GREAT LAKES LEAGUE
TOP 25 PROSPECTS, 2008

Compiled by Allan Simpson
In Association with League Managers and Scouts

Official League Website: www.greatlakesleague.org

Cincinnati’s high school ranks used to be among the most fertile in the country, but it’s been almost 20 years since they produced their last first-round draft pick. In fact, draft selections of any kind have been a rarity in recent years.

A turnaround won’t occur any time soon, but it was noteworthy that the Cincinnati Steam dominated the Great Lakes League from start to finish this summer with an almost entirely homegrown lineup. All but three Steam players were from Greater Cincinnati high schools and most have gone on to play at Ohio colleges.

The Steam is doing its part to raise the profile of amateur baseball in its backyard. But the team hasn’t just tapped into local talent in its three-year existence to achieve that. Its managers in the last two years have been former Cincinnati Reds players Ron Oester and Todd Benzinger. Benzinger, a former Cincinnati high school star who has been a successful girls’ basketball coach in the Cincinnati prep ranks in recent years, guided the Steam to the best record in the regular season by a wide margin. The Steam then turned back the defending champion Columbus All-Americans in the league’s post-season tournament.

Five Cincinnati players cracked the accompanying list of the league’s 25 best prospects, but no one made more headway in establishing his prospect worth this summer than outfielder Zach Hurley. Just a part-time player in three years at Ohio State, Hurley topped the league with a robust .433 batting average. He was not only selected the league MVP but the league’s official top prospect, and it’s expected he’ll use his breakthrough summer as a springboard to success in 2009.

FAST FACTS
Year League Established: 1986.
States Represented in League: Indiana, Ohio.
Level of Competition (1-to-4 Scale): 2.
No. of Teams in League: 11.
Regular-Season Champion: Cincinnati Steam.
Post-Season Champion: Cincinnati Steam.
Teams, PG Crosschecker Summer 16/Final Ranking: No. 6 Cincinnati Steam.
No. 1 Prospect, 2007 (per PG Crosschecker): Brad Stillings, rhp, Columbus All-Americans (Kent State; played in Cape Cod League in 2008).
First 2007 Player Selected, 2008 Draft: Dock Doyle, c, Grand Lake Mariners (Coastal Carolina; Mets, fifth round).

Most Valuable Player: None selected.
Most Outstanding Pitcher: None selected.
Top Prospect (as selected by league): None selected.

BATTING LEADERS
Batting Average: Zach Hurley, of, Cincinnati Steam (.433).
Slugging Percentage: Ed Rohan, c-of, Stark County Terriers (.630).
On-Base Average: Zach Hurley, of, Cincinnati Steam (.507).
Home Runs: Ed Rohan, c-of, Stark County Terriers (7).
RBIs: Ed Rohan, c-of, Stark County Terriers; Phillip Vaughn, 3b, Southern Ohio Copperheads (32).
Stolen Bases: Jeremy Hazelbaker, of, Licking County Settlers; John McCambridge, if, Licking County Settlers (20).

PITCHING LEADERS 
Wins: Three tied at 5.
ERA: Shane Farrell, rhp, Delaware Cows (0.88).
Saves: Nick Karow, rhp, Delaware Cows (9).
Strikeouts: Burny Mitchem, rhp, Columbus All-Americans (49).
Opponent Batting Average: Tyler Wilson, rhp, Delaware Cows (.167).

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter: Zach Hurley, of, Cincinnati Steam.

Best Power: Tommy Nurre, 1b, Cincinnati Steam.

Fastest Base Runner: Ryan Strausborger, ss, Cincinnati Steam.

Best Defensive Player: Drew Page, ss-c, Xenia AIA.

Best Velocity: Tyler Wilson, rhp, Delaware Cows.

TOP 25 PROSPECTS

  PLAYER POS. TEAM B-T HT WT YR 2009 SCHOOL
1. Tyler Wilson RHP Delaware Cows R-R 6-2 180 So. Virginia
SCOUTING REPORT: A member of USA Baseball’s junior national team in 2007, Wilson was expected to be a force on Virginia’s pitching staff as a freshman. But he lost his confidence early and worked in just 15 innings, walking nine and striking out 13 while going 0-0, 4.20. Given a chance to pitch in a regular rotation this summer, he responded by winning Great Lakes League pitcher of the year honors. In 40 innings, he posted a 1.82 ERA, walked 14, struck out 48 and didn’t allow a home run. His .167 opponent batting average was the best in the league. His record was just 2-2, but that mark was deceiving as his pitch count was closely monitored and he didn’t work enough innings in several starts to qualify for a win. Wilson was in command throughout and impressed scouts and rival managers with his quick, live arm and feel for pitching. He dominated hitters with the league’s best fastball, a steady 91-93 mph offering that peaked at 94 and had good late life in the strike zone. He worked mainly off his fastball as his 81-83 mph, two-plane slurve was mostly a work-in-progress and his changeup was an average pitch though had good sinking action.


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