On Sunday, October 10, the PBR Illinois staff returned to The MAX Sports Complex to host the Class of 2023 Showcase. This annual event served as an opportunity for prospects in the state’s current junior class to display their talents in front of our scouting staff prior to the start of the off-season. There were more than 60+ prospects that made the trip to The MAX on Sunday and participated in a pro-style workout in front of our evaluators.

Shortly after the event’s conclusion we published several post-event content related pieces, highlighting some of the day’s biggest winners while also looking at the data we collected throughout the day. You can find those by clicking HERE.

Last week we began our position-by-position analysis with the catchers and outfielders, and we’ll keep working around the field today with the infield crop. Before we do so, here are a few names that stood out:

+ Arguably the top prospect in attendance, CIF Graham Mastros (New Trier) continues to cement himself as one of the top right-handed power in the state’s 2023 class. Built at a physical 6-foot-2, 225-pounds with room to add even more muscle, Mastros kicked his workout off by running an impressive 6.73 in the 60-yard dash. He then proceeded to take the day’s loudest round of batting practice, thumping multiple balls deep into the pull-side gap at 98+ mph, peaking at 99.4 mph - leading the event by nearly five miles per hour. His furthest batted ball traveled 362 feet. He held his own on defense as well and showcased a strong, accurate arm that topped at 87 mph across the diamond. Mastros is amongst the state’s top uncommitted prospects.

+ A winner from this year’s Midwest Fall Championships at Grand Park, INF Sohrab Rezaei (University of Chicago Laboratory Schools) continues to trend upward after showing well at this event. He’s a quality athlete with some twitch in his muscle fibers that help him stay short and quick to the baseball in BP, repeating well while spraying line drives throughout. Rezaei’s most impactful asset may be his glove, as he took a polished round of infield defense with soft funnels and smooth feet throughout.

+ It’s easy to see the raw power nestled inside the left-handed barrel of 1B Blake Binkowski (Lincoln-Way East). A physical 6-foot-3, 225-pound athlete, Binkowski comfortably led the group with the day’s highest average batted distance (275 ft.) and his farthest hit ball traveled 351 feet, leaving his bat at 94.85 mph. He looks to elevate the ball to the pull-side gap in the batter’s box and certainly has upside as a power bat moving forward.

Read below for all the infield reports from this event. 

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Graham Mastros, New Trier (IL), 2023; St. Louis commit
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-2, 220-pounds. Strong, wide shoulders.
Hit: R. Simple, balance stance, vertical bat angle, smooth load to the back leg, short stride. Aggressive, repeatable swing, short path, level swing plane, ball jumps off the bat, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 99.42 max exit velocity, averaged 88 mph. 362’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 87 mph. Short, loose arm action, multiple arm angle.
Defense: Athletic actions, plays to the baseball, works high to low, fields out in front, soft hands.
Run: 6.73 runner in the 60. 

2. Sohrab Rezaei, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Small, athletic body.
Hit: R. Athletic, balance stance, rested hands, minimal load, small leg lift. Compact, repeatable swing, drive the ball to the middle/pull side.
Power: 89.34 max exit velocity, averaged 79.1 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the ball while playing to it, field low and out in front, soft hands.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

3. Aidan Thaxton, St. Ignatius (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Tall, narrow stance, hands held low, minimal load, short stride. Repeatable swing, level through the zone, line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 88.63 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 81 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic actions, controlled body movement, confident hands, quick exchange, fields out in front.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

4. Josh Katz, Lane Tech (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: R. Balance, open setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride. Flashes bat speed, compact swing, stays inside the baseball, ability to drive the ball to all fields.
Power: 86.81 max exit velocity, averaged 82.87 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 89 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, steady hands, fluid footwork, clean transfer.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60. 

5. Patrick Gardner, Lemont (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 230-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide stance, weight on the back leg, minimal load, short stride. Strong hands, short, uphill swing, loud contact, spray hitter, power to the pull side.
Power: 87.87 max exit velocity, averaged 79.7 mph. 258’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 76 mph. Long, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Pre-pitch hop, gets low to the ground, fields out in front, quick double play turn.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

5. Blake Binkowski, Lincoln-Way East  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-2, 225-pounds.
Hit: L. Tall, balance stance, quiet hands, bat tilt trigger, short stride. Strong, repeatable swing, short to the ball, uphill swing plane, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 94.85 max exit velocity, averaged 82.55 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, plays to the baseball, steady hands, clean double play action.
Run: 7.98 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Evan Bohr, Aurora Central Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-10, 130-pounds.
Hit: R. Simple, balance stance, minimal load, short stride. Short level rotational swing, level plane, line drive, spray hitter.
Power: 75.83 max exit velocity, averaged 66.37 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Confident hands, fields low to the ground, plays to the baseball.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Ben Carlile, Manteno (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 225-pounds. Strong legs.
Hit: L. Balance, open stance, smooth arm bar load, short stride. Strong hands, short, direct swing, level through the zone, whole field approach.
Power:  max exit velocity, averaged  mph. ’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork around the bag, clean transfer to second.
Run: 8.10 runner in the 60. 

Alex Day, Andrew (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Lean, long limb.
Hit: R. Balance, open stance, drop back pre-pitch load, leg kick stride. Athletic hands with bat speed, short, uphill swing, middle/pull side tendencies.
Power: 93.59 max exit velocity, averaged 72.56 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 84 mph. Long, loose arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure handed, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

Michael Essig, New Trier (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds.
Hit: L. Wide, open setup, active hands, back drop load to a big leg kick. Level swing, strong, flashed pull side power.
Power: 89.71 max exit velocity, averaged 78.01 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infielder, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.98 runner in the 60. 

Jack Falls, Lyons Township (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds.
Hit: R. Balance setup, bat tilt trigger, minimal load, short stride. Repeatable swing, uphill through the zone, line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 92.31 max exit velocity, averaged 82.75 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, plays to the baseball, steady hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

NJ Gott, Glenbrook North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds.
Hit: R. Balance stance, bat rested to start, hand trigger, minimal load, short stride. Short, direct to the baseball, stays inside the baseball, ability to drive the ball to all fields.
Power: 91.89 max exit velocity, averaged 86.87 mph. 353’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick transfer to second, steady hands, developing footwork.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

David Holmes, Thornton Fractional North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-9, 182-pounds.
Hit: L. Balance setup, active hands, minimal load, short stride. Short, uphill swing, creates lift, middle/pull side approach.
Power: 82.4 max exit velocity, averaged 75.93 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 66 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, sure handed.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Jaime Izaguirre, Riverside Brookfield (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds.
Hit: R. Balance stance, minimal load, short stride. Quick, short swing, level through the zone, spray hitter.
Power: 82.82 max exit velocity, averaged 69.89 mph. 241’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Developing hands, long exchange.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

Nathan Jonas, Jacobs (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: R. Athletic, balance stance, vertical bat angle, arm bar load, short stride. Direct, short swing, creates lift, line drive type hitter, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.56 max exit velocity, averaged 83.17 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays to the baseball, works low to high, fluid footwork around the bag, clean exchange to second.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Aris Kosiek, Montini Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 162-pounds.
Hit: R. Balance, wide setup, quiet hands, smooth load, leg lift. Short swing, level through the zone, line drive hitter, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89.41 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Works to the baseball, works low to high, fields out in front, soft hands.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

Justin Lang, Marist (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 165-pounds.
Hit: R. Simple, balance stance, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, short stride. Good approach, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84.6 max exit velocity, averaged 74.21 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic, controlled body movement, fluid footwork, soft hands, low fielding position.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Le, Andrew  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: R. Athletic, balance stance, smooth load, short stride, fluid rhythm. Short, direct swing, uphill plane through the zone, creates lift, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87.86 max exit velocity, averaged 81.67 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Controlled, athletic body movement, soft hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Jayden Malone, Metea Valley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Simple, balance stance, bat wiggle trigger, short stride. Direct, compact swing, line drive type hitter, middle of the field approach.
Power: 93.26 max exit velocity, averaged 88.83 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 72 mph. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Projects as a first baseman. Outfield: Fields with two hands, clean exchange. Infield: Steady hands, fluid footwork around the bag, clean double play transfer.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Martinez, Wheeling  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Open, wide stance, weight transfer to the back leg, smooth load, leg kick stride. Short, rotational swing, level plane, line drive spray hitter.
Power:  max exit velocity, averaged  mph. ’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Pre-pitch hop, gains ground to first, fields out in front, clean exchange.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

Mikey Munoz, St Laurence (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-11, 145-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide, slightly crouch stance, preloaded hands, minimal load to a short stride. Short, level swing, line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 81.37 max exit velocity, averaged 76.45 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Pre-pitch hop, works to the baseball, fields low and out in front.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Brooks Neuhoff, Morton  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-11, 168-pounds.
Hit: R. Simple, balanced stance, preloaded hands, lunging stride. Short, repeatable swing, level, middle/pull side approach.
Power: 89.4 max exit velocity, averaged 80.24 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields low and out in front, athletic, quick feet, long exchange.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Mario Recio, UIC College Prep (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 145-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide stance, vertical bat angle, smooth load to a short stride. Long, level swing, middle/pull side tendencies.
Power: 79.78 max exit velocity, averaged 73.18 mph. 253’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 68 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Works low to high, waits on the baseball, clean exchange.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60. 

Adan Rocha, Aurora Christian  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: R. Tall stance, active hands, drop load to a leg kick stride. Short swing, level through the zone, high finish, whole field approach.
Power: 83.7 max exit velocity, averaged 77.46 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays to the baseball, fields low, developing hands.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Manuel Romero Jr, St. Ignatius  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds.
Hit: R. Narrow, open setup, arm bar load, short stride. Long swing, level through the zone, line drive, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 77.74 max exit velocity, averaged 75.47 mph. 261’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 63 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Pre-pitch hop, works to the baseball, developing hands.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Matt Spell, Brother Rice (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Crouch, balance setup, quiet hands, smooth load, leg lift. Repeatable, compact swing, ball jumps off the bat, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.88 max exit velocity, averaged 87.56 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 84 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Pre-pitch hop, gets low to the ground, athletic, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

Easton Steck, Galesburg (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Open, wide setup, hands held low, arm bar pre-pitch load, short stride to get even. Flashed bat speed, short, uphill swing, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.83 max exit velocity, averaged 86.32 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. OF - 83 mph. Short , loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Projects as an outfielder. Outfield: steady hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the ball. Infield: gets around the baseball, developing hands, long exchange.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60. 

Jason Sullivan, Sandburg (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds.
Hit: R. Weight on the back leg, arm bar load, short stride. Long, level swing, line drive type hitter, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 85.86 max exit velocity, averaged 69.54 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 84 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, plays to the baseball, steady hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Jared Velez, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Tall, narrow stance, minimal pre-pitch load, toe tap stride. Short swing, direct barrel path, level through the zone, gap to gap approach.
Power: 82.55 max exit velocity, averaged 78.41 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, smooth fielding actions, soft hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60.

Giovani Zaragoza, Lockport (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 155-pounds.
Hit: R. Narrow, open setup, minimal load, short stride. Repeatable, compact swing, line drive type, spray hitter.
Power: 83.27 max exit velocity, averaged 74.86 mph. 239’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

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