DUBOIS — Seven Butler County high school baseball players have been invited to participate in the Prep Baseball Report's Pennsylvania State Games June 15-17 at the athletic complex in DuBois.

The event is designed to give players in the Keystone State exposure to college scouts.

These seven players — pitcher Branson Carson and catcher Jake Obman of Moniteau, outfielder Tyler Mack and shortstop Alex Mortier of Seneca Valley, outfielder Ryan Hepfl of Butler, pitcher Broc Weigle of A-C Valley and outfielder Shane Thompson of Slippery Rock — will be among 350 from Pennsylvania comprising 24 teams in the showcase.

“Ninety-five percent of these players were at one of our winter camps and stood out there,” said Greg Williams, a former Slippery Rock University baseball standout who is now PBR's Pennsylvania Director of Scouting. “All of these kids have the talent to play in college.

“These 350 were invited to participate in this showcase out of more than 800 players we've seen.”

Williams was an outfielder and captain of the 1989 SRU team that won 42 games and placed third at the NCAA Division II World Series. He is a former Meadville High School baseball coach — leading the Bulldogs to consecutive District 10 championships — and athletic director.

Williams has been Director of Scouting for PBR in Pennsylvania for nine years.

“PBR is a nationwide organization. Every state has a director of scouting like I am here,” Williams said. “We're like a mediator, bringing these prospects and the colleges together.”

Players will be put through workouts at the Pa. State Games, doing defensive drills, 50-yard dash, etc. Modern technological tools will measure pitching efficiency and baserunning ability, among other things.

Williams said 100 to 125 college scouts would normally attend the state games — which include each of the 24 teams playing a game or two — but the NCAA is prohibiting Division I and II coaches from attending such an event this early in the summer.

Division III, NAIA and junior college coaches will be on hand.

“Everything is being put on tape and will be available,” Obman said. “I'm sure any (college) coach who wants to view it will have access.”

Obman and Carson will be juniors at Moniteau next school year. Weigle will be a senior next year while Hepfl, Mack, Mortier and Thompson will all be juniors.

Obman is playing ball for the Northeast Twins in Olean, N.Y., this summer. Carson plays for 18u and 16u travel teams in Struthers, Ohio. Obman is ranked as the 54th best Pa. prospect overall in the Class of 2022, ninth best catcher.

“Three of the top four ranked catchers have already committed to West Virginia, Ohio State and Pittsburgh,” Williams said. “It remains to be seen if Jake will reach that level, but it shows the caliber of players on that list.”

Williams emphasized that players do not have to be affiliated with PBR or attend one of its camps to be part of the rankings.

“Those rankings cover every high school player in the state,” he said.

Some players were invited to the showcase because of foot speed, quickness, arm strength, hitting ability, defensive prowess, etc.

Carson would have been one of Moniteau's top two pitchers this spring. He's hit 84 miles per hour with his fastball and averages in the high 70s.

“This (showcase) is a good way to get my name out there,” Carson said. “I'm hoping to someday play Division II baseball somewhere, preferably within three hous of home.

“I see myself as a pitcher in college, but I'm versatile enough to play other positions, too.”

Carson hit seven home runs in his second season of baseball, 14 in his third. He did not play baseball until age 11.

“He'll be a two-way guy,” Williams said of Carson at the Pa. Games. “He'll get some time in the outfield. He has a strong arm and a good bat.

“There will be 150 pitchers there who average in the mid-80s and up. Tyat's the kind of talent that's out there.”

Obman said he's just hopeful of playing college baseball, period.

“If I go beyond that, it'd be fantastic,” he said. “The level of ollege doesn't matter. I'll play for anybody that will have me.”

Parents will not be permitted in the stands to view the Pa. Games due to safety rules regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I'll drive him up there and probably sit in the car,” said Jackie Carson, Branson's mother. “It would be fun to watch, but rules are rules.”