By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Chicagoland Open took place on Sunday, August 20 at Triton College in River Grove, IL. Prospects from all classes participated in a pro-style workout in front on the PBR Scouting Staff. Today, we continue the analysis from the event with a look at the infielder's in attendance.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Anthony Livermore, INF, Mount Carmel, 2020
Currently ranked No. 16 in Illinois’ Class of 2020 rankings. 5-foot-9, 135-pound, left-handed hitting, athletically-built middle infielder. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, easy actions, accurate with carry, 77 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger, maintains good balance through swing. Line drive approach, loose hands, long barrel path, hard contact, sprays the ball, fluid rhythm, swagger at the plate, 80 mph exit velocity. Ran a 6.82 60. High follow 2020.

Anthony Livermore

2. Tucker Cole, INF, Dixon, 2019
5-foot-11, 150-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. Continues to ascend in the 2019 class. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, fluid rhythm, leg-kick timing trigger and good balance throughout. Long, level bat path, gap-to-gap, line-drive approach. Swings with aggression, creates bat speed, loose hands, consistently finds the barrel and makes hard contact. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, athletic, natural infield actions. Confident defender, fluid footwork, soft hands, fields athletically out in front of body. Clean release, loose, strong arm from an over-the-top slot. Throws were accurate with carry, clocked at 84 mph. Ran a 7.76 60.

3. Bobby Grimes, C/INF, Nazareth, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound, lanky, athletically-built catcher and infielder. Ran a 6.78 laser-timed 60.  Defensively, behind the plate, short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate throws with easy carry, 80 mph from the crouch. Fields position athletically, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, recorded pop times between 2.07-2.19. In the field, short arm action, high ¾ slot, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, maintains body control, 81 mph across the infield. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall, open setup, hands load back, short stride, maintains balance through zone. Level barrel path, line drive approach and flashed bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity.

4. Michael Patterson, INF/RHP, Prairie Ridge, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound, lean, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, leg-lift trigger and good balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, level bat path through the zone, line-drive approach and flashed bat speed. Made a lot of hard contact and hits the ball where it is pitched. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, his arm stood out on the infield. Work short and quick from a high ¾ slot. Ball jumps out of his hand, carries across the diamond and throws were accurate, clocked at 85 mph. Steady hands, tendency to play the ball deep into body and quick footwork. Ran a 7.67 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, showed feel for three pitches. Smooth rhythm, quick arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball jumps out of his hand, flashes late life, arm-side action at times, 81-82 mph, topped at 83. Changeup looks to be his best secondary offering; thrown aggressively, good feel, arm-side-run, sat at 74 mph. Curveball 12/6, 11/5 shape, sharp action, 65 mph.

5. Zachary Davis, INF, Lake Zurich, 2020
5-foot-11, 170-pound, lanky, athletically-built infielder, projectable build and frame. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, maintains good balance through swing. Pull approach, loose hands, some quick twitch and creates bat speed. Long bat path, fluid rhythm, 88 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.23 60. Defensively, long, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate with some carry, 76 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, hesitant at times, clean exchanges, steady hands. Follow 2020.

5. Ashton Holcomb, INF, Morton, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, starts balanced, pre-pitch load, leg-kick timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Loose hands, creates bat speed, aggressive swing, fluid rhythm and long bat path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, gets around the baseball, works towards his target, plays through, steady hands, long clean exchange. Arm works long and over-the-top, flashed accuracy and clocked at 76 mph. Ran a 7.04 laser-timed 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Mitchell Bahnaman, INF/RHP, Providence Catholic, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, back load, short stride, uphill barrel path through the zone, 78 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.95 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate on some, 72 mph across the infield. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery, works on-line. Fastball, flashed run and cut at-times, 74-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 57-61. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, flashed sink and fade, 68-71.

Ryan Blunt, 3B/RHP, Hononegah, 2019
5-foot-8, 200-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, long stride, long, uphill barrel path, 86 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.63 60. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate on some, 76 mph across the infield. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, tall and fall delivery, works on-line. Fastball, mostly straight, 76-77 mph, topped out at 78. Curveball, shape varied between 11/5 and 12/6, gradual break, 63-66. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, down in the zone, 71-72.

Zachary Carmignani, 3B/SS, Nazareth, 2019
5-foot-9, 197-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, long, uphill barrel path, line drive approach, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.49 60. Defensively, profiles as a third baseman, long, firm arm action, high ¾ slot, 80 mph across the infield.

Jack Claus, INF/RHP, Wheaton North, 2019
5-foot-7, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate, 68 mph across the infield. Fluid footwork, clean exchanges, maintains body control. Offensively, balanced setup, long stride, long, uphill barrel path, pull approach, 81 mph exit velocity. On the mound, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, lands square, cross body some. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 69-71, topping out at 74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 60-62. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 64-66.

Patrick Dosen, INF/RHP, Wheaton, 2019
5-foot-8, 140-pound, two-way prospect. Ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, deep pre-pitch load, leg-lift timing trigger, and average balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield, steady hands, showed range to the glove side, maintained body control on the move, clean exchange. Accurate arm, throws out of a high ¾ window, clocked at 70 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works quick, tall and fall delivery, lands closed and finishes upright. Short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 75-76 mph, touching 77. Curveball, feel,l works 11/5, gradual break, 62-66 mph. Changeup, arm-side-run, 60-62 mph.

Jesus Fernandez, INF/RHP, Holy Trinity, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound, athletically built, wide-shouldered, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, bar load, early short stride and maintains good balance. Long bat path through the hitting zone, gap-to-gap approach and 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, soft hands, funnels into body at times and clean exchange. Short, loose, quick arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws, carry across the diamond at 82 mph exit velocity. 7.07 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, works across his body, lands closed. Clean arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, sat 79-82 mph. Changeup, flashed feel, maintains arm speed, fade action, 69-73 mph. Also, threw a curveball and slider. Slider thrown with conviction, short break, 73-76 mph. Curveball sat 65-68 mph.  

Frank Kalemba, INF/RHP, Jones College Prep, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, tall setup, short stride, maintains balance, level barrel path, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.34 60. Defensively, long, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate, 70 mph across the infield. On the mound, short, firm arm action, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, flashed run, kept around the zone, 71-74 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 67-69. Splitter, flashed tumble, 66-68.

Kiefer Kroll, INF, York, 2018
6-foot-1, 240-pound, thick lower half, two-way prospect. At the plate, left-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg-kick trigger, uphill bat path and pull approach; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fields in the middle of his body, arm works out of a high ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond. 8.22 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, arm-side-run, 72-73 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 63-66 mph.

Sebastian Lechuga, INF, Hinsdale Central, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound, infielder with a defined lower half. At the plate, right-handed hitter, tall, slightly closed setup, pre-pitch load and leg-kick timing trigger. Average bat speed and opposite field approach; 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, funnels baseball on exchange. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, clocked at 64 mph across the diamond. 7.95 runner in the 60.

Nico Natali, INF, Bartlett, 2018
6-foot, 172-pound, athletically built, well-proportioned two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch bat waggle, loads, short stride and average balance. Long, uphill bat path and flashed strength through contact; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, clean transfer, short arm action from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 74 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight 73-74 mph. Curveball, short-breaking action, 11/5, 12/6 shape, ranged between 61-66 mph. Changeup, feel, thrown for strikes, fade action, 65-67 mph.

Daniel Ojeda, INF, Pritzker College Prep, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound, strong, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. Balanced setup, short leg-kick trigger, short bat path, front-foot hitter; 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, winds up on transfer, short, over-the-top slot and throws clocked at 69 mph. 7.37 runner in the 60.

Tim Okonek, 1B/RHP, Fremd, 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound, lanky, athletic, two-way prospect. Defensively, right-handed, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate with some carry, 72 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, short stride, long, uphill barrel path, 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.48 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, short, firm arm action, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, mostly straight, down in the zone, 72-75 mph, topped out at 77. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, near fastball arm speed, 60-62 mph. Changeup, flashed fade, 66-72.

Luke Olbrot, INF/RHP, Morris, 2019
5-foot-6, 160-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, long stride, maintains balance, uphill barrel path, pull approach, 79 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.04 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, quick exchanges, 71 mph across the infield. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, flashed run, commanded, 75-76 mph, touching 77. Slider, tight action, 10/4 shape, 66 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, commanded, 62-64. Curveball, 11/5 shape, early break, 60-62.        

Ryan Piontek, INF, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, thick lower half. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Uphill bat path and strength through contact; 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, profiles as a third baseman. Steady hands, long arm action from a ¾ slot and throws clocked at 77 mph. 8.01 runner in the 60.

Jazzmine Rivera, INF/RHP, Horizon Science, 2018
5-foot-4, 164-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, switch-hitter, looks more comfortable from the right side. Open setup, short, leg-kick trigger and average balance. Long bat path and registered a 65 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, arm works out of a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 62 mph. 10.50 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line and finishes upright. Short, over-the-top arm action. Fastball, cutting action, sat 63-65 mph, touching 66. Threw a curveball and a slider, similar action. Slider sat 55-57 mph and curveball ranged between 52-57 mph.

Marco Ruiz, INF, Riverside-Brookfield, 2020
5-foot-8, 165-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, toe-tap stride, maintains balance, long, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.65. Defensively, short, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate on some, 76 mph across the infield.

Troy Taller, INF, Andrew, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong-bodied left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, tall, open setup and short stride. Short bat path and opposite field approach; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, fields deep at times and clean transfer. Arm works out of a high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 74 mph. 8.30 runner in the 60.  

Jack Waldron, INF, Dundee-Crown, 2018
6-foot-4, 180-pound, long, lean, projectable, right-handed hitting first baseman. Ran a 7.21 60. Offensively, tall, quiet setup, low hands, long leg-lift trigger. Fluid rhythm, aggressive swing, loose hands, fast bat, long, level bat path, line-drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, quick feet, feel around the bag at first base, clean exchange. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 79 mph across the diamond.

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