On July 17, the PBR Illinois team held a Class of 2021 Showcase at Lee Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream, Ill. Over 50 incoming juniors attended this bi-annual event and it, as usual, helped shine a light on some budding prospects in the 2021 class.

Throughout this week, we’ll be breaking down each and every prospect who attended this event, and we started the week with the event’s catchers and outfielders. For previous analysis on this event, check out our rapid analysis inside our Quick Hits post, as well as a more statistical look in our Stats Story. 

For now, continue on below to see the top-five-ranked infielders in Carol Stream, and reports on the rest of the players who made it out.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Andrew Jimenez, St. Charles North, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP Emerged as a high-follow 2021 prospect.
Body: 6-foot-3, 195-pounds. Wide-shouldered, athletic build with defined muscle.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and short leg-kick trigger. Swings with intent, present bat speed and bat strength. Short path, line-drive approach and the ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Long, quick arm action. high 3/4 slot and throws carried across the diamond.
Defense: Active feet, sure-hands, long through release.
Run: 6.76 runner in the 60. Advanced runner for frame and position.

2. Al Holguin, St. Rita, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP High-follow two-way prospect.
Body: 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Wide-shouldered, physical, strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, wide setup, smooth load, short stride and confident look in the box. Advanced bat speed, extension through contact, natural lift, consistently on time and on the barrel. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Middle of the order bat with power potential.
Arm: LH. INF - 84 mph. Short, loose, quick arm works out of a high 3/4 slot. Throws were accurate and carried across the diamond.
Defense: Feel and body control around the first base bag. Steady hands, clean release.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

3. Zachary Kim, Glenbrook North, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride and maintains balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, loose hands, long, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot and plays accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Infield actions, sure-hands, fluid footwork, smooth transfer, quick at times.
Run: 7.2 runner in the 60. 

4. Lucas Nielsen, Downers Grove North, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Highly-athletic, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Upside swing; quiet, athletic hands, short to the ball, natural lift and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws carry across the infield.
Defense: Frame profiles for third base. Steady hands, funnels through transfer, long release at times.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

5. Mark Muta, Illiana Christian, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and quick leg-lift timing trigger. Twitchy-hands, short bat path, lift in swing, and pull-side approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Sneaky pop.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Steady hands, length in release.
Run: 6.9 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Trevor Blum, Wheaton North, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot, 195-pounds. Strong, mature frame.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, open setup and long stride. Quiet swing, uphill bat path, looks to lift and worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action from an over-the-to to 3/4 release.
Defense: Worked out at first base and in the outfield. Soft hands at first base, quick feet and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Davis, Olympia, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, minimal pre-pitch rhythm and short stride. Quiet swing, short bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot. accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Steady defender, soft hands, can play on the move, advanced back hand play and clean transfer.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Evans, St. Rita, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Long, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Funnels into body at times and tall through release.
Run: 8.37 runner in the 60. 

Nick Fehrle, Boylan Central Catholic, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 215-pounds. Extra-large, strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short toe-tap stride. Short bat path and lift in swing.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action plays out of a high 3/4 slot and accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Plays under control, reliable hands, winds up through release at times.
Run: 8.17 runner in the 60. 

Jack Fitzharris, Glenbrook North, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Lean, long-limbed frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm in hands and short stride. Short path, stays level through the zone at times, line-drive approach.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Infield actions, quick, active footwork, sure-handed, quick release at times.
Run: 7.2 runner in the 60. 

Jakaree Fox, Lindblom Math and Science, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-foot-6, 154-pounds. Short, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, tall, quiet setup and short stride. Early rhythm, long bat path, pull approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Long, over-the-top arm action.
Defense: Fields in the middle of his body, long through release.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

Luke Haddox, Yorkville, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, minimal load and stride. Bat path has length, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, easy arm action, high 3/4 slot and plays accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Clean release, natural double play and advanced run through.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Johnson, Libertyville, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, hands drop at load and short stride. Short, uphill bat path and line-drive, pull approach.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Charges the baseball, steady hands, packs to release and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. 

Wayne Karlstedt, Saint Viator, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup and long stride. Long bat path, pull-side approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Loose arm action; ability to throw from multiple angles.
Defense: Quick feet, maintains body control on the move, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Kendall, Andrew, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Present strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and leg-kick timing trigger. Present bat speed, flat bat, creates backspin, consistent hard contact to the pullside.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps off the barrel.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out in the infield and outfield. Fluid footwork, clean release.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Trent Lawrence, York, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, smooth quiet load and knee-knock stride. Swing projects; loose levers, flashed quick hands, long bat path and line-drive, pull approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady defender, sure-handed, clean release. Profiles at third base.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Jared Lockmiller, Monticello, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Thick, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, short stride gets back to square. Long, uphill bat path and pull approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot and accurate arm.
Defense: Steady hands and clean transfer.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Nathan Nelson, Harlem, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 215-pounds. Strong frame, thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Long bat path, pull approach and present bat strength.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, plays through the baseball at times and clean release.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Gabe Roessler, Hononegah, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Athletic, long-limbed, projectable frame. Young look.
Hit: RHH. Open, tall setup, bat tip and leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands, long, uphill bat path and pull approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. OF - 84 mph. Athletic, loose arm action, plays easy and carries from the infield and outfield.
Defense: Worked out in the infield and outfield. Athletic enough to stick at either spot. Actions, soft hands, plays through the baseball and clean release.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Tristan Samuelian, Burlington Central, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Lean, wiry-frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, smooth load and heel-raise stride. Short bat path, line-drive pull approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Loose arm action, throws from different slots.
Defense: Quick feet, plays well and gets rid of it on the move. Natural double play turn.
Run: 7.3 runner in the 60. 

Jack West, Mount Carmel, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open setup, pre-pitch load and short stride.  Long, uphill bat path and looks to lift to the pull-side.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Reliable hands.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Kevin White, St Charles North, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Athletic frame with room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, long stride. Uphill bat path and consistent, hard pull-side contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, easy effort, accurate across the infield with carry.
Defense: Steady hands on the infield, plays tall through exchange.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

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