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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Corner Infield Analysis

October 21, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior Showcase took place on Sunday October 12th at the MAX in McCook, IL in front of over forty collegiate programs and featured 98 prospects in the class of 2015 that are still uncommitted. Last year’s same event saw over 35 collegiate commitments reported to PBR, and we expect more of the same after witnessing this year’s impressive crop.

Over the next few days we will roll out position-by-position rankings of the showcase culminating with the Top Overall Prospects from the event.

CLICK HERE to see complete statistics from the event in PDF format.

Today we’ll take a look at the corner infielders. Heading off our list is switch-hitting third baseman Esteban Martinez (St. Rita HS). Martinez impressed with a balanced approach from both sides of the plate (88 mph exit velocity), ran a 6.78 60-yard dash, and showed plenty of arm strength across the diamond (83 mph).

Shepard’s Brett Stratinsky is an intimidating presence in the batter’s box with his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame and has huge power potential from the left side. Kenwood’s Joe Lucas made an appearance in the catching rankings, profiles better at first base, and offers power from the left side of the plate as well.

Rich Central’s Nicholas Norris Pace was one of the more dynamic athletes in attendance, showing explosive bat speed and posting a top 60-yard dash time at 6.71. Brother Rice’s Max Hughes impressed with a steady glove at third base, and also ran well with a 6.91 60.

Let’s take a look at the top corner infielders at the October 12th Unsigned Senior Showcase.

Top Corner Infield Prospects

1. Esteban Martinez, INF, St. Rita HS, 2015
One of the top overall performers at October’s Unsigned Senior Showcase, Martinez opened eyes with his all-around skill set. Solidly built 6-foot, 185-pound frame; has the ability and tools to play multiple infield positions. Posted impressive numbers across the board: ran a 6.78 60, was clocked at 83 across the infield, registered 88 mph exit velocity. Offensively, shows natural switch-hitting abilities; repeats swing from both sides of the plate, each with similar approaches. Has aggressive plate approach, legitimate bat speed and rhythm from both sides. Defensively, may be best suited at third or second base, but possesses the arm strength, hands and overall athleticism to play shortstop if needed. Some effort in throw, with good carry across infield. Although Martinez didn’t get playing time on St. Rita’s loaded team as a junior last spring, he looks to be one of the top uncommitted infielders in Illinois’ 2015 class.

2. Brett Stratinsky, 1B, Stagg, 2015
6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed hitting first baseman, extra-large frame, strong build. Offensively hits from a tall setup, open stance, short stride back to even, good balance through contact. Pull side power approach, looks to lift the baseball, bat speed present, loose hands with slight uphill path. Power hitter approach from the left side, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively is a big target at first base, hands work, showed some natural actions around the bag. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, accurate arm, 68 mph across the diamond. 7.35 runner in the 60.

3. Joe Lucas, 1B/C, Kenwood, IL
5-foot-11, 200-pound strong, defined lower half, left-handed hitting first baseman/catcher hits from an open setup, short stride, hands load smoothly, explosive bat speed, short bat path creating line drives from gap-to-gap with power. Lucas has natural lift to his swing, and showed power to the opposite field gap during batting practice. Defensively, threw 79 mph from the crouch from long, over the top arm slot with pop times ranging from 2.26-2.36. Impressed at first base with soft hands, especially on backhand plays. Ran a 7.30 60.

4. Nicholas Norris Pace, 3B, Rich Central, 2015
5-foot-9, 175-pound strong and athletic right-handed hitting third baseman hits from an open setup, drops hands to load, long stride, produces explosive bat speed with 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. During batting practice showed pull tendencies and a slightly up hill bat path. Defensively, impressed with arm strength across the diamond from high ¾ arm slot, touching 82 mph. Shows soft hands and quick, clean exchanges. Ran a 6.71 60, one of the top 60’s at the Unsigned Senior Showcase.

5. Max Hughes, SS/3B, Brother Rice, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound shortstop/third baseman impressed in the middle infield during defensive evaluations with soft hands, quick footwork, and clean exchanges playing through the baseball fluidly. Threw 76 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with more in the tank. Arm showed plus carry and accuracy. Hits from a tall, slightly open setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, balance leaks to front side early at times, slightly uphill bat path producing line drives from gap-to-gap with 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 6.91 60.

Best of the Rested (In Alphabetical Order)

Riley Alvarado, 3B/RHP, Dundee Crown, 2015
5-foot-11, 195-pound left-handed hitting catcher hits from an open setup, short leg kick stride, producing line drives from gap-to-gap with 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 79 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot, showcasing average hands defensively. Ran a 7.91 60. On the mound, works from short, high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 77-79 mph for strikes. 61-64 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape. Fading changeup from a lower arm slot was 70-72 mph.

David Blutcher, 1B, Southland College Prep, 2015
6-foot-1, 260-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from a closed stance, short stride, lunges at times, level bat path with strength in swing as evidenced by 88 mph exit velocity. Threw 71 mph across the diamond from short high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Ran an 8.39 60.

Nicholas Donzelli, RHP/3B, Prospect, 2015
6-foot-1, 161-pound right-handed hitting right-handed pitcher/third baseman hits from a balanced setup, hands drop down and back to load, short stride, long, slightly uphill bat path, producing above average exit velocity off the tee at 82 mph. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot, while showcasing average hands defensively. Ran a 7.41 60. On the mound works exclusively from the stretch. Fastball sat 80-81 mph from long, high ¾ arm slot, breaks hands high, tall-and-fall delivery, shoulders stay level throughout, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square. Breaking ball showed lateral, slider type action in the 72-74 mph range. Changeup flashed plus sinking action thrown near fastball arm speed at 74-77 mph.

Albert Mendez, 3B, Roberto Clemente, 2015
5-foot-5, 160-pound small framed right-handed hitting third baseman impressed throwing 82 mph across the diamond from the hot corner from a short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Hands are soft, quick footwork, clean exchanges fielding. Hits from a balanced setup, up the middle approach, 68 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.63 60.

Todd Motton, 1B, Kennedy, IL
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from an open setup, hands drop during, producing short, level, rotational bat path with 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 64 mph across the diamond from short, ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Ran a 7.90 60.

Vince O’Meara, RHP/3B, Alleman, IL
6-foot-2, 155-pound lanky and athletics right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a wide setup, hands load smoothly, no stride approach, above average bat speed with 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 74 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot with some accuracy. Ran a 7.45 60. On the mound, utilized same arm slot, tall-and-fall type delivery, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lower half stride directions stays in line with home plate, lands square. Fastball sat 76-79 mph with sink. Slows arm action on 63-65 mph curveball with 11/5 shape, erratic location. Also threw a 69-70 mph straight change.

Owen Oreskovich, 3B/MIF, Jacobs, 2015
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting third baseman/middle infielder hits from an open setup, short stride, producing short, level bat path with above average 82 mph exit velocity. Impressed during batting practice showing gap-to-gap tendencies, and several line drives to right-centerfield. Defensively, threw 76 mph across the infield from short, high ¾ arm slot. Plays through the baseball, showcasing average hands fielding. Ran a 7.93 60.

Anthony Rosalez, 1B, St. Ignatius, 2015
6-foot-3, 210-pound left-handed hitting first baseman, large build with strength. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, smooth loading action, slightly drops hands at load. Uphill pull path, hits with some pop, strong hitter, displayed pop to right center gap. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, some accuracy, arm carried well, 81 mph across the diamond. 

Tanner Scott, 1B, Mattoon, 2015
Extra large frame, 6-foot-5, 235-pound first baseman, strong build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Path has length, some extension, pull side power approach, strong hitter. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a short arm action, high ¾ slot, had some feel for the bag, natural actions. 77 mph across the diamond. Ran an 8.16 in the 60-yard dash.

Steven Stachyra, 1B/RHP, Marquette Catholic (IN), 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting first baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, short stride, hands move back to load, loose wrists, some barrel whip, producing short bat path with 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Hit line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice. Defensively, threw 69 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot, also showcasing average hands fielding. On the mound sat 71-73 mph with fastball from long, over-the-top arm slot with a stab in back of arm swing. Tall-and-fall type delivery, choppy rhythm. Curveball sat in the 50-51 mph range, slider from 54-56 mph, splitter delivered with slowed arm action at 54-55 mph.

Mike Trbovic, LHP/1B, Marist, 2015
5-foot-8, 205-pound two-way player. On the mound used a short arm action, regular effort, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball flashed slight cut action, 75-76 mph. Curveball has 1/7 action, 65-68 mph. Changeup has good action with arm speed, and arm side run, 71-73 mph. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, drops hands at load, bat rested on shoulder, short stride. Showed some infield actions around the bag, short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 73 mph across the diamond.

Larry Warr, 1B, Morgan Park, 2015
6-foot, 225-pound first baseman, large build with strength. Defensively showed feel for the bag, solid mechanics around first base, showed natural actions, feet worked effectively. Arm action is short, over the top slot, 71 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, drops hands at load. Rotational type hitter, pull side approach with some length. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82

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