On Sunday, Aug. 26, Triton JC played host to the annual Chicagoland Open. The Chicagoland Open was the final summer showcase of 2018 and has a rich history of unveiling top prospects from around the state. This year’s event was no different, as a number of players emerged as high follows in their respective classes.

Today, we’ll analyze the infielders who made it to the Chicago-area event.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Tony Fleischauer, INF, Joliet Catholic, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong, athletically-built, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting infielder. 7.13 runner in the 60, laser-timed. One of the top left-handed hitters still available in the Illinois’ 2019 class. At the plate, athletic, open setup, moxy in the box, smooth load, short stride and fluid rhythm throughout. Loose hands, flashed quick twitch, lift in swing, gap-to-gap approach and easy effort throughout. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, confident, actiony defender, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, soft hands, quick release at times. Loose arm action, throws from multiple slots, accurate throws, carry across the diamond, topped at 86 mph.

2. Jake Adams, INF, Carmel Catholic, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound, athletically-built, trim-waisted, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.14 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, smooth pre-pitch load, leg-kick timing trigger. Creates leverage in swing, long, uphill bat path, hard contact to the pull-side; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, athletic actions, fluid footwork, body control on the move, plays through the baseball, soft hands and clean release. Loose, quick arm action, high ¾ slot and throws carried across the diamond at 84 mph.

3. Finn McLaughlin, INF, Loyola Academy, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.16 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Balanced, slightly open setup, leg-kick timing trigger and fluid rhythm without. Loose, strong hands, aggressive swing, present bat speed, line-drive, gap-to-gap approach. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid actions, maintains body control on the move, fluid footwork and soft hands. Arm works short and over-the-top, accurate throws, clocked at 72 mph across the infield. Follow unsigned senior infielder.

3. Casey Pickering, INF/RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, filled up the zone with three-pitch mix. Slight drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square and works with rhythm. Clean arm action, out of a high ¾ slot, quick out front. Fastball, thrown for strikes, works mostly straight, down in the zone, late run at times, sat 80-82 mph, touched 83. Curveball, thrown aggressively, feel, 11/5 to 12/6 shape, depth, 68-72 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade action, 74-75 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, wide setup, slightly open, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Quiet swing, long, level bat path, line-drive, spray approach with fluid rhythm throughout. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean, easy actions, fluid footwork, steady hands and plays through the baseball. Clean arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 80 mph across the diamond. 7.55 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Steve Antrim, INF, Lake Forest, 2020
5-foot-9, 165-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.37 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, quick hands, fast bat, level bat path, line-drive approach and 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, long draw out of the glove, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 67 mph.

Michael Campo, INF, Lincoln-Way Central, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lean, left-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, open setup, pre-pitch load, slight bat cock and toe-tap stride. Path works uphill and registered a 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick release, long arm action from a ¾ slot and throws topped at 78 mph across the infield. 7.50 runner in the 60.

Patrick Dosen, RHP/OF, Wheaton North, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. 7.23 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, long, uphill bat path and loose hands at times; 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, steady hands, plays through the baseball. Loose arm action, ability to throw from multiple arm angles and clocked at 77 mph across the diamond. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Short arm action, from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, occasional cutting action, sat 76-77 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sat 63-64 mph. Changeup, 61-63 mph.

Anthony Guy, INF, Lane Tech, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound, left-handed hitting infielder, strong, athletic build. At the plate, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger, long, level bat path. Made hard contact to the pull side and registered an 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball at times, clean transfer, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 79 mph across infield. 7.82 runner in the 60.

Tyler Johnson, RHP/INF, Lake Zurich, 2021
6-foot-3, 182-pound, two-way prospect with a long, projectable, high-waisted frame. Right-handed hitter, tall, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride, long, uphill bat path and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long, firm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 64 mph across the infield. 8.13 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stretch-only delivery, works slightly across his body at times. Long arm action from a high ¾ window. Fastball, straight action, 68-70 mph, touched 71. Curveball 11/5 shape, 54-63 mph. Changeup, ranged between 55-62 mph.

Valentino Lara, INF, Holy Trinity, 2021
5-foot-8, 136-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. Long bat path, level through the zone, pull approach and 62 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the infield, soft, reliable hands, work through, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 71 mph. 8.05 runner in the 60.  

Alec Mallinder, RHP/INF, Plainfield North, 2021
6-foot-1, 155-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tilt and topple delivery, smooth rhythm, directional, lands square and finishes athletically. Long, loose, projectable arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight run, sat 76-77 mph. Changeup, looks to be best secondary, sinking action, 65-67 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape at times, underneath at times, 65-67 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, quiet setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride. Level bat path, stays through the zone, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean actions, steady hands. Long arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 73 mph. 7.44 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Bryce Mandala, INF, Grant, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, hands separate in connection with leg-kick trigger. Long bat path, and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, charges the baseball, steady hands, long arm action from a ¾ slot and throws topped at 77 mph across the diamond. 7.56 runner in the 60.

Ryan Nevins, INF, Loyola Academy, 2020
5-foot-7, 150-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Ran a 7.26 60, laser-timed. At the plate, open setup, leg-lift timing trigger, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, ranges well to both sides, hands work soft, clean release, short, over-the-top arm action, throws clocked at 78 mph across the infield.

Tom Rutter, INF, Downers Grove South, 2019
5-foot-9, 175-pound, strong, thick, right-handed hitting infielder. Ran a 7.17 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced, quiet setup, smooth load, short stride, long, uphill bat path and fluid rhythm. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long draw out of the glove, ¾ to high ¾ slot and throws carried at 81 mph across the diamond.

Ben Sacor, INF, Maine South, 2020
5-foot-6, 120-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, toe-tap stride, level bat path, line-drive approach, spray at times; 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork at times, steady hands, plays through the baseball, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 68 mph across the infield. 7.51 runner in the 60.

Julius Sanchez, RHP/INF, LaSalle Peru, 2022
5-foot-10, 165-pound, two-way prospect, well-proportioned build. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, coiled, rotational delivery, works with rhythm at times, works on-line and lands square. Long arm action, slight plunging action, over-the-top slot; easy and loose out front. Fastball works mostly straight, occasional arm-side-run out of the stretch, sat 79-81 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sweeping action at times, 65-71 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, 73-75 mph. 7.13 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, level bat path, line-drive approach and worked the middle of the field. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, long, easy arm action, changes angles, clocked at 81 mph.

Trevor Young, LHP/1B, Normal U-High, 2021
6-foot, 146-pound, long and lean, two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, on-line delivery, lands square and regular effort throughout. Short arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, sat 75-77 mph, touched 78. Changeup, maintains arm speed, late fade action at times, ranged between 63-68 mph. Slider, 2/8 shape, occasional depth, 61-65 mph. At the plate, left-handed hitter, balanced, narrow setup, short stride, long bat path and registered a 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands at first base. Throws from a ¾ slot and topped at 77 mph across the infield. 8.14 runner in the 60.

RELATED CONTENT