15U at the Rock: Five to Follow | Middle Infielders
July 3, 2019
The PBR Wisconsin-hosted 15U at The Rock Championships took place at The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin, Wis., last weekend and completely lived up to our staff's lofty expectations. There was highly competitive baseball throughout the whole tournament, and with many of the Midwest’s best teams in attendance, it was a great opportunity for us to see some of the top talent in the region.
We have already begun analysis for the event – starting with our loaded Scout Blog featuring well over 100 names, which can be found here. Our staff also published an All-Tournament team, which can be found here. Our day-by-day recaps of the event will also be linked below.
+ Day 1 Quick Hits
+ Day 2 Quick Hits
+ Day 3 Quick Hits
In the next portion of our tournament coverage, we will begin to highlight the best-of-the-rest, the prospects you need to know after those named to our All-Tournament roster. This article will specifically breakdown the top middle infielders in attendance, after those named to the all-tourney team.
Middle Infielders
Maddox Mihalakis, SS, Hopkins (MN), 2022 | MN Starters
At 6-foot-1 155-pounds, he glides around the infield and showed silky actions at short. Rangy actions on the infield, longer strider, plays easy, arm plays with carry and accuracy, short over the top arm action quick release. His left-handed stroke plays inside out and short to the baseball with a natural tendency to play to the opposite field. He shows above average barrel control, and at times looks as though he can just play pepper with the left side of the diamond. The left-handed hitting shortstop hit lead off for the Starters first game torching a double to the left-center gap and scored the first run of the game. Mihalakis followed that up with another opposite field single. Mihalakis showed good foot speed in the field and on the base paths finishing the game with 2 stolen bases.
Josh Hatano, RHP/SS, Park (MN), 2022 | NorthStars Navy
Helped his team complete pool play undefeated with a complete-game shutout. Hatano struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings. Fastball played 76-77 mph throughout. Hatano likely projects best on the infield where he showed a high level of feel and savvy for the position. Actions are smooth and easy, showed ranged to both sides as well as above average body control and enough arm to play the left side. High follow defender on the infield. At the plate on Sunday, Hatano showed a smooth swing that keeps his barrel long through the zone. Hatano showed good carry and power on a long double that landed on the warning track in left-center field. Hatano also added a single to left field on Sunday.
Christian Holmes, MIF, De La Salle (IL), 2022 | Prairie Gravel
Strong, athletic build. 5-foot-10,160 pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Hit out of the leadoff spot for Prairie Gravel. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, slight leg kick. Quick hands, level path to the baseball, hands stay in a strong hitting position throughout, fluid rhythm in swing. Defensively, active feet, steady hands, quick and clean transfer, strong arm. Played athletically in the field, showcasing a strong body control play and the ability to range to both sides of his glove. Hustle player, turned should-be singles into doubles multiple times throughout the tournament.
Owen Housinger, 2B, Stevenson (IL), 2022 | Slammers-Coyote
Leadoff batter for Slammers-Coyote stood out during the 8:00 pm matchup between STiKS Red and the Slammers. The 5-foot-8, 150 pound right-handed hitting second baseman went 3-for-3 with three singles and a walk. He has an open stance with a minimal load and a line drive approach at the plate. Path is short and stays inside the baseball. He also played a clean defense while turning a double play at 2nd.
6-foot, 170-pound middle infielder. Strong, athletic build with projection; looks the part. Leadoff hitter. Displayed an advanced approach at the plate, consistently working the count deep. At the plate, balanced and athletic setup, slight leg kick stride and hands set high and drop back into arm bar during load. Short bat path, can get on top of the ball, loose wrists, whippy bat through the zone. Flashed gap-to-gap contact potential, hitting a one-hopper to the wall in right field, also tallied a couple doubles grounded down the third base line. Finished the two games on Saturday a combined 2-for-5 with a hard-hit single up the middle, a triple to deep right, and three walks. In the field, alternated between shortstop and second every inning. Showed natural actions at the shortstop position. Fluid footwork, clean exchange. Long arm action, played accurately across the field.