The Quad Cities Open took place on Sunday, September 24 at Black Hawk College in Moline, IL. Prospects from all classes participated in a pro-style workout in front on the PBR Scouting Staff. Today, we continue the event analysis with a look at the position players from the day.

The top position player of the event was unsigned senior Payton Young (Davenport West, IA). Young is an athletic outfielder with long levers and bat speed at the plate. Behind Young was physically advanced catcher Nicholas Hemken (Edwardsville, IL). Hemken has a strong, accurate arm and upside at the plate.

TOP POSITION PLAYERS

1. Payton Young, OF, Davenport West (IA), 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound, highly-athletic strong frame, high-waisted, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, rangy outfielder, aggressive, attacks and plays through the baseball. Steady hands, quick transfer at times, long and loose arm action, occasionally gets underneath the ball, clocked at 86 mph. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride and maintains balance through contact. Loose, long levers in swing, creates bat speed, swing works best when able to get extended. Fluid rhythm, gap-to-gap approach and long path through the zone. 95 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60.

2. Nicholas Hemken, C/RHP, Edwardsville, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound, physically advanced, athletically built, two-way prospect. Worked out as a catcher, advanced arm strength from the crouch, 78 mph. Arm works short and quick from an over-the-top slot. Accurate throws, stay true and carry. Quick, clean exchange, maintains body control. Pop times ranged between 2.00-2.12. Offensively, tall setup, pre-pitch load and maintains balance through contact. Quick twitch in swing, present bat speed, long bat path, occasional late trigger. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.27 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line. Whippy, fast arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball flashed occasional cut, 78-81 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, more 12/6 out of the stretch, thrown with fastball arm speed, conviction, 61-64 mph. Changeup, sat 67-68 mph.

3. Noah McCreary, INF, Davenport West (IA), 2018
Recent John Wood CC commit. 6-foot, 165-pound, well-proportioned, athletically built, infielder. At the plate, loose, athletic, left-handed swing. Open, slightly narrow setup, pre-pitch load, stride gets back to even and average balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, long, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and ball jumps off his bat at times; 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.31 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Defensively, fields in the middle of his body, funnels to exchange at times. Short arm action, high ¾ to ¾ slot and throws clocked at 81 mph across the diamond.

4. Michael Conner, INF, Moline, 2019
6-foot-1, 200-pound, strong, wide-shouldered infielder. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth, pronounced back-side load, leg-kick timing trigger and maintains good balance through contact. Creates bat speed and leverage in swing. Path works uphill with an overall gap-to-gap approach; 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, profiles at a corner infield spot. Steady hands, short arm action, from an over-the-top slot, true ball across the diamond, clocked at 78 mph. 7.60 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

5. Blake Wheeler, INF/RHP, Cedar Rapids Prairie (IA), 2018
5-foot-6, 126-pound, lean, two-way prospect. On the infield, soft, confident hands, plays through the baseball, can play on the move, clean and quick transfer. Short, loose arm action comes out of a ¾ to low ¾ slot and clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Handsy swing at times, line-drive approach and looks to use the whole field. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.66 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works fast and throws a high-volume of strikes. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line with some rhythm. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 73-74 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, short break, feel, 64-68 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, straight, thrown for strikes, sat 68-70 mph. Knuckleball ranged between 62-65 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

P.T. Boeye, OF, Rock Island, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran the top 60 of the event, 7.06 laser-timed. Offensively, upright, balanced setup, slight arm-bar load. Level bat path through the zone; 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, efficient routes, works behind the baseball, clean transfer. Throws from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 73 mph from the outfield.

Kannon Coakley, C/INF, Maquoketa (IA), 2021
6-foot, 190-pound, well-proportioned, multi-positional prospect with above-average strength for his age. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall setup, pre-pitch load and short leg-lift trigger. Loose hands at times and long, uphill bat path through the zone. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Behind the plate, clean, easy actions. Minimal wasted movement on transfer, stays on-line. Loose, clean arm action, throws clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.17-2.25. On the infield, clean transfer, athletic arm action, winds up on release, throws clocked at 78 mph. 8.10 runner in the 60.

Austin Ford, OF, Rock Island, 2019
5-foot-9, 175-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, relaxed, balanced setup, short stride, fluid rhythm and looks to lift the baseball. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, clean exchange, long arm action from a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 67 mph. 8.12 runner in the 60.

Tanner Hampsey, INF/RHP, Rock Island, 2019
6-foot, 150-pound, athletically built, two-way prospect. Projectable right-handed pitcher with an above-average three-pitch mix. Tall and fall, repeatable delivery, smooth rhythm, stays on-line, lands slightly closed and finishes upright. Short, clean arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball flashed arm-side-run and sink at times, 74-77 mph. Curveball, tight spin, depth, 12/6 shape, feel, 64-67 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade action, feel, down in the zone, 70-73 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, narrow setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Stays on top of the baseball at times and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, receptive, steady hands and quick, clean transfer on the infield. Loose arm action from a ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. 7.80 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Caden Kipper, INF, Pleasant Valley (IA), 2021
5-foot-11, 170-pound, athletically built, wiry, left-handed hitting infielder. Ran a 7.21 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride. Stays short to the ball, works on top with a line-drive approach. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, arm works short and over-the-top, throws clocked at 71 mph across the diamond.

Tyler Lampkin, C/INF, Rock Island, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, wide setup, slight load, short leg-kick trigger and average balance through contact. Pull approach and registered an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Behind the plate, open setup, gets out of crouch early, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Pop times ranged between 2.18-2.29. Throws clocked at 71 mph from the crouch and across the infield. 7.42 runner in the 60.

Avery Leffler, RHP/OF/INF, United, 2020
6-foot-3, 175-pound, long, lean, projectable frame, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, slightly crouched setup, smooth load and toe-tap timing trigger. Long bat path through the hitting zone and registered an 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out on the infield and in the outfield. Long arm action from a low ¾ slot. Throws topped out at 75 mph from the outfield and 74 mph across the infield. 7.68 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, full wind up, tall and fall delivery with rhythm and regular effort throughout. Works from a low ¾ slot. Fastball thrown for strikes, 75-77 mph. Mixed in a slider that ranged between 63-68 mph. Changeup, thrown near fastball arm speed, slight fade, 66-70 mph.

Curtis Lilienthal, INF/RHP, Durant (IA), 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, two-way prospect with a strong, athletic build. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, lands closed. Short, quick arm action. Fastball, around the zone, 80-81 mph. Mixed in a curveball and slider. Curveball works 11/5, short break, 71-72 mph. Slider flashed, late, sharp break, 10/4 shape, 70-73 mph. Changeup, fade action, 77-78 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Pull approach and registered an 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws clocked at 79 mph across the diamond. 7.72 runner in the 60.

Angel Manuel, C/INF, United Township, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, deep pre-pitch load, leg-kick timing trigger and level bat path. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively worked out as a catcher and infielder. Behind the plate, low setup, quick, clean release, throws flashed accuracy and clocked at 76 from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.12-2.18. On the infield, quick feet and throws topped out at 76 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60.

Chris McFarland, OF, Rock Island Alleman, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound, lean, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran one of the top 60 times of the event, 7.09 laser-timed 60. Defensively, rangy, long strides in the outfield. Flashed soft hands, quick exchange and plays through the baseball at times. Over-the-top arm action and throws clocked at 79 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, and hits off his backside. Path works uphill. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Tony McKee. OF, Davenport Central (IA), 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, athletic build, well-proportioned strength, outfielder. Right-handed hitter, wide, balanced setup, short stride and long bat path through the hitting zone. Flashed strength in swing; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean transfer, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 76 mph. Ran a 7.45 laser-timed 60.

Brooks Reiter, INF, Pleasant Valley (IA), 2021
5-foot-7, 129-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Long, level bat path through the hitting zone and line-drive approach. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fields and funnels into his body, quick exchange. Throws from a ¾ slot, clocked at 68 mph across the infield. 8.21 runner in the 60.

Michael Seibert, 1B/LHP, Elmwood, 2022
5-foot-9, 125-pound, lean, left/left, two-way prospect. At the plate, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm and short stride. Long bat path through the zone and 67 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out at first base. Throws from a high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 61 mph across the diamond. 7.86 runner in the 60. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, short arm action, high ¾ slot, comes out by his ear. Fastball sat 61-64 mph. Also, threw a changeup, 57-60 mph.  

Evan Spurgetis, INF, Rock Island, 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, loads into backside, short stride and average balance throughout. Flashed loose hands and quick twitch in swing. Pull-side approach and occasional lift in swing. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands and quick transfer. Ability to change arm angles on the move, accurate throws, clocked at 75 mph. Ran a 7.34 laser-timed 60.

Clayton Thomas, C/INF, Rock Island, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound, long, lean, multi-positional prospect with plenty of room for continued physical development. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride, good balance and fluid rhythm throughout. Spray, line-drive approach, loose hands and level bat path through the hitting zone. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out at catcher and on the infield. On the infield, steady hands, quick clean transfer. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot, throws topped out at 77 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, open setup, long arm action and throws clocked at 72 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.26-2.45. Also, ran a 8.03 runner in the 60.

Kale Ven Huizen, INF/RHP, Port Byron Riverdale, 2019
6-foot, 135-pound, two-way prospect. Long, lean build with wide shoulders and plenty of room for continued physical development. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride and maintains balance. Fluid rhythm, long, loose swing, consistently found the barrel and gap-to-gap approach; 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady defender, quick, clean release, ability to throw from multiple arm angles. Short arm action and throws clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. 8.34 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall repeatable delivery, stays on-line with rhythm. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 74-76, touching 77 mph. Curveball varied between 12/6 and 11/5, sat 64-67 mph. Changeup, feel, maintains arm speed, 68-71 mph.

Khyri White, RHP/OF, Rock Island, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound, well-proportioned, athletically built, two-way prospect. Defensively, worked out in the outfield. Attacks the baseball, steady hands, clean transfer. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws clocked at 76 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and hits off his backside. Loose hands at times, path works uphill; 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, short stride and finishes upright. Arm works short and over-the-top. Fastball sat 72-74 mph. Changeup looks to be best secondary; maintains arm speed, feel, 65-67 mph. Curveball 12/6 shape, gradual action, 61-64 mph.

Hunter Zieser, INF/RHP, West Delaware (IA), 2018
6-foot-1, 210-pound, thick lower half, two-way prospect. Offensively, left-handed hitter, tall setup, toe-tap stride and stays short to the baseball. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, steady hands, clean transfer and loose arm from a ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 70 mph across the infield. 7.90 runner in the 60. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, lands open and regular effort throughout. Short arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 69-70 mph, touched 72. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm action, straight action, 64-70 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 53-56 mph.

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