Maryland Eastern Shore Showcase: Infielder's Notebook

DORIAN ALLEN

2B / SS / ARCHBISHOP CURLEY, MD / 2019

Athletic body type and 5-foot-10, 155 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, open stance at the plate. Shorter smooth back load with rhythm and balance. Showed quick hands, fast bat speed, and strong lower half involvement in the swing. Compact, short, level swing path with an exit velo of 78 mph. Stays behind the ball well with good extension through contact. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter with some pop. Athletic and moves very well in the infield. Plays with active feet and showed smooth fielding actions and soft hands. Plays low and gets in a good balanced set-up working through the ball with rhythm. Funnels ball to belt with quick, clean exchanges. Throws with short arm action from a low three-quarters slot at 74 mph. Ran a 7.09 60-yard dash.

MICHAEL BIRCHFIELD

SS / RHP / EASTERN TECH, MD / 2019

Athletic body type and 5-foot-10, 170 pound frame. Hits from an athletic, balanced, open and slightly crouched stance at the plate. Minimal movement in load. Short stride and creates nice separation. Short, uphill swing path with some lower half involvement. Showed some quick bat speed and an 80 mph exit velo. Does a nice job staying behind the ball and took two really nice rounds of line drives. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter with occasional pop. Surrounds the ball and works through it in the infield. Athletic set-up, solid base, and showed soft hands and a quick funnel to the belt. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 71 mph. Ran a 7.12 60-yard dash.

BLAKE CORBIN

RHP / SS / JAMES M BENNETT, MD / 2019

PATRICK DEFECIANI

1B / LHP / CLARKSTOWN NORTH, NY / 2019

Athletic, solid body type and 6-foot-1, 185 pound frame. Hits from the left side in a balanced, athletic, square stance with a wide base. Small leg kick load with hands pre-set. Creates nice separation and showed excellent balance throughout swing. Strong lower half involvement and some bat speed. Short, slightly uphill swing path with an exit velo of 84 mph. Stays behind the ball well and gets good extension through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter with present power to the pull side. Works through the ball at first base with some rhythm and fundamental footwork. Throws with long arm action from a high three-quarters arm slot at 75 mph. Smooth around the bag and turning the double play. Also showed the ability to pick it.

RANDY POLANCO

3B / RHP / ALL HALLOWS, NY / 2020

Athletic, solid body type and 6-foot-2, 200 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, square stance at the plate. Short, quick load creating some separation. Strong lower half involvement and excellent balance throughout swing. Short, slightly uphill swing path and quick bat speed. Exit velo was 83 mph. Took two really nice rounds of BP driving balls in the gaps. Gap-to-gap type hitter with some power. Works through the ball at third base with fundamental footwork and soft hands. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarters slot at 77 mph. Showed the ability to throw accurately from the side on slow rollers. 

HUNTER RAUCH

SS / OF / CAPE HENLOPEN, DE / 2021

Athletic body type and 5-foot-11, 140 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, slightly open, and slightly crouched stance at the plate. Minimal movement at the plate. Short stride with hands pre-set. Nice lower half involvement in swing and gets slightly uphill at contact. Short, level swing path with an exit velo of 79 mph. Showed quick hands and some fast bat speed. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter with occasional pop. Moves well in the infield and plays with active feet and smooth fielding actions. Works through the ball with an athletic set-up and soft hands. Quick, clean exchanges throwing with short arm action from a mid three-quarters slot at 69 mph. Showed the ability to throw accurately from the side on the run. Ran a 7.12 60-yard dash.

BRETT SWIFT

3B / OF / JAMES M. BENNETT, MD / 2019

Big, solid athletic body type and 6-foot-3, 215 pound frame. Hits from an athletic, balanced, open stance at the plate. Smooth back rhythm and small leg kick load. Creates good separation and showed strong lower half involvement in swing. Stays behind the ball well with good extension through contact. Short, slightly uphill swing path with an exit velo of 90 mph on the day. Power type hitter with plus power to the pull side. Peppered the warning track and took one out on a really cold and extremely windy day. Works through the ball at third base with fundamental footwork and showed a quick, clean exchange. Throws with long arm action from a low three-quarter slot at 75 mph. Also ran a 7.38 60-yard dash.

LUKE WATERS

SS / 2B / DELMAR (DE), MD / 2021

Athletic body type and 5-foot-11, 150 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, slightly open stance at the plate. Minimal movement starting with hands pre-set. Short stride creating nice separation. Strong lower half involvement, quick hands, and fast bat speed. Stays through the ball with a short, slightly uphill swing path. Exit velo was 78 mph. Gets good extension through contact. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter with occasional pop. Athletic and moves well in the infield. Plays with active feet and works through the ball with soft hands. Plays low and sets up to the ball with an athletic base. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarters slot at 78 mph. Ran a 7.31 60-yard dash.