By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The corner infielders were again led by a freshman Louisville commit, this time it was Oak Creek’s Alex Binelas. A pair of sophomores with a lot of upside followed closely in front of a run of strong follow junior third baseman.

Here’s a look at our top corner infielders.

Scouting reports by Steve Nielsen and Matt Huck

Top Corner Infielders

1. Alex Binelas, 3B, Oak Creek, 2018
Louisville commit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound third baseman, advanced frame, long limbed, wide shouldered, projects well. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Takes aggressive swings, advanced bat speed for age, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Athletic hitter, fluid path, pull side power approach. Defensively plays with a longer arm action, showed arm strength at 82 mph across the diamond. Hands worked, showed softness. Ran a 7.17 laser timed 60. High follow 2018 prospect, projects really well with the bat, possible middle of the order type bat at the next level that can defend a corner infield position.

2. Ben Dragani, LHP/1B, Catholic Memorial, 2017
Long lean projectable frame, 6-foot-4, 190-pound two-way player, high ceiling on the mound, prototypical pitcher frame. Delivery is free and easy, very balanced, minimal effort, smooth and directional. Arm action is clean, loose, high ¾ slot, comes out easily with no effort. Commands fastball well, late sinking action, pitched at 82-83 mph, good action in the zone, advanced pitch for age. Slider is vastly improved, plus pitch for age, 78-79 mph, late sharp action, tight rotation, excellent arm speed, good feel stayed around the zone, swing and miss action. Changeup has advanced feel, showed ability to command it, fastball similar arm action, 75-77 mph. High follow 2017 prospect. Offensively hits from a tall setup, short stride, lower half works well, excellent balance at contact. Loose easy hitter, repeats well. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed good footwork around the bag, fluid easy athlete, 74 mph across the diamond, 7.59 runner in the 60.

3. Evan Spry, RHP/3B, Janesville Craig, 2017
Projectable frame, 6-foot-1, 157-pound two-way player, athletic medium build. On the mound delivery is easy, tall and fall type, work on line, good rhythm and balance. Arm action has length, loose, free and easy, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action to arm side, showed control of the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, dropped for strikes, 65-67 mph. Changeup has good sinking action, 71-73 mph. Showed pitchability. Left-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, good balance. Loose hands, easy, path stays on top, consistent hard contact, barrel aware. Good bat speed for age, solid approach, occasional pull tendencies. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with soft hands at third base, plays through the baseball, sound actions. Arm works similar to that on the mound, 77 mph across the diamond, arm shows athleticism. 7.64 runner in the 60.

4. Kyle Sinclair, 3B, Bradford, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound third baseman, sturdy build, carries some strength. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger, good balance. Loose hands, attacks the baseball well, creates whip, athletic hitter, advanced bat speed. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee, pull side approach, occasional pop. Upside with the bat. Defensively plays with a short loose arm action, over the top slot, gets rid of it well, 78 mph across the diamond. Feet played through the baseball, solid lateral movement, hands played well. 7.65 runner in the 60.

5. Austin Emanuel, C/3B, Mukwonago, 2016
Recently committed to Western Illinois. 5-foot-10, 175-pound catcher, young build, body still developing. Defensively receives well, good catch and throw prospect, hands are soft, showed arm strength out of the crouch (79 mph). Arm played from a shorter over the top slot, typical catcher’s arm path, accurate arm, played through target well with carry. Recorded pop times at 1.93-2.07. Also took it from third base, showed the ability to be more than serviceable at third base when not behind the plate, 85 mph arm across the diamond with carry, hands played well. 7.68 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, smooth loading action with short stride and proper balance throughout, overall good hitters setup. Quiet setup and attacks the baseball, line drive approach, uses the middle of the field, good bat path stays through hitting zone. Advanced overall approach with well above average bat speed for age. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.

6. Hop Buran, 3B, Lake County Lutheran, 2016
6-foot-4, 190-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. Large, strong build. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Average arm strength with some accuracy. Average hands, fields ball close to body, good body control for size. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Long weight-transfer load to backside with good balance. Gap to gap hitter who looks to elevate, fast bat with fluid rhythm. Strength thru contact, 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 7.52.

7. Christian Zamudio, 3B, Tremper, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, with average arm strength. Accurate throws, with soft hands, and slower footwork, plays thru the ball, threw 76 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a tall setup, smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half, with excellent balance. Line drive hitter with a fast bat. Short, level swing with extension, fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity form a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.75.

8. Aaron Goecks, OF/3B, Brookfield Academy, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound corner outfield/third baseman, showed upper body strength. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride, slight arm bar load, good balance. Strong swing, explosive bat speed, pull side power approach, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength at multiple positions, longer arm action, over the top slot, 87 mph from the outfield, 86 mph across the diamond. Projects better in the outfield, plays through the baseball, exchange is clean, 7.27 runner in the 60. Projects as a left handed bat with pop in a corner outfield spot, strong follow.

9. Marquis Reuter, 3B/RHP, Sun Prairie, 2016
Physically advanced, 5-foot-10, 180-pound two-way player, strong upper body, showed arm strength. On the mound delivery has regular effort, long strong arm action, over the top slot. Fastball had a heavy feel, sat 84-85 mph, touched 87 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 66-70 mph. Changeup has sinking action, 69-73 mph. Offensively hits from a tall setup, short toe tap stride. Strong swing, slight uphill path, power potential, looks to lift, good bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.20 runner in the 60. Defensively showed arm strength across the diamond, 82 mph, long arm action, deliberate defender. Strong arm has good projection on the mound.

10. Ryan Davila, LHP/1B, Warren Township, 2016
6-foot, 187-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/1B. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm angle with some carry. Decent footwork, with slower actions, and a quick release. Threw 78 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup, with a smooth load and short stride with good balance. Line drive hitter, with a fast bat, and fluid rhythm. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.50. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle, short arm action, quick arm, with some effort. Falls off towards third base, slight crossfire, with a closed landing. Fastball with arm side run that sat 81-83 mph. Curveball with slurvy action that sat 70-71 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup with sink and fade that sat 76-78 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Justin Baker, 3B, Waukesha West, 2018
6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman.  In the field has a long, stiff arm action from an over the top arm slot. Some accuracy and average arm strength. Tall thru the fielding process, shuffle and throw, slowness in the feet. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, knee shift load, linear lower half, with average balance. Showed pull power in BP, average bat speed and an uphill swing path. Has some present strength. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.14. Will continue to improve with added flexibility and maturity.

Hunter Black, 1B, Durand, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound, left-handed hitting third baseman. In the field has a short arm action, from an over the top arm slot, with average arm strength. Slower feet in the field, fields ball deep, threw 74 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, short, toe tap stride, with average balance. Line drive, pull hitter, average bat speed, with a long uphill path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.38.

Tanner Bykowski, 3B, Westosha Central, 2017
 6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. In the field showed a short arm action from a low ¾  arm slot. Plays thru the ball with average hands, threw 73 mph across the infield. At the plate has a tall setup, short leg lift stride, with good balance. Gap to gap hitter, fast bat, short to the ball, showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.46.

Harrison Collar, 3B/RHP, Appleton West, 2016
6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, with some accuracy and average arm strength. Fields ball deep with stiffness in the hands. Threw 70 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, short stride with average balance. Pull hitter with average bat speed with an uphill swing path, some looseness in the swing. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.37. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle, regular effort, slight pause at balance point. Tall and fall delivery with slower rhythm. Straight fastball that sat 75-76 mph. Curveball with 12-6 shape that sat 60-63 mph. Maintains armspeed on changeup with fade that sat 65-68 mph.

Harley Deeth, 3B, Central High, 2017
5-ffot-9, 170-poound, right-handed hitting, third baseman. In the field has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 77 mph from 3B in drills. Offensively has a balanced setup, short stride, with minimal lower half. He is a contact hitter with average bat speed with a long, level swing.  82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.95

Patrick Foldy, RHP/3B, Hamilton, 2018
6-foot-1, 140-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/3B. Thin, lanky build with room to fill. In the field has a short arm action form an over the top arm slot, with average arm strength. Fields ball deep, with some stiffness in the hands, threw 73 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth heel lift stride with average balance. Opposite field hitter, 67 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.99. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle, short arm action, quick arm, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, lean back at balance point, some rhythm, square landing. Straight fastball with occasional run that sat 73-74 topping out at 75 mph. Good feel for curveball with 12/6 shape that 60-62 mph. Changeup with sink that sat 66-67 mph.

Nick Hammel, 1B/RHP, Muskego, 2016
6-foot, 225-pound, right-handed hitting 1B/RHP. Large frame, wide shoulders, strong build. In the field, has a long, stiff arm action from a ¾ arm angle.  Some stiffness in the hands. Threw 74 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from an open stance, closes off on load, with fair balance. Opposite field hitter with average bat speed and extension. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.61. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, stiff arm action. Tall and fall delivery, falls off to first base side. Straight fastball that sat 73-75 mph. Curveball with 11-5 shape that sat 63-65 mph. Straight changeup that sat 65-69 mph. knuckle ball sat 63-65 mph.

Logan King, LHP/1B, Cedarburg, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/1B. In the field has a short arm action from a low ¾ arm angle. Slower footwork, threw 65 mph across the infield. At the plate has a tall, balanced setup, with a high back elbow. Short stride with good balance. Line drive hitter, with average bat speed and a short, uphill swing path. 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.91. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle, with some stiffness in the arm. Tall at balance point, shoulder tilt, short stride to the plate, lands closed. Fastball with occasional run and sink that sat 72-73 topping out at 74 mph. Sink changeup that sat 65-68 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Matt Korman, 3B, Waterford Union, 2017
5-foot-11, 167-pound third baseman, slender build, medium frame. Offensively hits from an open stance, short toe tap stride. Path has length, pull side approach, occasionally hits off front foot, showed the ability to repeat swing. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short arm action, over the top slot, occasionally accurate across the diamond. 68 mph arm strength. Ran the 60 at 7.64.

Chase Nyborg, LHP/1B, Janesville Craig, 2016
6-foot, 160-pound, left-handed hitting, LHP/1B. In the field has a short arm action, from a high ¾ arm slot. Has average arm strength throwing 71 mph across the infield. At the plate hits form a tall stance, with a short stride, and shows average balance. Pull hitter, 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.63. On the mound pitched from a high ¾ arm angle, with a short arm action. Threw strikes with his fastball with sink action that sat 75-76. 1-7 shape on curveball that sat 67-68. Firm changeup at 73-74.

Jacob Passow, CIF/RHP, Germantown, 2017
6-foot-4, 180-pound, right-handed hitting corner infielder/pitcher. In the field has a long stiff arm action. Fields the ball deep with ok footwork. Threw 74 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide stance with high hands, no stride, with average balance. Average bat speed, with a level swing path, 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.57. On the mound has a high ¾ arm angle, long arm action, with regular effort. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Straight fastball that sat 71-73 and topped out at 74 mph. Loose curveball that sat 58-61 mph. Changeup with fade that sat 66-69 mph.

Paul Toetz, 3B, Greendale, 2019
5-foot-7, 140-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Some accuracy with average arm strength. Soft hands, athletic actions, good body control. Threw 70 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth load with slight wrap, short stride with good balance.  Average bat speed, level swing with extension, fluid rhythm. One arm finish. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.08. Will continue to improve with maturity.