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Draft  | State Preview | 5/22/2014

State Snapshots: Great Plains

Patrick Ebert
Photo: Wichita State

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


Iowa

Iowa State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Two premium HS arms, depth in JC ranks
WEAKNESS: College talent, overall depth
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 4

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Iowa
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Iowa Western
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Des Moines East

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Mitch Keller, rhp, Xavier HS, Cedar Rapids
WILD CARD: Ryan Lillard, 2b/ss, Urbandale HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Iowa Connection: Jacob Peter, 2b/rhp, Creighton University (attended high school in Mason City)
Top 2015 Prospect: Blake Hickman, rhp, University of Iowa
Top 2016 Prospect: Spencer Van Scoyoc, lhp, Jefferson HS, Cedar Rapids

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Mike King, lhp, Morningside College (1980, Athletics/1st round, 4th pick)
2009 Draft: Steve Turnbull, rhp, University of Iowa (Blue Jays/17th round)
2010 Draft: Kellen Sweeney, 3b, Jefferson HS, Cedar Rapids (Blue Jays/2nd round)
2011 Draft: Brandon Platts, rhp, Mason City HS. (Pirates/13th round)
2012 Draft: Alec Rash, rhp, Adel-Desoto HS (Phillies/2nd round)
2013 Draft: Dakota Freese, rhp, Des Moines Area CC (Athletics/12th round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

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

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Keaton McKinney, rhp, Ankeny Centennial HS (82)
• Mitch Keller, rhp, Xavier HS, Cedar Rapids (90)
• Nick Green, rhp, Indian Hills JC (289)
• Joel Booker, of, Indian Hills JC (357)
• Dom Thompson-Williams, of, Iowa Western JC (377)
• Ryan Lillard, 2b/ss, Urbandale HS (418)
• Taylor Zeutenhorst, of/rhp, University of Iowa (487)


Kansas

Kansas State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Casey Gillaspie, Bryce Montes de Oca
WEAKNESS: Pitching depth
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Kansas
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Johnson County
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Blue Valley West

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Casey Gillaspie, 1b, Wichita State University
WILD CARD: Bryce Montes de Oca, rhp, Lawrence HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Kansas Connection: John Means, lhp, West Virginia University (attended high school in Gardner)
Top 2015 Prospect: Garrett Hutson, rhp, Augusta HS, El Dorado
Top 2016 Prospect: Riley Pint, rhp, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Lenexa

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Joe Carter, of, Wichita State University (1981, Cubs/1st round, 2nd pick); Darren Dreifort, rhp, Wichita State University (1993, Dodgers/1st round, 2nd pick)
2009 Draft: Garrett Gould, rhp, Maize HS (Dodgers/2nd round)
2010 Draft: Ryne Stanek, rhp, Blue Valley HS (Mariners/3rd round)
2011 Draft: Bubba Starling, of, Gardner-Edgerton HS (Royals/1st round, 5th pick)
2012 Draft: Collin Wiles, rhp, Blue Valley West HS (Rangers/1st round, 53rd pick)
2013 Draft: Jared King, of, Kansas State University (Mets, 5th round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 11/8
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 3/1
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 2/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Casey Gillaspie, 1b, Wichita State University (23)
• Bryce Montes de Oca, rhp, Lawrence HS (76)
• Connor McKay, of, University of Kansas (261)
• Wes Benjamin, lhp, University of Kansas (307)
• Chase Simpson, 3b, Wichita State University (382)
• Ross Kivett, 2b/of Kansas State University (455)
• Connor Goedert, 3b, Neosho County JC (497)


Missouri

Missouri State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Impact high school hitters, college arms
WEAKNESS: College depth
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Missouri
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Crowder
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Lee's Summit West

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Sam Hilliard, 1b/lhp, Crowder JC
WILD CARD: Shane Benes, ss, Westminster Christian Academy, Town and Country

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Missouri Connection: David Schmidt, rhp, Stanford (attended high school in St. Louis)
Top 2015 Prospect: Matt Vierling, ss/rhp, Christian Brothers HS, St. Louis
Top 2016 Prospect: Jacob Ring, of, University of Missouri

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Roy Branch, rhp, Beaumont HS, St. Louis (1971, Royals/1st round, 5th pick)
2009 Draft: Jacob Turner, rhp, Westminster Christian Academy, St. Louis (Tigers/1st round, 9th pick)
2010 Draft: Bret Nicholas, c, University of Missouri (Rangers/6th round)
2011 Draft: Johnny Eierman, of, Warsaw HS (Rays/3rd round)
2012 Draft: Pierce Johnson, rhp, Missouri State University (Cubs/1st round, 43rd pick)
2013 Draft: Rob Zastryzny, lhp, University of Missouri (Cubs/2nd round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 10/9
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/1
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 8/5

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Monte Harrison, of, Lee's Summit West HS (24)
• Brett Graves, rhp, University of Missouri (58)
• James Norwood, rhp, St Louis University (121)
• Shane Benes, ss, Westminster Christian HS, Town and Country (404)
• Alex Lange, rhp, Lee's Summit West HS (413)
• Sam Hilliard, lhp/1b, Crowder JC (415)
• Keaton Steele, rhp/1b, University of Missouri (428)


Nebraska

Nebraska State-by-State List

STRENGTH: Jakson Reetz
WEAKNESS: Impact college players
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 2

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Nebraska
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Southeast
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Norris HS, Hickman

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Jacob Peter, 2b/rhp, Creighton University

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Nebraska Connection: Casey Gillaspie, 1b, Wichita State University (attended high school in Omaha)
Top 2015 Prospect: Matt Waldron, ss, Westside HS, Omaha
Top 2016 Prospect: Ryan Boldt, of, University of Nebraska

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Darin Erstad, of, University of Nebraska (1995, Angels/1st round, 1st pick)
2009 Draft: Mike Nesseth, rhp, University of Nebraska (Angels/15th round)
2010 Draft: Michael Mariot, rhp, University of Nebraska (Royals/8th round)
2011 Draft: Corey Asche, 3b, University of Nebraska (Phillies, 4th round)
2012 Draft: Ty Blach, lhp, Creighton University (Giants/5th round)
2013 Draft: Sam Tewes, rhp, Waverly HS, Lincoln (Blue Jays/22nd round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/2
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: None
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 1/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

• Jakson Reetz, c, Norris HS, Hickman (46)
• Jacob Peter, ss/rhp, Creighton University (86)
• Austin Darby, of, University of Nebraska (437)


North Dakota

North Dakota State-by-State List

OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 2

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Jamestown
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Williston State
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Fargo North

Best Out-of-State Prospect, North Dakota Connection: Andy Young, ss, Neosho County (Kan.) JC (attended high school in Fargo)
Top 2014 Prospect: Andrew Thorne, rhp, University of North Dakota
Top 2015 Prospect: Daniel Lockhart, ss, University of North Dakota
Top 2016 Prospect: Zach Muckenhirn, lhp, University of North Dakota

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Zac Elgie, 1b, Minot HS (2008, Athletics/12th round)
2009 Draft: Ryan Bollinger, 1b, Magic City HS, Minot (Phillies/47th round)
2010 Draft: Andy Leer, ss, Mary University (Twins/25th round)
2011 Draft: Alex Kreis, rhp, Jamestown University (Nationals/35th round)
2012 Draft: Nick Anderson, rhp, Mayville State University (Brewers/35th round)
2013 Draft: John Straka, rhp, North Dakota State University (Rangers/32nd round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

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


South Dakota

South Dakota State-by-State List

OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 1

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Augustana
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Brandon Valley

Best Out-of-State Prospect, South Dakota Connection: Tanner Chleborad, rhp, Washington State University (attended high school in Rapid City)
Top 2014 Prospect: Scott Splett, of, South Dakota State University
Top 2015 Prospect: Michael Letkewicz, rhp, Augustana College
Top 2016 Prospect: Ethan Kenkel, rhp, South Dakota State University

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Wade Adamson, rhp, South Dakota State University (1978, Reds/4th round)
2009 Draft: Cale Thielbar, lhp, South Dakota State University (Brewers/18th round)
2010 Draft: Blake Treinen, rhp, South Dakota State University (Marlins/23rd round)
2011 Draft: Blake Treinen, rhp, South Dakota State University (A’s/7th round)
2012 Draft: Derek Hansen, rhp, Augustana College (A’s/23rd round)
2013 Draft: Layne Somsen, rhp, South Dakota State University (Reds/22nd round)

2013 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/2
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0

 
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Draft | Story | 12/10/2025

PG Draft: Post-Lottery Draft Targets
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15u Tourney All-American Team

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AJ Denny
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John McAdams
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Craig Cozart
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Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

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Troy Sutherland
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Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement  as she worked her rise and curve just out...
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