IA Preseason All-State: Infield Analysis

April 20, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

The IA Preseason All-State was an unbelievable opportunity for 2016 and 2017 prospects from all reaches of Iowa to showcase themselves and begin preparations for the Iowa high school summer season. There were many breakout performances, opportunities to see new players, and create an extensive follow list of prospects to see over the course of the Spring and Summer. Many individuals placed themselves into the fray for our 2016 and 2017 state-wide player rankings which will be released soon.

The Prep Baseball Report Iowa's Preseason All-State event took place on Sunday March 15^th at Sportsplex West in Waukee, IA. The showcase featured over 65 prospects from the 2016 and 2017 class who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff, college coaches, and professional scouts.

Here are our top infield prospects from the IA Preseason All-State:

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Top first base Prospects

1. Connor Lindaman, 1B/RHP, Davenport Assumption, 2016
6-foot-5, 240-pound 2-way player. Lindaman is a physical first baseman/ middle of order bat who is committed to U. of Iowa. Ran a 7.53 60. Not a burner but runs solid-average for position and size. 90 mph exit velocity off tee. Loads weight on back side. Tall and fall type approach with balance. Has good hands and stays inside ball at contact. Gap to gap approach with power to oppo gap and left field line. Good feet at first base. Moves well. Handles above average plays. Glove works and throws above average. 81 mph arm strength across infield.

2. Arthur Sells, OF/1B/RHP, WDM Valley, 2016
6-foot-3, 205-pound utility player with physical build who ran a 6.87 60. Open stance and dives into plate. Shows strength in bat with loose swing. Short to contact. Arms stay in good slot to drive baseball. Off-time during B.P. at this event. Shows power to gaps. Creates back-spin and balls carry off bat. 92 mph exit velocity off tee. Profiles as a right fielder in college. Usable feet and hands. Covers adequate ground. Limited use of front side on throws but creates arm speed with above average carry and accuracy from over-the-top slot at 84 mph. Easy actions at first base. Good feet and ability to field routine. 78 mph across the infield with accurate arm and ability to start double play.

3. Zeb Adreon, LHP/1B, Pleasantville, 2016
6-foot-2, 180-pound 2-way player. Lean athletic body. Stronger lower half. Ran a 6.9 60. Small leg kick trigger to swing. Pre-set hands with rhythm. Translates weight through swing to contact. Has whip to barrel with solid hands and ok pop. Mid-pull approach with solid contact. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Works through ball fielding. Has good feet. Glove is soft. Makes above average plays. Shows athleticism. 77 mph arm strength across infield.

Top third base Prospects

1. Brendan Dougherty, 3B, Dowling Catholic, 2016
6-foot-2, 170-pound third baseman. Lean body. Room for additional strength. Ran a 7.18 60. Loose swing. Creates bat speed. Gap to gap approach. Hard contact. Ball jumps off bat. Has leverage in swing. Athletic at third base. Aggressive/ good angles to ball. Quick feet. Creates good direction to target. Arm is clean. Fast arm. Ability to throw from multiple angles. 81 mph across infield with carry and accuracy. High Follow prospect for 2016 class.

2. Javin Drake, RHP/3B, Wilton, 2016
6-foot-4, 205-pound 2-way player. Long lean athletic player. Ran a 7.46 60. Long levers. Flashes power to pull side. Front heel turn trigger to swing. Solid contact. Front foot hitter at times. Overall solid contact. Short to contact. Stays connected well for player with length in limbs. Good extension and separation after contact. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Long clean arm action in field. Throws are accurate with carry. 83 mph arm strength across infield. Solid glove. Glove will be stiff at times. Shows appropriate feet and actions for third base. High Follow prospect with room for additional strength and size.

3. Ryan Wyant, 3B/RHP, Linn-Mar, 2016
5-foot-9, 180-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.94 60. Slightly closed stance. Creates bat speed and has whip to his barrel. Some length to swing with arm bar. Pull approach with power to pull side. 87 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows above average feet and glove at third base. Appropriate angles and makes plays. Loose clean arm action. Fast arm with accuracy and carry. 85 mph arm strength across.

4. Blake Bagenstos, RHP/3B, Dowling Catholic, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.45 60. High hands. Work down and through at contact with solid line drive swing plane. Mid-away approach with solid contact. Small leg kick trigger. In-line direction with pitcher. Balance throughout swing. Good strength in swing with 85 mph exit velocity off tee. Plays third base with energy. Solid glove and shows ability to make plays. Arm is clean and fast. Shows solid actions and above average ability on body control plays. 79 mph across infield with carry and accuracy.

5. Jordan Reid, 3B, Fairfield, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound third baseman. Ran a 7.28 60. Easy load with quiet actions in box. Repeats swing well. Line drive swing plane with gap to gap approach. Solid contact. Stays on and through baseball. 79 mph exit velocity. Quiet actions at third base. Glove is soft and fields down to up. Would benefit from working through baseball and not throwing flat-footed across- feet become stagnant. Showed accuracy across. Consistently makes plays at third base. 76 mph arm strength across.

6. William Rodruck, RHP/3B, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot, 195-pound 2-way player. Solid build. Ran a 7.38 60. Crouched stance. Strides slightly closed into contact. Some strength in swing. Uses whole field. Shows some power to middle of field. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows some quickness and body control in field. Glove is solid. Makes routine plays. Plays tall at times. Shows ok arm across with plus carry and accuracy. Would benefit from following throws across diamond and creating better direction. 83 mph arm strength across.

Top middle infield Prospects

1. Tyler Roeder, SS/RHP, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2016
6-foot-1, 165-pound 2-way player. Roeder ran a 7.35 60 at this event. Has made adjustments to hitting mechanics. Added a balanced short leg kick trigger. Is more down and through baseballs with greater extension through zone. Line drive swing plane with above average power. Gap to gap approach with solid contact. 89 mph exit velocity. Plays with energy defensively. Glove is solid and uses momentum on throws. Shows ability to adjust feet on bad hops. Has accuracy and carry. Tends to field deep in stance. Overall Strong Follow for 2016 class with ability to drive baseball and chance to continue to develop at shortstop.

2. Cooper Merrill, SS/RHP, Clear Lake, 2016
5-foot-8, 160-pound 2-way player. Small frame with quick twitch actions. Ran a 6.81 60. Slightly closed stance. Easy front heel turn trigger to swing. Line drive swing with average/ok pop. Consistent solid contact with gap to gap approach. 72 mph exit velocity off tee. Has soft hands defensively. Shows ability to cover ground laterally. Easy actions. Tends to funnel baseball when fielding. Quality back-hand. Arm works well with accuracy across at 84 mph.

3. Chase Thomas, SS, Anoka (MN), 2016
5-foot-11, 150-pound shortstop. Middle infielder with a lean build who ran a 6.82 60. Strides slightly closed. Has rhythm in swing. Some looseness and is direct to contact. Keeps hands inside the ball well. Mid-away approach with average power. Solid contact- lead-off/ 2-hole type hitter. 76 mph exit velocity off tee. Quick feet in infield. Glove is solid. Would benefit from fielding more out front and not funneling baseballs up. Long arm action with plus accuracy across the diamond. 76 mph arm strength.

4. Brandon Kovach, SS, Muscatine, 2016
5-foot-9, 170-pound shortstop. Ran a 7.22 at this event. More upright and stays through baseball. Hands over-rotate in load. Elbows bow out. Has average pop to gaps with solid contact. Gap to gap approach. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Has improved on throwing slot. More over-the-top with greater carry and accuracy. Has good feet and body coordination. 80 mph arm strength across infield.

5. Ryan Morrissey, SS/RHP, Pleasant Valley, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.25 60. Slightly closed stance to contact. Leg kick trigger. Keeps front shoulder on at contact. Slightly off-time at this event. Shows ability to drive baseball to gaps. 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Showed plus accuracy and had carry on throws across infield at 80 mph. Continues to develop defensively. Arm is playable. Shows ok actions. Fields deep in stance at times.

6. Brett Daley, SS, Treynor, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound shortstop. Ran a 6.9 60. Flashes of loose swing. Fly ball hitter. Uses hands well in swing. Sprayed balls over entire field. Whippy barrel. Low hand slot to hit. Above average pop in bat. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows solid feet and above average glove. Athletic on backhand play and shows body control. Short ¾ arm action on routine plays. Limited carry across diamond. 76 mph arm strength across.

Best Of The Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Robert Barker, RHP/1B, Van Buren, 2016
6-foot-2, 180-pound 2-way player. Tall lean build. Ran a 7.87 60. Strides across body cutting off swing at times. Clean line drive swing plane. Has leverage at contact. Pull approach. Average pop in bat. 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Sits back on ground balls. Stop and go mechanics. Average arm is accuracy. Makes routine plays. 77 mph across infield.

DJ Duve, 2B/RHP, WDM Valley, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.69 60. Knee to knee trigger with low hand slot to swing. Some length to swing with uphill finish. Average power with mid-away approach. 75 mph exit velocity off tee. Stiff actions in infield. Makes routine play. Throws from mid ¾ slot with limited carry. 70 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Zach Forret, 3B, Van Meter, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound third baseman. Ran a 7.12 60. Closed stance with slight heel raise trigger from no stride approach. Singles type hitter with stiff lower half in swing. Low hand slot with slight uphill swing plane. 74 mph exit velocity off tee. Works well through ground balls. Shows above average glove with range. Throws from stiff 1-piece mid ¾ arm slot with minimal carry at 65 mph across diamond.

Brandon Heilskov, 3B/RHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2016
6-foot-2, 170-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.71 60. Open stance. Steps in to square. Rotational lower half. Works to keep hands inside ball at contact. Average/ok pop. Mid-away approach with flashes of pop. 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Average feet defensively. Shows ok glove. Funnels baseball into body causing some stiffness. Mid ¾ arm slot with slight stiffness. Average carry and accuracy at 77 mph across diamond.

Noah Heitshusen, 2B, Williamsburg, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound middle infielder. Average build. Ran a 6.81 60. Shows above average pop to oppo gap. Uses entire field. Short stride with balance throughout swing. Slight should load with flat direct swing plane to baseball. Stays level and on baseball. 80 mph exit velocity off tee. Plays tall in position. Fields ball deep in stance. Flashes ability on body control. Some arm quickness. 75 mph arm strength across.

Nick Houzenga, RHP/3B, Muscatine, 2016
6-foot, 200-pound 2-way player. Solid build. Ran a 7.44 60. 74 mph exit velocity off tee. Flat bat path through zone with balance in swing. Singles/doubles hitter. Shows some pop mid-away when he gets extended.

Porter Hummel, LHP/1B, West Sioux, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.34 60. Short stride to contact. In-line with pitcher. Controlled swing. Front shoulder tilt. Low hand slot. Flat swing plane with average pop and all pull approach. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Plays first base with energy. Loose actions. Average mechanics. Fields ball deep. Makes plays with athleticism. 75 mph across infield.

Peyton Krugler, RHP/3B, Dowling Catholic, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.22 60. Square stance with pre-set hand position. Front heel turn trigger to swing. In-line direction to pitcher with good separation after contact. Fly ball hitter with gap to gap approach and average pop in bat. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Works down to up on ground balls with some rhythm and actions. Glove is soft. Arm is clean with quick release. Throws show average carry and solid accuracy at 77 mph across diamond.

Peyton Long, RHP/3B, WDM Valley, 2016
6-foot-4, 210-pound 2-way player. Tall lean projectable player. Ran a 7.03 60. High back elbow. Open stance. Turns in to square. Front heel turn trigger. Short stride length. Stiffness to lower half. Some swoop to swing plane. Has strength in bat. 88 mph exit velocity with average pop in batting practice.

Walker McDonald, 2B/RHP, Waukee, 2016
5-foot-11, 150-pound 2-way player. Solid build. Ran a 7.22 60. No stride approach with crouched stance. Good linear load with hands. Shows above average pop to gaps. Mid-away approach. Solid contact with separation after contact. 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Average actions defensively. Quick feet and solid glove. Shows ability to make routine plays. Average on body control plays. Has ok range to left. High ¾ slot. 2-seam action on throws occasionally. Accurate arm. 78 mph across infield.

Cole Peterson, 1B, WDM Valley, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound first baseman. Ran a 7.46 60. Short stride with balance in swing. Front heel turn trigger. Some strength in swing. Aggressive swing with uphill finish. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Light on his feet at first base. Solid glove with ability to make plays. One piece stiff arm action with 71 mph arm strength across the infield.

Chase Rath, RHP/3B, Highland, 2017
6-foot-1, 145-pound 2-way player. Tall slender build. Ran a 7.69 60. Tall stance with quiet actions. Square to pitcher with in-line stride. Singles hitter with short repeatable swing in the box. 75 mph exit velocity off tee. Tall fielding position. Stop and go mechanics fielding. Average actions and glove. Winds up to throw from high ¾ slot. 72 mph velocity across infield.

Maxwell Ridenour, SS/RHP, West Delaware, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound 2-way player. Strong build. Ran a 7.38 60. Shows average power to gaps. Strides slightly closed with low hand slot. Balance in swing. Overall solid contact. Used whole field. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Feet are active. Good angles to baseball. Glove is average. Has range to his left. Throws from OT slot with carry and accuracy to bag. 82 mph arm strength across infield.

Parker Ridge, 2B, Marion, 2017
5-foot-8, 130-pound middle infielder. Small framed. Ran a 8.03 60. Easy load with line drive swing plane. Loose swing. Cuts off at finish sporadically. Shows decent pop in bat to gaps. Middle-away approach. Underneath baseball at contact at times. Projectable hitter. 74 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows well above feet and actions at shortstop. Smooth fielder with ability to make body control plays. Arm is long and loose with carry and accuracy. 71 mph across infield. With improvements in running speed and strength gains; Ridge will be a highly sought after middle infielder in two years.

Dylan Riley, SS, Sioux City East, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound shortstop. Ran a 7.85 60. Short stride into contact. Hands drift down in swing. Shows some length to contact. Has strength in bat. Gap to gap approach. Will stand up through contact causing mis-hits. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid energy in field. Glove is average. Has ability to make routine plays. Will benefit from long toss and improving length of arm and strength. 72 mph arm strength across infield.

Joshua Stivers, OF/3B/RHP, Pleasant Valley, 2017
6-foot-2, 205-pound utility player with above average strength who ran a 7.22 60. Square stance with medium length stride. Short to contact with slight uphill finish. Lower hand launch position. Physically strong hitter with good pop in the bat. Gap to gap approach with 87 mph exit velocity off tee. Active and aggressive in outfield. Profiles as a right fielder. Glove and feet work well. Limited use of front side on throws effecting velocity. Average carry with ok accuracy at 78 mph. Tends to sit back on ground balls. Shows range to his left. Average actions. Profiles better as power-hitting corner outfielder/first baseman at next level. 79 mph arm strength across infield with accuracy.

Jarred Wood, RHP/3B, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2017
6-foot-3, 195-pound 2-way player. Solid build. Ran a 7.97 60. Knee to knee trigger into short stride. Stiff lower half in swing. Lower launch position with hands. Slight uphill swing plane causing some top spin at contact. Pull approach with decent strength in bat. 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Easy actions at third base. Solid glove. Ability to make routine. Shows ability on backhand play. Has arm strength. Pie arm action across with cut action on ball. 85 mph arm strength across.

Casey Zarr, 1B/RHP, Bondurant-Farrar, 2017
6-foot-1, 200-pound 2-way player. Solid build- physical player. Ran a 7.31 60. Slightly closed stance. Strides across body to contact. Easy load and solid launch position with hands. Short to contact with some present strength. Short finish with limited extension. 85 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid first baseman. Ability to make routine plays. Fields deep in stance at times. Solid arm with accuracy across and to start double plays. 80 mph arm strength.

IA Preseason All-State: Infield Analysis

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