Friday, August 31, 2012

Valparaiso junior outfielder Chris Manning (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro) was named among the top 30 baseball prospects from the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League by Perfect Game USA this week. Perfect Game, which is considered to be one of baseball's largest scouting service, has provided detailed top prospect lists and reports from 25 summer collegiate baseball leagues around the country.

Manning was selected as the No. 19 overall prospect from the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. A member of the Dayton Docs, he finished with a .293 batting average, one home run and three triples, while also recording 12 RBIs and 23 runs scored. Manning also stole nine bases and was named to the Great Lakes All-Star Team in July.

During his sophomore year at Valpo, Manning played in all 60 games, hitting .283 with seven doubles, two triples, two homeruns, 35 RBIs and 44 runs scored. The centerfielder also stole 11 bases and earned Second Team All-Horizon League honors.

In addition, sophomore first baseman Grant Yoder (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider) earned summer honors as well, as he was named to the Second Team All-Jayhawk League. Playing this summer for the Dodge City A’s, Yoder hit .313 to go along with 29 RBIs. In his first season with the Crusaders in 2012, Yoder finished with a .262 batting average, including a game-winning, three-run homer against IPFW on April 24.