Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois

A look at all the players who attended the Prospect Identification Showcase at ESP Complex in Oswego, IL on November 3.

1. Jaylen Yarbrough, Bishop Noll HS (IN), OF, Class of 2014
Yarbrough is an athletic 5-foot-7, 150-pound outfielder. Yarbrough showed good foot speed, running a 6.78 60. Yarbrough showed solid defensive actions in the outfield using an over the top arm slot producing 77 mph throws with accuracy. Offensively, he showed strong hands at the plate. He hits from a balanced setup that is slightly open and uses a short stride. Yarbrough showed solid barrel awareness, showcasing the ability to produce line drives to all fields.

2. Mitch Pfeiffer, Barrington HS, OF/SS, Class of 2015
Pfeiffer is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound multi-positional player who looks to be an elite athlete in the Class of 2015. Pfeiffer showed advanced foot speed running a 6.75 60. Pfeiffer showed a long, over the top arm slot at 68 mph from the infield and 79 mph from the outfield. Offensively, Pfeiffer hits from a balanced set up using a no stride approach. Pfeiffer showed the ability to find the barrel and make hard contact to his pull side.

3. Andrew Bruss, Aurora Central Catholic HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
Bruss is a 5-foot-9, 175-pound two way player. Bruss showed solid outfield actions showcasing an 82 mph arm with carry. Offensively, he hits from a tall, open stance using a smooth load. He showed loose hands, while making solid contact. On the mound, Bruss showed an 81-82 mph fastball, topping at 84 mph, that he threw for strikes with slight sink. His curveball worked on an 11/5 plane at 69-72 mph, also showcasing a 70-74 mph change up.

4. Logan Talkington, North Mac HS, 1B/RHP, Class of 2014
Talkington is a physical 6-foot-5, 230-pound two-way player. Talkington is an imposing figure in the box, hitting from the left side he takes an extremely aggressive hack at the baseball. He displayed strong hands at the dish with above average bat speed. Talkington’s path creates extension on a slightly uphill path, creating consistently hard hit, lofted baseballs. With his pull side power approach he was able to maintain solid balance throughout his swing. Defensively, he demonstrated above average arm strength from first base at 83 mph. On the mound, Talkington’s fastball sat at 78-81 mph coupled with a 60-62 mph curveball and a 72-73 mph change up.

5. Danny Kelly, Loyola HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Kelly is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder who impressed with his glovework. Kelly showed solid hands in the field, while taking precise angles to the baseball. His arm played well across the diamond showing accuracy at 72 mph. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup using a no stride approach. Kelly showed a short bat path and displayed the ability to work the middle of the field with regularity while keeping a quiet approach.

6. Zach Jarosz, Plainfield South HS, INF/OF, Class of 2015
Jarosz is an athletic 5-foot-6, 130-pound multi-positional player. Jarosz moved well in the outfield and showed solid foot speed in the 60, running a 7.00. His arm showed accuracy at 73 mph from the outfield and 61 mph across the infield. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup using a smooth load and a solid lower half creating some bat speed.

7. Jason Wegner, Naperville Central HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Wegner is a 5-foot-11, 150-pound two-way player. Wegner showed solid footwork in the field along with a short loose arm action at 75 mph. At the plate he hits out of an open stance while using a short stride. Wegner displayed a line drive approach, staying inside the ball well and showing solid barrel awareness. Wegner also displayed a gap to gap approach, working the middle of the field well.

8. Anthony Metz, Downers Grove South HS, OF, Class of 2014
Metz is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound left handed hitting outfielder. Metz showed solid balance at the plate displaying a short quick bat path that gets to ball efficiently. He showed athletic feet in the outfield while recording throws of 79 mph with some accuracy. Metz also ran a 7.28 60.

9. Michael Fidler, Aurora Central Catholic HS, 1B/3B/RHP, Class of 2014
Fidler is a strong bodied 6-foot-4, 210-pound two-way player. Offensively, Fidler hits from an open stance using a slight leg kick. He showed pop in his bat when making solid contact. On the mound, Fidler works across his body out of a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat at 80-81 mph with control. He showed feel of a curveball with some sweeping action at 66-69 mph, also demonstrating a 73-75 mph change up.

10. Trevor Duff, Matea Valley HS, C, Class of 2014
Duff is a 5-foot-7, 150-pound catcher. Duff showed solid actions coming out of the crouch, he showed quick feet and a quick release, all while staying low out of the shoot. He recorded pop times ranging from 2.15-2.19 at 73 mph while displaying a short, over the top arm slot. Offensively, Duff hits from a balanced set up using a smooth load and short stride. His approach is quiet and occasionally shows a short bat path.

11. Joseph Flores, West Aurora HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2014
Flores is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound two way player. Flores showed above average accuracy from the outfield at 77 mph. He moves athletically to and through the baseball showcasing fluid footwork. Offensively, he hits from a closed stance with solid balance throughout. He displayed bat speed while making hard contact throughout his round. On the mound, Flores showed the ability to control his fastball at 76-79 mph. He operates from a high ¾ arm slot while throwing across his body with a long arm action. He also featured a slider a 61-63 mph and a change up at 65-67 mph with sink.

12. Keegan Tyrell, Joliet Catholic Academy, OF/RHP, Class of 2015
Tyrell is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound two-way player. Tyrell showed solid arm strength from the outfield at 80 mph with accuracy. Offensively, Tyrell hits from a slightly open and tall stance. He showed a smooth load and solid balance throughout producing a short level bat path. Tyrell showed the ability to drive the ball to the gaps creating slight lag in his bat. On the mound, Tyrell operated from a high ¾ arm slot, with looseness and rhythm. His fastball clocked in at 73-74 mph complimented by a 63-65 mph slider that he showed control of and a consistent 10/4 plane. He also showed a change up at 72 mph.

13. Brady Roberts, Marmion HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
Roberts is a solid 5-foot-10, 190-pound multi-positional player. Roberts showed solid fundamentals, coming out of the crouch low and towards his target. Roberts arm played well at 72 mph and resulted in pop times of 2.16-2.2. Offensively, Roberts hits from an open stance using a short stride. Roberts displayed the ability to find the barrel with regularity, working mainly to his pull side and creating extension through the zone.

14. Tyler Engleman, Oswego East HS, RHP, Class of 2014
Engleman has an athletic pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-2, 196-pounds. Engleman operates from a high ¾ arm slot showing some rhythm and direction to his target, finishing in an athletic position. Engleman produced a 76-78 mph fastball that featured a slightly heavy feel with sink. His curveball flashed biting action on a 12/6 plane at 62-65 mph, which was consistently down. He also flashed a change up at 65-67 mph.

15. Matt Bohanon, Downers Grove North HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2014
Bohanon is a lanky 6-foot, 145-pound two-way player. Bohanon showed signs of pitchability, throwing three pitches for strikes down in the zone. Working from a long, loose, ¾ arm slot, Bohanon displayed a 77-78 mph fastball with some late arm side run while commanding it down in the zone. He also featured a slider at 64-66 mph on a 10/4 plane also controlling the strike zone. His change up showed sink ranging from 61-67 mph and also in the strike zone. He showed a long, high ¾ arm action from the outfield showing accuracy at 79 mph. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup using a short stride.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Peyton Allen, Plainfield South HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2016
Allen is a lanky 6-foot-2, 140-pounds who will certainly fill out and add strength. On the mound he operates from a high ¾ arm slot using a long arm action and staying tall throughout his delivery. He showed a smooth rhythm and solid direction. His fastball sits a 69 mph and in the strike zone, which will certainly see a jump in velocity once strength is added. His curveball works on an 11/5 plane at 54-56 mph, while his change up also sat at 54-56 mph. Offensively, Allen hits from an open setup and uses a smooth load.

Austin Butts, Woodstock HS, 3B/C/RHP, Class of 2015
Butts is a 6-foot, 184-pound multi-positional player. Butts hits from an open stance while using a short stride. Behind the plate he recorded pop times of 2.4-2.58 while recording arm strength of 66 mph across the diamond. On the mound, he worked from a high ¾ arm slot producing a 73-75 mph fastball with slight movement. His curveball sat at 64-66 mph, while his change up sat at 63-66 mph in the strike zone with sink.

TJ Chance, Harlem HS, RHP/1B, Class of 2016
Chance is a 5-foot-9, 190-pound two-way player. Chance showed an accurate arm at 68 mph across the diamond. He hits from a balanced set up using a no stride, heel lift approach to get to the hitting position. On the mound, Chance was able to throw strikes with his fastball at 72-74 mph. His curveball sat at 62-63 mph, also throwing a change up at 64-66 exhibiting some feel for the pitch with sink.

Aaron Cusimano, Harlem HS, RHP/C, Class of 2016
Cusimano is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player. Cusimano showed excellent accuracy from the crouch delivery numerous throws on the bag at 2.42-2.45 and registering at 68 mph. Cusimano hits with a balanced setup and short stride producing a level bat path. On the mound Cusimano displayed a smooth repeatable delivery operating from a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball showed slight run in the strike zone at 69-71 mph. He also showed control of a 60-63 mph 11/5 curveball and a change up with some arm side run.

Nolan Cusimano, Harlem HS, C/1B, Class of 2013
Cusimano is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound multi-positional player. Cusimano showed arm strength of 72 mph from the crouch. He stayed low and gained ground well out of a long transfer to second base, recording pop times of 2.34-2.44. He hits from a balanced setup using a short stride and solid lower half producing line drive tendencies.

Ben Doiron, Metea Valley HS, MIF, Class of 2014
Doiron is a 5-foot-6, 130-pound middle infielder. Doiron showed some footwork in the field, while also running a 7.32 60. Doiron posted 63 mph throws across the infield. Offensively, he hit from an open stance using a short stride while exhibiting solid balance throughout.

Mike Eberle, Brookfield East HS (WI), RHP/1B, Class of 2013
Eberle is a lanky 6-foot-4, 175-pound two-way player.  Eberle showed a solid approach at the plate hitting from a wide stance using a short stride. His lower half worked well creating some whip through the zone. He demonstrated a clean bat path also showing barrel awareness. On the mound, he operated from a high ¾ arm slot using a long arm action with high effort. His fastball showed cutting action at 74-76 mph, also displaying a curveball at 64-68 mph and a change up at 69-73 mph.

Ethan Filzone, Lockport HS, LHP, Class of 2016
Filzone is a 5-foot-9, 135-pound left handed pitcher. Filzone showed some rhythm in his delivery operating from a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball was thrown at 63-66 mph while showing a 53-54 mph curveball. Filzone rounded out his repertoire with a 61 mph change up.

Jake Goes, Downers Grove North HS, C/1B, Class of 2014
Goes is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound multi-positional player. Goes recorded pop times of 2.22-2.38 at 68 mph out of the crouch. He showed a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot with effort. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup while using a minimal stride. He displayed a short, level bat path with some whip through the zone.

Jacob Goodson, Oswego East HS, C, Class of 2016
Goodson is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound catcher. Defensively Goodson showed a short, over the top arm slot that produced 66 mph throws from the crouch, he also recorded pop times of 2.5-2.68. Offensively, Goodson hits from an open stance using a short stride.

Jeff Haas, Plainfield South HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2016
Haas is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound two-way player. Haas threw from an over the top slot in the outfield resulting in 70 mph throws to his target. Offensively, Haas hits from a wide, slightly closed stance using a no stride approach. Haas sets his hands low and exhibited a level bat path to the baseball. On the mound his delivery is clean, showing a solid tall and fall approach to his target. His arm works well out of a high ¾ arm slot with loose actions. His fastball showed command at 70-72 mph complimented by a curveball at 62-63 mph that he showed some feel for. His change up also showed potential at 64-68 mph with solid arm speed and showing sink.

PJ Holbrook, West Aurora HS, OF, Class of 2013
Holbrook is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound outfielder. Holbrook showed aggressive outfield actions while tracking the baseball. His arm displayed some accuracy while being clocked at 74 mph. Offensively, he hits from an open stance and uses a short leg kick to get to his hitting position. Holbrook also ran a 7.90 60.

Cody Kastel, Benet Academy HS, MIF, Class of 2013
Kastel is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound middle infielder. Kastel hits from a tall, narrow setup using a leg kick that produces a flat bat path. Kastel ran a 7.34 60 and was clocked at 73 mph across the diamond.

George Kemper, Loyola HS, C, Class of 2013
Kemper is an athletically built 6-foot-1, 190-pound catcher showing some strength. Kemper’s arm action is short and over the top while staying true to his target at 71 mph. Kemper hits from a wide stance using a short stride to get to the baseball. Kemper also ran a 7.59 60.

Jon Mohler, Oswego East HS, MIF, Class of 2014
Mohler is a 5-foot-9, 130-pound middle infielder. Mohler showed arm strength across the diamond at 60 mph while running a 7.78. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup without using much of a stride. He showed excellent balance throughout his swing.

Naill O’Brien, York HS, OF, Class of 2014
O’Brien is a 6-foot, 180-pound outfielder who showed arm strength of 77 mph from the outfield. O’Brien hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and a slightly inside out bat path.

Cameron Paladines, Oswego HS, RHP/C, Class of 2015
Paladines is a 5-foot-9, 130-pound two-way player. Behind the plate he recorded pop times at 2.35-2.39 showing arm strength of 67 mph. Paladines also ran an 8.22 60. Offensively, he hits from a wide stance using a short stride. He displayed a level bat path while showing loose hands at the plate as well.

Jeffrey Pieroni, Oswego HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
Pieroni is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound multi-positional player. Pieroni displayed solid receiving actions behind the plate. His arm strength was recorded at 67 mph from the crouch and 70 mph across the infield. Offensively, he hit from an open stance starting with his hands in a high position, while working to his pull side.

Nick Price, Waubonsie Valley HS, C, Class of 2016
Price is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher. Price showed solid arm strength for his age at 73 mph from the crouch. He recorded pop times of 2.31-2.40. Offensively, Price hit from a balanced setup using a short stride and demonstrating a flat bat path. Price also showed solid foot speed, running a 7.22 60.

Austyn Ruback, Grayslake North HS, INF, Class of 2014
Ruback is a 6-foot, 165-pound infielder. Ruback showed a long arm action across the diamond at 75 mph with accuracy. He hits from a balanced setup at the plate, displaying a long level bat path that showed tendencies to his pull side.

Diaz Saunderson, Mount Carmel HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2015
Saunderson is a 5-foot-10, 140-pound two-way player. Saunderson is a lanky, long armed pitcher who showed slight run on a 67-69 mph fastball. He showed a solid curveball that worked on an 11/5 plane at 54-58 mph. His change up showed cut action at 63-65 mph. At the plate he hits with a slightly closed stance, displaying some balance throughout.

Austin Sherman, Naperville Central HS, INF, Class of 2016
Sherman is a 5-foot-9, 130-pound infielder. Sherman showed solid foot speed recording a 7.08 60 time. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup using a short leg kick to get to his hitting position. Sherman also showed some accuracy across the diamond at 52 mph.

Andrew Sibon, West Aurora HS, C/OF, Class of 2014
Sibon is a 6-foot, 160-pound multi-positional player. Sibon showed solid foot speed running a 7.03 60. Behind the plate he showed a short, over the top arm action at 71 mph while recording pop times of 2.25-2.38. Offensively, he hits from a slightly open and tall stance displaying a quiet approach and solid balance throughout.

Kyle Streit, Naperville Central HS, 1B/LHP, Class of 2014
Streit is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way player. On the mound, Streit operated from a short, over the top arm slot producing 68-70 mph fastball. He also featured a curveball and changeup that both sat in the low 60’s. Streit also ran a 7.55 60.