Prep Baseball Report

Top 2015 Prospects from the Northern Ohio Showcase



By Chris Valentine and Dan Machovina 

Today, we recap the top prospects from the Class of 2015 at the Northern Ohio Showcase in Westlake, Ohio. The group is heavy on infield prospects, highlighted by Youngstown Ursuline's Joel Hake, as well as a handful of intriguing catchers, including Canton South's Conner Thomson. The group was thin on pitching with Wooster southpaw Ryan Lally being the top arm amongst the group. Later this week, we will recap the Best of the Rest from the Class of 2015 at this event.

1. Joel Hake, IF, Youngstown Ursuline HS

5-foot-8, 145-pound middle infielder. Showed fluid actions in the infield. He receives the ball well and shows some quickness in his transfer while reaching a top velocity of 83 mph across the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter starts form a slight crouch and used rotational mechanics. He shows a good rhythm to his swing and good bat speed into the zone (81 mph exit velocity). Registered 7.22 60-yard dash.

2. Conner Thomson, C, Canton South HS

5-foot-8, 158-pound small, athletic catcher registered a 6.85 60-yard dash. He shows quick hands behind the plate with a top pop time of 2.09. He reached a top velocity of 72 mph from the crouch. As his foot work improves, he will only get better behind the plate. Tends to get tall early. The left-handed hitter uses a narrow, upright stance. He takes an uphill path through the zone and shows some bat speed (81 mph exit velocity). He is very similar to 2012 Kent State recruit Shane Biles from Zanesville HS.

3. Jacob Bokar, C, Strongsville HS

Solid catching prospect with plenty of upside. Behind the plate, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect shows short arm action and some quickness to his transfer with a 2.15 pop time and 73 mph arm strength. He gains ground with his footwork, but it gets a tad long at times. At the plate, he is a contact type hitter with rotational mechanics. Needs to improve foot speed. Registered 8.02 60-yard dash. 

4. Ryan Lally, LHP, Wooster HS

Projects best as a pitcher at this stage. The left-hander possess a 5-foot-9, 190 pound frame. Needs to firm up his frame. He throws with a loose ¾ arm action that shows some projection. His fastball, which showed tail at times, was clocked at 80-83 mph. His breaking ball shows potential at 67-69 mph. He needs to continue developing his changeup, which is thrown below arm speed at 62-64 mph. In the field, he projects as a corner outfielder or first baseman. Shows good footwork and plays through the baseball. Reached top velocity of 81 mph with long arm action. At the plate, the left-handed hitter takes an uphill path to the ball. Shows pull power in his swing. Shows good balance with rotational mechanics. 

5. Jake Szendrey, IF/RHP, North Canton Hoover HS

5-foot-9, 170-pound athletic prospect. In the infield, he shows good actions with his feet and hands. Needs to consistently move through the baseball. He reached a top velocity of 79 mph across the infield. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a short stride with a leg kick. He shows some quickness into the zone (81 mph exit velocity) and good barrel control. Takes slight uphill path to the ball. On the mound, his fastball sat 80-83 mph. He currently shows a curveball with sharp break at 68-69 mph. His changeup is straight and sits between 69-71 mph.

6. Ryan Fournier, IF, Oregon Clay HS

5-foot-11, 177-pound infield prospect. Looks the part with athletic frame. Shows fluid footwork and moves well in the infield. Shows soft hands. Receives the ball well. Gets rid of the ball with quick transfer. Reached top velocity of 75 mph across the infield with short arm action. At the plate, he shows a rotational based swing with short stride. Uses small upper half load. Takes level path to the ball. Shows some quickness in his hands (80 mph exit velocity). Line drive type hitter at this stage. Registered 7.37 60-yard dash. 

7. Dalton Davis, C, Lake Local HS

6-foot-1, 185-pound receiver with a strong, durable frame. He registered consistent 2.10 to 2.18 pop times with a top velocity of 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate, the right-handed hitter shows a fluid rhythm and quick bat speed (89 mph exit velocity) to his swing with pull power. Needs to continue improving foot speed. Registered 7.81 60-yard dash. 

8. Ian Dillard, IF, Akron St. Vincent St. Mary HS

5-foot-9, 175-pound middle infield prospect. He registered a 7.16 60-yard dash and showed good, athletic actions in the infield with a top velocity of 76 mph. At the plate, he starts from an open stance and uses a small leg kick. He shows good use of his lower half. He gets his hands quickly into the zone (82 mph exit velocity) and generates solid contact.

9. Max Lavisky, 3B/RHP, Lakewood HS

6-foot, 228-pound corner infield prospect. Showed well at third base and displayed some pop in his bat at the plate. Shows good footwork that will improve as he firms up his frame. Receives the ball well. Throws from all angles. Short arm action and quick transfer. Reached top velocity of 75 mph on his throws. At the plate, he starts with a slightly open stance. Shows good balance with slight uphill path to the ball. If he improves his frame and athleticism, he will be an interesting prospect over the next two years. On the mound, he sat 76-78 mph with short arm action through a high 3/4 arm slot. His curveball was soft at 68-69 mph and his slider stayed on one plane at 67 mph. His change up showed some arm side fade at 70-71 mph. 

10. Kyle Hegedus, OF, St. Edwards HS

5-foot-10, 165-pound athletic prospect. Registered a 6.99 60-yard dash. Looks most natural in the outfield. Shows long arm action and plays through the ball. Reached a top velocity of 81 mph on his throws. In the infield, he needs to improve his footwork. Tends to be flat footed when fielding the ball. Shows potential with good range to his glove side. Reached a top velocity of 72 mph on his throws. At the plate, he uses a short stride. Shows small upper half load. Tendency to wrap his bat in his load. Displays level bat path with line drive production. Shows some quickness in his hands (84 mph exit velocity).

11. Brandon Knapp, C/3B, Kent Roosevelt HS

5-foot-9, 160-pound catching prospect. Registered 6.96 60-yard dash. Shows quickness in his hands that will only get better with enhanced glove to hand exchange. Needs to shorten up his footwork. Tends to get long. Pop time will easily improve from 2.19-2.27. Reached a top velocity of 73 mph with short arm action. In the infield, he shows good athleticism and some softness in his hands. Needs to consistently play through the baseball and follow his throws. Projects best as a second baseman. At the plate, he uses a leg kick trigger. Shows good use of his lower half. Takes uphill path to the ball. Shows pull tendencies in his swing. 

13. Sam Sustersic, OF, Revere HS

6-foot, 180-pound outfield prospect. Registered a 7.18 60-yard dash. His bat is his best tool at present with plenty of room to improve. Shows quickness in his hands (89 mph exit velocity). Takes slight uphill path to the ball with small upper half load. Needs to better incorporate his lower half to maximize torque. In the field, he shows long arm action through an over the top slot. Reached a top velocity of 81 mph on his throws. Interesting follow as he refines his skills.

14. Joe Caserio, OF/RHP, St. Edwards HS

5-foot-10, 170-pound athletic prospect that looks the part. Left-handed bat. Line drive type hitter with some strength in his swing. Needs to improve overall swing path. Shows slight uphill path. Doesn't consistently get extension. Defensively, he throws from an over the top arm slot. Needs to improve receiving the ball. Reached a top velocity of 78 mph across the infield. Registered 7.26 60-yard dash. 

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