Class of 2015 Showcase: Corner Infield Analysis

July 29, 2013

By Sean Duncan and Dan Duran

The Class of 2015 Showcase on July 17 at Oakton CC in Des Plaines unveiled several impressive corner infield prospects, many of whom were previously unknown to us.

Luke Mangieri, a highly athletic left-handed hitter from Dunlap HS, was the clear standout among his corner infielder peers. The long-limbed Mangieri ran a 6.82 60 and has the natural athleticism to play several positions on the field. Jack Rettig from Mahomet-Seymour HS showed the most polished swing among the corner infielders, while Cal Aldridge, a strong 3B from Prairie Ridge HS, and Metea Valley RHP/1B Jack Szott both showed power potential at the plate.

Here’s a look at the corner infielders at the Class of 2015 Showcase:

1. Luke Mangieri, 1B/3B, Dunlap HS, 2015
Highly athletic and projectable left-handed hitting prospect. 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with long limbs and plenty of room to develop. Moves fluidly with long easy strides, 6.82 runner. Easy, loose left-handed swing with barrel whip through zone. Hits from open setup, fast hands, pull hitter, uphill path, excellent extension after contact. As he fills into frame, should develop more power. Worked out at first base only at event, though we’ve seen him at third. Has enough arm (77 mph) and athleticism to play on left side of infield. May project as outfielder at next level. High-follow prospect in Illinois’ 2015 class.

2. Jack Rettig, LHP/1B, Mahomet-Seymour HS, 2015
6-foot-2, 180-pound athletic frame. Shows legitimate two-way capabilities. On the mound, left-hander commands zone with three pitches. Athletic, repeatable delivery, high-3/4 slot, loose arm action. Fastball topped at 82 mph, sitting 78-80. Changeup shows high potential. Throws changeup with conviction, 73-74 range, with sink down in the zone. Curveball shows inconsistent shape; best one has more sweeping action, 67-69 range. Offensively, runs a 7.08 60, left-handed hitter with excellent balance, swing mechanics and balance. Bat speed present, creates natural lift in swing, overall sound plate approach. Defensively, shows athletic feet around bag and solid glovework at first base.

3. Cal Aldridge, 3B, Prairie Ridge HS, 2015
Physical 5-foot-10, 195-pound catcher with strong lower half and wide shoulders. Hits from wide setup, no stride, no load, shifts weight on backside, uses natural hand strength to generate considerable bat speed. Stays through ball well, ball jumps with some lift. Defensively, clocked at 76 mph from third base with carry and accuracy. Has quick, clean exchange, feet work in concert with hands, moves laterally well. Ran a 7.57 60.

4. Jack Szott, RHP/1B, Metea Valley HS, 2015
Physically advanced frame, strong lower half, wide shoulders, 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. Fastball consistently sat 84 mph with occasional sink. Works from high 3/4 slot, long arm action, effort in delivery. Changeup showed swing-and-miss potential. Throws it with conviction, 73-74 mph, with arm-side run. Also throws 70-74 mph curveball. Offensively, demonstrated power potential at plate. Creates natural lift in swing; ball jumps off bat with backspin carry. Big target at first base, handles glove well around bag.

5. Christian Carrera, 1B, Yorkville HS, 2015
Lanky 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, long legs, projectable body type. Highly athletic feet around first base, handles glove well, plays position confidently. Has loose, quick arm – would be interesting pitching prospect, though didn’t pitch at event – was clocked at 74 mph across infield. Hits from balanced, slightly open setup, rotational hitter, lacks separation in swing. Ran a 7.37 60.

5. John Carone, 1B, Cary-Grove HS, 2015
Lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. Hits from a wider base, no load, uphill bat path, excellent extension after contact. Shows aptitude for first base, solid footwork around bag, reliable hands. Athletic body type; ran a 7.64 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Phillip Bork, RHP/1B, Maine South HS, 2015
6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way player. On mound, fastball topped at 73 mph from over the top slot. Curveball registered between 57-59 mph, while changeup ranged 60-61 mph. Ran a 7.43 60 and was clocked at 75 mph across the infield.

Will Bro, 3B/RHP, Lake Forest HS, 2015
Physical 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame. Offensively, hits from tall setup, shows occasional power potential, physically strong. Registered 83 mph exit velocity off tee, ran a 7.83 60. Defensively, was clocked at 66 mph from third base. On the mound, right-hander has long arm action, fastball tops at 72 mph, sitting 69-71.

Bryan Bund, LHP/1B, Lake Forest HS, 2015
Lanky 60foot-2, 165-pound left-handed pitcher with long limbs. Fastball topped at 78 mph, sitting in 76-77 range, from high ¾ slot. Also throws 60-61 mph curveball and 70-72 changeup. Offensively, hits from wide, crouched position, uses minimal load, uphill bat path, lacks extension after contact. Ran a 7.65 60 and registered 75 mph exit velocity off tee.

Matt Diehl, OF/3B, Providence Catholic, 2015
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and third baseman d. Long release and arm action but throws were made at 76 mph across the diamond. Flashed line-drive abilities with pull tendencies and some bat speed at the plate. Hits from a balanced setup with athletic rhythm – uses a short stride swinging on an uphill plane, maintaining some balance throughout. Diehl ran a 7.2 60 at the showcase.

Ramon Gonzales, LHP/1B, Andrew, 2015
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting and throwing first-baseman and pitcher has some projectability on the mound. Gonzales throws across his body with longer arm action from a high ¾ slot. His fastball sat 76-77 mph. 11/5 sweeping curveball was at 66-68 mph. Changeup sat 71-72. Defensively Gonzales threw across the infield with long arm action at a ¾ slot at 77 mph. Offensively, showed pull tendencies, creating lift and occasional gap power. He hits from a tall, slightly open setup using a short stride. His exit velocity was 76 mph and ran a 7.34 60.

Erick Hall, RHP/1B, Rockton Hononegah HS, 2015
Physical 6-foot-2, 210-pound two-way player. On the mound, fastball ranged between 73-77 mph from high ¾ slot,, drop and drive delivery. Also throws 65-69 mph curveball and 66-68 mph changeup. At first base, showed solid glovework around back, clocked at 78 across infield, ran an 8.14 60. Hits from all setup, generates some bat speed through the zone.

Mike Leonard, 3B, Lincoln-Way North, 2015
5-foot-11, 155-pound third-baseman threw 74 mph across the diamond with accuracy. Offensively hits from a balanced stance rocking back in his load using a short leg-kick stride. His swing stays level and recorded an 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Leonard ran a 7.56 60.

William Moore, C/3B, Thornton HS, 2015
5-foot-5, 185-pound catcher. Was clocked at 67 mph from crouch, registering consistent 2.4 pop times. Ran an 8.25 60. Offensively, hits from open setup.

Peter Paxinos, 3B, Sandburg HS, 2015
5-foot-8, 170-pound frame. Hits from wide setup, short to baseball, bat speed present, consistent hard contact. Reliable hands in field, was clocked at 73 mph from third base. Ran a 7.47 60.

Adam Pearson, RHP/1B, Goshen HS (IN), 2015
Hulking physical presence, 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame with wide shoulders and developed lower half. Works from high-3/4 slot, works downhill, fastball shows some arm-side run at 75-76 mph, touching 78. Slider looks to be go-to pitch; shows occasional sharp bite in 67-71 range, commands it in strike zone. Changeup ranged between 68-70 mph. Throws three pitches for strikes. Positionally, shows strength at plate; creates lift and carry in swing, more power to come if gets more separation. Registered 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Big target at first base; clocked at 74 mph across diamond.

Nick Rettino, 3B/RHP, New Trier, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound third-baseman and right-handed pitcher threw 73 mph across the diamond. Sets up at the plate in a slightly open stance using a short stride – recorded a 74 mph exit speed off the tee. Rettino ran a 7.62 60. Tall-and-fall delivery on the mound from short, ¾ arm action, finishing with some balance. His fastball ranged 71-75 mph. Curveball sat 65 mph. Changeup had arm-side run at 67-68 mph.

Parker Rome, 3B, Greenfield HS, 2015
Strong 5-foot-11, 195-pound build. Was clocked at 72 mph from position and ran a 7.76 60. Offensively, registered a 71 mph exit velocity off tee.