Written by Rob Fleeup
For original article click here.
Saturday, February 13th, marked the first time Kansas City’s Premier Baseball hosted its Pro Day Event.
Premier has gathered the top players in the Kansas City Metro area and as far away as Illinois and Minnesota, and allowed them a comfortable environment to showcase their abilities in the hitting cages and on the mound.
Combining a platform for minor league talent throwing for MLB scouts, in hopes of securing a invite to camp next month, and the best collection of Midwest arms we have seen in years.
Drafted in 2013, in the 20th Round by the Mets, 6’4″ 210 lbs. Right handed pitcher Dan Hermann worked his fastball in the lows 90’s, hitting 93 mph a few times.
Former Kansas City T-Bones, right handed pitcher Keith Picht, spent his times as a strength and conditioning and pitching instructor at the local Mac N Seitz getting in shape. He worked 91-92 mph, reaching up to 93 and 94 mph with a good biting slider 83-85 mph.
Taken with the 494th overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Red Sox out of the University of Arkansas, Micheal Gunn, a 6’0″ 200 lbs left handed pitcher had solid command and worked a lively fastball low in the zone up to 90 mph.
Using the state of art HitTraxx system, scouts were able to see ball flight and carry and metrics on the top position players.
Some of the highlights from the 2016’s:
LSU Commit SS Nolan Williams, Turner High School The switch hitter connected with a impressive round of BP from both sides of the plate, however his left handed swing generates some pop. A plus runner,that may be getting faster, with hand times hovering in the high 6.4’s. Good arm strength and power bat potential.
Virginia Commit 1B (LHP) Joey Wentz, Shawnee Mission East High School, As left hand hitter, he put on a display of power and bat speed with pull side power. Balls were crushed with a 106 mph exit velo with loft and carry, that flew out of (simulated) MLB parks.
Wentz took to the mound and was just as electric as his performance at the Super 60 in Chicago. His pitching is overshadowing his bat potential each time he takes the hill. This time around, his fastball was up to 93 and 94 mph. Two good off speed pitches to match his heater, he will make things tough on the Sunflower League in Kansas.
Kansas St. Commit CF (LHP) Will Brennan, Blue Valley High School was balanced, with a fast and short stroke to the ball, with non stop consistent gap to gap line drives, wearing out the middle and oppo fields. Has surprising pop to the right center and pull side for a left hand hitter, with exit velo’s of 98 mph. A 6.7/60 runner with good arm strength and ability to hit for a high average. It’s no wonder he is awarded Eastern Kansas League conference awards.
Brennan showed a quick arm, easy delivery and deceptive arm slot. Working 88-89 mph with a 90 mph, and a tight spinning 71-72 mph above average breaking ball and a 80 mph change up, he may end up on the mound over the weekend for the Wildcats.
Arkansas Commit LHP Blake Lillis, St. Thomas Aquinas High School Showed a balanced and up tempo delivery, with a short quick arm, easy delivery and upper 80’s fastball, working his pen at 89 mph with a 90 mph. Showed a good breaking ball that has potential and a pretty good changeup at 80 mph. Looks to be a good pick up for the Razorbacks.
LSU Commit RHP Riley Pint, St. Thomas Aquinas High School threw a fastball in the zone at 102 mph. Arguably one of the best high school arms coming into the draft. 100+ mph fastball with ASR in the zone, a 85-87 mph swing and miss slider, and a 90-91 mph change up, how he isn’t the number 1 ranked player nationally escapes me. Add team mate Lillis, and Aquinas is one tough Eastern Kansas League team to beat.
Arkansas Commit LHP Lucas Krull, Mill Valley High School A giant, athletic left handed hurler featuring a up tempo delivery with moving parts, makes for a uncomfortable at bat for anyone. Like the other’s that attended the Super 60, Krull brought his “A” game today. His velocity is a tick higher, a better fastball, working more 92 mph’s and hitting 93 mph. Good shaped breaking ball 76-77 mph and a change up that he is working on, 80 mph. If he can command his pitches for Mill Valley, it will be a up hill climb for any team.
University of Kansas Commit RHP Ryan Zeferjahn, Topeka-Seaman High School In basketball shape, where his athleticism can clearly be seen on the hardwood, Ryan took to the mound for his first bullpen of the season. With ease, and a loose arm, he worked in the upper 80’s, 87-89 mph with a 90 mph. With the high school season starting to heat up, his pen’s will undoubtedly show what he’s capable of.
University of Kentucky RHP Nick Hanson, Prior Lake High School Large framed 6’6′ 220 lbs. Hanson was already in shape, even in the winter of Minnesota. His fastball was working 92 mph, and getting up to 93 mph a few times.
Arkansas Commit RHP Jacob Kostyshock, Francis Howell High School Has added some size and strength to his frame. 6’4″ 190 lbs. Loose arm, clean delivery and can locate his upper 80’s fastball on the black. Working a consistent and repeatable delivery 88-89 mph, and a breaking ball 78 mph.