PG WORLD SHOWCASE LOADED WITH TALENT

The Perfect Game World Showcase has been held in Ft Myers, Florida the past 7 years. In that past 4 years the event has produced many first round draft picks and college all-americans. Every year someone shows up out of nowhere and becomes a high profile draft prospect. Dewan Brazelton (RHP Devil Rays), Carl Crawford (OF Devil Rays), Dustin McGowan RHP Braves), Joe Torres (LHP Angels), Corey Smith (3B Indians), Joel Hanrahan (RHP Dodgers), Johnathan Figueroa (LHP Dodgers), David Espinosa (SS Tigers), Miguel Negron (OF Blue Jays), Bryan Bass (SS Orioles), David Aardsma (P Rice U), Landon Powell (C South Carolina), Chris Gruler (P Reds), Zach Greinke (P Royals), are just a few of the many who put on an outstanding performance at past World Showcases.  This year was no exception with at least 5 to 10 potential first round picks who showed up in Ft Myers January 11-12.  The star of the show was tall 6'6" LHP Andrew Miller from Buchholz HS in Gainesville, FL. Miller became the obvious early choice as the nation's top lefty entering the 2003 draft. He looked every bit like a "first five pick" prospect. The tall skinny Miller only threw 2 innings, but they were memorable to say the least. He warmed up at 90 to 93 mph. His first 6 pitches were all fastballs, 93-94-94-94-95-94. He then threw a 84 mph slider that was one of the best we have seen out of a high school pitcher. To think this young lefty has room to get much bigger and stronger is a scary thought.  Other top ranked players in Ft Myers included #1 ranked Lastings Milledge, #4 ranked Chris Lubanski, #9 ranked Ryan Sweeney, highly ranked players Sean Rodriguez, CJ Bressoud, Adam Jones, Greg Reynolds, Andy D'Allesio, Chris Perez, Tim Battle, Robert Scott Leffler and several others. Milledge looked very good, in fact, he smoked a line drive foul off of a Miller 93 mph heater before grounding out. Reynolds (RHP CA) might have increased his stock more than anyone.  The big football QB, showed up throwing easy 90 mph fastballs. Brooks Brown (RHP GA) improved his value by showing 92 mph velocity. A few others who stood out included Rayner Robles (Dominican transfer to the Florida Air academy), Shawn Nottingham (LHP OH), Hector Gonzalez (Venezuelan transfer to Brito HS in Miami), Emmanuel Vasquez (RHP from Puerto Rico) and Willy Hernandez (OF FL).  Hernandez would have been named the MVP if there were such an award at this event. He showed a MLB plus outfield arm, clocked at 93 mph and he was arguably the best hitter in the event. Hernandez does not have that proto-typical MLB outfielder body and he does not run exceptionally well.  One has to wonder, with his left-hand bat and outstanding arm, can he become a catcher in pro ball?  All in all, a lot of talent was on display for the many high level scouts that attended this year's Perfect Game World Showcase. Following is the list of the top performers and prospects. All the World Showcase players are profiled elsewhere in this site.