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Prospect Identification Showcase 2.18.13: Corner Infield Analysis

March 8, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Driector - Illinois

Anthony Santos (York HS, 2014) and Keith Rogalla (Oak Park River Forest HS, 2014) both stood out as two way corner infielder guys. Santos showed excellent bat speed and arm strength proving he is a top notch two way player. His gap to gap power from his strong build made him the top corner infielder at this event. Rogalla has a similar build showing pop to his pull side, he too should be a close follow going into his junior season. Here’s how the rest of the corner infield group broke down.

Top Corner Infielders

1. Anthony Santos, York HS, 1B/RHP, Class of 2014
Athletic build with strength, 6-foot-2, 195-pound two way player. Strong two way player with potential on both sides. On the mound, short arm action, gets on top of the baseball, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball has late life through the zone, mostly straight, thrown with command, 86-87 mph, touching 88 mph. Slider has short quick action, 10/4 tilt, showed the ability to throw for strikes. Changeup has sink, decelerated arm action, thrown for strikes, 70 mph. Offensively hits from a closed stance, slightly longer stride, inconsistent stride at times. Well above average bat speed, 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Shows excellent pop, makes hard contact consistently. Bat path is short with extension and quick. Defensively shows athleticism around the bag, hands are soft, arm has carry and accuracy, 81 mph across the diamond.

2. Keith Rogalla, Oak Park River Forest HS, 3B/RHP, Class of 2014
Athletic frame, shows projection, 6-foot-2, 193-pound two way player. On the mound, delivery works from a tall and fall approach, with rhythm. Arm action is loose and quick, lively arm, high ¾ arm slot with regular effort. Fastball is mostly straight, thrown down hill, 86-88 mph. Showed two breaking balls, curveball at 61-64, slows down, rolling action. Slider has more upside, 70-73 mph, the harder he threw it the sharper it was, still needs refining but has upside. Changeup shows arm side run, thrown down, 76-77 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, wide stance, short stride, maintains good balance through finish. Bat path shows extension, consistent hard contact, showed gap power, barrel head has whip through the zone, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows some body control, arm shows carry across the diamond, long high ¾ arm action.

3. Ryan Dolan, Mundelein HS, 1B/3B, Class of 2013
Lanky frame with some athletic build, 6-foot-4, 175-pound corner infielder. Defensively, shows athletic feet, arm works loosely from a high ¾ slot, 75 mph. Offensively, hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. Bat path creates good extension, stays long through the baseball, repeats swing well, shows barrel awareness.

4. Benjamin Samborn, Glenbrook South HS, 3B/RHP, Class of 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound two way player. Arm shows carry across the diamond (77 mph), exchange is clean, long release, prerelease glove pat. Hits from a slightly open stance, uses short stride. Creates hard contact, hits off back side, good pop, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound his fastball shows slight run, 76-78 mph, shows control. Curveball has 11/5 shape, decelerates arm speed, 64-66 mph. Changeup has arm side run, fading action, 74-75 mph. Also showed knuckleball at 70-72 mph.

5. Ben McElwee, Sacred Heart Griffin HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2015
Lanky frame with projectability, 6-foot-2, 177-pound left handed two way player. High upside on the mound. Delivery shows rhythm, arm works from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball shows sinking action, sneaky quick, 77-79 mph fastball, works downhill. Curveball at 62-64 mph has some feel. Changeup is 67-68 mph, shows control, thrown with comparable arm speed. Shows solid footwork around first base, some athleticism. Displays soft hands, exchange is quick and clean, long arm action. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance, bat wrap load, short stride. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Michael Borst, McHenry HS, 1B/RHP, Class of 2015
Lanky, 6-foot-2, 170-pound two way player. Tall and fall delivery from the mound, regular effort. Arm action is long, ¾ arm slot. Fastball has run, thrown for strikes, 76-78 mph. Curveball has loose spin, downward action, backup breaking ball, thrown for strikes, 59-63 mph. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, slight drop of hands at load. Simple swing, flat bat path, line drive hitter.

Shawn Chiaramonte, Richards HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
Athletic build with some length, 6-foot, 170-pound catcher/third baseman. Defensively shows a quick exchange, quick release of the baseball, flashed a 2.05 pop time, 73 mph arm from the crouch. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, tall stance, short stride. Line drive hitter, stays inside the baseball, shows inside-out tendencies, works from the middle to opposite field.

A.J. Giron, Sandburg HS, 3B/OF, Class of 2014
Body shows strength, 5-foot-8, 180-pound switch hitter. Offensively hits from both sides. Balanced setup, uses short stride. Strong hands, shows comparable bat speed from both sides, 78 mph exit velocity from the left side, 79 mph exit velocity from the right side. Bat path has flatness, line drive hitter, shows repeatability. Defensively arm works long and over the top, shows accuracy with some carry (75 mph).

Joe Gleeson, Downers Grove South HS, RHP/3B, Class of 2016
Lanky frame, 6-foot, 150-pound two way player. On the mound, works from a high ¾ arm slot, stays closed, slightly across body. Fastball has sink, lacks command, 77-78 mph. Breaking ball has gradual 11/5 bend, 63-70 mph. Changeup thrown with comparable arm speed, 65-69 mph. Hits from a balanced setup, uses short stride, no lower half. Swing uses all arms, some uphill path, high finish, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Matthew Gura, Fremd HS, 3B, Class of 2014
Athletic build with length, 6-foot-3, 170-pound infielder. Showed solid defensive presence, third base type, arm worked at 73 mph across the diamond, exchange lacked efficiency. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, good balance throughout. Consistent contact, repeatable swing, smooth rhythm, uphill path tendencies, 68 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Matthew Gurgel, Plainfield North HS, 1B/RHP, Class of 2015
6-foot-3, 280-pound two way player. Defensively arm works from an over the top slot, shows some accuracy, 70 mph arm strength across the diamond. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, low hands. Bat path attacks the baseball, shows occasional pull side pop, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Fastball has slight movement, 76-77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 66-71.

Dylan Hughes, Wheaton HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2014
Athletic body, 5-foot-11, 175 pound left handed two way player. On the mound delivery repeats well, gets on top and works downhill, separates hands high, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball has cut action, showed control for the bottom of the zone, 74-75 mph, touching 76 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 tilt, shows feel, big bender, flashes sharp bite, thrown with fastball equivalent arm speed. Changeup has cut action, also control the bottom of the zone, near fastball arm speed, 71 mph, lacks enough separation from fastball. Show athleticism defensively, hands are dependable. Hits from a balanced stance, uses short stride, pre pitch bat waggle, lacks timing, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Tyler Jaeger, Neuqua Valley HS, RHP/3B, Class of 2014
6-foot, 185-pound two way player. Defensively, shows some body control, hands show reliability. 4.63 runner home to first.  70 mph arm across the diamond. Hits from a balanced stance, short stride approach. Line drive type hitter, lunges at times, will see improvement if he can stay back longer. 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Will Lewis, Alton HS, 3B, Class of 2014
5-foot-9, 165-pound third baseman. Offensively showed solid exit velocity from the tee (84 mph). Hits from a closed stance, uses short stride, slight dive to the baseball, hands setup in lower position. Bat path has a level plane, some strength and bat speed. Defensively arm works at 71 mph across the diamond, some stiffness, lacks body control. 4.44 runner home to first.

Alec Melone, Joliet Catholic Academy, C/1B, Class of 2015
6-foot-2, 220-pound catcher/first baseman. Defensively recorded 2.29-2.44 pop times, 70 mph arm from the crouch, sets up tall, lacks foot quickness. 5.15 runner home to first. Hands shows potential around the bag at first base. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, short stride, slight bat wrap load. Lower half lacks involvement, shows the ability to make hard contact, hits off front foot some, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Logan Muckenhirn, Naperville Central HS, 3B/RHP, Class of 2015
6-foot-1, 170-pound two way player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, arm bar load, short stride. Lower half shows some collapse, pull side approach, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound, fastball is mostly straight, occasional sink, 79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 action, 65-66 mph, consistently down. Changeup is straight, thrown with near fastball arm speed, 69-72 mph.

Jacob Rivera, Lincoln Park HS, 1B/3B, Class of 2014
5-foot-11, 215-pound corner infielder. Showed some footwork defensively, arm slot is over the top, long exchange, 77 mph arm strength. Offensively hit from a slightly closed stance, slight leg lift trigger. Creates occasional hard contact, violent swing tendency, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Danny Rochotte, Marian Central HS, 3B/1B, Class of 2016
5-foot-10, 225-pound corner infielder. Showed bat speed at the plate, 85 mph exit velocity. Slightly open stance, minimal stride. Lower half is not involved, stiffness in lower half. Stands tall hits with hands, shows bat speed. Defensively feet lack quickness, 4.84 runner home to first, 63 mph arm across the diamond.

Charley Zeschke, Richards HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher/third baseman. Hits from a balanced stance, short stride, excellent balance throughout. Quiet, simple approach, lined drive hitter, level bat path, 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively posted 2.26-2.44 pop times, 68 mph arm from the crouch. Quick out of the crouch, arm shows stiffness.

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