Lepine, Hutzal, Keyes shine at PG event

 * Five Okotoks Dawgs were at the Perfect Game National Underclass showcase at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Az. and when the desert dust cleared three of the top eight prospects were Dawgs: C Luke Lepine, INF Peter Hutzal and OF Clayton Keyes. .... 2014 Canadians in the Minors … Canadians in College 2015 Canadian draft list …. Canadians in College 2016 Canadian draft list  Letters of Intent

By Bob Elliott

Luke Lepine made the top 40 charts for the best in Alberta.

When time came to select the Canada Cup entry from Wild Rose Country Lepine didn’t make the travelling squad.

So the catcher could had some options after not making the national championship: sulk and hung his head OR keep working and not allow a slight derailment to stop his progress.

The Okotoks Dawgs catcher earned an invite to the Tournament 12 in September and kicked off December at the Perfect Game National Underclass showcase at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Az. the spring home of the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lepine and two of his teammates ranked amongst the top eight as the Dawgs ran with the big dogs from California, Texas, Arizona and other states on the event’s top 14 prospect list.

Lepine had a good pop time behind the plate while Infielder Peter Hutzal (Calgary, Alta.) was ranked fifth and outfielder Clayton Keyes (Calgary, Alta.) was listed eighth. Hutzal ran a 7.08 60-yard dash while Keyes was the fastest man on the field running a 6.71 60.

OF Justin King (Okotoks, Alta.) and 3B Brett Esau (Meadow Lake, Sask.) were there along with Keyes, Hutzal and Lepine. Esau’s father Len Esau played 11 seasons of pro hockey including 27 games in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.

They were in Arizona for four days and visited with Chandler Gilbert and Central Arizona Colleges with former Dawgs Frank Ingram and Tyler Hollick went down with the five Dawgs.

They also hooked up with the most famous Dawg of them all -- reliever Jimmy Henderson (Calgary, Alta.). Injuries held Henderson to 11 1/3 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers this season and 6 2/3 innings in six games at double-A Huntsvville and triple-A Nashville.

Hutzal was clocked at 84-85 MPH, he has been at 89-90 MPH, plays short, catches, does not look out of place at third and has so much enthusiasm he’ll show up early and cut the infield grass if asked.

“Jordan Procyshen has been working with Luke, he’s really helped him and has got Luke to the point where he’s the part of the No. 1 catcher for us this season,” said Dawgs coach Allen Cox, after a day of hitting ground balls outdoors in Okotoks.

Perfect Game report Teal Vs. Dark Green Highlights Peter Hutzal (2016 MIF, Calgary, Alta.) was sitting at 84-85mph with his fastball this afternoon. Hutzal has an excellent arm action with good arm speed with late life to his fastball. Hutzal also had a good day at the plate with a single showing bat speed with gap power.

Columbia Blue vs Navy Game Highlights Brett Esau (2016 3B, Meadow Lake, Sask) had a pair of doubles in the game. He squared the ball up consistently at the plate with a good hand path to the ball.

Nat. West Underclass BP Highlights Luke Lepine (2016 C, Calgary, Alta.) the ball carries off his bat with bat speed

Peter Hutzal (2016 MIF, Calgary, Alta) hit from an open stance, he swings hard at the plate with pop to his pull side. He creates backspin on the ball.

Underclass Top C Pops Name Pop Grad School City St 1. Robert Reeves 1.93 2016 Hart Sylmar CA 4, Luke Lepine 1.96 2016 Bishop Carroll Calgary Alta.

Underclass Top C Velos Name C Grad School City St 1, Noah Winkelman 81 2017 Foley Foley MN 9. Luke Lepine 73 2016 Bishop Carroll Calgary Alta.

Underclass Top 60 times Name 60 Grad School City St 1. Clayton Keyes 6.71 2016 Bishop Carroll Calgary Alta.

Underclass Top OF Velos Name OF Grad School City St 1. Noah Winkelman 89 2017 Foley Foley MN 9. Justin King 85 2016 Foothills Composite Okotoks Alta. 11. Clayton Keyes 83 2016 Bishop Carroll Calgary Alta.

Underclass Top IF Velos Name IF Grad School City St 1. Lowell Schipper 85 2016 Santa Monica Santa Monica CA 7. Peter Hutzal 80 2016 Bishop Carroll Calgary Alta.

2016 Top Prospects 3. Luke Lepine - C - 2016 - Calgary, Alta. Lepine is a left handed hitting catcher who has lots of lift and power in his swing and does a good job of hitting under control while still driving the ball. He caught well in the games and had a 2.07 game pop time to go with a 1.96 in drills.

5. Peter Hutzal - MIF - 2016 - Calgary, Alta. Hutzal was one of a number of players from Canada at the event and played well. He has a smooth left handed swing and good bat speed at the plate while also running a 7.08 sixty and showing good defensive tools in the middle infield. Hutzal also threw in the mid-80’s off the mound.

8. Clayton Keyes - OF - 2016 - Calgary, Alta. Keyes ran an event best 6.71 60 yard dash time, showing above average athleticism and flashing good bat speed along the way. He also threw 83 mph from the outfield.