KANSAS CITY -- Twenty-four of the Midwest's top high school prospects flocked to the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy on Friday to display their skills in the latest Prospect Development Pipeline Premier event.
The prospects -- from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska -- all stepped on to Motley Family Field with one common goal: to showcase their skills and gain exposure in front of a bevy of scouts.
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The Prospect Development Pipeline is a joint commitment from Major League Baseball and USA Baseball that aims to provide a structured and organized path to college and the pros for amateur ballplayers across the country. The prospects went through drills and exercises that evaluated their skills and allowed them to show them off through hitting and fielding activities.
While the players still have one or two seasons of high school ball left, many have already committed to play at major colleges across the Big 12, SEC and other conferences. Those who haven't committed are searching for the chance to, and all 24 prospects are potentially playing for a shot at a professional contract as well.
Here's what the scouts in charge of those decisions thought of a few of the top prospects playing at Friday's event:
Nate Wohlgemuth, RHP/OF
Wohlgemuth was described by one scout as having the best arm of any pitcher at the event. His arm strength and velocity stood out in particular. Wohlgemuth, from Owasso, Okla., is a rising junior and thought to be a top 10 or top 25 prospect nationally in the class of 2020.
Jimmy Obertop, C/1B
Obertop impressed at the plate, having one of the best batting-practice sessions among all hitters. Scouts were impressed by his swing and his form, something young players often struggled with. Obertop has just one year left at Westminster Christian Academy in Des Peres, Mo., and he will then take his talents north to Michigan for college.
Jake Bennett, LHP/1B
Bennett is a left-hander from Bixby High in Tulsa, Okla. While scouts were most impressed with his pitching display, he projects as a possible first baseman as well. One scout said Bennett "works easy" and was generally sharp. He's committed to play at Oklahoma following his graduation in 2019.

Samuel Thompson, OF
Thompson is a high school teammate of Wohlgemuth, as both as from Owasso High in Owassa, Okla. Thompson's athleticism stood out to scouts initially, but they were also impressed by his swings and approach in the batters' box. Thompson will only get to play with Wohlgemuth for one more season before shipping off to TCU.
Braylen Wimmer, SS/2B
Scouts walked away highly impressed by Wimmer's defensive ability in the middle of the infield. The Yukon, Okla., native was described as a smooth fielder who had good natural rhythm and motions up the middle. He may have gotten some of that from his father, Chris Wimmer, who played in the infield for Wichita State in the 1990s and had a seven-year Minor League career before becoming a pro scout and eventually an agent. Braylen is committed to play at South Carolina.

Jovan Gill, RHP/2B
Gill was one of a few local products at the event, hailing from Blue Valley Southwest in nearby Overland Park, Kan. His power jumped out to scouts in attendance, as he belted the most homers of any player during batting practice. Gill is only a rising junior, but he has drawn interest from several prestigious schools stretching from coast to coast.
Chase Krogman, OF/LHP
Krogman is a rising senior from Dardenne Prairie, Mo., near St. Louis who impressed in multiple areas. Scouts liked him at the plate, as he showed a strong ability to spray the ball to all fields and demonstrated strong bat speed and potential for power. Krogman was sharp defensively, too, showing refined skills and taking efficient angles to balls in the outfield. He's committed to play at Missouri State after graduation.
Blake Robertson, 1B/OF
Robertson is an Edmond, Okla., native who stood out to scouts as possessing a good frame and body. His long levers and early power leads them to believe he will develop into a strong and sturdy first baseman one day. Robertson will stay close to home after graduating next year, as he's committed to Oklahoma State.