Prep Baseball Report

2016 Draft Blog



Several states in Prep Baseball Report's coverage area have their own scout blog, covering the landscape of high school baseball to no end. The Draft Blog compiles any of those entries pertinent to the current draft year so you can read it in one, central location. The 2015 Major League Baseball Draft takes place in early June and there are plenty of prospects within PBR's coverage that anticipate hearing their name called.

Joe Rizzo Goes 1-For-3 - 5/5/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

3B Joe Rizzo (Oakton HS, VA) got some early hitting in at his home field for a handful of scouts, working off a tee and then having his dad throw him BP. He hammered balls to all parts of the field, really showing his ability to drive the ball to left-center field and then turning on pitches for long home runs to his pull side.

Belge Fans 12 In Strong Start - 5/3/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

After bursting onto the scene as an underclassman, LHP Jeff Belge (Henninger HS, NY) struggled at the Tournament of Stars last summer and then missed some time due to an injury. He’s back on the mound this spring and has come out hot. Making his fourth start Tuesday, the St. John’s recruit was pitching in front of a few dozen scouts with the draft about a month away.

Quiet Day For Nolan Jones - 5/2/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

Mother Nature always has the final say and she dictated The Rode Show’s Monday plans. RHP Ian Anderson (Shenendehowa HS, NY) was supposed to make his first start in a couple weeks, but rain soaked Albany and pushed him to later this week. We had a fine Plan B in place though and traveled north of Philadelphia to see SS Nolan Jones (Holy Ghost Prep, PA).

Van Scoyoc Shows Three-Pitch Arsenal - 5/1/16

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor, Wisconsin/Illinois

Pitching indoors on a rainy day in Iowa, LHP Spencer Van Scoyoc (Cedar Rapids Jefferson HS, IA) had a host of scouts watching. He is an Arizona State recruit and the top prospect in the state, pitching with a balanced delivery that is repeatable. He has a strong front side and loads his lower half at the top of his balance point.

Laskey Turns In Solid Start - 4/30/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

A crowd of scouts checked in on LHP Adam Laskey (Haddon Heights HS, NJ) on Saturday. His line was deceptive, as he pitched relatively well, but allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits, a walk and hit batter while striking out eight.

Groome Fans 13 In Return - 4/30/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

After a two-week hiatus due to being ruled ineligible by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Association, LHP Jason Groome (Barnegat HS, NJ) returned to game action on Saturday with a couple dozen scouts in attendance, including a few scouting directors and other high-level officials. It was business as usual with the Vanderbilt recruit and presumptive top-five pick going the distance and allowing two hits and three walks while striking out 13.

Mondile Strikes Out Five In Loss - 4/29/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

Starting a Northeast swing for The Rode Show, we made our way up from North Carolina Friday in time to see RHP Tyler Mondile (Gloucester Catholic HS, NJ). It was a tough day for Mondile as he gave up five runs on six hits, a walk and hit batter while striking out five.

Lux Goes Deep In Front Of High Level Scouts - 4/26/16

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Multiple national level scouts were on hand to see SS Gavin Lux (Indian Trail HS, WI) on a brutally cold day. Lux has seen his draft stock rise this spring, showing an improvement in his bat since the summer. He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder and stands at 6-foot-2, 182 pounds with athletic frame that has continued to fill out physically. Offensively, he had a big day going 2-for-3 with a home run. He hits from a balanced set-up with a leg lift trigger.

Beauchamp Strikes Out 15 - 4/25/16

By Phil Wade
Executive Director, PBR Indiana

LHP Cameron Beauchamp (Peru HS, IN), an Indiana signee, had an ace performance Monday in a 2-1 win over Northfield HS, IN. He pitched a complete-game, two-hitter while striking out 15. He allowed just one run and two walks.

Canadians Get In Some Exhibition Action - 4/23/16

Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Scouting Director

The top pitching prospect in the province was in game action Saturday as 6-foot-6, 220-pound RHP Austin Shields (St. Mary’s Catholic HS, ON) made his debut in CPBL action for 2016. Early on, he was 91-93 with his fastball, working down in the zone with much better control than in the past.

Schaller Tosses Two Innings In Spring Debut - 4/22/16

By Phil Wade
Executive Director, PBR Indiana

RHP Reid Schaller (Lebanon HS, IN), a Vanderbilt recruit, made his first start of the year on April 22 after tenderness in his triceps and some inflammation in his throwing elbow held him out. On a strict pitch count, Schaller went two innings, allowing two runs on three hits. He struck out three. He threw 30 pitches in the two innings, all of which were fastballs.

Belge Touches 95 In Second Outing - 4/19/16

After missing much of last summer with an eye injury, LHP Jeff Belge (Henninger HS, NY) impressed in his second official start of the 2016 campaign in front of several scouts.

McAvene Impressive In 1-0 Loss - 4/19/16

By Phil Wade
Executive Director, PBR Indiana

Against Cathedral HS, IN, RHP Michael McAvene (Roncalli HS, IN) went 6.2 innings, allowing a run on two hits and four walks while strikng out 10.

Wentz Cruises Through Six No-Hit Innings - 4/18/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

While RHP Riley Pint (St. Thomas Aquinas HS, KS) finished up a start down the road, LHP Joey Wentz (Shawnee Mission East HS, KS) breezed through his own with six no-hit innings. The only base runners were two walks in the fifth and he struck out 13.

Pint Touches Triple Digits - 4/18/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

With about 75 scouts in attendance, including several crosscheckers, scouting directors, special assignment scouts and at least one general manager, RHP Riley Pint (St. Thomas Aquinas HS, KS) came out firing in a delayed start. The No. 2 prospect in the country hit 97 mph on his first pitch and 100 with his third.

Dallas Tosses Five No-Hit Innings - 4/18/16

By Charlie Karstedt
PBR New York Assistant Director, Operations

LHP Dan Dallas (Canisius HS, NY) has made marked improvements since last summer and is generating a following among scouts in the Northeast. In a recent start, he threw five innings of no-hit baseball, allowing just two balls to be put in play. He struck out 12 and walked two.

Gorski Collects Three Hits Against Rival - 4/16/16

By Phil Wade
Executive Director, PBR Indiana

A standout at the Super 60 in February, SS Matt Gorski (Hamilton Southeastern HS, IN) had a big day against Fishers HS, who started a 2017 Ohio State recruit in LHP Luke Duermit. Gorski was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a double and a triple.

Fellows, Johnson Face Off - 4/16/16

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Two of the Midwest’s top draft prospects squared off when RHP Drake Fellows (Joliet Catholic Academy HS, IL) and C Cooper Johnson (Carmel Catholic HS, IL) faced each other in a conference game Saturday. The matchup drew a packed house of pro scouts to see how Johnson, who’s arguably the top prep catching prospect in the country, would compete against Fellows.

Zeferjahn Without Best Stuff - 4/16/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

As part of the Kansas City Royals High School Baseball Classic, teams in the area play games at the home of the defending World Series champions, Kauffman Stadium. On Saturday, Shawnee Heights HS, KS, and Topeka Seaman HS, KS, faced off with RHP Ryan Zeferjahn on the mound for Topeka Seaman. About a dozen scouts were on hand, including a few crosscheckers and one scouting director.

In the end, it wasn’t Zeferjahn’s day. The Kansas recruit exited after one batter in the sixth, allowing six runs on 10 hits while walking one and striking out five.

Heiss Electric In Six No-Hit Innings - 4/12/16

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

An Arkansas recruit, RHP Brenden Heiss (Jacobs HS, IL) struck out 12 and walked three while giving up no hits and an unearned run in a start against Hampshire HS, IL. Eight of his first nine outs came via the strikeout, six of which were looking on 91-93 mph fastballs on the corners.

Crosscheckers Get Look At Rortvedt - 4/12/16

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

The No. 22 prospect on the PBR Draft 100, C Ben Rortvedt (Verona Area HS, WI) is just getting started with his season. He stands at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds with a strong, flexible frame. Multiple crosscheckers were in attendance for his third game of the season, in which he went 1-for-3 with a double.

Thompson Solid In Tough Conditions - 4/2/16

By Phil Wade
Executive Director, PBR Indiana

LHP Zack Thompson (Wapahani HS, IN) is back on the mound after sitting out the last several months rehabbing a shoulder injury. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Kentucky recruit pitched five innings Saturday, allowing a run on a hit and four walks while striking out nine. The weather didn’t provide ideal conditions as the game time temperature was 41 degrees with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Thompson put together a solid outing despite some command issues. In the first, he was up to 91 mph, sitting 87-89 and pitching mostly out of the stretch.

Kirilloff, Bichette Turn In Strong Days - 3/31/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

After a quick stop at the IMG National Classic in the morning, I drove north to St. Petersburg to see two of the top hitters in the country—OF Alex Kirilloff (Plum HS, PA) and SS Bo Bichette (Lakewood HS, FL). Let’s just say it was a good day.

Coughlin, Ferri square off in Illinois - 3/30/16

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

In front of a dozen or so scouts, RHP Cal Coughlin (Lake Forest HS, IL) squared off against C Sam Ferri (Niles Notre Dame HS, IL). Coughlin flashed his premium stuff at times during his 4.1 innings. The Texas Christian recruit came out sitting 88-90 mph in the first, touching 91 once, and also rang the 90 bell in the fifth inning.

Brecht Breezes Through Second Start - 3/30/16

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

LHP Ben Brecht (New Trier HS, IL) made his second start of the season, still working on a pitch count, in front of a handful of scouts. The UC Santa Barbara recruit stands at 6-foot-7, 205 pounds with a lanky frame and room to add strength. He works from a high-3/4 slot with a long, loose and clean arm action.

Szynski Makes 2016 Debut - 3/30/16

By Phil Wade
Executive Director, PBR Indiana

In front of dozens of scouts, RHP Skylar Szynski (Penn HS, IN) was impressive in his season debut, pitching five dominant innings in Penn's 8-1 victory over Northridge.  He finished his night with 11 strikeouts and one unearned allowed on two hits.

Bergner Shows Lively Fastball In Brief Outing - 3/30/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

RHP Austin Bergner (Windermere Prep, FL) took the hill against Troup County HS, GA, with close to a dozen scouts bearing down on him behind the plate. Bergner went three innings, allowing one run on five hits and a hit batter. He didn’t walk anybody and struck out five, throwing 45 of his 65 pitches for strikes.

Bo Weiss Strikes Out Six At IMG National Classic - 3/29/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

RHP Bo Weiss (Regis Jesuit HS, CO made his third appearance of the season and his second start on Tuesday at the IMG National Classic. He came out of the gate sitting 87-89 mph and struck out the first two batters before getting a flyout to end the first inning.

Planck Settles In, Strikes Out 12 - 3/28/16

By Chris Fuller
Kentucky/Tennessee Scouting Director

RHP Cameron Planck (Rowan County HS, KY) came out a little amped in a hyped matchup against RHP Ben Jordan (West Carter HS, KY), a top underclassman. He walked the first batter on four pitches, however that would be his only walk of the game as he racked up 12 strikeouts and allowed three hits in six scoreless innings.

Cooper Johnson Opens The Season With Killer D - 3/19/16

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

The No. 1 prospect in Illinois’ 2016 class, C Cooper Johnson (Carmel Catholic HS, IL) opened the season with two games over the weekend and more than a dozen scouts were on hand to see him. Johnson is an elite defender with plus catch-and-throw skills. He recorded pop times during pregame warmups in the 1.87-1.94 second range.

Hess Tunes Up For NHSI - 3/19/16

By John Nolan
Virginia Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management

RHP Zack Hess (Liberty Christian Academy, VA) pitched three innings of relief Saturday in advance of making a first-round start at the National High School Invitational. The Louisiana State recruit is a big righty with a projectable, athletic frame. He throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with a quick drop and drive delivery. Hess has a long, loose arm action and a lightning quick arm and he generates velocity with some effort.

Welker Goes 2-For-3 - 3/17/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

A handful of scouts were on hand to see SS Colton Welker  (Stoneman Douglas HS, FL) Thursday, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Both of his hits were loud contact—a squared up single to left field and another to the right side.

Eissler strikes out Eight - 3/16/16

By John Cackowski
Colorado State Director

In his second start of the season, 2016 RHP Jake Eissler (ThunderRidge HS, CO) struck out eight batters in four innings against Chatfield HS, CO. Early in the game, Eissler was sitting at 86 mph, on a cold windy day, but he got stronger as the game went on.

Agnos Opens 2016 With No-Hitter - 3/15/16

By John Nolan
Virginia Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management

In his first start of the regular season, LHP Jake Agnos (Battlefield HS, VA) threw a no-hitter against Hylton HS, VA. An East Carolina recruit, Agnos has an athletic frame and throws from a 3/4 slot with a quick arm stroke and some effort. He employs a drop-and-drive delivery with some explosiveness and his arm action is s short and loose.

Quiet Day For Mendoza - 3/15/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

SS Drew Mendoza took batting practice at his home field in front of several high-level scouts before heading to an away game. It wasn’t a loud session, as he just seemed to go through the motions, but he has a nice, easy swing and can drive the ball in the gaps. Later in the evening, Lake Minneola ventured a few miles down the road to play East Ridge HS, FL.

Iser Goes Deep Twice - 3/15/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

To start the second day of The Rode Show in Florida, we returned to Sanford to see North Florida Christian HS, FL, take on Osceola HS, FL. C Herbert Iser Iser stole the show in the six hole. He went 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs and two runs scored. Thomas was 1-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout.

Ragans Battles Through Tough Outing - 3/14/16

By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

SANFORD, FL—The Florida League High School Invitational Showcase kicked off Monday and about three dozen scouts jammed in behind the plate at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium to see LHP Cole Ragans (North Florida Christian HS, FL) as he took on Barron Collier HS, FL. The game was ugly overall with both teams committing four errors apiece. Ragans wasn’t at his best, an admission he made himself after the game, but still flashed good stuff and battled through his outing despite the lack of help behind him.

Zoellner Strikes Out Four - 3/7/16

By Jerry Shank
Maryland Scouting Director

RHP Elliot Zoellner (St. Mary’s HS, MD) made is second outing of the spring, pitching against Good Counsel HS, MD, in a scrimmage. He tossed two innings, facing eight hitters. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out four. He sat 86-89 mph, touching 90, with a free arm action and easy effort. His breaking ball showed nice shape with sharp, 11/5 action.

Lee, Rizzo Face Off In Scrimmage - 3/7/16

By John Nolan
Virginia Assistant Director of Scouting

Two of Virginia’s top draft prospects—OF/LHP Khalil Lee (Flint Hill School, VA) and 3B Joe Rizzo (Oakton HS, VA) went head-to-head in a round-robin style scrimmage this week. They had just one pitcher-hitter showdown, in which Rizzo took a fastball the other way for a base hit, but it was a good opportunity to see a couple prospects in one spot.

Mervis Tunes Up In Early Doubleheader - 3/7/16

By Jerry Shank
Maryland Scouting Director

3B/RHP Matt Mervis (Georgetown Prep, MD) faced Calvert Hall HS, MD, in a recent doubleheader, getting eight plate appearance across the two games and pitching the second. The Duke recruit went 0-for-4 with four walks and squared up two balls that the center fielder had to make acrobatic plays on.

Ontario Prospects Make First Appearances - 2/29/16

By Chris Kemlo
Ontario Scouting Director

At various workouts and camps for the Major League Scouting Bureau, several Ontario prospects showed gains they had made over the winter. Most notably, RHP Austin Shields (St. Mary’s Catholic SS, ON) showed off a new frame. He looks like he’s lost 10-15 pounds and has toned up, added strength at the same time.

Watson Shows Off Plus Run Tool – 2/26/16

By Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

SS Zach Watson (West Ouachita HS, LA) was impressive in West Ouachita’s opener in the WGNO classic, banging out a couple of hits and showing off his plus run tool with a 4.00-second home to first time.

Erbe Shows Helium Potential - 2/18/16

By Trey Sofio
PBR Louisiana Scouting Director

RHP Haden Erbe (Crowley HS, LA) has a strong, athletic frame at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. In Wednesday night appearance, he pitched two innings and struck out five. He has a long arm action into a high-3/4 release with a quick arm and easy effort.

Flowers, Lott Open Eyes In Orlando - 2/14/16

2016 OF/RHP J.C. Flowers (Trinity Christian Academy, FL) had a big weekend with strong performances on back-to-back days. The Kentucky recruit is an athletic two-way player and went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two stolen bases against West Orange HS, FL, on Friday before taking the mound on Saturday. He pitched four innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out seven. He also went 4-for-4 with three RBIs.

HOLY CROSS VS FONTAINEBLEAU SCRIMMAGE - 2/11/16

By Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

2016 OF Tre Turner (Holy Cross HS, LA) has a strong, athletic frame with wide shoulders and a strong lower half, standing at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds. He’s an excellent athlete with average hands defensively and a long arm action through a high-3/4 release.

WINDERMERE PREP VS HARMONY - 2/2/16

By Rob Sidwell
Florida Scouting Director

RHP Austin Bergner (Windermere Prep, FL) got a preseason start against Harmony HS, pitching three innings while allowing one hit and striking out three. He stands at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds with a tall, athletic and projectable frame. His arm is loose, live and quick through a 3/4 slot. It’s short on the back end and he hides the ball well to create deception. He lands slightly across his body.

NORTH BROWARD PREP VS MONSIGNOR PACE - 2/2/16

RHP/SS Greg Veliz (North Broward Prep, FL) made a preseason appearance against Monsignor Pace HS, FL, striking out nine of the 10 hitters he faced. He has an athletic frame with a loose, live and electric arm action. His fastball sat 93-97 mph in this outing and his curveball was 68-72 with 3/4 tilt and good bite.

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