Prep Baseball Report

IL/WI Underclass Games: Infield Analysis


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Tuesday, July 20, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Underclass Games at Triton College in River Grove. The invite-only event featured some of the top players from Illinois and Wisconsin in the Class of 2024. A number of high-level follows emerged at the event and many will be names to become familiar with as they enter their sophomore year of high school.

Our staff published several pieces shortly after the event’s conclusion and you can find those by clicking HERE.

Earlier last week we started rolling our position-by-position scouting reports from this event, starting with the catchers and following up with the outfielders. We’ll wrap the position group up today with all of the infielders from the event. Here’s a quick nugget on a few standout performers:

+ 6-foot-4, 200-pound, 1B Aren Robinson (WI) possesses one of the more physical frames we have seen to date in the 2024 class. Robinson’s physicality translates to the right-handed batters box where he shows easy bat strength with advanced strength in his hands and a polished approach, letting the ball travel and using the whole field. Robinson has plenty of power to tap into as he continues to understand how to leverage and drive the baseball to the pull-side. Also, showed above-average athleticism at first base, moving light on his feet and showing feel for the position. High-level 2024 bat with big power potential.

+ 3B/RHP Cash Campbell, a 6-foot-1 205-pound big-bodied left-handed hitter, has long been a high-follow bat in the ‘24 class and he continues to show why. Campbell doubled twice during game-play; his first was hammered down the right-field line and he followed up with a line-drive down the left-field line, showing a true whole-field approach. Campbell has a short swing that starts with a barrel tip and flashes well above-average bat speed which projects to have big power potential down the road. Campbells top exit velocity during BP was 99 mph per trackman.  Defensively, Campbell profiles at a corner infield spot, as he takes efficient angles to attack the ball with a quick release. Campbell, who also threw an inning on the mound, topped at 81 mph across the diamond. High follow 2024 left-handed bat.

+ INF Brock Lulewicz (WI) also stood out on the infield, operating with a bounce to his step and a strong arm. Lulewicz has quick hands, quick feet and a loose arm.  His infield velocity topped out at 84mph.  

+ Jonathan Fleaka, a 5-foot-9 160-pound infielder, is an athletically-built quick-twitch athlete.  Offensively, Fleaka has an advanced skill set. The right-handed hitter showed advanced bat speed and strength with a short flat swing and stayed level through the zone. His swing generates backspin and carry. His highest exit velocity was 93 mph during BP.  Defensively, Jonathan showed quick feet and soft, quick hands.  He consistently made the routine play during games and flashed the ability to move laterally at shortstop.  His infield velocity topped 82 mph. Highly-intriguing right-handed bat in the 2024 class.

+ INF/RHP Ryan Kotara also caught our eye with his overall athleticism, presence in the batter’s box and highly-advanced arm strength, topping at 87 mph across the infield during his workout. 

+ Wisconsin INF Eddie Peters (WI) is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitter with a high waisted, athletic build. Offensively, Peters used a direct flat swing with quick-twitch that generated backspin and easy jump off the barrel. He flashed the ability to drive the ball to the pull side with loft. Peters registered a top exit velocity of 92 mph during BP.  Defensively Peters showed the ability to stick on the infield moving forward.  He has good rhythm, tempo and is aggressive with his feet.  His hands are soft and quick, as well as his arm, which generates online throws with carry.  Peters topped at 80 mph across the diamond.

Below we ranked the top five prospects based on their performance at this event, followed by all of the individual infield scouting reports from the day.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Aren Robinson, Brookfield Central (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-4, 200-pounds. Strong, physically developed frame with evenly distributed strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet pre-pitch movements, short stride.  Repeatable swing, loose arms with a level path to the ball with bat-strength, showed the ability to maintain balance through contact, confident presence in the box with a whole-field approach.
Power: 93.4 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Moves well for size, plays low to the ground, sure-handed with a clean transfer, fluid footwork around the base.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60. 

2. Cash Campbell, Montini Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slightly open, fluid pre-pitch movement with a short stride, gets hands into a strong loading position. Impressive bat strength, loose/quick hands with an uphill path to the ball, intent to lift, confident presence in the box.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 91.5 mph. 372’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, plays low to the ground, sure-handed with a clean transfer.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

3. Brock Lulewicz, Muskego (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Highly-advanced, athletic frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Starts in a balanced setup, short stride, quiet pre-pitch movements.  Quick hands to the ball, loose arms throughout the swing, uphill path.
Power: 89.8 max exit velocity, averaged 81.6 mph. 326’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot, clean arm action.
Defense: Soft hands with a clean transfer out of the glove, moves on the balls of his feet with easy range to both sides, can play on the move.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

4. Jonathan Fleaka, Lake Zurich (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/athletic setup, leg-kick timing trigger into a a short stride, hangs foot.  Impressive bat strength, quick/strong hands through the zone, swing aggressively with intent to do damage, level path to the ball.
Power: 92.8 max exit velocity, averaged 86.8 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short/clean arm action, ¾ slot, showed occasional carry across the diamond.
Defense: Athletic actions, soft hands with a clean transfer, plays on the move with ease.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

T5. Ryan Kotara, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build with plenty of room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Starts in a slightly open setup, fluid rhythm in pre-pitch, leg lift timing trigger into a short stride. Athletic/repeatable swing, loose arms through the zone with a level path to the ball, pull-side approach, showed the ability to maintain balance after contact.
Power: 92.6 max exit velocity, averaged 87.2 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Clean/athletic arm, high 3/4 slot with the ability to play on the move.
Defense: Highly athletic infield actions with fluid footwork, confident hands with a quick/clean transfer, easy range to both sides.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60. 

T5. Eddie Peters, La Crosse Aquinas (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall/open setup, leg-kick timing trigger, hangs foot into a long stride, fluid pre-pitch movements.  Loose/quick arms to the ball, uphill path through the zone with intent to lift the baseball, maintains balance through contact.
Power: 91.8 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 353’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Loose arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft hands with a clean transfer out of the glove, plays on the balls of his feet with fluid footwork, easy range to both sides.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Donatello Badalamenti, Pulaski (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly open, toe-taps into a short stride.  Loose arms with an uphill path through the zone, pull-side approach with some bat-strength.
Power: 90.1 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short high 3/4 arm action.
Defense: Plays through the ball with steady hands, clean transfer out of the glove.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60. 

Cal Casper, Pulaski (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-8, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start back with minimal movement throughout, simple load, short stride.  Loose quick hands with bat speed, short and level bat path, stays on plane. Line drive approach, flashed barrel feel and above-average strength to the pull-side.
Power: 89.6 max exit velocity, averaged 84.7 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 79 mph. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. Athletic behind the plate, quick hip turn at gather, clean hand transfer to release with some accuracy around the bag. Athletic feet on the infield, attacks the baseball, fluid footwork and comfortable on the move. Soft hands, smooth funnels into a quick, accurate release.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60.

Gavin Duran, Harvest Christian (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, back load, high leg kick trigger, some balance through contact.  Short bat path with an elevated attack angle, looks to create leverage out front, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.1 max exit velocity, averaged 83.1 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Shorter arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Some lower half rhythm, fields low to the ground and hands play out front, clean double play feed.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.  

Kelvin Jones Jr., Home School (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall/narrow setup, short stride with a leg-kick timing trigger, quiet pre-pitch movement.  Athletic swing with loose arms, uphill path to the ball, drops back shoulder through contact with intent to lift the baseball.
Power: 89.3 max exit velocity, averaged 79.1 mph. 332’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 78 mph. Short 3/4 arm slot, quick arm.
Defense: Sure-handed, plays low to the ground and through the ball, clean transfer out of the glove, fluid footwork around the base.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Cooper Kamlay, Franklin (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Starts in a narrow/athletic setup, slightly open, leg lifts into a long stride. Loose arms with a level path to the ball, showed barrel control over the entire plate, ability to maintain balance after contact.
Power: 91.6 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot, strong arm.
Defense: Soft hands with fluid footwork, easy range with the ability to play on the run, plays on the balls of his feet with athletic actions.
Run: 6.80 runner in the 60.

Gavin Lettenberger, Manitowoc Lincoln (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds. Strong/athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Starts in an upright/open setup, long stride.  Long/loose arms, level path to the ball with a line-drive approach.
Power: 90.6 max exit velocity, averaged 81.2 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 72 mph. Short 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, fields low to the ground with a clean transfer.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

Jaden Obaldo, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-8, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly open, leg-lift timing trigger into a short stride, hangs foot.  Compact swing with a level path to the ball, loose arms with the ability to maintain balance throughout contact.
Power: 92.6 max exit velocity, averaged 86.3 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short 3/4 slot, able to change slots on the run.
Defense: Athletic infield actions, quick/clean transfer out of the glove, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60. 

Keenan Oldani, South Elgin (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Strong/athletic frame, equally distributed strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Starts in a wide/open setup, knee-knocks into a long stride.  Strong hands with bat-speed, uphill path through the zone with intent to lift the baseball, finishes with back shoulder dropped.
Power: 100.3 max exit velocity, averaged 90 mph. 359’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short 3/4 slot, strong arm with carry.
Defense: Sure-handed with a clean transfer, showed the ability to move side to side and play on the run, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Zachary Pyles, Warren (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-0, 215-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, slightly open, knee-knocks into a long stride.  Showed some bat-strength, quick hands with a level path through the zone, intent to do damage.
Power: 99.6 max exit velocity, averaged 93.3 mph. 338’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Clean high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Fields low to the ground, clean transfer, fluid footwork around the base.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

Adam Suess, Madison East (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-7, 130-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, smooth load, tempo'd toe-tap trigger.  Short direct path, level barrel, bat head works out front. Produced steady line drive contact throughout, repeats.
Power: 80.2 max exit velocity, averaged 67.1 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short and quick arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with some bouncy pre-pitch rhythm, glove hand starts out front, fields low to the ground, glove works out front. Fluid footwork, soft hands, smooth funnels, clean to release. Advanced up-the-middle actions for age.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Bennett Summers, Bloomington Central Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 161-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short leg-kick timing trigger, quiet pre-pitch movements.  Showed bat-strength with a level path through the zone, loose arms with a line-drive approach.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 83.1 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Loose/quick high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields low to the ground, sure-handed with a clean transfer, fluid footwork around the ball with the ability to move side-to-side easily.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

Luke Teschke, Monticello (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide/balanced setup, starts with bat resting on shoulder then transitions into a minimal stride.  Simple/repeatable swing with loose arms, level path to the ball with a line-drive approach, maintains balance through contact.
Power: 87.9 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 90 mph. Clean/quick arm, high 3/4 slot with true carry to the base.
Defense: Soft hands with a clean transfer, moves well side-to-side, plays on the balls of his feet.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Wicker, Fenwick (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-8, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/crouched setup, stays low throughout stride, slight knee-knock into his load.  Repeatable swing, loose arms with a level path to the ball, line-drive approach with barrel control.
Power: 86.9 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Loose/quick 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork around the ball, plays through with soft hands and a clean transfer, can play on the run.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.

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