Top Tier Scout Day: Takeaways
August 25, 2021
On Sunday June 13, the PBR Illinois scouting staff hosted the Top Tier Scout Day at Triton College in River Grove, IL, at Symonds-Puckett Field. The scout day included players from the 2022-to-2024 graduating classes and focused on position players primarily, with the pitchers getting a session in during intrasquad action.
Today, we’ll bring you a quick takeaways story from the event, highlighting standouts and noteworthy names as evaluated by our scouting staff. We also sifted through some of the data collected from this event and posted the statistical leaders from the day.
QUICK HITS
2022 PROSPECTS
+ C/RHP Matt Tarr (West Aurora, 2022) popped as one of the top all-around performers for the day. Built at a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pounds, Tarr looks the part as a potential two-way prospect at the next level. It’s a short, simple operation at the plate with clear bat strength, producing a max exit velocity of 102.44 mph in BP, per TrackMan. His round of BP resulted in numerous hard-hit baseballs - a few that even landed beyond the outfield fence. Tarr’s most valuable asset from a position standpoint, however, may be his glove. His soft hands and strong wrists allow him to present the ball well, while his arm topped at 85 mph from the chute, regularly producing accurate pops in the sub-2.00 range. He hopped on the mound later on in gameplay, bumping his fastball up to 89 mph, sitting at 84-87 mph throughout. His breaking ball flashed sharp action in the low-70s, showing the same swing-and-miss spin we’d previously seen. Tarr is presently amongst the top uncommitted prospects in the Illinois’ incoming senior class.
Matthew Tarr (6/13/2021)
+ OF Brendan Summerhill (Whitney Young, 2022) continues to trend upward from a prospect standpoint and his showing at this event was yet another impressive look. Summerhill’s 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame is the type of body you dream of, as it oozes projection and room for him to fill out. His loose left-handed stroke regularly produced hard contact on the barrel and he owns an innate feel to elevate the baseball, working gap-to-gap. Summerhill’s peak batted distance (380 ft.) and average batted distance (297 ft.) each landed towards the top of the event leaderboard, too. It’s an already advanced bat that offers enormous upside, especially from the left side. Defensively, Summerhill glides to the ball with confidence, playing through the baseball with present athleticism and nimble feet. Recently committed to Arizona, he has all the tools to be a top-of-the-order type at the collegiate level that can also be an asset defensively, potentially in center field.
Brendan Summerhill (6/13/2021)
+ Another high-follow name inside the state’s 2022 rankings that we saw: OF/RHP Alex Stanwich (Lincoln Way East; Tennessee). Stanwich only hit at this event, but it was still an impressive showing nonetheless by the muscle-bound 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete.He sent several towering line drives over the fence at Triton, working through the baseball with intent while showing advanced bat speed as well. His high-octane tools and next level athleticism give Stanwich one of the highest all-around ceilings in the country.
OF @AlexStanwich (Lincoln-Way East, @Vol_Baseball, 2022) with a pair of big BP rounds. Top exit velo of 103.5 mph.@prepbaseball | #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/ZjA4ejIcoZ
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) July 6, 2021
+ 3B/OF Luke Adams (Hinsdale Central, 2022), a Michigan State commit, was a surprise attendee at the event and took an ultra-physical round of BP. Six of Adam’s 11 swings registered at 100 mph or harder, with three coming in at 104 mph +. His furthest ball travelled 414 feet as he made the field look small on numerous occasions. Adams’ has some of the top combinations of tools in the entire class. High-level 2022 prospect.
+ We got an up-to-date look at one of the nation’s most potent left-handed bats at this event: 1B Daniel Pacella (Mundelein, 2022; Illinois State). The 6-foot-3, 230-pound ultra physical first baseman put on an absolute show in BP, blistering multiple baseballs over 100 mph, reaching a peak exit velo of 106 mph - the hardest hit ball of the day by four ticks. Pacella also recorded the highest average exit speed of the day at 97.81 mph, which is yet again another impressive power metric that he checks. He continues to look every bit the part of a true middle-of-the-order impact type bat.
Daniel Pacella (6/13/2021)
+ Still uncommitted, left/left OF Will Goldberg (Homewood Flossmoor, 2022) put together a solid day. Standing at a lanky 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, he showed a quality all-around skill-set that can play at the next level. He swings a loose left-handed bat that generates hand whip through the zone and worked gap-to-gap in BP, working on the barrel throughout. Goldberg showed well during his defensive workout, taking proper routes around the baseball while attacking in rhythm.
+ Uncommitted catcher Ryan Louthan (Joliet Catholic, 2022), ranked No. 148 in the Illinois 2022 class, was one of the top catcher’s on the day. He’s a strong 5-foot-10, 200-pound left-handed hitter with a compact, repeatable swing that showed advanced hand strength. His bat stays level through the zone and the ball jumps off the barrel. Defensively, he is clean and efficient out of the crouch, topping at 76 mph with a low pop time of 2.01.
+ The BP round that OF Jermaine Young Jr. (St. Patrick, 2022) took certainly opened some eyes on this day. Standing at a strong 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, Young’s physical stature in the batter’s box certainly translates to his right-handed stroke. He barreled up several balls, a handful that even left the yard. The ball seemed to jump off his bat as he stayed short to the baseball with a loose, repeatable swing. Young screamed one off his barrel at 101 mph with an average exit speed on balls in play at 93.57 mph, per TrackMan. He controlled his body in the outfield as well, peppering home plate with accurate throws that stayed on line.
Jermaine Young Jr. (6/13/2021)
+ A couple of 2022 corner infielders who showed off above-average bat strength were left-handed hitter Jacob White (Mount Carmel) and right-handed hitter Sam Ruchala (Andrew). Both White and Ruchala have an aggressive approach at the plate and swing with intent; both registering a max exit velocity of 95 mph during BP.
2023 PROSPECTS
+ A pair of New Trier 2023s who continue to show well are 3B Graham Mastros and OF Brenden Stressler. Mastros has a well-rounded skill set as an above-average runner with power in his bat, middle-of-the-order potential and should be able to stick at third base moving forward. Mastros has a loose, easy swing and above-average power. Stressler, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound, strong, left/left prospect has a fluid, repeatable swing with polish and upside. Stressler eventually earned an invitation to this summer’s Future Games.
+ Lucas Smith (Nazareth, 2023) was an integral part of the Road Runners success this spring and carried it over into the summer. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder has well-proportioned strength throughout his frame, plays with a high-motor and has a knack for hard contact in game. Smith profiles at all three outfield spots, topped at 86 mph and registered a max exit velocity of 95 mph during BP.
Lucas Smith (6/13/2021)
+ Uncommitted RHP Tommy Haggerty (Homewood-Flossmoor), ranked No. 61 in the Illinois 2023 class, showed well numerous times this summer. Long-limbed, 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame, projectable. Long, loose arm action plays out of a ¾ slot. Uses lower-half well, turns hip to the hitter as he strides down the mound, finishes in-line with the plate. Fastball sat 80-84 mph touching 85 mph once with occasional arm-side life. Breaking ball showed gradual 10/4 action in the 66-70 mph range.
+ A physical 2023 to keep an eye on is RHP/3B Zachary Kwasny (Lincoln-Way East). The 6-foot-4, 210-pound, wide-shouldered, strong, right-handed hitter has legitimate two-way abilities. At the plate he stays short and direct to the ball with the ability to backspin the baseball with authority to all fields. Kwasny registered a max exit velocity of 97.7 mph during BP with a max distance of 327 feet. Kwasny also flashes upside on the mound. During intrasquads Kwasny ran his fastball up to 84 mph (has been upper-80’s in the past) and mixed in a curveball at 70-73 mph.
+ Another physical 2023 for Top Tier is C/1B Andy Roman (Wheaton Academy). The 6-foot-3, 200-pound, right-handed hitter takes an ultra-intentful swing looking to drive the baseball in the air with authority, Roman has loose, strong hands, present bat speed and found the barrel with regularity despite swinging with effort at times. Roman had a max exit velocity of 95.29 mph with a max distance of 331 feet. Roman also topped at 80 mph from the crouch with a low pop time of 1.95.
+ Uncommitted SS Jaden Correa (De La Salle) has a projectable 6-foot, 165-pound frame and fluidness to all parts of his game. He’s been trending upward for some time now and capped his summer off by showing well at the PBR Future Games with Team Illinois. Correa impressed on the infield with quick/athletic footwork and above-average range, showing smooth hands, a quick transfer, and present arm accuracy. He also showcased body control on a slow-roller play during the game. At the plate, Correa takes a big swing from the right-side of the plate with natural lift and loose hands.
+ One of the top 2023 bats in attendance looked to be catcher AJ Malzone (St. Rita) - a 5-foot-10 175-pound left-handed hitter, ranked No. 82 in the Illinois 2023 class. Offensively, Malzone starts in an athletic/open stance, leg-kick timing trigger into a long stride. Creates natural lift through the zone. Consistently on the barrel with advanced exit velocity. During intrasquads, Malzone also laid down a perfect bunt and reached base safely. Impressed defensively; strong arm, back-picked a runner at first base on a snap throw, quick and directional feet out of the crouch.
AJ Malzone (6/13/2021)
+ 1B/3B John Connors (Lincoln Way East, 2023) is a big-bodied left-handed hitting corner infielder that flashed some pop in the batter’s box. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Connors stays short to the baseball from the left side, maintaining a level bat path to contact while back spinning baseballs into each gap. His best batted ball came off his bat at 95 mph and traveled 334.25 feet.
+ MIF Joe Chiarelli (Downers Grove North, 2023) popped as a follow up-the-middle defender at this event. Built at an athletic 6-foot, 160-pounds, Chiarelli is smooth with the glove, working with a relative ease to him on the dirt. He’s sure-handed with athletic feet that cover ground and allow him to play comfortably on the move. Offensively, Chiarelli swings a loose and quick left-handed bat that works directly to the baseball and stays on the barrel.
+ OF/1B Tommy Townsend (Sycamore, 2023) stands at a physically imposing 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame. Townsend’s left-handed stroke travels on an uphill path to the baseball with present bat speed and a knack to elevate. He barreled one up at 96.44 mph, which was the fourth highest mark from a 2023 prospect in attendance. His present size and the physical projection left to his frame suggest an untapped potential for power as he continues to mature.
+ C Damon Brena (Niles West, 2023) is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound backstop that showed well at this event. He stays short to the baseball from the right side with present bat speed and barrel awareness, working line drives back up the middle throughout his BP round. Brena showed sound defensive actions as well, working quick to release with soft hands and athletic feet.
+ INF Colin Schmitke (Stevenson, 2023) continues to look the part as an athletic infield defender. Schmitke’s actions are advanced for his age, as his soft hands and quick feet project to stick on the dirt long-term. He plays through the baseball well and his arm works from multiple angels, too. Offensively, Schmitke swung a loose, quick bat with a gap-to-gap approach that worked in a line drive rhythm throughout batting practice.
2024 PROSPECTS
+ OF/SS Malik Johnson (Montini Catholic, 2024) introduced himself to our staff with a strong round of batting practice. The 6-foot, 155-pound Johnson owns an innate ability to consistently get on the barrel with a loose, repeatable swing. He showed quick feet and a loose arm as well, bouncing around the infield dirt with confidence.
+ 1B/3B Justin Vera-Medina (Loyola Academy) is another 2024 grad with a solid performance. The 6-foot, 197-pound Vera-Medina peppered gap-to-gap line drives in batting practice from an uphill attack angle, registering a max exit velocity of 91 mph, per TrackMan. Defensively he has smooth actions and attacks the ball aggressively that’s paired with a loose, accurate arm that works from a high ¾ slot.
STATISTICAL LEADERBOARDS
A quick look at the top statistical performers from this event.
MAX EXIT VELOCITY
MAX INFIELD VELOCITY
MAX OUTFIELD VELOCITY
MAX CATCHER VELOCITY
TOP POP TIMES
CLICK HERE for a look at the full roster from the event.
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