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2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass Wrapup - A Great Event To 'See Where You Stack Up’

COLUMBUS - The 2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass Showcase was held on Sunday at Bo Jackson Elite Training Center providing players an opportunity to not only showcase their talent but to match up with others across the state.

“I think it was overall a great event,” explained Sebastian Alexander (Video Below), who proved to be one of the standouts at the event. “It's always nice to compete against some of the best players in the state and see where you stack up.”

STANDOUTS

The Kent State commit from Mayfield was one of 32 seniors in a field of 74 participants. The 6-0, 190-pound shortstop had the top infield velo at 91, third best exit velocity at 96 and was the third fastest in the 60 with a time of 6.61. Alexander was one of just two participants to finish with 90-plus position and exit velos along with less than a 7.0 clocking in the 60 at the event.

But there were others that stood out, too, like fellow Kent State commit Jordan Stevens, a returnee from a year ago who bettered all his numbers from 2019. In addition to a time of 6.70 in the 60, the St. Edward senior had the second-leading exit velo at 97 and fourth best outfield velo at 88.

“There were some good players there like in past years and it was well run and efficient as always,” said the 6-0, 195-pounder who is rated eighth in Ohio’s 2020 class. “I had a good showing, and am happy with how I did. I ran a 6.7 and hit well in BP, I hit some balls hard and I also threw 88 which is solid.”

AJ Rausch, a senior at Olentangy Liberty, was the fastest in the 60 with an impressive time of 6.49 while Robby Morgan, a 2020 from Groveport, had the top exit velo at 98. The versatile Rausch, an Ohio University commit ranked 31st in the state, also showed off a strong arm (87 outfield, 83 infield velo) while hitting 92 on exit velo.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Morgan, the third-rated senior catcher in Ohio, was one of a number of backstops that stood out. The Central Michigan commit was the fastest catcher in the 60 with a time of 6.91 while producing the second best pop time 1.88-2.00 while recording a catcher velocity of 81.

Trey Pancake III, a South Range junior committed to Ohio State, was the leader in pop times with a 1.87 best toss while uncommitted Conner Stewart, a Wadsworth junior, had a catcher velo of 81.

Lane Johnson (Video Below), a senior from Waynesville heading to play next season at Wittenberg, was another that displayed promise making the position one of the deepest at the event. The 6-1, 193-pounder had a 1.90 best pop time and 76 catching velo, while also showing versatility with an 80 infield velo and 7.05 clocking in the 60.

“The highlight for me was the hitting part,” said Johnson, a right-handed hitting catcher/first baseman. “I was hitting very well and tried to put on a show to catch people’s eyes.”

UNCOMMITTED STANDOUTS

One show stopper at the event was Jake Llaneza, a Westerville South outfielder/shortstop who was one of four uncommitted seniors to compete. The 6-1, 190-pounder joined Stevens as the lone competitors to run a sub-7.0 60 time (6.84), with a plus-90 position velo (92) and plus-90 exit velo (91). The outfield velocity was the best in a group of 17 that competed.

“I knew coming in I was going to be one of the least-recruited prospects attending the camp with zero division one offers,” admitted the 98th-rated 2020 in Ohio. “But it was nice to be able to prove to some people that you don't have to be a highly-recruited player to compete with the best.

“Some highlights of the camp would include meeting new people and getting some of my numbers posted,” added Llaneza. “I’m thankful that I was able to post the highest outfield velocity from the camp. I am hoping that will open some more eyes as I continue my recruitment process. With that being said, I am still not satisfied with my performance and will continue to work to improve as a player.”

Another uncommitted standout was Lebanon junior Zach Weber who did a little bit of everything at the event. The 6-1, 205-pounder had the second-best outfield velo of 91 along with a 95 exit velo to tie for fourth best

“The Preseason All-State event went very well and was a great experience,” Weber noted. “The highlight for me was being around the best players in the state and seeing where I stack up.”.

THE ARMS

Weber was one of 11 that were two-way participants in the event, hitting 89 on the mound - second only to Olentangy Orange junior Josh Laisure among those competing at more than one position. Laisure, a Wright State commit and 17th-ranked 2021 in Ohio, and Teddy Eyink, a senior at St. Ignatius committed to Purdue-Fort Wayne, each hit 91 with the fastball.

The top velo on the mound sent to Elida junior Brayden Lybarger (Video Below, who reached 93 on the radar gun.

“What a great event, it’s always fun to go and compete with other guys my age,” related the 6-6, 178-pound right-hander committed to Michigan. “A highlight for me was reaching a new velo PR. I wasn’t really expecting it.”

While only three managed to hit 90 on the gun, five topped out at 89 in addition to Weber, with seniors Peyton Wilson of New London (Bowling Green commit) and Tim Baird of North Royalton (Akron commit) joined by juniors Brandon Golubski of Tallmadge (Kent State commit), Ty Roder of Anthony Wayne (Wright State commit) and Jake Johnson of Medina. 

Johnson, one of 24 uncommitted juniors in the field, also had an exit velo of 90 to go along with a 6.91 time in the 60 and 87 infield velo, third behind Alexander and Miamisburg junior William Cook (88), a Louisville commit.

TALKING TO SCOUTS

A strong performance at the event led a number of players to converse with scouts.

“I talked to two scouts,” noted Lybarger, the 10th-ranked junior in the state. “We talked about what I did to train in the off-season and about coming to see me in-season. It felt great to talk to them. It just gives me more motivation to work even more.”

Lane Johnson also drew interest from those looking on.

“I have had a scout tell me that they will be keeping an eye on me throughout high school and summer ball.” the catcher from Waynesville said.

With no commitment as of yet, the exposure proved helpful to the up-and-coming Weber.

“There have been college coaches and scouts reaching out to me after the event,” Weber noted. “It really means a lot to me and my family. Thank you PBR.”

A two-year participant, Stevens came away happy with the results.

“Pro scouts have talked to me recently, including one at the event,” the second-rated senior outfielder in Ohio said. “It’s usually about baseball, and about them just trying to get to know you, your routines, and your life in general. I’m thankful to have these opportunities.”

Hope remains for others that did not talk to scouts.

“I was never reached out by any pro scouts at the camp, which I never expected to happen in the first place,” noted Llaneza, the 10th-ranked uncommitted senior in the state. ”But I'm hoping that in the future - as I develop as a person and a player - that will change. I plan on continuing to work hard every day to solidify my spot as a top player in the state and to prove to coaches that I am worth their time.”