2,075 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Recruiting  | 12/10/2021

2023 Uncommitted Gems: Midwest

Cade Schares     
Photo: Matthew Ossenfort (Perfect Game)
2023 Uncommitted Gems: Georgia | West Coast | Four Corners | Texahoma | Coastal | Northeast


Matthew Ossenfort (2023, Sioux Falls, S.D.) established himself as one of the premier two-way players in the country at last year’s Sophomore Worlds, where he ran his fastball up to 89 mph from the left side and hit .500 with four doubles and a grand slam at the plate. We haven’t seen much of Ossenfort since then due to injury, but once he returns to full health, we expect the former 14U Select Fest player to generate a lot of buzz and reaffirm his status as one of the more enticing prospects in the class.
 

Addison Smith (2023, Liberty, Mo.) has seen a promising rise in the rankings after a successful summer circuit that included stops at the two most prestigious showcases for his age group, the Jr. National Showcase and the PG Underclass All-American Games. Smith flashed an intriguing skill set during these events, showing plenty of athleticism and twitch to his actions, along with advanced arm strength from the shortstop position. Perhaps what stood out the most was his switch-hitting ability, as he displayed present bat speed and barrel control with a smooth and fluid swing from both sides of the plate. The primary shortstop projects as an immediate impact-type player, both offensively and defensively, at the next level.



Gannon Snyder (2023, St. Louis, Mo.) is a physical and tooled-up prospect that burst onto the national scene this summer, with his most notable performance coming at the 16U WWBAs in Atlanta, where he hit out of the cleanup spot for an uber-talented Alpha Prime squad and compiled a .636 average in his eight games. His .611 average through his two PG events is an obvious indicator of his hit tool, and his four triples can speak to his advanced speed and power tools. His offensive production is the calling card, but the primary third baseman has shown the ability to play any spot in the infield, showing off his athleticism and versatility.
 

Eric Podgorny (2023, St. Charles, Mo.) is a projectable right-hander who was up to 88 mph this summer and given the arm speed and the long/lean 6-foot-3 frame, there is plenty more in the tank. His stuff has been impressive in our looks, showing a hammer 12-6 curveball with real swing-and-miss traits. There is a lot to like about Podgorny’s future on the mound, and he has all the pieces to be a power arm at the next level.
 

Klayton Kiser (2023, Springfield, Mo.) is a true uncommitted gem that our scouts had the pleasure of watching this summer. He came into this year relatively unknown, but he made an immediate impression on our scouts when he played in the Midwest Elite Championship back in July. Kiser stands at an extremely strong and physical 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, and he is hard to miss when on the field. But don’t be fooled by his strength, as he still has plenty of twitch and quickness in his game, and he moves very well in both center field and on the basepaths. Although he is listed as a primary left-handed pitcher, we believe he offers the most upside at the plate, where he features great bat speed to go along with advanced balance and sequencing in the swing. The left-handed hitter should continue to gain notoriety throughout the region as more and more college coaches see him play.

Brayden Bakes (2023, Algonquin, Ill.) made a splash at the PG Underclass All-American Games in August, showcasing immense power potential in his left-handed bat. The primary outfielder is a legitimate home run/extra-base hit threat every time he steps up to the plate, and he has shown notable speed in the past as well, giving him an intriguing overall offensive skill set. He is a physical swinger with a strong and compact frame, and we expect him to find a home sooner rather than later.
 

Maksymilian Pierga (2023, Barrington, Ill.) jumped within the top-500 (to No. 322) for the first time in the most recent rankings update, thanks to an eye-opening performance at the Fall Top Prospect National Showcase in October. The right-hander stands at a physical and imposing 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, and he ran his fastball up to 92 mph during his outing. The physical projection is quite obvious, and he utilizes a short and compact arm action with great arm speed, which bodes well for future velocity development. Pierga can be categorized as one of the most sought-after Midwest arms still available, and he will have no shortage of Division-I suitors after him this offseason.
 

Cooper Cohn (2023, McHenry, Ill.) had an excellent showing at the Fall Academic Showcase in October, where he displayed an advanced overall skill set, with both offensive and defensive tools that will surely play at the next level. The primary backstop has high-level blocking and receiving skills with impressive arm strength, which is shown in his in-game 1.88 second pop times and 81 mph throws from behind the dish. He made consistent, loud contact during live at-bats, showing present barrel control with legitimate power from the right-side of the plate. Cohn will be a huge addition for his future school, as he is a high-academic student off the field, and a complete, well-rounded player on the field.

Jack Counsell (2023, Milwaukee, Wis.) had a breakout fall against high-level competition, as he took home MVP honors at the Midwest Labor Day Classic and compiled five hits during his time in Fort Myers for the Underclass Worlds. Counsell is the biggest uncommitted name in the state of Wisconsin, and one of the biggest in the region, thanks to his consistency at the plate and in the middle infield. He hit .462 with 10 singles and a pair of extra-base hits in his two high-profile PG tournaments this fall, and his gap-to-gap approach and adjustability at the plate will certainty play at the next level.
 

Easton Storey (2023, Brighton, Mich.) is a physical left-hander that showed well on the bump all summer long, including a stop at the Jr. National Showcase where he sat 87-89 mph and spun a 76 mph breaking ball at 2690 RPM. He flashed a strong two-pitch mix with legitimate swing-and-miss traits to both the fastball and curveball. Storey has a long and whippy arm action with a projectable operation and well-proportioned strength throughout the frame. The Michigan native will be an immediate impact type arm as soon as he steps foot on campus in the fall of 2023.
 

Cal Sullivan (2023, Ely, Iowa) had a breakout year in 2021 where he saw his name continuously rise in both the rankings and on Division-I recruiting boards. The primary catcher is a physically-advanced prospect with loud tools across the board, and he really came into his power as the year went along. He finished his 2021 campaign with 107 at-bats, in which he compiled a .327 average and mashed 18 extra-base hits, including three home runs. The most impressive part of his development has been his gap-to-gap power, which has turned him into a dangerous at-bat for opposing pitchers. His arm strength is also a real tool, as evident by his 88 and 82 mph throws from the infield and catcher positions, respectively. Sullivan’s offensive firepower will be his carrying tool at the next level, and we don’t expect him to be uncommitted for much longer.

Rodney Rachel (2023, Cincinnati, Ohio) turned in an impressive performance at the Ohio Valley Prospect Showcase this summer, and it’s not a stretch to say that he might have one of the highest offensive ceilings of any uncommitted player in the class. The primary outfielder holds supreme strength and physicality in his 6-foot, 190-pound frame, and it translates to his swing in a big way. He is an aggressive swinger with advanced bat speed and the ability to elevate with ease, and, as a bonus, he can create pressure on the basepaths, as he also runs a 6.94 second sixty-yard dash. Rachel is an intriguing uncommitted player that should find his home sooner rather than later.
 

TJ Coats (2023, Overland Park, Kan.) made just two stops at PG events this year, but they were loud and memorable performances that left an impression on our scouting staff. He flashed some intriguing two-way potential at the National Indoor Showcase in February, where he turned in a quality performance on the mound, running his fastball up to 85 mph and challenging hitters with an aggressive mentality. The primary corner infielder then put his power on full display in Fort Myers at the Underclass Worlds, hitting a monster home run that left the yard in a hurry. Coats is a strong and physical right-handed bat that will continue to gain interest as he excels at these high-profile events.
 

Will Briggs (2023, Shakopee, Minn.) made a significant impression on our scouting staff in his first ever PG event this summer, where he took home MVP honors after hitting .474 with three doubles and a home run. He followed that up with a successful stop at the Midwest Top Prospect Games, cementing himself as one of the best all-around catchers in the region. Briggs offers a high offensive ceiling at a premium position, and his defensive skill set is nothing to slouch at either, as he displays quality receiving and blocking skills with advanced arm strength. The Minnesota native is a high energy player with a good motor, and he has solid tools across the board that project well moving forward.
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.