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Summer Collegiate  | Story  | 10/13/2012

MINK League prospect reports

Allan Simpson     
Photo: Perfect Game
Official League Website
MINK League top 15 prospects (list)
Perfect Game Summer Collegiate top prospect coverage

The 2011 MINK League had only two of its players drafted last June (a pair of lowly 29th-rounders), which may explain why the league is lightly scouted and scouts typically have a difficult time wrapping their arms around the assembled talent. Not even Missouri State righthander Nick Petree, who was ranked No. 1 on this list a year ago while pitching for Sedalia, was drafted, even as he may have been the most-dominant pitcher in college baseball last spring.

Undeterred, we’ve elected to go down this road again and select another Sedalia pitcher as the MINK League’s top talent, in this case Arkansas lefthander Michael Gunn. The choice may end up becoming somewhat problematical as Gunn worked only six innings on the summer for the Bombers, but he at least has a higher perceived upside than Petree, who admittedly has only average stuff but is a pitcher in the true sense of the word.

Beyond Gunn, the other distinguishing theme among the MINK League’s top prospects this summer is the preponderance of junior-college players who used the summer to help transition themselves to the four-year college ranks. After Gunn, the next five players fit into this category, led by St. Joseph third baseman Shane Segovia, who has transferred from Northeast Texas CC to Missouri.

Segovia played a key role in leading St. Joseph to a second straight MINK League title, highlighted by a dramatic two-run rally in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 7-6 win over Sedalia in the third and deciding game of the league’s best-of-3 championship series. From there, the Mustangs went on to represent the MINK League well in the 32-team National Baseball Congress World Series, finishing a respectable fourth.

FAST FACTS

Year League Established: 1995.
States Represented in League: Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska.
No. of Teams in League: 8 (8 in 2011).
Regular-Season Champions: NORTH--St. Joseph Mustangs (28-17); SOUTH—Sedalia Bombers (24-21).
Post-Season Champion: St. Joseph Mustangs.
Teams, PG CrossChecker Summer 50/Final Ranking: No. 34 St. Joseph Mustangs.
No. 1 Prospect, 2011 (per PG CrossChecker): Nick Petree, rhp, Sedalia Bombers (Missouri State; undrafted/did not play this summer).
First 2011 Player Selected, 2012 Draft: Taylor Massey, lhp, Omaha Diamond Spirit (Dallas Baptist; Athletics/29th round).

Player of the Year: Nick Billinger, if, Ozark Generals.
Most Outstanding Pitcher: None selected.

BATTING LEADERS (League games only)

Batting Average: Nick Billinger, if, Ozark Generals (.388).
Slugging Percentage: Jordan Guida, of, St. Joseph Mustangs (.561).
On-Base Average: Tyler Duplantis, 3b, Chillicothe Mudcats (.439).
Home Runs: Jordan Guida, of, St. Joseph Mustangs (6).
RBIs: Kyle Simpson, 2b, St. Joseph Mustangs (38).
Stolen Bases: Max Lefevre, ss, St. Joseph Mustangs (38).

PITCHING LEADERS (League games only)

Wins: Cody Cunningham, rhp, St. Joseph Mustangs (7).
ERA: Jeff Gacke, rhp, Clarinda A’s (2.00).
Saves: Justin Page, rhp, Clarinda A’s (9).
Strikeouts: Robert Greco, rhp, Sedalia Bombers (54).

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Patrick Kregeloh, of/rhp, Nevada Griffons
Best Hitter: Ryan Busch, ss/2b, Chillicothe Mudcats
Best Power: Kris Koerper, 1b, St. Joseph Mustangs
Fastest Base Runner: Maxime Lefevre, ss, St. Joseph Mustangs
Best Defensive Player: Shane Segovia, 3b, St. Joseph Mustangs
Best Velocity: Ethan Mather, rhp, Joplin Outlaws
Best Breaking Ball: Dylan Nelson, rhp, Omaha Diamond Spirit
Best Command: Robert Greco, rhp, Sedalia Bombers

TOP 15 PROSPECTS

1. MICHAEL GUNN, lhp/of, Sedalia Bombers (Arkansas/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Another Sedalia pitcher, righthander Nick Petree, occupied this spot a year ago after going 3-0, 0.27 (26 IP, 4 BB/33 SO) in five starts for the Bombers. He used that sterling performance as a springboard to a record-breaking 2012 season at Missouri State, where he ran off two impressive streaks—38 innings without allowing a run, 75 innings without allowing an earned run—while posting a 10-3, 0.91 record. Gunn worked in just six innings this summer for Sedalia, going 1-0, 0.00 with 13 strikeouts, and it’s highly unlikely he will ever come close to matching Petree’s 2012 impressive feats next spring at Arkansas, but most scouts are in agreement that he has a higher upside than Petree, whose fastball rarely touches even 90 mph. Not only is Gunn lefthanded, but he flashed electric stuff with a fastball that peaked this summer at 93. He complemented it with a hard, tight slider. Unlike Petree, he may be confined to a relief role unless he can develop a changeup and until such time as he sharpens his command, though he is generally in the strike zone with his fastball. There is also effort in Gunn’s delivery, though he does have a short, quick arm action, works fast and likes to challenge hitters. Working only in relief as a freshman for Arkansas, Gunn made 14 appearances and went 1-0, 2.57 with 19 strikeouts in 14 innings while allowing 10 walks and just six hits. There is also another dimension to Gunn’s game as he can swing the bat with some authority, and hit .289-0-5 in a dozen games for Sedalia. But Gunn’s future is clearly on the mound, and he could be in line for a breakout sophomore season at Arkansas.


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