Top Prospect - Milwaukee: Infield Analysis

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Wisconsin/Illinois

As we continue our coverage of the Top Prospect - Milwaukee, we take a look at the top infield performances. Several standouts on this list will also be considered for top overall prospects at the event as well. Our list of top infielders is led by a pair of premium defenders in  Ryen Ryba and Josh Leslie, both showing the ability to be high end shortstops at the next level.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Ryen Ryba, SS, Homestead, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder, lean athletic build. Defensively shows advanced actions, hands are soft and confident, quick clean exchange profiles well in the middle of the diamond. Smooth savvy infield defender, shows body control and arm plays athletically from multiple angles, 79 mph across the diamond. 7.01 runner in the 60. Left-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open stance, smooth loading action, excellent balance throughout. Easy repeatable swing, loose hands, path is efficient, short to the baseball and shows consistent control of the barrel. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Josh Leslie, SS, Westosha Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound shortstop, athletic frame. Premium defender at shortstop, soft hands with easy actions, transfers quickly and cleanly, ability to play through the baseball with easy body control. Arm plays athletically from multiple angles, loose arm action, carries across the diamond, advanced arm strength 85 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, athletic hitter, good balance. Showed bat speed, line drives to the middle of the diamond. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.20 runner in the 60.

3. Isaac Pape, INF, Independence, 2018
Athletically projectable frame, 6-foot-2, 180-pound infielder, lean body type with some current strength. Right-handed hitter, open stance, arm bar load, leg kick stride, good balance throughout. Loose hands, showed feel for the barrel, ball jumped off bat in BP. Bat speed present, carried BP pop into game play - HR to left, overall athletic hitter. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows versatility on the infield, athletic and easy actions, moves fluidly through the baseball, soft hands. Arm action is loose, multiple angles and can play on the move. 76 mph across the diamond. 7.21 runner in the 60.

4. Devin Toburen, SS, Greenwood, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound shortstop, long lanky projectable frame with athleticism. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, solid balance. Line drive gap-to-gap hitter, worked the middle of the field, loose athletic hands. Showed hard back-spinning contact in BP, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.49 runner in the 60. Defensively feet worked well, plays through and funnels the baseball, exchange is clean with soft hands. Arm played at 77 mph across the diamond, able to play athletically on the move.

5. Sam Vomhof, INF, DeForest, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed hitting infielder, long highly projectable frame, thin with long limbs. Defensively arm action is loose and clean, over the top slot and flashed carry, 82 mph across. Hands showed softness, clean exchange, plays through the baseball, should profile on the left side of the infield. Offensively hits from an open stance, reverse tap stride. Worked line drives to the middle of the field, front foot hitter at times, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.

6. Bryce Toussaint, INF, Arrowhead, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound infielder, carries lean strength, sloped shoulders. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, slightly open stance, short stride. Swing showed looseness, hits off front foot, line drive type, showed bat speed. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played easily from a short high ¾ slot, 82 mph across the diamond, accurate arm with carry. Plays through the baseball, clean transfers, above average hands. 7.17 runner in the 60.

7. Aaron Chapman, INF, Waterford, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound infielder, strong solid build. Right-handed hitter, open setup, smooth loading action strides back to square. Shows bat strength and rhythm, path is long, slightly uphill, flashed pop. 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands worked, profiles best at third base, plays through with clean actions. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 79 mph across the infield. 6.94 runner in the 60.

8. Will Monroe, 1B/LHP, Appleton North, 2018
Lean projectable left-handed throwing two-way player, 6-foot-2, 183-pounds. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg lift trigger. Showed easy pop, uses hands, projectable bat, has bat speed with occasional pull side pop, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Doubled and singled in game. Defensively showed feel around the bag, lanky athlete, arm plays at 79 mph across. On the mound delivery works with a high front side, long loose arm action, ¾ slot with little effort. Fastball plays with arm side run, occasionally flashed hard cut, 78-80 mph, touched 81 mph. Curveball has 1/7 action, sharp bite at times, 66-68 mph. Has feel for changeup, fading action, 73-75 mph.

9. Danny Osep, INF, Franklin, 2018
Recently committed to Upper Iowa. 5-foot-11, 160-pound infielder, average frame. Defensively showed body control and played through the baseball with fluid footwork. Exchange has length at times, arm is loose, high ¾ slot, 79 mph across the infield. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, slightly up, maintains balance. Showed rhythm at the plate, on time, good contact off the bat at times. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.29 runner in the 60.  

10. Christian Jack, INF, St. Mary, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound infielder, lanky loose frame, projects. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, short stride. Loose hands in the box, path showed whip, projectable hitter. Path is long with slight pull side approach. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, 77 mph across the diamond. Plays through the baseball, showed body control. 7.34 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kyle Abatto, MIF, Kettle Moraine, 2018
5-foot-7, 160-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder, compact build with strength. Offensively controls the barrel well, balanced setup, short stride, stays quiet in the box. Compact swing, spray line drive hitter, repeatable swing, short path. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles best at second base, arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, 72 mph across, clean exchange. 7.60 runner in the 60.

Tim Alfonso, INF, IMG Academy (FL), 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound infielder, lean lanky frame. Defensively arm played loose and worked athletically, 78 mph across the diamond. Hands are soft, feet work through the baseball, drags feet through actions. 7.50 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance. Line drive type hitter, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Justin Baker, 3B, Waukesha West, 2018
6-foot-2, 240-pound corner infielder, large frame and build. Right-handed hitter with bat strength, open setup, short stride. Showed bat speed, uphill path, pull side power approach. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, 79 mph across the diamond. Profiles as a corner infielder, average hands and range. 8.24 runner in the 60.

Brandon Bannon, C/2B, Richmond Burton (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting C/2B with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a slightly open setup with a short leg lift stride and average balance. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path and loose hands. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29. Defensively has a short arm action. Quick transfer and footwork. Popped 1.94-2.01 and threw 76 mph out of the crouch. In the infield moves well laterally. Threw 76 mph across the diamond.

Sam Beers, INF, Milton, 2018
6-foot-3, 163-pound infielder, lanky frame, athletic type, projects. Right-handed hitter, open stance, long leg kick trigger. Long level path, flashed whip through the zone, ball occasional jumped off the bat in BP, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed long rangy actions at times, moved well to glove side, showed good range and athleticism, profiles best at third base. Arm played at 74 mph across the diamond, athletic and works from multiple angles. 7.63 runner in the 60.

Kade Bohlman, C/1B, Janesville Parker, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting C/1B with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull, power hitter with an uphill swing path and fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.64. Defensively behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Clean exchange with fluid footwork. Popped 2.11-2.15, accurate throws with carry, 74 mph out the crouch. Also took drills at first base, throwing 78 mph across the diamond.

Bryce Burton, OF/3B, Marmion (IL), 2018
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting OF/3B. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a leg kick stride and average balance. Gap to gap hitter with a short uphill swing path and fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.37. Defensively in the outfield has a loose arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with carry throwing 87 mph from the outfield. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Also took drills in the infield, throwing 83 mph across the diamond.

Teig Chase, RHP/INF, Kettle Moraine, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even, good balance. Easy swing with rhythm, flashed bat speed, line drive gap to gap approach. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short from a high ¾ slot, with accuracy, 73 mph across the diamond. Clean exchange with playable hands. 7.22 runner in the 60. On the mound worked over the top, short arm action. Fastball topped at 83 mph, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball played on 11/5 plane, 69-71 mph. Showed changeup at 73 mph.

Frankie Cistaro, INF, Muskego, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound infielder, lean frame. Defensively showed mobility on the infield, hands worked and played through the baseball. Short over the top arm action, flashed carry, 81 mph across the infield. 7.34 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back and down, short leg lift stride. Average bat speed, long uphill path, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jack Cole, INF, Fond du Lac, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound infielder, average lean frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, short stride, solid balance. Simple and quiet in the box, hands work to generate swing, path is short and level, line drive contact. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and loose, easy quick arm action from high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the diamond. Plays through the baseball, clean exchange, plays tall at times. 7.49 runner in the 60.

Brendan Collins, INF, St. Laurence (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, loads hands back, toe tap trigger. Sprayed line drives in BP at times, some bat speed, long uphill path. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from a high ¾ slot, 84 mph across the diamond, occasional carry. 7.23 runner in the 60.

Brady Fields, 3B, Badger, 2018
6-foot, 185-pound third baseman, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, average balance. Path works uphill, showed rhythm, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at third base, average hands, can play through the baseball more, moves well laterally, exchange has some length to release. Arm showed carry, 82 mph across the diamond, long high ¾ slot. 7.70 runner in the 60.

Daniel Hahn, MIF, Cudahy, 2018
5-foot-6, 136-pound middle infielder. Above average actions, hands play soft and cushion the baseball, exchange is clean, plays through the baseball gaining ground towards his target. Arm plays short and over the top, 74 mph across the infield, second base profile. Right-handed hitter, slightly open setup, short stride, good balance. Short path stays on top of the baseball, line drive hitter with spray approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.32 runner in the 60.

Ryan Hughes, INF, Beloit Turner, 2018
5-foot-11, 145-pound infielder, lean slender frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, loads hands back, leg kick stride. Path is level with length, line drive type approach. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, accurate across the diamond, 79 mph. Shows body control, hands have soft feel, plays through the baseball, clean exchange. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Trey Hunt, INF/RHP, Fennimore, 2018
5-foot-9, 170-pound two-way player, stocky, compact frame with strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Uphill path, lifted contact, pull side tendency. Some bat strength, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short from multiple angles, 79 mph across the diamond. Hands play soft, and worked through the baseball at times, showed body control. 7.45 runner in the 60. On the mound arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, regular effort, tall and fall down the hill. Fastball is mostly straight, 77-80 mph. Curveball played at 67-68 mph. Changeup fades, 67-69 mph.

Adam Jayko, INF, Johnsburg, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound infielder, lean strong build. Right-handed hitter, narrow setup, leg kick trigger. Showed raw bat speed, uphill path, line drive contact in BP. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played firm from an over the top slot, 77 mph across the diamond. Third base profile. 7.40 runner in the 60.

Hunter Johnson, INF, St. Viator (IL), 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound infielder, lanky projectable frame. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride. Repeatable line drives in BP, path is level, fluid hands through contact. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed athletic actions, feet work fluid and deliberate through the baseball. Arm action is loose from a high ¾ slot, carries across the diamond, 79 mph. 7.41 runner in the 60.

Nolan Kelliher, INF, Middleton, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound infielder. Ran a 7.39 in the 60. Defensively showed some actions, soft hands, can make the backhand play. Arm plays from multiple angles and on the move, showed carry, 77 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, athletic setup. Path has length, worked pull side, triggers swing with upper half. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Matt Kocinski, INF, Sandburg, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride and maintains good balance. Above average bat speed, short path, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, athletic arm action, 75 mph across the diamond. Clean actions played through the baseball. 7.57 runner in the 60.

Derek Lee, INF, Waunakee, 2018
5-foot-9, 165-pound infielder. Defensively profiles at second base, plays low to the ground, athletic actions, moved well up the middle played with body control. Arm action is short and over the top, occasional carry, 77 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Line drive, middle of the field approach, short path. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.37 in the 60, laser timed.

Keagan McCarthy, 1B, Cedarburg, 2018
6-foot, 215-pound left-handed hitting first-baseman. Hits from an open stance, tall setup, leg kick trigger. Average bat speed, showed bat strength, flashed occasional pop to pull side. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 72 mph across the diamond. Mechanical footwork around the bag, made routine plays. 8.09 runner in the 60.

Jack McGee, INF, Greendale, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting infielder, lean slender build. Offensively hits from a tall open stance. Showed looseness, long path, uphill plane, pull side approach. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph. Plays tall through the baseball. 7.55 runner in the 60.

Ben Nordloh, CIF/RHP, Waunakee, 2018
6-foot-1, 205-pound two-way player. On the mound works exclusively from the stretch, tall and fall delivery, regular effort. Arm plays high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 77-79 mph, topped at 80 mph. Curveball played 11/5, 63-65 mph. Changeup flashed at 72 mph. Left-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride, simple approach. Path is short and uphill, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles as a corner infielder, arm played at 75 mph, high ¾ slot. 7.45 runner in the 60.

Brady Nowicki, MIF, Mukwonago, 2018
5-foot-8, 165-pound middle infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Simple quiet approach, path is short, line drive type hitter. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and loose, high ¾ slot, 82 mph across the diamond. Hands work, quick clean exchange. 8.25 runner in the 60.

Nick Waldorf, 3B/1B, Stoughton, 2018
6-foot-2, 210-pound corner infielder, strong large build. Right-handed hitter, slightly open setup, short stride, average balance. Showed strength in the box at times, long path, slightly uphill, pull side approach. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph across the diamond, clean exchange. 8.48 runner in the 60.

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