AZ Athletics Scout Day: Infield Analysis
December 14, 2017
PBR’s first travel organization scout day in Arizona took place on November 12 at Sunrise Mountain HS in Peoria. This week we continue our positional analysis from the event with the infielders. If your organization is interested in hosting a PBR Scout Day please reach out to [email protected] or DM @PBRArizona on Twitter.
2021 Barrett Skaugrud (Sandra Day O'Connor) is PBR's #3 rated player in the state and again put on display his loose wrists with surprising pop and good feet on the infield along with an improved arm action that will dictate what level prospect he becomes. Unsigned senior Tyler Pruitt (Sunrise Mountain) and 2020 Brock Arnold (Mountain Ridge) were in a tight race for the second spot on the list with Pruitt's advanced defensive actions getting the nod. 2019 Mason Skaugrud (Sandra Day O'Connor) continues to show feel to hit from both sides and should develop more power as his body continues to develop. Young Sunrise Mountain infielders Nicholas Lustig and Spencer Horwath round out the list with Jace Young and Nathan Tarver narrowly missing.
TOP Infield PROSPECTS
 |
Barrett Skaugrud SS / 2B / Sandra Day O'Connor, AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
Turned in a similar performance to his showing at the Fall Prospect Showcase (report below) with one exception, an improved arm action. One of the top prospects in his class, Skaugrud moved well on defense and showed off his extremely advanced swing, but his focus on improving his arm on the infield appears to be producing some results and will dictate what level prospect he becomes. 74 mph infield velocity. 10/29/17 – 6-foot, 135-pound frame with tons of physical development still to come. Skaugrud’s performance this fall has established him as one of the top prospects in Arizona’s 2021 class. Hitting from a tall, loose setup with good rhythm, Skaugrud has an extremely advanced swing and feel to hit. The looseness in his wrists creates a very whippy swing and surprising pop (81 mph exit velo). Moves well and is a solid athlete when considering the lack of present strength; turning in a 7.36 60-yard dash. Defensively he shows efficient footwork and soft hands. His biggest area for improvement comes with his arm on the infield, as he often gets underneath and pushes the baseball from a low slot, which limits carry. With continued physical development and some refinement in his throwing mechanics, Skaugrud has a chance to become an elite-level prospect.
|
 |
Tyler Pruitt SS / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2018Athletic 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame has plenty of room to fill out and become a stronger, faster athlete at the next level; 7.01 60-yard dash. Clearly the top infield defender at this event, showing off easy actions and good carry on his throws from SS (81 mph infield veto). With a contact oriented approached and good rhythm in his swing, Pruitt has a chance to be a contributor offensively as well. Very short path to the baseball, fighting to stay inside everything; should hit for gap power as he gets stronger. Can help most college programs in need of a 2018 SS and will only get better as he develops physically. |
 |
Brock Arnold 1B / OF / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2020Lean 6-foot, 160-pound frame with plenty of room to add strength as he matures. Two-way prospect is a strong follow as LHP and 1B and one of the top prospects at the event regardless of class. On the mound Arnold works with a compact delivery, explosive lower half and generates plenty of arm speed from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 75-77, T78 flashing good downhill plane. There’s plenty more velo to come as he adds mass and strength to his frame. Sweeping 2-8 breaking ball showed consistent rotation at 63-66. Showed advanced feel for fading changeup with good arm speed at 71-73. At the plate, hits from tall, open setup with leg-kick trigger. Creates very little separation, using only a small negative move with his hands. Shows solid bat speed and makes an aggressive move with his lower half as he looks to lift the ball with a high two-hand finish. 79 mph exit velocity will increase rapidly with physical maturation. Defensively, his athleticism currently profiles best to 1B where he moves well and registered 76 mph infield velocity. Also worked out in outfield where he threw 78 mph. 7.58 60-yard dash with good running form. Has a chance to become a high-level prospect with significant increase in physical strength. |
 |
Mason Skaugrud 1B / 3B / Sandra Day O'Connor, AZ / 2019Continues to show hitting ability from both sides of the plate and will help someone at the next level when his body matures. Can drive the baseball to all fields and should develop more power as he gets stronger. Solid actions at first base. 10/29/17 – Lean 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame with room to add strength/mass. Switch hitter, is more advanced from left side where he shows a loose, easy rhythm and the ability to consistently barrel the baseball to all fields. Hits from a narrow, relaxed setup with lower hands and a short stride. Hitting ability is evident and raw power should improve with increased physical strength; 86 mph exit velocity. Typically plays 1B and handles the position well, but worked out at catcher on this day as he tries to increase defensive versatility. Turned in a best pop time of 2.12.
|
 |
Nicholas Lustig SS / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2021Young 5-foot-8, 130-pound frame. Bat speed stands out on offense, especially considering his current level of physical strength; 76 mph exit velocity. Creates good separation and has advanced rhythm in the box, using a slight leg lift trigger. Made lots of hard contact to the pull side during his round. Moves well on the infield defensively and showed strong carry on his throws with 75 mph velocity. Did show a tendency to play a bit high at times on defense. Also pitched, working 75-76, T77 with a slower tempo delivery, short stride and some effort. Sweeping 61-63 mph breaking ball showed consistent rotation and was generally around the zone. 65-67 mph changeup showed slight fading action at times. Interesting young prospect to follow as his body matures.
|
 |
Spencer Horwath 3B / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2021E5-foot-10, 145-pound frame with athletic look. 7.28 in the 60-yard dash. Active setup with high leg-kick and lots of moving parts in swing. Starts with hands deep and creates very little separation. Has physical tools to hit with some refinement. Feet work well on defense, likes to drop down and throw from low angle; 78 mph infield velocity. Throws across body on mound from low ¾ slot creating some deception. Good angle on 74-75 mph fastball. Also threw 61-64 mph sweeping breaking ball and 66-67 mph changeup that he showed a tendency to get underneath at times. |
Best of the Rest (Alphabetical Order)
 |
Jake Alwine SS / 2B / Mountain Ridge , AZ / 20215-foot-6, 170-pound frame. Hits from relaxed, loose setup, striding slightly closed. Gets good separation and shows an advanced ability to get on plane and make solid contact to all fields. Hands and wrists work very well in swing; will drive the ball more consistently as he gets more out of his lower half. 69 mph exit velocity. Defensively, registered 68 mph infield velocity with short arm action from low ¾ slot. 8.02 60-yard dash.
|
 |
Bennett Beltramo SS / RHP / Northwest Christian, AZ / 20205-foot-8, 135-pound frame. Defensively showed some softness in hands at shortstop and comfortably made plays to both sides. 70 mph infield velocity. Lower half works well in swing and his bat starts on a very good path, before leaving the zone prior to getting much extension, mostly due to a lack of present strength. 69 mph exit velocity. Lack of physical strength and development is biggest limiting factor at this point for him as he shows feel and plays the game with an energy level that stands out. Also pitched, working 70-71, T72 with his fastball, generally filling up the strike zone. Mixed in a 65-66 mph curveball and 66-68 mph changeup that showed potential to be his out pitch with good fading action and arm speed.
|
 |
Davis Bigelow 2B / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2019Lean 5-foot-11, 155-pound frame with long limbs. Showed best on defense with a quick arm and solid carry; 78 mph infield velocity. Hands work well, tends to field the ball by bending at the waist with a narrow base. Starts from very wide setup that gets narrower through his swing; forward hands make a big negative move to trigger. 79 mph exit velocity. Solid athlete, turned in 7.19 60-yard dash. |
 |
Boyce Brewer 1B / 3B / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 20215-foot-10, 190-pound frame. Shows loose, advanced rhythm in the box. Starts from tall, slightly open setup, snapping barrel into slot. Will generate more power as he gets better extension, presently cutting off swing some as he works to a high two-handed finish. 72 mph exit velocity. Defensively threw 66 mph from a high ¾ slot with short arm action. 8.39 60-yard dash.
|
 |
Dawson DeHerrera SS / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 20215-foot-9, 125-pound frame. Two-way prospect showed best on the mound where he sat 77-78, T79 from a high ¾ slot working exclusively from the stretch. 71-73 mph changeup was best secondary pitch, thrown with conviction and good arm speed, showing some sink/fade. Developing 66-69 mph curveball had 11/5 shape. Offensively hits from balanced, slightly open setup with linear past and high two-handed finish. Moves well defensively with a quick transfer and the ability to throw from multiple angles; 74 mph infield velo.
|
 |
Ryan Dieterich 1B / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 20216-foot-1, 170-pound frame with long torso. Offensively hits from wide base, starting his hands deep and loading them even deeper creating a slight arm bar. Keeps barrel in zone; 78 mph exit velocity. Listed as primary 1B where he profiles best, but chose to workout on the infield. 8.31 60-yard dash. Also pitched, working 69-70, T71 with his fastball using a slow paced delivery. 65-67 mph changeup was best secondary pitch, also mixing in a developing 61 mph breaking ball.
|
 |
Bryce Kellerhals C / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 20215-foot-9, 150-pound frame. Two-way prospect worked 71-72 mph with his mostly straight fastball, touching 74 from a high ¾ slot with a compact delivery and short arm action. Also threw developing 64-66 mph curveball and 65-67 mph changeup. Offensively uses a toe-tap trigger to create a solid base and on-plane swing with good separation. 74 mph exit velocity. Tends to field the ball deep on the infield, throwing 73 mph from a high ¾ arm slot. Turned in 8.09 60-yard dash. |
 |
Jarett Kellerhals OF / 3B / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 20195-foot-11, 150-pound frame. Shows some hitting ability with simple LH swing and slight uphill path. Could stay on plane more consistently with wider base, currently hitting from narrow setup with virtually no stride.79 mph exit velocity. 7.08 runner in the 60. Worked out on the infield and in the outfield, profiling better as an outfielder where his feet work well and he gets good carry on his throws with 84 mph velocity.
|
 |
Nathan Tarver 3B / OF / Phoenix Christian Preparatory, AZ / 20205-foot-10, 168-pound frame. Shows solid bat speed, hitting from a wide base with flat barrel and little to no stride. Looking to lift the baseball. Turned in a solid round of BP. Uses short choppy steps on the infield, fielding the ball deep with a wide base. 73 mph infield velocity; improving arm strength/mechanics will be key to his development moving forward. Turned in solid 7.31 60-yard dash for young prospect. Bat is best tool.
|
 |
Tasker Tripi 2B / SS / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 20205-foot-7, 105-pound frame. Body is very physically immature. Shows some rhythm in the batter’s box, getting good separation and landing in a good hitting position. Will get better extension and make more consistent hard contact with addition physical development. 69 mph exit velocity. Defensively shows some softness in hands and 67 mph infield velo from ¾ slot. 7.89 60-yard dash.
|
 |
Jace Young 2B / SS / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 20205-foot-10, 142-pound frame. Shows good rhythm in the batter’s box and an advanced feel to hit with leg lift trigger. Does a great job staying behind and on plane with the baseball. Should develop gap power with increased physical strength; 75 mph exit velocity. Showed tendency to stop feet on defense, but is an athletic mover. Arm currently profiles best to the right side of the infield; 73 mph infield velocity. 7.37 60-yard dash. Bat is best tool and should continue to improve as his body matures.
|