Greenup County (Greenup, Ky.)

Top Prospects:

• Tristan Downing (RHP/1B, 2017)
• Brody Shoupe (C, 2016)
• Gage Hughes (SS, 2018)
• Christian Wireman (RHP/3B, 2016)
• Kyle Gammon (MIF, 2018)
• Jarred Hunt (CF, 2016)

Pitching:
Greenup County, the Musketeers, will head down to Georgia with a quality team that returns several pieces from a Regional Semifinals finish in 2014. Leading the way on the mound is sophomore righty Tristan Downing, a good-sized prospect with a loose arm who can work in the low- to mid-80s at present with a lot more to come. He’s been playing varsity baseball since he was in the seventh grade and just continues to get better. Joining him on the mound is junior Christian Wireman, a three-year starter who features an arsenal of four-plus pitches, any of which he will throw at any time for a strike.

Offense:
Downing and Wireman are legitimate two-way talents, as Downing will play first base when not pitching and Wireman will see time at third base when not toeing the slab. Junior catcher Brody Shoupe will do most of the catching for Greenup County, and his 1.9 or below pop times will do a great job of encouraging opposing teams not to run on him. He’s a multi-year starter as well, and will do an excellent job in a leadership role. Freshman Gage Hughes will handle shortstop, and fellow freshman Kyle Gammon will play second base, forming a young but formidable keystone combination. Junior Jerred Hunt will play center field and hit at the top of the lineup.

Synopsis:
This is a very young team—amongst the youngest in the entire event—but don't be fooled, they are experienced and talented. Most of their players are multi-year starters, regardless of actual grade level. That may lead to them to be underestimated by others, which would be a huge mistake.



Harvard Westlake Wolverines (Studio City, Calif.)

Top Prospects:

• Ezra Steinberg (SS/OF, 2015, Top 500)
• Chase Aldridge (MIF/OF, 2015, High Follow)
• Matt Beyer (LHP, 2015, High Follow)
• Tom Fuller (C, 2015, High Follow)
• Jake Suddleson (RHP/OF, 2016, Top 1,000)
• Cameron Deere (3B, 2016, High Follow)
• Gabe Golob (RHP/C, 2016, High Follow)

Pitching:
The Wolverines of the prestigious Harvard Westlake High School will be led on the mound by senior High Follow prospect Matt Beyer, a lefthander who is committed to Brown. He’s a good-sized prospect who can throw in the low-80s with quality command. Junior righty Jake Suddleson, a Top 1,000 prospect and primary outfielder, can also pitch and be an excellent prospect there, running his fastball up into the mid-80s with strike-throwing abilitity. Junior Gabe Golob will also throw, and the 6-foot-3 prospect can work with a fastball in the 80s as well.

Offense:
The Wolverines’ offense is led by their best prospect, senior Ezra Steinberg. An Oregon commit, Steinberg can play all over the field, but is primarily a shortstop. He’s an excellent runner with quality offensive tools, hitting at the top of the lineup, and projects to play a premium position at the next level. Senior Chase Aldridge will play the outfield where the 7.2 runner and switch hitter will definitely be solid defensively. Senior Tom Fuller will handle the load behind the plate, but could be helped out there by Golob when he's not on the mound. Suddleson will hit in the No. 3 spot and play center field, and the toolsy prospect may end up leading the team in several offensive categories.

Synopsis:
Harvard Westlake always produces a quality team, and this season is no exception for the Wolverines, who will bring a loaded team with several high-end prospects to Georgia. They will be led by their offense, but they are deep throughout and loaded with talent at nearly every position.



Johnson Central Golden Eagles (Paintsville, Ky.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG Rank):

• Seth Blanton (RHP, 2015)
• Josh Hitchcock (RHP, 2016)
• Zach Slone (OF, 2015)
• Tate Meade (RHP, 2018, High Follow)
• Geordan Blanton (SS, 2017)
• Braxton Kelly (RHP/2B, 2018)

Pitching:
The Golden Eagles are led by a full stable of righthanded arms, spanning across nearly every grade of player. Upperclassmen Seth Blanton and Josh Hitchcock bring veteran experience and leadership the staff, but it’s freshman Tate Meade who might have the highest upside on the staff. Already standing around 6-feet tall and built well with strength and athleticism, Meade was up to as high as 84 mph at the PG Pitcher/Catcher Indoor Showcase recently, showing the type of arm strength that could make him a high-level college prospect in a few years. Johnson Central has started the season off well, holding a 3-1 record heading into this event. Perhaps most impressive, however, is that they have only allowed six total runs so far in 2015 (in four games). They’ll look for that impressive pitching to continue at the Louisville Slugger Classic this coming week.

Offense:
The Golden Eagle offense has been led so far in 2015 by senior outfielder Zach Slone, who will anchor the everyday lineup from his center field spot and usually hits at the top of the lineup for Johnson Central. Sophomore shortstop Geordan Blanton will play the middle infield and hit in the middle of the lineup as well, as his overall feel for the game both defensively and offensively makes him a valuable asset for the Golden Eagles. Freshman Braxton Kelly is a valuable arm on the mound for Johnson Central, but can also team with Blanton up the middle to form a formidable keystone combination as well as provide legitimate on-base skills at the plate.

Synopsis:
The Golden Eagles have had a quality start to the 2015 season, especially within their pitching staff and defensively as a team. They’ll need to get their offense rolling as we head towards April, but they could very easily come alive at the Louisville Slugger Classic. Watch out for Johnson Central.



Kaneland Knights (Maple Park, Ill.)

Top Prospects:

• Joe Laudont (C, 2016)
• Nick Stratman (OF/P, 2015)
• Matt Rosko (OF, 2016)
• Matt O’Sullivan (LHP/1B, 2016)
• Joe Panico (SS/2B, 2015)
• Austin Wheatley (2B/SS, 2015)

Pitching:
The Knights are led by a host of two-way players, several of whom will start in the everyday lineup for head coach Brian Aversa. Leading the way in the rotation will be junior lefthander Matt O’Sullivan, a strike thrower with command of three pitches and the ability to change speeds and vary the movement on his pitches. Joining him on the mound will be senior Nick Stratman, a righthander who will primarily play the outfield but also will get some time on the mound. He brings good size and senior leadership to the pitching staff, which helped the Knights make it all the way to the Sectional Semifinals in 2014.

Offense:
The Knights shouldn't have any issues scoring runs, as they return a good amount of their starting lineup from 2015. Seniors Joe Panico and Austin Wheatley will presumably form the keystone combination at shortstop and second base, respectively. They should both hit towards the top of the lineup for Kaneland as well. Junior catcher Joe Laudont is back after leading the team in hitting last season as a sophomore, and he’ll look to continue that trend hitting from the middle of the lineup. Senior Nick Stratman will be the everyday center fielder and probable No. 3 hitter, and the heart of the lineup should be filled out by junior Matt Rosko, who hit .439 last year.

Synopsis:
This is a well-balanced team, with plenty of experience throughout the everyday lineup as well as some quality pitching in the rotation. Coming from a cold weather state, they will look to start strong in this event, hopefully not taking too long to hit their stride.



Lawrence County Bulldogs (Louisa, Ky.)

Top Prospects:

• Eric Salyers (RHP/OF, 2015)
• Josh Cantrell (RHP/OF, 2015)
• Noah Lambert (CF, 2015)
• Warren Price (1B, 2015)
• Brock Turner (3B/RHP, 2016)
• Zach Keesee (SS/RHP, 2016)
• Chase Coverdale (1B/RHP, 2016)
• Morgan Miller (C, 2016)

Pitching:
The Bulldogs of Lawrence County High School are a veteran team, as they return eight starters from 2014’s team, which ended up 23-13 and runner-up in the region. They return several of their pitchers, all of whom play a second or third position, and will contribute in the everyday lineup as well. Senior righthanders Eric Salyers and Josh Cantrell will toe the slab with regularity for the Bulldogs, and they will be joined by juniors Brock Turner and Zach Keesee. Junior righty Chase Coverdale will also help provide some innings out of the 'pen for Head Coach Travis Feltner.

Offense:
As stated above, the Bulldogs return eight starters from the 2014 team, nearly all of whom project to start everyday for Lawrence County in 2015. The outfield is well set with seniors, led by Noah Lambert, who is back to patrol center field and hit at the top of the lineup. Joining him in the outfield are seniors Eric Salyers and Josh Cantrell, both of whom will pitch but will also play the corner outfield. The left side of the infield is all set as well, as returning juniors Brock Turner and Zach Keesee will handle third base and shortstop, respectively. Like the pair of outfielders mentioned above, both Turner and Keesee will pitch for the Bulldogs, but should have no problem holding down their positions defensively in addition to throwing. Back behind the plate is junior Morgan Miller, who will do the bulk of the catching.

Synopsis:
It may be hard to argue that Lawrence County isn’t bringing the most experienced team to the Louisville Slugger Classic. As stated, they return eight starters from a team that had a lot of success in 2014. They are deep on the mound and throughout the lineup, and as a result have gotten off to a hot start in 2015. They’ll look for that to continue as they head south to Georgia.



McCallie Blue Tornado (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Top Prospects:

• Tyler Payne (SS/RHP, 2015, Top 500)
• Quinn Smith (C/RHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Ethan Cady (1B/LHP, 2016, Top 500)
• Corbin Brooksbank (OF/RHP, 2017, No. 217)

Pitching:
The Blue Tornado will head south to Georgia with a host of quality arms, most of whom are two-way prospects with legitimate upside in the field as well. The 2014 Tennessee DII-AA Player of the Year Tyler Payne leads the way on the mound and in the field, where the Lee University signee anchors the staff and captains the defense at shortstop, all while hitting in the middle of the lineup. He’ll work in the mid- to upper-80s on the mound with a quality curveball to complement his heater. Joining him on the mound are a pair of juniors in Quinn Smith and Ethan Cady. Smith, who will also catch for McCallie, is a big kid who can reach the upper-80s on the mound when needed. Cady is the resident southpaw of the staff, and he’s also a big prospect with a big fastball that can work in the mid- to upper-80s as well. The wildcard of the staff is East Cobb Astro and No. 217 player in the class of 2017, sophomore Corbin Brooksbank. Brooksbank, a righthander, has already been clocked up to 89 mph at PG events and projects to throw even harder as he develops.

Offense:
The four prospects highlighted above will also lead the way offensively, as they all offer collegiate upside in the lineup as well as on the mound. Payne will play shortstop when not pitching, and he’ll hit in the middle of the lineup as well. He’s a 6.7 second runner with excellent hitting tools who projects to hit for some pop as he continues to develop. Quinn Smith will do the majority of the catching, where his 1.90 second pop time and strong arm should have no trouble keeping opposing baserunners from being too greedy. He’s a strong, physical player who projects for some legitimate power at the plate down the road. Ethan Cady will play first base and can slide right into the cleanup spot in the lineup, as his big lefthanded power makes him a legitimate home run threat for the Blue Tornado. Corbin Brooksbank can play more or less anywhere on the diamond, though he’s most comfortable on the mound or in the outfield. He’ll start everyday as well.

Synopsis:
This Blue Tornado team has some legitimate upside, both on the mound and with the bat. All four of their frontline pitchers can throw in the upper-80s, and all four of them can be true offensive weapons as well. This will undoubtedly be a fun team to watch.



Metamora Redbirds (Metamora, Ill.)

Top Prospects:

• Ethan Skender (SS/OF, 2015, No. 181)
• Trent Johnson (RHP/1B, 2015, No. 458)
• Geremy Guerrero (LHP, 2016, Top 1,000)
• Brady Fairfield (SS/2B, 2015)
• Caleb Brachbill (3B/RHP, 2015)
• Braden Mann (RHP/OF, 2015)

Pitching:
Arizona signee and the 458th overall player in 2015 class, Trent Johnson, would be the headliner of this pitching staff, but he is currently rehabbing his way back from Tommy John surgery and is aiming towards a late-2015 return to the mound. Making up the Redbird pitching staff will be junior lefty Geremy Guerrero and senior righthanders Caleb Brachbill and Braden Mann. Guerrero, an Indiana State commitment, can work his fastball in the mid- to upper-80s and complements it with a handful of off-speed pitches. Brachbill will log plenty of innings for Metamora, but should also start at third base. Mann is an Illinois Central College recruit and will be their No. 3 starter.

Offense:
The offense is led by senior shortstop Ethan Skender, a Kansas State signee and the 181st overall player in the class of 2015. Skender can play all over the diamond but projects to the next level as a left-side infielder or outfielder. He can absolutely mash with the bat, hitting for average and power already and projecting to hit for both at the next level as well. He’ll hit in the middle of the lineup and be a force, regardless of who is pitching against the Redbirds. Brady Fairfield will join Skender as the other half of the keystone combination and play second base, and the Illinois Central College signee should hit in the top of the lineup as well. Caleb Brachbill was second on the team in hitting to Skender last season, and he should man third base for the majority of the time in 2015. Braden Mann will hold down an outfield spot when not pitching.

Synopsis:
It’s undoubtedly a big blow to head to this event without a workhorse ace like Trent Johnson, but the Metamora Redbirds have the type of talent and depth to overcome such a setback. Skender is about as good of a player as there is in this event, and he can take over games offensively and defensively. The Redbirds will have plenty of depth in the pitching staff and shouldn't have an issue scoring runs either.



New Trier Trevians (Winnetka, Ill.)

Top Prospects:

• Matt Boscow (1B, 2015)
• Ben Brecht (LHP, 2016, Top 500)
• Danny Katz (RHP, 2016)
• Will Francke (3B, 2015)
• Scott Hammes (LF, 2015)
• Clay Czyzynski (SS, 2017)

Pitching:
The headliner of the New Trier pitching staff is also probably the tallest player in this event, junior lefthander Ben Brecht, an UC-Santa Barbara commit. Besides being absolutely massive, Brecht can really pitch as well, working in the mid- to upper-80s with his fastball, generated by excellent arm speed from his long arms. He’ll work with a breaking ball and changeup as well, both of which show legitimate swing-and-miss potential at the next level. Joining Brecht on the mound will be junior righthander Danny Katz, a good-sized prospect whose acumen on the mound is highlighted by easy, repeatable mechanics and solid command of three pitches.

Offense:
The New Trier offense will be led by a host of returning starters and key contributors from last season’s successful team, which ended up losing in Sectionals to complete the season. Senior returning starters will anchor the corners of the Trevians’ infield, as both first baseman Matt Boscow and third baseman Will Francke return to the lineup. Sophomore Clay Czyzynski will step into the lineup and man the shortstop position right away as well as hitting at the top of the lineup. Rounding out the middle of the order for Head Coach Mike Napoleon will be senior Scott Hammes, who returns as the everyday left fielder and should provide solid offensive production as well.

Synopsis:
Any time you have a true ace of your pitching staff you have a chance to win. The Trevians certainly have that in Ben Brecht, but also provide a quality second gun as well as a deep lineup full of returning starters. They’ll certainly be challenged, seeing as they’re a cold weather team heading to the south to play a deep pool of opponents, but they should be up to the challenge.



O’Fallon Panthers (O’Fallon, Ill.)

Top Prospects:

• Chris Holba (RHP, 2015, No. 249)
• Bradley Harrison (LHP/OF, 2016)
• Camden Bauer (SS, 2016, No. 335)
• Kyle Van Bevern (3B/RHP, 2015)
• Bradley Snyder (1B, 2016)
• Jacob Holl (C, 2015)
• Grant Robison (RHP, 2015)

Pitching:
The Panthers are led by the No. 249 overall player in the class of 2015, righthanded pitcher Chris Holba. Holba, who is signed with East Carolina, is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound prospect who oozes projectability and already works around 88-91 with his fastball, touching 92-93. He complements his fastball with a potential plus slider and quality changeup, and can go toe-to-toe with the ace of any opposing team. Joining him in the rotation will be junior lefty Bradley Harrison, a legitimate two-way talent who is committed to Southern Illinois. Harrison can work in the low- to mid-80s on the mound, highlighted by the looseness of his arm and his ability to throw strikes. Rounding out the rotation will be seniors Kyle Van Bevern, Grant Robison, and Chris Dye.

Offense:
O’Fallon brings back a loaded offense from their 2014 season, which saw the Panthers go an impressive 32-4, eventually losing to Bellville West in the first round of the state playoffs. Bradley Harrison, in addition to being the probable No. 2 starter, will likely hit leadoff and play right field for Head Coach Jason Portz. Harrison logged 120 at-bats in 2014, hit .408 and only struck out six times. Joining him in the lineup will be junior shortstop Camden Bauer, an Alabama commit, and senior third baseman Kyle Van Bevern. Those two form an excellent left side of the defense. Senior Jacob Holl returns to do the majority of the catching, and junior Bradley Snyder should handle the first base job and hit somewhere in the middle of the order.

Synopsis:
This team has legitimate stars on it, but don't be fooled by the star power, as they are a very deep, balanced team. They lost only four games all of last season, and are hungry to prove that their loss in the playoffs was a fluke.



Valdosta Wildcats (Valdosta, Ga.)

Top Prospects:

• Brennan Goodson (C, 2015, High Follow)
• David Posas (MIF/3B, 2015, Top 500)
• Craig Barry (OF, 2015)
• Kenyon Miller (OF, 2015)
• Logan Stephens (2B/SS, 2016, High Follow)
• Seth Shuman (RHP, 2016, High Follow)
• Luke Ard (LHP, 2017)

Pitching:
Though it may be younger than most rotations, the Valdosta pitching staff is still very talented. Led by junior righthander Seth Shuman and sophomore lefthander Luke Ard, they are very effective and very good. Shuman, a legitimate two-way talent both on the mound and with the bat, is the ace of the Wildcat staff. He has good size with projection, and works in the 84-86 mph range, touching higher, and complements the fastball with an excellent changeup. He’ll take the ball in game one and you should see him hitting/playing the field for the rest of the event after that as well. Sophomore Luke Ard complements Shuman perfectly as the lefty “2” to Shuman’s “1.” Ard is also a two-way player who will probably see time at first base when not pitching.

Offense:
What the Wildcats may lack in upperclassmen pitching they definitely make up for in upperclassmen in the lineup. Led by a pair of seniors in Brennan Goodson and David Posas, Valdosta seems poised to be one of the more offensively prodigious teams in the nation. Goodson is signed with Valdosta State, and has no problem handling the load behind the plate in addition to providing some pop offensively. Posas is signed with Mercer, and provides one of the steadier bats in this entire event, with barrel control and high-end contact skills. Senior outfielders Craig Barry and Kenyon Miller are both athletic marvels, each routinely running the 60-yard dash in less than 6.8 seconds. Barry plays right field where his arm strength plays, and Miller is the center fielder where his 6.6-6.7 speed plays nicely.

Synopsis:
This team is very talented, especially offensively. They have a legitimate 1-2 punch in the pitching rotation, but they will beat teams by scoring a lot of runs and wearing them down with their firepower and veteran offensive prowess.