THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,487 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,487 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | State Preview | 5/21/2013

MLB Draft Preview: Michigan

Photo: Michigan
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Perfect Game will be providing a detailed overview of each state in the U.S., including the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. These overviews will list the state's strengths, weaknesses and the players with the best tools, as well as providing scouting reports on all Group 1 and 2 players as ranked in Perfect Game's state-by-state scouting lists.  Please visit this page for all of the links to Perfect Game's 2013 Draft Preview content.



Michigan State-by-State List

While not a huge annual contributor to the draft, the state of Michigan has done a nice job in recent years supplying a handful of players to the professional ranks.  High school players have become harder to pry away from college, as the University of Michigan in particular has done a very good and underrated job not only getting, but keeping the top players from the state on campus.  The most recent of which were freshmen Evan Hill and Travis Maezes, as Maezes; Hill has gone 7-3 with a 3.51 ERA while Maezes is third on the team in batting with a .316 average.

Michigan State also continue to improve largely thanks to in-state talent, finishing the regular season 33-17 heading into the Big Ten Conference tournament.  They too had freshmen with significant performances leading to their success, including right handed pitcher Justin Alleman securing seven saves as the Spartans' closer and Cam Gibson's .325/.387/.393 season.

While those players will prove to be significant factors in future drafts, Michigan outfielder Michael O'Neill is a solid third-round pick for this year's draft.  There is once again plenty of interesting talent among the prep ranks, although Michigan's aforementioned ability to get players on campus makes it unclear if these players will be drafted in a round relative to where there talents warrants.

 
STRENGTH:
 High school talent
WEAKNESS: College prospects
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
 Michigan
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Kellogg CC
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Macomb Dakota

BEST OUT-OF-STATE PROSPECT, Michigan Connection:
 Myles Smith, rhp, Lee (Tenn.) University (Divine Child High School)
Top 2014 Prospect: Matthew Ruppenthal, rhp, Brother Rice High School
Top 2015 Prospect: Evan Hill, lhp, University of Michigan

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

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

2008 Draft: Ethan Hollingsworth, rhp, Western Michigan University (Rockies/4th round)
2009 Draft: Daniel Fields, ss, University of Detroit Jesuit HS (Tigers/6th round)
2010 Draft: Ryan LaMarre, of, University of Michigan (Reds/2nd round)
2011 Draft: Trent Howard, lhp, Central Michigan University (Orioles/7th round)
2012 Draft: Torsten Boss, 3b/of, Michigan State (Orioles/8th round)

2012 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 12/11
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 4/0


TOP PROSPECTS - GROUPS 1 and 2

GROUP 1 (rounds 1-3)

1. MICHAEL O'NEILL, of, University of Michigan (Jr.)
Baseball loves bloodlines, which aids the cause of O'Neill who is the nephew of former big leaguer Paul. Michael O'Neill has a similar, well-rounded tool-set as his uncle, although is much more fleet of foot with his speed grading out at 55/60 on the scouting scale as evidenced by his 23 stolen bases this year in 27 attempts. At 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, O'Neill is a right handed hitter that doesn't get cheated at the plate. He can be somewhat of a free swinger (11-to-39 strikeout-to-walk ratio), and is susceptible to breaking balls low and away, but has the bat speed to catch up with any fastball and drive them hard to the gaps. He continues to be very productive at the plate with a knack for providing the big hit in key situations. He is hitting .361/.402/500 this year after hitting .262 on the Cape last summer on his way to being named the league's No. 23 prospect. Given his combination of tools and skills, along with his big league bloodlines, O'Neill is expected to be a solid third-round pick come June. Click here to read Frankie Piliere's Draft Focus report on O'Neill.

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

Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 6/26/2026

MLB Draft Reports: 1-99

Michael Albee
Article Image
2026 MLB Draft Reports: 100-299 | 200-299 | 300-399 | 400-500 1. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA R-R, 6-2/202, Chandler, AZ Previously Drafted: Never Drafted   Roch Cholowsky has consistently ranked at the top of the class throughout the cycle due to the safety and upside of the profile. Defensively, he is a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, consistent actions, and quality range. Not only should he stick at the position long term, he should excel there at the next level. Offensively, there is a strong mix of hit and power potential from the right side of the plate. The swing is a bit unorthodox with a shorter finish, but Cholowsky consistently finds the barrel and drives the ball with authority to all fields. He has strong bat to ball skills with impact. He has walked more than stuck out during his collegiate career, giving him a high on-base ability. The run tool is the...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/28/2026

"Why not us?" Canes MW Take 14u WWBA

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Every championship team has an identity. For Canes Midwest 14U National, it could be summed up in three simple words. "Why not us?" That became the team’s motto throughout the week, and by championship day, the players had turned those words into reality. Canes Midwest capped off a memorable tournament with a 8-4 victory over Canes National 14U, finishing an undefeated 11-0 run over six days while proving they belonged among the nation’s top teams. It was a championship built on timely hitting, dominant defense, relentless grit, and a belief that never wavered. For Coach Steiner, the title represented far more that simply winning another tournament. “It has been an unbelievable experience for us,” Steiner said. “Some people call us a mid-major, so I guess we are now solidified as being one of the top programs in the country.” That belief carried the...
Tournaments | Story | 6/28/2026

16u PG Elite Back in Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
One of the summer’s biggest events returns to Hoover this week as the nation’s top 16U teams prepare to compete in the 2026 Perfect Game National Elite Championship. Now entering its seventh year, the invite-only event continues to bring together many of the country’s best teams and players for one of the most competitive tournaments on the summer calendar. This tournament will host 104 teams from all across the country, all with the same goal of leaving Hoover as champions. The tournament has consistently showcased top competition, with past champions including East Cobb Astros 16U Texas Orange, Top Tier Roos American, 5 Star Performance National, Canes National, MLB Breakthrough Series, and defending champion Excel Blue Wave National. With loaded rosters set to take the fields this week, a new chapter of championship baseball is ready to unfold. Leading this...
Tournaments | Story | 6/28/2026

17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 #Aggies commit William McIntire (‘27, TX) struck out ten and allowed just a run over five innings of work. Operates from an athletic med RH frame w/ length + projection. Got the FB up to 88 w/ run/ride traits + late ASR. Mixed in a pair of BBs, including a sharp 10-4 SL (75-76)… pic.twitter.com/xrjyxFbu19 — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 27, 2026 Texas A&M recruit William McIntire (’27, Boyd, TX) was dominant over his five-inning outing, striking out ten while allowing just an earned run. McIntire operates from an athletic medium frame with length that points to projection. He starts over the face before working into a high compact leg lift, firing down the mound via a quick compact arm action and high three-quarters slot. The Aggies commit got a run/ride fastball up to 88 with feel for the...
Tournaments | Story | 6/27/2026

WWBA Ohio Valley Championship Notes

Jordan Gates
Article Image
‘28 SS Jimmy Sequin III (MI) checks in as one of the top players in the state & T500 nationally 📈 Hammers this 2B down the line. Good athleticism & twitch. Surefire UTM on defense @ SS. #OVWWBA @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/Qy21I2jJsU — Jordan Gates (@JGatesPG) June 17, 2026 Jimmey Sequin (2028, Midland, Mich.) Had the chance to see one of my favorite 2028’s in the Ohio Valley region and he did not disappoint. In five games, he hit .500 with six hits, including four doubles out of the leadoff spot. Sequin III is a quick twitch, hyper quick prospect that sees his time at shortstop. Although there is present arm strength, projects slightly over to the right side of the field. Despite the smaller frame, he absolutely packs a punch. Shows the ability to burn on the bases and has exceptional bat-to-ball skills. Compact stroke that creates length and shows solid...
Tournaments | Story | 6/27/2026

17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 4

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 ‘27 SS Leo Nockley (PA) shows off the bat speed here as he sends a rocket to the opposite field for a solo HR. Profile littered with tools, one of the top SS’s in the nation for ‘27. #Vols commit @PGMidAtlantic #WWBA pic.twitter.com/i9BfKo9W1S — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 26, 2026 Tennessee commit Leo Nockley (2027, Plains, Pa.) had just a flat-out ridiculous day at the plate for Northeast Pride 27 National in their double-header. He got the day started with a backside bomb in game-one that he knew he got right off the bat. Nockley would then follow it up with a two-homer performance in game-two, one to right-center and one to left-center. The ability to hit the baseball hard to all parts certainly stands out, he runs well and can pick it up the middle. There’s a ton of boxes here that get checked...
Tournaments | Story | 6/27/2026

Top Teams Set to Battle for Championship

Emily Hicks
Article Image
The stage is set for an exciting weekend of baseball as teams from across the region head to the 2026 PG 14U West World Series, looking to make a statement and compete for a championship title. Leading the field is Nomadic 14U Premier, which enters the tournament with a 28-7-3 record. Known for its strong pitching staff and consistent offense, Nomadic 14U Premier will look to carry its momentum into bracket play. Another team to watch is GBG Vegas 14u Red (Honorable Mention), currently holding a 27-15-2 record. With a balanced lineup and solid defensive play, they have proven capable of competing with some of the top teams in their age division. Rawlings Tigers Primo enters the weekend after a strong showing in recent events, coming in 4-0. The team's ability to generate runs and execute in key situations could make them a serious contender for the championship. Several other teams will...
Tournaments | Story | 6/26/2026

Fast and Furia at 14u WWBA

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Every successful team has talent, but the teams that make great summer ball runs often have something more. For Furia Prospects 2030, that difference has been a consistent commitment to playing for one another. The Texas-based team earned a 4-0 victory over East Cobb Astros 14U to secure their spot in the semifinals, combining dominant pitching with timely offense and another complete team performance. Christian Choe set the tone on the mound, allowing just two hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings before Blaine Jackson closed out the final four outs to preserve the shutout. At the plate, Brody Peterson paced the offense with a 2-for-3 performance and two RBI, while Mark De Leon and Jancarlos Nunez each drove in a run. Through these tournament games, Peterson has emerged as one of the team's most consistent hitters, batting .750 while continuing to deliver in key moments. Yet...
Tournaments | Story | 6/26/2026

15U BCS Championship Returns to Fort Myers

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
The 21st annual 15U BCS National Championship will bring together nearly 100 teams from across the country to compete for a national title in Fort Myers, Florida this weekend. From nationally ranked prospects to rising programs looking to make a statement, the five-day tournament will showcase the next wave of talent on the national stage. Running June 27-July 1, the event features a strong collection of nationally ranked prospects from coast to coast. As the summer schedule reaches its midpoint, the tournament offers players an opportunity to compete against elite competition while continuing to establish themselves among the nation’s top underclass talent. The field includes multiple top 100 nationally ranked players, headlined by No. 19-ranked RHP William Miller of Plantation, Florida. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound pitcher is among the highest-upside players in the field with his...
Tournaments | Story | 6/26/2026

17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 An extended look at ‘27 RHP Cole Cheatham… 5 IP, 9 K, 0 BB, 3 ER. #WWBA @PG_OhioValley #WVU commit https://t.co/6tfthTsRsW pic.twitter.com/RHfFa3rWps — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 26, 2026 West Virginia commit Cole Cheatham (2027, Liberty, Ind.) came out firing bullets early in the outing and would finish up going five strong innings, allowing three runs and striking out nine. The fastball comes out of the hand easy and got up to 97 mph, working in the mid-90s throughout. He pairs it with a firm changeup at 89-90 with some fading depth to the arm side and also has good feel for a mid-80s slider with quality shape and missed bats with it deep in counts. It’s a power arm here with immense upside and pounded the zone at a 64% clip. A lot of boxes Cheatham checks off as a high school arm and should be a name we hear a...
Loading more articles...