State Fair & North Central Scout Day: Top Prospects

November 8, 2022
By: Diego Solares
Area Scout, Illinois & Missouri

On Wednesday, September 14th, the PBR Missouri staff traveled to State Fair Community College to host the State Fair and North Central Scout Day. More than 40 prospects from these respective programs participated in a pro-style workout in front of our staff, showcasing their talents and gathering data through our various tech partners.

For a complete look at the players who attended this event, click HERE. To see all of the stats from this event, click HERE.

Today we’ll spend some time highlighting the top prospects between these two squads. Read below for nuggets and more information on which players popped to our scouts from the State Fair and North Central Scout Day.

STATE FAIR CC

John Greenwood OF / Lebanon , MO / 2021

Strong, well-proportioned athlete capable of tacking on more muscle mass onto a 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. Put together arguably the loudest workout we saw across our fall JUCO circuit. 6.76 runner in the 60, 1.55 10-yard split, peak run speed of 20.7 mph. Left-handed bat with explosive hands (23.2 mph avg), averaged 97.2 mph per batted ball in BP with a 106.2 mph max. His peak batted distance (433 ft.) and average batted distance (349 ft.) were the highest marks from our fall JUCO events. Translated his strength to the outfield with a 90 mph high on his hardest throw home. One of the toolsiest athletes in Missouri’s JUCO realm that will look to make an impact for the Roadrunners in 2023.

Benit Thacker C / Staley, MO / 2021

Physically built 6-foot, 205-pound backstop that returns for the Roadrunners. Ran a 6.79 60 with a 1.63 10-yard split and 20.8 mph peak run speed. Strong hands, generated easy bat (81.7 mph avg) and hand (24.1 mph avg) speed throughout batting practice. Hard contact off the barrel - hit his hardest ball at 103.7 mph with a 95.6 mph average and 394 ft. peak distance, per TrackMan. Quick trigger to release from behind the plate with arm strength to pair. Popped a 1.78 on his best bullet to the bag with an 81 mph high, too. Figures to be a key piece to State Fair’s team this upcoming season.

Zach Buschschulte RHP / Staley, MO / 2021

Well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 185-pound stature with room to fill out more. Simple mover downhill that repeats and finishes onto a firm lead leg. Pounded the bottom quadrant of the zone with an upper-80s fastball and 84-86 mph sinker that featured some arm-side action. Spun two different breaking balls as well; a 75-77 mph slider with tighter shape and a 69-71 mph curveball with more depth and gradual spin. Will look to make an impact for the Roadrunners in his sophomore year as a strike-thrower with four pitches.

Chase Carson LHP / Shawnee Heights, KS / 2021

Charlotte commit. 6-foot-4, 193-pound frame with strength. Logged 51 ⅔ innings for the Roadrunners last season, pitching to a 3.66 ERA and striking out 61. Works the zone with a quality three-pitch mix, starting with an 86-87 mph fastball from a clean high ¾ slot. Limits spin on an 80-81 mph changeup and is capable of landing a 77-80 mph slider for strikes around the zone with tight shape. Returns as an impact arm for State Fair CC in 2023.

NORTH CENTRAL JC

Bailey Quint 3B / Pilot Grove , MO / 2021

6-foot, 195-pound two-way follow for North Central with strength in the lower half. Slashed .291/.357/.386 over 127 plate appearances last year as a freshman and also threw 32 ⅔ innings on the mound. Showed capable of working back up the middle in BP with hand speed to pair. Hopped on the mound later on and pitched at 87-88 mph with his fastball, flashing upper-quadrant life at times from a long arm draw. Flashed some feel to spin a 74-78 mph breaking ball for strikes with intent out of the windup. Looks to be a key contributor for North Central Missouri this upcoming season.

Tanner Schmidt RHP / Benton , MO / 2020

6-foot-5, 210-pound athlete with room to further fill out. Punched out 28 batters over 20 ⅔ innings last year. Works upright throughout his delivery, releases his fastball from a high slot at 86-88 mph with straight four-seam action. Spins a power curveball with slight depth and tight shape around the zone at 77-78 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed and slot on an 81-84 mph changeup, too.

Brett Cira 1B / Liberty (Wentzville), MO / 2021

6-foot-3, 200-pound physically built athlete with strength attached throughout. Took a loud round of batting practice, generating consistent hard contact from a long, flat right-handed swing. Averaged 94.1 mph per batted ball, reaching a peak exit velocity of 100.1 mph with a 100% hard-hit rate. Profiles best in a corner outfield position or at first base moving forward. A strong right-handed bat to follow for North Central.

For all of our coverage of Missouri JUCO baseball, click HERE.