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Summer Collegiate  | Story  | 10/23/2012

Great Lakes Lg. Prospect Reports

Allan Simpson     
Photo: Great Lakes League
Official League Website
Great Lake League top 30 prospects (list)
Perfect Game Summer Collegiate top prospect coverage

The Licking County Settlers turned turmoil and tragedy into triumph in 2012 by winning their first Great Lakes League title.

Within days of each other in late June, the Settlers lost team owner Louis Mitchell to a sudden and unexpected death, and coach Devin McIntosh, who resigned to assume a new college coaching position in Texas. Undeterred, the Settlers marched on behind Andy Revell, an assistant who stepped into McIntosh’s shoes, and won their last four games of the regular season to forge a three-way tie atop the GLL standings.

The third-seeded Settlers then went on to win six of eight games in the league’s post-season playoffs to win their initial championship since Mitchell established the team prior to the 2006 season.

The triumph was all the more unexpected as the Settlers hardly ranked as the most-talented team in the Great Lakes League with only one player represented among the top 20 in the accompanying list of the league’s top prospects. That player, outfielder Ryan Cordell, didn’t overly distinguish himself during the spring as a sophomore at Liberty and only the constant reassurance of the Flames coaching staff that Cordell was a legitimate prospect, capable of being a force in the GLL, kept him on track to even play for Licking County this summer.

Cordell wasn’t overly impressive in the first half of the Great Lakes season as he struggled adapting to wood bats and wasn’t even selected to play in the league’s mid-season all-star game. But he was invited to participate in the league showcase event that coincided with the all-star contest and left a very favorable impression on scouts with his depth of raw tools, notably his raw speed and power. From that point on, Cordell was a different play for Licking County. He put the Settlers on his back and lifted the team to a strong second-half showing that resulted in an unlikely league title.

As impressive as Cordell was, he wasn’t judged the league’s best prospect. That distinction went to another outfielder, Stark County’s Max Murphy, a rising sophomore at Bradley.

Led by Murphy and Cordell, position players dominated the pool of pro-level talent in the league this summer, unlike a year ago when pitchers were at the forefront. Five of the top six prospects are position players, and it’s noteworthy that the top two pitching prospects didn’t win even so much as a single game in the Great Lakes League this summer.

FAST FACTS
Year League Established: 1986.
 States Represented in League: Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio.
 No. of Teams in League: 11 (10 in 2011).
 Regular-Season Champion (best overall record): Cincinnati Steam, Licking County Settlers, Lima Locos (all 24-15).
 Post-Season Champion: Licking County Settlers.
 Teams, PG CrossChecker Summer 50/Final Ranking: No. 14 Licking County Settlers; No. 35 Cincinnati Steam.
 No. 1 Prospect, 2011 (per PG CrossChecker): Dusty Isaacs, rhp, Hamilton Joe’s (Georgia Tech; played in Cape Cod League in 2012).
 First 2011 Player Selected, 2012 Draft: Seth Streich, rhp/3b, Southern Ohio Copperheads (Ohio; A’s/6th round).

Player of the Year: Max Murphy, of, Stark County Terriers.
Pitcher of the Year: Jeremy Gooding, rhp, Lima Locos.
Top Position Prospect (as selected by league): Ryan Cordell, of, Licking County Settlers.
Top Pitching Prospect: Brian Clark, lhp, Lima Locos.

BATTING LEADERS (League games only)

Batting Average: Kyle Pollock, c, Stark County Terriers (.424).
Slugging Percentage: Kyle Pollock, c, Stark County Terriers (.737).
On-Base Average: Kyle Pollock, c, Stark County Terriers (.513).
Home Runs: Jason Bagoly, 1b/dh, Stark County Terriers; Max Murphy, of, Stark County Terriers (9).
RBIs: Caleb Bryson, 1b, Hamilton Joe’s (37).
Stolen Bases: Justin Fahy, of, Xenia Scouts (24).

PITCHING LEADERS (League games only)

Wins: Three tied at 5.
ERA: Jeremy Gooding, rhp, Lima Locos (1.70).
Saves: Brent Cobb, rhp, Lexington Hustlers; Christian Torres, rhp, Lake Erie Monarchs (7).
Strikeouts: Zach Botjer, rhp, Lima Locos (54).

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Max Murphy, of, Stark County Terriers
Best Hitter: Jake Madsen, 1b, Cincinnati Steam
Best Power: Jason Bagoly, c/1b, Stark County Terriers
Fastest Base Runner: Ryan Cordell, of, Licking County Settlers
Best Defensive Player: Matt Glomb, ss/3b, Southern Ohio Copperheads
Best Velocity: Jacob Moody, lhp, Hamilton Joe’s
Best Breaking Ball: Brian Clark, lhp, Lima Locos
Best Command: Kyle Hart, lhp, Cincinnati Steam

TOP 30 PROSPECTS

1. MAX MURPHY, of, Stark County Terriers (Bradley/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Murphy is a top-end prospect at a premium position. A near-unanimous choice as league MVP, he hit .369-9-34 on the summer for Stark County and led the Great Lakes League in runs (39), hits (62), total bases (107) and homers—as a leadoff hitter. Murphy handled that role with aplomb, even though his array of offensive skills may be more ideally suited for a 3-hole hitter. He combines excellent bat speed with line-drive power and occasional loft in his swing, and rarely got cheated at the plate, no matter what the count. Murphy is no less advanced as a center fielder or base runner. With a lively 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame, he possessed the raw speed to be a significant base-stealing threat and also run balls down in any direction, along with the instincts to get good jumps on the bases and reads off the bat. His arm strength is also as asset, especially with the exceptional carry he gets on his throws. The sky may be the limit for the talented Murphy, if only based on the dramatic improvement he showed from the spring as an unheralded freshman at Bradley, where he hit .285-9-38 and struck out 51 times, to the summer.

2. RYAN CORDELL, of, Licking County Settlers (Liberty/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Cordell was hardly an inconspicuous talent in high school as he led the California prep ranks with 14 homers as a senior and piled up 27 wins over his final three seasons. But his services weren’t heavily in demand as few California colleges pursued him aggressively and he ended up cross-country at Liberty, where he played sparingly as a freshman (.255-2-6, 55 ABs) and never really got untracked until midway through his sophomore season when he closed with a rush to hit .301-4-25. His summer season at Licking County also followed a similar path as he struggled at the plate initially while routinely getting beaten on fastballs, and it wasn’t until the Great Lakes League all-star game that he drew the attention of scouts and began to achieve any sense of tangible success. Though Cordell wasn’t selected to participate in the game, he was invited to compete in the skills showcase that accompanied the game and responded by running the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds, while displaying excellent bat speed with the ability to drive balls to all fields and above-average arm strength. More than anything, he impressed scouts with his live, athletic, 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, smooth, easy actions and capacity for future strength. Buoyed by his impressive showing at the all-star game, Cordell put all his tools on display over the second half of the season and responded with a breakout performance to finish the campaign at .336-6-32 with 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts, all while leading Licking County to a share of the regular-season and a subsequent league championship.

3. MATT GLOMB, ss/3b, Southern Ohio Copperheads (Santa Clara/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Few Great Lakes League players made greater strides from spring to summer than the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Glomb, who struggled as a freshman at Santa Clara, hitting just .213-0-11 with 28 strikeouts in 108 at-bats, and improved to a more respectable .337-3-15 with 15 strikeouts in 92 at-bats for Southern Ohio. He did that while capably holding down shortstop for the Copperheads, displaying good baseball sense and skills for the position, along with sound hands, footwork and arm strength. With only 6.9-7.0 speed in the 60, it’s readily apparent that Glomb lacks the speed and quickness to play shortstop at the next level, but he has enough quickness and all the basic skills to make a seamless transition to third base. With evolving power, he should, in time, also develop the kind of raw power commensurate with the hot corner, but he is already capable of putting the ball in play with consistent hard contact.

4. BRIAN CLARK, lhp, Lima Locos (Kent State/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Key arm for Kent State as FR reliever (5-0, 2.17, 4 SV, 29 IP, 10 BB/27 SO), late arrival to GLL after Golden Flashes unexpected participation in College World Series, worked just 12 IP on summer (0-1, 4.63, 1 BB/5 SO); despite limited looks, has obvious upside in 6-3/210 frame, but needs to get stronger; flashed impressive stuff with 91-93 FB, sharp SL, needs to develop CH to move into Kent rotation, but has huge hands to throw pitch effectively.

5. IVAN DeJESUS, of, Lima Locos (Alabama-Birmingham/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Drafted by Cubs in sixth round in 2010 out of Puerto Rico HS, career on hold when broke ankle a year later at UAB, but responded with productive SO season (.294-3-23, 20 BB/63 SO, 12 SB), picked up pace on summer (.373-4-18, 6 BB/21 SO, 12 SB); has solid-average arm/speed, along with solid bat speed through zone with short/compact swing, squares up balls with above-average power, though more of a line-drive hitter; profiles for OF corner.

6. JAKE MADSEN, 1b, Cincinnati Steam (Ohio/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Lightly recruited out of Cincinnati HS, but made immediate impression with bat as Ohio FR; hit .344-1-32 (21 BB/14 SO) for Bobcats, followed up with .396-3-21 (15 BB/8 SO) season for Steam; advanced hitting skills with patient/disciplined approach, knack for barreling balls on sweet spot, hits to all fields; can handle hard/soft stuff, RHP/LHP equally, also any part of zone in any count; may never hit with desired power for 1B, though excellent defender at position.

7. JACOB MOODY, lhp/of, Hamilton Joe’s (Memphis/red-shirt FR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Two-way talent, pitched sparingly as FR at Memphis (0-0, 5.79, 9 IP, 12 BB/11 SO); limited success on summer, spent bulk of playing time in OF (.174-0-3 in 69 AB), with limited looks on mound (0-1, 6.00, 6 IP, 5 BB/13 SO); has quick lefthanded bat, but obvious upside as pitcher; has electric arm with 91-94 FB, peaked at 95, also has intriguing downhill tilt on developing CU; spent bulk of summer working on mechanics, could emerge in spring as dominant closer.

8. JUSTIN GLASS, of, Cincinnati Steam (Cincinnati/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: All-star in Big East as SO (.366-3-26, 20 BB/58 SO, 15 SB), appeared briefly in Cape Cod League to begin summer, returned home to play for Steam (.364-4-22, 11 BB/24 SO, 5 SB); bat is ticket to next level, has significant bat speed in quick/short/compact swing, aggressive approach with solid HR pop, but needs to be more selective at plate to curb strikeouts; marginal RF skills, suspect arm strength on heels of 2011 shoulder surgery, destined for 1B down road.

9. KYLE HART, lhp, Cincinnati Steam (Indiana/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Very mature pitcher for age, more than held his own as FR starter at Indiana (5-5, 3.21, 84 IP, 30 BB/53 SO), on summer for Steam (3-1, 3.78, 33 IP, 10 BB/36 SO); has tall/lanky frame (6-5/175) with limited physical projection because of narrow shoulders, but could add 3-4 mph to current 86-88 FB if can add 20 pounds; good pitchability/polished delivery, depends on control of FB, 2-plane CU, desired arm action on CH for success; projects as situational lefty.

10. CODY LEICHMAN, 1b, Hamilton Joe’s (Central Michigan/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Showed excellent hitting ability, raw power from left side before summer ended prematurely with broken bone in hand when hit by pitch; hit .367-2-18 (8 BB/17 SO), on heels of .323-13-52 season as SO at Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC, now at Central Michigan; has excellent bat speed through zone with controlled upper-cut swing, should enhance power with continued refinement of hitting skills; limited to 1B, but good range around bag.

11. TRENT SZRUTNIK, lhp, Dayton Docs (Michigan/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Struggled as FR as part-time starter at Michigan (2-3, 7.16, 44 IP, 28 BB/43 SO), but made big strides on summer (4-2, 3.57, 35 IP, 13 BB/42 SO), ended with stint in Cape Cod League; worked closely with ex-major league pitcher Travis Miller, pitching coach at Dayton, developed good feel for sinking 86-88 FB that edged into low 90s on occasion, was go-to pitch; found success when on balance, had command of secondary stuff (CU/CH).

12. JOHNNY FASOLA, rhp, Stark County Terriers (Kent State/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Ohio prep product/36th-round pick of Dodgers in 2010; had limited success as SO at Kansas State (1-2, 8.53, 19 IP, 13 BB/14 SO) in 17 relief appearances, has since transferred to Kent State, must sit out 2013 season per NCAA transfer rules; just a thrower now, needs work to become a pitcher, but has solid arm with two average to plus pitches in FB up to 93 with late life, filthy late-biting SL that is out pitch when thrown for strikes; went 3-1, 3.72 (36 IP, 22 BB/41 SO) on summer.

13. CALEB BRYSON, 1b/3b, Hamilton Joe’s (Samford/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Led league with 16 2B, Joe’s with 37 RBIs, while hitting .308/5 homers; raw power from pull side is best tool, though can drive balls to all fields; produces excellent bat speed with powerful, stocky frame (6-0, 210); has good overall approach to hitting, routinely squares up balls; can play on either infield corner, but 1B is best option; adequate speed, not a base clogger; hit .270-10-34 as SO at Middle Georgia College, has since transferred to Samford.

14. JUSTIN McCALVIN, rhp, Lima Locos (Kennesaw State/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Doesn’t pass eye test with slight 6-0/160 frame, sidearm delivery, modest stuff, but has deceptively quick arm, attacks hitters with sneaky FB generally in high-80s but up to 92 on occasion; hides ball effectively, often unhittable when FB has tailing action, mixes in SL, has command of both pitches; destined to close with calm approach, went 1-1, 0.38 with 6 SV (24 IP, 6 BB/31 SO) on summer, solid upgrade from FR season at Kennesaw State (3-1, 3.51,1 SV, 33 IP, 17 BB.27 SO).

15. DEVAN AHART, of, Lake Erie Monarchs (Akron/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Lefthanded-hitting CF whose game predicated on athleticism/speed; missed FR season in 2011 at Akron with shoulder injury, hit .251-0-23 (19 BB/36 SO, 14 SB) last spring, .312-0-11 (15 BB/21 SO, 10 SB) on summer; profiles a leadoff role with speed/base-running skills, slight frame, line-drive stroke/gap power, but often tries to hit everything hard, can be impatient in role; speed/playable arm suited for CF, but still needs to master jumps/routes.

16. TUCKER TUBBS, 3b, Hamilton Joe’s (Memphis/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Blossoming offensive talent with adequate skills defensively to handle hot corner; hit .259-1-18 (10 BB/14 SO in 81 ABs) as FR at Memphis, improved to .359-4-23 (18 BB/21 SO) for Joe’s; physically strong at 6-4/205, just needs to quicken bat head, add lift to swing to realize power potential; adequate actions/arm strength at 3B, but hands may not be quick enough to remain there in long haul, may end up in LF.

17. JONATHAN FREBIS, lhp, Lake Erie Monarchs (Middle Tennessee State/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: In process of filling out 6-3/190 frame in spring/summer, now up to 215; made significant impact as weekend starter as FR at Middle Tennessee State (6-3, 3.65, 81 IP, 36 BB/61 SO), earning Sun Belt Conference freshman-of-year honors; coming off heavy workload, so not as dominant during summer for Monarchs (2-2, 5.47, 26 IP, 13 BB/19 SO), but still flashed FB in 90-94 range, solid CH, slurve-like breaking ball, generally had command of all three.

18. TRAVIS HISSONG, rhp, Dayton Docs (Wright State/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Struggled in spring at Wright State (2-2, 8.49, 23 IP/42 H/8 BB/23 SO) while trying to identify optimum role, but settled in as reliever with three-quarters/sling-like arm action during summer, made significant strides (0-2, 1.69, 3 SV, 16 IP, 4 BB/19 SO); featured quick arm/command of two solid-average pitches in 89-92 FB with late life, two-plane, late biting SL; aggressive approach, but learned to stop trying to overpower hitters in favor of generating greater movement.

19. CHRIS MANNING, of, Dayton Docs (Valparaiso/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Athletic player with good skill set, had productive SO season at Valparaiso (.283-2-35, 20 BB/32 SO, 11 SB); began summer in Cape Cod League, transitioned easily to GLL (.293-1-12, 14 BB/21 SO, 9 SB); solid in all phases of game, but no dominant tool; gets barrel to ball easily, can square up pitches with line-drive power to all fields; corner OF with good reads on balls, playable/accurate arm; 6.8 speed in 60, runs bases well, sound mental approach to game.

20. JASON BAGOLY, 1b/c, Stark County Terriers (Kent State/SR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: High expectations when drafted by Rockies out of Ohio HS in 2009, but lost his way in college when catching skills eroded, was just a marginal contributor (.277-3-24 as DH) to Kent State run to College World Series as JR; set about resurrecting career on summer as 1B, hit .395-9-26; showed consistent raw power with 6-3/235 frame, strong hands, controlled uppercut swing with good trigger, squared up balls consistently, just needs to drive balls other way as warranted.

21. BRIAN KORTE, lhp, Cincinnati Steam (Indiana/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Struggled as SO reliever at Indiana (0-4, 7.66, 25 IP, 19 BB/18 SO) on heels of 2011 shoulder surgery, but turned corner this summer as starter (2-0, 2.12, 34 IP, 12 BB/26 SO); FB at 88-91 with cutting action, also has CU/CH, both still in developmental stages but chance to be solid pitches; has good pitch-to-contact approach, relies on repeating delivery/spotting pitches consistently to be effective.

22. JUSTIN BRANTLEY, rhp, Southern Ohio Copperheads (Siena/SR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Went undrafted after rough JR season at Siena (2-9, 6.60, 75 IP, 42 BB/46 SO), but has good bloodlines, scouts still see promise in 6-0/175 RHP; nephew of ex-OF/coach Mickey Brantley, cousin of Indians OF Michael, has intriguing arm with FB that occasionally reaches 94, also has SL/CU/CH in 4-pitch mix, just needs to refine mechanics to realize consistent production, but made headway on summer (5-1, 4.18, 32 IP, 14 BB/33 SO).

23. MARCOS CALDERON, of, Licking County Settlers (Butler/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Overshadowed in same Licking County OF by all-around talent of Ryan Cordell (No. 2), power potential of Nic Schultz (No. 28), but 5-9/170 Calderon held his own at plate (.363-0-12, 10 BB/18 SO); can turn around any velocity with solid contact to all fields, though power potential limited in undersized frame; has speed that puts defense on its heels; can play all outfield positions, gets good jumps with playable arm.

24. MICHAEL TIMM, 3b, Grand Lake Mariners (Wright State/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Athletic player with projectable 6-3/185 frame, should evolve as power hitter with established bat speed, natural increase in size/strength; did not go deep as Wright State FR (.308-0-24 (17 BB/20 SO), but power started to come during summer (.274-2-26, 21 BB/29 SO); has all qualities to emerge as solid/dependable 3B with speed/quickness, has lateral range around bag, major league-average arm across diamond.

25. KYLE POLLOCK, c, Stark County Terriers (Evansville/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Surprise batting champ in GLL; hit .424-8-20 (15 BB/11 SO) on summer, which was a significant upgrade from FR season at Evansville (.275-5-27, 27 BB/49 SO); three top-notch catchers on Stark County roster, ended up spending most of time in DH role as was best hitter/power threat of trio; very mechanical in actions behind plate in limited activity, but has makings of solid arm, blocking skills.

26. ANDREW SOHN, ss/rhp, Lake Erie Monarchs (Western Michigan/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Enjoyed significant upgrade as hitter/base stealer on summer at Lake Erie (.331-1-18, 20-of-23 SB) vs. spring at Western Michigan (.234-1-12, 2-of-5); has line-drive approach to all fields with good contact skills; average foot speed, not as fast as Monarchs teammate Devan Ahart (No. 15), but more accomplished of two on bases; hard-nosed player with good baseball instincts for infield play, arm strength for left side, can throw from all angles, profiles as 2B at next level.

27. COLLIN RADACK, of, Xenia Scouts (Hendrix, Ark./JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Obscure talent from D-III Hendrix, more than held his own on summer at plate (.393-2-19) vs. predominantly D-I competition after hitting .402-2-45 in spring; has athleticism/upside in 6-4/205 frame, ran 60 in 6.7 seconds, began to add loft to swing during summer to tap into power potential; a CF at present, will need to improve jumps/routes at that position to preclude being moved to corner at next level.

28. NIC SCHULZ, of, Licking County Settlers (San Jose State/SR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Ranked No. 29 on this list a year ago; experienced marginal improvement in most areas, though finally began to tap into power potential; hit .307-1-19 in 2011, .331-8-32 in return engagement to Licking County; had better feel for swing, but still prone to chasing pitches; has impressive frame (6-3/200), average speed (6.8 in 60), one of best outfield throwing arms in league from RF, but everything hinges on continued improvement with stick.

29. TOM MONNOT, c, Stark County Terriers (Kent State/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Considered best defender among three catchers for Stark County, but ended up hitting robust .470-5-23—46 points higher than fellow receiver Kyle Pollock (.424-8-20), the league’s official batting champion; didn’t receive enough plate appearances to qualify for title as arrived late from Kent State appearance in College World Series; has solid blocking/receiving skills, above-average arm with combo of strength, quick release.

30. CRISTIAN TORRES, rhp, Lake Erie Monarchs (Notre Dame/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Unlikely to replace incumbent Dan Slania, potential first-rounder, as closer at Notre Dame in 2013, but showed could close for high-level D-I school with impressive performance on summer (2-1, 2.32, 7 SV, 31 IP, 22 BB/34 SO), tied for league lead in saves, also made a couple of starts; FB at 88-91, more in tank with 6-6/205 frame, also impressed with CU/CH from over-the-top delivery.
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