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Preseason All-State Showcase: Corner Infield Analysis

March 3, 2015

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The 2015 Prep Baseball Report Preseason All-State Showcase took place on Sunday February 15th at the Max in McCook, IL. 125 of Illinois top prospects in the 2016 class gathered to display the fruits of their hard winter labor in front of the PBR scouting staff.

Click Here to view complete statistics from the 2015 PBR Preseason All-State in PDF format.

Click Here to view the Top Tools Breakdown from the event.

Over the next few days we will rank the prospects by position, culminating in the Top Overall prospects from the event. Today we’ll take a look at the corner infielders from the event, small in total numbers, but deep in talent throughout, so deep in fact that every player listed is a ranked player in the 2016 class.

Lake Forest 3B Cal Coughlin’s pitching exploits from the event were well covered, but his future ceiling may be higher thanks to his plus defensive ability and switch-hitting power potential. Coughlin possesses elite bat speed from both sides of the plate, and with a 93 mph arm on the mound, his arm strength is plus at the hot corner.

Carmel’s Cooper Johnson is well known for his ability behind the plate, but he’d also be a high level recruit at third base thanks to his soft hands and powerful throwing arm.

Mount Carmel’s AJ Lewis is the same in that respect, and actually will play more third base this spring thanks to the Caravan having Valparaiso-signee Scott Kapers behind dish. Lewis will slide behind the plate when Kapers pitches, but still shows an accurate arm and soft hands at third base.

Let’s take a look at the top corner infielders from this year’s Preseason All-State Showcase:

Top Overall Corner Infield Prospects

1. Cal Coughlin, 3B/RHP, Lake Forest, 2016
6-foot-1, 200-pound, physically strong switch-hitting 3B/RHP committed to Texas Christian impressed with electric stuff on the mound at the Preseason All-State Showcase, while also showing three-pitch feel. Coughlin sat 90-92 mph, touching 93 mph from a short, quick, high ¾ arm slot. Some effort present in delivery, slight drop-and-drive, utilizes legs extremely well, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, close off as lower half coils/loads over the rubber well, lower half stride direction is in line with home plate, lands square. Fastball jumps late, explodes through the zone with riding action. Power slider, breaks late, short, 11/5 shape, features depth in 83-85 mph range, plus pitch right now. Coughlin’s power fastball/slider combination at the event would fit into the backend of a collegiate bullpen immediately. Also threw strikes with a 77-78 mph changeup with sinking action. Three-pitch feel would give him a starter’s profile at the next level, if not for his two-way talent. Coughlin would be a top rated prospect if he was only a pitcher, but his switch-hitting power profile at third base may be his calling at higher levels. Registered 98 mph exit velocity from the right side, 91 mph exit velocity from the left side. Short, compact, level swing with extension from both sides, very similar approach. Left-handed may be a bit more fluid, shorter stride from the left side, more of a no stride/toe turn approach. Right-handed may have more strength in swing, a bit longer stride, more pull approach from the right side. Hands work quietly from both sides, minimal load. Potential to hit for average and power from both sides. Defensively, threw 88 mph across the diamond, power arm is definitely an asset, also showcases soft hands fielding the baseball, could play shortstop at the high school level. Ran a 7.23 60 yard dash. Coughlin is one of the top prospects in the 2016 class and should see draft interest come the spring of 2016.

2. Cooper Johnson, C/3B, Carmel Catholic, 2016
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong lower half, wide shoulders, developed forearms. Defensively, Johnson is the top defensive catcher in PBR’s coverage area, and quite possibly the entire country. Reeled off pop times from 1.88-1.95, 83 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top, accurate, quick and athletic arm action. Very good hip flexibility receiving during pens, sits low, impressed handling Cal Coughlin’s 83-85 mph slider extremely well. Though a primary catcher, Johnson also impresses at third base, showing soft hands and arm strength across the diamond at 84 mph. Hits from a wide base, short stride, utilizes lower half, hands start high, load back smoothly, short power path, gets extension, simple, repeatable approach, impressed with possibly the best round of batting practice at the Preseason All-State, driving the ball from gap-to-gap; should develop power to both gaps. Current power to his pull side, 89 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.62 in the 60, but not a concern as feet work quickly behind the plate. Johnson has elevated his national profile over the past year. The Ole’ Miss commit has always been known for his elite catch-and-throw skills, but the bat has taken a major step forward. He’ll be one of the top draft prospects in the 2016 class to follow over the next two seasons. He’s possibly the best catching prospect the PBR scouting staff has seen in ten years.

3. AJ Lewis, C/3B, Mount Carmel, 2016
Missouri commit. 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher/third baseman, strong solid build, stocky with strength. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, excellent balance. Quick hands, short path, line drive gap to gap approach. Defensively behind the plate used a short over the top arm action, accurate arm, showed some carry, 77 mph arm from the crouch. Feet work directionally, 2.01-2.08 pop times. At third feet worked very athletically, hands gather and pat before release. 79 mph arm strength across the diamond.

4. Tom Szczasny, 3B, Lincoln-Way North, 2016
5-foot-9, 180-pound third baseman, solid build, medium frame. Offensively hits from a slightly open and crouched stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good lower half and strong balance through contact. High-level hitter, good barrel control, gap type hitter, short path with extension, good bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played from a short over the top slot, 74 mph across the diamond, athletic arm action on the move. Showed soft hands, athletic defender, 7.42 runner in the 60.

5. Patrick Loeffler, 3B, Stevenson, 2016
6-foot-1, 200-pound athletic and strong left-handed hitting third baseman hit from a slightly crouched setup, balanced stance, short stride, hands load smoothly, explosive lower half, short, slightly uphill bat path produces line drives from gap-to-gap, gets extension, natural lift to swing, several line drives off the L-screen during batting practice, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 80 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy and carry, average hands fielding the baseball, plays through it. Ran a 7.24 60 yard dash.

6. Mitch Owens, 3B/RHP, Moline, 2016
6-foot-4, 205-pound athletically built 3B/RHP impressed with a plus round of batting practice at the Preseason All-State Showcase. Hits from an open setup, wide base, short leg kick stride, hands load back smoothly, short, slightly uphill bat path produced consistent hard contact, fluidity to swing, gets extension, drove the baseball from gap-to-gap with impressive power to his pull side, 92 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot, average hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.42 60. On the mound, sat 80-82 mph from long, ¾ arm slot, over-head windup, tall-fall delivery, toe up at balance point, shoulders close off at balance point, level shoulders throughout delivery, works across his body, lands closed on front heel, spins off towards first base. Showed feel form 69-70 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and 72-74 mph changeup with arm side run. Ran a 7.42 60 yard dash. Owens power potential at the plate has showed up in games as well, and he’s one of the best power prospects in Illinois’ 2016 class.

7. Tyler Strzelczyk, 3B, Lincoln-Way North, 2016
6-foot-4, 170-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting 3B hits from an open setup, short stride, hands load smoothly, quick to the ball, short, slightly uphill bat path, gets extension, barrel whips through the zone. Drove the ball from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 81 mph across the diamond from short, loose, over-the-top arm slot, with accuracy and carry, average hands fielding defensively. Ran a 7.24 60 yard dash.

8. Dalton Parker, RHP/3B, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2016
6-foot-4, 205-pound strong and athletic RHP/3B impressed as one of the top arms on the mound at the Preseason All-State Showcase. Parker sat 86-87 mph on the mound from a short, loose, high ¾ to over-the-top arm slot, tall/fall delivery, good rhythm throughout windup, toe down at balance point, loads over rubber with lower half, shoulders work level throughout, lands square with stride in line with home plate. 65-66 mph curveball featured 12/6 shape, slows arm speed. 71-74 mph slider is a future plus pitch, better of two breaking balls, features 10/4 shape, occasional sharp, late break, feel for strikes. 72-74 mph changeup thrown with aggressive arm speed, arm side run for strikes. Parker projects to throw even harder, and is one of the most underrated RHP’s in the 2016 class. Hits from a tall setup, slightly open stance, toe tap stride, hands load smoothly, short, level bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 92 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 85 mph across the diamond from third base from short, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy and carry. Average hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.61 60.

9. Matthew Riecker, 1B/RHP, York, 2016
6-foot-3, 180-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting 1B/RHP impressed with both bat speed and defensive prowess at first base. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands are very quiet, minimal movement in load, short, slightly uphill bat path, head down at contact, stays down, pull tendencies during batting practice with 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 80 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy and carry, great athlete at first base with large target, 7.12 runner in the 60. Impressed with soft hands, scoops low throws well. On the mound, fastball sat 82-83 mph from strikes from over-the-top arm slot. 70-71 mph curveball lacked definitive break/shape. 74-77 mph changeup thrown near fastball arm speed thrown down in the zone.

10. Michael Nielsen, C/3B, Lake Park, 2016
6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed hitting C/3B hits from a tall, open setup, hands held high, long stride, utilizes a leg kick, hands raise up and back to load, long, uphill bat path produced line drives with power to his pull side, 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, behind home plate, pop times ranged from 2.00-2.05, 75 mph out of the crouch form short, over-the-top arm slot. Longer arm action at third base, accurate throws, impresses more behind the plate with physical presence and soft hands receiving. Ran a 7.71 60 yard dash.

11. Thalame Byrd, OF/3B, Morgan Park, 2016
5-foot-10, 155-pound multi-positional player, long lean frame. 6.69 runner, well above average in the 60. In the outfield arm played at 81 mph, smooth defender, shuffled through the baseball, good outfield actions. At third base showed soft hands, moved well, arm action is athletic, 75 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, athletic leg lift stride. Hands worked well, especially on balls inside, loose hands, good hitter, line drive approach. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.

12. Ranko Stevanovic, 1B/RHP, Notre Dame College Prep, 2016
6-foot-2, 205-pound strong right-handed hitting 1B/RHP hits from a tall, balanced setup, short stride, hands load back, short, uphill bat path, high finish, up the middle approach during batting practice, well above average bat speed, 91 mph exit velocity. Defensively, shows fluid footwork at first base, good athlete around the bag, soft hands fielding the baseball, threw 80 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot with carry, good feel for turning double play ball, accurate throws, quick release. Runs a 7.66 60. On the mound, fastball sat 81-83 mph with late, cutting action from long, high ¾ arm slot, lands in line with home plate with stride directions, slightly closed at foot strike. Slows arm on gradual breaking 62-66 mph curveball, 11/5 shape. Also slows arm on 62-65 mph straight change.

13. Arno Curtis, 3B, Glenbard West, 2016
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting third baseman hits from a narrow, open setup, hands start low, load smoothly, short stride, short, level bat path produced line drives during batting practice, opposite field approach, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 82 mph across the diamond from third base from short, over-the-top arm slot with some accuracy. Average hands fielding the baseball, plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.69 60.

14. Shamus Segersten, C/3B, Marian Central Catholic, 2016
6-foot-1, 192-pound right-handed hitting C/3B hits from a an athletic setup, low hands, long stride, stays balanced throughout, long, uphill bat path, strength present in swing, 90 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.01-2.09 to second, 75 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, high setup in stance, quick feet, gains ground to second. At third base threw 82 mph across the infield from longer, over-the-top arm slot, max effort on throws. Ran a 7.22 60.

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