Northwest Regional Feature:  Northern Exposure

This is the ninth of a ten-part series previewing all ten regions of the United States. The schedule is as follows:

The rise from national unknown to All-American was an interesting one for Centralia OF/RHP Andrew Pullin in 2011. He arrived at the 2011 California Underclass Showcase completely off PG's radar. His strong performance against high level players from Southern California who have the benefit of playing year round opened some eyes. On the strength of that showing Pullin earned an invite to the 2011 National Showcase.

"I wanted to go where there was better competition for me to play," Pullin recently told Perfect Game.  "Go where the best players are and play at the highest level possible.  I work on everything, there isn't one specific thing that I'm trying to improve. I work hard at everything, and I have good coaching so that's helping out a lot."

It's becoming evident that Pullin is working hard to improve all aspects of his game.  Between January and June he cut two tenths of a second off of his 60 yard dash time, improved his throwing velocity by three miles an hour and showed even bigger strides with the bat. Pullin began to realize his power potential and played his way into an invite to play for the West team at the 2011 Perfect Game All-American Classic. He also earned an invitation to play for national powerhouse Marucci Elite at the 2011 WWBA World Championship, where he homered in the playoffs and went 2-for-3 in the championship game to help Marucci bring home their first title in Jupiter. Every time Pullin performed in front of the PG staff he was better than the previous time, if he can continue to show the same rate of development throughout the spring he may not end up setting foot on campus in Eugene.

March 13                             Mount Si (WA) @ Bothell (WA)

The opening day matchup pits the defending 3A champions (Mount Si) against the defending 4A champions (Bothell). Both teams lost some key players to graduation, but both open the season ranked in the top 10 in the region.

March 13                             Union (WA) @ Camas (WA)

The early season matchup between two regionally ranked teams which will feature the region's top two 2012 catching prospects in Clint Coulter of Union and Austin Barr of Camas. Camas won last year's meeting comfortably, by a score of 11-3, on their way to a 25-1 season that ended with a run to the 3A state semifinals.

March 17                            Roseburg (OR) @ Westview (OR)

The top ranked team in the state (and region), Westview, hosts the team with the best one-two punch on the mound in Roseburg. The Indians feature a pair of Oregon signees in RHP Jared Preistley and RHP Josh Graham, making it likely that one of them will be on the hill facing future Oregon Ducks teammate Carson Kelly.

P             Reece Karalus, Sr. RHP, Mount Si (WA)

P             Brandon Mahovlich, Sr. RHP Issaquah, (WA)

The region's top pitcher also happens to be the top overall prospect, thus Carson Kelly occupies the Util spot. Strike machine Michael Rucker becomes the de facto ace as a result of his high level command. Physically built 2013 grad Dustin Driver is the lone junior to make the Dream Team's pitching staff. Montana lefty Caleb Frare has shown steady development over the past few years, especially with his curveball. Karalus, a Santa Clara commit shows as much potential as anyone in the group, though he lacks consistency at this point. Power armed righty Brandon Mahovlich locks up the final spot, leaving projectable Montana product Andrew Sopko on the outside looking in, in spite of his upside. The region features several underclassmen who have already made a strong impression. Oregon features a pair of interesting lefties in 2013 grad Brett Nielsen and 2014 grad Christian Martinek. Washington chips in another interesting young lefty in 2014 grad Andrew Summerville. Other pitchers to watch include: 2012 RHP Taylor Jones, 2013 RHP Alex Hardy, 2012 RHP Marty Lukenbach, 2014 RHP Branden Kelliher, 2014 RHP Ky Dye and 6-foot-6 2014 RHP Joe Wainehouse.

Northwest Region Best Tools

Best Hitter For Average                   Carson Kelly, Sr. 3B/RHP, Westview (OR) 

This is a highly competitive category, with several well deserving candidates. Kelly's hit tools narrowly edges out Andrew Pullin, Dylan LaVelle and 2013 C Reese McGuire. But as he does in several other categories, Kelly stands out above his impressive group of peers. His swing features very good rhythm and tempo, even against high level pitching. His easy swing generates good bat speed and he controls the barrel very well and consistently drives the gaps with authority.

Best Hitter For Power                  Clint Coulter, Sr. C, Union (WA)

Another competitive category, but the physically imposing Coulter has already developed impressive power. While his power is better to the pull side, Coulter is capable of hitting the ball out of any part of the ballpark and has shown development towards becoming a complete hitter. Andrew Pullin makes a strong case in this category as well, and the well rounded Carson Kelly also merits consideration for his projectable power.

Best Baserunner                          Sam Brown, Sr. OF, Jackson (WA)

Brown was seen as a potential sleeper coming out of the 2011 Area Code Games. His hitting ability showed promise as did his defense, but the area where he truly stands out is on the basepaths. Not only does he run well, but his instincts and acceleration allow his speed to play up on the bases.

Best Defensive Catcher               Reese McGuire, Jr. C, Kentwood (WA)

McGuire is not only the best defensive catcher in the region, he currently rates as one of the best in the entire class of 2013. His plus arm, quick fluid actions and advanced receiving ability make him a high level standout. One scout compared McGuire's defensive upside to that of Austin Hedges, the top defensive catcher of the 2011 class, whose defensive ability made him a second round pick of the Padres. Whether he reaches that level remains to be seen, but either way, McGuire is a legitimate defensive catcher.

Best Defensive Infielder             Carson Kelly, Sr. 3B/RHP, Westview (OR) (2nd year in a row)

While he lacks the top  end speed and range to be a high level shortstop, Kelly's quick actions, lateral agility, polished footwork and quality arm strength make him a strong defender on the hot corner. Other quality defenders include: Cabe Reiten, Trek Stemp and Tyler Campbell,

Best Defensive Outfielder           Mitchell Gueller, Sr. WF West (WA)

Gueller is an above average runner (low 4.20s home to first times from the right side) who has run his fastball up to 92 mph. While he's not the fastest player in the region and doesn't have the strongest arm, he has the best all around defensive tools in the region. Combines his tools with good reads and routes to give him an edge over other strong defensive outfielders Theo Alexander and Andrew Pullin.

Best Infield Arm                          Carson Kelly, Sr. 3B/OF Westview (OR)    (2nd year in a row)

Kelly's 90 mph throwing velocity at the 2011 National Showcase is impressive, but it's not just his raw arm strength that give him the nod in this category. His throwing accuracy and quick release combined with that strength give him a highly playable arm.

Best Outfield Arm                        Andrew Pullin, Sr. Centrailia (WA)

After being a runner up in both hitting categories and in the conversation in the best defensive outfielder category, Pullin finally earns top billing in the best outfield arm category.  At the 2011 National showcase he uncorked a 95 mph throw from the outfield and has been above 90 with his fastball on the mound. 

Best Fastball                                Dustin Driver, Jr. RHP, Wenatchie (WA)

Driver gets the slight edge in this category after topping out at 92 at the 2011 Area Code Games, combined with his six feet of extension it gave him the seventh shortest time from release to the plate at the event (and best among 2013 grads) at .421 seconds (.416 is MLB average). Carson Kelly and Mitchell Gueller match him with 92 mph fastballs and the tall and lanky Taylor Jones matched his .421 average time from release point to home plate at the 2011 Area Code Games thanks to his extreme extension.

Best Offspeed Stuff                     Carson Kelly, Sr. 3B/RHP, Westview (OR)

While Kelly's low 90s fastball is among the best in the region, its his three secondary pitches that stand above the rest in the region. His low 80s slider is a potential plus pitch, his curveball flashes good depth and at its best is a knee buckler and he also shows good feel for his changeup.

Best Command                             Michael Rucker, Sr. RHP, Riverside (WA)

While Rucker isn't imposing and he doesn't overpower high level hitters, he is one of the most effective hurlers in the Northwest Region. His slow paced low effort delivery not only lulls hitters to sleep, it allows him to repeat his delivery well, allowing him to pound the strike zone. On a given start his command ranges between plus and plus-plus, and he has feel for all three of his pitches. One PG scout noted that while his size and velocity may cause him to be overlooked in the 2012 draft, he predicted that Rucker will go on to dominate in college. Rucker is committed to Gonzaga.

Best Pitchability                           Carson Kelly, Sr. 3B/RHP, Westview (OR)

Kelly's exceptional offspeed stuff, good command and firm fastball give scouts something to ponder. While he's also the best pure hitter in the region and an excellent defensive third baseman, Kelly's ability on the mound makes it tempting to draft him as a pitcher. Kelly has always been a high level position player, but he really came into his own as a pitcher last year, adding significant sharpness to his secondary stuff and continued to develop his pitchability. With that development Kelly has become highly polished and effective and has become the best present ability pitcher in the region.

Northwest Top 25 Regional Rankings

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