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High School  | General | 2/23/2016

Regional HS Preview: Midwest

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2016 Perfect Game High School Preview Index

Midwest Region: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin

In what may be a banner year for talent in the Midwest, especially among the positional ranks, the region boasts a trio of outstanding catchers in addition to quality depth throughout everywhere else. There are several potentially high-round draft choices here, and a few potential superstars in the making among the underclassmen.

Several Perfect Game All-Americans are seen throughout this list, including two from Wisconsin, something that had never happened before in the history of the All-American Classic. Catchers Ben Rortvedt and T.J. Collett, infielders Gavin Lux and Tyler Fitzgerald, outfielder Jaren Shelby, and pitchers Karl Kauffmann and Drake Fellows all participated in the festivities in San Diego last August, really representing the Midwest in a positive way.

While the focal point here is on the stars, naturally, the Midwest is home to an awful lot of depth as well. There are Midwestern prospects stacked throughout the PG player rankings in every class, giving this region the potential to keep churning out high draft picks and PG All-Americans for years to come.


Midwest Region High School Dream Team

C – Ben Rortvedt, Sr., Verona Area HS, Verona, Wis.
It would be hard to argue that anyone upped their draft stock more during 2015 than Rortvedt did, showing excellent hit/power tools to go along with consistently improving his defensive acumen behind the plate. The Perfect Game All-American doesn't leave any doubts as far as his bat is concerned, showing both consistent barrel ability and quality power to the pull field, but it’s the progress he’s made defensively that has him rocketing up draft boards.

1B – T.J. Collett, Sr., Terre Haute North Vigo HS, Terre Haute, Ind.
One member of the aforementioned trio of outstanding catchers within the region, Collett also plays some first base, but what really makes scouts stand up and take notice is his bat. Some have even dared to suggest a comparison to Kyle Schwarber, a fine amateur catcher who has blossomed in the majors with the Cubs. Collett’s hit and power tools are both highly advanced, and if he projects to catch at the MLB level, he’ll come off the board quickly in June.

MIF – Gavin Lux, Sr., Indian Trail Academy HS, Kenosha, Wis.
Another Perfect Game All-American, Lux has long been lauded for his defensive actions up the middle in addition to his quick, contact-oriented swing in the box. Over the past year, however, he has done a great job adding arm strength as well as more power to his offensive game. Once thought to be a sure thing to move to second base and hit leadoff, Lux is now beginning to look the part of a true shortstop with middle-of-the-order hitting tools.

MIF – Tyler Fitzgerald, Sr., Rochester HS, Rochester, Ill.
Yet another 2015 Perfect Game All-American on this list, Fitzgerald has been impressing evaluators for well over a year now, thanks to his high-level athleticism and the projection for impact across the board. His offensive upside is beyond that of a typical middle infield prospect, with legitimate bat speed and power projection, and while he may change positions eventually, right now he’s a very good shortstop.

3B – Cal Coughlin, Sr., Lake Forest HS, Lake Forest, Ill.
Coughlin is also a candidate for the utility spot, traditionally given to a two-way player, seeing as he’s also a stud pitcher with a power arm and the off-speed to match. However, he’s also an impactful third base prospect. A switch-hitter, Coughlin displays bat speed, strength and power from both sides of the plate, and is a really quality defender as well, profiling extremely well at the hot corner.

OF – Jaren Shelby, Sr., Tates Creek HS, Lexington, Ky.
Among the more toolsy prospects in the class of 2016, Shelby, another PG All-American, is a plus runner with plus arm strength from center field with a high impact bat-to-ball skill and an advanced approach. He absolutely fits the bill as a high average, high on base percentage performer with some power as well, all while impacting the game defensively at a premium position in addition to being a stolen base threat.

OF – Jarred Kelenic, So., West HS, Waukesha, Wis.
The only sophomore (class of 2018) on this list, Kelenic has the makings of a potentially elite-level hitter with all the tools to complete the package. With excellent bat speed, innate feel for the barrel and highly advanced hand-eye coordination, Kelenic barrels up the ball more consistently than anyone in his class, and does so with authority and developing power, giving him a potentially scary high offensive upside.

OF – Jordan McFarland, Sr., Waterloo HS, Waterloo, Ill.
McFarland fits the bill as far as a picturesque corner outfield prospect with great size, strength and lots of thunder in his bat. He’s also a very good athlete, especially given his size, and may stand a shot to play in the middle of the diamond at the next level. With a very strong swing from the right side of the plate, his impact will mostly be felt with the bat, but don't sleep on his athleticism and defensive potential.

UT – Jordon Adell, Jr., Ballard HS, Prospect, Ky.
One of the toolsiest prospects in the country—and still just a junior—Adell combines high-level athleticism with arm strength, speed, raw power and raw hitting ability with tons of projection remaining, giving him one of the highest upsides of anyone in the nation, regardless of age. He’s in the utility slot because, in addition to his supremely high upside as a position player, he’s also a very good pitching prospect, with excellent arm strength and raw feel for his off-speed stuff.

P – Karl Kauffmann, Sr., Brother Rice HS, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
The only Michigander on this list—and yet another Perfect Game All-American—Kauffmann was very impressive at the PG National last June and stayed that way throughout the summer. With a durable, physical frame built to eat innings, and the beginnings of three average-or-better pitches, Kauffmann has the kind of body/stuff combination that intrigues evaluators. He’ll be watched closely this spring to see if he can take another step forward before the draft in June.

P – Skylar Szynski, Sr., Penn HS, Granger, Ind.
Szynski really showed out at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, and that performance really rocketed him up draft boards as we head into the spring. With easy gas that works 92-93 mph and has touched 95, to go along with a quality curveball and developing command, he’s without a doubt one of the best pitching prospects in the Midwest.

P – Easton McGee, Sr., Hopkinsville HS, Hopkinsville, Ky.
McGee is one of the more highly projectable arms in the class, and is still really learning the nuances of pitching. But with an ideal frame, loose arm and plenty of arm strength, it’s easy to dream on what he could be at maturity. He gets downhill well with excellent extension, releasing the ball seemingly halfway to the plate, and while he currently peaks in the low-90s, it’s only a matter of time before he’s throwing harder.

P – Drake Fellows, Sr., Joliet Catholic Academy, Plainfield, Ill.
Fellows is one of the more physically intimidating pitchers on the list, standing 6-foot-5 with a broad, sturdy build, and his stuff can be equally intimidating. He can reach the mid-90s with his fastball and both his slider and changeup will flash above average potential. With his size and stuff combination he’s likely to be an early impact performer at Vanderbilt, where he’s signed to attend.

P – Nate Brown, Sr., Arrowhead HS, Hartland, Wis.
Brown, a University of Florida signee, looks the part of a future weekend starter in Gainesville and continues to develop every time we see him. Working comfortably in the low-90s now, his body and arm speed project more velocity down the line, and he already has the makings of a plus slider and a quality changeup, all with good command and athleticism on the mound.


Midwest Region Top Tools

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