By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Infield prospects were led by junior Lee Musgraves of Von Stuben HS. Musgraves showed an advanced bat at the plate, athletic defensive actions and solid arm strength from shortstop. 2018 Anthony Herron of Simeon HS flashed special bat speed for his age and took an electric round of batting practice. Four of the top five infielders are 2017 graduates.

TOP infield prospects

1. Lee Musgraves, SS, Von Steuben, 2017
Athletic 5-foot-8, 140-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. One of the top infielders at the event. Offensively, impressed with fluid rhythm and looseness throughout swing. Creates plenty of whip with quick, somewhat explosive hands, resulting in fast bat speed. Starts from a balanced, athletic setup. Smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and good rhythm through contact. Presently, flashed gap-to-gap approach, with added strength projects to have some easy pull power. Lots of hard contact during batting practice. Recorded an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, continued to showcase fluidness to his game. Fluid footwork, clean exchange, soft hands and athletic fielding position. Short arm action, over-the-top slot with some carry, clocked at 81 mph. Also, ran a 7.39 60 yard dash.

2. Anthony Herron, 1B/OF, Simeon, 2018
Physically advanced 6-foot-1, 220-pound large, thick build right-handed hitting first-baseman and outfielder. Offensively, showcased some of the fastest bat speed at the event. Ball jumped off of his bat and made a different sound during his round of batting practice. Simple compact swing, plus strength, fluid rhythm and consistently made hard contact. Presence and confidence in the box. Starts from a tall, open stance and long stride. Short path to the baseball and gets extension through contact. Has present pull power, showcased when he hit a home-run to deep left-center field. Exit velocity registered, 87 mph, well-above average for his age. Defensively, worked out in both the outfield and infield. Projects as more of a first-baseman. Moves well around the bag at first and showed feel for the position. Reliable hands and clean exchange. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and clocked at 65 mph across the infield. From the outfield, plays through the baseball. Clocked at 71 mph from the outfield from an over-the-top slot. Also, ran a 7.45 60 yard dash.

3. Billy Mote, SS/3B, Normal University, 2017
Solid, athletic build 6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, gets a lot of pre-pitch separation, getting hands in a good place to hit. Ball jumps off of his bat, loose hands, fast bat speed and wore out the opposite field gap in batting practice. Exit velocity registered, 88 mph. Starts from a balanced, open stance, short stride and good balance through contact. Level path through the zone and line-drive hitter. Defensively, showed fluid footwork on the infield. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, carry on throws, and clocked at 83 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.41 60 yard dash.

4. Madison Lowery, OF/1B, Simeon, 2017
Strong 6-foot-4, 220-pound physical specimen on a baseball field. Right-handed hitting outfielder and first-baseman. Ran a 7.18 60 yard dash and had the highest exit velocity of the event, 94 mph. Offensively, complimented his fast bat speed with plus strength and consistent, hard contact. Hands stay on top entering the hitting zone and showed the ability to back spin baseballs. Fluid rhythm, short path into the zone and bat stays level through contact. Starts from balanced, wide setup, smooth pre-pitch load and short stride. Defensively, in the outfield, fluid footwork, steady hands and played through the baseball. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, some accuracy, clocked at 76 mph. He also attempted to work out at first-base but it had to be cut short, due to him tweaking his neck on a throw.

5. Timothy Sullivan, MIF, St. Francis, 2017
Compact 5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, creates bat speed and pop at the plate for his size. Loose hands, short, flat path through the zone and flashed the ability to backspin baseballs. Repeats swing and maintains good balance throughout swing. Line-drive hitter, has fluid rhythm in swing. Exit velocity registered, 81 mph. Defensively, projects as a second baseman. Athletic fielding position, fluid footwork and quick, clean exchange. Short, loose arm action, clocked at 75 mph. Also, ran a 7.43 60 yard dash.

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Evan Bogenschneider, MIF, Hanover Central, 2018
5-foot-7, 140-pound smaller build right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, simple swing with minimal movement throughout. Starts from a balanced stance, loads hands back and up and a short stride. Recorded an exit velocity, 73 mph. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange and plays through the baseball. Short arm action, ¾ slot clocked at 72 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.27 60 yard dash.

Dominic Carmignani, 3B, Nazareth, 2016
Average build 5-foot-8, 176-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, registered an above average exit velocity, 89 mph. Starts from a balanced stance, short stride and slight pre-pitch load of his hands. Level path through the zone, occasionally getting uphill. Defensively, high ¾ slot, short arm action and some accuracy, clocked at 71 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.27 60 yard dash.

Ernst Coupet, SS/OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2017
Long and lean 6-foot, 145-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Projectable body has plenty of room to add strength as he matures. Offensively, two-piece swing with an early, long stride. Short path to the baseball, line-drive hitter, flashed loose hands with the ability to backspin the baseball at times. Exit velocity registered, 74 mph. Defensively, worked out in both the infield and the outfield. On the infield, steady hands and athletic fielding position. Clocked at 69 mph across the infield. In the outfield, plays through the baseball, long arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 72 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.4 60 yard dash.

Nathan Ebersole, SS/RHP, Whitefish Bay, 2019
5-foot-4, 122-pound small framed right-handed hitting shortstop and pitcher. Offensively, simple, compact swing that resulted in a number of line drives. Worked the middle of the field. Starts from a balanced stance, short stride and good balance through contact. Short, level path to the baseball. Exit velocity, 71 mph. Defensively, flashed steady, soft hands and athletic fielding position. Quick, fluid feet and clean transfer. Easy arm, short-arm action, ¾ slot and accurate. Clocked at 69 mph across the infield. Also, showcased as a right-handed pitcher. Ability to consistently repeat delivery, balanced throughout delivery, and clean-arm action. Commands three pitches for in the zone. High ¾ slot, short arm action, and easy effort. Smooth rhythm, on-line, square and athletic finish. Fastball thrown for strikes, featured slight arm-side-run, and sat 68-70 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 shape, sweeping action improved the more he threw it, ranged between 61-63 mph. Also, flashed a change-up with fade, arm-side-run and good feel, 64-67 mph.

Conor Fitzgerald, MIF, Lockport, 2017
Wiry 6-foot, 155-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, starts from a balanced, open setup. Slight pre-pitch load, short stride and average balance throughout swing. Opposite-field approach and not a lot of moving parts in his swing. Exit velocity registered, 76 mph. Defensively, long arm action from a low ¾ slot. Clocked at 66 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.78 60 yard dash.

Jack Garibaldi, 1B/RHP, Glenbrook North, 2018
Bigger body 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting first-baseman and pitcher. Offensively, starts from a balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, at first base, steady hands and short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Clocked at 65 mph across the infield. On the mound, on-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Slow paced delivery with some rhythm. High ¾ window, long-arm action and regular effort in delivery. Featured two pitches, a fastball and a curveball. Fastball, slight run ranging between 69-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, thrown for strikes, sat 56-60 mph.

Elijah Garrett, 2B, Rich South, 2016
Slender build 5-foot-7, 135-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, fluid rhythm throughout swing and some pre-pitch rhythm in hands. Compact, handsy swing. Flashed loose, quick hands through contact. Sprayed line-drives to all fields during batting practice. Open, tall setup and short stride.  Exit velocity, 72 mph and ran a 7.03 60 yard dash. Defensively, flashed fluid footwork, clean exchange and athletic fielding position. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot clocked at 73 mph across the infield.

Corey Graham, OF/SS, Crete Monee, 2018
Slender build 5-foot-10, 151-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Offensively, loose hands creating some whip through the zone. Two-piece swing, early pre-pitch load of his hands and short stride. Balanced, tall setup and good balance through contact. Looked to pull in batting practice, line-drive approach and flashes some bat speed at times. Registered an exit velocity 73 mph. Defensively, from the outfield long arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 75 mph from the outfield. On the infield, reliable hands, shorter arm action, ¾ slot and registered 68 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.28 60 yard dash.

Tyler Guertin, RHP/3B, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2017
Solid lower half 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound, smooth rhythm, threw three pitches for a strike and flashed a change-up with depth. Change-up, had feel, sink, thrown for strikes and with fastball arm speed, sat 70-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 action, had some feel, 67-69 mph. Fastball ranged between 78-79 mph. On-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Over-the-top window and long-arm action. Offensively, starts from a balanced setup, short, slight leg-lift trigger. Long bat path through the zone and some strength in swing. Exit velocity registered 79 mph. Defensively, projects as a third-baseman. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, some accuracy, clocked at 75 mph across the infield.

Jaylen Heard, 3B/1B, Marian Catholic, 2018
Strong, big-bodied 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Pre-pitch rhythm in hands and fluid rhythm throughout contact. Stays on top of the baseball and strength in swing. Starts from an open, tall setup, short stride and above-average balance through contact. Short, level bat path through the zone and a gap-to-gap approach. Exit velocity registered, 82 mph. Defensively, clean exchange on the infield. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, clocked at 65 mph across the diamond.

Dylan Keene, 3B/SS, Peotone, 2017
Athletically built 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, some pre-pitch rhythm and flashed some pull pop.  Balanced setup and short stride. Long, uphill path through the zone and looked to pull in batting practice. Registered an exit velocity of 78 mph. Defensively, steady hands and clean exchange. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, clocked at 75 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.41 60 yard dash.

Kyle Keene, MIF, Peotone, 2017
Wiry 6-foot-1, 145-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, starts from a wide setup, short stride. Barreled a few pull-side during his round of batting practice. Level, long bat path through the hitting zone. Exit velocity registered, 71 mph. Defensively, threw from multiple arm angles and long arm action. Clocked at 74 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.81 60 yard dash.

Dylan Lonteen, SS, Peoria Richwoods, 2016
Athletic body 6-foot-2, 175-pound long limbed right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, fast bat speed, some whip and level path through the hitting zone. Starts from an open, tall stance, long stride and some balance. Exit velocity registered, 84 mph. Defensively, steady hands, fluid footwork, quick exchange and some body control. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy and carry, 82 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.26 60 yard dash.

Michael Marseille, MIF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2018
Lean 5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Ran a 7.06 60 yard dash. Offensively, showed a short, level bat path through the zone. Line-drive approach at the plate. Starts from an open, balanced stance and short, leg-lift trigger. Good balance through contact. Registered a 74 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, flashed soft hands at times, fluid footwork and fields ball athletically and out front. Short-arm action from an over-the-top slot that was clocked at 66 mph from the left-side of the diamond. 

Josh Mrozek, SS, Providence Catholic, 2019
Wiry 5-foot-11, 140-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Ran a 7.16 60 yard dash, above average for his age. Offensively, pre-pitch rhythm and smooth load. Balanced setup and short stride. Ability to repeat swing and used the middle of the field during batting practice. Short and level bat path into and through the zone and a line-drive approach. Registered an exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchange and athletic fielding position. Loose, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, some accuracy, clocked at 69 mph.

Donovan Nanfeldt, 1B/LHP, Andrew, 2018
Big-bodied 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting first-baseman. Offensively, hands get into a good position pre-pitch. Some leverage in swing and looseness at times. Exit velocity registered, 83 mph. Starts from an open, tall setup, short stride and some balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path through the zone, and flashed pull power on occasion. Defensively, reliable hands, short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate throws, clocked at 65 mph across the infield. On the mound, the left-handed pitcher had some rhythm in his delivery. Landed on-line, square and an athletic finish at times. Fastball from an over-the-top slot, sat 66-67 mph, touching 68. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 54-56 mph. Also, threw a change-up ranging between 61-64 mph and had occasional cut.

Braeden Reed, SS/RHP, West Central, 2017
Average build 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, starts from a balanced stance, slight pre-pitch load and short stride. Looked to pull the ball during batting practice. Long, uphill swing path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 77 mph. Also, ran a 7.56 60 yard dash. Defensively, short arm action from a ¾ slot, clocked at 69 mph. On the mound, on-line direction and square landing. Slow-paced delivery with some rhythm throughout. Showed feel for all three pitches. Change-up appeared to be the best offering. Feel for the change-up, run and sink at the bottom of the zone, 67-70 mph. Curveball had true 12/6 shape at times, some depth and feel sitting 60-61 mph. Fastball was thrown for strike, slight run, at 73-74 mph and touching 77 once.

Nick Santoro, SS, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
Well-proportioned 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, fluid pre-pitch rhythm and load. Short bat path through the hitting zone, at times getting uphill. Found the barrel routinely during batting practice. Balanced, athletic setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Exit velocity registered, 81 mph. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean transfer and athletic fielding position. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 75 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.38 60 yard dash.

William Townsend, 1B/LHP, St. Ignatius, 2018
6-foot, 225-pound left-handed two-way player, hulking build with strength. On the mound works in line down the hill, upright with recoil finish. Full firm arm action, slight stab, high 3/4 slot. Fastball is straight, 67-70 mph. Curveball played at 50-51 mph, gradual action, 1/7 plane. Straight changeup played at 63-65 mph. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride. Pull side lifting approach, showed occasional pop, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 64 mph across the diamond, arm works similar to that on the mound. Ran an 8.66 in the 60, laser timed.

Tavares Williams, INF/RHP, Marian Catholic, 2018
Athletic build 5-foot-10, 167-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, starts from a balanced, closed setup, no load and short stride. Some balance through contact, long and uphill path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 74 mph. Defensively, clean exchange and reliable hands. Short-arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 68 mph across the infield. Also, showcased on the mound. Right-handed pitcher lands square and on-line. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and regular effort in the delivery. Fastball ranged between 64-67 mph, touching 68. Showed feel for a changeup, throwing it for strikes and some arm-side-run, 58-61 mph. Curveball 11/5 action was 57-59 mph.  

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