On Feb. 26, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Upperclass showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., featuring many of the state’s top players inside the state's Class of 2023. This event helped our staff gain a clearer picture of the top juniors in Illinois, many of whom can be considered the top uncommitted '23s in the state. 

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and pitch data compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. We began rolling out the scouting reports from this event with the catchers and outfielders, and we’re turning to the infield crop today, found below.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Ryan Niedzwiedz, West Aurora (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: LHH. High-level left-handed swing. Balanced, relaxed setup. Fluid hand load, short stride. Compact swing, fast hands, present bat speed, highly repeatable, worked on the barrel to both gaps during round.
Power: 101.8 max exit velocity, averaged 94.4 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 90 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot
Defense: Steady defender on the infield, quick feet, quick hands, clean actions.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

2. Kerim Orucevic, Maine South (IL), 2023; UC San Diego commit
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Presence and look in the box. Fluid load. Bat speed. Loose, strong hands. Long through the hitting zone. On the barrel with authority at times.
Power: 95.9 max exit velocity, averaged 87 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short draw out of the glove into a loose, quick high 3/4 slot. Ball jumps out of the hand with backspin.
Defense: Some effort, quick feet, steady hands with athletic actions and the ability to play on the move.

3. J.R. Nelson, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Compact strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Sees the ball deep into the zone. Short, compact swing. Controls the barrel. Hard line-drive contact to all fields.
Power: 93.2 max exit velocity, averaged 88.4 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short, quick arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot. Ball explodes out of the hand with carry, plays on the move.
Defense: Bouncy defender, moves well laterally, soft hands, quick clean footwork and highly-athletic infield actions.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

4. Jaden Correa, De La Salle (IL), 2023; Nebraska commit
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 176-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Confident and athletic look in the box. Fluid rhythm. Quick, athletic hands. Bat speed. Ability to cover the plate and use the whole field. Elevated hard pull-side contact at times.
Power: 94.5 max exit velocity, averaged 88.7 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Short draw out of the glove. Clean arm action, works from a 3/4 slot, ball explodes out of the hand with carry, plays on the move from multiple slots.
Defense: Soft hands, athletic and balanced footwork, loose actions.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

5. Eduardo Letamendi, Von Steuben (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. High waisted. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, smooth pre-pitch load and short toe-tap stride. Hits with rhythm and fluidity. Loose, athletic hands. Remains balanced throughout. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 88.5 mph. 359’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short arm action, natural high 3/4 slot. Multi-angle release. Throws plays with life and carry.
Defense: Plays with style and rhythm. Soft hands. Under control on the move, length and effort through exchange.
Run: 6.67 runner in the 60. 

6. Tony Konopiots, Downers Grove North (IL), 2023; West Virginia commit
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, simple pre-pitch actions. Simple approach. Advanced hand and bat speed. Easy jump off the barrel. Drives the ball to both gaps. Impressive overall round.
Power: 96.5 max exit velocity, averaged 87.6 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short arm action from high 3/4 slot, loose with some carry.
Defense: Plays with rhythm and timing. Natural infield actions. Fields the ball out front.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

7. Bryer Arview, Civic Memorial (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup. Easy stride. Simple, direct swing. Highly repeatable. Worked on the barrel to both gaps throughout round. Efficient movements in the box.
Power: 93.7 max exit velocity, averaged 87.1 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short draw out of the glove. Works from a high 3/4 slot. Throws play with carry.
Defense: Balanced footwork, soft hands, quick exchange with feel on the infield.
Run: 6.75 runner in the 60. 

8. Ryan Quinlan, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup. Quiet in the box. Compact swing, level bat path through the zone. Sprayed hard line-drive contact to all fields.
Power: 96.2 max exit velocity, averaged 89.4 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short, quick arm action. High 3/4 slot. Ball jumps out of the hand.
Defense: Loose, athletic actions. Soft hands. Quick, fluid footwork.
Run: 6.67 runner in the 60. 

9. Eli Kieser, Normal University (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, quiet, in the box short stride. Easy swing, loose hands, feel for the barrel, controlled finish. Upside swing with plenty more physicality to come down the road.
Power: 91.8 max exit velocity, averaged 85 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short, loose arm action. High 3/4 slot. Throws play with life and carry.
Defense: Plays with tempo and rhythm. Balanced footwork, soft hands, plus feel.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

10. Joe Chiarelli, Downers Grove North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Quiet, relaxed setup. Minimal load. Short lifted stride. Quick hands. Drops the barrel head at times. Sneaky jump off the bat. Sees the ball deep into the zone. Controlled, balanced finish.
Power: 92.1 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short draw out of the glove. Clean arm action, works from a 3/4 slot. Arm plays on the move with carry across the diamond.
Defense: Showed feel on the infield, athletic footwork, soft hands, clean exchange that plays through the body.
Run: 6.75 runner in the 60. 

11. Christian Graves, Jacobs (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 210-pounds. Thick/strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Tall, relaxed setup. Short stride. Physical presence in the box, strong hands, bat speed, explosive contact off the bat at times.
Power: 100.6 max exit velocity, averaged 96.5 mph. 362’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4. Throws play with carry at times.
Defense: Balanced footwork, athletic actions, clean exchange.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

12. Ryan Nelson, Plainfield North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup. Quiet in the box. Minimal wasted movement. Loose hands, compact swing, stays on-plane and inside the baseball. Sprays contact to all fields. Occasional lift.
Power: 86.7 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, clean arm action, works from a 3/4 slot, plays on the move with accuracy.
Defense: Soft hands, agile and athletic, efficient actions on the infield.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

13. Rocco Tenuta, St. Francis (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds. Compact stocky build. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open, balanced setup. Short stride. Strong hands, long path, controlled intent, hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 96.7 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 340’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Quick arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws play with carry.
Defense: Steady hands, balanced footwork, efficient infield actions.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

14. Cole Funkhouser, Edwardsville (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 142-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup. Relaxed in the box. Lets the ball travel. Loose, athletic hands. Swing on-plane early and through the zone. Fluid rhythm throughout with natural lift.
Power: 89.5 max exit velocity, averaged 84.4 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, clean arm action. 3/4 slot. Arm plays on the move.
Defense: Quick feet, loose actions, plays with rhythm.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

15. Michael Farina, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 150-pounds. Slender frame. Long limbs.
Hit: RHH. Confident look. Tall setup, quiet pre-pitch actions. Above-average feel for the barrel, direct path to the baseball, consistent hard contact into the pull-side gap.
Power: 94.9 max exit velocity, averaged 89 mph. 336’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Clean arm action, 3/4 slot. Throws play with some carry.
Defense: Balanced footwork, clean exchange, efficient actions, polished approach.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Omar Alday Jr, St. Rita (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed look, balanced setup, short stride. Swings with intent, strong hands, long path, natural lift at times, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 93.4 max exit velocity, averaged 86.8 mph. 343’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Flashed feel on the infield. Clean footwork. Efficient actions.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

William Applegate, Charleston (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly crouched, balanced setup, short stride. Loose, fast hands. Whippy through the hitting zone, easy lift to  the middle of the field.
Power: 88.1 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft hands, quick feet. Smooth infield actions.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Sheppard Graf, Lake Forest (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet and relaxed. Compact swing, bat strength, flashed ability to drive the ball to both gaps.
Power: 98.7 max exit velocity, averaged 87.7 mph. 370’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick and loose.
Defense: Athletic footwork, quick transfer, flashed feel on the infield.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

William Ho, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, long stride, toe-tap stride. Fast hands. Direct, level path to the ball. Elevated backspin contact to the pull-side.
Power: 86.4 max exit velocity, averaged 77.4 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 92 mph. Long arm action, works from an over-the-top slot. Some effort.
Defense: Quick hands. Athletic footwork. Clean exchange.

Kayden Jennings, Edwardsville (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, toe-tap stride. Easy, balanced swing. Loose hands. Flashed bat strength. Occasional hard contact to the pull-side.
Power: 90.5 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Quick, loose arm action. High 3/4 slot. Throws play with carry.
Defense: Quick, lateral movements. Soft hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Zachary Kwasny, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-5, 220-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Strong hands, direct path, consistent hard contact.
Power: 98.7 max exit velocity, averaged 93.2 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Quick, loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws plays with life and carry.
Defense: Balanced footwork. Soft hands. Under control on the move. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Dalton Miller, Quincy Notre Dame (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 215-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet pre-pitch actions. Strong hands, present bat speed, stays compact, hard contact to all fields.
Power: 100.2 max exit velocity, averaged 91.6 mph. 338’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, works from a low 3/4 slot. Throws play with carry and accuracy.
Defense: Quick footwork, athletic actions, soft hands.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Ezra Moore, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup. Quiet load and short stride. Sees the ball deep into the zone, short path, flat at times. Lifted contact to the middle part of the diamond.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 85.2 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Quick, loose arm action, plays from a high 3/4 slot with carry across the diamond.
Defense: Quick feet, confident hands, loose infield actions.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Parkerson, Armstrong (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 205-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal pre-pitch actions. Strong hands, swings with controlled aggression, advanced bat strength, balanced at finish. Jump off the barrel to both gaps.
Power: 100.6 max exit velocity, averaged 93.8 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic footwork, clean exchange, showed some feel on the infield.
Run: 6.83 runner in the 60. 

Max Pavlik, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds.
Hit: SH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Compact swing--stays on-plane through the zone. Extension through contact, balanced at finish. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.8 max exit velocity, averaged 80 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays loose. Balanced footwork, clean exchange, feel on the infield.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Luke Perry, Mattoon (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, relaxed setup. Quiet load and long stride. Long, level path. Easy effort. Sprays line-drive contact to all fields.
Power: 89.7 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 238’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields the ball out front. Balanced footwork. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Luka Romic, Mount Carmel-Chicago (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-5, 220-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet, subtle pre-pitch actions. Lets the ball travel, long path with natural lift, gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 99.6 max exit velocity, averaged 90.6 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Quick arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws play with carry and accuracy.
Defense: Balanced footwork. Fields the ball out front. Loose actions on the infield.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Cristian Ruiz, Oak Lawn (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: SH. Slightly crouched setup, minimal load and stride. Handsy swing, looks to control the barrel, used the whole field
Power: 90.8 max exit velocity, averaged 74.9 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Short, ultra quick armb. Works from an over-the-top slot. Ball jumps out of the hand with backspin.
Defense: Plays with rhythm. Advanced feel, soft hands, balanced footwork.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.

Colin Schmitke, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, fluid load and leg-lift. Long path, elevates the baseball with authority, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 93.9 max exit velocity, averaged 85.6 mph. 343’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Quick, loose arm action. works from an over-the-top arm slot. Throws play with life and carry.
Defense: Plays with a flare. Rhythm and timing. Balanced footwork. Under control on the move.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60.  

Carter Storti, Lemont (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, balanced setup, short stride. Repeatable, level path through the zone, strong hands through contact, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 94.2 max exit velocity, averaged 87.5 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short arm action, works from a 3/4 slot. Throws play with life and carry.
Defense: Quick footwork. Natural infield actions. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

Robert Tate, Homewood Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 151-pounds. Thin build. Long limbs.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed look in the box. Quiet load and leg-lift trigger. Easy swing, loose hands, projects. Long path, middle-of-field approach.
Power: 89.7 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Some carry with effort. Accurate throws from multiple arm angles.
Defense: Advanced feel. Plays with tempo. Soft hands.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Vasey, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Thick/strong throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short toe-tap stride. Quick hands, long through the zone, sprayed contact to all fields.
Power: 93.5 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short draw out of the glove into a high 3/4 slot. Throws play with carry across the diamond.
Defense: Plays with rhythm and timing. Quick, active footwork and plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.61 runner in the 60. 

Troy Vosburgh, Oswego (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, minimal load and stride. Aggressive swing, flat bat path. Hard backspin contact at times. Line-drive, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 93.7 max exit velocity, averaged 88.4 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick catch and release. Clean footwork. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Isaiah White, Homewood Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Loose swing, bat stays on-plane, whippy at times, line-drive approach.
Power: 93.3 max exit velocity, averaged 88.8 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Loose arm action, low 3/4 slot. Clean out of the hand.
Defense: Soft hands, balanced footwork with feel on the infield.
Run: 6.64 runner in the 60. 

Paxton Williams, Glenbrook North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup. Subtle load and stride. Losoe, athletic hands, feel for the barrel and sneaky jump off the bat for size. Was on the barrel, spraying contact to all fields.
Power: 88.6 max exit velocity, averaged 79.7 mph. 326’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft hands, athletic footwork, advanced feel, tremendous timing and rhythm.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

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