THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,479 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,479 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
High School  | Rankings | 2/27/2013

Regional HS Preview: Midwest

Frankie Piliere
Photo: Perfect Game
2013 Perfect Game High School Baseball Preview Index

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

Growing Depth In The Midwest

It can be seen on the college level as much as the high school level that baseball in this part of the country is becoming more prominent. Now, that isn’t to say baseball hasn’t been a popular sport in the region - of course it has - but this year in particular we are seeing more premium level prospects emerge that could be impact players coming out of the June draft. And, the 2014 draft class doesn’t look to be any further behind this year’s group.

Given the climate, it will always be difficult for teams in this part of the country to generate the perennial powerhouse programs of the south, but at least on an individual level, the Midwest has a large number of talented players to be proud of this spring. And, in spite of the odds, states like Indiana and Kentucky are home to some of the elite players in the country. Trey Ball and Clinton Hollon are elite draft talents that are near the top of every scout’s list on a national level.

For the most part, however, the talent is pretty well dispersed across the region. We aren’t likely to see many scouting destination type matchups. What professional scouts will be given, however, is a vast array of high quality arms in just about every state in the Midwest. There are projectable left-handers, flame throwing right-handers, as well as underclassmen that figure to be among the elite in the next year or two.

Take Cameron Varga and Austin Havekost as examples. Varga is a 2014 right-hander who touched 94 mph at last year’s Perfect Game Junior National Showcase. Havekost is a 6-foot-3 right-hander who pitched at 88-93 mph at WWBA Underclass last fall. Both pitchers go to high school in Ohio. Given the presence of elite 2014 bat, Zach Shannon as well, Ohio is shaping up to be somewhat of a hot bed in the near future for elite talent. And, here in the 2013 class, they have two players listed among Perfect Game’s Top 200 High School prospects - left-hander Zach Farmer, and righty, Cory Wilder.

The states of Illinois and Indiana can also boast similar depth. And, that’s the theme we’re looking at in the Midwest this year. We’re seeing a continued emergence of talent, particularly on the pitching side. We may not be seeing the marquee matchups between powerhouse programs, but the level of talent spread around the region is very evident.


Midwest High School Dream Team

Based on present tools and position played for high school team

C - Chuckie Robinson, Sr., Danville (Ill.)
Robinson brings a number of different skills to the table. He has a strong, durable frame that seems to profile well behind the plate, and he also shows outstanding present power. He’s a player that has “now” offensive ability, but has the bat speed and approach at the plate to also continue to get better.

1B - Chad Spanberger, Jr., Granite City (Ill.)
First base is not Spanberger’s primary position right now, but is an option for him down the road. More importantly, he’s a deserving player for this team so this gives him that spot. Spanberger continues to show improvement at the plate and his 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame produces outstanding present power.

MIF - Connor Heady, Sr., North Oldham (Ky.)
Heady is not just one of the most well rounded players in the region, but also in the whole nation. He hits, shows power, is an outstanding middle infielder defender and has above average speed. And, given his young frame he’s also a player professional scouts can dream on. He’s primed for a huge spring in his senior year.

MIF - Josh VanMeter, Sr., Norwell (Ind.)
VanMeter had a big summer in 2012 in terms of impressing scouts with his left-handed bat. He’s a consistent hitter with a short, quick stroke and some power potential. He’s an Illinois State commit, but has the type of offensive skills and athleticism to attract a great deal of professional attention this spring.

3B - Bryce Only, Sr., Huntley (Ill.)
The 6-foot-1, 205 pound third baseman is a Nebraska commit with a high upside right-handed hitter. He showed good power potential over last summer and intriguing bat speed. He’ll be a sleeper to watch closely in terms of draft attention this spring, and he should also be primed for a big spring in terms of performance.

OF - Zach Shannon, Jr., Moeller (Ohio)
OF - Corey Ray, Sr., Simeon Career Academy (Ill.)
OF - Trey Ball, Sr., New Castle (Ind.)
This was a difficult part of the Dream Team to put together. Trey Ball’s two-way ability gives him a home in the outfield, but he clearly could have been one of the first two pitchers named to the team as well. But, he does have very intriguing offensive upside and has the arm strength to land himself an outfield spot. Corey Ray and Zach Shannon were slightly simpler decision. Shannon is shaping up to be one of the elite players in the 2014 draft class on the strength of his impressive right-handed power and hit tool. He also shows solid athleticism and some ability in the outfield. And, Ray’s outstanding athleticism, range, and speed make him the best pure defensive player included on this team. Andrew Benintendi out of Madeira High School in Ohio was also under consideration, as was Jordan Getzelman from Prairie Ridge High School in Illinois.

UT - Jarrett Montgomery, So., Lawrence Central (Ind.)
It’s very difficult to make a squad like this as a sophomore, but Montgomery shows that type of future potential, and more importantly, present ability. While his future is likely on the mound, Montgomery is also a very good athlete, running a 6.85 60 yard dash at last year’s National Underclass Showcase. He’s already working at 87-91 mph with his fastball, flashing some ability to spin a curveball and mix in a changeup.

P - Clinton Hollon, Sr., Woodford County (Ky.)
P - Andy Honiotes, Sr., Geneva Community (Ill.)
P - Hunter Green, Sr., Warren East (Ky.)
P - Zach Farmer, Sr., Piketon (Ohio)
P - Cameron Varga, Jr., Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (Ohio)
Pitching is the strength of the Midwest in 2013, and as a result there were a number of elite arms that had to be left of the list. 2015 standout Austin Havekost and his 93 mph makes a strong case to be included already, but we should probably get use to seeing him over the course of the next two years. And, Zach Burdi of Downers Grove South in Illinois would be also be among the next pitchers listed if we went beyond five pitchers deep on this team. He’s the brother of Nick Burdi, one of the hardest throwers in the country at the college level. Corey Wilder and left-hander Daniel Ayers also jockeyed for spots on this team. There is now very legitimate depth in this pitching department in this part of the country.

Clinton Hollon and Trey Ball are the two draft eligible stars of the region. And, clearly ball is an elite pitching prospect, but is an outfielder on this team simply to accommodate other deserving players. Hollon seems to have proven he’s fully healthy for the spring, touching 94 mph this winter. Andy Honiotes is of the region’s more well rounded pitchers, touching 92 mph with his fastball and mixing two variations of a very good breaking ball. His projectable 6-foot-3 frame is also very intriguing to scouts. Green and Farmer represent the Midwest’s two best southpaws, and both are highly projectable and touch the low 90s with their fastballs. As for Cameron Varga, he is well set to be an elite 2014 draft prospect, considering his 94 mph fastball. If the UNC commit can show consistency this spring, that status will only be further solidified.


Midwest Region Best Tools

This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.
Sign in Subscribe Now
Give us your feedback
High School | General | 6/10/2026

Ohio Valley High School Notebook
Jordan Gates
Article Image
‘26 RHP Jack Ryan (@StXBall) w/ an absolute masterclass in the region semis. CG/Shutout, 4 BB & 9 Ks & a No Hitter ‼️ FB worked 89-92, flashed a 93 1x. Velo held in the later innings 88-90. SL was plus @ 81-82 (2400+)/tight, while CH flipped in the low 80s, bottom of the zone.… pic.twitter.com/pdYaEqHmx5 — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) June 3, 2026 Jack Ryan, 2026, RHP, St. Xavier (OH) JR is finishing his senior campaign off in high fashion. Ryan threw a no-hitter in the Region Semifinals and now the bombers find themselves in the D1 State Final Four. The Boston College commit has taken home numerous awards this season, including conference & city player of the year in Cincinnati, OH. One last award left and that is to will the bombers to a state championship. Ryan has impressed all year and with one week to go, he is leaving it all on the field...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

14u/15u Midwest World Series Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Aiden Weishaar (2029, Geneso, Ill.) physical power bat put together one of the most productive offensive performances of the event, showing big impact off the barrel with advanced strength and leverage through the swing. Collected six hits including two doubles and two home runs while driving in 13 runs, consistently doing damage in run-producing situations. Creates loud contact with present pull-side juice and projects for significant power as the frame and strength continue to mature. Middle of the order offensive profile with the ability to change the game with one swing. Also stood out on the mound with a dominant 7 inning performance, punching out 11 hitters while working efficiently throughout the outing. Fastball ran up to 86 mph with good life through the zone and showed the ability to consistently attack hitters and miss bats. Highly intriguing two-way prospect whose combination...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

14u WWBA Returns to Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
One of the most anticipated events on the summer travel baseball calendar returns this week as the 2026 Perfect Game 14U WWBA National Championship gets underway in Hoover and the surrounding Birmingham area. Now in its 19th year, the tournament has established itself as the premier event for 14U players across the country, annually attracting some of the top young talent in amateur baseball. This year’s championship will feature 129 teams competing for a national title, continuing a tradition that has seen organizations such as East Cobb Astros, Team Elite, USA Prime, SBA Bolts National, and defending champion ZT National Prospects take home the trophy. As always, the field is loaded with elite prospects, many of whom are already becoming familiar names within the Perfect Game community. Starting off strong with Christopher Cabrera, the No. 1 overall player and No. 1 third baseman...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

UBC West Scout Notes: Days 5-7

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
UBC West Scout Notes: Days 1-2 | Days 3-4 Impressive performance on both sides from Cole Migaki, working 5 and striking out 3 w/o allowing a walk for the ND. FB 81-83 T85, BB 73-74 #UBCWest https://t.co/nSIx0UVQY7 pic.twitter.com/t2zXIpPLCO — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 16, 2026 Cole Migaki (2029, Vancouver, Wash.) Migaki is a high-end prospect, putting that on display with one of the more consistent performances at the 15u UBC West.  He totaled five hits, drove in four and walked six times to only two strike outs to help lead the Baum Bats to the title.  He has a projectable frame 6-foot-1, 170-pounds with strength throughout.  The right-hander made an appearance on the mound, throwing five-innings and striking out three without allowing a walk.  The fastball was up to 86 with run and coupled it with a sharp breaking ball in the...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

Road to the 2026 17U BCS Title

Emily Hicks
Article Image
This weekend, 11 teams will take the field for the 2026 17U BCS Challenge, a three-day event that brings together programs from across the country for a full slate of pool play and bracket action. With games beginning Friday and a champion crowned Sunday, the format leaves little room for slow starts, making every inning important from the opening pitch. The field features a mix of established programs and rising teams. With so many evenly matched rosters, there’s not much separation heading into the weekend, which puts importance on pitching depth, defensive consistency, and timely hitting. Pool play will quickly determine seeding, and even one loss can shift a team’s path heading into bracket play. One of the teams expected to be in the mix is Hawaii Elite 2G 17U National, a group that is 6-3 overall and ranked as “Honorable Mention” on the Perfect Games...
Read More
Draft | Rankings | 6/19/2026

PG Draft: Top 500 Update

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Rk. Name Lvl Pos. B-T School Hometown State Commitment 1 Roch Cholowsky C SS R-R UCLA Chandler AZ 2 Grady Emerson H SS L-R Fort Worth Christian Argyle TX Texas 3 Vahn Lackey C C R-R Georgia Tech Suwanee GA 4 Jackson Flora C RHP R-R UC Santa Barbara Pleasanton CA 5 Jacob Lombard H SS R-R Gulliver Schools Miami FL Miami 6 Eric Booth Jr. H OF L-L Oak Grove Bassfield MS Vanderbilt 7 Drew Burress C OF R-R Georgia Tech Perry GA 8 Ryder Helfrick C C R-R Arkansas Discovery Bay CA 9 AJ Gracia C OF L-L Virginia Monroe NJ 10 Chris Hacopian C SS R-R Texas A&M Potomac MD 11 Gio Rojas H LHP L-R Marjory Stoneman Douglas Coral Springs FL Miami 12 Tyler Bell* C SS S-R Kentucky Frankfort IL 13 Cameron Flukey C RHP R-R Coastal Carolina Egg Harbor Township NJ 14 Ace Reese C 3B L-R Mississippi State Canton TX 15 Justin Lebron C SS R-R Alabama Miramar FL 16 Derek Curiel* C OF L-R LSU West Covina CA 17...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/18/2026

PG Softball Stars Over Florida Showcase 14U Division

Erica Beach
Article Image
PG Stars Over Florida Showcase Clearwater, FL June 13-14, 2026   CLEARWATER, FLORIDA- Perfect Game Softball made its official debut in the state of Florida this past weekend at Eddie C. Moore sports complex. The weather was perfect, and the atmosphere was right for some great softball. We had many college coaches of all levels attend and our National Scouting Director was on hand to evaluate and highlight the athletes. We are excited for future events and the ability to promote and highlight the great athletes in the southeast! Below we highlight the 14U division where we had teams representing three states.     14U Division   Zoey Salas (2030, RHP/1B Windsor, CO) of the Colorado Angels 14U Breed was a standout player all weekend. She was a strong two-way player who proved to be a consistent force on both sides of the ball. Offensively, this left-handed hitter starts...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/18/2026

PG Aggieland Showcase

Article Image
PG Aggieland Showcase College Station, Texas June 13-14, 2026 Scouts: Brynn Baca & Karlie Milburn COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS- Perfect Game Softball was excited to return to College Station for the second annual Aggieland Showcase last weekend.. Some great competition was seen over the three age groups. We had two scouts on site to evaluate and highlight some of the athletes who caught their eyes. Thank you to all teams and players who competed so hard! Below we highlight those athletes who impressed our scouts. 18U Division Elizabeth Posada- Elizabeth Posada is a 2028 two-way player from Houston, Texas, competing for Aztecs Premier who brings an intriguing combination of offensive upside and athletic versatility. At the plate, Posada recently went 4-for-8 on the weekend, continuing to show consistency and offensive awareness. She sets up with a slightly open, wide stance and does a...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/18/2026

Big Talent on Display at City of Palms

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
The fifth annual PG City of Palms Championship is set to take place in Fort Myers, Florida, from June 19-22, featuring teams from the 15U-18U age divisions. The four-day event will showcase some of the top talent in the state, including several nationally ranked prospects who have already made their presence felt this summer season. Before tournament play begins, here’s a look at some of the highest-ranked players expected to compete this weekend. Leading the group is catcher Nico Ayars in the 16U division. Ayars enters the weekend as the No. 135 player nationally, the No. 3 catcher in Florida and the No. 20 catcher in the country. Through 22 games this summer with Turn 2 Garcia, the right-handed hitter owns a .887 OPS while batting .306 with a .438 OBP and a .449 SLG. Ayars has collected 15 hits while driving in 12 runs and scoring 13 times. Ayars’ teammate, right-handed...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/17/2026

Perfect Game Softball Route 66 Summer Showcase

Dave Durbala
Article Image
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Perfect Game Softball Route 66 Summer Showcase, June 13-14, 2026. Twenty-Seven teams, representing the 14u and High School Divisions, arrived at the newly opened all turfed Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, for the opportunity to showcase their talent in a five game guarantee format. As with anytime we bring a group of players together for competition, there will be those players that rise to the challenge and turn in performances that earn them a place on our Top Performers list.  Below are some of the players, from both divisions, that were recognized as top performers. 14U Division Kinley Abrams (2030 Bloomington, IL) is a RHH for Texas Glory IL-2030 (Wyatt). Setting up in a slightly wide parallel stance, into her back leg, Abrams gains separation with a  push back to transfer weight, and then utilizes a small stride to launch her swing. Abrams works a...
Read More
Juco | Story | 6/18/2026

PG JUCO Awards & Final Top 25

Blaine Peterson
Article Image
Pitcher of the Year: Nathan Leffel - RHP - Fresno City College 2026 Stat Line: 89.1 IP | 12-1 | 1.91 ERA | .83 WHIP | 118 K An outstanding individual pitching season in California JUCO baseball this spring. A model of consistency on the mound making starts in January through May for Fresno City. Worked over 89 innings on the mound and made 14 starts where he threw at least 5 innings. Ranked in the top 5 of California JUCO in wins, ERA and strikeouts. And one of the only pitchers in all of JUCO to reach the benchmarks of 10+ wins (12), a sub 2.00 ERA (1.91 ERA) and 100 strikeouts (118 K). A consistent and dominant presence on the mound for a team that went 40-5 this past spring. Congratulations to Nathan Leffel, 2026 Perfect Game JUCO Pitcher of the Year. Ryan Bradford | FR | OF@JCCCBaseball Everything I have from this spring starting with HR’s 31 & 32 today. This is...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.