Iowa Scouting Reports

By Jim Callis
May 30, 2006

THIS YEAR'S CROP
*****	One for the books
****	Banner year
***	Solid, not spectacular
**	Not up to par
*	Nothing to see here

There's no premium talent like Joel Hanrahan, Matt Macri, Jeff Clement or Jeremy Hellickson in Iowa this year. The high school ranks don't offer much talent and the four-year colleges have even less. Most of the state's best prospects are at Indian Hills Community College and were under control to big league clubs, with a May 30 deadline to sign or go back into the draft.

1. Ray Kruml, of, Indian Hills CC (CONTROL: Diamondbacks)
2. Brock Kjeldgaard, rhp, Indian Hills CC (CONTROL: Brewers)
3. Nick Nordgren, of, Indian Hills CC (CONTROL: Blue Jays)
4. Zach Von Tersch, rhp, Cedar Falls HS
5. Aaron Jarosh, of, Ankeny HS
6. Digger Towe, c/1b, Indian Hills CC (CONTROL: Padres)
7. Kalvin Johnson, 1b, Iowa Western CC
8. Jeremy Weih, c, Wilton HS
9. Zach Jevne, rhp, Northern Iowa
10. Tim Gudex, lhp, Iowa (SIGNED: Cubs)

Indian Hills Leads Iowa Talent Parade

Indian Hills, which went 48-13 but lost in the junior college regional playoffs, has three draft-and-follows who rank as the best Iowa has to offer in 2006. Outfielder Ray Kruml ranked among the national juco leaders with a .461 average and 35 steals in 37 attempts. Speed is his best tool, and he's a spray hitter who has improved his approach, power and center-field defense. The Diamondbacks drafted him in the 35th round in 2005.

Canadian righthander Brock Kjeldgaard is a projectable 6-foot-5, 205 pounds and throws an 85-88 mph fastball that touches 90. His command and secondary pitches need work. A 34th-round pick of the Brewers a year ago, he'll attend Nevada if he doesn't turn pro. Outfielder Nick Nordgren, a 49th-round choice of the Blue Jays in 2005, is an athletic switch-hitter who could use another year of junior college to fill out his 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame and to tighten his swing.

The state's top high school players may not even get drafted. Righthander Zach Von Tersch is strongly committed to Georgia Tech. Scouts love his 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame and the way his arm works. He should throw hard once he fills out, but he currently works at 85-86. He also has a decent curveball. Outfielder Aaron Jarosh didn't play in Perfect Game's spring league, choosing instead to focus on track. Jarosh won Iowa's Class 4-A long-jump title in 2005 and finished second in 2006 despite a hamstring injury. He also was an all-state defensive back and drew football interest from the University of Iowa. Committed to Nebraska, he's a raw athlete whose speed stands out the most at this point. Both Von Tersch and Jarosh could be early-round picks in 2009.

Righthander Zach Jevne is the class of the state's college prospects, but he figures to go after the first 10 rounds. Though he's 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, he's more of a finesse pitcher who gets outs with his changeup and pitches at 86-89 mph with his fastball. A senior, he'll need to tighten up his slurve to succeed as a pro.

Lefthander Tim Gudex stands just 6 feet tall and throws 81-85 mph. Yet in 2005 he became the first pitcher ever to lead the Big 10 Conference in wins (seven), saves (six) and ERA (1.11) in league play. He followed up with a 1.15 ERA and a Big 10-best 10 saves this spring. A former walk-on, Gudex thrives on his changeup and can keep hitters off balance with his overhand curveball. The Cubs signed him before the draft as a fifth-year senior.