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Draft  | State Preview | 5/21/2014

State Snapshots: Great Lakes

Patrick Ebert
Photo: Evansville

2014 Perfect Game draft preview content

New England – CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Mid-Atlantic – DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV
South Atlantic – FL, GA, NC, SC
Southeast – AL, KY, MS, TN
South Central – AR, LA, OK, TX
Great Lakes – IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Great Plains – IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD
Mountain – AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY
Pacific – AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
Canada and Puerto Rico


Illinois

Illinois State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Depth of power arms, prep catchers
WEAKNESS: Impact bats
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 4

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Illinois State
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Wabash Valley
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: St. Rita HS, Chicago

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Jeremy Rhoades, rhp, Illinois State University
WILD CARD: Jake Godfrey, rhp, Providence Catholic HS, New Lenox

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Illinois Connection: Nick Burdi, rhp, University of Louisville (attended high school in Downers Grove)
Top 2015 Prospect: Nick Dalesandro, c, Joliet Catholic Academy, Plainfield
Top 2016 Prospect: Anthony Holubecki, rhp, Kaneland HS, Elburn

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Danny Goodwin, c, Central HS, Peoria (1971, White Sox/1st round, 1st pick)
2009 Draft: Tyler Kehrer, lhp, Eastern Illinois U. (Angels/1st round, 48th pick)
2010 Draft: Mike Foltyniewicz, rhp, Minooka Community HS (Astros/1st round/19th pick)
2011 Draft: Charlie Tilson, of, New Trier HS, Winnetka (Cardinals/2nd round)
2012 Draft: Chris Serritella, 1b, U. Southern Illinois University (Phillies/4th round)
2013 Draft: Daniel Lietz, lhp, Heartland CC (Blue Jays/5th round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 16/15
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 5/5
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 8/2

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Jeremy Rhoades, rhp, Illinois State University (93)
• Evan Skoug, c, Libertyville HS (105)
• Sam Coonrod, rhp, Southern Illinois University (119)
• Jake Godfrey, rhp, Providence Catholic HS, New Lenox (124)
• Simeon Lucas, c, Grant Community HS, Fox Lake (167)
• Tyler Willman, rhp, Western Illinois University (233)
• Darius Day, of, Simeon Academy, Chicago (244)
• Mitch Trees, c, Sacred Heart Griffin HS, Springfield (301)
• Max Murphy, of, Bradley University (327)
• Jake Latz, lhp, Lemont HS (363)
• Brad Bass, rhp, Lincoln-Way Central HS, New Lenox (408)
• Tanner Houck, Collinsville HS (458)
• Mike Papierski, c, Lemont HS (485)


Indiana

Indiana State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Impact college talent, high school arms
WEAKNESS: High school position players
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 4

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Indiana
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Vincennes
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Indianapolis Cathedral

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Kyle Freeland, lhp, University of Evansville
WILD CARD: Pat Connaughton, rhp, University of Notre Dame

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Indiana Connection: Dillon Peters, lhp, University of Texas (attended high school in Fishers)
Top 2015 Prospect: Bryan Hoeing, rhp, Batesville HS
Top 2016 Prospect: T.J. Collett, c, North Vigo HS, Terre Haute

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Andy Benes, rhp, University of Evansville (1988, Padres/1st round, 1st pick); Bryan Bullington, rhp, Ball State University (2002, Pirates/1st round, 1st pick)
2009 Draft: A.J. Pollock, of, University of Notre Dame (Diamondbacks/1st round, 17th pick)
2010 Draft: Kolbrin Vitek, 2b/rhp, Ball State University (Red Sox/1st round/20th pick)
2011 Draft: Alex Dickerson, 1b/of, University of Indiana (Pirates/3rd round)
2012 Draft: Kevin Plawecki, c, Purdue University (Mets/1st round, 35th pick)
2013 Draft: Trey Ball, lhp, New Castle HS (Red Sox/1st round, 7th pick)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 11/9
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 6/3

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Kyle Freeland, lhp, University of Evansville (10)
• Kyle Schwarber, c/1b, University of Indiana (17)
• Sam Travis, of/1b, University of Indiana (66)
• Pat Connaughton, rhp, University of Notre Dame (113)
• Dustin DeMuth, 3b, University of Indiana (179)
• Brandon Murray, rhp, Hobart HS (260)
• Jonah Patten, rhp, Norwell HS, Ossian (310)
• Logan Sowers, of, McCutcheon HS, Lafayette (406)
• Jordan Minch, lhp, Purdue University (450)
• Sean Godfrey, of, Ball State University (454)


Michigan

Michigan State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Pitching depth at all levels
WEAKNESS: Impact talent
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Michigan State
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Kellogg
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Brother Rice HS, Bloomfield Hills

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Matt Ruppenthal, rhp, Brother Rice HS, Bloomfield Hills
WILD CARD: Keegan Baar, lhp, Hudsonville HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Michigan Connection: Zach Fish, of, Oklahoma State University (attended high school in Kalamazoo)
Top 2015 Prospect: Evan Hill, lhp, University of Michigan
Top 2016 Prospect: Dion Henderson, lhp, Divine Child HS, Dearborn

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Mark Mulder, lhp, Michigan State University (1998, Athletics/1st round, 2nd pick)
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)
2013 Draft: Michael O'Neill, of, University of Michigan (Yankees/3rd round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 5/4
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/2
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 5/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Jordan Foley, rhp, Central Michigan University (108)
• Matt Ruppenthal, rhp, Brother Rice HS, Bloomfield Hills (258)
• Keegan Baar, lhp, Hudsonville HS (292)
• Mick Van Vossen, rhp, Michigan State University (316)
• Jimmy Pickens, of, Michigan State University (341)
• James Bourque, rhp, University of Michigan (482)


Minnesota

Minnesota State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Sam Hentges
WEAKNESS: Impact talent
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 1

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Minnesota State-Mankata
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Century
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Lakeville North

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Sam Hentges, lhp, Mounds View HS, Shoreview
WILD CARD: Sam Hentges

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Minnesota Connection: Max Murphy, of, Bradley University (attended high school in Robbinsdale)
Top 2015 Prospect: Ty Buck, 3b/rhp, Red Wing HS
Top 2016 Prospect: Toby Anderson, rhp, University of Minnesota

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Joe Mauer, c, Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul (2001, Twins/1st round, 1st pick)
2009 Draft: Derek McCallum, 2b, University of Minnesota (Twins/4th round)
2010 Draft: Mike Kvasnicka, c/3b, University of Minnesota (Astros/1st round, 33rd pick)
2011 Draft: Jordan Smith, of, St. Cloud State University (Indians/9th round)
2012 Draft: Mitchell Brown, rhp, Century HS (Indians/2nd round)
2013 Draft: Tom Windle, lhp, University of Minnesota (Dodgers/2nd round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 4/3
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 1/1
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 5/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Sam Hentges, lhp, Mounds View HS, Shoreview (321)


Ohio

Ohio State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Impact high school talent, college depth
WEAKNESS: Impact college players
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Ohio State
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Sinclair
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Moeller HS, Cincinnati

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Cameron Varga, rhp, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Loveland
WILD CARD: Zack Shannon, rhp/of, Anderson HS, Cincinnati

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Ohio Connection: Kyle Schwarber, c/1b, University of Indiana (attended high school in Middletown)
Top 2015 Prospect: Ian Happ, of/2b, University of Cincinnati
Top 2016 Prospect: Chris Machamer, ss/rhp, Washington HS, Massilon

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Tim Belcher, rhp, Mount Vernon Nazarene College (1983, Twins/1st round, 1st pick); Ken Griffey Jr., of, Moeller HS, Cincinnati (1987, Mariners/1st round, 1st pick)
2009 Draft: Marc Krauss, of, Ohio University (Diamondbacks/2nd round)
2010 Draft: Alex Wimmers, lhp, Ohio State University (Twins/1st round, 21st pick)
2011 Draft: Andrew Chafin, lhp, Kent State University (Diamondbacks/1st round, 43rd pick)
2012 Draft: Matt Smoral, lhp, Solon HS (Blue Jays/1st round, 50th pick)
2013 Draft: David Ledbetter, rhp, Cedarville University (Rangers/3rd round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 13/12
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/1
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 3/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Cameron Varga, rhp, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Loveland (57)
• Zack Shannon, rhp/1b, Anderson HS, Cincinnati (205)
• Brian Clark, lhp, Kent State University (284)
• Connor Walsh, rhp, University of Cincinnati (291)
• Jayce Vancena, rhp, Lake HS, Milbury (344)
• Jack Schaaf, of, Springboro HS (423)


Wisconsin

Wisconsin State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Early round talent
WEAKNESS: Depth
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Wisconsin-Whitewater
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Madison College
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Sun Prairie

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Jeren Kendall, of, Holmen HS
WILD CARD: Jeren Kendall

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Wisconsin Connection: Tyler Willman, rhp, Western Illinois University (attended high school in Oshkosh)
Top 2015 Prospect: Bryant Jordan, rhp, home-schooled, Hubertus
Top 2016 Prospect: Gavin Lux, ss, Indian Trial Academy, Kenosha

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Kevin Brandt, of, Nekoosa HS (1979, Twins/1st round, 11th pick)
2009 Draft: Kevin James, lhp, Whitefish Bay HS, Milwaukee (Rays/9th round)
2010 Draft: Tyler Jones, rhp, Madison College (White Sox/21st round)
2011 Draft: Cody Koback, of, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Red Sox/10th round)
2012 Draft: Nathan Mikolas, of, Kenosha Bradford HS (Yankees/3rd round)
2013 Draft: Josh Uhen, rhp, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Brewers/5th round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/2
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 1/1

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Jeren Kendall, of, Holmen HS (92)
• J.P. Feyereisen, rhp, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (412)

 
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