extension through contact producing gap to gap live drives and some glimpses of power. Additionally, Brown ran a 7.19 60.
 

5. Nick Allgeyer, LHP/OF, Vianney, Class of 2014:
Allgeyer is a projectable 6-3, 190-pound two way player who excelled in all facets of his game. On the mound, the left-handed thrower has good rhythm and throws with easy effort. His fastball sat 77-79 mph, topping at 80-mph, and we think there is more in the tank as his frame continues to fill out. Allgeyer’s breaking ball had late 1-to-7 shape with near fastball arm speed and was consistently thrown for a strike. He also showed a change up that at times had arm side run.  In the outfield, Allgeyer takes good routes while playing through the ball. He gets in good position to throw to his targets, with a top throw of 81-mph with some carry.  Offensively, the left-handed hitter has good rhythm with an easy, level swing and extension through contact, delivering consistent line drives gap-to-gap. Allgeyer also ran a 7.28 60

 

6. Drew Fair, C, Eureka HS, Class of 2013:
Fair is an athletic and strong bodied catcher who showed to be a confident receiver behind the plate. During bullpen sessions, Fair had a firm wrist and soft hands while sticking pitches in all parts of the strike zone. He also showed quick instincts and body control while blocking. Fair also showed good footwork while throwing to second base, recording pop times of 2.02-2.13 on the bag. At the plate, Fair has a balanced stance with a strong lower half and quick bat speed. He has a level, compact swing with extension through contact, showing some power to the left center power alley. Fair ran a 7.34 60.

7. Mitchell Plassmeyer, LHP, DeSmet, Class of 2014:
The left handed throwing Plassmeyer has a lanky 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame and showed repeatable mechanics while working quickly on the mound with, the ability to deliver three pitches for strikes. Coming from an over the top arm slot, Plassmeyer hides the ball well while delivering a late moving fastball that topped at 79-mph. Both of his off speed pitches both had near fastball arm speed, a sharp 2-to-8 breaking ball (64-67 mph) and a change up with cut action (68-69 mph). As Plassmeyer continues to fill out his frame, he should see an increase in velocity and is an intriguing pitcher to follow.

 

8. Mick Layton, RHP, SLUH, Class of 2014:
Layton has a projectable 6-foot-4, 175-pound frame with the ability to throw three pitches consistently for strikes. Layton uses a ¾ arm slot with quick arm speed and a loose arm with easy effort. His fastball sat 78-81 mph, topping at 83-mph with some sink and cut action. His best pitch looked to be a 70-73 mph change up with fastball arm speed and late arm side movement, while staying down in the zone. He also threw a 66-69 mph breaking ball with sharp 11-to-5 action, and at times showing 12-to-6 movement. Layton also ran one of the fastest 60 times, a 6.91. Layton has room to fill out and has the potential to be a top of the rotation starter.

9. Alex Hoffman, RHP, Vianney, Class of 2013:
Hoffman has a good pitcher’s frame, standing 6-foot-1, 210-pounds and uses a strong lower half to pound the strike zone. Hoffman has good rhythm on the mound and has quick arm speed with free and easy arm action. Hoffman’s fastball sat 81-82 mph, topping at 83-mph with late arm side action. He also throws an 11-to-5 breaking ball in the 65-67 mph range that stays downs in the zone. Hoffman also throws a 72-75 mph change up with near fastball arm speed, showing late sink and fade; possibly his best pitch.e

 

10. Tom Kalish, RHP, DeSmet, Class of 2014:
Kalish is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound pitcher who showed feel for three pitches, while throwing them for strikes. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Kalish has free and easy arm action with good rhythm on the mound.  His fastball sat 81-82 mph, topping at 83-mph with arm side run, at times. Kalish also showed an 11-to-5 breaking ball (65-67 mph) with near fastball arm speed, keeping it down in the zone. He also threw a 72-75 mph change up with some late sink to the arm side. Additionally, Kalish showed some athleticism running a 7.18 60.