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| 2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | State Preview | 5/31/2016

State Snapshots: Great Lakes

Photo: Perfect Game

 


Perfect Game 2016 MLB Draft Preview Index

South Atlantic
– FL, GA, NC, SC

Southeast – AL, KY, MS, TN
South Central – AR, LA, OK, TX
Mountain – AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY
Pacific – AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
Great Plains – IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD
Great Lakes – IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Mid-Atlantic – DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV
New England – CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Canada and Puerto Rico



Illinois

BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
 Southern Illinois
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: John A. Logan
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Brother Rice

PROSPECT ON THE RISE:
John Rave, of, Bloomington HS
WILD CARD: Tyler Fitzgerald, ss, Rochester HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Illinois Connection:
 Corey Ray, of, Louisville
Top 2017 Prospect: Brendan Murphy, lhp, Mundelein HS
Top 2018 Prospect: Alek Thomas, of, Mt. Carmel HS

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
Danny Goodwin, c, Central HS (1971, White Sox/1st round, 1st pick)

2011 Draft: Charlie Tilson, of, New Trier HS (Cardinals/2nd round)
2012 Draft: Chris Serritella, 1b, Southern Illinois (Phillies/4th round)
2013 Draft: Daniel Lietz, lhp, Heartland CC (Blue Jays/5th round)
2014 Draft: Jeremy Rhoades, rhp, Illinois State (Angels/4th round)
2015 Draft: Tyler Jay, lhp, Illinois (Twins/1st round, 6th pick)

2015 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 21/18
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/1
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 11/1

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Cody Sedlock, rhp, Illinois (37)
• Matthias Dietz, rhp, John A. Logan (62)
• Cooper Johnson, c, Carmel Catholic HS (76)
• Tyler Fitzgerald, ss, Rochester HS (116)
• Ben Brecht, lhp, New Trier Township HS (188)
• Cal Coughlin, 3b/rhp, Carmel HS (244)
• Garrett Acton, rhp, Lemont Twp HS (272)
• Drake Fellows, rhp, Joliet Catholic Academy (280)
• Colin Holderman, rhp, Heartland CC (290)
• Jason Goldstein, c, Illinois (308)
• Brendan Heiss, rhp, Harry D. Jacobs HS (310)
• Spencer Gaa, 3b, Bradley (346)
• Jordan McFarland, of, Gibault Catholic HS (383)
• Jack Suwinski, of, Taft HS (400)
• Christian Bullock, of, Morgan Park HS (424)
• Joey Polak, 3b, Notre Dame HS (428)
• Joey Butler, ss, Minooka Community HS (451)
• Sam Ferri, c/rhp, Notre Dame College Prep (458)
• John Rave, of, Bloomington HS (470)
• Will Kincanon, rhp, Triton CC (497)



Indiana


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
 Indiana
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: Vincennes
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Zionsville

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Zach Thompson, lhp, Wapahani HS

WILD CARD: Cavan Biggio, 2b, Notre Dame

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Indiana Connection:
Zack Brown, rhp, Kentucky
Top 2017 Prospect: Brian Gursky, lhp, St. Joseph Catholic HS
Top 2018 Prospect: Jake Sweeney, lhp, Andrean HS

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
 Andy Benes, rhp, University of Evansville (1988, Padres/1st round, 1st pick); Bryan Bullington, rhp, Ball State University (2002, Pirates/1st round, 1st pick)

2011 Draft: Alex Dickerson, 1b/of, Indiana University (Pirates/3rd round)
2012 Draft: Kevin Plawecki, c, Purdue University (Mets/1st round, 35th pick)
2013 Draft: Trey Ball, lhp, New Castle HS (Red Sox/1st round, 7th pick)
2014 Draft: Kyle Schwarber, c, Indiana University (Cubs/1st round, 4th pick)
2015 Draft: Ashe Russell, rhp, Cathedral Catholic HS (Royals/1st round, 21st pick)

2015 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 14/12
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 5/3

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Skylar Szynski, rhp, Penn HS (106)
• Cavan Biggio, 2b/3b, Notre Dame (151)
• Zach Thompson, lhp, Wapahani HS (170)
• Michael McAvene, rhp, Roncalli HS (254)
• T.J. Collett, c/1b, North Vigo HS (263)
• Zach Plesac, rhp, Ball State (320)
• Jake Kelzer, rhp, Indiana (332)
• Kyle Hart, lhp, Indiana (345)
• Jarrett Rindfleisch, c, Ball State (350)
• Craig Dedelow, of, Indiana (352)
• Caleb Baragar, lhp, Indiana (354)
• Austin Conway, rhp, Indiana State (429)
• Matt Gorski, ss, Hamilton Southeastern HS (445)
• Andy Young, 3b, Indiana State (467)



Michigan


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
Michigan
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: Jackson
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Saline

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Keegan Akin, lhp, Western Michigan
WILD CARD: Nick Deeg, lhp, Central Michigan

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Michigan Connection:
 Caleb Baragar, lhp, Indiana
Top 2017 Prospect: Keegan Baar, lhp, Michigan State
Top 2018 Prospect: John Malcom, 1b/lhp, Detroit Country Day HS

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
 Mark Mulder, lhp, Michigan State (1998, Athletics/1st round, 2nd pick)

2011 Draft: Trent Howard, lhp, Central Michigan (Orioles/7th round)
2012 Draft: Torsten Boss, 3b/of, Michigan State (Orioles/8th round)
2013 Draft: Michael O'Neill, of, Michigan (Yankees/3rd round)
2014 Draft: Jordan Foley, rhp, Central Michigan (Yankees/5th round)
2015 Draft: Nick Plummer, of, Brother Rice HS (Cardinals/1st round, 23rd pick)

2015 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 15/14
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 2/1

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

•
Keegan Akin, lhp, Western Michigan (107)
• Kyle Roberts, lhp, Henry Ford CC (127)
• Carmen Benedetti, of/lhp, Michigan (144)
• Cam Vieaux, lhp, Michigan State (159)
• Dakota Mekkes, rhp, Michigan State (171)
• Jordan Zimmerman, 1b, Michigan State (187)
• Karl Kauffmann, rhp, Brother Rice HS (199)
• Brett Adcock, lhp, Michigan (249)
• Jackson Lamb, rhp, Michigan (273)
• Dion Henderson, lhp, Oak Park HS (328)
• Harrison Wenson, c, Michigan (362)
• Michael Mokma, rhp, Holland Christian HS (465)
• Joe Mockbee, lhp, Michigan State (474)
• Evan Hill, lhp, Michigan (476)
• Nick Deeg, lhp, Central Michigan (482)



Minnesota


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
Minnesota
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: St. Cloud Tech
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Minnetonka

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Nick Hanson, rhp, Prior Lake HS


Best Out-of-State Prospect, Minnesota Connection:
 Logan Shore, rhp, Florida
Top 2017 Prospect: Jimmy Ramsey, rhp, Minnetonka HS
Top 2018 Prospect: Terrin Vavra, ss/2b, Minnesota

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
 Joe Mauer, c, Cretin-Derham Hall HS (2001, Twins/1st round, 1st pick)

2011 Draft: Jordan Smith, of, St. Cloud State (Indians/9th round)
2012 Draft: Mitchell Brown, rhp, Century HS (Indians/2nd round)
2013 Draft: Tom Windle, lhp, Minnesota (Dodgers/2nd round)
2014 Draft: Sam Hentges, lhp, Mounds View HS (Indians/4th round)
2015 Draft: Lance Thonvold, rhp, Minnesota (Mariners/24th round)

2015 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 3/2
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 1/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Nick Hanson, rhp, Prior Lake HS (44)
• Austin Athmann, c, Minnesota (314)




Ohio


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
Ohio State
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: Sinclair
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Jackson

PROSPECT ON THE RISE:
Ronnie Dawson, of, Ohio State
WILD CARD: Troy Montgomery, of, Ohio State

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Ohio Connection:
 T.J. Zeuch, rhp, Pittsburgh
Top 2017 Prospect: Brock Mathis, c, Fairfield HS
Top 2018 Prospect: Cal Conley, ss, Loveland HS

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
Tim Belcher, rhp, Mount Vernon Nazarene College (1983, Twins/1st round, 1st pick); Ken Griffey Jr., of, Moeller HS (1987, Mariners/1st round, 1st pick)

2011 Draft: Andrew Chafin, lhp, Kent State (Diamondbacks/1st round, 43rd pick)
2012 Draft: Matt Smoral, lhp, Solon HS (Blue Jays/1st round, 50th pick)
2013 Draft: David Ledbetter, rhp, Cedarville University (Rangers/3rd round)
2014 Draft: Cameron Varga, rhp, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (Rays/2nd round)
2015 Draft: Ian Happ, of, Cincinnati (Cubs/1st round, 9th pick)

2015 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
17/16
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 3/1

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Eric Lauer, lhp, Kent State (40)
• Sean Murphy, c, Wright State (83)
• Ronnie Dawson, of, Ohio State (143)
• Bradyn Sittinger, rhp, Ashland (410)
• Tyler Duvall, c, Lebanon HS (434)
• Troy Montgomery, of, Ohio State (491)



Wisconsin


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: Madison College
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: St. Mary Catholic

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Gavin Lux, ss, Indian Trail Academy
WILD CARD: Lake Bachar, rhp, Wisconsin-Whitewater


Best Out-of-State Prospect, Wisconsin Connection:
Kyle Cody, rhp, University of Kentucky
Top 2017 Prospect: Nathan Burns, rhp, West Bend West HS
Top 2018 Prospect: Jarred Kelenic, of, Waukesha West HS

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
 Kevin Brandt, of, Nekoosa HS (1979, Twins/1st round, 11th pick)

2011 Draft: Cody Koback, of, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Red Sox/10th round)
2012 Draft: Nathan Mikolas, of, Kenosha Bradford HS (Yankees/3rd round)
2013 Draft: Josh Uhen, rhp, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Brewers/5th round)
2014 Draft: J.P. Feyereisen, rhp, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Indians/16th round)
2015 Draft: Justin Langley, lhp, University of Wisconsin-Milwuakee (Marlins/16th round)

2015 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 3/3
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: None

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Gavin Lux, ss, Indian Trail Academy (65)
• Ben Rortvedt, c, Verona Area HS (71)
• Nate Brown, rhp, Arrowhead HS (222)
• Lake Bachar, rhp, Wisconsin-Whitewater (269)
• Dominic Clementi, of, Arrowhead HS (407)




Draft | Story | 10/5/2026

Beyond the Board: Dylan Seward

Tyler Henninger
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As the 2027 draft cycle moves through the fall and into the offseason, we kick off a new series called Beyond The Board. With each installment, we will provide an in-depth scouting report for some of the top players in the class, breaking down their tools, strengths, question marks, and overall projection. To kick things off, we let’s take a look at the current No. 1 player on our board, Norco HS SS Dylan Seward. Player: Dylan Seward Position: SS  B/T: S/R Height: 6-foot-0 Weight: 177-pounds School: Norco HS Hometown: Corona, Calif. Physical Description: 6-0/177. Shorter build. Lean, athletic body. Frame has wiry strength throughout. A little bit of room for some continued strength development.  Hit: Switch-hitter. Uses an even base with a slightly closed stance from the left side and ever-slightly open stance from the right side. Hands are set at chin level. Displays a...
Tournaments | Story | 10/10/2026

WWBA World Champ. Scout Notes: Day 2

Perfect Game Staff
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 ‘27 C Joshua Digulio (TX) opened the morning in Cacti Park with a bang. In his first at-bat of the morning, Digulio crushed an 0-2 fastball. The right-handed hitter powered a fly-ball through the Florida morning humidity off the back wall of the left field bullpen for a no-doubt solo shot. Everybody in the stadium knew it was gone as soon as he made contact. The catcher also worked a walk in his only other plate appearance. His home run was the only hit in the game, providing Texas Brigade 2027 a 1-0 win.  ‘27 MIF Xavier Martin (IL) woke up the stadium with an electric swing. The right-handed hitter was sitting dead-red on a 2-0 heater, got it, and torched it. Martin scorched a line drive all the way over the left field bullpen, as the ball cleared a near 20-foot wall and bounced onto the concourse. It was a two-run shot for the...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/9/2026

PG Softball Illinois Scouting Showcase Series 18U Division

Erica Beach
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PG Softball Illinois Scouting Showcase Series 18U Division Oct 3-4 Peoria, IL PEORIA, IL- It was a phenomenal weekend for softball as six teams from three different states gathered at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria, Illinois for the 2026 PG Softball Illinois Scouting Showcase Series 18U Division. The competition was fierce from the first pitch to the final out, making for an action-packed slate of games. Our scouts were treated to an incredible display of talent and athleticism throughout the event, and below are the standout players who truly caught our eye. Joharah Boze (2027, Chillicothe, IL) of the Indiana Magic 18U Lewellen hit an astounding .778 on the weekend. She finished the tournament with four singles, three doubles, two walks, three runs scored, and four RBIs, proving to be the pillar of consistency for her squad. Featuring an athletic stance and a balanced...
Tournaments | Story | 10/10/2026

WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 2

Perfect Game Staff
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WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 1 ’30 RHP/OF Amir Kriz-Hopkins (VA) couldn’t be touched, striking out all six batters he faced over 2 IP. Tall, projectable frame w/ a quick, loose arm. FB worked 87-91 mph w/ ASR & the SL missed bats w/ late break at 76-79. #SelectFest alum. #WWBAWorlds @PG_VirginiaWV https://t.co/mN4H64aLgo — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 9, 2026 Amir Kriz-Hopkins (2030, Chesapeake, Va.) of SBA Bolts National 15U was lights out on the mound, striking out all six batters he faced over two innings before adding a double offensively. The right-hander has a tall, projectable frame with a quick, loose arm and worked his fastball up to 91 mph with arm-side run. Kriz-Hopkins paired the fastball with a sharp slider at 76-79 mph that generated swings and miss, showing his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball.   ’30...
Tournaments | Story | 10/8/2026

WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
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’30 OF Quintin Blackwell (CA) drives this ball deep over the RF’s head for a triple, creating loud contact. Physical, compact frame with quick hands and plenty of strength in the bat. #WWBAWorlds @California_PG https://t.co/Tyq0a0SKd2 — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 8, 2026 Quintin Blackwell (2030, Hercules, Calif.) of MLB Breakthrough Series 2030 and a 2026 Select Fest participant made his presence felt at the plate. The physical outfielder displayed quick hands and strength in the bat, while showing the ability to do damage with a loud triple that got over the right fielder’s head. There is plenty of upside to come, with Blackwell showing the tools that can impact the game offensively. Miles Lockridge (2030, Swansea, Ill.) of MLB Breakthrough Series 2030 put together a quality day at the plate, collecting a double while reaching base safely...
Tournaments | Story | 10/9/2026

WWBA World Champ. Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
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Calum Andersen (‘27,CAN) had his A stuff working today running the FB to 96 mph with a devastating horizontal SL at 85 mph that can break bats. Mixed in a late breaking 12/6 curveball at 78 mph that induces weak contact and showed excellent feel for a CH that mimics the FB delivery. The @OU_Baseball commit struck out 8 & allowed 2H 1BB. stands on a projectable 6’5/195 frame you can dream on. @pg_int1 #WWBAWorlds @PG_Draft — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 8, 2026 Calum Andersen, RHP, Calgary, AB (CAN) Brewers/Langley Blaze Scout (2027) Andersen showed advanced present stuff and pitchability in a strong outing. The delivery is athletic and repeatable from a projectable frame, with room remaining for strength gains that should help the fastball play more consistently in the mid-90s and give the breaking balls even sharper bite. Andersen attacks with a live...
Tournaments | Story | 10/8/2026

Midwest Fall Championship Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Midwest Fall Championship    ‘29 LHP Jake Bzdusek (IL) Works 5.1 very strong innings from a low arm angle. Has a FB with sink in the mid 70s and T78. Has a nice E/W SL 67-68 (2nd,4th video). Struck out 7 and was efficient in the zone w/ 62% strikes. #WWBAMW @AthletesHQ2 https://t.co/th4O6pgHBs — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) October 3, 2026 Jake Bzdusek (2029, Huntley, Ill.) a left-handed pitcher works from a very low arm angle creating lots of deception to throw off hitters. The fastball was in the mid 70s, topping 78mph with good action. His slider had lots of east/west action, creating tons of swing and miss. Bzdusek pitched 5.1 innings while striking out seven, helping him earn the win. He threw efficiently, landing 62% of his pitches for strikes. He also got it done on the offensive side of the ball this weekend as well. He racked up six hits in as many...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/8/2026

PG Softball Illinois Scouting Showcase Series 16U Division

Erica Beach
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PG Softball Illinois Scouting Showcase Series 16U Division October 3-4 Peoria, IL PEORIA, IL- It was a picture-perfect weekend for softball as seven teams in the 16U division converged at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria, Illinois. The action was fast-paced and competitive from start to finish, featuring tightly contested games and outstanding talent on display across the board. Our scouts had a front-row seat to some incredible performances throughout the tournament, and below are the top standout athletes who caught our eye. Kennedy Murphy (2028, St Charles, IA) of Alliance Select Harper was lights out this past weekend. This right-handed hitter was the pinnacle of consistency in the box. She finished her weekend batting an astounding .857 with twelve hits in just five games. She demonstrated the ability to drive the ball to all fields and did so with authority. She...
Tournaments | Story | 10/8/2026

2026 WWBA World Championship Preview

Hannah Jo Groves
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2026 WWBA World Championship Preview It’s that much-anticipated time of year again for some of the country’s most promising players to gather in Jupiter, FL for the tournament that everyone will be talking about until next year when we do it all again. This year, 120 teams from 23 different states, Canada and Puerto Rico have been divided into 30 pools. The action gets rolling at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7 at the Roger Dean Complex - the spring training home of the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins. The top-ranked player coming into the event in the 2027 class is All-American classic player Kinon Bastian. No. 7 in his class, the Florida commit boasts a .417 batting average in the calendar year. Our scouts have referred to him as the “highest level athlete with both speed and strength, big juice in the bat.” Bastian will be playing with FTB Phillies 2027....
Press Release | Press Release | 10/8/2026

Perfect Game Launches "PG Moms"

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME LAUNCHES “PG MOMS”, A NEW CONTENT AND PARTNERSHIP PLATFORM CELEBRATING THE MOTHERS BEHIND THE GAME   Sanford, Florida (Thursday, October 8, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the launch of PG Moms, a new social media-driven initiative celebrating the mothers who play an essential role in the travel baseball journey. The new content platform will allow moms who are well-versed in the youth baseball space to share their lessons, insights and tips in authentic ways with fellow moms across the country. The platform will debut this week from Perfect Game’s annual WWBA World Championship event in Jupiter,...
General | General | 10/8/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 67

Ron Wolforth
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Rethinking Baseball Warm-Ups: A Call for Innovation  Let’s kick the old warm-up tradition to the curb, shall we? Baseball has a reputation for being a sport rooted deeply in its customs, and while some traditions are worthy of preservation, one that needs a refreshing overhaul is the standard warm-up routine. Picture this: an hour before the game, players jog a lap, gather to stretch in a circle, and then stand around playing catch. Does that really prepare anyone adequately for the mental and physical demands of pitching? In my view, it falls woefully short, and I’ll explain why. The typical warm-up approach - running a lap, static stretching, and simply tossing a ball back and forth - doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s necessary for optimal performance. This process often leaves pitchers feeling only 75% prepared, and that’s just not good...
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