By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

The January Underclass Invitational Showcase was one of the best overall showings of young talent that this event has seen. After reviewing player videos, notes and stats we have compiled our lists of top positional players which we will unveil all week.

Today we look at the middle infielders. Florida State commit Nick Derr (Geneva, 2016) is currently ranked No. 3 in the state and showed why with his highly advanced tools. Derr ran an event best 6.62 in the 60 and showed some of the best bat speed at the event. Offensively, Derr is possibly the most advanced prospect in his class.

Here’s a look at the top middle infield prospects.

Top Middle Infielders

1. Nick Derr, SS, Geneva HS, 2016
Verbally committed to Florida State. Highest-level athlete with high-level tool set. Set Illinois Underclass Invitational five-year record by running a 6.62 60. Physically advanced 6-foot, 180-pound frame, runs with power and grace. Extremely advanced offensive player; offensive prowess mature well beyond years. Explosive bat speed yet maintains excellent balance throughout. Advanced rhythm and timing in box, quiet mechanics, superior barrel whip through zone, ball jumps off bat with backspin carry, displays pull side power potential; recorded 92 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clocked at 82 mph across infield, ball carries; moves well laterally, longer arm action. With speed and athleticism, may develop into centerfielder at next levels. Three-sport standout athlete – football (quarterback) and basketball – scary to think where Derr will be when he focuses on one sport at next level.

2. Matt Burch, SS, Warren HS, 2016
High-level middle infield prospect. 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame, solidly built, proportional strength. Hard-nosed player, advanced left-handed hitter with arm strength. Prototypical top-of-the-order hitter. Excellent barrel control, balanced setup, quiet mechanics, plenty of bat speed, short, level bat path, works all fields well. Aggressive but under control, swings hard but maintains excellent balance throughout, gets extension after contact. Registered 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, can play either middle infield position; registered top infield velocity at Underclass Invitational at 84 mph with accuracy. Soft, reliable hands, natural infield actions, fields the ball in rhythm, creates angles, plays through ball well. Ran a 7.10 60.

3. Jacob Snider, MIF, Champaign Central, 2016
5-foot-9, 170-pound middle infielder. Offensively has one of the more advanced approaches at the plate. Hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading action, tremendous balance throughout. Simple swing, head stays quiet, short path, high level hand-eye, consistent contact, excellent barrel awareness. 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively attacks the baseball on the infield, excellent angle, plays through the baseball. 6.94 runner. Arm plays at 74 mph across the diamond. Snider is one of the more advanced hitters in his class, a high contact hitter will hit for high average, high follow 2016 prospect.

4. Ryan King, SS, Brother Rice, 2017
5-foot-7, 135-pound, athletic, switch hitting shortstop who projects well. Defensively, he plays through the ball with athletically advanced actions. Showed quality body control on the move. Hands are soft and exchanges are smooth and quick. Arm works short, from ¾ slot at 74 mph with carry and accuracy. Ran a 7.4 60. As a left-handed hitter has a smooth swing with a short, flat path and solid extension. Showed gap-to-gap juice. As a right-handed hitter he has a very similar swing with slightly more polish. Swing is short and flat with quality extension. Exit velocity off a tee as a right handed hitter was 75 mph. as a left-handed hitter it was 69 mph.

5. Luke Shadid, INF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound quick twitch, athletic infielder. Posted the second fastest 60 time at the event, running a 6.83. On the infield he works with quick feet and solid hands. Arm works long, from a ¾ slot at 75 mph. His advanced foot speed and athleticism suggest he could also be a high level centerfielder. At the plate he hits from a wide, balanced setup. Swing plane is flat with solid extension and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee.

6. Jeremy Gaines, OF/2B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound athletic, fast-twitch athlete who projects well at the next level. Showed high-quality foot speed, running a 6.8 60. Foot speed translates well in the outfield as he showed crisp routes to the ball. Arm works loose, from over-the-top at 80 mph with carry and accuracy. On the infield showed the same quick footwork with clean hands and above average, athletic infield actions. Arm works at 76 mph across the diamond with carry and accuracy. At the plate he hits from an open stance. Uses the lower half well and maintains balance through contact. Swing has rhythm, slight uphill path with quality extension, above average bat speed and solid barrel whip. Exit velocity was 79 mph off the tee.

7. Jack Coney, MIF/ RHP, St. Viator, 2016
6-foot, 160-pound athletic two-way player with advanced foot speed. Ran a 6.94 60. Foot speed translates well on defense as he plays through the ball with athletic feet, soft hands, and quick, clean exchanges. Arm works loose, from a high ¾ slot with accuracy and carry at 78 mph. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, and excellent balance through contact. Swing is free and loose with solid extension. Exit velocity off the tee was 71 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery has smooth rhythm, clean lines, and regular effort. Filled up the strike zone with his straight fastball, sitting 77-79 mph. Had feel for his curveball, throwing it with 11/5 shape at 61-64 mph. Had advanced feel for his changeup, throwing it 65-68 mph with arm side run and fading action.

8. Conner Lovely, SS, Metea Valley, 2016
6-foot-2, 175-pound infielder, average build, some length with room to fill out. Defensively shows advanced actions on the infield, hands are soft, plays athletically through the baseball, well above average body control. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, accurate and on line, some effort, 71 mph across the diamond. Offensively this from a balanced stance, minimal loading action, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Bat path is short, line drive gap to gap hitter, stays on top of the baseball, athletic hands. 79 mph exit velocity. 7.38 runner in the 60.

9. Michael Ruffolo, MIF, Ridgewood, 2016
5-foot-7, 135-pound, athletic, middle infielder. Defensively, showed clean, soft hands with quick catch and release skills. Arm works short and loose from a high ¾ slot at 77 mph with carry. Ran a 7.46 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride and maintains excellent balance through contact. Swing has fluid rhythm with a flat bat that stays in the zone long, with solid barrel whip. Has solid pop for his size. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee.

10. Jimmy Day, SS, Barrington, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound infielder. Frame carries strength, wide shouldered, solid lower half, present physicality with more to come. Defensively showed athleticism on the field, able to play on the move, actions are sound, showed softness in hands. Arm plays at 72 mph across the diamond, with some accuracy. Offensively hits from balanced stance, short stride, smooth load with solid lower half. Maintains good balance through contact. Head stays quiet, short path to the baseball, well above average hands, bat speed is present. Posted 88 mph exit velocity off of the tee. Day also ran a 7.40 60. Day could project as a strong third base type with gap to gap power at the next level.

11. Trey Riley, SS/RHP, Edwardsville, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitting two way player. Has physically developed and showed significant gains since the last time we saw him. Defensively, showed soft hands, clean exchanges, and plays through the ball athletically. Arm works loose, from a ¾ slot with accuracy and carry at 78 mph. Ran a 7.65 60. At the plate he hits from a tall, narrow stance with a solid lower half and maintains excellent balance through contact. Swing has a flat path and solid pop. Exit velocity off the tee was 82 mph. On the mound his delivery has smooth rhythm and easy effort that allows him to repeat and have three pitch feel. Arm works short and quick from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was 79-81 mph, touching 83 mph, with run. Curveball has 11/5 shape with sharp breaking action at 67-70 mph, for strikes. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed at 70-73 mph, with fading action and advanced feel.

12. Zach Jarosz, MIF, Plainfield North, 2016
5-foot-9, 150-pound infielder. Defensively, he plays through balls athletically with solid hands and quick footwork. Arm works long and stiff at 75 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.3 60. At the plate he hits from a tall stance. Bat path is level with extension and creates quality whip. Exit velocity off the tee was 79 mph.

13. Brandon Skopick, MIF, Lincoln-Way East, 2016
5-foot-8, 140-pound thin, left-handed hitting infielder. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced stance, diving stride and maintains excellent balance through contact. Swing is simple and compact with a flat path. Exit velocity off the tee was 82 mph. Defensively he moves athletically and plays through the ball with quick, fluid footwork and soft hands. Arm works short from a high ¾ slot with great accuracy at 78 mph.

14. Tyler Peterson, SS/RHP, Lake Zurich, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound, left handed hitting two way player. Defensively showed quality actions and soft hands. Arm works long and loose from over the top, with solid carry at 79 mph. Ran a 7.29 60. At the plate hits from a balanced stance with a toe tap load and launch mechanism. Swing is short with hands working from inside the ball on a slight uphill path, gets quality extension. Showed solid barrel whip and bat speed. Exit velocity was 90 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery has some rhythm with regular effort. Arm works quick, from a high ¾ slot. Showed feel for the fastball, sitting 78-80 mph, touching 81 mph with slight running action. Showed advanced feel for his changeup, throwing it with fastball arm speed at 71-74 mph and sinking action. Curveball has 11/5 shape, sitting 63-68 mph.

15. Colin Fowich, SS/RHP, Lake Park, 2016
Lanky build, 6-foot-2, 160-pound two-way player, projectable long athletic frame. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly closed stance, shorter leg kick stride. Longer path, occasionally lunges, athletic hands, loose swing with whip, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows long athletic actions on the infield, arm shows some effort, 71 mph across the diamond, some body control, clean exchange. 71 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball is mostly straight, showed control of the zone, 76-78 mph. Shows advanced feel for his curveball, 11/5 shape with above average action, with added velocity has high level potential, 61-66 mph. Changeup has sink, 62-64 mph, shows some control.

Best of the Rest

Tom Duddleston, MIF, De La Salle, 2016
5-foot-11, 160-pound athletic infielder. Defensively, he plays through the ball athletically with soft hands, and natural instincts. Arm action is athletic, long and easy from a high ¾ slot at 73 mph with accuracy and some carry. Ran a 7.33 60. At the plate he hits from a tall, balanced stance with a short stride. Has a slightly uphill bat path. Exit velocity off the tee was 79 mph.

Zack Fick, SS, St. Charles North, 2016
5-foot-10, 130-pound infielder. Defensively, showed athletic actions playing through the ball, soft hands, and clean exchanges. Arm works short and loose from a high ¾ slot with solid carry at 72 mph. Ran a 7.56 60. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open stance with a small leg kick trigger and short stride. Has a line drive swing with a short, level path that gets solid extension with above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee.

Colin Gibson, MIF/RHP, Marmion, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound two way player. On the infield showed solid hands. Arm works short, from over-the-top at 65 mph with some accuracy. Ran an 8.58 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with a diving stride. Bat path is long and flat. Exit velocity was 66 mph off a tee. On the mound his arm works short and loose from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was 69-70 mph, flashing some run. Curveball has quality 12/6 shape and solid action at 61-62 mph. Showed feel for the changeup, throwing it 64-65 mph with sinking action. Slider was 61-63 mph.

Cole Greer, SS, Pleasant Plains, 2017
5-foot-8, 145-pound infielder with solid foot speed for his age, running a 7.14 60. At the plate hits from a balanced stance. Swing plane is steep and dominated by shoulder rotation. Exit velocity was 78 mph off the tee. Defensively, showed solid hands. Arm works loose, from ¾ slot, with some accuracy at 70 mph.

Jared Jones, MIF/RHP, Joliet Catholic Academy, 2016
6-foot-1, 150-pound two way player. On the mound arm plays out of a ¾ slot, short arm action, works out of the stretch. Fastball is mostly straight, 77-78 mph. Showed a curveball and slider. Curveball sat 64-65 mph, slurve action. Slider is 68-69 mph, showed better control. Changeup has fade, 62-63 mph. Defensively showed average hands, arm played at 71 mph across the diamond. Hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Also ran an 8.09 60.

Hunter Keim, SS/RHP, Rock Island, 2017
5-foot-11, 145-pound lanky, two-way player.  On the mound his delivery has some rhythm and regular effort. Arm works loose from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 74-77 mph with sink when located down in the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, sitting 63-65 mph. Showed advanced feel for his changeup, throwing 68-70 mph with arm side run and fastball arm speed. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance with a long, diving stride. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed solid hands. Arm works loose, from high ¾ slot with some carry, at 73 mph. Ran an 8.26 60.

Kyle Kirschenmann, MIF, Moline, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound switch hitting middle infielder. From the right side he hits from a wide, crouched stance. Hands work well in the swing, middle of the field approach, and showed quick bat speed. From the left side has the same wide, crouched stance. Swing has late rhythm with more of a pull side approach. Exit velocity off a tee from the right side was 85 mph. From the left side it was 79 mph. Defensively showed solid hands. Arm works long and stiff from a ¾ slot at 69 mph. Ran a 7.13 60.

Kelly Lane, MIF, Brooks, 2016
5-foot-11, 160-pound infielder. At the plate he hits from a tall, balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, and maintains balance through contact. Has a simple, line drive swing. Hands work well in the swing. Exit velocity was 73 mph off the tee. Defensively, showed soft hands and quick feet. Arm works long and stiff from a high ¾ slot at 72 mph with solid carry. Ran a 7.62 60.

Justin Machado, INF/RHP, Glenbrook South, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. Shows bat speed, solid contact out in front, creates whip. Defensively shows solid hands, deliberate footwork, 7.38 runner in the 60. Arm plays at 76 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot, shows some ability to release on the move. On the mound, fastball is mostly straight 76-77 mph touched 78 mph. Curveball flashed 12/6 shape with bite, showed control in the zone, 62-66 mph. Changeup has slight arm side action, showed control and feel, near fastball arm speed, 64-67 mph.

Will McKenna, C/SS, Mount Carmel, 2016
5-foot-9, 165-pound multi-positional player. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance with a smooth loading action and diving stride. Swing is long with a flat path and solid bat speed, and some barrel whip. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. On the infield throws with a short arm, ¾ slot at 76 mph. From behind the plate he shows a solid setup. Arm works short at 76 mph with solid carry and accuracy. Pop times were 2.26-2.34. Ran a 7.32 60.

Andrew Millas, C/SS, Belleville East, 2016
6-foot-1, 165-pound switch hitting catcher/shortstop. Defensively showed above average arm strength from the crouch (77 mph), occasional carry, loose arm action. Posted pop times at 2.19. Displayed quick feet on the infield with a 76 mph arm across the diamond. 7.28 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from both sides of the plate, balanced setup, slightly crouched. Solid balance through contact, flatter bat path, 75 mph exit velocity from the right side, 81 mph exit velocity from the left side.

Maclain Neal, MIF, Hinsdale Central, 2016
5-foot-7, 160-pound, compact middle infielder. On the infielder he showed solid hands. Arm works from a high ¾ slot at 70 mph across the diamond with accuracy. Ran a 7.33 60. At the plate hits from a balanced stance with a diving stride. Swing is smooth with a steep path. Exit velocity off a tee was 72 mph.

Ryan Schefske, SS/RHP, Glenbard East, 2016
5-foot-11, 155-pound athletic two way player. On the infield he plays through the ball athletically with soft hands and quick exchanges. Arm works loose, from a ¾ slot, at 68 mph. Ran a 7.4 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup and short stride. Bat path is slightly up hill with quality extension. Showed above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 75 mph off the tee. On the mound he throws with a rhythmic delivery, regular effort and has an athletic finish. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot. Had feel for his fastball, sitting 74-76 mph, touching 77 mph, with late arm side run. His curveball has 11/5 shape and was 64-66 mph. Had feel for his changeup, throwing it 64-67 mph with arm side run.

Christian Schuler, MIF, Pontiac, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound infielder. Defensively, showed quality actions with soft hands. Arm works loose from a high ¾ slot at 74 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.57 60. Offensively, hits from an open stance with a short stride and maintains balance through contact. Swing is short and sweet, flat path, quality extension and barrel whip. Showed pull side pop. Exit velocity off a tee was 77 mph.

Thomas Smart, MIF, Loyola, 2016
6-foot-2, 170-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed above average footwork on the infield, arm plays at 69 mph across the diamond, short over the top arm action, some accuracy. 7.63 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a balance stance, short stride, two piece swing, arm bar load. 78 mph across the diamond.

Angel Torres, MIF, St. Charles North, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound strong, middle infielder with above average foot speed for his age. Ran 7.03 60. Defensively, showed solid hands. Arm works long and stiff from a ¾ slot at 71 mph with solid carry. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup and maintains solid balance through contact. Swing has choppy rhythm, is handsy and gets solid extension. Exit velocity off the tee was 80 mph off a tee.

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