By Nathan Rode and PBR Staff

The 2017 high school season is nearly started with warm-weather states kicking off in the next week or so. Several seniors showed improvements at winter events and some may have landed on the radar of major league scouts. Listed alphabetically below are some winter standouts from the 2017 class.

Marius Balandis, RHP, St. Laurence HS, IL
Balandis has an athletic, projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 191 pounds and recently committed to Iowa Western CC. Known as the Lithuanian Lightning, he moved to Chicago about a year ago and is relatively unknown to the scouting community. He elevated his stock at the Super 60, touching 94 mph while sitting at 92-93. Balandis, who pitched for the Lithianian national team, has a quick, electric arm from a high-3/4 slot with a longer, uninterrupted path and inconsistent release point. He throws his changeup aggressively, sitting 81-82 and is around the zone with slight sink. His curveball flashes erratic shape and early break at times, sitting 71-73. With a more refined delivery, he could continue to see gains while sharpening his secondary stuff.