Class of 2018 Showcase: Infield Analysis

August 19, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The annual Class of 2018 Showcase took place on July 20^th at The Max in McCook, IL. About 60 uncommitted 2018 prospects from the state of Illinois convened and showcased their ability. A couple of days ago we began the roll out of the analysis from the event with the catchers.

Today we look at the infielders from the event. 3B Francois Castillo (Roberto Clemente) was the clear standout on the infield, flashing soft hands, athletic actions and a big arm clocked at 88 mph across the diamond. Castillo used his standout performance at the event to earn a spot on Team Illinois at the Future Games a few weeks later.

INFIELDERS (Listed Alphabetically)

Kendall Bonner, INF, Marian Catholic, 2018
6-foot, 190-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced set up, back load, short stride, strong swing. Bat speed, long path. Recorded an exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, over the top slot. Clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. 7.62 runner in the 60.

Bryce Burton, OF/INF/RHP, Marmion, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, athletic, two-way prospect. Offensively, switch-hitter, uphill path, stronger from the right side; exit velocity clocked at 78 mph from the left side and 86 mph from the right. Balanced setup, leg kick, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, long, loose arm from an over the top angle, throws flashed carry and clocked at 83 mph from the outfield. 7.19 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, drop and drive delivery, up-tempo, stays in line, lands closed. Short arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, 76-78 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes, 65-68 mph. Changeup, flashed sink, 69-71 mph.

Zach Carlsen, INF/RHP, Sycamore, 2018
6-foot-1, 155-pound left handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, narrow, open set up, even, long stride, long path. Recorded an exit velocity of 77 mph. Defensively, long action, ¾ slot, clocked at 71 mph across the infield. 7.58 runner in the 60. On the mound, threw from multiple arm angles. Short, loose action, smooth rhythm. Fastball, thrown submarine and over the top. Submarine, sat 70-72 mph. Over the top hit 76 mph. Curveball, high ¾ slot, 10/4 action, sat 67-69 mph, thrown for strikes. Changeup, high ¾ slot, sat 66-69 mph, thrown for strikes. Slider, submarine, sat 62-66 mph.

Francois Castillo, INF/OF, Roberto Clemente, 2018
6-foot, 210-pound multi-positional prospect, strong lower half, solid build. Turned heads with his arm strength from the outfield and infield; clocked at 93 mph from the outfield and 88 mph across the infield. Defensively, natural third baseman with athletic infield actions. Hands work soft and out in front of his body. Ranges well laterally, maintains body control. Arm plays from a an over-the-top slot with some effort. Offensively, right-handed hitter with fluid rhythm and gap-to-gap approach. Balanced, open setup, smooth load, short stride and good balance throughout. Long, uphill bat path and hard contact at times; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Also, ran a 7.19 laser-timed 60. Also pitched on the day. Right-handed pitcher, long, quick arm out of a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery with effort, stays in-line and recoil finish. Fastball works straight and sat 83-85 mph. Curveball, 11/5 12/6 shape, gradual action and 70-71 mph. Slider backed up at times, 69-73 mph. Changeup flashed cut and sink at times, 69-72 mph.

Ben Chapman, C/3B, Rochester, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting C/3B. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.78. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Gains ground towards second base on throws. Popped 2.11-2.18 and threw 76 mph from the crouch. In the infield has slow actions with a short arm action. Threw 81 mph across the infield.

Kyle Engstrom, INF, Glenbard West, 2018
5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-lift stride, balance on follow through. Recorded an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, showed athleticism at position. Long action, high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy and carry. Clocked at 80 mph across the infield. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Kyle Fasbinder, 1B/OF, Vernon Hills, 2018
6-foot-1, 190 pound, athletic, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, strong contact, fluid rhythm, gap-gap approach; exit velocity clocked at 82 mph. Balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Defensively, clean exchange, flashed an accurate, loose arm from a high ¾ to ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph from the outfield. 7.71 runner in the laser timed 60.

Zachary Hafner, INF/RHP, Plainfield Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, wide set up, leg kick stride. Long, uphill path. Recorded an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, high ¾ slot, flashed carry across the diamond. Clocked at 71 mph. 7.59 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with a tall and fall delivery, closed landing. Short arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball thrown for strikes, sat 67-71 mph, touched 73. Curveball flashed 11/5 shape and ranged between 55-57 mph.

Bryce Hellgeth, C/RHP/3B, St. Viator, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting C/RHP/3B with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride. Long, uphill swing path with a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.15. Behind the plate has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Long takeaway out of the glove with quick footwork. Popped 2.16-2.26 and threw 78 mph from the crouch. Took drills in the infield and threw82 mph across the diamond. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with a square, athletic finish. Fastball sat 80-83 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with late action, can throw it for strikes at 4-69 mph. Changeup has downer action at 66-69 mph.

Evan Hummel, INF, New Trier, 2018
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, open set up, smooth load, short stride, balance on follow through. Fluid rhythm, line drive, opposite field approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, longer exchange, shows athleticism at position. Projects as a second base type. Clocked at 71 mph across the infield. 7.61 runner in the 60.

Mason Hutson, SS/OF, Huntley, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, left-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, loose hands, quick twitch; exit velocity clocked at 80 mph. Balanced setup, short stride, maintains balanced through contact. Defensively, flashed a short, loose, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 79 mph from the outfield. 7.57 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square. Short arm from an over the top to high ¾ slot. Fastball, 70-72 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, showed some depth, 60-63 mph. Changeup, sink action, 64-67 mph.

Jonathan Keller, INF/RHP, Hoffman Estates, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect with a projectable frame. Offensively, open, balanced set up, leg lift stride, balance on follow through. Fluid rhythm, bat speed, long, uphill path. Recorded an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, soft hands, fluid footwork, athleticism at position. Clocked at 76 mph across the infield. 7.40 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, quick arm speed, loose action, regular effort. Smooth rhythm, in line direction, square landing, athletic finish. Fastball, run, slight action, sat 79-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 action, depth, 62-65 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade, 74-77 mph.

Ty Liaromatis, INF/RHP, Yorkville, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect with a strong frame. Offensively, balanced set up, leg lift stride, long, uphill path, gap to gap type approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 81 mph. Defensively, quick, clean exchange. Clocked at 79 mph across the infield. 7.44 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, quick arm speed, short action, closed landing, athletic finish. Fastball, thrown for strikes, sat 78-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 action, accurate, sat 62-64. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sink action, sat 67-69 mph.

Nate Marshall, SS/RHP, Grayslake North, 2018
5-foot-10, 150 pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall setup, leg kick, short path; exit velocity clocked at 76 mph. Defensively, reliable hands, clean exchange. Short, loose, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, lands slightly closed. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, 77-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, flashed depth, 60-63 mph. Changeup, tendency to slow down arm, 68-71 mph. 7.32 runner in the laser timed 60.

Jared Martin, INF/RHP, Batavia, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, open, balanced set up, toe tap stride, balance on follow through. Long uphill path, flashed bat speed. Recorded an exit velocity of 77 mph. Defensively, quick exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy. Clocked at 80 mph across the infield. 7.27 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, quick arm speed, short action, rhythm, in line direction. Fastball, 79-80 mph, topped 81. Curveball sat 69-71 mph, with fastball arm speed. Featured a cutter, thrown for strikes, 71-75 mph.

Donovan Nanfeldt, 1B/LHP, Andrew, 2018
6-foot-1, 210-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced set up, short stride, bat speed, uphill path, gap to gap approach. Recorded one of the top exit velocities of 92 mph. Defensively, clean exchange, athleticism at position. Clocked at 67 mph across the diamond. On the mound, LHP, high ¾ slot, long action, regular effort. Rhythm, in line direction, square landing. Fastball, sat 71-73 mph, topping at 75. Curveball, 61-63 mph, 1/7 action. Changeup, fastball arm speed, sat 68-72 mph.

Eric Nelson, INF/RHP, DeKalb, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, open, balanced set up, back load, short stride. Long, uphill path, opposite field type approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, loose action, low ¾ slot. Clocked at 73 mph across the infield. 7.68 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, quick arm speed, short action, regular effort. Rhythm, square landing. Fastball sat 75-77 mph, topped at 78. Curveball, 11/5 action, 67-69 mph, thrown for strikes. Changeup sat 72-73 mph.

Nathaniel Quinn, INF/RHP, Morton West, 2018
5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced set up, smooth, toe tap load, balance on follow through, long path. Recorded an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, fluid footwork, short arm action, high ¾ slot, flashed carry and accuracy. Clocked at 82 mph across the infield. 7.75 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, long action, closed landing. Fastball sat 76-80 mph. Curveball sat 61-65 mph. Changeup sat 68-71.

Jayden Reed, INF, Rochester, 2018
6-foot, 145-pound, right-handed hitting prospect with a projectable frame. Offensively, balanced set up, leg kick stride, balance on follow through. Level path, line drive approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, quick, clean exchange. Short action, over the top slot, flashed accuracy. Clocked at 75 mph across the infield. 7.42 runner in the 60.

Vince Ruchala, INF/RHP, Willowbrook, 2018
5-foot-10, 135-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, open, balanced set up, back load, short stride, balance on follow through, uphill path. Recorded an exit velocity of 69 mph. Defensively, ¾ arm slot, clocked at 70 mph across the infield. 7.53 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, short action, rhythm, square landing, athletic finish. Fastball sat 70-72 mph. Curveball sat 66 mph, fastball arm speed. Changeup sat 65-67.

Noah Shutan, INF, Highland Park, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced set up, short stride, simple swing. Approach, level, long path. Line drive type. Recorded an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, quick exchange, short action, high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy. Clocked at 78 mph across the infield. 7.38 runner in the 60.

Steven Siavelis, INF, Crystal Lake South, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced set up, long stride, level path. Recorded an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, quick footwork with a quick exchange. Short action, ¾ slot, flashed accuracy and carry. Clocked at 76 mph across the infield. 7.93 runner in the 60.

Thomas Stoodt, INF, St. Ignatius, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Ran one of the top 60’s in the event at 6.98. Also had one of the top exit velocities of 90 mph. Offensively, wide, balanced set up, short stride. Flashed bat speed, level path, gap to gap approach. Defensively, showed athleticism at position. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy and carry. Clocked at 85 mph across the diamond.

Kyle Wemstrom, INF/RHP, Saint Viator, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, wide, balanced set up, long path. Recorded an exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, ¾ slot, short action. Clocked at 70 mph across the diamond. 7.83 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, long action, regular effort, in line direction. Fastball, sat 71-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 action, sat 54-61 mph. Changeup sat 68 mph.