PG had double-barreled action at its National Showcase this year, with some 250 of the top 2010 prospects attending its four-day event at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, and another 70 elite prospects from the rising junior class participating in a two-day 2011 National Showcase. The Tournament of Stars has less than half the number of players who attended PG’s kickoff events, some 144 spread over eight teams, but it’s evident that many of the top prospects in the next two draft classes have attended both events.

Righthander Jameson Taillon (The Woodlands, Texas, HS), who was the top prospect at Perfect Game’s National Showcase and positioned himself as possibly the top prospect for the 2010 draft, pitching two scoreless innings in PONY Baseball’s 2-0 loss to Base Ruth Baseball. Taillon worked the final two innings and his fastball was 93-94 mph on every pitch—slightly lower than the 96 mph he recorded at PG National. His curve and slider were both above-average, as well. His changeup was just average and clearly the weakest of his off-speed offerings on this day.

It was a toss-up between righthanders Aaron Sanchez (Barstow, Calif., HS) and Kevin Gausman (Grandview Aurora HS, Centennial, Colo.) on who was the second most impressive pitching prospect after Taillon. Both those pitchers stood out at PG National, as well.

Though he walked four and gave up three hits for RBI Baseball in its 7-4 win over American Legion, Sanchez’ fastball sat at 90-94 mph and he had a pretty nasty curveball. His arm action and delivery were also impressive.

Gausman’s fastball was in the 88-92 mph range to go with a very low-effort delivery and easy arm action. He was a little more advanced in terms of pitchability than Sanchez, but it appeared that Sanchez had slightly better stuff. Gausman worked the first three innings of the American Amateur Baseball Congress’ 8-0 win over the team assembled by the National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF), walking one and striking out four.

Other pitchers who stood out on Day One:

--Righthander Luke Jackson (Calvary Christian HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.) was 89-92 mph with at least an average breaking ball in Base Ruth’s 2-0 win over PONY. He worked the first seven innings, walking three and striking out nine, while exhibiting an aggressive pitching style.

--Yordy Cabrera (Lakeland, Fla., HS) threw a very easy 91-93 mph while closing out American Legion’s 7-4 loss to RBI, and it was apparent that he could throw harder if he wanted to. His curveball was not particularly sharp. But Cabrera’s true calling card for the draft is as a shortstop, and he is one of a handful of the top prep prospects for 2010. He was used as a DH in a stacked Legion lineup.

--PONY righthander Gabriel Encinas (St. Paul HS, Whittier, Calif.) had the most impressive line of the day, working four hitless innings in middle relief in his team’s 2-0 loss to Babe Ruth. At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, he looks the part and his velocity sat at 88-92 mph. His fastball projects well, but he didn’t show much feel for his off-speed pitches.

--Righthander Adam Plutko (Glendora HS, Upland, Calif.) was rocked for three runs and eight hits as the starter in NABF’s 8-0 loss to AABC. His fastball was 88-90 mph, but it was evident there’s more in there as he has a projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame and shows a decent feel for pitching. His curveball has a way to go, though.

--Righthander Colby Sims (Mandarin HS, Jacksonville, Fla.) was clocked at 87-90 mph in a two-inning stint in Babe Ruth’s 8-0 win over PONY. He got hitters out pretty easily as he also showed good feel for a slider.

--Six-foot-6, 240-pound righthander Tyler Skulina (Walsh Jesuit HS, Strongsville, Ohio) topped out at 92 mph, but that was about it for him. He’s big and physical with obvious raw arm strength, but it was apparent that Skulina’s arm action and off-speed stuff have work to do.

Among the top hitters on Day One, AABC third baseman Chad Lewis (Marina HS, Huntington Beach, Calif.) clearly stood out. He hit two bombs (a two-run shot in the second inning, and a three-run blast in the seventh), both around 400 feet, in his team’s 8-0 win over NABF. He also came within about 10 feet of going deep twice more, settling for double and a long single. On the day, he went 4-for-5 with five RBIs.

Several teams took batting practice today, and three Babe Ruth team players stood out. Shortstop Sean Coyle (Germantown Academy, Chalfont, Pa.), a North Carolina recruit, and two 2011 products, shortstop Christian Lopes (Valencia HS, Canyon Country, Calif.) and outfielder Travis Harrison (Tustin HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.) had the most impressive sessions. Coyle’s bat speed was as good as anyone’s on the day. Lopes continued to impress in game competition as he hammered two doubles in Babe Ruth’s 2-0 win, while Harrison hit a 405-foot shot to the warning track in center field that went for a double.