I just wanted to create a thread to compliment how well Coach Bieser has been recruiting since becoming head coach.
First off here is the grading scale from Perfectgame.org:
10-Potential very high draft pick and/or Elite level college prospect
9-Potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect
8-Potential draft pick and/or excellent college prospect
7-College prospect, possible future draft pick with development
6-Potential college prospect
5-Possible College prospect and/or possible HS varsity
4-HS JV
3-Possible HS JV
2-No prospect at this time
1-The game is too dangerous
Here's the 2018 Class:
Seth Halvorsen SS/RHP PG Grade: 10
Scouting Report:
Seth Halvorsen is a 2018 SS/RHP/OF with a 6-1 195 lb. frame from Plymouth, MN who attends Heritage Christian Academy. Loose athletic build, good present strength with room for more. High level two-way prospect with tools all over the board. 6.64 in the sixty, outstanding arm strength at shortstop, has good footwork and balanced athletic actions defensively. Right handed hitter, shows good bat speed with a fluid swing, good lower half use to drive his swing, gap to gap power. Very quick arm on the mound, simple athletic delivery that is easy to repeat, 3/4's arm slot. Fastball topped out 94, throw for strikes and gets to the glove side well. Threw both curveball and slider, slider a much better pitch at present with tightness and bite, developing change up. Could end up in either role depending on his development. Good student, verbal commitment to Missouri. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
Ian Bedell: RHP PG Grade: 10
Scouting Report:
Ian Bedell is a 2018 RHP with a 6-2 190 lb. frame from Davenport, IA who attends Davenport Central HS. Athletic build with good strength and the potential for more. Loose and long arm action, lots of arm speed, 3/4's arm slot. Fastball topped out at 94 mph, lots of running and sinking action. Slider is his best secondary pitch, good velocity with a deep sweeping action, good sharpness. Get me over curveball not as sharp or tight. Tended to slow arm a bit on change up with some fading action. Moves the ball around and gets lots of life on his pitches, has the weapons to mix. Good student, verbal commitment to Missouri. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
Kelvin Smith Jr. SS/2B PG Grade: 9.5
Scouting Report:
Kelvin Smith Jr is a 2018 SS/2B with a 6-0 185 lb. frame from College Park, GA who attends Redan HS. Medium athletic build, has some present strength. 6.51 runner, moves very well in the middle infield, very quick feet and moves through the ball well, stays balanced, very soft and quick hands, best throws are on the move, arm gets long when stationary. Right handed hitter, short and quick swing from a closed stance, has bat speed and can impact the ball hard when timed up. Good student, verbal commitment to Missouri.
Nick Swanson RHP/1B/C PG Grade: 9
Scouting Report: Nick Swanson is a 2018 RHP/C with a 6-0 205 lb. frame from Kennesaw, GA who attends Mt Paran Christian HS. Large and strong build. Rotational delivery with a deep arm action in back, arm tends to be late resulting in balls left up arm side. Upper 80's fastball, topped out at 90 mph, has been up to 92 mph frequently in the past, gets good sinking life when down in the zone. Gets nice fading action on his change up from a lower arm slot. Slurve type breaking ball with some sweeping depth at times. Very good student, verbal commitment to Missouri (Former North Carolina commit).
Luke Mann RHP/IF PG Grade: 8.5
Scouting Report: Luke Mann is a 2018 RHP/IF/OF with a 6-2 206 lb. frame from St. Louis, MO who attends St John Vianney HS. Large frame, large build. Present strength throughout. Works from the middle of rubber with a solid pace to windup with a high leg lift to chest at balance. Shorter arm circle at separation with a long arm action downhill on offering. Drives using lower half will with an over top arm slot that generates downhill plane on fastball. Fastball topped at 83 mph showing natural glove side cutting action. Slider has sharp late break with tilt at 74 mph. Flashed a curveball as well with 11/5 shape and good depth down in the zone. Spread, slightly crouched stance at the plate. Clean bat path with natural lift and generates plus extension through contact. BP and game approach were consistent with a pull to mid-field approach. Produces good direction to contact with bat speed that can split the gaps. Worked out defensively from both the infield and outfield. From the infield has a compact arm action with quick hands and a clean release, topped at 81 mph across the infield. Athletic tools for size while moving through the baseball with polished footwork. From the outfield shows a high energy release with a big arm swing and deliberate footwork through transition. Tools projects at a corner infield position at this time. Listed as a primary pitcher but was showed solid projectable tools at the plate and in the field. Named to 2016 National Indoor Showcase Top Prospect List.
Brodie Lenon: LHP/1B PG Grade: 8.5
Scouting Report: Brodie Lenon is a 2018 LHP/1B with a 6-3 200 lb. frame from Goreville, IL who attends Goreville HS. Extra-large, athletic build with broad shoulders and physical strength throughout frame. Primary lefthanded pitcher, begins with a high leg lift up past belt, lands slightly closed with front foot and shows a full arm action through the back working to a low three-quarters arm slot. Low effort to arm action, some whip at release and topped out at 82 mph with fastball while creating angle at release. Projects with continued incorporation of lower half, throws strikes with fastball and pitches to contact. Flashed a curveball with 1-7 shape and short depth, occasional short sweeping finish down in zone. Similar full arm action on throws from first base, showed accuracy to throws across the diamond. Lefthanded hitter, begins with a high back elbow in the back, starts closed with lower half and moves into contact. Upright stance, full swing plane with through the zone with an uphill path, generates occasional extension out front and shows best carry coming to the middle of the field. Good student.
Here's the 2019 Class:
Wade Elliott: 3B/SS/1B PG Grade: 9.5
Scouting Report: Wade Elliott is a 2019 3B/1B/SS with a 6-1 205 lb. frame from Edmond, OK who attends Deer Creek HS. Big and strong build, pretty mature physically. Right handed hitter, very advanced bat speed and feel for hitting, makes adjustments to off speed easily, swing his short and strong with big power, can drive the ball hard all over the field, have rarely seen him have anything but a quality at-bat against good pitching. Has good skills at third base with soft hands and good balance, makes strong and accurate throws, can adjust his arm angles and is quick starting a double play. Will have to work hard to maintain his athleticism but has a chance to be an elite level hitter. Some resemblance to Jack Berger (White Sox 2017 1st round pick). Very good student, verbal commitment to Missouri.
Jason Hodges: OF/1B/RHP PG Grade 9.5
Scouting Report: Jason Hodges is a 2019 OF/RHP/1B with a 6-3 190 lb. frame from Park Forest, IL who attends Marist HS. Taller very athletic build, lots of strength potential and projection. Right handed hitter, low hand set with a deep barred load, hits from under the ball, has very good barrel control and showed timing during games, aggressive approach and hits the ball out front, makes adjustments to off speed pitches and sees them well, consistent hard game contact, power is there and will continue to grow as he gets stronger. 6.99 runner at previous PG showcases, 4.44 home to first. Sound fundamentals in the outfield, long and loose arm action, makes soft accurate throws. Outstanding student, verbal commitment to Missouri.
Benjamin Pedersen: RHP PG Grade 9
Scouting Report: Benjamin Pedersen is a 2019 RHP/3B with a 6-5 220 lb. frame from Duluth, MN who attends Duluth Marshall HS. Extra big and tall build. Drop and drive delivery mechanics with a long stride out front, works from the stretch, gets very good extension out front, arm strength over arm speed at present but there is lots of strength there. Fastball topped out at 88 mph, worked in the mid-80's consistently with heaviness at the plate, worked his fastball to both sides of the plate and stayed in or near the zone. Hard slider showed good sharpness and tilt, late short biting action. Showed some feel for his change up with some fading action. Short line drive swing at the plate, has the strength to get more separation in his swing and create some lift and power. First base profile defensively. Has a chance to be a power pitcher at the next level. Good student.
Random Notes: There are other guys in these classes that have not been graded by Perfectgame and Mizzou has really been cleaning up in the state of Minnesota.
Also all of these scouting reports are available on the free portion of their site at Perfectgame.org
First off here is the grading scale from Perfectgame.org:
10-Potential very high draft pick and/or Elite level college prospect
9-Potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect
8-Potential draft pick and/or excellent college prospect
7-College prospect, possible future draft pick with development
6-Potential college prospect
5-Possible College prospect and/or possible HS varsity
4-HS JV
3-Possible HS JV
2-No prospect at this time
1-The game is too dangerous
Here's the 2018 Class:
Seth Halvorsen SS/RHP PG Grade: 10
Scouting Report:
Seth Halvorsen is a 2018 SS/RHP/OF with a 6-1 195 lb. frame from Plymouth, MN who attends Heritage Christian Academy. Loose athletic build, good present strength with room for more. High level two-way prospect with tools all over the board. 6.64 in the sixty, outstanding arm strength at shortstop, has good footwork and balanced athletic actions defensively. Right handed hitter, shows good bat speed with a fluid swing, good lower half use to drive his swing, gap to gap power. Very quick arm on the mound, simple athletic delivery that is easy to repeat, 3/4's arm slot. Fastball topped out 94, throw for strikes and gets to the glove side well. Threw both curveball and slider, slider a much better pitch at present with tightness and bite, developing change up. Could end up in either role depending on his development. Good student, verbal commitment to Missouri. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
Ian Bedell: RHP PG Grade: 10
Scouting Report:
Ian Bedell is a 2018 RHP with a 6-2 190 lb. frame from Davenport, IA who attends Davenport Central HS. Athletic build with good strength and the potential for more. Loose and long arm action, lots of arm speed, 3/4's arm slot. Fastball topped out at 94 mph, lots of running and sinking action. Slider is his best secondary pitch, good velocity with a deep sweeping action, good sharpness. Get me over curveball not as sharp or tight. Tended to slow arm a bit on change up with some fading action. Moves the ball around and gets lots of life on his pitches, has the weapons to mix. Good student, verbal commitment to Missouri. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
Kelvin Smith Jr. SS/2B PG Grade: 9.5
Scouting Report:
Kelvin Smith Jr is a 2018 SS/2B with a 6-0 185 lb. frame from College Park, GA who attends Redan HS. Medium athletic build, has some present strength. 6.51 runner, moves very well in the middle infield, very quick feet and moves through the ball well, stays balanced, very soft and quick hands, best throws are on the move, arm gets long when stationary. Right handed hitter, short and quick swing from a closed stance, has bat speed and can impact the ball hard when timed up. Good student, verbal commitment to Missouri.
Nick Swanson RHP/1B/C PG Grade: 9
Scouting Report: Nick Swanson is a 2018 RHP/C with a 6-0 205 lb. frame from Kennesaw, GA who attends Mt Paran Christian HS. Large and strong build. Rotational delivery with a deep arm action in back, arm tends to be late resulting in balls left up arm side. Upper 80's fastball, topped out at 90 mph, has been up to 92 mph frequently in the past, gets good sinking life when down in the zone. Gets nice fading action on his change up from a lower arm slot. Slurve type breaking ball with some sweeping depth at times. Very good student, verbal commitment to Missouri (Former North Carolina commit).
Luke Mann RHP/IF PG Grade: 8.5
Scouting Report: Luke Mann is a 2018 RHP/IF/OF with a 6-2 206 lb. frame from St. Louis, MO who attends St John Vianney HS. Large frame, large build. Present strength throughout. Works from the middle of rubber with a solid pace to windup with a high leg lift to chest at balance. Shorter arm circle at separation with a long arm action downhill on offering. Drives using lower half will with an over top arm slot that generates downhill plane on fastball. Fastball topped at 83 mph showing natural glove side cutting action. Slider has sharp late break with tilt at 74 mph. Flashed a curveball as well with 11/5 shape and good depth down in the zone. Spread, slightly crouched stance at the plate. Clean bat path with natural lift and generates plus extension through contact. BP and game approach were consistent with a pull to mid-field approach. Produces good direction to contact with bat speed that can split the gaps. Worked out defensively from both the infield and outfield. From the infield has a compact arm action with quick hands and a clean release, topped at 81 mph across the infield. Athletic tools for size while moving through the baseball with polished footwork. From the outfield shows a high energy release with a big arm swing and deliberate footwork through transition. Tools projects at a corner infield position at this time. Listed as a primary pitcher but was showed solid projectable tools at the plate and in the field. Named to 2016 National Indoor Showcase Top Prospect List.
Brodie Lenon: LHP/1B PG Grade: 8.5
Scouting Report: Brodie Lenon is a 2018 LHP/1B with a 6-3 200 lb. frame from Goreville, IL who attends Goreville HS. Extra-large, athletic build with broad shoulders and physical strength throughout frame. Primary lefthanded pitcher, begins with a high leg lift up past belt, lands slightly closed with front foot and shows a full arm action through the back working to a low three-quarters arm slot. Low effort to arm action, some whip at release and topped out at 82 mph with fastball while creating angle at release. Projects with continued incorporation of lower half, throws strikes with fastball and pitches to contact. Flashed a curveball with 1-7 shape and short depth, occasional short sweeping finish down in zone. Similar full arm action on throws from first base, showed accuracy to throws across the diamond. Lefthanded hitter, begins with a high back elbow in the back, starts closed with lower half and moves into contact. Upright stance, full swing plane with through the zone with an uphill path, generates occasional extension out front and shows best carry coming to the middle of the field. Good student.
Here's the 2019 Class:
Wade Elliott: 3B/SS/1B PG Grade: 9.5
Scouting Report: Wade Elliott is a 2019 3B/1B/SS with a 6-1 205 lb. frame from Edmond, OK who attends Deer Creek HS. Big and strong build, pretty mature physically. Right handed hitter, very advanced bat speed and feel for hitting, makes adjustments to off speed easily, swing his short and strong with big power, can drive the ball hard all over the field, have rarely seen him have anything but a quality at-bat against good pitching. Has good skills at third base with soft hands and good balance, makes strong and accurate throws, can adjust his arm angles and is quick starting a double play. Will have to work hard to maintain his athleticism but has a chance to be an elite level hitter. Some resemblance to Jack Berger (White Sox 2017 1st round pick). Very good student, verbal commitment to Missouri.
Jason Hodges: OF/1B/RHP PG Grade 9.5
Scouting Report: Jason Hodges is a 2019 OF/RHP/1B with a 6-3 190 lb. frame from Park Forest, IL who attends Marist HS. Taller very athletic build, lots of strength potential and projection. Right handed hitter, low hand set with a deep barred load, hits from under the ball, has very good barrel control and showed timing during games, aggressive approach and hits the ball out front, makes adjustments to off speed pitches and sees them well, consistent hard game contact, power is there and will continue to grow as he gets stronger. 6.99 runner at previous PG showcases, 4.44 home to first. Sound fundamentals in the outfield, long and loose arm action, makes soft accurate throws. Outstanding student, verbal commitment to Missouri.
Benjamin Pedersen: RHP PG Grade 9
Scouting Report: Benjamin Pedersen is a 2019 RHP/3B with a 6-5 220 lb. frame from Duluth, MN who attends Duluth Marshall HS. Extra big and tall build. Drop and drive delivery mechanics with a long stride out front, works from the stretch, gets very good extension out front, arm strength over arm speed at present but there is lots of strength there. Fastball topped out at 88 mph, worked in the mid-80's consistently with heaviness at the plate, worked his fastball to both sides of the plate and stayed in or near the zone. Hard slider showed good sharpness and tilt, late short biting action. Showed some feel for his change up with some fading action. Short line drive swing at the plate, has the strength to get more separation in his swing and create some lift and power. First base profile defensively. Has a chance to be a power pitcher at the next level. Good student.
Random Notes: There are other guys in these classes that have not been graded by Perfectgame and Mizzou has really been cleaning up in the state of Minnesota.
Also all of these scouting reports are available on the free portion of their site at Perfectgame.org
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