Scouting notes from the Florida Undercass Games: Infield Analysis

August 31, 2015

By Rob Sidwell
Florida Scouting Director

Gainesville, Fl. --- The Florida Underclass Games saw a plethora of infielders, most of which played short stop or second base, but some that were corner infielders as well. The top infielder and probably all-around player at the showcase was 2017 SS/2B DeAndre Shelton from West Orange HS. Shelton showed off his skills in the field as well as the plate. The most polished defender as well as one of the most advanced bats. 2017 3B Clemente Inclan from The Bolles School also stood out as one of the top corner infielders. The sweet swinging left handed power bat also showed loose actions with soft hands at the hot corner. He may also be an interesting candidate to try behind the dish if he ever feels that urge. 2019 SS Brandon Walker was a very young, very athletic infielder with good actions and an average ML arm already. He has a lot of talent and upside at any position on the field. Also bumped 86 mph on the mound. 2018 SS Matthew Dickey from North Florida Christian is also a very young very athletic guy that showed good actions and an average ML arm. Both Walker and Dickey swung the bat well and showed well on the mound. Dickey bumped 87 with polish. 2017 2B Will Baker from Houston Academy (AL) also showed well with good actions and enough arm. I really like this kids grit. He’s a grinder that hustles and plays with no fear. He also made the defensive play of the day with a diving catch in the outfield. 2017 SS James Sunailitus from George Jenkins showed good actions at SS for a big guy with good arm strength. He may out grow the position and have to move to 3B but also swung the bat well with some strength in the bat. He also bumped 85 mph off the mound. The kid’s a baseball player.

Top Infielders

DeAndre Shelton, SS/2B, West Orange HS, 2017
At 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Shelton showed very good actions at short stop with an average ML arm. He’s got good defensive instincts with plenty of range and very good fielding mechanics. He reads the ball well of the bat and takes good angles to balls. His hands are soft, he presents the glove with the pocket open and fingers down, left of center and fields through the ball. He throws an over hand slot. If I were to be critical about one thing, I would like to see him throw from different arm slots when needed. Shelton showed today that he can play short stop and that he’s not just a second baseman.

As good of a defender as DeAndre is, his best tool is his bat. He is a switch hitter with a short compact quick stroke from both sides of the plate. He continues to gain strength in his bat and has Average ML power right now with more to come. He can drive the ball in both gaps. More doubles power right now but can also get the ball out of the yard. From the right side, he looked more like a line drive type guy that worked down through the ball. From the left side, he looked like he had a little more lift in his swing and could get the ball in the air a bit easier. He took impressive rounds of BP and squared a lot of balls up in the games. From both sides, he showed bat speed and strength. 4.2 GPA.

Clemente Inclan, 3B/P, The Bolles School 2017
Incoming junior who stands at 6-foot-2 195 pounds with a strong, thick, and athletic body. At the plate he is quiet, relaxed, and gets a small separation for his load. Easy swing with a nice plane and good bat speed. The ball really jumps off his bat and he has Average ML power already. Produced an 88 mph exit bat velocity. In the field he possesses soft hands a short, loose, and over the top arm action. Plenty of arm to stay at 3B as he threw 82 mph across the diamond. On the mound he has an easy delivery with a loose high ¾ arm action from the left side (ambidextrous). 77-81 mph FB, 67-71 mph CB, and 71-73 mph CHG. Should be a division I player at the next level.

Matthew Dickey, RHP/SS, North Florida Christian, 2018
6-foot, 160 pound infielder/pitcher with a lean live athletic projectable body. Very physical for his age. Showed athletic infield actions with solid hands with a solid average ML arm. Release is a bit slow. Winds up to throw. Ball jumps out of his hand. Infield velocity was 82 mph. Erect stance at the plate with a quiet approach. Short soft stride with quickness and strength in the bat already. Shows pull power now. Some length and lift in swing. More power will come. Good balanced finish. 87 mph exit bat speed velocity. Showed very well on the mound. The best overall pitcher at the event.

Will Baker, 2B/SS, Houston Academy (AL), 2017
5-foot-8, 147 pound infielder with a live compact athletic body. Quick loose infield actions with good hands. Aggressive routes and angles to balls. Fields through the ball. Light on his feet. Plays under control with feet always under him. Enough arm strength for left side of field. Occasionally stands up to throw. At the plate, he has a short stride with a slight leg kick. Slight load and separation. Short quick swing with a gap to gap approach. Stays inside ball well. Good bat path with some length and lift. Is a hustler. Made a web gem diving catch in the outfield. High energy guy. 81 mph infield velocity. 81 mph exit bat speed velocity.

James Sunailitus, SS/RHP, George Jenkins HS 2017
Incoming junior who stands at 6-foot-2 180 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable frame with strength. At the plate he has some rhythm and gets a good separation. Easy swing with good bat speed and a nice plane. The ball really jumps off his bat. In the field he has fairly soft hands with decent footwork and a strong (average ML) arm across the diamond. Looks like an above average ML runner. He was also up to 85 mph off the mound. Threw 85 mph across the diamond and produced an 88 mph exit bat velocity. Good two-way player who will definitely play at the next level.

The Best of the Rest (Alphabetical order)

Colin Barrineau SS/2B, Leon HS 2017
6-foot-1 145 pounds with a lean, athletic, and wiry frame. Good separation for his load and his hands come down into a good slot for him to go directly to the ball. Has a toe tap and fairly long stride. Nice swing plane, uses his lower half pretty well, and gets good leverage in his swing. The ball comes off his bat well. Quick, light feet with ideal footwork for a middle infielder. Quick transfer and release with short, low ¾ arm slot. Young body that will mature and gain strength. He threw 71 mph across the diamond and a produces an 82 mph exit bat velocity.

Josh Baxley 3B/2B, Sneads HS 2018
5-foot-10 185 pounds with a strong, somewhat stalky, athletic, and powerful body. Has some rhythm at the plate and gets a small separation for his load. Small leg kick and has very good bat speed. He hits line drives to all fields and the ball really jumps off his bat. In the field he is quick and light on his toes with athletic footwork. Soft hands, good range, and short ¾ arm action. Josh will definitely be able to play at the next level and may end up at 2B. His 91 mph exit bat velocity was the highest at the FL Underclass Games and threw 71 mph across the diamond.

Khalib Bayona SS/2B, Berkeley Prep 2018
Incoming sophomore who stands at 6 foot, 160 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable body with some strength. Loose and athletic actions. At the plate he gets a small separation for his load and his bat gets into a good angle to give him extra pop. Nice swing plane, great extension, and uses his lower half well. In the field Khalib has quick, light, and athletic feet with good range. Short, loose ¾ arm action and can throw from all angles with plenty arm to stay at SS. Bayona threw 79 mph across the diamond and produced a 72 mph exit bat velocity. Will improve with strength and maturity and will definitely be able to play at the next level.

Christian Bernabe, 3B/SS, Deland HS, 2019
5-foot-9, 145 pound infielder with a loose lean athletic projectable body. Athletic infield actions with good hands. Loose arm that will get better with added strength. 68 mph infield velocity. Good load and separation with a small leg kick at the plate. Aggressive approach with a loose quick bat. Swing has some length with some lift. Will have power as he physically matures. A good young follow. 71 mph exit bat speed velocity.

Brannon Beverly 3B/1B, West Nassau HS 2018
Incoming sophomore who stands at 6-foot-2 225 pounds with a big, stalky, strong, and thick frame. At the plate he is quiet, relaxed, and gets a separation for his load. Very good bat speed with a nice swing plane. The ball really jumps off his bat as evidenced by his 85 mph exit bat velocity. In the field has soft hands, quick and light feet for his size, and enough arm for 3B as he threw 74 mph across the diamond. His bat should be able to carry him to the next level.

John Brown, 3B/2B, Ponte Vedra HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 200 pound infielder with a tall thick body. Big kid for his age. Good actions with solid fielding mechanics. Occasionally fields ball too deep in stance. Lacks range. More of a corner infielder. Fields with his feet under him. Erect stance at the plate with a good load. Has some strength already in the bat. Has some lift in his swing. Finishes a bit on his front foot. 68 mph infield velocity. 77 mph exit bat speed velocity. 5.06 to 1B.

Mitchell Carter SS/2B, Tampa Catholic 2017
Incoming junior who stands at 5-foot-7, 130 pounds with a smaller, compact, and athletic frame with some wiry strength. At the plate he has a simple approach with little wasted movement, gets a separation for his load, and has a small stride. He has a short, quick swing with a flat plane that produces consistent line drives to all fields. Good footwork and stays light on his toes in the field. Soft hands and a short, over the top arm action with plenty of arm for SS right now. Carter will eventually move over to 2B where he will fit nicely with his good actions and instincts. Threw 78 mph across the diamond produced a 74 mph exit bat velocity. We were not allowed to run the 60 but speed will be a major factor in his game and indicator of where he can play at the next level. Mitchell’s bat, fielding, and instincts should allow to play in college.

Patrick Cheuvront, 2B/SS, Freedom HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 150 pound infielder with a lean loose body. Loose infield actions with sure handsand enough arm. 64 mph infield velocity. Good load and separation at the plate with a leg kick that gains no ground. Loose hands with a slight uphill bat path. Gets good extension through the ball. Good balance in finish. Bat will improve with added strength. 72 mph exit bat speed velocity. Overall game will improve with physical maturity.

Joe Cosgrove C/3B, Lake Highland Prep 2017
Incoming junior who stands at 5-foot-9, 165 pounds with a strong, compact, and athletic frame. At the plate he has good rhythm, gets a good separation, and his bat gets into a strong angle. Good weight transfer, uses his lower half well, nice swing plane, and consistently squares the ball up. In the field he has soft hands, enough range for 2B or 3B, and plenty arm for 3B. Behind the plate he has a quick transfer, good feet, and a short, over the top arm action with an ML average arm down to second. He threw 81 mph across the diamond, 76 mph down to 2B, and produced a 77 mph exit velocity. Joe will definitely be able to play at the next level.

Patrick Crawley, 1B/RHP, Ponte Vedra HS, 2018
6-foot-1, 205 pound first baseman/ right handed pitcher with a tall thick strong loose body. Very big kid for his age. Good actions for a big guy with good hands and plenty of arm strength for a corner infielder. Had an infield velocity of 78 mph. Erect stance at the plate with some strength and quickness in his hands. Good load and rhythm in approach. Shows some power for his age. Will have more to come in the future with added strength. 81 mph exit bat speed velocity. Also showed well on the mound.

Garrett Danford, 2B/C, Sneads HS, 2019
5-foot-7, 130 pound infielder with a lean loose athletic projectable body. Still very young body. Good infield actions with solid hands. Needs to shorten release to quicken it up. Steps behind front foot to throw. Has enough arm. 69 mph infield velocity. Athletic stance at the plate with a good load and separation. Has a loose bat with some quickness. Will benefit from added strength. Aggressive approach. Good balanced finish. 77 mph exit bat speed velocity. Overall game will improve with added strength.

Ricardo Diaz 2B/SS, Merritt Island HS 2018
5-foot-8 160 pounds with a lean and athletic body with some strength. At the plate his bat rests on his shoulder, he gets a good separation and load with his lower half, and a leg kick for his stride. Nice swing plane with good bat speed and uses his lower half well. In the field he has average hands but has a good transfer and quick release. Fringy arm from SS but enough for 2B. Ricardo threw 65 mph across the diamond and had a 75 mph exit bat velocity.

Bryce Einstein, 1B/RHP, The Canterbury School, 2019
6-foot-3, 175 pound first baseman/pitcher with a tall lean loose lanky projectable body. Young body with a lot of upside. Long infield actions with solid mechanics. Occasionally fields ball deep in stance. Athletic stance at the plate with little to no stride. Short quick stroke with slight load and little separation. Some lift in bat path with balanced finish. Still very young. Will be interesting to follow as his body starts to fill out.

Raymond Fields OF/1B, The First Academy 2018
6-foot-2 175 pounds with a tall, long, lean, loose, athletic, and projectable frame. At the plate he goods a good separation for his load and gets his foot down early. Nice, easy loose swing with a good plane. Drives the ball with authority to all fields. In the outfield he takes good routes to the ball and has a long, loose, over the top arm action and threw 83 mph in the rain with good carry. At first athletic, loose actions with soft hands and good footwork and threw 76 mph across the diamond to third. Raymond also produced a 79 mph exit bat velocity. Fields an athletic kid with a lot of upside because he has a lot of room to mature, fill out, and get stronger. He will definitely be able to play at the next level with a good chance to play division I of he continues to progress and get stronger.

Tyler Fleming 3B/2B, Bartram Trail HS 2018
5-foot-10 176 pounds with a lean, athletic, and strong frame. At the plate he does not have much of a load and gets a short stride. Has a quick swing and nice swing plane. Average hands and feet with a fringy arm. Looks like his future will be at 3B. Tyler threw 68 mph across the infield and produced a 73 mph exit bat velocity.

Grant Galy 2B/SS, Bishop Moore 2018
Incoming sophomore who stands at 6 foot, 145 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable frame. At the plate his hands are higher, he gets a separation for his load, and he stays balanced. Easy swing with a nice plane and stays inside the ball well. In the field he has soft hands, athletic feet, a quick transfer, and short ¾ arm action. Grant threw 70 mph across the diamond and produced a 72 mph exit bat velocity. Will mature more and needs to get stronger but should be able to play at the next level if he continues to progress.

Ayden Gallegos, RHP/SS, Dunedin HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 180 pound infielder/pitcher with a loose athletic body. Has decent actions with a quick release. Occasionally fields ball deep in stance and a bit flat footed. Has enough arm that will improve with added strength. Good load with a little separation at the plate with a slight leg kick. Doesn’t gain ground with stride. Has looseness in bat with a level bat path. Shows some strength that will continue to improve with added strength. Good overall approach. 71 mph infield velocity. 78 mph exit bat speed velocity.

Grant Grodi SS/2B, Forest HS 2018
5-foot-10 170 pounds with a strong athletic frame. Lefty hitter who has a simple approach, gets a good separation for his stroke, and has a short/quick swing. Nice swing plane that allows him to hit line drives to all fields. From SS he has soft hands, a quick transfer, and a very quick release. Short, over the top arm action. May slide over to 2B in the future but has enough arm for SS right now and his transfer and quick release may allow him to stay there. Grant threw 74 mph across the diamond and has a 79 mph exit bat velocity. He should be able to play at the next level.

Carter Haase SS/2B, Lake Mary HS 2018
5-foot-7 165 pound SS/2B with a strong and compact frame with athleticism. At the plate he has a good base, gets a small separation for his load, and has a short/quick swing. Simple approach with a nice swing plane that produces line drives to all fields. In the field he has good footwork and is light on his toes. He also has soft hands with a quick release and short arm action. Advanced infield actions and has enough arm for SS right now but will likely be a 2B in the future. Haase threw 75 mph across the diamond and produced a 74 mph exit bat velocity.

Kyle Huber SS/RHP, Nease HS 2018
Incoming sophomore who stands at 6 foot, 155 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable frame with strength. At the plate he has a bat wag that he slows down when he loads, a nice separation for his load a leg kick that gives him timing and rhythm. Uses his lower half well, gets good leverage, and gets great extension in his swing. Nice swing plane with good bat speed. In the field he has good footwork with athleticism, soft hands, and enough arm to stay at SS with a short, loose, high ¾ arm action. Kyle threw 75 mph across the diamond and produced an 83 mph exit bat velocity. He also sat 75-79 mph off the mound with a 60-63 mph curveball. Huber has an advanced bat that will only get better with strength and maturity. Will definitely be able to play at the next level.

Jett Lauster, SS/2B, St Augustine HS, 2019
5-foot-6, 130 pound infielder with a loose lean projectable young body. Good hands and sound fielding mechanics. Occasionally sits back on balls and stops to field ball. More of a second basemans’ arm right now but will improve with physical maturity. Needs to get a little lighter on his feet. Erect stance at the plate with good rhythm. Toe tap rhythm and stride. Good load and separation. Loose quick bat with a good bat path. Barrel stays in zone. Gets good extension through ball. Can backspin ball. Line drive type swing. Should have power as he physically matures. Good looking swing. 66 mph infield velocity. 71 mph exit bat speed velocity.

Matthew Moss, SS/OF, Bucholz, 2019
5-foot-9, 145 pound infielder/outfielder with a loose athletic body with some physical development already but still young. Athletic infield actions with good hands and a quick release and enough arm. 69 mph infield velocity. Good load at the plate with little separation. Stride foot lands early. Has quickness and strength in the bat already with a good bat path. Swing has length with a bit of a sweeping path. Bat will improve with added strength. 72 mph exit bat speed velocity. 4.94 to 1B

Carson Neal 3B/C, North Florida Christian 2019
Incoming freshman who stands at 5-foot-11 155 pounds lean, athletic, and projectable body with strength. At the plate he is upright, gets a strong load by separating and getting his hands into a good slot, and gets a leg kick for his stride. Good rhythm, uses his lower half well, and his a nice swing plane. Stays balanced and really drives the ball to all fields with plus bat speed for his age. In the field he has soft hands, good range, and loose high ¾ arm action. His arm action is a little long and somewhat stands up to throw but he should be ok for 3B. Behind the plate he has good footwork, transfer could be quicker but still good, and short, over the top arm action. Threw 72 mph down to second which is an above average arm for his age, and he threw a 2.28-2.32. Neal threw 73 mph across the diamond and produced a 76 mph exit bat velocity. Carson should be a division I prospect in a couple of years with maturity and progression.

Liam Perry RHP/1B, Ida Baker HS 2019
Incoming freshman who stands at 6-foot-3 180 pounds with a tall, projectable, and strong frame. At the plate he gets a small separation for his load with a small leg kick. Uppercut swing plane with some length. At first he has fairly soft hands with decent footwork and plenty arm to make it across the diamond. He threw 71 mph across to 3B and his exit bat velocity was 69 mph. On the mound his arm goes toward 1B after he breaks and he lands in line. He could drive off his back side better which would get him a little more velocity. Long, loose high ¾ arm action. 73-76 mph fastball and a 64-65 mph curveball that showed good depth and broke two planes. He looks like he is still growing into his body and looks like he will mature and add more strength.

Joshua Ray, 1B/OF, Eagles View Academy, 2017
5-foot-9, 175 pound first baseman with a thick stocky lower half with thick hips and thighs. Infield actions are a bit slow and fields ball deep in his stance with an infield velocity of 68 mph. Needs to get a little lighter on his feet. Slight load at the plate with some separation. Good bat path with a balanced finish. Occasionally sits on back side and spins off ball. Bat will improve with added strength. 72 mph exit bat speed velocity.

Emil Valenzuela SS/RHP, Gulf Coast HS 2019
Incoming freshman who stands at 6-foot-1 151 pounds with a long, lean, loose, athletic, and projectable frame. Relaxed at the plate and gets a small separation for his load. Short, quick swing with good bat speed and a nice swing plane that produces line drives to all fields. In the field he has good range with soft hands and an average arm for his age. His arm action can get a little long but nothing too bad. Has a lot of room to mature, gain weight, get stronger, and may grow even more. He threw 71 mph across the diamond and a produced a 74 mph exit bat velocity. On the mound he sat 71-74 mph and threw a 59-63 mph curveball. Emil will definitely be able to play at the next level, likely division I, if he fills out and gets stronger like he should and continues to progress.

Colin Wray, 3B/1B, Steinbrenner HS, 2018
6-foot, 185 pound corner infielder with a tall loose body with thick hips. Some stiffness in his actions with good hands. Fields ball deep in his stance. Stops to field ball. Enough arm for left side of field. 71 mph infield velocity. Erect stance with very little load and separation. No stride. Loose quick bat with some lift in his bat path. Big strong kid for his age. 77 mph exit bat speed velocity.

Scouting notes from the Florida Undercass Games: Infield Analysis

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