Over the last few draft cycles, the Midwest itself has produced several notable draft names, college products, and upper tier prospects in the professional ranks such as Jarred Kelenic and Gavin Lux.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Illinois prep right-hander Quinn Priester in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Former Minnesota prepster Drew Gilbert is one of the country’s most notable college names for the 2022 MLB Draft, while Alabama southpaw Connor Prielipp and Ole Miss transfer Jack Washburn emerged from that 2019 Wisconsin prep class, too.
There were multiple Midwestern high school products drafted in the shortened 2020 draft, starting with Ed Howard and Ben Hernandez, both top-50 picks out of Illinois. Both Carter Baumler and A.J. Vukovich were over-slot selections by their respective clubs and the Los Angeles Angels signed Detroit native Werner Blakely in the third round, too. Robert Moore enrolled early at Arkansas or else he too would have been a part of that group in all likelihood.
Two more Midwest preps went in the top-35 selections a few weeks ago when the White Sox selected Indiana native Colson Montgomery 22nd overall and the Twins nabbed Wisconsin’s Noah Miller with the 34th pick. Ben Kudrna and Daylen Lile went in the second round, while Carter Jensen, Ian Moller, and Donovan McIntyre are a few more names that got scooped up as the draft went on.
This 2022 Midwest prep class has the potential to be special, with elite talent at the top and plenty of depth throughout. Per usual with this region, there are also a multitude of names that could pop once the off-season concludes.
With eleven months to go, it’s still awfully early to project anything concrete, but some early live looks suggest a potential big year for the region in 2022.
Names To Know
Brock Porter
Right-Handed Pitcher
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MI)
There’s a serious case to be made for Porter as the top prep arm in the country and he’s unquestionably the top name in the Midwest because of that. He’s built at a proportionally strong and durable 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame with a simple, controlled operation downhill. Porter’s arsenal is explosive, headlined by a high-90s fastball that’s been up to 99 mph, sitting in the mid-90s with carry and life as it enters the zone. His go-to secondary is a high-70s changeup thrown at fastball arm speed - a pitch that projects as at least a plus offering with swing-and-miss tumble to it. Porter completes his arsenal with two different breaking balls, both of which are still developing yet have flashed upside in the past. His slider holds the most potential with intent, while his curveball spins gradually off an 11/5 plane. Porter’s high-octane arsenal, a present swing-and-miss pitch, and flashes of quality spin make for a fairly high all-around ceiling.
Jacob Miller
Right-Handed Pitcher
Liberty Union (OH)
Like Porter, Miller is another high-follow national arm in this prep class that hails from the Midwest. He’s a lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete with room to fill out the lower half and some wiry athleticism downhill. It’s a quick arm that works from a loose high ¾ window, pumping his fastball in the low-90s, bumping a 95 mph high this spring with late arm-side action. Miller’s aptitude to spin and the innate confidence he has in his breaking stuff is what separates him from his peers. He’ll throw two breaking balls on any given day, a curveball and slider, that each play differently off a similar spin axis. His curveball sits in the high-70s with sharp spin off an 11/5 plane, though he’ll typically land it for strikes or spot it glove-side instead. He turns to the slider for swings-and-misses; a mid-80s pitch with sharper, more aggressive downer spin than his curveball off a similar plane. Miller has as high of a ceiling as any arm in the class, especially if he gains more comfort and consistency with his changeup as he develops. He is committed to Louisville.
Owen Murphy
Right-Handed Pitcher
Riverside-Brookfield (IL)
A riser over the last few weeks thanks to standout performances at PDP and Area Codes, Murphy has cemented himself as the top ‘22 prospect in Illinois and amongst the best in the Midwest. Built at a well-proportioned 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, Murphy’s delivery is effortless and smooth, working downhill in an athletic manner to release. He’s been up to 94 mph this summer with a riding fastball, sitting anywhere from 88-92 mph on any given outing. Like the two arms above him, Murphy’s ability to spin is what holds him highly above his peers. He also throws two different breaking balls, both of which are 2,500+ RPM offerings that play well off each other. It’s a similar arsenal to Miller in the sense that he throws his curveball for strikes more than for chases, but his slider/cutter-type pitch has some of the sharpest swing-and-miss action in the class; it spins like a boomerang. Murphy rounds out his arsenal with a changeup thrown at fastball arm speed that fades away from left-handed hitters - which is when he turns to it the most.
Andrew Dutkanych
Right-Handed Pitcher
Brebeuf HS (IN)
One of the more explosive arms in the class, Dutkanych has been a popular prospect amongst ‘22 grads for quite some time now. He boasts a proportionally strong, athletic 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame with electric arm speed, working out of a tight and compact high ¾ window. Dutkanych’s delivery is quite efforty downhill, but his fastball is electric and jumps on hitters in a hurry, playing up from that tight slot. Dutkanych throws his slider with the same intent as his fastball, playing with late tilt and sharp downer action at 2,600+ RPM. He completes his arsenal with a low-80s changeup thrown at fastball arm speed with natural fading action. The effort in which Dutkanych throws with inherently attaches reliever risk to his profile, but he does have three quality offerings at his disposal. Dutkanych figures to be a tough sign come next year’s draft cycle as he’s committed to Vanderbilt.
Noah Schultz
Left-Handed Pitcher
Oswego East (IL)
A 6-foot-8, 215-pound southpaw, Schultz brings one of the more unique profiles to the table from a metrical standpoint. His fastball typically sits at 88-92 mph from a low arm slot that creates plenty of run, spinning at 2,400+ RPM. Schultz’s trademarked off-speed pitch is a mid-to-high-70s sweeping slider that’s reached the 3,000+ RPM mark at times this summer with elite swing-and-miss spin. It’s a special arsenal with stuff that you don’t tend to see at the professional level, let alone from a high school left-hander from the Midwest. The biggest current question mark with Schultz is consistency, as he’s still fully learning how to sync up his levers downhill in order to repeat his delivery on a pitch-to-pitch basis. You can’t ignore this type of stuff, however, and if he ever figures it out there isn’t a cap on what the ceiling could be.
High Follows
Gavin Kilen
Middle-Infield,
Milton (WI)
Wisconsin’s produced plenty of up-the-middle talent over the past few years and Kilen looks like he’s next up in an extremely impressive group. His carrying tool is a smooth left-handed stroke with high bat-to-ball skills that can work on the barrel to all fields. Kilen doesn’t swing-and-miss much and he doesn’t chase out of the zone, owning a mature approach in the box for a prep kid - one that could profile at the top of a lineup once it’s all said and done. Kilen’s more than capable of holding his own up the middle with the glove, though he may be best suited at second base once he reaches the professional ranks. It’s hard to ignore what he’s done offensively over the last two summers, however, and the fact that he hits left-handed, too. Kilen is committed to Louisville.
Nolan Schubart
Outfield
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MI)
There’s so much to like about Schubart’s ceiling, even if he’s not presently as polished as some of the names below him on this list. A 6-foot-5, 210-pound specimen, Schubart’s raw pop is amongst the loudest in the class. He knows how to elevate and barrel up the baseball to his pull-side, getting the most out of his levers. He’ll show gap-to-gap power in BP, but his ability to punish the whole field in game is still developing. There’s a possibility that he’s relegated to playing first base in the long run, which puts even more pressure on his bat to succeed for him to return value. Still, the upside with a left-handed hitter of his stature is undeniable.
Tucker Biven
Right-Handed Pitcher
New Albany (IN)
Biven boasts pretty immense arm talent, bumping his fastball up to 96 mph this summer on several occasions, sitting anywhere from 91-94 mph throughout. He’s a strong 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete with real aptitude to spin a sharp slider with depth that plays well off his fastball, especially to right-handed hitter. It’s more stuff than polish right now and he’s essentially already filled out, but it’s a potent arsenal nonetheless.
Devin Taylor
Outfield
La Salle (OH)
Taylor owns one of the more advanced hit tools in the Midwest and a silky-smooth left-handed stroke to pair. He’s always working on the barrel and is comfortable punching the ball to all fields, profiling as a top-of-the-order type hitter at the next level. Taylor’s likely best suited in left field in the long run, so he’s really going to have to hit to hold his own. There’s a pretty noteworthy recent track record of high hit tool type of bats hitting for more power as they physically progress because of how much contact they make, so Taylor does have some ceiling, too.
Austin Henry
Right-Handed Pitcher
Dell Rapids (SD)
Henry’s draft prowess has risen quite a bit over the summer, especially after a strong showing at Area Codes last week. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound South Dakotan standout has your prototypical starter’s size with room to still add weight to his frame, particularly in the lower half. Henry’s a two-pitch guy right now, bumping an 88-92 mph fastball for strikes from an over-the-top slot, touching 93 mph earlier this spring. His calling card is an extremely advanced aptitude to spin, consistently ripping off 3,000+ RPM breaking balls in the mid-70s with sharp, downer 12/6 shape created from that elevated arm angle. There’s definitely more velocity coming with Henry, provided the frame and feel to spin, and he could potentially emerge with an uptick in stuff following this off-season. Henry is presently committed to Wichita State.
Jack Lausch
Outfield
Brother Rice (IL)
Another rise inside draft circles, Lausch is presently one of the Midwest’s most polished hitters. He’s an extremely athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound athlete that stars on the football field as the quarterback for one of the top football programs in Illinois and he’s actually committed to Notre Dame as a dual sport athlete. There’s plenty of bat speed and barrel feel to Lausch’s left-handed stroke, consistently using the whole field to his advantage. Lausch has that top-of-the-order type of profile and the fact that he hits left-handed is certainly an added bonus. His signability may be a bit of an unknown, as it seems like Lausch is fairly committed to playing football at the collegiate level. Still, it’s pretty obvious the upside inside this bat, especially if he ever commits to playing baseball on a full-time basis.
Sleepers
Estevan Moreno
Infield
Montini Catholic (IL)
Another “Golden Domer” from this Illinois ‘22 class, Moreno used a strong summer to elevate his draft stock as one of the premier power bats in the Midwest. An extremely physical 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete with room for added strength, Moreno brings a unique skill-set to the diamond. He ran a 6.58 at the PBR ProCase - Midwest this July, an absurd number for someone his size, and performed well at shortstop, third base, and second base this summer. There is a lot going on in his swing, particularly with a high leg kick trigger, but Moreno controls his body well and maintains posture throughout, not struggling with syncing up despite that. He uses the whole field too and showed comfort working that way in our looks throughout the summer. There are a handful of scouts in the area who love Moreno and he could definitely hear his name called next July.
Korbyn Dickerson
Outfield
Trinity (KY)
Dickerson roamed the outfield with 2021 Washington Nationals second round pick Daylen Lile last season and he’s shaping up to be a pretty impressive prospect in his own right. An elite level athlete with impact speed and eye-popping hand speed numbers, Dickerson hits the ball really hard when he’s on the barrel despite being listed at 6-foot-1 and 180-pounds. He has the arm strength and athleticism to stick in center field with an offensive game that has both a high floor and high ceiling to it. Dickerson is committed to Louisville.
Tommy Specht
Outfield
Wahlert Catholic (IA)
Specht oozes physical projection inside a wiry 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame and he’s an impressive athlete, running a 6.44 this winter. Specht uses that whippy strength in his levers to make loud contact off the barrel with a smooth, controlled left-handed stroke. He’s probably best suited to stick in a corner outfield spot in the long turn, but Specht does have one of the strongest arms in the country, getting as high as 99 mph to home from the outfield in a showcase setting. He’s pretty tooled up and there’s potential for more, making him a ticking time bomb ready to explode from a prospect standpoint throughout the remaining draft cycle. Specht is committed to Kentucky.
Ethan Patera
Right-Handed Pitcher
Downers Grove South (IL)
A physical 6-foot-4, 230-pound athlete, Patera emerged from this off-season as a huge winner after sharpening up his mechanics to a more efficient movement pattern downhill. There’s plenty of juice inside that thick-bodied frame, bumping his fastball up to 96 mph this spring, consistently sitting in the 90-95 mph range on any particular outing. His ability to rip off a low-80s slider with late 10/4 action that’s thrown with conviction gives Patera a swing-and-miss pitch. He hasn’t needed to turn to his changeup much throughout his high school career, but it’s an offering thrown at fastball arm speed with slight arm-side action in the low-80s, too. The mechanical refinements have helped him repeat his delivery and to throw more strikes, elevating his draft stock. Patera is committed to Louisville.
Karson Milbrandt
Right-Handed Pitcher
Liberty (MO)
A recent Vanderbilt commit, Milbrandt has some helium attached to his name after an electric outing at Area Codes - one that saw him reach a 96 mph high with his fastball. He’s a lanky, long-limbed athlete with wiry arm strength that doesn’t need much effort downhill to generate velocity. His fastball typically sits in the low-90s, up to 2,600+ RPM this summer, and he’ll complement it with a tight-spun slider with late action off a similar axis than his heater. This is the type of arm that could touch triple digits once he’s 22-to-23 years old.
Christian Oppor
Left-Handed Pitcher
Columbus (WI)
The top uncommitted prospect in the Midwest right now. Projectable 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame with explosive athleticism and electric arm speed. Up to 95 mph multiple times from the left side this summer, sits 92-94 mph in short stints with raw feel for the zone. Secondary pitches are still developing, slider has flashed average spin at times. Still, a high-end athlete that could bump high-90s heat from the left side is impossible to ignore.
BEST OF THE REST
Caden Marcum
Right-Handed Pitcher
Paola (KS)
Lanky, high-waisted right-hander with thin levers and long arms. Fastball sits at 88-92 mph with relative ease. Spins two distinct breaking balls; low-70s curveball with more gradual action and a sharp, downer slider thrown with conviction that works best low-and-away to right-handed hitters. How well he syncs up his levers as he gets older will ultimately decide how consistent he is at the next level.
Logan Olson
Right-Handed Pitcher
Academy of Holy Angels (MN)
6-foot-4, 175-pound high-waisted athlete with immense physical upside. Up to 89 mph this winter with his fastball, tends to sit in the high-80s, present strike feel on the corners. Changeup is currently the best secondary pitch in his arsenal; low-80s with natural fade at arm speed. Lands low-70s curveball for strikes, too. Present mound polish with feel for three pitches and clear upside.
Brendan Summerhill
Outfield
Whitney Young (IL)
Has one of the more projectable bodies you’ll see; 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. Left-handed hitting outfielder, smooth stroke with bat speed, consistently hits and works on the barrel in game. Might be able to stick in center long-term, 6.59 runner in the 60. Has a chance to be a really special hitter in the SEC should he make it to college.
Jack Scheri
Infield
LaSalle Peru (IL)
Did nothing but consistently perform all summer long. High-level athlete, 6.48 runner in the 60 with noteworthy Blast Motion numbers, too. Compact strength attached to his 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame, thick lower. Easy bat/wrist speed, stays short to contact, comfortable with the whole field and knows how to advantageously use his speed. Sure-handed up the middle, likely profiles at second base in the long run but could also play an above-average center field at the next level with reps if a team opted to go that route.
Michael Lippe
Outfield
Whitefish Bay (WI)
Physical 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame with loud tools to pair that translate in game; 6.77 runner in the 60, 97+ mph from the outfield. Impressive rotational athleticism with bat speed and bat strength inside his right-handed stroke. Needs to consistently hit more in game to turn heads, but the power upside is pretty real and he has enough juice to play a corner outfield role everyday in the ACC.
Aydan Decker-Petty
Right-Handed Pitcher
New Castle (IN)
Pretty impressive 6-foot-5, 180-pound frame with thin levers capable of adding some strength as he matures, quick arm. High-80s fastball that’ll bump up into the 91-92 mph range in short stints, throws three other secondary pitches too. Secondary stuff is still developing and this is a pure projection arm. Does have starter upside at the collegiate level, however.
Brayden Risedorph
Right-Handed Pitcher
East Noble (IN)
Ultra physical 6-foot-3, 235-pound athlete with noteworthy strength scattered throughout his frame. Definitely arm strength over arm speed on the mound, but has the brute strength to just overpower hitters on the mound. Fastball was up to 95 mph this summer with 14+ inches of horizontal movement. Completes his arsenal with a fringe average changeup and some feel to spin a sweeping slider.