Prospect Identification Showcase: Infield Analysis

July 9, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

The Prep Baseball Report Prospect Identification Showcase took place on Tuesday, June 16^th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. This event featured all high school aged players.

87 prospects came together to show off their skills in front of the PBR Scouting Staff.

CLICK HERE for a complete statistics in PDF Format.

Today we’ll take a look at the top infielders from this year’s Prospect Identification Showcase.

Top Prospects

1. Zach Frieling, SS/2B, Chicago Christian, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound athletic middle infielder. Offensively hits from right side with a balanced setup, no load, short stride, and good balance. Average bat speed, short, level, and extended path, line drive and gap-to-gap type. Exit velo 85 mph. Defensively, showed short and loose arm action, high ¾, and average strength. Showed soft hands, quick release, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchange. Threw 77 mph across infield. Ran 7.08 60.

2. Blake Lampo, SS/OF/RHP, Sherrard, 2016
5-foot-9, 165-pound two-way player with strong lower half. Defensively showed long and loose arm action, high ¾, soft hands, quick footwork, plays thru and clean exchange. Threw 80 mph across infield and 85 mph from outfield. Offensively showed balanced and open setup, back load, short and level path and good balance. Exit velo 87 mph. Ran 7.25 60. On the mound, throws from over-the-top angle, quick arm speed, short arm action, regular effort, and tall-fall effort. Showed smooth rhythm, level shoulders, in line direction, square landing, and athletic finish. Fastball sat 81-83 mph and thrown for strikes, curveball was 65-67 mph with 12/6 shape and keeps strikes down, changeup was 71-72 mph with some arm-side-run and thrown for strikes.

3. Zachary Zarifian, SS/OF, Zion Benton, 2016
6-foot, 190-pound, right-handed hitting SS/OF. Offensively hits from from a crouched open stance with a smooth load and short stride. Short to the ball with a fast bat. Line drive gap-to-gap hitter with some pop. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.16. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Actions played better in the infield than the outfield. Showed above average arm strength throwing 83 mph across the infield and 86 mph from the outfield.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Dalton Baran, SS/3B, Downers Grove North, 2016
5-foot-11, 195-pound shortstop with a strong lower half. Defensively the right-hander throws from short, high ¾, and some strength. Showed soft hands, fluid footwork, and plays thru. Threw 75 mph across the infield. Solid defense. Offensively hits from right side with open setup, no load, short stride, average bat speed, long path and pull type. Exit velo 81 mph. Ran 7.72 60.

Colin BeDell, C/SS, Bradley Bourbonnais, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced setup. Hands set back with a short stride. Short level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.38. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Good footwork behind the plate gaining ground to second base on throws, with a slower exchange. Popped 2.11-2.31 and threw 74 mph form the crouch. Also took drills at shortstop and threw 79 mph across the infield.

Brandon Bennitt, SS/RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
5-foot-8, 155-pound two-way player. Offensively the switch hitter showed a open and crouch setup, with average balance, fast bat speed, level path as RHH, long path as LHH, and fluid rhythm. Fluid as a LHH, more natural as a RHH. Exit velo 76 mph LH and 82 mph RH. Defensively showed long arm action, high ¾, some accuracy, average strength. Average hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, athletic, and plays thru. Threw 75 across infield. Ran 7.69 60. On the mound, threw from high ¾, quick arm speed, tall balance point, easy effort, smooth rhythm and tall-fall type. Fastball sat 79-80 mph and touched 81 with some run, curveball was 68-69 mph with 11/5 shape, and changeup was 72-74 with sink.

Eric Bennes, 2B/RHP, Fremd, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting 2B/RHP. At the plate hits from a closed stance. Loads to backside with a long stride. Opposite field hitter with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.24. In the field has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Some accuracy with slower actions. Threw 79 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a low ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Crossfire delivery with a closed landing and regular effort. Fastball flashed run at 78-80 topping out at 82 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 64-67 mph. Changeup didn’t show much differential from fastball at 74-77 mph.

Michael Brady, SS/2B, St. Ignatius, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from right side with open setup, smooth load, short stride, average bat speed, short and extended path, and line drive type. Exit velo 83 mph. Defensively has short arm action, high ¾, average strength, clean exchange, and average hands. Threw 74 mph across infield. Ran 7.53 60.

Connor Callaghan, 2B, Andrew, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. In the field has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with average arm strength. Threw 78 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from an open stance, up and down load with a short stride. Pull hitter with a long swing path. Showed some strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.61.

Jason DeCicco, LHP/1B, Crystal Lake South, 2016
6-foot-1, 187-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from left side with open setup, loads back, flashed quick bat speed, and line drive type. Exit velo 81 mph. Defensively the left-hander showed short arm action from high ¾, and average hands. Threw 70 mph across infield. Ran 8.40 60. On the mound threw from high ¾ angle, short arm action, east effort, some rhythm, level shoulders, and tall-fall type. Fastball sat 73-74 mph and touched 75, curveball 62-65 mph with 2/8 shape and some sweeping motion, and changeup was 69-70 mph with some sink.

Adam Densberger, 3B, Oswego East, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. Offensively hits from an open stance, sweeping hand load to backside. Pull hitter with a short swing path and gets extension. Showed strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.32. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with good body control. Threw 77 mph across the infield.

Paul Dobravec, 1B/RHP, Naperville North, 2016
6-foot-4, 205-pound, athletic build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a upright stance, loads hands back, average balance. Slightly above-average bat speed, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, ¾ arm slot, 68 mph from 1B. Ran a 7.4 60-time. On the mound showed short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, landing closed. Fastball showed some arm-side-run, sat 78-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball had 12/6 shape, 67-69 mph. Straight changeup was 67-70 mph.

Dali Durazo, 3B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
5-foot-11, 200-pound third baseman. Offensively hits from right side with open and crouch setup, no load, short stride, and average balance. Showed quick bat speed, long uphill path, and pull type. Exit velo 85 mph. Defensively the right-hander throws from long, high ¾, accurate, and average strength. Has soft hands and clean exchange. Threw 81 mph across the infield. Ran 7.66 60.

Will Elvers, SS, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2018
5-foot-8, 130-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively hits from a wide base with an open stance. Smooth load with a short stride. Line drive gap to gap hitter with a long, level swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.51. Defensively showed a showed short, quick, clean arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average arm strength. Actions and arm project for the outfield. Threw 77 mph across the infield. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Kyle Fitzgerald, SS, Riverside-Brookfield, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a lanky, athletic frame. Offensively hits from a crouched open stance with a low hand set. Pull hitter with a slightly uphill swing path with extension. Fluid rhythm with a fast bat. 82 mph exit velocity form a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.35. Defensively has a short athletic arm action from a side arm slot. Waited back on balls with slower actions. Showed good body control on run thru. Threw 77 mph across the infield.

Peter Gross, 1B, Antioch, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound, average frame, right-handed hitter. Hits from a wide stance, leg kick, average balance. Average bat speed, uphill bat path, 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 58 mph across the infield. Ran a 8.42 60-time.

Ben Hopkins, SS/RHP, Dunlap, 2017
6-foot-2, 160-pound lanky two-way player. Defensively throws from right side, long and clean arm action, high ¾, accurate, average strength, and average hands. Threw 77 mph from outfield. Offensively hits from left side from balanced setup, loads back, short stride, good balance, and takes long, extended, and uphill path. Exit velo 74 mph. Ran 7.53 60. On the mound the right-hander threw from high ¾, long loose arm action, tall-fall type, smooth rhythm, level shoulders, and in line direction. Fastball sat 74-76 mph, curveball was 63-65 mph, and changeup was 68-69 mph with some arm-side-run.

Tyler Kledzik, 2B, Batavia, 2016
5-foot-8, 150-pound second baseman. Offensively hits from left side with a tall and open setup, loads back, long stride, takes level path, average bat speed, and line drive type. Exit velo 80 mph. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾, accurate, and average hands. Threw 73 mph across infield. Ran 7.74 60.

Ben Lang, 2B/RHP, McHenry, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting 2B/RHP. Offensively starts from an open narrow stance. Occasionally features a leg kick stride. Line drive gap-to-gap hitter with average bat speed with a short uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.72. In the field has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot with slower actions. Threw 71 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery, toe up at balance point. Some rhythm with a slightly closed landing. Fastball sat 74-76 mph. Threw curveball for strikes that showed 11-5 shape at 61-62 mph. Changeup for strikes with occasional fading action at 68-71 mph.

Alex Lilly, SS/2B, Mattoon, 2016
5-foot-8, 175-pound middle infielder with strong build. Defensively has short arm action, over-the-top slot, average strength, and average hands. Threw 74 mph across infield. Offensively hit from right side, wide base, crouch, loads back, short stride, average balance, fast bat speed, short and level path, and gap-to-gap type. Exit velo 90 mph.

Jack Lombardi, 2B, Loyola, 2016
5-foot-10, 180-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively hits from a tall, open stance with a low hand set. Bars on load with a long stride. Gap to gap hitter with a short level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.37. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with some body control. Threw 75 mph across the infield.

Mason Madalinski, 3B/RHP, Oswego East, 2017
6-foot, 200-pound, right-handed hitting 3B/RHP with a strong frame. Offensively hits from a closed stance with a back load and no stride. Line drive hitter with an uphill swing path and long finish. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.04. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average arm strength. Slower actions with average hands. Threw 77 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and slight wrap. Level shoulders with an online delivery and square landing. Fastball sat 78-79 mph. Curveball sat 66-67 mph with no shape. Changeup sat 70-71 mph.

Jack Moran, 2B/SS, Glenbard East, 2016
5-foot-7, 143-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from the left side with balanced setup, loads back, short stride, and good balance. Showed average bat speed, short and level path, and gap-to-gap type. Exit velo 78 mph. Defensively throws from the right side, short and clean arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate, and average strength. Threw 74 mph across infield. Ran 7.17 60.

Connor Nelson, 1B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
6-foot, 210-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively has a balanced setup with a short load and leg kick stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.53. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average hands and slower actions. Threw 71 mph across the infield.

Neftali Reyes, 3B/RHP, Roberto Clemente, 2016
6-foot-1, 180-pound, right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. Defensively has a short, athletic arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average hands and fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Threw 81 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a crouched, closed stance. Short load with average balance and an uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.75. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 78-80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with short breaking action at 61-65 mph. Splitter showed downer action at 66-68 mph.

Frank Romano, 2B, York, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively hits from a crouched open stance with a high back elbow. Wraps bat on load. Some quickness in the hands creating whip with barrel. Long swing path with a long finish. Showed strength thru contact with 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.44. Defensively has a short arm action with average hands. Threw 75 mph across the infield.

Nick Santoro, 2B/SS, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound athletic middle infielder. Defensively showed short and loose arm action, high ¾, accurate, and average strength. Soft hands, fluid footwork, and clean exchange. Threw 79 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side with wide setup, no load, short stride, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, extended and uphill path, and gap-to-gap type. Exit velo 84 mph. Ran 7.28 60.

Trey Skocy, 3B, Mattoon, 2016
6-foot, 168-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. Defensively showed a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average arm strength. Showed lateral agility and good body control. Threw 73 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide base with a short load and stride. Long uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.67.

Kevin Smith, 1B, Morton, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound, left-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap trigger and short stride. Up the middle approach with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.57. In the field has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Average hands with slower actions. Threw 71 mph across the infield.

Nicholas Spanola, 1B/OF, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2016
6-foot-3, 230-pound, large frame, right-handed hitter. Hits from a closed stance, loads hands back, average balance. Slightly above-average bat speed, uphill bat path, 88 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed multiple arm angles, fields ball deep, 80 mph from the OF, 76 mph from 1B. Ran a 7.57 60-time.

Nicholas Stricker, SS, Mundelein, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively hits from an upright, slightly open stance with a short stride. Up the middle approach with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.60. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with average hands. Threw 75 mph across the infield.

Trever Theis, 2B, Sycamore, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. In the field has a short clean arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with average hands. Threw 74 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from an wide base with an open stance. Long stride to even with a leg turn trigger. Line drive gap-to-gap hitter with a long uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.69.

Andrew Wells, 1B, Normal Community, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound, left-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively hits from an open stance with a smooth load to backside. Line drive gap-to-gap hitter with a long swing path, fast bat, and fluid rhythm. Ran the 60 at 7.50. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with average hands. Threw 71 mph across the infield.

Nick Wenkus, 3B, Hinsdale South, 2017
5-foot-9, 185-pound third baseman. Offensively hits from right side with wide and crouch setup, loads back, no stride, average balance, average bat speed, and long level path. Exit velo 81 mph. Defensively the right-hander has short arm action, high ¾, and some accuracy. Threw 66 across infield. Ran 7.55 60.

Zach Wenkus, RHP/3B, Hinsdale South, 2016
5-foot-10, 195-pound two-way player. On the mound the right-hander showed an over-the-top angle, long loose arm action, regular effort, some rhythm, and an athletic finish. Fastball was 77-79 mph and touched 80, curveball was 63-66 mph with sweeping motion, and splitter was 68-71 mph with downward movement. Offensively hits from right side with open setup, wrapping load, short stride, and long uphill path. Exit velo 84 mph. Defensively has long arm action from side slot and threw 75 mph across infield. Ran 8.02 60.

Prospect Identification Showcase: Infield Analysis

Top Prospects

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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