By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director

Today we begin to break down the Prospect Identification Showcase from June 19 in Edwardsville, IL. As we look into the position players, Brenden Saak stood out as the top positional prospect at the event. Saak showed arm strength all over the field.

Sean Mason and Austin Werner were close behind. Mason showed a high level of ability to catch and throw, he stood out when blocking baseballs during the pitchers live action. Werner looks to be a dynamic athlete running a 6.79 and posting a 92 mph exit velocity off the tee. 

Top Positional Prospects

Scouting Reports by Dan Duran

1. Brenden Saak, OF/RHP, Belleville West, 2014
Athletically built outfielder and right-handed pitcher, 5-foot-9, 165-pounds, showed a well-rounded game with arm strength.  Defensively displayed well above average actions and an advanced arm throwing 87 mph from the outfield, arm played from an over the top arm slot with short loose action, showed plenty of carry to his target.  Fielded the position athletically with solid footwork and clean exchange, worked through the baseball well.  Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short leg kick trigger. Above average bat speed at the plate, 85 mph exit velocity. Line drive gap to gap type hitter, above average hand eye, consistent hard contact, barrel awareness.  Ran a 7.4 60.  On the mound, delivery has direction towards the plate, releasing with short, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball sat 82-84 mph with run, topping at 85 mph. Showed a cutter that featured more slider action at 77-78 mph, late bite, above average action, swing and miss capabilities. Curveball had 11/5 action sitting 67-68 mph. Also showed feel for his changeup between 73-75 mph with command and occasional sink. 

2. Sean Mason, C, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2015
Mason is athletically built 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, proved to be one of the top prospects at the showcase, a high-level catcher. Defensively showed quick actions behind the plate along with athletic receiving and blocking skills during bullpens, showed excellent blocking skills. Fluid footwork and short arm action on throws down to second, throwing 77 mph from the crouch – recording an event best 1.93 pop-time. Also showed athleticism running a 7.34 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance with an abbreviated load and short, quick stride. Needs refinement offensively but maintained balance throughout the swing and showed occasional bat speed on a slight uphill plane. Recorded a 76 mph exit speed.  The 2015 grad has the athleticism and defensive ability to play at a high level. 

3. Austin Werner, OF, Edwardsville, 2014
Werner has a tall, lanky projectable frame, 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Displayed athleticism with an event best 6.79 60. Hits from a balanced setup using a short stride.  Showed loose hands and whip in his swing, making hard contact – 92 mph exit velocity off the tee. Occasional pull side approach, hits with rhythm. Plays through the ball in the outfield with fluid footwork and clean exchanges, long strided runner. Arm worked from a high ¾ arm slot, long arm action, occasional carry, 79 mph from the outfield. Brings a dynamic game to the field that shows projection and athleticism. 

4. Matt Zielonko, OF, Edwardsville, 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pound outfielder, athletic frame, shows strength in his build. Showed an accurate, above average arm for his age, throwing 79 mph from the outfield with carry.  Displayed athleticism defensively playing through the ball, fielding and exchanging cleanly with fluid footwork and an athletic crow-hop.  Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride.  Gap-to-gap hitter who showed a solid approach at the plate.  Hits off a firm front side and flashed occasional pop –84 mph exit velocity – and maintains balance throughout the swing. 7.36 60. 

5. Zach Vahle, MIF/RHP, Quincy Notre Dame, 2014
The 5-foot-11, 155-pound middle-infielder and pitcher flashed tools throughout the showcase that could play at the next level. Showed solid footwork, 7.1 60.  Made clean exchanges defensively, threw with loose arm action from a high ¾ slot at 83 mph with accuracy across the infield.  Offensively hits with a gap-to-gap approach– setting up at the plate with balance and a smooth toe-tap load.  Recorded an exit velocity of 81 mph off the tee.  On the mound, Vahle showed some rhythm in his delivery and comes from a high ¾ arm slot.  Fastball ranged 80-83 mph flashing run, topping at 84 mph. Had feel and control for curveball, 12/6 action sitting 68-69 mph; changeup at 76-79 mph with occasional sink. 

6. Jordan Hovey, SS/3B, Edwardsville, 2015
The athletically-built 5-foot-11, 175-pound left handed hitting infielder showed skill in all facets of the showcase. Displayed foot speed running a 7.11 60 and athletic abilities defensively. Showed body control and a quick, clean exchange in the field, flashed quick, fluid feet. Has an athletic arm with loose action throwing 79 mph across the diamond with carry. Offensively, hits from the left side and has a plan at the plate. Sets up in a balanced stance with a smooth load and short stride.  The gap-to-gap hitter showed bat speed and pop off the bat (84 mph exit speed), maintaining balanced throughout the swing.  Makes use of his lower half but could get more. 

7. Trey Riley, OF/SS/RHP, Edwardsville, 2016
The 5-foot-8, 140-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, infielder, and right-handed pitcher is one of the more athletic and projectable players from the event as both a position player and pitcher.  On the mound, Riley has smooth rhythm in his delivery with balance – throws with loose arm action, releasing from a high ¾ slot.  Showed command for all three pitches.  Fastball showed run and sink sitting 79-80 mph out of the windup and 74-76 from the stretch.  Curveball had short, late 11/5 action ranging 65-68 mph.  Had feel for his changeup which showed above average fading action at 65-67 mph. Defensively showed natural instincts in the field. Athletically capable of playing the infield on the move.  Displayed soft hands with a quick, clean exchange, and short quick arm action. Arm played at 75 mph across the infield and 81 mph from the outfield. Offensively, hits from the left-side with an athletic and balanced setup and a short stride. Line-drive hitter who has a plan at the plate.  Has a clean, repeatable stroke and short bat path, maintaining balance throughout the swing. Recorded an exit velocity of 75 mph and ran a 7.75 60.

8. Nathan Goodsell, OF/RHP, Waterloo, 2014
Goodsell is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher who displayed solid defensive skills in the outfield.  Plays through the ball with a clean exchange, step behind transfer. Throws with long, loose arm action at 76 mph with some accuracy and carry.  Line-drive hitter, sets up at the plate in a balanced stance and a short stride, making contact on a slight uphill plane.  Recorded an exit velocity of 81 mph and ran a 7.62 60.  Goodsell showed some rhythm on the mound coming from an over-the-top arm slot. Fastball is straight ranging 76-79 mph; showed some command for his 12/6 curveball which sat 58-60 mph with gradual break; changeup was thrown at 61-63 mph with occasional sink. 

9. Jacob Fisher, MIF/3B, Edwardsville, 2014
Fisher is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound infielder. Showed well above average foot speed running a 6.93 60.  Fielding was athletic with body control, clean exchange, quick release, and an athletic arm action throwing 75 mph across the infield.  Offensively, hits in a balanced setup with a short stride.  Line-drive/gap-to-gap hitter who sprays the ball all over the field with solid contact, maintaining balance throughout the swing – recorded a 78 mph exit velocity. 

10. Jacob Hill, SS, Columbia, 2015
The 5-foot-9, 140-pound infielder showed solid defensive skills. Fields the position athletically playing through the ball with fluid footwork, soft hands, and a quick, clean exchange.  Fields the ball out in front, left-of-center, and showed body control on the move – showcasing an athletic arm with some carry at 76 mph.  Offensively, hits from a balanced setup and a short leg-kick. Inside-out swing with balance but could generate more pop with a more aggressive swing and explosive lower half.  Recorded an exit velocity of 79 mph and ran a 7.43 60. 

11. John Dozier, OF, Belleville West, 2014
Dozier is an athletically built, 5-foot-11, 160-pound, left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder who showed some athleticism throughout the showcase. 7.08 runner. Displayed solid defensive skills with long, fluid footwork and clean exchanges.  Throws with short arm action from a high ¾ slot at 78 mph with some accuracy.  Offensively, hits from a wide base at the plate with a short stride.  Displayed quick hands with tendencies to his pull side, recording an 83 mph exit velocity.   

12. Aaron Jackson, 3B/RHP, Edwardsville, 2015
Jackson is a lanky 6-foot, 175-pound infielder and right-handed pitcher.  Flashed soft hands and showed range defensively at third-base,threw 80 mph across the infield with accuracy.  Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride.  Gap-to-gap hitter and squared up the ball consistently during BP– 84 mph exit velocity off the tee.  The 2015 grad could be a prospect to follow as his lanky frame fills out.  Works quickly on the mound, pitching with some rhythm – has short arm action from a high ¾ slot and a balanced finish.  Throws somewhat of a sneaky fastball sitting 77-79 mph; has a tight curveball at 65-67 mph with short 11/5 action; straight change is thrown with the same arm speed as his fastball ranging 71-75 mph.

13. Fahd Shakeel, OF, Edwardsville, 2015
Shakeel is a 5-foot-9, 145-pound outfielder who showed solid defensive skills.  Had quick, fluid footwork with a clean exchange playing through the ball. Athletic crow-hop, loose arm action and throws showed carry at 79 mph.  Also ran a 7.26 60.  Sets up in a balanced stance with a short stride – recorded an exit velocity of 82 mph.

14. Ethan Lewis, C, Belleville West, 2014
Lews is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound catcher.  Showed some athleticism running a 6.83 60.  Had a short and quick release from an over-the-top slot on throws down to second.  Threw 72 mph from the crouch recording pop times between 2.07-2.26.  Hits from an open setup at the plate with a short, toe-tap load.  Displayed loose hands and a level bat path, recording a 73 mph exit speed.

15. Alex Mandeville, MIF, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2015
Mandeville is a middle-infielder who flashed some athleticism playing the position. Displayed soft hands and some body control. Threw with short, loose arm action with accuracy at 73 mph. Sets up in a slightly open stance with loose, fluid rhythm, a smooth load and short stride.  The line-drive/gap-to-gap hitter showed repeatable mechanics with balance throughout the swing – recorded a 72 mph exit velocity.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

John Becker, OF, Carlyle, 2014
Becker is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound outfielder who’s best asset was at the plate.  Line-drive hitter, sets up in a balanced stance, using a short stride.  Makes use of his lower half and maintains balance throughout the swing.  Has pull tendencies but finds the barrel frequently making consistently hard contact.  Has short, loose arm action defensively, throwing 77 mph from the outfield with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.44 60 at the showcase. 

Cole Cimarolli, OF, Edwardsville, 2016
The 2016 grad showed skills in all aspects of the showcase with some projectability.  At 5-foot-7, 144 pounds, Cimarolli started off by running the third-fastest 60 at the event at 6.87.  Offensively, hits in a balanced setup with a short stride.  Has a short path to the ball generating pop with an 85 mph exit velocity.  Consistently hit line-drives and the gaps.  Has a clean exchange from the outfield, throws with short arm action from a high ¾ slot with some accuracy at 73 mph.  Cimarolli is a player to watch as he matures. 

Jacob Eccher, RHP/OF, Belleville West, 2015
Eccher is a 6-foot-1, 150-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher.  Hits from a balanced setup, rocking his weight back on his load with a short stride.  Simple, line-drive swing recording a 66 mph exit velocity.  Threw from a high ¾ slot at 75 mph from the outfield.  Ran a 7.58 60.  On the mound, Eccher throws with some effort from over the top.  Straight fastball ranging 73-76 mph, curveball at 66-68 mph, and straight change around 70-73 mph. 

Alec Foutch, OF, Edwardsville, 2014
Foutch is a lanky left-handed hitting outfielder.  Ran a 7.12 60.  Throws with long arm action from a high ¾ slot from the outfield at 77 mph with some accuracy.  Sets up in a tall, narrow stance at the plate and recorded an exit velocity of 79 mph. 

Austin Foutch, MIF, Edwardsville, 2014
Foutch is a lanky 6-foot, 165-pound infielder.  Releases the ball across the infield from a high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy at 75 mph.  Sets up at the plate with little pre-pitch rhythm and recorded an exit velocity of 85 mph.  Foutch ran a 7.3 60. 

Dillon Frieden, SS/RHP, Monmouth-Roseville, 2014
Frieden is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound infielder and right-handed pitcher.  Displayed body control defensively.  Long arm action across the infield at 77 mph with accuracy.  Offensively, hits from a balanced setup at the plate.  Has a level bat path, makes use of his lower half, and maintains balance throughout the swing – exit velocity at 75 mph.  Ran a 7.41 60.  On the mound, delivery has some rhythm and lands closed.  Has loose arm action from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball sits 76-79 mph, topping at 80 mph; curve has 11/5 gradual slurve action between 64-67 mph thrown for strikes; knuckler sits 62-63 mph; showed some feel for his changeup ranging 69-73 mph. 

Cole Hansel, 1B/RHP, Edwardsville, 2016
Hansel is a 2016 grad with a tall, lanky frame.  Hits from the left side in a tall, narrow stance using a toe-tap stride.  Pull-side tendencies, swinging on an uphill plane putting lift on the ball.  Throws from a high ¾ arm slot at 66 mph across the infield and ran an 8.32 60.  On the mound, Hansel works with some rhythm delivering from an over-the-top arm slot.  Fastball sits 70-71 mph with occasional sink; curveball flashed gradual 11/5 action at 60-61 mph; changeup sat 67-68 mph. 

Brandon Hickman, MIF, Springfield, 2013
Hickman is a 5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting and throwing middle-infielder.  Ran a 7.32 60 and threw 64 mph across the infield.  Hits from a balanced setup with a short stride.  Recorded a 68 mph exit velocity. 

Weston Hicks, OF, Edwardsville, 2016
Hicks is a tall and thin right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder.  Ran a 7.36 60.  Throws from a high ¾ arm slot at 66 mph from the outfield.  Hits from a balanced setup at the plate with a short stride, recording a 74 mph exit velocity. 

Mitchell Krebs, 2B/SS, Edwardsville, 2015
Krebs is a 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitting middle-infielder.  Fielded the ball well displaying soft hands with a clean exchange and short arm action.  Threw 72 across the infield.  Hits from an open stance and short stride.  Has a short bat path and maintains balance throughout the swing.  Recorded a 74 mph exit speed and ran a 7.5 60.

Andrew Millas, C, Belleville East, 2016
The 2016 grad showed some projection at the showcase.  Millas could gain more athleticism as he matures and gets accustomed to his tall, lanky 6-foot, 145-pound frame.  Ran a 7.19 60 and showed some quick and fluid footwork behind the plate.  Threw with long arm action from a ¾ slot at 74 mph from the crouch – recording pop times between 2.08-2.22.  Millas is a switch-hitter at the plate.  Seems more natural from the left side where he has pull-gap tendencies and recorded a 78 mph exit velocity – 75 mph from the right side. 

Peyton Minder, 3B, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2015
Minder is a 6-foot, 200-pound third-baseman.  Defensively plays through the ball well, displaying fluid footwork and clean exchanges.  Has short arm action and throws 72 mph across the infield.  Hits from a wide base with a short stride.  Stays level through the zone making consistent contact – recorded an 80 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Ran a 7.94 60. 

Nolan Mullikin, C, Edwardsville, 2015
Mullikin is a 6-foot, 175-pound catcher.  Throws from over the top from behind the plate with accuracy – threw 68 mph from the crouch recording pop times between 2.42-2.47.  Hits from a wide setup and a short stride, making contact on an uphill plane.  Recorded a 73 mph exit speed and ran an 8.16 60.

Justin Renoud, MIF, Jacksonville, 2014
Renoud is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound middle-infielder.  Hits from an open setup with a short stride.  Works opposite field and maintains balance throughout the swing – recorded a 78 mph exit velocity.  Threw 77 mph across the infield and ran a 7.47 60.

Brady Schanuel, RHP/3B, Belleville East, 2015
Schanuel is a right-handed pitcher and third baseman. His 6-foot-2, 190-pound build shows projectability particularly on the mound. He showed some rhythm in his delivery, releasing from a ¾ arm slot in a rotational manner. His fastball sat 78-80 mph but topped at 83 mph, flashing occasional sink. His 11/5 curveball was thrown at 67-69 mph with gradual break. Also threw a fading changeup at 68-71 mph, with control. Schanuel will improve with refined mechanics in his delivery. Offensively, he hits from the left side with a wide base and short stride. He makes contact on an uphill plane and has pull tendencies – recorded a 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively, he fields the position cleanly and athletically, throwing 75 mph across the diamond with accuracy.  He also ran a 7.62 60 at the event.

Chad Shumake, MIF, Edwardsville, 2016
Shumake is a 5-foot-9, 140-pound middle-infielder.  Showcased soft hands defensively with a solid backhand glove, throwing with an athletic arm 70 mph across the infield.  Hits from a balanced setup at the plate with a short stride.  Swings level with balance throughout.  Recorded a 68 mph exit velocity and ran a 7.85 60.

Zachary Skaer, MIF, Belleville West, 2014
Skaer is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound middle-infielder.  Displayed some athleticism in his short arm action, threw 70 mph across the infield.  Sets up at the plate in an open stance using a short stride, recorded a 73 mph exit velocity.  Ran a 7.42 60.

Glen Smith, MIF, Lindblom Math and Science, 2014
Smith is a 5-foot-9, 170-pound middle-infielder.  Ran a 7.25 60.  Short arm action throwing across the infield at 62 mph.  Hits with a balanced setup with a short stride – recorded an exit velocity of 76 mph.

Tyler Stamer, 3B, Edwardsville, 2016
Stamer is a lanky 6-foot-1, 172-pound third-baseman.  Hits from a tall, balanced setup at the plate with a short stride.  Pull tendencies with a level bat path and showed some balance throughout the swing – recorded an exit velocity of 82 mph.  Arm action in the field was long from a high ¾ slot, throwing 72 mph across the infield with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.61 60 at the showcase.

Ryker Warmouth, OF/RHP, Edwardsville, 2016
Warmouth is a 5-foot-5, 125-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher.  Ran a  7.43 60.  Fielded the position well, threw 75 mph from the outfield.  Hits from a balanced setup and maintains balance throughout the swing.  Recorded an exit velocity of 73 mph.  On the mound, Ryker throws with short, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot.  Fastball was thrown for strikes at 70-73 mph with sink.  Curveball showed slurve action with 11/5 gradual break at 58-59 mph.  Changeup had cutting action ranging 63-66 mph.

Jordan Yenne, 3B/RHP, Edwardsville, 2016
Yenne is a lanky third-baseman and right-handed pitcher.  Defensively capable of playing on the move.  Throws with long, loose arm action from over-the-top with accuracy at 72 mph across the infield.  Hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, recording a 73 mph exit velocity.  On the mound, showed some rhythm in his delivery and works with some direction towards the plate, landing squared – releases from a high ¾ arm slot.  Showed some command of his fastball and curveball.  Fastball was 71-74 mph, topping at 74 mph; curveball had gradual 11/5 break around 58-61 mph; and changeup ranged 61-65 mph. 

Bailey Zimmer, 1B, Edwardsville, 2015
The tall, lanky first-baseman showed some pop in his bat recording an 84 mph exit velocity.  Sets up at the plate in a balanced stance using a short stride.  Uphill bat path creating lift on the ball with pull tendencies.  Defensively throws from a high ¾ arm slot and 70 mph across the diamond.  Ran an 8.08 60 at the showcase. 

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