THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,572 MLB PLAYERS | 16,332 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,572 MLB PLAYERS | 16,332 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Summer Collegiate  | Story | 9/12/2013

MINK League prospect reports

Photo: Louisiana-Lafayette

Official League Website: 
www.minkleaguebaseball.com
2013 Summer Collegiate Top Prospect coverage
MINK Collegiate Baseball League Top Prospect list (free)


If performance in the draft is the ultimate measuring stick by which the viability of select summer-college leagues are to be judged, then the MINK League had a better year in 2013 than in 2012.

Rising University of Texas junior Lukas Schiraldi was the only MINK League player from 2012 taken in this year’s draft (No. 1 prospect, Arkansas LHP Michael Gunn, wasn’t eligible), while five players who performed in the league at various stages this summer were also selected this past June.

But it’s not quite that simple to say 2013 was a better year for the Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-based league as Schiraldi, then a relatively-obscure righthander from Navarro (Texas) JC who pitched for the Nevada Griffons, has since emerged as a legitimate big-league prospect—especially after leading the Cape Cod League in ERA this summer. Though Schiraldi wasn’t chosen until the 35
th round by the Washington Nationals, he would have gone considerably higher if he hadn’t made his intentions known in advance that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father Calvin, a former Texas All-American and big-leaguer, and pitch for the Longhorns. Schiraldi is expected to be drafted in 2014 more in line with where his talent warrants, possibly as early as the second or third rounds.

Meanwhile, none of the five current-year MINK League players drafted in June has anywhere near the professional upside of the fireballing Schiraldi, and four of the five played only briefly this summer before leaving to sign pro contracts. Two of the draftees—Chillicothe first baseman Brandon Dulin (Royals/12
th round) and St. Joseph third baseman Grant Fink (Indians/23rd round)—didn’t stick around long enough to garner consideration on the accompanying list of the MINK League’s top prospects. Dulin departed after just 16 at-bats, Fink after 13.

St. Joseph shortstop Michael Schulze, ranked No. 3, got only 41 at-bats before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals, while Ozark righthander Blake McKnight, ranked No. 14, made seven relief appearances prior to signing with the same club. Joplin outfielder Ryan Rippee, ranked No. 8 despite getting just 26 at-bats, was also drafted this year (Red Sox/31
st round), but elected not to sign.

The top two prospects in the league overall, Clarinda shortstop Blake Trahan and Chillicothe righhander Andrew Bramley both played as freshmen, and won’t otherwise be eligible for the draft until 2015.


FAST FACTS

Year League Established:
1995
States Represented in League: Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska
No. of Teams in League: 8
Regular-Season Champions (best record overall): Clarinda A’s (28-14, 36-17 overall)
Post-Season Champion: Clarinda A’s
Teams, Perfect Game Summer 50/Final Ranking: No. 29 Clarinda A’s
No. 1 Prospect, 2012 (per PG CrossChecker): Michael Gunn, lhp, Sedalia Bombers (Arkansas; played at Hyannis/Cape Cod this summer)
First 2012 Player Selected, 2013 Draft: Lukas Schiraldi, rhp, Nevada Griffons (Navarro, Texas, CC; Nationals/35th round; now attending University of Texas)

Player of the Year:
Michael Douglas, of, Nevada Griffons (Shippensburg, Pa.)
Most Outstanding Pitcher (tie): Jake Meloche, lhp, Clarinda A’s; Aaron Baker, rhp, St. Joseph Mustangs

BATTING LEADERS (League games only)

Batting Average:
Paul Trenhaile, 1b, Chillicothe Mudcats (.424)
Slugging Percentage: Kris Koerper, 1b, St. Joseph Mustangs (.584)
On-Base Average: Paul Trenhaile, 1b, Chillicothe Mudcats (.508)
Home Runs: Michael Douglas, of, Nevada Griffons (6)
RBIs: Bud Britt, inf, Clarinda A’s (29)
Stolen Bases: Dom Francia, of, Clarinda A’s (31)

PITCHING LEADERS (League games only)

Wins:
Jake Meloche, lhp, Clarinda A’s (6)
ERA: Aaron Baker, rhp, St. Joseph Mustangs (1.10)
Saves: Cody Ponder, lhp, Clarinda A’s (5)
Strikeouts: Robert Greco, rhp, Sedalia Bombers (62)

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete:
Blake Trahan, ss, Clarinda A’s
Best Hitter: Matt Schulze, ss, St. Joseph Mustangs
Best Power: Kris Koerper, 1b, St. Joseph Mustangs
Fastest Base Runner: Trevor Jones, of, Chillicothe Mudcats
Best Defensive Player: Blake Trahan, ss, Clarinda A’s
Best Velocity: Andrew Bramley, rhp, Chillicothe Mudcats
Best Breaking Ball: Robert Greco, rhp, Sedalia Bombers
Best Command: Robert Greco, rhp, Sedalia Bombers


TOP 15 PROSPECTS

1. BLAKE TRAHAN, ss, Clarinda A’s (Louisiana-Lafayette/SO in 2014)
Trahan provided a taste of things to come in the spring at Louisiana-Lafayette, when he hit .319-4-30 and was successful on all 13 stolen-base attempts as one of the nation’s top freshmen shortstops. But he ended up becoming even a more-complete player on the summer at Clarinda than anyone imagined, and was a key figure as the A’s posted the best record in the MINK League and won both their playoff games. Not only did Trahan bat in the 3-hole all season for Clarinda, while hitting .315-2-31 and stealing 17 bases in 20 attempts overall, but he was a stalwart defensively with excellent hands and range, and displayed plenty of arm strength and quickness to allay any concerns he may not be able to handle shortstop in the long run. Trahan may not be a defender quite of the order of Ozzie Smith, who played shortstop spectacularly for the A’s back in the 1970s before undertaking a Hall of Fame career, but there was general agreement around the league that he was the elite player in all phases at his position. Scouts had differing opinions, though, whether the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Trahan (also listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds in some quarters, but maybe even closer to 6-feet and 200 pounds, according to others), may ever become big and physical enough for his raw power to evolve, but he often surprised teams during the summer with his ability to drive balls to all fields, and most scouts believe he has the raw strength and quickness in his hands for his power to develop in time. His speed on the bases and plate discipline (30 walks/27 strikeouts) are also areas of strengths. Perhaps more than his physical tools, the one area of Trahan’s game that impressed observers the most was his scrappy, all-out demeanor and willingness to play hard on every play, along with his savvy approach and ability to adjust on the fly to any game situation—all the qualities and intangibles that will convince scouts he’ll maximize every ounce of his ability.

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

Summer Collegiate | Story | 9/26/2023

Cape Cod: Best of the Rest

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Cape Cod Top 100 Prospect List | Cape Cod Top 2025 Prospects * indicates draft eligible sophomore ^ indicates incoming transfer Name Pos. Team School Hometown State Andrew Sundean C Hyannis UCF Lakeland FL Bradke Lohry^ IF Hyannis Tennessee Trinity FL Cam Schuelke^ RHP Hyannis Mississippi State Dorr MI Carter Lovasz RHP Hyannis William & Mary Midlothian VA Colby Shelton*^ IF Falmouth Florida Lithia FL Colin Tuft^ OF Orleans Tulane Vienna VA Daniel Corona^ IF Cotuit Missouri Brooklyn NY Derek Clark^ LHP Orleans West Virginia Petersburg MI Duce Gourson IF Falmouth UCLA San Diego CA Eddie Micheletti OF Orleans George Washington Wilmington DE Enzo Apodada^ OF YD Baylor Scottsdale CA Evan Truitt RHP Orleans Charleston Southern Berlin MD Finnegan Wall RHP YD UC Irvine Hesperia CA Garrett Coe RHP Falmouth Uconn Lakeside CT Ian Petrutz OF Bourne Maryland Mantua NJ Jakob Christian^ 1B YD...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

BCS Midwest Championship Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
’29 INF Aarion Gould (IL) drives this ball deep to CF for a triple. Simple setup w/ a controlled load. Keeps the barrel in the zone w/ good extension through contact. Big day at the plate going 2-for-3 with 4 RBI. #BCSMW @WhitesoxAce pic.twitter.com/QL9jPCTAv8 — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 12, 2026 Aarion Gould (2029, Chicago, Ill.) earned Tournament MVP honors after helping lead Chicago White Sox ACE 2029 to the BCS Midwest Championship. The right-handed infielder displayed a direct swing path with quality barrel accuracy, using the middle of the field approach. Present strength was evident, producing two doubles, one triple, while hitting .444 (8-for-18) with seven RBI, three stolen bases and a 1.277 OPS. Gould also contributed on the mound, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out six.   ’29 RHP Xavier Alvarez (IL)...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

WWBA Midwest Regional Champ. Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
’28 OF Caleb Wilson (IN) drives this fastball into the RCF gap for a double. Quick hands and bat-to-ball skills on display. Good game at the plate. Finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. #WWBAMW @TopTierBaseball @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/IC5dmPojcz — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 13, 2026 Caleb Wilson (2028, Crown Point, Ind.) helped lead Top Tier Americans 2028 to the 16U WWBA Regional Championship and delivered one of the tournament's top offensive performances. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed outfielder displayed good plate discipline, a quick bat and barreled balls to all parts of the field. Plus speed also added another dimension to Wilson's game on the base paths, consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses. The Tournament MVP saw the ball extremely well, hitting .667 (14-for-21) with two triples, six RBI, four stolen bases and a 1.588 OPS. Brennen...
Tournaments | Story | 7/16/2026

Top Talent On Display at 17u BCS

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
The 21st annual 17U BCS National Championship brings together some of the nation’s top programs and elite 2027 prospects to Fort Myers, Florida, from July 17-21. With dozens of Division I commits and nationally ranked prospects set to compete, here are some of the players expected to make the biggest impact throughout the weekend. For Florida Burn 2027 Scout, which is currently ranked #5 nationally Florida Burn will be No. 107-ranked outfielder RJ Shields and No. 129-ranked third baseman Braedon Mackay. One of the premier two-way prospects in the tournament, Shields, brings one of the strongest arms in the field. The Venice, Florida native has run his fastball up to 95 mph while also showcasing a 98 mph throwing arm from the outfield, making him a weapon on both sides of the ball. On the mound this season, the Mississippi State commit has struck out 29 batters in 15.1 innings,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

WWBA Arrives in Arizona

Emily Hicks
Article Image
After another week of summer baseball, Perfect Game action returns to Surprise Stadium as teams prepare for another exciting week of competition at the WWBA Championship. From July 14-18, some of the top programs in travel baseball will take the field looking to compete for a championship and showcase their talent against high-level competition.  The tournament will feature both the 15U and 16U divisions, bringing together talented teams and rising prospects from across the West and beyond. With several days of pool play and championship bracket action, teams will have the opportunity to test themselves against strong opponents while competing on one of the biggest stages of the summer.  Surprise Stadium will provide the setting for a week filled with competitive matchups, standout performances, and prospects looking to make an impact. From dominant pitching performances to...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/15/2026

East Cobb Go Undefeated, Takes 14U BCS

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
East Cobb Goes Undefeated, Takes 14U BCS Twenty years after winning the inaugural 14U BCS National Championship in 2006, the East Cobb Astros once again stood atop the tournament, defeating the Original Florida Pokers 7-4 at JetBlue Park. A hot, sunny afternoon set the stage for a tightly contested match between the Original Florida Pokers 2030 and East Cobb Astros 14U Orange. Although the Pokers had a two-run lead with just three innings to go, East Cobb showed their team had no quit as they pulled away with a 7-4 victory. The teams battled through a highly contested tournament field of over sixty teams from across the country, with the Pokers coming in 8-1 and East Cobb entering 8-0 in tournament play. Cohen Carter started on the mound for East Cobb, allowing seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters over four innings. His fastball sat 71-75 mph. Silas Anstett opened the...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

Stars Marucci '27 Loaded and Poised

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Expectations naturally follow one of the nation’s top ranked teams. For Stars Marucci 2027, those expectations have only grown as the summer season has progressed.  Ranked No. 16 nationally and featuring a roster loaded with Division I commits and nationally ranked prospects, Stars Marucci 2027 entered the 2026 Perfect Game 17U National Elite Championship as one of the top teams to watch.  Through the opening two days of the tournament, they have shown why they are a team to watch, opening the week with back-to-back victories over SBA Tucci 2027 (6-1) and FC Twins Scout (5-2) to build early momentum heading into the later rounds.  The talent on the roster is undeniable.  Virginia Tech commits Chase Colangelo, Yogi Colangelo, and Teagan Leach, Maryland commit Jerome Fortier, and Youngstown State commit Sam Capuano headline a group filled with college bound...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

Mine Wood Bat World Series Notes

Jordan Gates
Article Image
‘28 OF/LHP Carson Tabler (OH) Rips one deep into the pull side gap for an inside-the-park HR. Athletic in the box w/ a projectable frame. Utilizes a toe tap on a fluid stroke w/ good bat speed. Good runner in stride + efficient around the bases. #MineWS @Carson_T7 @PFFlyers2028 pic.twitter.com/IVfICPg4qV — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) July 10, 2026 Carson Tabler (2028, Cincinnati, Ohio) Tabler was probably the most pleasant surprise when it comes to names from this weekend. A rather unknown for me and my staff going into the event, Tabler managed to cement himself by event’s end. It’s a true two-way projection at this stage, while he has the size in the 6-foot-3 long and loose frame, the strength will continue to add on to the 175-pound stature. While he only had two extra-base hits (triple, home run), the bat-to-ball skills were the calling card, and...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/14/2026

SBA Bolts National Raise Trophy at 16u

Will Dembo
Article Image
After an action-packed week at the 16u WWBA Championships, the tournament came down to two of the nation’s top teams battling for one of travel baseball’s most prestigious titles. No. 5 ranked SBA Bolts National faced No. 60 Alpha Prime 2028 after both teams reached the championship undefeated, but the SBA Bolts were the sole team to exit without a loss, defeating Alpha Prime 10-2 in mercy rule fashion and capture the national title behind dominant pitching and explosive offensive performances. The SBA Bolts were perfect throughout their week, running the table and going 11-0 while outscoring their opponents by an impressive margin of 108-25. “It was awesome,” SBA Head Coach Travis Thompson said on the mercy rule victory. “It just kind of culminated our week. It's been a long week. I can't even remember our first game, which felt like three weeks ago. The...
Tournaments | Story | 7/14/2026

Coastal Region Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Ridge Whitfield (2029, Charlotte, NC) stands at 6-foot, 158 pounds with an athletic build that should allow him to maintain his mobility and quick-twitch actions as he continues to develop. He bats and throws left-handed. Whitfield locates his fastball to both sides of the plate, mixes his pitches effectively, and keeps hitters off balance. He competes on every pitch and doesn’t back down in big situations. Whitfield threw 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, and no walks while striking out three on 75 pitches (58% strikes). He attacked the zone with a fastball that sat 73 mph and topped out at 78 mph, mixing in a 67 mph breaking ball and a 68-70 mph changeup to keep hitters off balance. Sam Jobe (2029, Charlotte, NC) stands at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, with a lean, athletic frame and plenty of projection. He bats and throws right-handed. Jobe shows good feel for the...
Tournaments | Story | 7/14/2026

14u & 17u West Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
14u & 17u WWBA West Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Adryan Zaragoza (‘30 | CA) turns on this one, sending it down RF line for a 2B. Finished 2-for-3 w/ 2RBI, 2R, BB. PS approach, bat speed, raw strength #WWBAWest @California_PG pic.twitter.com/V6Ctus4CX1 — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 13, 2026 Adryan Zaragoza (2030, Lake Elsinore, CA) The 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed hitter and infielder had a great weekend for ZT Select Prospects, finishing with five hits, eight runs scored, one double, one triple, six RBI, one stolen base, and two walks during the 14U WWBA West National Championships. Zaragoza consistently ignited the offense from the top of the lineup, with a disciplined approach and the ability to create scoring opportunities. He can drive the baseball into the gaps while producing in big situations, combining quality contact with aggressive baserunning....
Loading more articles...