2,075 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Juco  | Story  | 2/10/2023

JUCO: Great Plains Regional Preview

Blaine Peterson     
JUCO: Top 500 Prospects

Regional Previews: Southeast | Florida

States Included: KS, MO, OK, NE, AR



Midwest Regional Top 15

1. Crowder College
2. Cowley College
3. Johnson County Community College
4. Kansas City Kansas Community College
5. Seminole State College
6. Eastern Oklahoma State College
7. Barton Community College
8. Butler Community College
9. Cloud County Community College
10. Jefferson College
11. Connors State College
12. Fort Scott Community College
13. Hutchinson Community College
14. Southeast Community College
15. Arkansas Rich Mountain

Top 15 Team Breakdowns

1. Crowder College
Crowder has made back to back appearances at the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction and the expectation this year won’t be any different. While many of the key pieces from last years team have moved on to Division 1 or professional baseball; things are pretty well retooled in Neosho, MO for 2023. Outfielder and Ball State commit Houston King is a dynamic lead off hitter with plenty of experience against high level competition. Fellow returner Josh Livingston has a chance to hit in the middle of the order all year and become a breakout star. He’s a physical left-handed hitting infielder that should easily reach double digit home runs this season. Joe Reid impressed in limited time last season and is another middle of the order type bat. Look for Arkansas transfer Easton Swafford and freshman Trey Mullholland to step in and become impact players right away. Another impressive freshman to watch is infielder Noah Smallwood who had a standout prep career and may be one of the best pure hitters on the roster this season. The pitching staff may lack the star power it had last season but a depth of talent on the mound is ready to compete in 2023. Perhaps led by Arkansas transfer Nick Moten who brings a big fastball and one of the better change ups in junior college baseball to the mound. Ashton Branson, Josh Barnhouse, Riley Hunsaker and Gage Watson should all get opportunities to throw plenty of innings. Ethan Voss and Austin Jobe should be key pieces out of the bullpen. One upside freshman to watch is Nick Potter who is a six-foot-four right hander from Lee’s Summit West with a fastball that has reached the mid 90’s. Crowder is a well coached team with plenty of talent that checks in nationally as preseason number five.

2. Cowley College
The Tigers made a run all the way to the national championship game in Grand Junction last season. A trip to Grand Junction is beginning to seem like an annual thing as they’ve represented the Jayhawk Conference in the last three JUCO World Series. They had one of the more talented groups on the mound last season in all of junior college baseball, much of that staff is now on to Division 1 or professional baseball. Sophomore Chance Cox is the most experienced returner on the mound after throwing 60+ innings and going 7-0 a season ago. Fellow Sophomore Carlton Perkins is an upside right-hander that should take on a much more significant role this season and will be on some pro radars. True freshman Cade Perkins was a 19th round MLB Draft pick out of high school last year and should be an immediate impact arm for the Tigers. Chance Condit, Bridgen Parker and Tanner Vaughn will all throw important innings and provide depth for the pitching staff. Brett McComas will step in as the teams primary end of game option. The group of position players led by returners Ty Hammack, Logan Vaughan, Trayson Miller and Haden O’Toole give the Tigers a solid group that can both defend and provide a steady offensive presence. Freshman Keaton Campbell and Solomon Skalnik are players with impact talent that could develop into all-region caliber players. It’s another talented group in Arkansas City this year with eyes on a trip to Grand Junction once again.

3. Johnson County Community College
The Cavaliers enter the 2023 season with plenty of talent in the form of returners and newcomers to make a run at a trip to Grand Junction. There’s a lot to like about this team, with a blend of speed and power throughout the lineup on the offensive side. Outfielder Rhett Hendricks (UNC - Charlotte) missed most of last season due to injury but returns healthy this season and has the talent to be among the most productive hitters in the Jayhawk Conference. He’ll be joined in the outfield primarliy by Cooper Combs (Kansas) who hit 14 home runs last season and transfer Brayden Luikart, a left-handed hitter who really stood out this fall. Catcher Shea McGahan spent his freshman year at Missouri and comes to Johnson County as perhaps the best defensive catcher in all of junior college baseball. If the bat develops this spring, he’s a star. Infielder Ryan Callahan transfers in from the University of Kansas and brings a left-handed power presence with some defensive versatility to the lineup. Middle infielder Easton Elliott (Oral Roberts) hit over .350 as a freshman and has a top of the order skill set with impact base running skills. He’ll be joined in the infield by returner Jeremy Rader, a very good defender at third base with a strong throwing arm. He’ll look to take another step forward offensively this season after collecting 21 XBH a season ago. Transfer Dylan Hufft and freshman Jordan Black will both provide unique offensive skillsets and have impact talent despite a lack of experience. On the mound the Cavs had more 90+ arms at the KJCCC Sophomore Showcase in the fall than any other team. That group didn’t include either of Ty Blecha or Drew Norris who transfer in at the semester and should immediately become impact arms. A group experienced returners on the mound including: Gabe Nutter (SIUE), power arm Cole Koonce (Southern Illinois) and Trent Martin (Oral Roberts) who hand an outstanding freshman season will be the core of the pitching staff. Transfers Luc Fladda and Christian Johnson will throw plenty of innings as well. Look for freshman Luke Fricker to potentially develop into a star on the mound as he has the upside to be a future draft pick and really impressed at times in the fall. There’s always talented teams at Johnson County and this one has a real shot at making an appearance at this years JUCO World Series.

4. Kansas City Kansas Community College
The Blue Devils won 50 games a season ago and played in the District Championship game. There’s experience and talent on both sides of the ball once again for the Blue Devils this season. It’s a lineup with some depth led by outfielder Pablo Sanchez, one of the best hitters in the conference who led the team in slugging a year ago and collected 24 extra base hits. Catcher Matt Buffington played in 43 games as a freshman and hit .298 with 3 home runs. He’s an impressive defensive catcher as well but really has a chance to make a leap offensively this season. Outfielder Payton McHarg had a very impressive fall where he hit 7 home runs and looks like a left-handed presence in this seasons lineup. Fellow sophomore outfielder Lee Allen Jr. hit .407 in limited action last season; he’s a 6.6 runner that should be an impact defender in centerfield and may hit at the top of the order. Freshman Juan Cabrera is another outfielder with 6.6 speed and could factor into the lineup as well. First baseman Brock Stewart led all hitters in exit velocity at the KJCCC sophomore showcase and could provide a big right handed power presence. On the mound the Blue Devils will feature some talented arms that will be trusted to replace considerable innings after the departure of many arms from last years team. After pitching to a 1.46 ERA in 25 innings a season ago, Alan Mercado will be a key arm in 2023. Fellow RHP Alex Carillo struck out 17 in 11.2 IP last season and will be counted on to step into a larger role in 2023. Look for LHP Johnny Moritz to utilize his strike throwing ability and effective breaking ball in an expanded role this season as well. Charleston Southern transfer Hector Candelas has a chance to be a two-way impact player this season as both an outfielder and left handed pitcher. He really impressed this fall throwing several braking balls that registered above 3000 RPM and is somewhat of an x-factor for this years Blue Devils team. Freshman right hander Zachary DeFreece is another arm that could step into a considerable role this season, he has solid stuff and was part of a state championship team at Liberty North High School last season. The 50 win season from a year ago will be tough to match. However, if one thing was learned from last season it was that this program deserves national recognition and they’re going to be a difficult team to deal with again in 2023.

5. Seminole State College (OK)
The Trojans come into the 2023 season with high end talent and some real depth on their roster. A storied program that has sent on several players in the past to not just to four year programs but to professional baseball as well. After a down year in 2022, the talent is there for Seminole State to bounce back in a big way. On the mound the Trojans will turn to Brock Maynard (Houston commit) to lead the staff. Maynard is an athletic right-hander with a fastball that was 90-93 in the fall with a low 80’s slider. LHP Carson Baugh is another arm that impressed this fall with an upper 80’s fastball and a curveball with late, sharp break. Fellow LHP Luke Smith (Incarnate Word commit) will be counted on to throw meaningful innings as well. Northeastern State (OK) commits Greyson Christian and Jeremy Slate are quality arms that bring a competitive presence to the mound. Both will throw plenty of meaningful innings in 2023. The lineup will feature some dynamic position players that should give the lineup depth and provide solid defense behind the pitching staff. Corner infielder Xavier Casserilla (Oklahoma State commit) transfers in from Wichita State where he started 52 games last season hitting .225 with 7 home runs and 19 RBI. He should hit in the middle of the order for the Trojans this season. Catcher Houston Russell (Oklahoma commit) is another power hitter that had an impressive summer and should be a force in the Trojans lineup in 2023. Look for middle infielders Slade McCloud (Tarleton commit) and Martell Davis (Oral Roberts commit) to use their athleticism to provide solid up the middle defense and be run creators at the top of the Trojan lineup. Overall, this is a talented team with experienced players on both sides of the baseball. The Seminole State Trojans should be back in a big way in 2023.

6. Eastern Oklahoma State College
The Mountaineers are another team from the region that won over 50 games a season ago. There’s some big pieces to replace from last season team but a depth of players this season are more than capable of doing so. On the mound 6-foot-8 right hander Caleb White (Georgia State) looks like the leader of the staff with a fastball that reached the mid 90’s in the fall and a slider that should miss a ton of bats this season. Sophomore two-way prospect Matthew Holzhammer will start on the mound and get plenty of at-bats, he’s an impact player in all facets. Freshman Brandon Sweeney and sophomore Keaton Ruthardt are other key pieces of the pitching staff that will throw plenty of important innings. The lineup features a number of players with impact abilities both offensively and defensively. Catcher Hunter Ryan is a terrific catch and throw defender that will help control the running game and provide a steady offensive presence. Sophomore outfielder Adam Moser has some loud tools across the board as a 6.3 runner with a mid 90’s outfield arm and pop to all fields. Infielders Ike Shirley and Bryce Logan are athletic with top of the order type skill sets and impressive defensive players. One other player to watch is sophomore outfielder Tate Wilkins who is one of the better pure hitters on the team and shows the ability to hit both velocity and breaking stuff. Another very strong team from the region looking to continue its winning tradition.

7. Barton Community College
Barton comes into the 2023 season with a steady group of returners and upside players that will help them compete in the Jayhawk conference. That group is led by Ricardo Sanches, an honorable mention All-American from last season that hit .442 with 49 extra-base hits and 90 RBI. And most definitely at or near the top of the list for best hitter in the conference this season. He’ll be joined by sophomores Henry Hayman, Chandler Miller, Jaden Wiley and Dryden Howse, all are coming off of solid freshman seasons and should be impact players in the lineup. Look for outfielder Riley Silva to step in and become an impact player after an impressive fall, he has elite speed that should be an asset in the outfield and on the base paths. On the mound returners Owen Reynolds (Oral Roberts), Tegan Cain and David Stuart threw signifiant innings last season and give the pitching a staff a core of talented arms. Look for Tegan Cain to really make a leap this season after showing impressive stuff this fall and striking well over a batter an inning as a freshman. Combination of experience and depth will give the Cougars a chance to be the top team on the western half of the Jayhawk conference this season.

8. Butler Community College
Butler had a workhorse duo on the mound last season with two arms that threw over 70 innings last season. Half of that duo is now gone and in professional baseball but the other half returns in right-hander Izack Tiger (Kansas) who has a fastball that has reached the upper 90’s and a hard biting slider. He spins both efficiently and is certainly a candidate for conference pitcher of the year this season. Fellow returners Zach Brink (ULM) and Dylan Rinker threw valuable innings last season and should do so once again in 2023. There’s some solid returners as well as incoming freshman/transfers that will be key contributors this season. Sophomores Hayden Dyer and Josh Holmes impressed offensively last season and hit 8 home runs each. Transfer Brock Kuehler is an athletic 1B/OF that runs well, has a strong arm and the bat to be a middle of the order presence. Look for sophomore Alan Bernhardt to make an impact both at the plate and on the mound. While freshman Breon Horne brings a dynamic skill set to the outfield and as a switch-hitter may become one of the more intriguing prospects in the conference if he’s able to hit consistently.

9. Cloud County Community College
The T-Birds come into the 2023 season with no shortage of talent on the mound. The most notable of that group from a prospect standpoint is freshman Carson Latimer, a Canadian Junior National Team player with upside and present stuff that includes a low 90’s fastball and a slider that he spins very well. Fellow Canadian Jack Mount returns and looks to follow up a solid freshman season where he struck out 75 in 55.2 IP. Sophomores Cole Askew (Southern Illinois), Brayden Mackey (Oral Roberts), Brady Stuewe (Kansas State) and Phil Brenneman are all quality arms that can throw in the low to mid 90’s. The group should form one of the better pitching staffs in the entire conference. There’s a lot of new pieces in the lineup this season. Sophomore middle infielders Alexander Diaz and Danny Infante bring some experience back to the lineup and should really help the pitching staff with run prevention defensively. Infante and versatile 1B/OF Kolden Howerton are the returners to the lineup that had impressive freshman seasons statistically in 2022. Look for outfielder Anthony Taggart to develop into an impact player as well this season. Cloud will likely go as far as their pitching staff takes them but it’s a pitching staff with the talent to give them a chance every game.

10. Jefferson College
The Vikings come into the 2023 season with another talented roster on both sides of the baseball. Sophomores Jacob Roettgen (Memphis) and Dalen Stewart (Missouri State) and Ethan Schmitt and Joey Dasho are all talented pitchers that will throw plenty of innings this season. Kannon Nesslage is an interesting 6-foot-6 right hander that is a former college quarterback who could develop into an impact arm this season. The lineup is filled with players that can make an impact. Infielders Colby Ott and Hesston Gray and Noah Shuman are talented infielders that should be impact bats. Outfiedlers Jack Matousek and Ryker Harrington are left-handed hitting outfielders that will provide a steady offensive presence. And switch-hitting catcher Boone Shevey will handle a talented pitching staff and provide some pop with the bat.

11. Connors State College
Connors State is coming off of another solid 40+ win season a year ago. A program that consistently produces quality teams should have one once again in 2023. Infielder Andres Matias returns for his sophomore season after hitting .377 with 10 home runs and 71 RBI as a freshman. He’ll be joined by outfielder Roddy Garcia, who hit .371 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI as a freshman. Those two will combine to form an imposing middle of the order. On the mound sophomore Ariel Tejada is coming off of an outstanding freshman season pitching to a 2.96 ERA over 54.2 IP. He will lead the staff this season with Luke Roland and Elian Cuevas ready to take on much more significant roles in 2023. Cuevas is a 6-foot-4 right-hander with swing and miss type stuff who struck out 21 in 11.2 IP last season. There’s some intriguing talent at Connors State and the Cowboys will be a difficult team to deal with this season.

12. Fort Scott Community College
The Greyhouds are coming off of a solid season in 2022 where they hit over 100 home runs as a team. A big piece of that offense is back this season in sophomore infielder Brody Szako (Austin Peay), the KJCCC East Freshman of the Year who hit 20 home runs as a freshman. He’ll be joined in the infield by fellow sophomore returners Evann Long and Blake Wilson (Kansas State) who are both coming off of solid freshman seasons themselves and will be impact bats if healthy in 2023. Right hander Jesse Moreno is the most experienced returner on the mound after starting six games and throwing 56 innings a year ago. Alex Johnson threw some innings as a freshman and showed some pitchability with a three-pitch mix in the fall. Sophomore left-hander Zach Nelson and sophomore right-hander Logan Boenker are additions to this years pitching staff and could see considerable innings.

13. Hutchinson Community College
Hutch brings back a steady number of contributors from last seasons team that should be impact players in 2023. Led offensively by corner infielder Ryan Henderson, a physical right-handed hitter that swung an impact bat as a freshman and really impressed this fall. Fellow sophomore Braedyn Sommer is an athletic player and left-handed hitter with a top of the order type skill set. Freshman Max Childress is an infielder that should step in and become an impact player right away. Fellow freshman Mac Bowie showed some left handed pop this fall and has a chance to be a middle of the order run producer. The pitching staff will be led by sophomore left-hander Justin Smith who throws in the low 90’s and was a standout this fall. Sophomore right-hander Jackson Blue is a talented arm that will look to get back on track this season. A number of newcomers will also be in line to throw considerable innings in 2023.

14. Southeast Community College (NE)
The Storm won 46 games a season ago and hit 116 home runs as a team. It was easily one of the more impressive rosters in school history. Nearly all of that roster is not gone, but the coaching staff did a phenomenal job of recruiting as they look to rebuild the roster. Freshman outfielder Avery Moore is a player with impact tools from a historically good high school program at Millard West. Middle infielder Drew Borner is another freshman from the Millard West program with gamer type talent. Both should step in and contribute right away. Freshman catcher Elliott Peterson brings a physical presence behind the plate and showed some pop in the bat over the summer. On the mound Calen Ruter and Brayden Curtis (Nebraska-Omaha) bring a combined over 100 innings of collegiate experience on the mound and will lead the pitching staff in 2023. They’ll be joined by talented freshman, Jack Everett, Cody Bruss and Landon Mueller. All of whom could step in and develop into impact arms right away. It’s a lot of new faces in Batrice this year, but they certainly have some talent to work with as well.

15. Arkansas Rich Mountain
The third year of the program and already receiving some national attention. The Bucks have totaled 67 wins and a conference title in three seasons in Mena, Arkansas. This season a trio of returners in Brayden Sites, Casey Shipley (Central Arkansas) and Cooper White bring back experience to the lineup and look to take some forward steps offensively in 2023. Freshman Colby Webb and Hunter Alexander are two talented players capable of stepping in and making an impact on the line up from day 1. On the mound right handers Trenton Smith, Travis Daniel and Casey Shipley were all 90+ arms this fall and have a chance to throw considerable innings this season. Left-handers Jackson Wilson and Kaden Godfrey show pitchability and some velocity from from the left side and should also be impact arms this season. Arkansas Rich Mountain is a program on the rise that is really starting to establish a winnings tradition and they’ll look to continue that in 2023.

Midwest Region Top 100 Prospects


This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.
Sign in
DiamondKast
PG Special Events
Travel, Lodging, Entertainment
PG Partners
Recommended
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2024 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.