Team Illinois: Position Player Analysis

August 15, 2019
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

On Wednesday, July 31st, The PBR Future Games, the summer’s premier scouting event began. Taking place in its inaugural year at the state-of-the-art LakePoint sports complex in Emerson, GA, this four-day event pitted some of the country’s top 2021 and 2022 prospects against one another in front of over 300 college coaches.

On Wednesday, Team Illinois - along with every other represented state - participated in a workout day. That was followed by Team Illinois playing one game a day from Thursday-Saturday. This year, Team Illinois took on all surrounding territories in Iowa/Minnesota on Thursday, Wisconsin on Friday and Indiana on Saturday.

Today we breakdown each and every position player that participated for Team Illinois at the 2019 event.

TEAM ILLINOIS POSITION PLAYERS

Sam Antonacci INF / Sacred Heart-Griffin, IL / 2021

5-foot-11, 170-pound, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting infielder. Was one of the top statistical hitters for Team Illinois on the week. Finished 5-for-9 (.555 BA) with three runs scored, three RBIs and a walk. Starts from a balanced, relaxed. slightly open setup. Creates pre-pitch rhythm in hands, long stride and gets separation. Swings with intent, feel for the strike zone and the barrel. Rarely chases out of the zone. Stays on top of the baseball, uses the entire field and advanced bat-to-ball skills. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, ability to play all around the infield but may profile best as an offensive second baseman. Handles the run-through play with body control and ease. Steady defender, reliable hands, clean release and arm works long out of a ¾ to high ¾ slot. Throws topped at 83 mph. 7.14 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Sam Antonacci

Ty Batusich C / Joliet West, IL / 2021

6-foot, 180-pound, barrel-chested, muscular, left-handed hitting catcher. Arguably elevated his stock more than any other prospect on Team Illinois. Made a strong case for PBR Future Games MVP thanks to his performance throughout the week. The physical left-handed hitter, hit a two-run home run to right-center field in game one of the week. Followed it up with a no-doubt, three-run home run, to deep right-center field, in the third and final game. Batusich finished 3-for-8 with five RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. Starts from a balanced, quiet setup with his hands set low. Short leg-lift stride and late loading action. Path stays short and direct to the ball, efficient and repeatable. Present twitch, bat speed and bat strength in swing. Natural lift, gets barrel in the zone on time, mid-pull approach and ball jumps off the bat. 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.01 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Defensively, had one of the strongest arms of the event, 82 mph from the crouch. Arm works short and over-the-top; throws play true with carry and consistently around the second-base bag. Pop times ranged between 1.93-2.04 on workout day. Plays with energy behind the plate, athletic and quick out of the crouch, willing blocker. High-follow left-handed hitting catcher.

Ty Batusich

Gallien Coupet MIF / Homewood-Flossmoor, IL / 2021

5-foot-9, 162-pound, wiry, athletic, right-handed hitting middle infielder. 6.76 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Highly-athletic prospect who can stick on the dirt moving forward. Routinely showed off well-above average range to both sides while playing shortstop. Natural infield actions, quick active feet, soft confident hands and plays well on the move. Short arm action, average arm strength, plays accurate across the diamond and topped at 78 mph. Turned a number of smooth double plays throughout the week. Adept at starting the double play; athletic actions, can throw from multiple slots, accurate feeds. Offensively, bat has been on the rise this summer. Open setup, stride gets back to even and creates pre-pitch rhythm. Loose hands, long path, consistently on time, ready to hit and handled velocity. Tripled to deep left-center field in the first game of the week; 4.36 on the turn. In game two, turned on an 89 mph fastball, which ate up the third baseman, allowing him to reach on an error. Registered an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Has the potential to be a top-of-the-order bat at the next level.

Gallien Coupet

Nicky Giamarusti OF / Notre Dame, IL / 2021

6-foot, 175-pound, twitchy, athletically-built, right-handed hitting outfielder. Broke the PBR Future Games 60-yard dash record, running a 6.22 laser-timed. In game two, had run times of 4.19 and 4.25 down-the-line on infield groundouts. Also, jumped on a first-pitch fastball and doubled off the left-field wall, driving in two runs in game two. Quiet, static setup, loads into his backside, short stride. Quick, twitchy hands, creates bat speed and leverage to the pull-side. Defensively, steady defender, quick feet, proper routes and plays through the baseball at times. Will continue to elevate his stock if he proves he can stick in center field.

Nicky Giamarusti

Ben Hartl C / 3B / Springfield, IL / 2021

5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher/infielder; compact, strong lower half. Despite playing the majority of the time behind the plate, has the ability to stick on the infield as well. Behind the plate, advanced receiver, quiet, soft, receptive hands, presents pitches well, gets underneath and sticks the pitch at the bottom of the zone. Flexible hips, clean and directional out of the crouch. Traditional catcher arm action; short and over-the-top. True, four-seam carry, inconsistent accuracy and throws topped at 80 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.05-2.12 on workout day. On the infield, profiles at third base; fundamentally sound, clean footwork, soft hands and arm plays true across the diamond (83 mph). Offensively, took consistent, quality at-bats throughout the week. Understands the strike zone, has a plan in the box, rarely leaves the zone and minimal swing-and-miss. Only struck out once on the week and saved his best game for last, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Open setup, short stride and repeatable swing. Short, uphill bat path, feel for the barrel and finishes on his backside. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.21 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Ben Hartl

Cameron Hill OF / Brother Rice, IL / 2021

6-foot-3, 198-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder; long-limbed, projectable frame with broad shoulders that could handle plenty of added strength moving forward. High-ceiling prospect who continues to take strides in his game. Offensively, balanced, quiet setup, short leg-lift trigger and minimal wasted movement. Simple swing, loose, quick hands, creates bat speed and whip with little effort. Short bat path, gap-to-gap approach, easy power and ball jumps off the barrel. 88 mph exit velocity during workout day (has been 97 mph in the past). Went 2-for-3 in game two with a sharp line-drive single to left field and an infield hit. 7.13 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Aggressive on the basepaths. Looked to steal anytime he got on base. Finished the week with three stolen bases. Defensively, continues to improve in the outfield. Clean, easy actions, steady hands and clean release. Arm is strong and works from an over-the-top slot. Gets true four-seam carry on throws, topped at 87 mph. High-ceiling 2021 outfielder.

Cameron Hill

Andrew Jimenez 3B / Saint Charles North , IL / 2021

6-foot-3, 195-pound, strong, wide-shouldered, physical, right-handed hitting third baseman. Showed off an impressive combination of tools during the workout portion of the event and carried it over into gameplay. Jimenez ran a 6.62 laser-timed 60, registered a 100 mph exit velocity and was 85 mph across the infield. The combination of size, speed and bat strength make Jimenez one of the more interesting follows on Team Illinois. At the plate, open setup, slight coiled loading action and hands get separation. Aggressive swing, looks to drive the baseball with authority and consistently worked the left-center field gap. Took a number of quality, competitive at-bats throughout the week. Collected a hit in each of the three games, including a double in game two and a triple into the right-center field gap in game three. Defensively, profiles at a corner infield spot and potentially a corner outfield spot given the way he runs. Deliberate actions on the infield, steady hands, length through release and arm plays long from a ¾ slot. High-follow 2021 prospect.

Andrew Jimenez

George Korompilas 1B / OF / Glenbrook South, IL / 2021

5-foot-11, 200-pound, left-handed hitting first baseman; compact, strong frame, thick lower half. One of the best available left-handed bats in the Illinois’ 2021 class. Open, crouched setup and confident look in the box. Swings with controlled aggression, ability to repeat and stay connected. Short, direct path to the ball, creates lift and leverage to the pull-side with present bat speed. Consistently took some of the best BP on Team Illinois. Routinely found the barrel and flashed pull-side power. 92 mph exit velocity. Defensively, primarily played first base during the event but has the ability to move to a corner outfield spot. At first base, nimble and light on his feet, feel for the first base bag and soft, receptive hands. Ability to pick balls and make plays around the bag with confidence and ease. Arm clocked at 79 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.47 laser-timed 60.

George Korompilas

Ryan Orput OF / Hinsdale Central, IL / 2021

6-foot-4, 190-pound, highly-athletic, broad-shouldered, physical, left-handed hitting outfielder. An advanced combination of tools especially given his frame; 6.69 runner in the 60, laser-timed, 85 mph from the outfield and 87 mph exit velocity from a tee (Has been 98 mph in the past). At the plate, open setup, long stride gets back to square, maintains balance through contact. Long bat path, looks to elevate the baseball to the pull side with bat strength present. Long, easy strider around the bases. Was a 4.30 down-the-line on an infield error in game two. Defensively, profiles as a corner outfielder. Steady defender, routes will continue to improve with continued reps and arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Toolsy, left-handed hitting outfielder to follow.

Ryan Orput

Jack Scheri INF / LaSalle Peru, IL / 2022

5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting infielder; strong frame, defined lower half, physical for age. Was the lone 2022 position player on Team Illinois. 6.79 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Versatile defender, played all over the infield throughout the week. Plays the game with pace and energy. Hard-nosed, competitive, gamer-type. Defensively, bounces around the infield, ranges well to both sides, maintains body control on the move. Hands are soft, occasionally fields deep, clean release. Arm clocked at 84 mph across the infield. Offensively, was unfazed by velocity. Took competitive, quality at-bats throughout the week and was a tough out. Reached base safely in 7-of-10 at-bats. Finished 3-for-7 with a double, two walks, a HBP and four runs scored. Balanced setup, smooth loading action and short stride. Quick hands, strong wrists, creates bat speed and physicality in swing. Uses the entire field, consistently found the barrel and has sneaky pop for size. Had the following run times down-the-line: 4.22, 4.30, 4.30 and 4.36. High-follow 2022 athlete.

Jack Scheri

Isaiah Thompson OF / LHP / Sacred Heart-Griffin, IL / 2021

6-foot, 175-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, left/left, two-way prospect. Was the lone two-way prospect on Team Illinois. Performed at a high-level as an outfielder throughout the week. Finished the week 5-for-9 (.555 BA) with a double, two RBIs, a stolen base and a run scored. Open setup, minimal pre-pitch rhythm. Athletic hands, quick bat, works on top of the ball and stays short to it. Knack for the barrel, consistent, hard, line-drive contact, in game. 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Recorded multiple 4.57’s and 4.58’s down-the-line on a turn. Ran a 6.93 laser-timed 60 during workout day. Speed translates to the outfield where he profiles as an above-average center fielder. Instinctual, quick first step and impressive closing abilities. Athletic outfield actions, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball and clean transfer. Arm works clean from a ¾ slot and throws topped at 90 mph. Threw one inning on the mound, faced the minimum and did not allow a hit. Controlled, repeatable delivery, works on-line, front-toe closed landing and with regular effort. Arm works compact and clean, out of a ¾ slot, quick out front; projects for more velocity. Fastball works down in the zone, slight arm-side-run, sat 81-83 mph, topped at 84. Mixed in a late, hard-biting 72-74 mph curveball, thrown aggressively, with feel. Curveball has a chance to be a legitimate out pitch in the future. High-follow two-way prospect in the 2021 class.

Isaiah Thompson

+ Stay tuned over the coming days for a breakdown of all of the pitchers from Team Illinois.
+ Team Illinois Roster.