Show Me Top 50 Update - Spring

March 26th 2018

The fall and winter evaluation periods are over and we have a new Show Me Top 50 for the Spring Season. Rankings have been updated and players have improved their stock . Below we will look at some of the NEW entrants, HIGHEST RISERS and players that we have in our top 50 but barely missed the composite rankings.

NEW

 #16 RHP Brandon Sulzer – He could have been included in the highest risers section as well as Brandon jumped onto the scene this winter. At the Premier BB scout day Brandon sat 91-94 and shortly after committed to Kentucky. Brandon possesses a 6-2 frame that will allow him to fill out and eat innings at Kentucky. He will continue to climb in the rankings as PBR enters him into theirs. Should see him in the top 10 by the end of the spring and on many draft boards.

#37 LHP Noah Niznik – After barely missing last fall’s top 50, Noah climbs into the rankings this go around. Noah possesses great command and three pitches that he can throw for a strike. Noah also has a winning intangible that cannot be coached. He has won at Vianney/Naturals and has played with the states best players. With a 5-11 build that can add some weight we should see him push his FB into the upper 80s. He cracked the top 10 lefties group, which is one of the states deepest positions.

#45 RHP Will Gilmer – By hitting 92 mph, Will has jumped up a lot of the rankings. With a decent frame and an opportunity to grow at Jeff Co you should see him commit to a big time D1 school. He is one of 4 gamers to crack the top 50 and benefit from their developmental program.  Will wasn’t able to benefit from a large HS and made a lot of progress late in the process. We should see him climb when more people see his spring numbers.

#46 OF James Perry – With a 6-4 frame, strong arm and decent speed you can see why James jumped into the updated top 50.  James possesses one of our favorite total packages and will land at a D1 after his days at powerhouse Crowder. His main goal at Crowder will be to add weight and prepare his body for the rigors of a season. His tools will only increase as he fills out.

Highest Risers

 #21 C Tre Morris – He jumped 29 spots to make the largest increase of any player in the top 50. Before our initial rankings Tre was uncommitted and not ranked as highly around the state. After his commitment he jumped on both of those sites. In our initial scouting we fell in love with his bat and catchers build. At that point we wondered why he was uncommitted. Now we know he was just waiting for the right school in Mizzou. Tre possesses a violent swing and a strong build to handle the rigors at catcher. He also has good speed and is a strong ATH. We know he can handle plus velocity catching Robertson and Peyton Carson a top player in KS.

#15 RHP Braedyn Mclaughlin – He moved up 8 spots to enter the top 20. The Mizzou commit has a big arm and a frame that just needs to be reconfigured. He looks to be a power arm out of the pen in the first year at Mizzou. Little is know about Braedyn as he hasn’t participated in the showcase circuit or played in the higher-level tournaments. We do know that he is a higher-level arm and will run it into the low to mid 90s a few years down the road.

#24 C Andrew Keck – Moving up 11 spots from the fall allowed Keck to be the #3 catcher in the composite rankings. Keck has handled top arms in the state and on the showcase circuit. Keck has all the tools you look for in a catcher. He has a strong arm, good pop time, leadership qualities and a great frame. He will also add in some athleticism and use his legs. We have seen Keck hit for AVG and XBHs as his bat will continue to add pop as he matures. The same can be said for Keck as Niznik in that they have built a culture of winning and working hard.

#22 RHP Same Grace – Just as Sulzner has exploded on the scene, Grace has seen his stock soar over the winter. To start the spring he went out and threw 97 mph. He hit 93-94 over the winter and will be pushing for top 10 after the spring. If Grace can pound the strike zone he will climb up draft boards this spring. He has a 6-4 frame so you know he can handle that velocity and throw low to mid 90s on a regular. SIU-C got a steal in their 2018 class. Grace pitched on a staff of 4 D1 pitchers on the Tigers and has an elite level work ethic taking care of his body.  

#39 OF Jack Swiney – His composite ranking is hurt by his PBR rank in which he is outside of the top 100. This will surely change when an update happens. Jack was able to raise 5 spots even with that one ranking holding him down. Jack possesses a lefty swing that generates plus power and has a strong arm for RF. He is also 6-3 and can look to add 25 LBs over college. Jack is able to handle elite level velocity and produce anywhere in the lineup.

EBA Top 50: The players listed below made our top 50 but missed the comp. top 50.

Noah Cameron LHP – Cameron is hurt by not competing at the major showcases across the midwest. This is a product of him not playing in a showcase or tournament under their scouts. We have had the pleasure of seeing the Western Kentucky commit throw twice and he had two plus pitches and topped out at 87. He sat 81-84 in our first outing, which was more than enough with his CH to pitch a complete game. We have Noah in our top half of the rankings and he should get more credit than he has garnered.

Karsen Reid SS – A top 6 SS in the rankings wasn’t able to crack the comp. top 50. He is in our top 50 and has some interesting tools. The Arkansas St. commit has a strong arm in a smaller build and can make some hard plays look easy. Another premium ATH from the Prodigy could provide a good bat at either SS or 2B.

JT Mabry SS – The new Middle Tennessee commit is around the same spot on all three recruiting services. He will need to see where his body is at once he completes a full year at college to determine where he will play. He is capable of playing MIF, 3B and OF. JT is a solid defender and finds a way to get on base. He is also a switch hitter with a line drive swing from both sides. It will be interesting to see his power develop as he gains weight.

Dexter Swims SS – The Missouri Southern commit brings a quick bat and an athletic frame everyday to the ballpark. Dexter is able to turn around any velocity and provides position versatility. After a year in a college weight room you should see a lot more power added to his swing. We saw Dexter play a few times and we always came away with him reaching base and being a spark plug for his team.

Bennett Patton OF – Standing at 6-3, Bennett possesses an ideal OF skill set. He is a decent runner with a strong arm. He has a strong bat and looks to grow at UCM. His total package is deserving of a top 50 nod. He has a line drive approach that will end up producing more pull power as he develops. Has a mid to upper 80s arm on the mound as well.

Mason Majors C – The Richmond commit is one of four catchers we had in our top 50. He produces good pop times and has a strong arm from behind the plate. He also has a strong compact build. Able to make hard contact and handle the bat. Can become more athletic behind the plate with added work.

Derek Abeln OF – This JCCC was hurt by his standing with PBR/PG in his bid to make the composite top 50. He has one of the best sets of skills in the state.  His build is good where its at and he posseses above avg speed and arm strength. He also produces hard contact and a very high exit velocity. With two years at JCCC he will easily get a D1 scholarship. Abeln will fit the prototypical mold of a JCCC player.

Author: Denton McNamee