Anyone go to PG National Underclass Showcase in December?

jbeyel-
You're right. As of the moment, the only way you could tell 07, 08, 09 is if you had a program from the event.
I will double check, but I would say there were about 20-25 VA players.

All--Here is the list of the 14 Virginia players listed on the 2005 Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase roster. I spoke with Andy Ford while in Fort Myers and he figured it would take about three weeks or so to update the website, so we should see the results soon. [Note: This list does not include any players that may have shown up after the last list was posted online just prior to the showcase event.]
Of those listed, Stancik (2008), Curtis (2007), and Wilson (2007) made the Top Prospect Team. I stayed to watch the Top Prospect Games and saw about half the pitchers hitting 78-82 (fastballs), while Tyler Wilson was consistently at an impressive 88 mph. I also saw one 2007 pitcher hit 91 mph. Eric Curtis showed well as a strong and athletic catcher. I didn't see Stancik play in the TP games, although he was on my son's (Billy Barber) team and I saw him play two games--a pretty steady 2008 performer. Of note, I asked what the criteria were for being selected to the Top Prospect Teams, however the PG coach I asked did not have an answer, only to say that "they do a pretty good job." A couple more on Orange-8 could have definitely been named. In any case, we will await the rankings. I will follow-up with another post at that time.

8-Orange 13 Barber, Jr William
Fredericksburg VA Colonial Forge

19-Red 33 Black Tim
Chesapeake VA Hickory

26-Columbia Blue 30 Cox Jonathan
Martinsville VA Magna Vista

7-Maroon 16 Curtis Eric
Chester VA Mataoca

26-Columbia Blue 41 Grenier Brandon
Rocky Mount VA Franklin County

26-Columbia Blue 34 Hackworth Joshua
Danville VA George Washington

26-Columbia Blue 35 Hodges Michael
Rocky Mount VA Franklin County

26-Columbia Blue 42 Martin Jonathan
Martinsville VA Martinsville

26-Columbia Blue 43 Morris Zach
Ridgeway VA Magna Vista

26-Columbia Blue 33 Morrison Jesse
Stuart VA Patrick County

5-Steel 3 Sias Kevin
Midlothian VA Midlothian

8-Orange 6 Stancik Michael
Ashburn VA Stone Bridge

10-Kelly Green 1 Stoneback Kenny
Colonial Heights VA Colonial Heights

20-Steel 48 Wilson Tyler
Midlothian VA Midlothian

Website link:
http://www.perfectgame.org/2005/05_12_28national_underclass/

CFHS_Dad-
Thanks for the post. I guess I was a bit high in my estimate of VA players attending.

Regarding selection to Top Prospect teams:
I don't have any "inside" info. But being to 3 PG events, here is my take on Top Propect (TP) selections-
1) As one would expect, the percentages of players by class tend to reflect the actual attendance at the event. At the National Underclass,57% of the TP team were 07's, 33% were 08's and 9% were 09's. I think those %ages are reflective of the overall attendance at the event.

2) As parents/observers, we probably don't get to see the best pitchers during the TP games. If a pitcher get named to the TP team, it is typically based on their 3-4 inning performance in the regular showcase games. I know PG doesn't want to jeopardize an arm. They told pitchers that were named to the TP teams they could leave after the picture was taken. With that said, I think MOST (not all) of the pichers in the TP games were not pitchers as a primary position.

3) For position players, I personally think PG looks at a number of things. Certainly, projectability and tools come into play. So, if you are 16/17 and 6'1" already, and running under 7 sec 60, you have a very good chance of being named to the TP. I also feel if you are smoking live pitching you got a good chance of being named to TP. Case in point, Raiko Alfonso (08) from Key West. He has been to previous PG events and ranked very high.
He ran a 7.39, by no means a great time. Showed a strong arm in IF workouts (81), but he just didn't jump out at me in the workouts.
HOWEVER, I watched him in a game situation and he impressed me big time. Smoked a ground rule double and looked VERY smooth in the IF. If he caught my eye in a game situation, I know he caught PG staff's attention.
I also think if a middle of the pack player can make a "web gem" if you will, they have a good chance of being noticed by PG staff.

Sorry for the long winded response. Just trying to say that I think PG looks at a lot of factors at determining TP teams.

Thanks for your reply. A point for those who may go to a showcase (and specifically a PG showcase) in the future, I would ensure that you be certain about your primary position. For example, if you are a pitcher and a first baseman, go with your strength. Despite going 2 for 5 in two games, and playing a flawless first base, if your primary position was listed as a pitcher, the chance of you making the Top Prospect teams (in our experience) may be in jeopardy. Also, it is incredible at how much just plain "luck" has to do with being noticed. If you came to the plate five times with no one on base compared to another player who came to the plate with runners on base each time, things may have been different. The lesson here is do the very best you can do in whatever situation that is presented. I might also add an observation about running the 60-yard dash using an electronic timer--there is definitely a technique to it. By all means, run all the way through AND BEYOND the 60-yard mark. I was floored by the number of players who pulled up as they were crossing the line at the end of the 60. Hitting the line at each end at the best possible point is critical. (Also, times that you may have run at home using a stop watch may be VERY different than times run at the PG events where electronic timers are employed--don't be surprised if your times are slightly higher than you are used to--quite a few players were a little surprised.)

Also--JBB--did you get a good look at Jason Heyward? He impressed us the most at this event due to his size, strength, and speed. We saw him over at Mack Stadium during his second game and he drilled a ball the other way for a triple that one-hopped the wall...probably close to 400 feet. Also, Patrick Johnson was impressive, as was Tyler Wilson, off the mound. Garrett Nash played on our team and it was a pleasure to watch him run--pure speed. I also watched Brooks run his 6.41...he's a true track star! Please share your observations--I'd love to hear about the players you watched.

CFHS_Dad-
GREAT observation on the 60 at PG. You will definitely get different times electronic vs. hand timed. Run the end of the run, plus start a bit behind the initial timer, as you can get a bit of a "running" start.

I was very impressed with Garrett Nash. Great speed, good pop from the right side (switch hitter).

In the TP game, saw two speedburners on TP Team #1, both 07s. One was Brooks, who impressed me with his bat as well. And an 07 from CA. His name escapes me right now. He wore NAVY-5, and could he FLY. (Just found it, Darren Starks).

Personally, the pitchers I saw OVERALL didn't wow me that much. I talked to a number of coaches who stated that guys throwing 83-84, typically threw 88-89 in the summer (i.e. arms were "backed off" for the winter). Thinking about that logic, made sense to me. However, some pitchers really impressed me with their breaking ball. I am disappointed that more ptichers don't throw a change. Only saw one throw a change of the guys I watched.

As folks that attend PG showcases (maybe others), the rules (in games) favor pitchers. There are no walks or HBP. After ball 4 or HBP, pitchers are supposed to throw fastballs. The rule is their to protect arms and I agree with it, but it does favor the pitcher and hurts (a little bit), the patient hitter who walks a lot. Also, there are a FEW ptichers who still threw a breaking ball when they were supposed to throw the FB. ( I know of one instance where an ump rung up a guy on a called 3rd strike curve ball, that stinks). This is one reason why I think BP is so important.

CFHS_Dad, you have a PM.

The underclass showecase is a great showcase if your not on the radar screen yet but as a rule you usually don't see many of the top juniors attend. If you look at Baseball America's '07 Top Prospect top 300 list your not going to see many of those players at the showcase.

The Perfect game has begun putting the basic shells of info out for each player that attended. Progress is progress....keep checking back.

ALL--A call to the Perfect Game this past week confirmed that the World Showcase (with many seniors) would have their reports completed first, while those that attended the National Underclass Showcase in Fort Myers in late DEC would have to wait until some time in FEB to see their reports, etc. We'll have to be patient for a little while longer.

ALL--The reports from the Perfect Game's National Underclass Showcase held in Fort Myers in Decemeber started to show up today, although tha portion oftheir website is currently inaccessible--they may still be uploading new information regarding some players. Enjoy...

Regarding CFHS Dad comment/question about who makes the Top Prospect team:

I recently had an email exchange with Jerry Ford of PG. It appears that "enough" of the evaluators need to rate a player as a definite DI prospect to warrant selection to the Top Prospect teams. What "enough" is, I am not exactly sure. He did mention that they do not only look at "results". He specifically mentioned Lastings Milledge (who will probably be in the Bigs this year), went 0 for 9 with 6 K's yet they had Milledge rated as one of top 10 prospects at that particular showcase.

Hope this helps.