Underclass Trials: Infielder Analysis

In our next installment in Underclass Trials analysis, we’re going to break down the day’s infielders. The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin hosted some of the state’s best 2020, 2021, 2022 talent and of the classes represented at the event, the incoming sophomores looked exceptionally talented up the middle of the diamond.

Austin Bestul (Elkhorn, 2021) had one of the best performances at Underclass Trials. He displayed tools across the board including one of the day’s better 60-yard dash times and the top infield velocity. In the batter’s box, he’s got a short swing that made for some impressive gap-to-gap contact on the day.

Joining Bestul on the list of top performers on the day are fellow 2021s Michael Rivera (Warren, IL) and Andrew Brockwell (Brodhead). Rivera is turning himself into one of the most athletic sophomore-bound prospects in Illinois. He’s a well-rounded defender who is capable in the batter’s box, too. As for Brockwell, while he looked live-armed on the mound, he made plenty of hard contact at the plate and looks like a solid defender at the hot corner.

We’ll continue to analyze the players from Underclass Trials the rest of this week, so keep an eye out. Yesterday, we broke down the event’s catchers, to read that, CLICK HERE. For now, to read the rest of the reports on each of the infielders who visited The Rock, check them out below.

Top Prospects

1. Austin Bestul, INF/RHP, Elkhorn, 2021
5-foot-8, 145-pound two-way player, athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup with smooth loading action, short reverse load stride, good balance throughout. Bat path is short, line drive gap-to-gap contact, fluid rhythm. Athletic hands, works the middle of the field. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, some length, high ¾ slot, carry across the infield, 81 mph. Hands played soft, out front, fluid actions, plays through the baseball. 7.33 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays over the top long action, plunges in back, regular effort. Works in rhythm, lands square with closed toe. Fastball is straight, 77-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball plays with 11/5 shape, 62-66 mph. Changeup sinks, 68-71 mph.

2. Michael Rivera, INF, Warren (IL), 2021
6-foot, 155-pound infielder, athletic frame with length. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride to even, loads hands back. Average bat speed on long path, generates pull side contact. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action works short from a high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. Feet work through the baseball, showed body control, above average actions. 7.48 runner in the 60.

3. Andrew Brockwell, RHP/3B, Brodhead, 2021
6-foot-1, 155-pound two-way player, lean athletic body type. On the mound works directionally down the hill, firm front side, uses slide step out of the stretch. Live arm works loose and quick from a high ¾ slot. Stays on top of the fastball, slight sink and run, 79-80 mph, touched 82 mph. Cutter played at 70-71 mph, slightly decelerated arm action. Changeup sinks, 68-70 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, front foot swings into stride. Path is level through contact, line drive hitter, showed bat speed, hard contact at times. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short out of a high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. Hands play out in front, confident hands work through the baseball and funnel to release. 7.46 runner in the 60.

4. Nicklas Williams, INF, Union Grove, 2021
5-foot-10, 180-pound infielder, strong build for age. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading action. Path is level, made line-drive contact in BP, hits in rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, exchange can get long at times, 76 mph across the diamond. Above average hands, moved well laterally on the infield. 7.72 runner in the 60.

5. Harrison Toone, INF/RHP, Brookfield East, 2021
5-foot-5, 120-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short toe tap stride, good balance. Path is short to the baseball, line drive contact, singles type hitter. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, played accurate, 65 mph across the diamond. Hands played clean out in front, plays through the baseball. On the mound works short and direct to target. Arm action is clean high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 67-69 mph, topped at 71 mph. Curveball worked 12/6, 55-57 mph. Knuckle ball has slight sink, minimal spin, 56-59 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Dylan Ackermann, LHP/1B, Newman Catholic, 2021
6-foot-1, 150-pound left-handed two-way player, lean lanky frame. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Path works uphill, natural lift from the left side, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.91 runner in the 60. Defensively arm action is long and over the top, 64 mph across the diamond. On the mound delivery works with regular effort, long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, slight running action, 74-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball worked gradually on 1/7 plane, 58-60 mph. Changeup sinks, 62-63 mph.

Spencer Brochtrup, INF, Mukwonago, 2020
5-foot-10, 210-pound infielder, strong thick build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short leg lift stride, triggers quick bat speed, maintains balance. Path is short and level, made line drive gap to gap contact, fluid rhythm. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top slot, 68 mph across the diamond. Exchange is clean, hands played deep. 8.05 runner in the 60.

Carl Cano, SS/OF/RHP, Bay Port, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound, two-way prospect, lanky frame. Offensively, right-handed, closed setup, bar load, maintains balance. Opposite field approach, makes line drive contact, 88 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, more natural actions in outfield, arm action is long, loose, high ¾ slot, 77 mph from the outfield. On the infield, short arm action, high ¾ slot, fields deep, 79 mph across the infield. On the mound, quick, loose arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery. Fastball, running action, sat 79 mph, touched 80. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 62-66. Changeup, sinking movement, 68-71.

Noah Dixon, INF/RHP, Waunakee, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound two -way player. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, short toe tap stride. Aggressive swing, showed some strength through contact, path was level. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, accurate across, 74 mph. Hands worked clean to deliberate exchange. 7.91 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works tall and fall, regular effort, ¾ slot. Fastball topped at 75 mph, sat 73-74 mph, sinking action. Curveball plays 10/4, 60-63 mph. Changeup sat 60-63 mph.

Adam Diedrich, INF/RHP, Hilbert, 2020
6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player, long lean frame. On the mound arm works clean, regular draw, loose action, high ¾ slot. Delivery lacks lower half, mostly all arm with quick action, in rhythm, little effort. Fastball has run to arm side, sat 79 mph, topped at 80 mph. Curveball showed occasional 12/6 action, 68-70 mph. Changeup sinks to arm side, near fastball arm speed, 69-71 mph. Offensively hits from both sides, showed more strength from the right side, balanced setup, uses level path, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short, high ¾ slot, 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Plays tall at times through the baseball, hands out front. 8.06 runner in the 60.

Isaac Engelbrecht, RHP/3B, Oak Creek, 2021
6-foot-3, 185-pound two-way player, high waisted lean athletic frame, projects best on the mound. Ability to repeat delivery, with little effort, uses slide step out of the stretch. Arm action is long, works out of high ¾ slot, quick arm. Fastball is mostly straight, 82-83 mph in the windup, 78 mph out of the stretch. Slider has gradual 10/4 shape, 66-68 mph. Splitter sinks, worked down, 68-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride to even. Path is slight uphill, hard contact at times to both gaps. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm works similar to that on the mound, 80 mph across the diamond. Third base profile, hands play through the baseball, gets tall at times. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Brennan Foeckler, RHP/1B, Marquette University, 2020
6-foot-5, 210-pound two-way player. On the mound arm action works long from a high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball has slight run, touched 80 mph, sat 76-77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, ranged 60-67 mph. Changeup sinks, slight arm deceleration, 67-68 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, loads hands back, leg kick trigger. Path is long and works uphill, works off backside, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the infield arm plays 68 mph across the diamond, long high ¾ arm action. 7.90 runner in the 60.

Kaiden Forsyth, RHP/3B, Oconomowoc, 2022
6-foot, 240-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, high back elbow, short heel lift stride, average balance. Swing is firm, flashes power, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at a corner infield spot, arm action is long, 68 mph across the diamond. 8.61 runner in the 60. On the mound arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball is mostly straight, 73-75 mph. Curveball has gradual 11/5 shape, 60-62 mph. Changeup sinks, near fastball arm speed, 67-70 mph.

George Henkel, RHP/3B, Appleton West, 2021
6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way player, lean projectable frame. Delivery shows ability to repeat, tall and fall type, coil lift at balance point with toe down, swings to square landing. Arm action is loose and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball runs slightly to arm side, feel for the strike zone, 77-78 mph, topped at 79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 61-63 mph. Slider is similar, slightly harder at 64-66 mph. Changeup runs to arm side, 67-70 mph, occasionally lower slot. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Loose hands, projectable swing, path is short made line drive gap to gap contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long from a high ¾ slot, 76 mph across the diamond. 7.96 runner in the 60.

Quentin Jehn, C, Waterford Union, 2020
5-foot-7, 140-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back. Simple, mechanically inclined approach, short path occasional line drive contact to all fields. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm worked short and over the top, occasionally accurate, 70 mph out of the crouch. 2.26-2.33 pop times. On the infield arm played at 68 mph across, feet play to a spot, sits on his fielding position, two-piece through the baseball. 7.45 runner in the 60.

Hunter Johnstone, 3B/RHP, Oak Creek, 2021
6-foot-1, 185-pound two-way player, strong mature build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, short stride, average balance. Level path, showed bat strength, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively exchange is clean, feet work through, projects at third base. Strong arm for age, 79 mph across the diamond, short over the top slot. 7.61 runner in the 60. On the mound arm works similar. Fastball is straight, worked downhill with occasional tilt, 78-80 mph. Cutter has downer action, 10/4 shape at times, ranged 61-67 mph. Changeup sinks, 64-69 mph.

Brady Katterhagen, C/INF, Union Grove, 2021
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting catcher/infielder. Hits from a balanced stance, short leg lift stride, good balance. Middle of the field, line drive approach. Repeats level bat path, hands work loose. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch, 71 mph across the diamond. 8.75 runner in the 60. Pop times posted at 2.32-2.36.

Haden Kriston, INF, Loyola Academy (IL), 2022
5-foot-10, 180-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, open setup, stride gets back to even, lower half collapses. Path is long, works uphill, flashed gap to gap contact, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at a corner infield spot, clean exchange. Arm plays short from a high ¾ slot. 68 mph across the diamond. 8.80 runner in the 60.

Mason Krznarich, C/1B, Arrowhead, 2022
5-foot-8, 145-pound left-handed hitting C/1B. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth loading action, slight leg lift stride. Path has length, slight collapse with uphill path. Pull lift approach, above average bat speed at age. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long from a high ¾ slot, 70 out of the crouch, 68 mph across the diamond. Pop times ranged 2.36-2.51. 8.55 runner in the 60.

Michael Lippe, OF/INF, Whitefish Bay, 2022
6-foot, 170-pound, strong, athletic-build, right-handed outfielder and corner infielder, projectable frame. Offensively, balanced, reverse toe-tap stride, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, long barrel path through zone, fluid rhythm, 91 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60. Defensively, in the outfield, long, loose arm action, kept throws on target, 77 mph. On the infield, similar arm action, 74 mph across. Plays through the ball, athletic actions.

Matthew Moyes, INF, Edgewood, 2020
5-foot-9, 150-pound infielder, average frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick stride, repeats setup and load. Path worked level through contact, produced line drives. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.27 runner in the 60. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 73 mph across with some accuracy. Feet shuffled through the baseball, gains ground to target, looks to get rid of it quickly.

Cole Osness, INF/RHP, Wausau West, 2021
5-foot-8, 145-pound two-way player, lean build. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, balanced stance, short stride. Simple approach, average bat speed, opposite field contact. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is firm, ¾ slot, accurate across, 69 mph across the diamond. Quick transfer, hands played average in the middle of the body. 7.73 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works tall and falls to target, regular effort. Arm action is long, ¾ slot. Fastball sinks, 72-74 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 63-65 mph. Straight changeup, near fastball arm speed, 68-70 mph.

Graeson Pankratz, INF, Oconto Falls, 2022
5-foot, 90-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, balance stance, loads hands back, medium stride. Path has length, 57 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 58 mph across the diamond. 8.50 runner in the 60.

Danny Perdzock, RHP/INF, Milwaukee Lutheran, 2020
6-foot-4, 200-pound two-way player, long lanky frame, projects. Delivery works with long levers, direction is on line, lands square. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, touched 83 mph, 80-82 mph. Curveball worked 12/6, 65-67 mph. Changeup sinks, near fastball arm speed, 68-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, big leg kick stride. Pull side approach, occasional hard contact, line drive. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 72 mph across the diamond. Exchange is clean, glove pat release. 7.81 runner in the 60.

James Reese, INF, University School of Milwaukee, 2022
5-foot-7, 135-pound infielder, wiry frame. Defensively showed above average actions for his age, plays through the baseball, feet are fluid with clean exchange that funnels to release. 7.76 runner in the 60. Arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, maintains balance. Path works, short and level, line drive contact. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jake Sager, INF, Oconto Falls, 2022
5-foot-2, 98-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanceds tance, short stride, average balance. Path is short, to and out of the zone, 57 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands funnel the baseball, clean exchange. Arm plays at 58 mph across the diamond. 8.81 runner in the 60.

Kellan Short, C/INF/RHP, Catholic Memorial, 2021
5-foot-8, 150-pound C/RHP, wide shouldered, carries some strength for age. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short lifted stride. Line drive approach, level path, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm is short and over the top, accurate arm, 72 mph out of the crouch, 78 mph across the diamond. Showed playable hands at both positions, funnels to release on the infield, works to play through the baseball. Pop times ranged 2.16-2.19. 7.80 runner in the 60. On the mound, arm worked similar. Fastball is mostly straight, worked down, 74-77 mph. Curveball has depth, 12/6 action, 61-64 mph. Changeup sinks, 64-65 mph.

Will Staviski, RHP/1B, Brookfield East, 2021
6-foot-1, 150-pound two-way player, long slender frame. Projects best on the mound, tall and fall delivery with regular effort, works directional, lands square. Arm action is long and over the top. Fastball has slight sink, 77-78 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape. 63-64 mph. Changeup sinks, fades to arm side, 69-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick trigger, average balance. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 74 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot. Showed body control on the infield, clean exchange. 7.99 runner in the 60.

Anthony Vivian, C/INF, Dodgeville, 2021
5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher, advanced physical build, carries loose strength. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift stride. Quick bat with strength, jumps of bat at times, path is short and strong, slight pull side approach. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 72 mph out of the crouch, 78 mph across the diamond. Showed best at catcher, durable build, strong block, efficient footwork. 2.16-2.25 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.25.

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