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| 2,603 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,603 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | State Preview | 5/29/2018

State Snapshots: Great Lakes

Photo: Jarred Kelenic (Perfect Game)

 


Perfect Game 2018 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:
 Illinois
Best Junior College Team: Wabash Valley
Best High School Team: Neuqua Valley

Prospect on the Rise: Trey Riley, rhp, John A. Logan
Wild Card: Bren Spillane, of/1b, Illinois

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Illinois Connection:
 Zach Haake, rhp, Kentucky
Top 2019 Prospect: Quinn Priester, rhp, Cary-Grove Community HS
Top 2020 Prospect: Benjamin Wiegman, rhp, Carmel Catholic HS

Highest Draft Picks

Draft History:
Danny Goodwin, c, Central HS (1971, White Sox/1st round, 1st pick)
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)
2016 Draft: Cody Sedlock, rhp, Illinois (Orioles/1st round, 27th pick)
2017 Draft: Brendan Murphy, lhp, Mundelein HS (Brewers/4th round)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 12/12
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 6/4
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 10/2

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Alek Thomas, of, Mt. Carmel HS (36)
• Trey Riley, rhp, John A Logan (61)
• Joey Gerber, rhp, Illinois (131)
• Bren Spillane, of/1b, Illinois (164)
• Owen Miller, ss, Illinois State (195)
• Aaron Ackerman, c, UIC (379)
• Jack Yalowitz, of/lhp, Illinois (420)
• Luke Shilling, rhp, Illinois (425)
• Jacob Maton, rhp, Glenwood HS (427)


Indiana

Best College Team:
 Indiana
Best High School Team: Roncalli

Prospect on the Rise: Jonathan Stiever, rhp, Indiana
Wild Card: Nicholas Schnell, of, Roncalli HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Indiana Connection:
 Reid Schaller, rhp, Vanderbilt
Top 2019 Prospect: Andrew Belcik, rhp, Notre Dame
Top 2020 Prospect: Ryan Lynch, lhp, Penn 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)
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)
2016 Draft: Alex Call, of, Ball State (White Sox/3rd round)
2017 Draft: Peter Solomon, rhp, Notre Dame (Astros/4th round)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 17/15
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 4/1

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Nicholas Schnell, of, Roncalli HS (40)
• Jonathan Stiever, rhp, Indiana (78)
• Jack Perkins, rhp, Kokomo HS (190)
• Matt Vierling, of/rhp, Notre Dame (213)
• Nick Dalesandro, c/of, Purdue (271)
• Luke Miller, 3b, Indiana (281)
• Carter Lohman, lhp, Hamilton Southeastern HS (297)
• Nick Podkul, 2b, Notre Dame (303)
• Jared Poland, 2b/3b, Cathedral HS (305)
• Hayden Jones, c, Carroll HS (313)
• Tim Borden, ss, Our Lady of Providence HS (353)
• Charlie Cerny, rhp, UIC (308)
• Zaid Walker, of, Homewood-Flossmoor HS (366)
• Tanner Andrews, rhp, Purdue (415)


Michigan

Best College Team:
Michigan
Best Junior College Team: Kellogg
Best High School Team: Bay City Western

Prospect on the Rise: William English, rhp/of, Detroit Western International HS
Wild Card: Bryce Bush, 1b/of, De La Salle HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Michigan Connection:
 Luke Shilling, rhp, Illinois
Top 2019 Prospect: Dillon Kark, ss, St. Mary's Prep
Top 2020 Prospect: Jesse Franklin, of, Michigan

Highest Draft Picks

Draft History:
 Mark Mulder, lhp, Michigan State (1998, Athletics/1st round, 2nd pick)
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)
2016 Draft: Keegan Akin, lhp, Western Michigan (Orioles/2nd round)
2017 Draft: Oliver Jaskie, lhp, Michigan (Mariners/6th round)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 21/21
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 1/1
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 5/1

Prospects in the Top 500:

• William English, rhp/of, Detroit Western International HS (169)
• John Malcom, 1b, Detroit Country Day HS (181)
• Bryce Bush, 1b/of, De La Salle HS (189)
• Riley McCauley, rhp, Michigan State (325)
• Jonathan Engelmann, of, Michigan (337)
• Will Tribucher, lhp, Michigan (341)
• Spencer Schwellenbach, rhp/ss, Heritage HS (373)
• Michael Brettell, rhp, Central Michigan
• Ako Thomas, 2b, Michigan (484)


Minnesota


Best College Team:
Minnesota
Best Junior College Team: Riverland
Best High School Team: Cretin-Derham Hall

Prospect on the Rise: Terrin Vavra, ss, Minnesota
Wild Card: Seth Halvorsen, rhp, Heritage Christian HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Minnesota Connection:
 Sean Hjelle, rhp, Kentucky
Top 2019 Prospect: Will Frisch, rhp, Stillwater HS
Top 2020 Prospect: Mac Horvath, ss/rhp, Century HS

Highest Draft Picks

Draft History:
 Joe Mauer, c, Cretin-Derham Hall HS (2001, Twins/1st round, 1st pick)
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)
2016 Draft: Nick Hanson, rhp, Prior Lake HS (Reds/3rd round)
2017 Draft: Sam Carlson, rhp, Burnsville HS (Mariners/2nd round)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 4/4
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 3/1

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Seth Halvorsen, rhp, Heritage Christian HS (107)
• Aidan Maldonado, rhp, Rosemount HS (226)
• Terrin Vavra, ss, Minnesota (230)
• Gus Varland, rhp, Concordia (328)


Ohio

Best College Team:
 Ohio State
Best Junior College TeamSinclair
Best High School Team: Mason

Prospect on the Rise:
Nicholas Northcut, 3b, William Mason HS
Wild Card: Austin Becker, rhp, Big Walnut HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Ohio Connection:
 Adam Wolf, lhp, Louisville
Top 2019 Prospect: Mack Anglin, rhp, Highland HS
Top 2020 Prospect: MacKenzie Wainwright, of, St. Edward 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)
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)
2016 Draft: Eric Lauer, lhp, Kent State (Padres/1st round, 25th pick)
2017 Draft: Zac Lowther, lhp, Xavier (Orioles/2nd round)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 15/14
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 5/1

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Austin Becker, rhp, Big Walnut HS (45)
• Nicholas Northcut, 3b, William Mason HS (73)
• Ryan Weiss, rhp, Wright State (197)
• Ryan Feltner, rhp, Ohio State (210)
• Zane Collins, lhp, Wright State (253)
• Zach Spears, lhp, Miami (289)
• Ross Adolph, of, Toledo (345)
• Conor Grammes, rhp, Xavier (365)
• Joey Murray, rhp, Kent State (368)
• Cole Ayers, rhp, Loveland HS (461)
• Lane Flamm, rhp, New Richmond HS (478)


Wisconsin

Best College Team:
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Best Junior College Team: Madison
Best High School Team: Sun Prairie

Prospect on the Rise: Jacob Campbell, c, Janesville Craig HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Wisconsin Connection:
 Jonathan Stiever, rhp, Indiana
Top 2019 Prospect: Nathan Stevens, c, Waunakee HS
Top 2020 Prospect: A.J. Vukovich, 3b/rhp, East Troy HS

Highest Draft Picks

Draft History:
 Kevin Brandt, of, Nekoosa HS (1979, Twins/1st round, 11th pick)
2013 Draft: Josh Uhen, rhp, Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Brewers/5th round)
2014 Draft: J.P. Feyereisen, rhp, Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Indians/16th round)
2015 Draft: Justin Langley, lhp, Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Marlins/16th round)
2016 Draft: Gavin Lux, ss, Indian Trail Academy (Dodgers/1st round, 20th pick)
2017 Draft: Daulton Varsho, c, Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Diamondbacks/2nd round)

2017 Draft Overview

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

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Jarred Kelenic, of, Waukesha West HS (5)
• Jacob Campbell, c, Janesville Craig HS (180)




Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL Central

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West | AL Central With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL Central Chicago Cubs  Grade: 40 Risk: Medium Notable Selections: RHP Cade Townsend (1st rd) | OF Caden Sorrell (2nd rd) | 1B Myles Bailey (2C)   RHP Cade Townsend (@OleMissBSB) sat 95-96 T97 w/ riding FB from fast arm. Nasty cutter at 88-91 is the go-to, showed biting 2 pln SL. Low-80s top to bottom CB & CH ~ 1300 RPM to round out mix. Has had a great spring & risen up boards. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/TAFbM37f5j — PG College...
Press Release | Press Release | 8/18/2026

Perfect Game & Delano Partner Up

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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 NAMES DELANO BAT COMPANY OFFICIAL WOOD COMPOSITE BAT PARTNER, LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION BAT SERIES   Delano Bats will serve as the Official Game Bat of the 13U Select Festival, taking place this coming weekend in East Cobb, Georgia   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Delano Bat Company, LLC, naming the company an Official Wood Composite Bat Partner of Perfect Game. The partnership will feature three exclusive limited-edition bat releases, which began with the Original Glory American Flag Bat in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, that...
Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL Central

Joey Cohen
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL Central Cleveland Guardians  Grade: 45 Risk: Moderate  Notable Selections: RHP Liam Peterson (1st rd) | Tre Broussard OF (3rd rd) | RHP Savion Sims (7th rd)  Liam Peterson (@GatorsBB) has been pure power stuff through the first 3.0 IP in his start vs Bama…imposing his will on hitters with a fastball that has grabbed 100 mph a few times, backed up by his power slider and curveball @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/RVThNrdMTn — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 21,...
High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
All American Game | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Sunday’s DICK’s Perfect Game All-American Classic was a pitching-dominated affair until the bottom of the eighth inning when the rain started to fall at Citizens Bank Park and Koa Romero stepped to the plate and did his best impression of Kyle Schwarber. Romero wears No. 12, just like Schwarber. He bats left-handed, just like Schwarber. He’s got big power, just like Schwarber. And at 5-10 and a rock-solid 225 pounds, he’s even built like Schwarber. Needless to say, Schwarber is Romero’s favorite player. So, it was all kind of storybook when Romero belted a grand slam to dead center to cap off the scoring in the West team’s 8-3 win over the East club in the 24th annual Classic. “This is a dream come true,” said Romero, who was named MVP of the game. “It’s amazing to be able to put a ball like that out of a...
All American Game | Story | 8/15/2026

A Philly Dream for Steingall

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Carson Steingall had been to Citizens Bank Park many times over the years. After all, he hails from Nazareth, Pa., about 90 minutes up the road from the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and he counts himself as a big fan of the team. Zack Wheeler is his favorite. Steingall realized a dream when he pitched from the same mound that Wheeler does in Perfect Game’s fourth annual All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors on Friday. The dream got even better when Steingall, a 16-year-old right-hander, was named Most Valuable Pitcher after striking out the side in the third inning of the National team’s 6-1 victory over the American team. “It’s just an honor to be here,” Steingall said after receiving his trophy. “This event is the best of the best. It’s really cool to win something like this.” Steingall, who’ll...
Showcase | Story | 8/13/2026

PG Honors Pat Gillick With Philly Showcase

Perfect Game Staff
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Perfect Game to honor Pat Gillick in new Philadelphia Showcase  By Maya Heyman Perfect Game is bringing its elite showcase experience to Philadelphia’s FDR Park for the inaugural Philly Stars/Pat Gillick Showcase this weekend, honoring one of the greatest executives in MLB history in the city where he constructed his final of three World Series winners. The event will take place on Sunday, the same day as the DICK’S All-American Classic, taking place just across the street at Citizens Bank Park.  The showcase will allow Philadelphia-area players to gain exposure and will also honor Gillick, who has been a tremendous influence in both professional and amateur baseball.   Jered Goodwin, Vice President of Scouting Operations for Perfect Game, said the idea came naturally.  “Going to Philly made a lot of sense to honor Pat Gillick, who's been a...
General | General | 8/13/2026

PG All-Star Game Heads to Philly

Jheremy Brown
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For the fourth time since its inception in 2023, two rosters comprised of the best rising juniors (and a handful of rising sophomores) will step out onto the field Friday afternoon, kicking off the All-American weekend. While the Perfect Game All-American Classic is slated for a 1:35 first pitch at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, 36 future hopefuls of the Classic will go up against one another in an American vs National clash at 11 AM Eastern, Friday morning.  With 36 players from across the country descending on Philadelphia, there will be plenty of familiar names in attendance as 24 of the 36 played in at least one PG Select Festival and all 36 attended either the he Sophomore National, Junior National, or the PG Underclass All-American Games this summer. Leading the charge are a pair of No. 1s in 2028 dynamic talent Dexter McCleon Jr and 2029 Macgraw VanWormer, a do-it-all...
Tournaments | Championship | 8/12/2026

Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title

Alyssa Golden
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Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title A hot afternoon at JetBlue Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida ended in a 9-1 victory for the Original Florida Pokers 2028 National, defeating SBA Bolts Florida 2028 National on Monday to capture the 16U BCS National Championship. A pitchers’ duel kept the game scoreless through four innings before the Pokers broke it open with a five-run fifth inning. The title marked the Pokers’ second 16U BCS Championship, adding to the championship they won in 2022. Despite a slow start to the summer, the Pokers found their stride at the right time. “We struggled a lot early in the summer, but the past few tournaments we really started turning it on,” Pokers head coach Will McCrimon said. “I’m just so proud of these kids.” Max Maynes started the game on the mound for the Pokers. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks...
Draft | Story | 8/11/2026

Realistic Expectations of a 1:1 Pick

Tyler Henninger
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Over the 2026 draft cycle, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was the projected No. 1 pick throughout the entire cycle. White Sox fans began #RochWatch and were already talking about when he will make it to Chicago. Now that he has been selected, Cholowsky has immediately become a Top-10 prospect in all of baseball. There is no denying the hype, and the pressure, for Chowlosky to get to the big leagues and produce at a high level.  But how realistic is that? Let’s take a look back at past 1:1 selections and see what you can expect from a No. 1 overall selection.  For this exercise, we’ll look at No. 1 overall picks from the bonus pool era, excluding Eli Willits from 2025 since this is his first full year of pro ball. That gives us 13 players selected from 2012 through 2024.  Almost All Become Big Leaguers The first thing that stands out is how successful No. 1 picks...
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