Arizona Fall Review: Infield Analysis

January 13, 2020
Brett Thorney
Arizona Scouting Director

As we continue rolling out Arizona Fall Review content, here's a look at the infielders from the December event. One of the positional groups with some the best athletes of the event, there was talent across the board. Here are reports from the afternoon, listed in alphabetical order:

Dylan Baldridge 3B / RHP / Gila Bend, AZ / 2020

XL 6’ 212lbs build, above average strength. Hits from medium upright base, starts hands just below shoulder, sinks into back leg slightly while loading hands up and back. Some rhythm in load with heel turn trigger. Makes hard contact with arms close to body at 89mph. Middle approach getting extended occasionally. Fields ball with two hands with avg footwork & range. Overall strong arm at 80mph across the diamond. Solid pre-pitch movement. Might be more suited for first base at next level.

James Benbrook SS / RHP / Ironwood, AZ / 2021

Large 5’10” 158lbs build, average frame & athleticism. Starts with feet shoulder width apart slightly closed off. Short linear path to the baseball finishing low with one hand early. Short stride towards pitcher. Average pull contact at 80mph. Uptempo fielder that keeps quick feet moving. Throws from different arm slots at 77mph. Pitches starting from tall standing upright position. Varying arm slot from windup to stretch. More movement on pitches from stretch. FB sat 73-77mph. Changing consistency on secondary pitches.

Hudson Burris SS / OF / Casteel, AZ / 2022

Large 6’ 155lbs build, long limbed body with some athleticism and projectability. Hits from a medium squared base with some weight on back leg. Short stride landing close to evenly distributed. Loads hands straight back with high elbow getting extended early as he goes to the baseball. Works whole field with LD approach. Hard contact at 84mph. Confident fielder with above average range. Fields balls cleanly & keeps feet moving. Easy accurate throws with more in the tank at 75-76mph. Long limbs and his flexibility make it look easy.

Michael Caruso SS / 2B / Desert Vista, AZ / 2023

Medium 5’11” 135lbs build, physically immature at young age. Hits from squared base, loading hands up and back with some extra movement. Downward upper body dominant swing plane. Barrel gets in & out of the zone quickly. 77mph exit velocity. Choppy steps towards the ball stopping feet occasionally. Soft hands, fielding balls cleanly. 73mph arm strength across diamond. Ran a 7.39 60 yard dash. Should improve in all areas with continued physical development.

Christian Caruso SS / 2B / Seton Catholic Prep, AZ / 2021

Medium 5’8” 147lbs build, young body with average strength. Sets up with a balanced base, transferring some energy in load to back leg with light toe tap. Hands work back. Short to the ball staying inside at contact. Opposite field approach. Controlled movements with quick transfers in the INF. Soft hands, fielding with energy. Gets rid of the ball quickly with 76mph velocity.

Henry Chabot C / 3B / Brophy, AZ / 2022

Large build at 5’11” 185lbs, physical body with strength in legs, displayed above average defensive skills behind the plate, good transfers with quick feet & good direction to the bag when staying in control, good mobility & flexibility in strong frame- getting underneath the baseball, He showed a consistent arm at 74 mph with pop times ranging from 1.89-2.07. Chabot seemed to make a jump on the offensive side of things, showing one of the top BP rounds of day, hits from medium athletic base with pull approach with small toe tap trigger, strength throughout swing with consistent loud contact at 93mph. Chabot also participated in INF workout, showing some good footwork with a good arm and carry across the diamond. Should be a high follow going into the spring & summer.

Declan Conry RHP / 1B / Casteel, AZ / 2023

XL 6’4” 175lbs build, size stands out, showed some coordination. Hits from medium athletic base. Shifts weight to bag leg with slow controlled leg lift. Vertical barrel entry, keeping his barrel below his hands to contact. Falls forward into front foot strike. Uses the whole field. Solid contact at 78mph. Comfortable fielder with loose hands. Slows feet down occasionally as he fields the ball. Great pitchers body to work with. Pitches predominantly from stretch in tall narrow position with tall balance point. Drops and drives to the plate with early trunk forward finish. FB sat 72-75mph with over-top arm action. Threw changeup for strikes to arm side at 64-68mph. Follow with improved strength & flexibility.

Campbell Cozby SS / RHP / Thunderbird, AZ / 2022

Large 6’ 160lbs build, some projectability & athleticism in frame. Showed an advanced pull approach at the plate. Starts from an easy balanced setup with hands shoulder height. Transfers weight into back heel with big controlled leg kick. Hands are loose and load slightly back. Gets inside the ball and shows good extension. Gap to gap hitter with consistent hard contact at 88mph. Fields ball with low effort. Above average glove. Arm will improve with more intensity playing through baseball. 74mph arm across diamond. Smooth repeatable delivery landing slightly closed. Short compact arm action with regular effort. FB sat 77-80 with some arm side run. Above average slider with late action at 68-71mph. Threw CH down in the zone. Good follow going into spring/summer.

Matthew Diaz OF / 3B / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2022

Large 5’10” 180lbs build, strength through frame, defined lower half. Hits from medium base with very slight open stance landing square. Knee turn trigger gaining a little bit of ground. Simple repeatable swing starting with hands back. Creates a flat bat path getting extended. Good balance throughout swing. Line drive contact at 80mph. Versatile defender. Good footwork & glove in the INF & OF. Plays through the ball. Accurate arm with some carry from both positions. Didn’t run 60 yard dash due to pulled hammy. Good all around player to keep an eye on with continued progression.

Rocco Gump SS / 3B / Seton Catholic Prep, AZ / 2021

6’3” 175lbs frame, tall long limbed body with good athleticism and room to get stronger. Has an above average left handed bat with a middle LD approach with ability to lift occasionally. Starts from upright base shifting weight from front leg to back small leg lift slightly above ground level. Loads elbows back creating vertical barrel entry. 83mph exit velocity, more pop with more backside drive present. Comfortable fielder that fielded with effort. Long limbs combined with flexibility and athleticism gives him some extra range to work with. Played through the ball with 84mph arm strength across the diamond. Size and speed will determine if he is able to stay at SS or move to a corner position in the future. Gump has natural tools and the ability to be a high level player. Strong follow going into spring.

Trenton Harrington SS / 3B / Chaparral, AZ / 2022

Large 6’1” 160lbs build, highly projectable athlete, proportional body. Fields the baseball with rhythm and confidence with carry across the diamond at 82mph. Quick and easy footwork. Sure hands. Left handed hitter that hits from a tall narrow upright stance with leg kick, keeping hips closed until front foot lands. Wraps barrel slightly behind. Creates flat barrel entry into the zone. Looks to drive the baseball with mid pull approach, 90mph exit velocity. His speed (7.06 60 yard dash) and overall athleticism make him a strong prospect to keep an eye on. Should improve in all areas as he gets stronger.

Ethan Hatch 1B / RHP / Poston Butte, AZ / 2022

XL 6’1” 185lbs build, big legs with some present strength. Starts from strong balanced upright base with hands starting behind back foot. Loads hands deep with vertical barrel. Long flat swing plane, getting out of the zone quickly. Pull approach with average contact at 81mph. Comfortable fielder with quicker movements than you would think for 8.63 runner. Big body to work with on the mound. Threw a flat FB at 74-76, topping at 77mph with higher arm angle. Threw gradual 11/5 CV at 57-61mph with stiff wrist. In line direction, landing square. Some forced glove/hand separation in delivery. Regular effort.

Nicholas Johnston SS / 3B / Seton Catholic Prep, AZ / 2023

Medium 5’9” 135lbs build, currently immature physically. Hits from athletic inline base, slightly picking up front foot and placing it down with minimal weight transfer. Rests bat on his back shoulder, raising it up in load. Some rhythm in swing. Short to baseball with line drive middle approach. 73mph exit velocity. Fields baseball cleanly funneling to belt buckle. Separates hands early before throwing to first base. Under control footwork. 72mph arm strength across diamond.

Carsen Kane C / 2B / Casteel, AZ / 2023

Medium build at 5’11” 144lbs, immature frame with some present athleticism, hits from a medium very slight open stance, leg lift stride landing balanced at heel plant, loads to back part of shoulder, loses barrel as goes to ball getting inverted at contact, 75 mph exit velocity, versatile athlete defensively as an INF & catcher, fields ball out in front in low athletic position bringing ball to the center of his body, behind the plate has quick transfers at times should improve with quicker feet and more explosiveness, overall accurate arm with 2.15-2.45 pop times, numbers should improve across the board as he physically matures.

Bobby Koch 1B / OF / Horizon, AZ / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 56 / POS: 4

Uncommitted, Large 6’2” 170lbs build, long limbs with average athleticism, proportional strength through frame. Hits from athletic base with knees slightly bent. Uses medium leg kick turning knee slightly in to transfer energy to back leg. Loose hands that stay lined up with back foot with little separation. Line drive swing with pull approach that turns barrel in middle of body. Consistent hard contact at 85mph. Athletic first basemen with good feet & quickness for position. Solid arm at 79mph.

Anthony Loth SS / RHP / Florence , AZ / 2021

Large 6’ 155lbs build, thin body with average strength. Pitches predominantly from the stretch, starting in crouched close off position. Tall leg lift to balance point with drop and drive approach to plate. Lands slightly across body with athletic finish, hiding the baseball. Upper half stays closed until front foot strike. Straight FB sat 74-77mph, topping out at 80mph. Threw floating 12/6 CV 57-60mph. CH had downward action at 69-72mph. Hits from wide crouched base with lower hands. Small pick up, loading hands with vertical barrel. Minimal extension through baseball. LD approach with average contact at 74mph. Avg choppy footwork, fielding ball in middle of body between legs occasionally. Some carry across diamond at 76mph.

Bryce McKnight SS / RHP / Desert Vista, AZ / 2023

Large 6’ 145lbs build, lean body with some athleticism & projectability. Smooth clean delivery on the mound. Throws from ¾ arm slot. Lands in line, falling off to 1B occasionally. FB 77-79mph with some arm side run. CH was above average at 67-70mph with fade. Hits from medium slightly open base with hands shoulder level. Rocks into back leg with small front foot pick up. Wraps bat behind head. Varying path to the ball. Gets underneath baseball with average contact at 76mph. Average footwork and quickness. Accurate to bag at 76mph.

Jacob Miller 1B / 3B / Sandra Day O'Connor, AZ / 2022

XL 6’2” 225lbs build, big body with some strength. Hits from slightly open upright base with back toe turned in. Hands start a little above back shoulder, loading up. Reaches forward significantly with leg kick, landing closed off. Long downward path to ball. Aggressive approach with some natural pop & average consistency at 86mph. Fields ball deeper. Average feet with short release on throws. 73mph arm strength.

Matthew Olson 2B / RHP / Northwest Christian, AZ / 2022

Medium 5’7” 135lbs build, balanced young body. Hits from wide base with hands just above shoulder. Uses knee to knee pick up, loading into slight arm bar. Barrel drags flat through the zone, opening front shoulder early. LD middle approach with average contact at 76mph. Creeps to the baseball, slowing feet down to field. Good glove. Gets rid of ball quickly with little momentum at 71mph. Should improve a lot as he physically matures.

Landon Penney LHP / 1B / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2023

Large 6’ 185lbs build, strong physical body. Hits from athletic base, toes pointing slightly outward. Hands start shoulder height with stiff elbows, loading into arm bar. Holds bat deep in palms. Transfers energy into backside with leg kick. Drives forward off back side violently with average body control. Natural pop with aggressive pull approach at 83mph. Stiff fielder that slows feet to field baseball. fields ball out front with sure hands. Avg follow through with 62 mph velocity. Pitches with hunched over posture. Very short arm action, pushing the ball to home plate. FB sat 71-73, topping at 74mph. 12/6 CV with early short armed action. Also threw a CH. Although some rawness, overall physicality makes for a follow over next few years.

Ryan Peterson 1B / LHP / Valley Christian, AZ / 2020

Large 6’2” 175lbs build, strength in lower half with average coordination. Relaxed open stance. Starts hands at center of body loading to back shoulder. Uses leg kick, turning leg in to generate leverage. Lands square with quick finish. Pull approach at 80mph exit velocity. Fields ball from low position with one hand. Gathers feet to throw. 70mph across diamond. Pitches with high arm slot with tall balance point. FB Sat 69-72 with some two seam action with gradual CV at 58-63mph.

Masen Schechterle 3B / 1B / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 54 / POS: 6

Large 6’ 165lbs build, some strength & athleticism to body with some projectability. Simple repeatable approach at the plate. Starts from balanced setup, rocking into back leg with small leg lift. Hands work back, creating an arm bar occasionally. Lands balanced. Mid/pull mentality with above average pop to LF at 92mph. Above average feet for CINF. Takes good angles, rounding the ball. Fields through the ball creating momentum. Carry & accuracy to the bag at 81mph.

Braeden Schnabel 1B / OF / Corona Del Sol, AZ / 2022

Large 6’1” 151lbs build, thin, high waisted with very long limbs. Hits from tall upright position, hands shoulder height. Hands go back as front foot lands. Flat path through the zone. Barreled up some balls in BP with a simple approach. 77mph exit velocity. Tall fielder with average effort. Shuffles on throws, 72mph across the diamond. Projectable body on the mound. Starts from tall position, drop and drive approach. FB was 71-74mph with slight arm side run. Above average off speed on 11/5 CV and sink on CH. Strike thrower with easy actions. Follow as he matures and gains more strength.

Karsen Waslefsky SS / 2B / Casteel, AZ / 2022

Medium 5’11” 145lbs build, good athleticism and projectability. Plays the game hard and with energy. Really stood out in the group of INF with advanced INF actions. Quick feet with good footwork & glove. Showed carry, rhythm and good direction to 1B on throws with 78mph velocity. Hits from a medium athletic base transferring weight to bag leg with small leg lift slightly above the ground. Simple repeatable swing with some intent to it. Finds the barrel with low effort, standing up in finish occasionally. Should be a strong player to follow especially with continued physical development.