On Feb. 20, the PBR Illinois team made its way down to Peoria to host the area’s annual preseason event where over 60 prospects came out to showcase the improvements they made over the offseason. The Peoria Preseason I.D. has allowed us to get a closer look at the best players in Central Illinois. This year, the talent was once again on display.

If you missed our rapid analysis inside our Quick Hits post or the data gathered in our Statistical Analysis, click the previous hyperlinks to learn more. We began publishing our position-by-position breakdown on Monday, with this event’s catchers. We’re onto the infielders today.

Junior Brayden Childress (Robinson), leads the list of infielders. Childress, a multi-sport athlete, has a phycially-advanced frame, power-potential at the plate, is natural around the first base bag and is an above-average runner for his frame and position.

Jayden Myren, from Rochester HS, comes in at No. 2 from the event. Myren, a true switch-hitter, continues to add strength to his frame and can stick on the infield. Seth Parkinson, another Rochester product comes in at the No. 3 spot. Parkinson, only a freshman, has a projectable right-handed swing and natural infield actions. Parkinson has loose, athletic hands at the plate and an efficient path that stays through the hitting zone.

Continue on below for reports on each of the 35 infielders who made it out to Peoria in February. Stay tuned tomorrow for a look at the day’s pitchers.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Brayden Childress, INF/RHP, Robinson, 2020
6-foot-3, 205-pound, physically-advanced, strong build, two-way prospect. 7.05 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, open setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, toe-tap stride and maintains balance throughout. Present bat speed, short bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm; 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural at first base, steady hands, clean release. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 80 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth delivery, works on-line and lands square. Short, quick, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, plays up, straight action, sat 82-84 mph, touched 85. Throws two different breaking balls. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 67-68 mph. Slider, tight spin, 10/4 shape, 69-70 mph. Changeup, fade action, 74-75 mph.

2. Jayden Myren, INF, Rochester, 2020
5-foot-11, 180-pound, durable, well-proportioned switch-hitting shortstop; noticeably stronger since our last look. Offensively, repeatable, simple swing from both sides of the plate. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, quick bat, stays short to the baseball with sneaky pop; 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural infield actions, plays well on the move, soft hands and clean quick transfer. Short arm action, accurate throws, flashed carry, clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. 7.32 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

3. Seth Parkinson, INF, Rochester, 2022
6-foot, 170-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Simple swing, easy effort, loose hands, level path, extension through contact, line-drive gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural infield actions, gets around and works through the baseball, fluid footwork, body control and soft hands. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 74 mph across the infield. 7.85 runner in the 60. Follow 2022 infielder.

4. Sam Antonacci, INF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2021
5-foot-11, 170-pound, left-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced relaxed setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance. Simple swing, quick hands, initiates lower half, occasional bat speed, stays short to the ball and line-drive gap-to-gap approach; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean footwork, maintains body control on the move, sure-handed. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 81 mph. 7.42 runner in the 60, laser-timed.   

5. Liam McGill, INF, Bloomington, 2021
5-foot-8, 140-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.00 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, balanced, slightly closed setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Simple, repeatable swing, quick bat, short bat path, hard line-drive contact and fluid rhythm; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady actions, works around and through the baseball, sure-handed, body control, quick clean release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 74 mph across the infield.

6. Sam Paden, INF/RHP, Libertyville, 2020
5-foot-11, 167-pound, well-proportioned, athletically-built, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth delivery, works on-line and lands front-toe open. Loose arm action, from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm-sider-run, thrown for strikes, 80-82 mph, touching 83. Changeup, is an above-average offering, maintains arm speed, sink and fade action, 69-72 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 62-65 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, open setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance throughout. Loose hands, quick bat, short level bat path and fluid rhythm throughout. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, reliable hands, loose arm action, throws carry and topped at 82 mph. 7.42 runner in the 60, laser-timed.  

7. Eric Hall, INF, Champaign Centennial, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound, wiry, left-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, short leg-lift timing trigger and maintains balance throughout. Loose, easy swing, short bat path, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, smooth actions, soft hands, plays through the baseball and clean transfer. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 77 mph. 7.60 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

8. Jackson Chatterton, INF, Dunlap, 2020
5-foot-10, 162-pound, athletically-built, switch-hitting infielder. 7.00 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, balanced quiet setup, short stride, minimal wasted movements, level bat path and line-drive approach; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, sure-hands, plays through the baseball. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 77 mph.

9. Tommy Kelly, INF/RHP, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound, two-way prospect; highly-athletic build, room for continued physical development. Ran the top 60 of the day, 6.69 laser-timed. At the plate, balanced tall setup, short stride, long level bat path, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, reliable hands, long arm action, high ¾ to ¾ slot and throws topped at 81 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tilt and topple delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line and lands square. Long, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm-side-run, sat 80-83 mph. Sinker, has tilt, sink at times, 78-82 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, sink, fade, down in the zone, 72-74 mph. Breaking ball, depth, 11/5 to 12/6 shape, 68-69 mph.

10. Bryce Brown, INF, Morton, 2020
6-foot-3, 185-pound, athletically-built, projectable, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.16 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, open crouched setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Loose hands, level bat path, occasional hard contact and 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, plays through the baseball, maintains body control, loose arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 74 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jacob Abenroth, C/1B, Dunlap, 2021
5-foot-11, 135-pound catcher/first baseman with lanky, long-limbed frame. Right-handed hitter, crouched/balanced setup, quick load back, short stride. Long and level bat path; 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. At first base, some feel for the bag, long and high ¾ throws across the infield, topped 73 mph.From behind the plate, long and over-the-top arm action; throws topped 71 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.14-2.25. An 8.02 runner in the 60.

Bryce Bishop, INF, Metamora, 2021
5-foot-11, 190-pound, strong-bodied, left-handed hitting first baseman. 7.32 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load and leg-kick timing trigger. Utilizes lowe half, flat bat path, hard middle of the field contact; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, feel around the bag, steady hands, clean release. Arm works from an over-the-top slot and clocked at 75 mph.   

Riley Bradshaw, INF/RHP, Pekin, 2020
6-foot, 195-pound, two-way prospect; well-proportioned strength. At the plate, left-handed hitter, tall setup, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger, short bat path and opposite field approach; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fields out in front, deliberate transfer, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph. 7.54 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, tilt and topple delivery, on-line direction and lands square. Long arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, 75-78 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, occasional depth, 63-65 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm action, straight action, occasional arm-side-run, 67-72 mph.

Noah Chase, INF, Illinois Valley Central, 2022
5-foot-10, 170-pound, physical, wide-shouldered, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced quiet setup, short stride, strong hands, gap-to-gap approach and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph across the infield. 7.78 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, methodical delivery, stays on-line and lands front-toe closed at times. Long draw out of the glove, high ¾ slot. Fastball, works mostly straight, occasional run, 74-76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, 55-60 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, arm-side-run, 63-65 mph.

Brayden Closs, INF/LHP, Warrensburg-Latham, 2021
6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong-bodied, two-way prospect. At the plate, left-handed hitter, balanced open setup, short stride, level bat path, opposite field approach and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean release, long arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 73 mph across the infield. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, on-line delivery and lands square. Long arm action, ¾ slot and easy effort. Fastball, arm-side-run, sat 76 mph, touched 77. Curveball, 1/7 shape, occasional depth, 62-66 mph. Changeup, fade action, 69-70 mph.  

Mitch Dye, INF/RHP, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2022
6-foot, 140-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. At the plate, left-handed hitter, athletic open setup, short stride, uphill bat path and 71 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph across the infield. 8.37 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, methodical slight drop and drive delivery, lands slightly open. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, sat 74-75 mph, touched 76. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 60-65 mph. Changeup, ranged between 62-66 mph.  

John Michael Ehmen, INF, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting infielder; defined, strong build. At the plate, tall, open setup, long stride, uphill bat path and opposite field approach; 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean release, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 70 mph across the diamond. 8.18 runner in the 60.

Satya Garapati, INF, Normal Community, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.33 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, narrow tall setup, leg-kick timing trigger, level bat path and occasional gap-to-gap contact. 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays tall, clean release, short firm arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws, clocked at 73 mph across the infield.

Ashton Gray, INF, Limestone, 2020
6-foot-3, 175-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, highly-athletic projectable build. 7.26 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, balanced tall setup, toe-tap stride, short to the ball, level bat path, line-drive approach and present bat strength; 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. At first base, fields out front, feel around the bag, clean release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph across the diamond.

Grant Harvey, INF/OF, Mahomet-Seymour, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound right/right multi-positional prospect with athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced/athletic setup, smooth load into leg kick and long stride, open front foot landing. Short and level bat path, works inside the ball, opposite-field approach, line-drive type; 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the infield, plays with some bounce, long and loose throws from high ¾ slot; 71 mph throws to first base. In the outfield, controlled to the ball, works on line, crow hop, long and loose over-the-top arm action; topped 75 mph to home. A 7.56 runner in the 60.

Josh Heyder, C/3B, Washington, 2021
6-foot, 195-pound catcher/third baseman with a strong, athletic frame, thick lower half. Tall/closed setup, short stride, simple throughout. Short, level path with length through extension; 83 mph exit velocity through the tee. From behind the plate, short and over-the-top arm action with quick and clean exchanges, thrown on the bag; throws topped 75 mph. In the infield, hands work, short and loose arm, fields athletically; 80 mph across the infield. Pop times ranged between 2.00-2.08. A 7.85 runner in the 60.

Quinn Hoftender, INF/LHP, Orion, 2022
5-foot-11, 175-pound, strong, physically-advanced, left/left, two-way prospect. 7.40 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, closed setup, leg-kick timing trigger, long uphill bat path and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, long firm arm action and throws from a high ¾ slot. Throws topped at 74 mph across the infield. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, coiled at balance point, lands slightly closed and upright at times. Long arm action works from an over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, 72-73 mph, touched 74. Curveball, 12/6 shape, thrown for strikes, 66-68 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, strikes, 70-73 mph.

Aaron Jayne, INF, Blue Ridge, 2020
6-foot-2, 200-pound, strong, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, crouched open setup, long stride, bat speed at times, short level bat path, 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, reliable hands, clean transfer, throws carry across the diamond; topped at 85 mph across the infield. 7.58 runner in the 60.

Lucas Kresin, INF/RHP, Tuscola, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound, wiry, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, closed-toe landing with some effort throughout. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight cutting action at times, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball, thrown aggressively, 11/5 shape, sharp action, 68-69 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, cut, 67-70 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Short level bat path, controls the barrel, uses the middle of the field and 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick first step, short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 76 mph. 7.57 runner in the 60.   

Christopher LeCrone, INF, Dunlap, 2021
6-foot-1, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder; athletic long-limbed, projectable build. At the plate, wide crouched setup, smooth load, hands separate, toe-tap stride and level bat path; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fields from the ground up, reliable hands, plays through the baseball. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 75 mph across the infield. 7.81 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Mark Lidner, INF, Morton, 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound, long-limbed, right-handed hitting infielder; plenty of room for continued physical development. At the plate, tall setup, smooth load, short stride, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works around the baseball and plays through. Steady hands, firm arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 71 mph. 7.80 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Noah Matheny, RHP/INF, Galesburg, 2020
6-foot-2, 200-pound, strong-bodied, wide-shouldered, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth tall and fall delivery, works slightly across his body and lands front-toe open. Clean, quick, loose arm action from a high ¾ window. Fastball, comes out of the hand easy, finish through the zone, arm-side-run, sat 82-85 mph. Curveball, feel for the zone, 11/5 shape, depth at times, 73 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, arm-side-run and sink, thrown for strikes, 74-76 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced wide setup, short stride, loose hands, level path, hard contact, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout; 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball, steady hands, long live arm action, throws carried and topped at 85 mph across the infield. 7.70 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Drew Masset, INF, Nokomis, 2020
5-foot-10, 190-pound, thick, right-handed hitting infielder, strong lower half. Offensively, tall setup, short leg-kick timing trigger, long bat path, gap-to-gap approach and present bat strength; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball at times, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 79 mph across the infield. 7.49 runner in the 60, laser-timed.   

Luke McCaughey, INF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2021
5-foot-8, 155-pound, left-handed hitting infielder. 7.31 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, balanced quiet setup, early loading action, short stride, uphill bat path, opposite field approach and 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 71 mph across the infield.  

Kaden Murphy, INF/RHP, Champaign Centennial, 2021
6-foot, 155-pound, wiry, two-way prospect. 7.40 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Right-handed hitter, quiet balanced open setup, minimal load, short stride, short bat path and line-drive approach; 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, throws from a high ¾ slot and throws topped at 74 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, repeatable drop and drive delivery, stays online and lands front-toe closed. Short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, straight action, 70-72 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sat 61-63 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, arm-side-run and sink at times, 68-71 mph.

Cole Nelson, INF, St. Charles East, 2020
5-foot-9, 165-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced narrow setup, smooth load, short toe-tap stride, long and level bat path and 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean footwork, plays through the baseball, sure-hands, smooth release. Short loose arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 75 mph. 7.72 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Ryan Robinson, INF, Rochester, 2022
5-foot-8, 135-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, short stride, short bat path, opposite field approach and 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, short firm arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 64 mph across the infield. 7.54 runner in the 60, laser-timed.  

Joshua Ryan, INF/RHP, Glenwood, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, wide setup, pre-pitch load, toe-tap stride, long uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach; 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 75 mph across the infield. 7.86 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stretch-only delivery, works slightly across his body and lands square. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm-side-run, 71-74 mph. Curveball, 55-57 mph. Changeup, ranged between 60-62 mph.

Will Ryan, INF, Rochester, 2020
5-foot-11, 240-pound, thick-bodied, right-handed hitting first baseman. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, leg-kick timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Bat strength, short path, gap-to-gap approach and 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 68 mph across the diamond. 7.83 runner in the 60.

Chase Ulrich, INF, East Peoria, 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound, strong lower half, right-handed hitting, infielder. Offensively, tall setup, leg-kick timing trigger, strong wrists, level bat path and present bat strength; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 77 mph across the infield. 7.85 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

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