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“Everyone has a different timetable, some kids are ready physically and mentally to go out and endure the rigors of minor league baseball. It’s a totally different lifestyle, and not everyone is ready for that.”

Those are the words of an American League crosschecker.

Jason A. Churchill wrote about the benefits of drafting prep talent. From the professional instruction, the routing and upside, clubs have ample reasons for selecting prep talent. But what about the other side? What decisions are weighed when a player debates whether to start his professional career or head to college?

One can imagine every player who has picked up a bat or toed the rubber dreams of playing professionally. If a player is drafted out of high school and feels his time has come, the organization will welcome him with open arms. But signing isn’t for everyone, and there are three key reasons college may be the better choice for those on the fence.

Physical readiness

“Most of the time, it is physically,” said the crosschecker of why high school players aren’t ready for pro ball.

For players with fringe tools, or those without the ideal stature and frame, college gives them a chance to develop a bit more physically, to sharpen their skill and offer scouts a second look in hope of building upon their status out of high school.

“If you look in the majors, there just isn’t that many small guys. For undersized guys, college gives them three years to prove their worth,” said an AL area scout.

But for even those who are of solid build and physical maturity, the jump from prep to professional ball is quite the leap.

“Going to college for hitters, it can be a good thing,” said the scout. “If they were to play in the minors every day, as a high school draftee it’s hard to be physically mature to be able to take that grind.”

And no player on the diamond goes through the grind like a catcher. The scout spoke to the quick rise and success of MLB stars Buster Posey and Matt Wieters, both of whom played college ball.

“Catchers are late in developing a lot of the time because of the physicality of the position and the complex things going into it,” said the scout. “That is why you see a lot of college guys, juniors and seniors, do well because they had that three to four years to prepare and do well both with their game and body that can carry through a minor league season.”

Outside of physical stature, there is another hindrance that could set one behind in developing -- location.

It is pretty clear there are more opportunities to hit the diamond in California than in Michigan. Even with advance travel schedules, fall ball leagues and winter camps, a player in the Snowbelt doesn’t have the reps that a player in the Sunbelt has.

While that’s good for pitchers, who have a lack of wear-and-tear, for positional players, the at-bats and reps have yet to accumulate. So the skills of a player in Pennsylvania may lack the refinement of his Arizona peer.

“Kids that come out of this area, it’s a huge adjustment,” said one Ohio Valley scout. “Outside of the weather difficulties, when they do play they’re not playing the toughest competition.”

Mental readiness

In addition to physical readiness, one has to look at the mental readiness of a player and which setting will give him the greatest chance to succeed.

If a player were to struggle at a showcase or tournament, in the end he is back with family, friends or teammates. He is back in a controlled and comfortable environment. The same goes with a college player. That following day or week, he is back in class and practice, the same process he encountered in high school.

If a player is in a slump or struggles after a rough outing in the Northwest League, South Atlantic League or Midwest League, he is back in a hotel or on an overnight bus ride to an unfamiliar city with players from all over the globe with various backgrounds. Far from the comforts previously enjoyed.

The bus rides come after performing under the eyes of thousands of people, as the player earns his pay. A stark contrast from even the best-attended and most pressure-packed showcases and tournaments.

“There could be a guy that didn’t strike out 10 times in high school, that strikes out 10 times in his first five professional games,” said an NL scout. “It could be better for him, and for players who have never really struggled, to do so in college.

“Fall ball gives them a chance to get their feet wet, get acclimated that isn’t so publicized, where if you sign and are playing in the Gulf Coast League or Arizona Summer League, all of your friends and everyone see you’re struggling on the Internet.”

The slower college environment and amenities produce a setting conducive to growth, and can aid the development of players who are not yet ready for baseball to transfer from a way of life to one’s life.

The lifestyle

For those matured physically and mentally, there still comes the task of knowing what it takes and adjusting to being a professional athlete.

Away from home, no longer relying on parents and childhood friends for support, baseball is now one’s job.

“There are a lot of different factors in signing a professional contract,” the crosschecker said. “It is a huge step from high school to college, let alone high school to being a professional. Outside of the jump in competition, you’re living on your own, have to cook on your own, fend for yourself, pay bills yourself and on time, and it’s baseball 24/7.”

Adding that college provides a bit of a buffer between developing as a person and being entirely independent, the crosschecker spoke to the social development and interaction that is gained by attending college. It's a setting that the NL scout believes benefits some to experience change in, rather than in the pros with their livelihood on the line.

“There is a lot of natural maturity and changes that takes place when you’re 18, 19, 20 years old,” said the scout. “Growth, where in some cases it is better kids go through that in college instead of with their career at that age.”

Ultimately, the decision to sign or go to college is one that is personal, and the pros and cons differ from individual to individual. In either case, the crosschecker offers the following advice:

“Whichever way they go, they need to make sure they’re committed to their decision 100 percent,” he said.

The Major League Baseball Players Association, the owners and the league recently announced a new collective bargaining agreement, good through the 2016 season. There are varying flavors of opinion on the positives and negatives that may occur over the life of the deal, but the consensus is that the new rules concerning the First-Year Player Draft will have a certain impact on prep athletes.

These restrictions are likely to negatively impact the number of high school players that ultimately choose pro baseball, or baseball altogether.

Read More »

The UC Santa Barbara baseball program ushered in an impressive signing class under new head coach Andrew Checketts. There are 15 players overall to this year's group from the Class of 2012 and three of them are nationally known talents in Corey Oswalt of James Madison (San Diego, Calif.), Connor Baits of Point Loma (San Diego, Calif.) and Dalton Kelly of Foothill (Palo Cedro, Calif.).

The top player in the class may very well be Oswalt, who was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers Area Code team this past summer and played for the SC Rays Scout team in the Arizona Senior Fall Classic. During his junior year, the standout infielder hit .541 with four homers and 25 RBI. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Oswalt is a physical player and has the ability to drive the ball.

Fans of the Vanderbilt baseball program have reason to be excited. As the early signing period comes to an end, Vanderbilt has received a National Letter of Intent from many of the nation's top players. With elite players in the signing class such as right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer (Lakeland, Fla.), the next wave of talent have cemented their desire to play for the 2011 College World Series participant.

As sterling as the Commodores class is, the period will come and go without a letter of intent from Chris Harvey, a power-hitting catcher out Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, Pa.) who committed to Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin more than a year ago.

That is because Harvey is already a member of the Vanderbilt program.

In August, Harvey decided to enroll early, skipping his entire senior year of high school. The decision Harvey made to leave high school early is one that is gaining momentum, possibly on the cusp of taking off.

Bryce Harper made national headlines when he decided to forgo his final two years at Las Vegas High School, electing to attend and play for the College of Southern Nevada prior to being the first pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. But comparing Harvey to Harper is difficult.

By receiving his GED and attending a JUCO, Harper was eligible for the the MLB Draft in 2010, a year earlier than he would have by completing high school. For Harvey, a participant in the 2011 Area Code Games, he is delaying his eligibility to the MLB Draft by two years by going to a four-year school, electing to pull his name from 2012 draft considerations until 2014 at the earliest.

Harvey is not alone in declining potential millions from the 2012 draft

Joining him as players passing on their senior year are infielder C.J. Hinojosa, from Klein Collins in Spring, Texas; and Taylor Gushue, a catcher from Calvary Christian in Boca Raton, Fla. The two will enroll a semester early. Hinojosa will enroll at Texas, and Gushue will be a Florida Gator.

High school athletes enrolling in time for spring semesters have been common practice on the gridiron. In baseball, the recent rewards may signal the trend is ready for a breakthrough on the diamond.

In the Winter of 2009, infielder Levi Michael form North Davidson High School in Lexington, N.C., enrolled early at the University of North Carolina. Likewise on the west coast, right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer from Hart High School in Valencia, Calif., put a premature end to his prep career by enrolling early at UCLA.

Instead of taking on prep competition, the two players were named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans in 2009. The recognition and numerous awards were prelude to the duo being first-round draft picks in 2011. Michael was the 30th-overall pick to the Minnesota Twins, and Bauer was the third-overall pick to the Diamondbacks.

The success of Bauer and Michael may be an example for the nation's top high school baseball players. Leaving high school early and becoming exposed to more rigorous competition in college may entice more top high school players to follow this trend.

We caught up with Monterey (Monterey, Calif.) High School outfielder Tyler Leidig. He was one of the many players from the 2013 class at the Last Chance Prospect Camp in Salinas, Calif.

With the signing period currently happening here are some signings from local sources.

Out of Washington, Enumclaw's Tyler Carlson committed to Washington State University. "The recruiting process with Wazzu began my freshman year while playing with my summer team. I had attended a couple of prospect camps at WSU and played in many tournaments the Wazzu coaches had attended," Carlson said to Enumclaw.com. You can read more of his commitment here.

Up in Michigan, Midland High School's Alex Rapamos committed to Michigan State. He told MLive.com, "I went on a few unofficial visits, went there and to Michigan and a few other schools. The third time, I went on a visit, I had a sit-down meeting with my dad and coach Boss and that’s when I decided."

According to BeaumontEnterprise.com in Texas three Bridge City players signed Letters of Intent. Matt Menard (Baylor), Jacob Lemoine (Houston) and Cameron Dishon (Ole Miss). Dishon played in the 2011 Area Code Baseball Games on the Washington Nationals.

In Mississippi, Chase Nyman of Pascagoula High School signed his LOI with Ole Miss. He told GulfLive.com, "I've been committed for a while, but it's way better when you sign and you know where you're going." You can read the full story here.

According to KSDK.com two players from Hazelwood Central High School committed to play at Missouri State.

Bryce Dyrda out of Oakdale (Oakdale, Calif.) is a pitcher who we saw at the Last Chance Prospect Camp in Monterey, Calif. Here are his thoughts on how he did and his future.

We caught up with San Pasqual's (Escondido, Calif.) Kevin Grendell at the Last Chance Prospect Camp in Salinas, Calif. He talked about his commitment to UCI along with his thoughts on his upcoming senior season.

The Last Chance Prospect Camp at Hartnell College in Salinas, Calif., gave players an opportunity to be seen by colleges and pro scouts. The idea was to give these players a chance to play at the next level.

Here are the standout players of the day:

Eric Nielsen out of Dublin (Calif.) High School sat comfortably between 90-91 mph with his fastball and had the top velocity on the day. With a 6-foot-8, 235-pound frame, he threw out of a three-quarter slot and kept the ball effectively down in the zone. With his size, velocity and pure stuff, he was the most impressive prospect at the pro level at the event.

Andrew O’Brien out of Corona (Calif.) High was one of the many underclassmen in the event. Graduating in the 2013 class, O’Brien had solid stuff with an 86-88 mph fastball and 70-73 mph curveball. He is list at 6-foot-2, 178 pounds and has a strong GPA of 3.6.

Tom Petersen of St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.) was one of the more athletic players in attendance. He stood on the mound with an intimidating presence and with that he brought one of the heavier fastballs of the event. With a spread-armed delivery he brought his fastball at 87-88 mph. His delivery brought great deception that allowed his 70 mph slider to be a swing-and-miss pitch.

Mike Petersen out St. Francis was one of the more athletic players in attendance. Does that sounds familiar? It might ring a bell because Mike is the twin brother of the aforementioned Tom. The only thing that separated these twins on the mound was that Mike came in with the second-best velocity of the day. His fastball sat at 89-90 mph that set up his 72 mph changeup, which, like his brother's slider, was a swing-and-miss pitch.

Matt Krook is a well-known pitching prospect out of St. Ignatius (San Francisco). The left-hander recently attended the Arizona Fall Classic in mid-October and had a solid showing, throwing an 87-88 mph fastball. He is a good-bodied player with an athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. His off-speed stuff consists of a 78-80 mph changeup and a 77 mph curveball. Being a 2013 graduate, you will most likely be hearing about Krook around the summer showcase circuit after this spring season.

Dakota Mills out of Dulles (Sugar Land, Texas) was one of the few out-of-state players in attendance. Listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Mills had a very athletic build and looks like he will fill in more in the years to come. Offering a three-pitch mix, Mills came in with an average fastball that sat at 84-87 mph, a changeup that faded in between 74-71 mph and a solid slider at 73 mph. What separated Mills from the rest of the pack was that he threw all three of his pitches for strikes and located them well.

One of the more promising prospects was young 2014 graduate Matt Trask. Hailing from Davis (Calif.) High, Trask has a smooth delivery, good fundamentals for a sophomore, and already good velocity. Listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, he still has a ton of growing to do. Built with wide shoulders and a V-shaped frame, his present velocity is 84-86 and has been seen up to 88 mph. Trask looks like a good bet to be hitting in the 90s once his time comes around to start thinking about where is he going to further his education.

MONTEREY, Calif. – For many of the top prep players this month it is about signing a National Letter of Intent. Others will not have that option and yet they are still trying to find a place to play on the next level.

The Last Chance Prospect Camp gives players, who have not yet signed, an opportunity to be evaluated by scouts and college coaches. Not every player will get a full scholarship for baseball, as many of them are partials because of the few numbers of baseball scholarships afforded to each program.

“Events like this are critical for players to be seen by college coaches and Major League evaluators,” remarked Area Code Baseball’s Andrew Knepper. “It could be one at-bat or one pitch that changes the mind of these evaluators.”

Players that are on the fringe an event like this could make the difference.

“Player development in prep players is more of a day-to-day thing instead of month-to-month. Everyday these kids get better,” added Knepper.

The director of the Last Chance Prospect Camp is Nathan Trosky of Trosky Baseball. When it comes to bloodlines, Trosky has them. His grandfather, Hal Trosky, had what many consider to be the greatest rookie year ever, as in 1934 Trosky’s grandfather hit .330 with 35 homers and 142 RBI.

When Trosky was asked about the goal of this event he remarked, “To create a stage where players can present their talent to scouts and coaches.”

During the event the players will have an opportunity to play in a game.

“When players can play in game situations and be evaluated it reveals the depth of a player’s talent,” Trosky added.

This is different from evaluating a player in a workout environment where the player’s tools are easily identifiable and displayed.

“A lot show well by doing drills and showing their tools. You can see the arm and if they can hit for power,” said Trosky.

While the tools are important in the evaluation of a player it comes down to what they can do in games. Players will be divided up into six teams and have one game to prove they can play.

“When players are evaluated in game situations you can see the passion and how well they deal with adversity,” Trosky added.

Baseball is a game of adversity because it is a game of failure. When you think about it some of the best players in the game fail 70 percent of the time at the plate. That is a lot of adversity.

“Players have a small window to show something,” stated Trosky, “this is a big opportunity for them to do something special.”

There truly is no offseason for baseball. The World Series concluded just days ago and there has already been a trade, several waiver claims, a number of contract options exercised or declined, and one Hall of Fame manager has called it quits. The same busy schedule goes for prep players, as they prepare for their final season as an amateur, or their college careers.

Players get noticed by both colleges and Major League Baseball scouts as early as their freshman or sophomore year of high school, but it's the summer before their senior year when it starts to get a little crazy. "It really is," said Jim Fitzgerald, the director of baseball operations at the University of Washington and former scout with the Seattle Mariners. "There's a lot going on for everyone involved. It really never ends."

There are summer showcases, including the Area Code Games, and on the college front, signing day is typically at the end of the first week in November, right after fall ball, if the players choose to play. Prospects may take official visits, as well as unofficial visits, up to and beyond that date every fall as they look to make the decision on college. "On the other side, the pro scouts, they'll check in on some of the kids from time to time, it really depends on the scout," Fitzgerald said.

"What you want is to get to know the player as much as possible," Fitzgerald added. "Collegiately, and the pro scouts are watching the same guys, but they have to go about it a little differently."

For the kids, however, it's just more of the madness. From the time they start their seasons their junior year until the June draft, there is no down time.

"If there is, someone isn't doing their job right," said a crosschecker of a National League club. "You have to stay on them."

Part of staying on the player includes the time between seasons and after the summer showcases are completed. The fall is generally when a player and his family make a decision on a school, likely signing a letter of intent in early November. Once the winter rolls around, both that school -- or schools still looking to get him signed -- and area scouts are staying in touch.

"Advisers come into play by this time of year a lot, too," the crosschecker said. "Many of the top prospects have their representation sorted out before their season starts in February or March, if they didn't handle that over the summer. So that is when scouts make contact with the players, their parents and the adviser, too. Usually it's just checking in, getting to know everyone involved, letting them get to know you and the team you represent."

While the colleges have to assess whether or not the student-athletes can qualify academically, as well as take advantage of their in-home visits, the player can also be put through eye and psychological evaluation tests by MLB clubs. There is a limit to how often the school can contact the player, but MLB organizations do not have such restrictions. And remember, there are 30 teams, so as many as 30 area scouts can be contacting the same player on a semi-regular basis.

"The player goes through a lot, it's a lot to take in, a lot to assess," noted one scouting director who served as an area scout for several years. "It's important to keep it simple, I think, but I still need to learn as much as I can about the player off the field, build a relationship with him and his parents. They need to feel like I can be trusted, and I need to feel they are trustworthy, too."

In other words, a prospect who may go in the first round, for example, could be in contact with 10-20 clubs regularly, as well as a handful of colleges, at least until they sign a letter of intent. They are also charged with the task of staying conditioned and keeping their studies in line.

"Baseball is a year-round thing these days," Fitzgerald quipped, " for all of us." Yes, yes it is, even for the high school player. "Or especially for the high school player," the scouting director added. "Hopefully for all of them it pays off in the end with a career in the game or a good education -- or both."

In the second part of our look at the top players in the Great Lakes, we see the region is loaded in the outfield, on the mound, and home to elite two-way prospects.

Outfielders

Committed to Louisville, Nathan Mikolas (Kenosha, Wis.) is regarded as the region's top non-catcher positional prospect. Viewed as a potential top-100 draft pick, the 6'2, 205 left-handed hitter possesses a fluid and consistent swing with great bat speed, generating backspin while maintaining a selective eye. Mikolas has potential above-average power, including opposite field power with his ability to control and cover the strikezone, stay back on breaking pitches and snap through the zone with strong wrists. The 2011 Area Code Games particiant is a good athlete that runs a sub-6.9 sixty-yard dash with a projectable big league frame.

Though currently a third baseman, a move to the outfield is mostly likely in the future for Xavier Turner (Sandusky, Ohio) a toolsy 6'1, 205 prospect. Turner, who has committed to Vanderbilt, recently played the outfield for the esteemed Canes Baseball program. Though lacking repitions in the outfield, Turner held his own in making reads while displaying a good arm. Turner has above-average speed, registering a sixty as fast as 6.75. At the plate, Turner displays consistent gap-to-gap power with occasional pull power from an ability to recognize pitches early, square-up and drive the ball to all fields.

Mitchell Holtz (Plainfield, Ill.) stood out at the 2010 Area Code Games teamWhite Sox tryouts, when at 6'1, 210, running a 6.89 sixty. As Holtz's frame beging to slightly fill-out, now 215, his speed remains as he approaches being a 6.85-runner. Though not lacking in speed, Holtz top tool may be his arm where he can register up to 88 on the mound and from the outfield. At the plate Holtz is an explosive hitter, maintaining outstanding bat swing to and through the ball with a solid line-drive approach.

Right-handed pitchers

Taylore Cherry (Dayton, Ohio) is not only the top regional right handed pitcher, he is one of the best in the nation. At 6'9, 260 Cherry often appears a man among boys, backed by game that separates him from many peers. Gifted with outstanding arm speed, Cherry can reach 94 on his fastball, often sitting 89-91 from a low-in-effort and simple-in-mechanics 3/4 release. Cherry's fastball has late life, an offering that compliments a repeatable upper-70s change with sink. Cherry can command a curve, making him a three-pitch pitcher, but at the present time wthout tight spin his breaking ball is behind his devasting fastball-change plus-plus combo. Though big, is not an overly physical pitcher, carrying a body that is still a bit soft. Meaning there is more in the tank for the towering righty who has committed to North Carolina as he gains muscle and definition development.

Other notable Great Lakes right-handed pitchers: Karl Keglovits (Nazareth, Pa.; North Carolina State-commit) Jacob Post (Chesterton, Ind. Ohio State-commit), Luke Stephenson (Fairland, Ind.; Vanderbilt-commit) Kyle Funkhouser (Oak Forest, Ill.; Louisville-commit), Mitchell Brown (Rochester, Minn.; San Diego-commit), Jared Price (Mohnton, Pa.; Maryland-commit)

Left-handed pitchers

Matt Smoral (Solon, Ohio) like Cherry, his Buckeye state counter part, Smoral is recognized as one of the nation's best. The 6'8, 240 Smoral is an imposing figure on the mound, an attacking and polished southpaw. Smoral comforably sits 90-92, reaching back to 94 when needed. Smoral is similar to Cherry as he has a smooth low-effort delivery, a very loose arm that sees him throw from a true ¾ slot. Smoral has the ability to throw three pithches for strikes for strikes working curve and change off his fastball. Though a bit slurvey in break, Smoral's curve displays above-average tightness that has the ability to be a big-league plus pitch. Smoral hides the ball well making a mid-80s change more effective than the separation from velocity in fastball suggest. The lefty works well in-and-out, to both sides of the plate, a heady pitcher who understands the game.

Other notable Great Lakes left-handed pitchers: Brett Lilek (South Holland, Ill.; Arizona State-commit), Jordan Minch (Highland, Ind.; Purdue-commit), Jake Drossner (Richboro, Pa.; Maryland-commit), Ryan Borucki (Mundelein, Ill.; Iowa-commit), Brent Strong (Andover, Minn.; Bradley-commit)

Two-way players

The Great Lakes is home to many outstanding two-way players, some previously highlight, but few have the ceiling both on the mound and in the field as Arizona-commit Ryan Koziol (Orland Park, Ill.). On the mound the right-handed pitcher throws four pitchers, led by a fastball that can reach 90, a low-to-mid 80s cutter, change and curve. At shortstop Koziol is great in anticipation and reads the ball well of the bat, aiding his range and allowing his quick hands and strong arm to make up for a slight lack in speed. At the plate, the long and loose 6'3, 185 left-handed hitter has a level swing and loose hips from a squared stance that produces line-drives to all fields.

Other notable Great Lakes two-way players: Jacob Bosiokovic (Delaware, Ohio; Ohio State-commit), Anthony Kidston (Defiance, Ohio; Louisville-commit), Danny Rosenbaum (Lafayette Hill, Pa.; Louisville-commit), Michael Hadden (Prior Lake, Minn.).

Chris Webb has covered Midwestern college baseball since 2009 for Buckeye State Baseball as well as in his own personal blog The Webb Log (ChrismWebb.com). Chris is in his second year of covering the area's high school baseball and recruiting for Prep Baseball Report. He can be reached at cmwebb24@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @ChrisMWebb

Over the fall and winter months, ESPN High School will be spotlighting players that stood out over the summer baseball seasons, giving you an in-depth look at some of the best prospects of 2011 and beyond.

Raw athletic ability: every college coach dreams to mold it and every scout and front-office member prays to write it on his evaluation sheet. It can’t be taught, and even the most awkward swings or lackluster pitching mechanics will be put to the side – or all together ignored – with the simple thought that you can teach a kid to swing a bat, but you can’t teach a kid to run a 3.7 60-time. It’s a practice that often fails – especially at professional level – but the thought process that’s been in place for some time.

Lewis Brinson has those athletic abilities, so the fact that he knows what he’s doing with the bat and in the field makes him all the more desirable.

“The first thing you notice is his size and the impressive speed and the arm strength, but he’s a baseball player” said an assistant coach in the ACC. “There are some kids with those kind of gifts who just don’t ‘get it’, but (Brinson) isn’t a baseball player because of his gifts, it’s just an awful nice benefit.”

Brinson, a senior at Corals Spring (Tamarac, Fla.), put those gifts on display in 2011, putting up a healthy .423/.623/.873 line on the year with four homers and eleven stolen bases – without being caught – for good measure. Over the summer, Brinson was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American game, and was also selected to participate in the home-run derby. In a competition that featured power hitters like Stryker Trahan, Mikey White and Byron Buxton, Brinson took home the trophy – beating Buxton in the final – and impressing everyone in attendance at Wrigley Field that Saturday.

“I’m not even a tiny bit surprised he won it, but beating a field like this is notable” an NL Central scout said. “It’s not like these balls were just barely getting out of the stadium either, these were deep shots into the left-centerfield. He’s just going to get stronger, and if the swing gets fixed up a bit, we’re talking about a guy with 60-65 power. I think anyone would take that.”

The following month, Brinson once again had scouts talking at the East Coast Pro Showcase in Lakeland, Florida. Brinson posted the fifth fasted sixty time there – 6.60, just .22 seconds behind D.J. Davis – and put on another show in batting practice.

“He was outstanding in Lakeland” an AL front-office member told me. “We had sent a few people down to watch him this spring, and the showcase confirmed what he is: a guy with 70 speed (on the 20-80 scouting scale) with raw power that is only going to get better. Some might say he’s just a workout -warrior, those people don’t have a clue what they’re talking about. I think he’ll go early next June”

That might be bad news to the folks in Gainesville. Brinson is currently committed to the University of Florida, and while the Gators should stay loaded as long as coach Kevin O’Sullivan is there to recruit, Brinson would be a major loss to a program that will lost plenty of talent in the 2012 draft.

“Just a gut feeling, but I think he probably ends up signing” the same NL Central scout told me. “I’ve seen interviews where he’s talked about being excited to sign that big paycheck, and I don’t see him waiting three years.”

Whether he’s headed to the SEC or the minor-leagues, Brinson is a name that must be followed. Just don’t blink, your you might miss him.

Chris Crawford is a regular contributor to Prospect Insider, and founder and executive-editor of MLB Draft Insider. He can be follow on twitter here.

What do Jason Kipins, Cory Luebke, Devin Mesoraco, Jarrod Parker, Drew Storen and Jordan Zimmermann have in common?

Outside of being some of MLB's brightest young stars, each played his high school baseball in the Great Lakes Region.

While high school players in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin may not have the luxury of the year-round baseball, these snowbird states year-in and year-out pump out elite talent.

Since 2007, when Luebke, Mesoraco, Parker and Zimmermann were top 70 selections, to this past June, when Andrew Chafin, Cameron Gallagher, Cory Spangenberg and Charlie Tilson were among the first 80 picks. Those seven states have combined for 42 draft picks in the first two rounds.

That number is expected to rise when the 2012 draft is included.

We highlight by position the top talent, then list a few more players expected to be drafted or early college contributors. Our first part is around the diamond, with catchers, corner and middle infielders.

Catchers

One of the toughest positions to find an impact player, catcher, the Great Lakes is stockpiled with backstops capable of impacting a major college program or minor league system. Illinois is home to the top two in Jason Goldstein (Highland Park, Ill.) and Blake Hickman (Chicago), both 2011 Area Code Games participants. Goldstein, an Illinois-commit, edges out the Iowa-commit Hickman at this stage due to advanced footwoork, above-average receiving skills and a sub-1.85 pop. Goldstein is an above-average hitter who brings to the plate a good approach with a smooth swing and gap-to-gap power. Hickman is the better athlete of the two, displaying a mid-80s arm, a sub 6.95 sixty, and a 6-5, 210 frame compared to Goldstein's 6'0, 190 stature. But with raw tools, at the present time scouts view Hickman both behind and at the plate, a project that needs improvement with his footwork and release, while shorting his swing and working on timing.

Other notable Great Lakes catchers: Maxwell McDowell (North Hungtinton, Pa.; Connecticut-commit), Casey Schroeder (Ottawa, Ohio; Kentucky-commit), Scott Williams (Berwyn, Pa.; Virginia-commit).

Corner Infielders

Joining Goldstein and Hickman at the Area Code games was Kevin Ross (Skokie, Ill.), an infielder committed to Michigan. Currently a shortstop, at 6'1, 205, Ross presents a frame that projects for more growth, one that ultimately will see him settle at the hot corner. The future position bodes him well as he carries one of the region's top power-potential bats, good range and a plus-arm. At the plate Ross can spray the ball to all fields, while possessing raw power generated from a pull-approach, and outstanding bat speeed with an attacking uppercut swing.

In Central Ohio, Jeff Murray (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) and Zach Ratcliff (Blacklick, Ohio) have positioned themselves in the region as the top two first baseman. Both are true power hitters, Murray a left-handed hitter while Ratcliff swings form the right-side. Murray has a strong arm, generates good bat speed and carries a projectable frame. Ratcliff is a three-sport athlete who has the potential to see time in the outfield due to his speed and athleticism, while displaying a solid plate approach leading to above-average opposite-field power. The pair will stay in-state collegiality as the 6'4, 225 Ratcliff is committed to Ohio State and the 6'2, 205 Murray to Cincinnati.

Other notable Great Lakes corner infielders: Devin Pickett (Flossmoor, Ill.; Iowa-commit), Joe DeCarlo (Glen Mills, Pa.; Georgia-commit).

Middle Infielders

Jordan Striegel, a shortstop from Sellersburg, Ind., headlines the crop of middle infielders. With his quick hands and release, a strong arm and above-average range, the Louisville-commit is one of few regional shortstops that a move elsewhere on the diamond is not immediately needed. His defense is combined with a compact, line-drive producing swing, and good speed to make him a solid all-around player.

While currently a shortstop, Travis Maezes (Ann Arbor, Mich.) lags the quick release and ideal rangel for shortstops, but the tools the Michigan-commit possesses will keep him on the diamond. The left-handed hitter has power potential with a controlled smooth swing that sees him barrell up balls and quick to pitches inside. With an above average arm and good speed, Maezes could be suited for second or third base, the outfield, and even catcher where he has a sub 1.90 pop, but lacks development.

Other notable Great Lakes middle infielders: Matt Dauby (Indianapolis;Virginia Tech-commit), Kenny Koplove (Philadelphia; Duke-commit), Forrest Perron (Strongsville, Ohio; Cincinnati-commit).

Chris Webb has covered Midwestern college baseball since 2009 for Buckeye State Baseball as well as in his own personal blog The Webb Log (ChrismWebb.com). Chris is in his second year of covering the area's high school baseball and recruiting for Prep Baseball Report. He can be reached at cmwebb24@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @ChrisMWebb

Nolan Gannon is a top-notch pitching prospect out of Santa Fe Christian, (San Diego, Calif). Loaded with the prototypical workhorse pitcher's frame, 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Gannon is turning heads of Major League scouts with his potential of being a big league arm down the line.

Pitching from the right side, he brings the heat with a low 90’s fastball that has a good downward plane. His off-speed stuff consists of a good curveball that breaks in around 77-75 mph and a changeup we were unable to see as he was working the curve primarily.
Gannon is going to be a fun prospect to watch through out this upcoming season.