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Tournaments  | Story  | 3/30/2016

Rawlings Classic #3 Preview

Matt Czechanski     
Photo: Perfect Game

Rawlings Select Classic #3 Event Page | Bracket


Archbishop McNicholas Rockets (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Top Prospects
• Will Vogelgesang (SS, 2016)
• Sam Browning (RHP, 2016)
• Ryan Byrne (C/1B, 2016)
• Evan Jenkins (RHP/OF, 2017, High Follow)

Offense
Leading off for the offense should be the athletic Adam Hisch who’s committed to play football at the next level. Senior shortstop Will Vogelgesang, a Miami (Ohio) commit, will also be relied on heavily. Fellow senior Ryan Byrne looks to follow up on his first team all Cincinnati honor with another strong season.

Pitching
Pitching the Rockets’ first game will be senior righthander Sam Browning who is coming off of a region Player of the Year honor. A talented uncommitted arm, Evan Jenkins will handle the No. 2 spot in the rotation. Senior Jordan Ritter looks to build off of a promising 2015 season and will be pitching third this weekend.

Summary
Head coach John Christmann looks to continue the team’s success from 2015 where they won their district and took a tough loss in the regional semifinals. He returns a very solid crop of seniors and will look to several promising underclassmen to step up.


Archbishop Moeller Fighting Crusaders (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Top Prospects
• Cameron Junker (RHP, 2016, 419)
• Nick Bennett (LHP/1B, 2016, 500)
• Nick Byrnes (LHP/1B, 2016, Top 1000)
• Alec Graves (3B/MIF, 2016, Top 1000)
• Patrick Mullinger (C/OF, 2016, Top 1000)
• Nolan Baker (RHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Christopher Stock (RHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Hunter Hughes (3B/C, 2017, Top 1000)
• Cameron Swanger (1B/3B, 2018, Top 1000)
• Tyler McDonough (C/SS, 2018, Top 1000)

Offense
The offense for Head Coach Tim Held should have no problem holding its own behind senior bats Alec Graves and Patrick Mullinger. Star arms Nick Bennett and Nick Byrnes will also collect some at-bats during the weekend. Underclassmen Hunter Hughes and Cameron Swanger should each stand out as well.

Pitching
Where to even start with the trio of committed arms as the Crusaders have the most quality depth of any team in the event. They come armed with five ranked arms with the biggest two names being Notre Dame commit Cameron Junker and Louisville commit Nick Bennett.

Summary
PG has had Moeller ranked in his National High School Top 50 Rankings from the outset of the season and with good reason. The Crusaders come into the event with a stable of strong pitching options and a deep, talented lineup littered with prospects. They appear on paper to be the favorite coming into the weekend and repeat their state championship finish from 2015.


Grandview Wolves (Aurora, Colo.)

Top Prospects
• Grant Schroeder (RHP/SS, 2016, Top 1000)
• Ty Smith (SS, 2016, Top 1000)
• Tommy Knowlton (RHP/3B, 2016, High Follow)

Offense
The Wolves offense is an experienced unit with projected starters across the diamond either checking in as a senior or junior. The name to watch will be shortstop Ty Smith, an Ohio commit who has shown a sound glove and impressive bat to date.

Pitching
Grandview heads into LakePoint with a pair of impressive senior committed arms in Grant Schroeder and Tommy Knowlton. Schroeder is committed to Arkansas State and has a projectable frame to go with a mid-80s fastball, while Knowlton is headed to St. Cloud.

Summary
With the pair of quality arms they have and the collective experience of their position players, the Wolves come in with high hopes this weekend. They’ll look to get off to a strong start against Mooresville in their first game.


Greenbrier Christian Academy Gators (Chesapeake, Va.)

Top Prospects
• Colby Lee (RHP, 2016, 500)
• Harry Brown (C/1B, 2016, Top 1000)
• Carson Henry (SS/2B, 2016, Top 1000)
• Garrett Jones (MIF, 2016, Top 1000)
• Casey Williams (RHP/1B, 2016, Top 1000)
• Sam Watson (OF/LHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Cody Hart (3B/MIF, 2016, High Follow)
• Jacob Bowman (RHP, 2016, High Follow)

Offense
Offensively, the Gators bring a nearly full lineup of ranked players headlined by JMU commit Carson Henry who slots in as their catcher. Carson Henry and Garrett Jones will make up the double play combo as well as the tandem atop the order, being ODU and Navy commits respectively.

Pitching
The pitching rotation for Greenbrier is led by uncommitted righthander Colby Lee who was recently an Atlantic Region Honorable Mention All-American. Joining him in the rotation are Liberty commit Casey Williams and Jacob Bowman. Outfielder Sam Watson has shown impressive velocity in the past and should figure into their pitching plans as well.

Summary
The depth that Greenbrier brings to to LakePoint could rival anyone, including Moeller. They come armed with eight commitments and they should have several more to follow. Their lineup is talented and they have what should at least a trio of arms to get them through bracket play.


Greenville Red Raiders (Greenville, S.C.)

Top Prospects
• Jared Firmstone (C/OF, 2016, Top 1000)
• Carson Spiers (SS/RHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Brooks Lucas (RHP/OF, 2017, Top 1000)
• Colton Byars (C, 2018, High Follow)

Offense
The offense is stout throughout for the Red Rauders, with several talented up-the-middle options. Things start with Clemson commit Carson Spiers, who should be manning shortstop. Talented catcher/outfielder Jared Firmstone will also be relied upon with impressive sophomore Colton Byars getting looks behind the plate as well.

Pitching
The pitching stands out slightly less on paper for Coach Golinski as he’ll look to a pair of talented juniors in righthanders Brooks Lucas and Fletcher Mazzola. Spiers, a secondary pitcher, should also make an appearance on the mound.

Summary
Coming off of an 18-11 finish in 2015, the Red Raiders look to improve this season and have the talent to do so. They’ve got a pair of top senior bats in Firmstone and Spiers and if the pitching can rise to the occasion they’ll do well.


Metamora Redbirds (Metamora, Ill.)

Top Prospects
• Geremy Guerrero (LHP, 2016, 500)

Offense
Senior shortstop Jake Driscoll figures to be an integral part of the Metamora offense hitting at the top of the order. Junior third basemen Jack Schaffer should also impress this weekend as he has in past summer events.

Pitching
Their top arm, Geremy Guerrero, is an Indiana State commit with an electric left arm that’s seen his fastball hit 90 mph in the past. He was recently named as an Honorable Mention All-American from the Central Region. Seniors Alex Lewis and Will Boettcher also figure to comprise their weekend rotation for the event.

Summary
The Redbirds have an experienced and veteran roster with the majority of it being comprised of seniors and a handful of juniors.


Mooresville Blue Devils (Mooresville, N.C.)

Top Prospects
• Zach Richardson (RHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Omar Andriaquis (RHP, 2016, Follow)
• Mark Miller (OF/3B, 2017, Follow)
• Justin Jarvis (RHP/3B, 2018, Top 1000)

Offense
The Offense for the Blue Devils is headlined by junior outfielder/third basemen Mark Miller. Up-the-middle talent Anthony Fucci should hit near the top of the order, while the team will also rely on senior outfielder Caleb Lloyd.

Pitching
The pitching for Mooresville should help them stay in any game. They will start off with senior Zach Richardson who features a mid-80s fastball and works from a deceptive, lower three-quarters slot. Impressive sophomore Justin Jarvis will also earn a start and looks to build off of his strong summer.

Summary
Mooresville has a good stable of pitching depth coming into the event, which is key given the rapid succession of games and quality opponents. Head Coach Jeff Burchett looks to repeat as conference champions with a squad that has a good mix of seniors and underclassmen. 


Morgan Park Mustangs (Chicago, Ill.)

Top Prospects
• Joshua Shaw (3B/OF, 2016, Top 1000)
• Donivan Williams (3B/OF, 2017, Top 1000)

Offense
The offense for the Mustangs will look to a pair of strong corner bats in Joshua Shaw and Donivan Williams. One of the two will man third with the other slotting in the outfield and both hitting in the middle of their lineup.

Pitching
Senior arms Brian Nevils and Jarren Norman are expected to slot in the weekend rotation for the Mustangs. Righthander Corey Brown and junior Joshua Levy will also get looks throughout the course of their schedule.

Summary
Morgan Park will look to their top two bats to help lead the way for their club. They do come armed with numerous experienced arms with their roster almost completely comprised of seniors and juniors. They do however face a tough first round matchup with the Moeller Crusaders.


Morton Potters (Morton, Ill.)

Top Prospects
• Dan Bolt (OF. 2016, Top 1000)
• Collin Mormann (C/3B, 2016)
• Kevin Smith (1B, 2016)
• Ben Main (OF, 2016)
• Ryan Altenberger (SS, 2017)

Offense
Offensively, the Potters will look to speedy Ben Main to lead off their lineup and the Illinois Central commit should also man center field. Dan Bolt returns as the team’s top pure bat, along with fellow senior Collin Mormann, and should impress. Junior shortstop Ryan Altenberger looks to make strides as well as a potential Division I player.

Pitching
The pitching is perhaps a half step behind the offense in terms of overall depth, but what the Potters have on the mound is several promising juniors. Lefthander Pat King and righthander Adam Christianson look to eat considerable innings with Altenberger also getting a look on the mound. Sophomore Logan Peterson will also be a young arm to watch for.

Summary
Head Coach Jesse Crawford is tremendously excited about his club heading into 2016 as he returns with seven starters from 2015 that went 31-5 with a second place conference finish. Their lineup should provide depth and support for a pitching staff dominated by juniors that went through the talented pipeline of their freshman and JV squads.


Oxnard Yellowjackets (Oxnard, Calif.)

Top Prospects
• Stephen Kish (OF/RHP, 2016, Top 1000)
• Esteban Santa Cruz (C/UT, 2016, High Follow)
• Kaiser Weiss (OF/RHP, 2017, 500)
• Evan Paras (RHP/IF, 2017, Follow)

Offense
Stephen Kish is a super impressive athlete in the outfield and is the hitter to watch for the Yellowjackets, as he’s shown impressive feel for the barrel and good speed at PG events in the past. Fellow outfielder Kaiser Weiss, a Washington commit, should help carry their offense and shows plus defense in the field.

Pitching
Senior righthander Dalton Pagano is Oxnard’s top arm coming into the season and has already logged an impressive 34 2/3 innings on the season with 37 strikeouts. Evan Paras should be the No. 2 man in the rotation with senior Brett Workman closing the door from the bullpen.

Summary
Oxnard is coming all the way from California to be in the event and bring several talented players with them. Their pair of talented outfielders in Kish and Weiss should spark the offense, while Pagano leads the way on the mound. Their first matchup will come against T.L. Hanna.


Prairie View Thunderhawks (Henderson, Colo.)

Top Prospects
• Lucas Torres (3B, 2016)
• Jonathan Ramirez (RHP, 2016)
• Evan Bolin (C, 2016)
• Parker Valentine (SS, 2016)

Offense
Offensively, Prairie View is led by senior bats Lucas Torres and Evan Bolin. The pair of uncommitted sluggers are off to hot starts this year and they’ll likely be in the middle of the order. Outfielder Zach Massey will look to ignite the offense from the top of the order and has shown he is a stolen base threat.

Pitching
Their top starter coming into this season is righthanded senior Jonathan Ramirez. Ramirez will likely take the ball in the first game and continue his pace of 12 strikeouts in 10 innings of work. Parker Valentine and Justin McClanahan will also get looks on the mound as well.

Summary
The Thunderhawks are just getting their season underway with only a trio of games played to date. They have a deep, versatile lineup and a roster that is filled with seniors. They’ll take on Valdosta in the first round of bracket play.


Rock Bridge Bruins (Columbia, Mo.)

Top Prospects
• Cole Evans (OF/1B, 2016, 377)
• Avery Jennings (2B/RHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Collin Bernskoetter (RHP, 2016)
• Curtis Holliday (SS/RHP, 2016)
• Nick Wohlbold (SS/RHP, 2017, Top 1000)

Offense
For the Bruins on offense, things start with star outfielder Cole Evans. Evans, a Missouri commit, has shown very impressive tools at the plate as well as above average speed in the field. The double play combination up the middle will be Avery Jennings at second and Curtis Holliday at short and both should hit near the top of the order.

Pitching
The opening day pitcher for Rock Bridge will be righthander Collin Bernskoetter. The senior, who is committed to play at Columbia College, will be followed by Jack Widhalm and Brandon Goins in the weekend rotation.

Summary
Evans is the player to watch for with the Bruins as they begin their run in 2016. They had a very strong 2015 campaign that ended in the quarterfinals, but with the high quality senior class, they look to do what they did in 2014 and win the state championship.


T.L. Hanna Yellowjackets (Anderson, S.C.)

Top Prospects
• Tyler Kirkland (LHP/1B, 2017, Follow)
• James Parker (SS, 2018, 260)
• Jackson Lindley (RHP/OF, 2018, High Follow)
• Jackson Kelley (3B/MIF, 2018, Follow)

Offense
Offensively for T.L. Hanna we look to sophomore shortstop James Parker who is already committed to Clemson. Fellow sophomore Jackson Kelley should play to his right at third base and be relied on heavily in their offense. Top arm Tyler Kirkland will also get some at-bats at first base when not on the mound.

Pitching
As noted above, the Yellowjackets’ top arm comes in the form of lefthander Tyler Kirkland. Senior lefthanders Ben McDougald and Brent Reynolds also figure to be key cogs in their rotation in the event and throughout the season.

Summary
An argument could be made that no team in the event has the underclass talent that the Yellowjackets have. They have only four seniors on their roster with three of their top four ranked players all coming from the 2018 class. They’ll look to jell as a team and build for success against Oxnard in the first round.


Valdosta Wildcats (Valdosta, Ga.)

Top Prospects
• Logan Stephens (2B/SS, 2016, Top 1000)
• Seth Shuman (RHP/SS, 2016, Top 1000)
• Wesley Veal (SS/RHP, 2017, High Follow)

Offense
The offense for Valdosta has an impressive mix of seniors and juniors alike with lots of experience between them. Logan Stephens is the highest ranked player on the roster and he looks to fill the shoes of David Posas, who graduated and moved on to play in college at Mercer.

Pitching
Senior Seth Shuman should get the nod in game one for the Wildcats. He comes armed with a fastball that reaches the upper-80s and was recently named as a 2016 Southeast Region Honorable Mention. Junior Wesley Veal also looks to make an impact in the rotation and should get a look in game two.

Summary
With a roster that has a good number of returning seniors, as well as a good mix of promising underclassmen, the Wildcats should look to make the state playoffs for a third straight year. They’ll be taking on the Prairie View Thunderhawks in the first round of bracket play.
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