Capital City Games - Infield Analysis

October 14, 2015

By Drew locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Continuing our coverage of the Capital City Games today we highlight the infielders. Junior Talon File impressed with his defensive abilities at shortstop and strength at the plate. The right-handed hitter tied for the top exit velocity at the event and consistently barreled baseballs during his round of batting practice. Sophomore Dustin Lyon flashed bat speed for his age and showed some pull-side pop at the event.

Here’s a look at all of the infield prospects listed in alphabetical order:

Graham Bender, SS/RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound athletically built right-handed hitting two-way player. On the mound, throws three pitches for a strike, change-up potentially being a swing and miss out pitch. Feel for the change-up, fastball arm speed, flashed deception and sinking action, ranged between 68-70 mph. Fastball thrown for strikes, slight arm-side-run and sat 76-79 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 with some depth, 63-65 mph. Short and quick arm action, high ¾ slot and some rhythm in delivery. In his one inning stint during game play Bender retired the side in order, striking out one. Should be watched closely moving forward on the mound. Offensively, the right-handed hitter showcased a simple swing with not a lot of moving parts. Starts from a slightly open, balanced stance and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, on the infield flashed soft, reliable hands, clean exchange. Short arm action, ¾ arm slot and accuracy, clocked at 71 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 5.08 home-to-first.

Connor Engelman, MIF/RHP, Nokomis, 2018
Smaller build 5-foot-5, 125-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and pitcher. Offensively, sprayed the ball to all fields. Balanced, athletic setup and short stride. Long, uphill bat path through the zone. Went 1-for-3 during game play with a stolen base. Registered a 73 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 4.94 home-to-first. Defensively, flashed soft hands and good body control. Athletic fielding position, quick exchange and fluid footwork. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate, clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. On the mound, worked an extremely efficient inning, retiring the side in order and recording all three outs, via ground outs. Regular effort, up-tempo delivery, in-line direction and athletic finish. Fastball sat 74-75 mph, touching 76. Featured a curveball that varied in shape, working 12/6 and 11/5 at times, ranging between 65-67 mph.

Talon File, SS/RHP, Williamsville, 2017
Physical 5-foot-11, 180-pound well-proportioned right-handed hitting shortstop and pitcher. Offensively, registered an above average exit velocity for his age, 87 mph. Flashed bat speed, pull pop and made consistent, hard contact during his round of batting practice. Starts from an open setup, leg-kick trigger, and uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Ran a 4.67 home-to-first. Defensively, looks the part at shortstop. Athletic fielding position, soft hands, fluid footwork and a quick, clean exchange. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, carry on his throws, clocked at 83 mph across the infield. On the mound the right hander operated with a balanced, tall and fall delivery. Short arm action, out of a high ¾ window and some rhythm throughout. Featured a three-pitch repertoire. Fastball, thrown for strikes, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball had depth, 11/5 shape, 62-64 mph. Change-up flashed some cut ranging between 63-65 mph.

Drew Gibson, 1B/LHP, St. Anthony, 2017
Long limbed 6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed two-way player. Defensively, sloid overall feel and actions at first-base. Flashed fluid footwork and feel around the first-base bag. Athletic fielding position and clean exchange. High ¾ arm slot and long arm action, throws clocked at 69 mph across the diamond. Offensively, looseness and some rhythm through contact. Tall, narrow setup, short stride and uphill path through the zone. Looked to pull during batting practice and registered a 73 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 5.2 home-to-first. On the mound, the left hander showed the ability to get downhill angle with his fastball. Tall and fall delivery, in-line direction and square landing. Featured a fastball and curveball from a high ¾ window. Fastball ranged between 72-75 mph. Curveball worked with 12/6 shape and sat 65-67 mph. Didn’t allow a hit and struck out two in his one inning of work.

Eric Jackson, 2B, Bolingbrook, 2019
Smaller build 5-foot-6, 125-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, pre-pitch rhythm and short path through the hitting zone. Starts from a balanced, open setup, short leg-lift trigger and opposite-field approach during batting practice. Registered an exit velocity of 66 mph. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield and clean exchange. Short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accuracy and clocked at 65 mph across the infield. Ran a 5.07 home-to-first.

Dustin Lyon, SS, Limestone, 2018
Lanky, lean 6-foot, 145-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, took one of the better rounds of batting practice at the Capital City Games. Simple swing, creates bat speed, flashed pull pop and does not get cheated at the plate. Balanced, tall setup, short stride and looks to pull. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, with some accuracy across the diamond, clocked at 69 mph. Also, ran a 4.83 home-to-first.

Ryan McAvoy, 3B/RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2016
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and pitcher. Offensively, wide base and balanced setup. Pre-pitch load, good balance through contact and opposite field approach during batting practice. Uphill path through the hitting zone. 80 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 4.69 home-to-first. Defensively, made a number of plays at third base during game play. Short arm action, low ¾ arm slot, with some accuracy across the diamond, clocked at 74 mph. On the mound, operates with a tall and fall delivery, some rhythm and square landing. Short arm action and high ¾ arm slot. Features two pitches. Fastball sat between 76-77 mph. Curveball showed 11/5 shape and ranged between 61-63 mph. Faced four batters in game play, retired all four and no ball left the infield.

Austin McDowell, MIF, Nokomis, 2018
5-foot-10, 135-pound lean build right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, simple swing, good balance through contact and used the middle of the field during batting practice. Balanced setup and short stride. Uphill bat path through the zone. Registered a 71 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 4.79 home-to-first. Defensively, reliable hands and body control. Long arm action, ¾ arm slot, and some accuracy, clocked at 69 mph across the diamond.

Tyler Nolin, 3B/RHP, Normal Community, 2018
5-foot-7, 155-pound two-way player, average build for age. Offensively, hits from the left side. Compact, two-piece swing, short and level swing through the hitting zone. Found the barrel often during batting practice. Wide, closed setup, toe-tap stride and flashed a quick bat. Registered a 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield had a clean exchange. Clocked at 70 mph across the infield. On the mound operated with an up-tempo delivery. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Featured a fastball and a change-up. Fastball ranged between 70-72 mph and touched 75. Change-up sat 66-69 mph. Also, clocked at 5.05 from home-to-first.

Brady Parish, 3B, RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2018
Strong, big bodied 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, flashed some pop and barreled a lot of balls in batting practice. Short uphill path through the hitting zone. Tall, open setup, long stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, on the infield, short arm action, ¾ arm slot and some accuracy. Clocked at 66 mph across the infield. On the mound the right-handed pitcher operates with regular effort, up-tempo and a tall and fall delivery. Showcased a fastball and a curveball in his outing. Fastball sat between 73-75 mph. Curveball had 12/6 action and ranged between 62-65 mph. In his one inning stint during game play he worked a one, two, three inning.

Braeden Reed, SS, West Central, 2017
Well-proportioned 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, showed some pull pop during batting practice. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and average balance. Uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 78 mph. Ran a 4.76 home-to-first. Defensively, above average body control on the infield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, and some accuracy across the infield, clocked at 70 mph across the infield. During game play went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Carter Weiters, 1B/3B, Pleasant Plains, 2018
Solidly built 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder. Offensively, starts from a tall, balanced setup. Short, leg-lift trigger, and average bat speed. Uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 69 mph. Defensively, clean exchange and reliable hands. Short arm action, high ¾ arm slot and clocked at 63 mph across the infield.

Richie Well, SS, Vandalia, 2017
Wiry 6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively, Narrow, tall setup and long, leg-lift trigger. Long, uphill bat path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Ran a 4.86 home-to-first. Defensively, reliable hands, clean exchange and fluid footwork. Short, quick arm from a high ¾ arm slot, accurate and clocked at 76 mph across the infield. Went 2-for-2 during game play with a run scored.

Capital City Games - Infield Analysis

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