Prospect League prospect reports

Official league website: www.prospectleague.com
2014 Summer Collegiate top prospect index
Prospect Collegiate League top prospect list

The Prospect League had quite an intriguing summer, as several teams put together impressive campaigns. For instance, in the East Division, both the Butler Blue Sox and Chillicothe Paints had impressive summers, both going 40-20 overall, while in the West Division, the Quincy Gems led the charge in the regular season with a 39-23 overall record.

The Gems won the overall league crown by besting Chillicothe in the title series.

The Paints were led this summer by several talented prospects, including Ohio State sophomore outfielder Ronnie Dawson, who displayed both a consistent offensive approach and plenty of power. Meanwhile, Marshall righthanded pitcher Chase Boster took a big step forward with a dominant summer.


Year established: 2008
States represented: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania
No. of teams: 11
Regular season champion (best overall record): Butler Blue Sox, Chillicothe Paints (40-20)
Postseason champion: Quincy Gems
No. 1 prospect, 2013: Troy Conyers, lhp, Danville (San Diego)
First 2013 player selected, 2014 MLB draft: David Hess, rhp, West Virginia Miners (5th round, Orioles)

Player of the Year: Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe (Ohio State)
Pitcher of the Year: Chase Boster, rhp, West Virginia (Marshall)

BATTING LEADERS

Batting average: Kurt Hoekstra, 2b/ss, Chillicothe (Western Michigan) (.342)
Slugging percentage: Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe (Ohio State) (.540)
On-base percentage: TJ Diffenderfer, 1b, Chillicothe (Marshall) (.449)
Home Runs: Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe (Ohio State) (11)
RBI: Adam McGinnis, c, Quincy (Western Illinois) (56)
Stolen bases: Grant Massey, inf, West Virginia (Lipscomb) (27)

PITCHING LEADERS

Wins: Jake Busiek, lhp, Quincy (Arkansas-Little Rock) (8)
ERA: Chase Boster, rhp, West Virginia (Marshall) (0.75)
Saves: Kolin Stanley, rhp, West Virginia (Marshall), Matt Ellenbest, rhp, Lorain County (Morehead State) (10)
Strikeouts: Jake Busiek, lhp, Quincy (Arkansas-Little Rock) (75)

BEST TOOLS

Best athlete: Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe
Best hitter: Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe
Best power: Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe
Best speed: Grant Massey, inf, West Virginia
Best defender: Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe
Best velocity: Travis Lakins, rhp, Chillicothe
Best breaking stuff: Adam Bleday, lhp, Butler
Best command: John McClain, rhp, Chillicothe (College of Wooster)


TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Ronnie Dawson, of, Chillicothe (Ohio State/SO in 2015)
The outstanding Buckeyes sophomore outfielder had a year to remember. First, he earned Freshman All-American honors for his production with Ohio State in the spring. Then, this summer, he batted over .300 and displayed big-time power with 11 homers and 44 RBI. The bulky 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has a good lefthanded swing, though he does swing and miss at some offerings. That aspect of his game should continue to improve as he matures as a hitter. He projects well as a corner outfielder moving forward and possesses good speed. Dawson can hit, and with power, to all fields, and is poised to have quite an impressive campaign in 2015.