Tyler
Fitzgerald

6.11.16 - Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 30th round out of Rochester HS.

5.18.16 - Louisville recruit. Ranked No. 2 in Illinois and No. 30 overall. 6-foot-3, 190-pound, shortstop with an athletic, projectable frame and room to add strength. Plays the game with ease and never seems to be in a hurry. Offensively, right-handed hitter, creates easy bat speed, strength through contact, compact and simple swing. Took the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the first inning and hit a towering home run over the left-field wall. Advanced pitch recognition, sees the ball deep into the zone, doesn’t try to do too much, stays centered and balanced in the box. Athletic setup, pre-pitch rhythm, short stride and gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, smooth, confident, fundamentally sound defender with soft hands; range and quickness to play shortstop at the next level. Quick, clean transfer, short over-the-top arm action, above-average arm strength, easy effort, flashed carry across the diamond. High upside 2016 draft prospect.

2.7.16 Super 60 - Louisville recruit. Highly projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, lean, long limbs, wiry-strong with plenty of room for continued physical development. High-ceiling prospect, premium athleticism/frame combination, ran a 6.71 laser-timed 60. Right-handed hitter, has gotten stronger in offseason and it showed during BP. Simple, quiet approach, balanced setup, small leg lift, minimal load, direct bat path; generates easy bat speed, made consistent hard contact, maintains balance through contact; handsy line-drive approach. Recorded 94-mph exit velocity; should develop more power as he continues to physically develop. Defensively, ranges well laterally, moves with fluidity and rhythm, plays through the ball well, shows natural middle infield actions. Arm action is short and athletic; quick transfer and release, clocked at 82 mph across the infield.

4.4.15 - 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, ranked No. 5 in Illinois, No. 18 overall in PBR’s national coverage area, elite national prospect, possible high draft in 2016. Speed is evident on base paths. Walked in first two at bats, in first promptly stole second and third base. At the plate, pulls off ball away at times, particularly breaking balls down, made adjustment it last at bat of the day, homering to center field on a fastball on the outer half. Defensively, great range to both sides, nearly made a highlight force out to second on a ball hit deep in the hole that he backhanded. Great play on a run-through ball, quality body control throughout.

3.30.15 - 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, ranked No. 5 in Illinois, No. 18 overall in PBR’s national coverage area, elite national prospect, possible high draft in 2016. Fitzgerald impressed with infield actions during pregame and in game, short, quick athletic arm action, current average major league arm, could end up being above average (ran a 6.89 60 as a freshman in high school), great body control on run through ball. Current above average to plus runner on a major league scouting scale, was 3.88 to first on drag bunt single in third at bat. Hits from slightly open setup, wide base, very little stride, was out front of an 80 mph slider for a swing strikeout, solid pitch down in the zone from Galindo. Flew out to center in fourth at bat. Fitzgerald fits the mold of a large-framed shortstop who can stay in the middle of the diamond, might end up being 6-foot-3, 200-plus pounds.

7/23/13 - Dynamic athleticism, 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, athletic frame that plays well on the field. Fitzgerald is one of the top athletes in the Class of 2016, he plays the game with a sense of ease incomparable to his peers. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Lower half works with good balance throughout. Hard contact guy, finds the barrel with regularity, occasional pull tendencies. Defensively shows excellent range, 4.25 runner down the line. Featured soft hands going both to his glove side and on his back hand, excellent exchange, quick and concise, plays through the baseball athletically with body control and an athletic arm action. Arm played at 78 mph across the diamond. Fitzgerald is clearly one of the more dynamic athletes in the Class of 2016 across the region. Fitzgerald went 3-for-8 with a number of hard hit balls as well as making a spectacular diving play to get a pair of outs.

1/20/13 - Looks to be one of the premier prospects in the Class of 2016, with potential to be a high-level national prospect. Athletic frame, lanky build, 6-foot, 160-pound shortstop. Plus defensive actions for age, short loose arm action, arm carries (80 mph). Footwork is quick, plays athletically, projects well. Excellent athleticism, runs 6.89 60 as freshman. Hits from balanced setup, short stride, smooth load, excellent rhythm, bat speed present, lower half works well, creates extension, excellent balance throughout, offensive threat.

3/11/12 Fitzgerald is an athletic 5-foot-11, 150-pound infielder who impressed in all facets of the game.  He showed advanced feel for the game, and looks to be a high-level athlete. Defensively, he moved with rhythm and fluidity, taking concise routs to the ball; he also exhibited soft hands and fluid footwork, playing through the baseball well.  He exhibited good range up the middle in addition to a solid back hand.  Fitzgerald, who looks to be the future of Rochester HS, was clocked at 72 mph from across the diamond with accurate throws that showed carry. Fitzgerald’s athleticism shined in the 60, when he ran an event-best a 7.34.  At the plate, Fitzgerald has a balanced setup with a smooth load.  He has an advanced approach at the plate and excellent barrel whip through the zone.  He takes an economical approach to the baseball and has loose, quick hands.

At the plate, Fitzgerald displayed a quiet, compact swing while finding the barrel consistently. Fitzgerald exhibited good balance and a solid approach at the plate. In the field, the 5-foot-7, 125-pound player displayed soft hands and excellent body control.

5/19/19: At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds Fitzgerald is a plus athlete with strong tools across the board. He has improved his batting average, power production and plate discipline each year at Louisville. Although we previously saw him in the Cape last summer and last spring against North Carolina, he did not see action during the Florida State series. He was available for the weekend series, but not used, due to a hand contusion suffered after being hit by a pitch on Tuesday at Indiana. Fitzgerald currently leads the Cardinals with a .338 batting average and 15 stolen bases while fielding .959 in 53 games at shortstop. He's projects to be an early round pick on Day Two. (Seifert)

8/8/18: Athletic frame at 6’3, 200 pounds. Fitzgerald wears the uniform well. Shows natural defensive ability at SS with fluid actions and a strong arm. Plays with a controlled tempo and advanced body control. Hits from a balanced, athletic stance with an easy, low effort swing. Hands stay relaxed and in a strong hitting position. Presently more gap-to-gap power in game but showed the ability to lift the ball to his pull-side with ease during BP. Best time down the line was 4.26. Originally a 30th round draft pick out of HS in 2016. A strong offensive season at Louisville this spring will significantly improve Fitzgerald’s draft stock. (D Jurik)

3-14-2018: 2019 Top 100 Prospect #45 overall SS Tyler Fitzgerald played a solid shortstop showing soft hands, an average arm and average range. At the plate, he can still hit the fastball and showed some improvement from his high school days with recognizing the breaking ball. (Seifert)