By Illinois and Missouri Scouting Staff

Over the next week we will be rolling out our analysis from the St. Louis - Top Prospect Games on June 6th. This event featured some of the top uncommitted 2018 prospects from Illinois and Missouri. Today we continue the analysis by taking a look at the infielders in attendance.

CLICK HERE, for the Statistical Analysis
CLICK HERE, for the Catching Analysis
CLICK HERE, for the Outfield Analysis

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Jackson Kaplowitz, INF, Niles Notre Dame (IL), 2018
6-foot-3, 160-pound infielder with a highly projectable frame with plenty of room for continued physical development. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall, narrow setup, leg-kick timing trigger, hits off his front side and maintains balance through contact. Aggressive swing, fast bat, path stays flat through the hitting zone, makes consistent hard contact and works the middle of the field; 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.69 down-the-line. Defensively, fluid actions, smooth hands and quick clean release on the infield. Arm works from a ¾ slot, easy effort, flashes carry and clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. 

2. Karsen Reid, INF, Smithville (MO), 2018 
Reid is an athletically strong 5-foot-9 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.50 home to first and has an 86 mph exit velo. At the plate, simple and repeatable swing mechanics, balanced set up, in line stride with controlled leg lift, short stride, aggressive swing, level path through zone, stays on ball after contact, consistent hard contact during batting practice, gap to gap line drives, quick bat speed.  On the infield, 86 mph positional velo, high three quarters release, momentum though the catch, soft hands, plays with a high engine, aggressive to the ball, athletic footwork.

3. Jacob Marti, 1B, Normal West (IL), 2018 
6-foot-3, 225-pound, switch-hitting first baseman with a highly athletic and projectable build. Offensively, loose, quick swing from both sides of the plate. Starts open, smooth load, leg-lift timing trigger and fluid rhythm throughout. Looks to drive the baseball with authority, present bat speed and uses the whole field. 99 mph exit velocity from the right side and 91 mph from the left. 4.25 runner down-the-line. Defensively, feet work well around the bag. Over-the-top, firm arm action, clocked at 75 mph across the diamond.

4. Danny Sperling, INF, Wauconda (IL), 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, athletically built, left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, short stride, minimal movement; overall very simple, quiet swing. Consistently makes hard contact, good balance throughout, quick hands, flashed pull power but true line drive, spray type hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Steady defender on the infield; profiles at third base. Athletic fielding position, out in front of body and arm works over-the-top, accurate, flashes carry and clocked at 81 mph. Ran a 4.53 home-to-first.

5. Hayden Cooper, 3B, Holt (MO), 2018 
Cooper is a projectable 6-foot-3 185-pound right-handed hitting third baseman in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.57 home to first and has an exit velocity of 93 mph. At the plate, starts in balanced position, loads into back side with leg kick, aggressive and quick bat speed, swing path stays on ball after contact, power to pull gap, consistent line drives gap to gap during batting practice.  On the infield, 74 mph positional velo, active and athletic footwork, quick catch and throw, feet create momentum to throw, fields ball in position ready to throw, high three quarters release, projectable frame with room to add strength.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Logan Anderson, INF, Providence Catholic (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 210-pound, thick, strong lower half, right-handed hitting third baseman. Offensively, balanced setup, loads hands pre-pitch, short stride and aggressive swing. Creates bat speed and strength through contact with a gap-to-gap approach. 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 5.15 home-to-first. Defensively, profiles at third base, flashes actions, soft hands and a clean, quick exchange. Arm works over-the-top, accurate arm and clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. 

Brandon Bannon, C/INF, Richmond-Burton (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound, lean, athletic, two-way prospect. Defensively, worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Behind the plate, moves well, highly athletic out of the crouch, closes himself off at times on his exchange. Arm is quick and loose, ¾ slot and clocked at 75 mph from the crouch and 77 mph across the infield. Pop times ranged between 2.01-2.13. On the infield ranges well, reliable hands, quick release. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short leg-kick timing trigger, and average balance through contact. Line-drive approach, works the middle to pull-side part of the field. Finished the day with a single and stolen base. Ran a 4.51 home-to-first.

Austin Biehl, INF, Mahoment-Seymour (IL), 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, wide, slightly crouched setup, toe-lift stride and simple overall swing. Minimal moving parts, loose hands, level path, line-drive approach, good rhythm and uses the whole field. Exit velocity clocked at 89 mph. Defensively, fluid feet and easy actions on the infield; maintains body control on the move, fields athletically, with steady, soft hands. Athletic, clean arm, gets rid of the ball quick, accurate throws clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.41 down the line.

Jacob Blount, INF/RHP, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2018 

6-foot-3, 185-pound, two-way prospect with a projectable, athletic build. Defensively, fluid feet, clean quick exchange and showed the ability to throw from multiple angles. Arm clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. Offensively, tall, open setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Path works long and uphill with a pull approach; 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Singled, walked, stole a base and scored a run in game play. 4.90 home-to-first. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth delivery, stays on-line, lands square with easy effort throughout. Arm works short and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, thrown for strikes with slight arm-side-run. Curveball works 11/5, short break, feel, 73-74 mph. Flashed a slider at 74 mph, 10/4 shape. Changeup, down in the zone, 76 mph.

Riley Covington, Liberty North (MO), 2018 
Covington is a 6-foot-2 215-pound right-handed hitting first baseman in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.76 home to first and has an 88 mph exit velo.  At the plate, hard contact during batting practice, pull side power, open stance, leg lift, aggressive swing, slight arm bar, quick bat speed.  On the infield, accurate throws, 82 mph, high three quarters release, loose arm action, moves to ball with fluid footwork, clean exchange with soft hands, strong build, plays with high energy. 

Hunter Darnell, INF, Aurora Central Catholic (IL), 2018 
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletically built, well-proportioned right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, tall setup, short stride and slight pre-pitch rhythm. Simple, easy swing, loose hands, long levers and path stays flat through the hitting zone. Line-drive approach and sprayed balls to all fields in batting practice. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Walked, had an RBI single and scored a run in game play. Defensively, steady defender, plays under control, trusts hands and gets rid of it quick. Arm clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. Ran a 5.07 down-the-line.

Drew Davis, INF, Illini Bluffs (IL), 2018
Bl5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Hands work on top of the ball, bat stays flat through the hitting zone, works the middle of the field and line-drive approach. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, hands play soft and out in front of his body and gets rid of the ball quick. Ability to throw from multiple arm angles, accurate and clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.50 down the line.

Drevin Day, 2B, Fort Zumwalt North (MO), 2018 
Day is a strong 5-foot-10 150-pound right-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.53 home to first and has an 81 mph exit velo. At the plate, starts with a wide stance, short stride, hits with leverage, middle to pull line drives, power to pull side, compact swing, quick bat speed, level path though the zone, loose hands.  On the infield, 73 mph positional velo, high three quarters release, momentum with feet after catch, fields ball in athletic position, hands and feet work together.

Will Elvers, INF, Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL), 2018

5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short stride and finishes on backside. Short, uphill bat path, lift in swing and pull approach. Singled and stole a base during game play. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.58 home-to-first. Defensively, reliable hands, feet play through the baseball and clean exchange. Arm works long, over-the-top and clocked at 81 mph across the diamond.

Kyle Fasbinder, 1B, Vernon Hills (IL), 2018 
6-foot-2, 195-pound, strong, left-handed hitting first baseman with a solid lower half. Potential middle of the order type of bat. Flashed pull power with natural lift in swing. Balanced setup, smooth load, loose hands and creates easy bat speed. Registered an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.72 home-to-first. Defensively, steady around the bag at first base. Reliable hands, accurate arm clocked at 72 mph across the infield.

Nathan Gomez, INF, Lake View (IL), 2018 
6-foot-1, 163-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, open setup, big leg-kick timing trigger, deep load and fluid rhythm throughout. Attacks the baseball, bat stays flat through the zone at times, line-drive approach and 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.78 runner, home-to-first. Defensively, athletic actions, hands play confident and soft, fluid footwork. Athletic arm action, some effort in throws, clocked at 79 mph across the diamond.

Dylan Honkala, INF/RHP, McHenry (IL), 2018 
6-foot-1, 200-pound, strong-bodied, two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger and finishes off his backside. Loose hands creates easy bat speed and makes strong pull-side contact; 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Path works long and uphill with fluid rhythm in swing. 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.76 home-to-first. Defensively, profiles as a corner infielder. Steady hands, quick release and throws from a low ¾ slot. Arm clocked at 73 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, repeats delivery, stays on-line, short stride and lands slightly closed. Arm works, short and loose from a ¾ slot. Through a high volume of strikes and worked a quick inning. Fastball sat 81-82 mph. Mixed in a slider with sharp action at 72-75 mph.

Jaxson Huffman, Poplar Bluff (MO), 2018 
Huffman is a 6-foot-3 195-pound left-handed hitting third baseman in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.70 home to first and has a 92 mph exit velo. At the plate, wide base, strong hands, short stride, level bat path through the zone, gap to gap line drives, pull power.  On the infield, 77 mph positional velo, over the top release, feet create momentum after the catch, fluid exchange, fields ball in athletic position, strong frame with ability to add to already athletic build. 

Cole Juelfs, INF, Valmeyer (IL), 2018 
5-foot-11, 160-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, wide, even setup, slight leg-lift timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Repeatable, simple swing, routinely found the barrel and hit line-drives back up the middle in his round of batting practice; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.71 home-to-first. Defensively, flashes soft hands, clean transfer and ability to make plays on the move. Long arm action, accurate arm across the infield clocked at 79 mph.

Aaron Klar, SS, Vianney (MO), 2018 
Klar is a 5-foot-10 150-pound left-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.41 home to first and has a 78 mph exit velo. At the plate, open stance, in line stride, smooth pre swing rhythm, loose hands working inside of ball, short to contact, feel for the barrel, mostly middle line drives during batting practice, repeats.  On the infield, smooth and fluid actions, quick exchange, arm works from different release points, soft hands, quick feet, accurate throws, athletic. 

Donovan Nanfeldt, 1B, Andrew (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 198-pound, strong, barrel-chested, right-handed hitting first baseman. Registered an event-best exit velocity of 102 mph from a tee. Offensively, starts from a balanced open, setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride, fluid rhythm throughout and hits off his backside. Flashes bat speed, looks to elevate the ball with authority. 4.86 runner, home-to-first. Defensively, fluid feet, plays under control, clean exchange. Arm works short and clean, throws clocked at 74 mph across the infield.

Noah Pingel, 3B, Francis Howell North (MO), 2018 
PIngel is a 5-foot-10 185-pound right-handed hitting third baseman in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.83 home to first and has a 92 mph exit velo. At the plate, balanced set up, no wasted movement, minimal load, gap-to-gap approach, hands control the bat head.  On the infield, 83 mph positional velo, over the top release, smooth glove to hand transfer, feet create momentum to throw, works behind the ball, accurate throws.

Steven Slavino, INF, Lockport (IL), 2018 
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Balanced setup, hands and lower half work together on load. Short bat path, line-drive, spray approach and an 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively, ranges well to both sides, bounce in his step, trusts hands and quick exchange. Throws clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. Ran a 4.43 down-the-line.

Jack Small, 1B, Lemont (IL), 20186-foot-3, 200-pound, extra-large, strong, athletically built, right-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short stride and fluid rhythm throughout. Easy, quick, loose hands and creates bat speed. Natural lift in swing, gap-to-gap approach and 93 mph exit velocity. Defensively, short, firm arm action, clocked at 79 mph across the diamond.

Peyton Soria, 3B, Excelsior Springs (MO), 2018
Soria is a 6-foot-2 190-pound right-handed hitting third baseman in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.69 home to first and has an 82 mph exit velo. At the plate, open stance, hands separate from stride to load, body stays under control during swing, swing produced gap-to-gap contact during batting practice.  On the infield, 78 mph positional velo, three quarters arm slot, smooth actions to the ball, soft hands, clean exchange, hands and feet in sync. 

Easton Stewart, INF, Carmi-White (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound, strong, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, starts from a tall, narrow setup, short leg-lift trigger and average balance through contact. Flashed bat speed, aggressive, line-drive approach, level bat path and 90 mph exit velocity. Defensively, flashed a strong arm clocked at 84 mph across the infield. Aggressive to the baseball, steady hands and clean transfer. Also, ran a 4.58 home-to-first.

Cade Teat, SS, Excelsior Springs (MO), 2018 
Teat is a 6-foot-1 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.56 home to first and has a 76 mph exit velo. At the plate, starts in an opens stance, slight rotation to load, swing produced mostly pull side contact, showed ability to go the other way.  On the infield, 75 mph positional velo, moves well to ball, quick feet, quick catch and throw, high three quarters release.

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