Preseason I.D. - Illiana: Infield Analysis

1. Brendon Herrin, SS, Andrew, 2019
5-foot-11, 165-pound, lanky, athletic shortstop. Defensively, short, athletic arm action, high ¾ arm slot, throws carried across the infield, clocked at 82 mph. Athletically plays through the ball with soft hands, maintains body control. Ran a 7.20 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open, balanced setup, smooth load, maintains good balance through contact, fluid rhythm. Pull hitter with gap-to-gap potential, loose hands, flashed present bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee.

2. Breck Nowik, SS/3B, Lake Forest, 2020
6-foot-2, 160-pound, lanky, athletic right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains good balance through contact, fluid rhythm. Line drive hitter, loose hands, level barrel path, present bat speed, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot, competent hands, plays through the ball athletically, 78 mph across the infield.    

3. Parker Mathieson, INF/OF, Normal University, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound, multi-positional prospect with a well-proportioned, defined frame. Best tool looks to be his left-handed bat. Balanced setup, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance and fluid rhythm throughout. Quick twitch, present bat speed and natural lift in swing. Looks to pull the baseball at times and made a lot of hard contact; 94 mph exit velocity. Potential middle of the order bat. Ran a 7.06 laser-timed 60, has been as low as a 6.91 in the past. Defensively, worked out on the infield and outfield. Hands work steady on the infield, clean exchange and showed an athletic arm action; ability to throw from multiple slots. Throws topped at 83 mph across the infield and 85 mph from the outfield. Follow 2019 left-handed hitter.

4. Johnny Gonsalves, SS/3B, Tinley Park, 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, open setup, fluid rhythm, toe tap stride, maintains fair balance through contact. Power, pull type hitter, loose hands, uphill barrel path, gains extension at times, present bat speed, flashed explosiveness, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, athletic, arm action, over-the-top slot, throws carried across the infield, 80 mph. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60.

5. Kyle Wisch, 3B, Hinsdale Central, 2019
No. 41 ranked prospect in Illinois, 6-foot-4, 200-pound, athletic, wide shouldered, physically advanced third baseman. One of the top uncommitted prospects in state. Offensively, open setup, loads back, toe-tap stride. Possesses present bat speed, aggressively attacks the ball, long, uphill barrel path, gap-to-gap type hitter, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, competent hands, 90 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.58 laser-timed 60.

6. Justice Page, 3B, Lindblom, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, strong, athletic third baseman. Offensively, right-handed, balanced setup, fluid rhythm, smooth load, leg lift stride, maintains good balance through contact. Line drive hitter, swings with intent, present bat speed, level barrel path, gains extension, 83 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.89 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, maintains body control, 71 mph across the infield.

7. Ethan Alexander, RHP/2B, Marian Catholic, 2020
6-foot-2, 140-pound, lanky two-way prospect, projectable frame. On the mound, quick, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, regular effort. Smooth rhythm, starts slow then picks his pace up, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, heavy run and sink, commanded, 81-82 mph, touched 83. Slider, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 69-72. Changeup, cut at-times, 73-76. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, short barrel path, line drive hitter, fluid rhythm, 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, competent hands, 78 across the infield.

8. Nathan Sanchez, C/INF, Lakeview, 2019
5-foot-9, 152-pound left-handed hitting catcher/infielder. Defensively showed best behind the plate, arm played strong with some carry, 77 mph. Pop times ranged 2.07-2.19 out of the crouch. On the infield showed some actions and footwork. Arm played 80 mph across the diamond. 7.65 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, uses short stride and smooth load. Balanced through contact, used loose quick hands. Level path with line drive approach, 77 mph exit velocity.

9. Joel Holtcamp, RHP/3B, Andrean (IN), 2019
6-foot-2, 160-pound, lanky, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, projectable frame and actions, right-handed pitcher, long, loose arm action, slot varied between high ¾ and ¾, some effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, slight run, commanded, 82-83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sharp break, has feel for, 69-71. Changeup, fastball arm speed, armside run, 74-77. Three pitch mix, keeps down in the zone. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, loads back, short stride, fluid rhythm, loose hands, line drive type hitter, 90 mph exit velocity. Defensively, high ¾ arm slot, competent hands, fluid footwork, 82 across the infield. Ran a 7.22 laser-timed 60.

10. George Pavlopoulos, 2B/SS, Providence Catholic, 2020
5-foot-7, 145-pound, middle infielder with a compact frame. Offensively, balanced, open setup, drop load, even stride. Pull hitter, uphill barrel path, some present bat speed, 78 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.50 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, plays through the ball with clean exchanges, 75 mph across the infield.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Justin Alvarado, 2B/RHP, Mt. Carmel, 2019
5-foot-10, 190-pound, strong, right-handed two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load back, leg kick timing-trigger, incorporates lower-half, maintains balance through contact. Power hitter,  swings with intent, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.42 laser-timed 60. Defensively, works from a low ¾ arm slot, competent hands, 70 mph across the infield. On the mound, unique stab/wrap arm action from a sidearm slot, drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, arm action/slot causes sink, 73-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, near fastball arm speed, has feel, 61-64. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sinking action, 68-69.  

Marc Babicz, OF/INF, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder/infielder. Ran a 7.17 laser-timed 60. At the plate, quiet, open setup, stride gets back to event and average balance. Long, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach and strength through contact; 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, looks more natural in the outfield. Quick first step, plays through the baseball, reliable hands. Arm works long, with some effort, throws clocked at 84 mph from the outfield, 80 mph across the infield.

Daniel Brannigan, RHP/1B, St. Rita, 2019
6-foot, 220-pound, right-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate on throws, competent hands, has feel around the bag, 66 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, long stride, fluid rhythm, maintains balance. Line drive hitter with present bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran an 8.19 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, some effort, smooth rhythm, works on-line, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, 76-78 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, fastball arm speed, commanded, 61-66. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 67-71. Split-finger, some feel, 66-67.

Cameron Bufford, SS/2B, Marian Catholic, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound, athletic middle infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall, balanced setup, short, leg-lift stride, maintains balance through contact. Line drive type hitter, short, level barrel path, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 6.89 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, competent hands, 79 across the infield.

Blaze Cano, SS/2B, Hanover Central (IL), 2021
5-foot-6, 127-pound, athletic middle infielder. Offensively, right-handed, closed, tall setup, drops hands on load, toe tap stride, maintains balance. Line drive type hitter, fluid rhythm, attacks the ball, level barrel path, present bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.55 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, playable hands, 72 mph across the infield. On the mound, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm. Fastball, mostly straight, 70-72, touched 73. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 55-60. Changeup, flashed sink and fade, near fastball arm speed, 63-66.

Bryan Corrigan, OF/INF/RHP, Yorkville, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, lean, multi-positional prospect. 7.10 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced, narrow setup, slight pre-pitch wrap and long stride. Long, uphill bat path and 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. Fluid footwork in the outfield, clean exchange and long arm action. Throws topped at 73 mph from the outfield and 67 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, lands square with regular effort throughout. Arm works short and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight, thrown for strikes, 70-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, feel, 60-64 mph. Changeup, 59-62 mph.

Elijah Covington, INF/OF, Boone Grove (IN), 2020
5-foot-4, 130-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance at times. Long bat path and opposite field approach. 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out on the infield and in the outfield. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Throws topped at 81 mph from the outfield and 78 mph across the infield. 7.39 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Jonny Crowel, C/INF, Marist, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound catcher/infielder, lean athletic body that projects. Defensively showed promise behind the plate, arm action is short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch, played at 73 mph across the infield. Occasionally showed quick catch and release skills, pop times ranged 2.18-2.33. Right-handed hitter, athletic setup, slight arm bar load, short stride, maintains balance. Path is level showed extension, creates line drive contact. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Angel Cuevas, SS, Round Lake, 2019
5-foot-7, 140-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively, tall, open setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Made hard pull contact, uphill barrel path, 73 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.69 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action from high ¾ arm slot, clean on exchanges, 66 mph across the infield.

Jason Daniels, OF/INF, Morton (IN), 2020
5-foot-7, 150-pound, switch-hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, looks slightly more comfortable from the right side of the plate. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Simple swing, minimal movement and line-drive approach. 82 mph exit velocity from the left side and 80 mph from the right. Defensively, worked out as an infielder and outfielder. On the infield, maintains body control on the move, steady hands and clean exchange. Arm works short and over-the-top, clocked at 67 mph across the infield and 73 mph from the outfield. 7.41 runner in the 60.

Jaden Foster, SS/3B, Ogden International, 2021
5-foot-1, 115-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, long barrel path, 54 exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.93 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, playable hands, 68 mph across the infield.

Alex Gasbarro, MIF, St. Laurence, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound, athletic middle infielder. Defensively, works from a ¾ arm slot, throws carry at times, competent hand, 77 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.28 laser-timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, fluid rhythm, balanced setup, loads back, short stride, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap hitter, long, uphill barrel path, some hard contact, present bat speed, 82 mph exit velocity.

Demetri Hamilton, 1B, Tinley Park, 2020
5-foot-11, 177-pound, left-handed first baseman. Offensively, tall, open setup, short stride, long barrel path, maintains balance through contact, 78 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.94 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the infield.

Cody Harrison, RHP/1B, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound, strong, athletic two-way prospect. Projectable frame on the mound. Right-handed pitcher, short arm action, quick arm speed from high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Fastball, slight run action, commanded, 80-81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, tight at times, showed depth, 64-66. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, feel for, 69-72. Defensively, over-the-top slot, throws carry, 77 mph across the infield, plays through the ball. Offensively, loose demeanor, smooth rhythm, balanced setup, long stride, maintains good balance through contact. Line drive hitter, present bat speed, level barrel path, 87 exit velocity off a tee.

Myles Henry, INF/OF, Crete-Monee, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, athletically built, multi-positional prospect. 7.01 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, pre-pitch load and hanging leg lift. Flashed bat speed, long bat path and pull approach. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out on the infield and the outfield. Throws clocked at 78 mph from the outfield and 72 mph across the infield.

Jacob Hirschtritt, RHP/SS, Whitney Young, 2020
5-foot-10, 152-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. Defensively, flashed an athletic arm action, high ¾ slot, plays through the ball, competent hands, 79 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.54 laser-timed 60. Offensively, crouching setup, drops hands on load, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance through swing, uphill barrel path, 78 mph exit velocity. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Drop and drive delivery, some rhythm, lands open. Fastball, some run and sink, commanded, 76-78. Slider, 11/5 shape, gradual break, near fastball arm speed, 67-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 72-73.

Michael Johnson, SS/2B, St. Ignatius, 2021
5-foot-7, 130-pound, left-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, open setup, loads hands back, short stride, long barrel path, 64 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.96 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 60 mph across the infield.

Jacob Keil, INF/OF/RHP, Prospect, 2019
5-foot-8, 150-pound, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load and minimal stride. Path works long and uphill; 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, worked out on the infield and the outfield. Arm works over-the-top with longer action in the outfield and throws flashed accuracy; clocked at 79 mph from the outfield and 73 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.69 laser-timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery with regular effort throughout. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, sat 74-75 mph, touching 76. Curveball, gradual action, 58-62 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm action, straight action, 62-67 mph.

Blake Neyhart, OF/INF, Lake Central (IN), 2021
5-foot-10, 160-pound, outfielder/infielder. At the plate, right-handed hitter, tall setup and leg-kick timing trigger. Loose hands at times, level path through the zone, stays on top of the baseball and line-drive approach. 72 mph exit velocity. On the infield, plays tall, clean release, loose arm, minimal effort and throws topped at 61 mph. From the outfield throws topped at 69 mph. 7.87 runner in the 60.

Cameron Smith, 3B/SS, Marian Catholic, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. Offensively, balanced, open setup, long stride, maintains balance, 75 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.34 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, playable hands, 70 mph across the infield.

Jeffrey Wright, OF/INF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2021
5-foot-6, 130-pound, lean, infielder/outfielder. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, long bat path, and registered an exit velocity of 69 mph from a tee. Worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped at 65 mph from the outfield and 60 mph across the infield. 7.72 runner in the 60.

Zack Zborowski, LHP/1B, Valparaiso (IN), 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong, lanky, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed, short arm action from high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth, methodical rhythm, shoulders stay level, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, mostly straight, 77-78 mph, touched 79. Curveball, shape varied between 1/7 and 2/8, depth at times, near fastball arm speed, 64-66. Changeup, flashed sink and fade, 68-71. Slider, firm, short break, shape varied between 1/7 and 2/8, some feel, 71-73. Offensively, right-handed, balanced setup, back load, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Power hitter type, long barrel path, present bat speed, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.57 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, slot varied between high ¾ and over-the-top, 71 across the infield.