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MN Class of 2015 Identification Showcase: Infield Analysis

October 8, 2014

mn-unsigned-10-19-14

By Rob Allison
Minnesota State Director

The Minnesota Class of 2015 Identification Showcase  brought almost 45 prospects to be evaluated by PBR Minnesota and showcase themselves to colleges in attendance in the one day event held at Ames Field located on the campus of Dakota County Technical College. Over the next week we will unveil our analysis of the top players at their respective positions.

Our next analysis focuses in on the infielders. This category will include middle and corner infielders. This is a deep group of players that will ultimately serve college programs well in the future.

TOP infield PROSPECTS

1. Ty Denzer, SS/OF, Chanhassen, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound shortstop/outfielder. 6.78 60 time. Switch hitter. Left-handed shows athletic setup. Open stance and pull approach. Compact swing. Short finish with fluidity. Right-handed uses square stance. Balanced swing. Not as much rhythm from this side. Hands tend to drop- slight lift at contact. Stays in middle of field. Exit velocity of 87 mph from left side. 85 mph from right side. Versatile athlete who can play shortstop and outfield. In outfield has good actions. Above average ability. Shoulders stay level on throws allowing arm to work out front with accuracy. 90 mph from outfield. At shortstop fields with confidence. Glove and feet work well. Ability to slow the game down and make routine plays. Will field flat footed at times; able to make up for it with above average arm strength. Very accurate arm. 86 mph across infield. Loose athletic player with current ability and future projection committed to Kansas.

2. Cody Ulfers, SS/OF, Waseca, 2015
6-foot-2, 160-pound shortstop/outfielder. 6.94 60 time. Left-handed hitter. Wide stance. Athletic set-up. Load can be long at times. Slight arm bar. Above average hand eye coordination. Great barrel awareness. Uses entire field. Long finish. Stays on ball long time. 84 mph exit velocity. In the field has athleticism and rhythm. Above average glove. Short arm action with accuracy across infield. 70 mph across infield. Overall is line drive/spray hitter right now with projectable body. Raw tools are average but plays above. Very “hitterish” in games. Always seems to find holes and get on base. Ulfers culminated his week with a commitment to Minnesota State.

3. Jackson Buelow, SS/OF, Highland Park, 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pound position player. 6.75 60 time. Right-handed hitter with low hand set. Average rhythm. Disconnect in stride and swing causing slight arm bar. Uphill swing plane with low level finish. Solid contact with 83 mph exit velocity. In the outfield shows athleticism and ability to track balls in air routinely. Throws uphill from ¾ arm slot. Has arm quickness and accuracy when arm slot stays over the top. Outfield velocity of 88 mph. In the infield shows good first step, has athleticism, hands are above average, and arm is very quick with accuracy. Infield velocity of 83 mph. With added strength and some refinements in hitting has chance to make early contributions in college program.

4. Carter Stoehr, 3B, East Ridge, 2015
6-foot-1, 200-pound third baseman. 7.28 60 time. Right-handed hitter with physical build. Average rhythm with slight inverted C load. Leg kick, almost knee to knee, to trigger swing. Good hand eye coordination. Ability to make consistent solid contact. Uses whole field. Slight uphill swing plane with extension. 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively moves well laterally. Glove is very solid. Footwork is good. Arm quickness from over the top slot. Good carry and accuracy on throws. Also pitches; did not throw at this event. Quality 2 way player that has present ability.

5. Chad Clute, SS, Chanhassen, 2015
5-foot-10, 180-pound shortstop. 7.35 60 time. Right-handed hitter with balanced athletic set-up in box. Hands in good position, some disconnect in load and stride causing arm bar. Knee to knee trigger allowing good direction towards pitcher. Shows bat speed during BP. Solid gap to gap approach. Drives through contact with slight lift at end. Exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively shows good first step quickness, very playable hands, and moves well in all directions. Over the top slot with some arm quickness. Arm is loose and accurate with throws. 80 mph across infield. Ability to play 3 spots. Plays above average raw tools.

6. Sam Cobbs, SS, East Ridge, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound shortstop. 6.89 60 time. Right-handed hitter with open stance, gets to square before contact. High hands to start- drops hands when initiating swing causing uphill swing plane. Wide base on contact. Limits weight shift through contact. Short finish. Stays in middle of field with solid contact. Exit velocity of 81 mph. In the field shows good first step quickness. Ability to make routine plays. Relies more on arm than feet making plays. Hands are avg.-ok. High ¾ slot with low elbow. 81 mph across infield.

7. Kyle Davis, RHP/3B, Hopkins, 2015
6-foot-3, 190-pound 2 way player. 7.81 60 time. Right-handed hitter with hitchy load. Lacks rhythm but has ability to square up baseball. High leg kick trigger. Short to contact. Very simple with upper half. Downhill swing plane with leverage. Has strength. 90 mph exit velocity. Defensively has projectable 3B body, moves well enough laterally, and glove works. Uses lower half in throws. Arm works well from high ¾ slot. 76 mph across. Raw player with ability. Interesting project for 4 year school. On the mound uses a turn and tuck delivery. Hides ball well. Mostly inline and lands open. Arm works smooth and clean with average extension out front. Fastball was 75-78 mph with late cut. Curveball had 11/5 break with late action. Changeup was flat and tended to be up in zone at 73-75 mph. Easy effort.

8. Tommy Hutsell, SS, Eastview, 2015
5-foot-11, 185-pound shortstop. 6.85 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Open stance. Gets square and inline. Aggressive load. Wants to hit. Stiff lower half. Level bat plane with barrel awareness. Consistent hard contact with lift at finish. 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively has quickness, glove is usable, plays up to down. Fields ball deep in stance. Stops and re-starts momentum on throws. Accurate throws at 76 mph across infield. Has quick twitch athletic ability. Interested in seeing him in outfield. Offense first type position player with some raw ability.

9. James Fuerniss, 1B, New Prague, 2015
6-foot-3, 220-pound first baseman. 7.34 60 time. Right-handed hitter with physicality. Open stance with ultra-high back elbow. Uphill swing plane and pull approach. Limited weight shift through swing. Shows power during BP. Tweaks to swing and approach could pay huge dividends. Ball comes off bat differently than most players at times. 84 mph exit velocity. At first base has stiff actions fielding. Has ability to make routine plays. Shows some athleticism with feet turning double play. Arm plays enough. 72 mph across infield.

10. Gunner McClellan, 2B, Cretin Derham Hall, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound second baseman. 7.82 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Slight shoulder load with high back elbow. Swings underneath and uphill. Easy stride and balanced swing. 81 mph exit velocity. Light on his feet defensively. Soft hands and ability to make routine plays. Accurate throws from multiple arm angles. Good lateral movement. 73 mph across infield. Fields ball easy- quality above average second baseman.

11. Joshua Rehwaldt, 1B, Apple Valley, 2015
6-foot-6, 215-pound first baseman. 7.39 60 time. Left-handed hitter. Medium pre-set load. Slight leg kick to trigger swing. Narrow base. Uphill swing plane with flashes of power. Has backwards momentum with lift through contact. Fast hands with all pull approach. 87 mph exit velocity. At first base shows average actions and feet. Ability to make routine plays. Good target and moves well around bag receiving throws. 77 mph across infield.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Joe Amble, SS, Cretin Derham Hall, 2015
6-foot-2, 165-pound shortstop. 7.84 60 time. Right-handed hitter, inverted C load into a high back elbow slot. Inline stride with balance and flat swing plane. Shows good hand-eye coordination, keeps knob inside ball, and good weight transfer through contact. Lacks strength to drive baseball but makes solid contact. 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively shows proper footwork, works down to up, and has soft hands. Short over the top arm action with ability to use different arm angles with accuracy. 65 mph across infield.

John Bird, RHP/SS, Cretin Derham Hall, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound 2 way player. 7.28 60 time. Right-handed hitter with simple load and inline stride. Flat swing plane with ok extension through contact. Very simple efficient swing. 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively uses choppy steps to field. Hands are usable and makes routine plays with glove. Low ¾ arm slot effects accuracy across infield. Average rhythm while fielding. 74 mph across infield. On the mound uses big rocker step into balance point. Inconsistent balance with crossfire delivery from low ¾ slot. Lands hard across body. Arm works ok. Tends to leave hand underneath baseball on all pitches. Slight cutting action on 75-76 mph fastball. Tends to be underneath breaking ball; creating spinning flat action on pitch at 62-63 mph. Changeup had near FB arm speed with sinking action- best secondary pitch.

Garrett Gillen, SS, Blaine, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound shortstop. 7.54 60 time. Left-handed hitter with narrow stance. Swings from back side with uphill plane. Limited weight shift through contact. Pull approach. 74 mph exit velocity. Defensively shows average actions, makes routine plays. Limited by foot speed. Feet are heavy. Arm works from over the top slot. Accurate throws across diamond at 73 mph.

Parker Hanson, RHP/1B, Hawley, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound 2 way player. 6.84 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Balanced setup. Starts hands out front to trigger deep load. Flat line drive swing plane. Stays on ball to and through contact. Good gap to gap approach. 78 mph exit velocity. Very athletic for first base. Moves well laterally. Quality glove and able to start double play. 76 mph across infield. On the mound, has rhythm and is balanced. Creates good direction to home. Body is loose and athletic. Short finish out front. Average extension to plate. All pitches show late action from high ¾ slot. Fastball has cut at 82-85 mph. Curveball shows 11/5 break with depth- 70-74 mph. Slider is more of a cutter type pitch. Late flat break at 75-79 mph. Quick twitch athlete who has chance to develop on the mound. Throws 3 pitches for strikes. Fastball has life and maintains arm speed on secondary pitches.

Kyle Hastings, SS, Centennial, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound shortstop. 7.27 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Balanced square stance. Short stride. Active circular load trigger. Uphill swing plane. Middle of field approach. Flyball hitter. 74 mph exit velocity. In the field works to get into proper fielding position, short strides to ball, tends to throw flat footed across infield. Average rhythm and actions. 64 mph across infield.

Joshua Hewett, 2B/RHP, Shakopee, 2015
6-foot, 165-pound 2 way player. 7.34 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Stiff load. Balanced base with good direction. Rotational upper body with flat swing plane. Limited weight shift and momentum into contact. 71 mph exit velocity. Defensively moves with short steps. Tends to play up to down fielding the ball. Limited front side and lower half on throws. ¾ arm slot. 69 mph across infield. On the mound, simple delivery. Has good balance point and direction to home. 2 piece arm action. Repeats well. Throws strikes with 3 pitches. Fastball was 70-74 mph. Curveball 61-64 mph. Changeup 64-68 with ok ASR.

Benjamin Johnson, 2B/RHP, Elk River, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound 2 way player. 7.21 60 time. Right-handed hitter with open stance. Strides to square and stays inline. Deep load into swing. Hands drop in swing creating uphill swing plane. Transfers weight well into contact. Short finish. 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively fields the ball up to down. Moves well laterally. Tends to field balls deep and flat footed. Throws from ¾ arm slot across infield. 75 mph arm strength. On the mound uses simple delivery. Good balance point and direction to home. Effort in release from high ¾ arm slot. Short compact arm stroke. Fastball showed heavy sinking action for strikes at 79-82 mph. Curveball had 11/5 break; tended to leave arm side with gradual action. 68-70 mph. Did not throw changeup.

Ben Kleist, LHP/1B, Mankato, 2015
6-foot, 195-pound 2 way player. 9.1 60 time. Left-handed hitter. High hand set with minimal load. Starts and finishes square. Simple pick up and put down stride. Stiff legs. Uphill swing plane. 72 mph exit velocity. At first base works ground up and has soft hands. Able to make routine plays. 69 mph velocity across infield. On the mound uses simple rocker step and gets to good balance point. 2 piece arm action, stabs in back, and throws from low ¾ arm slot. Turns everything over on release. Fastball was 58-62 mph. Slider was 51-52 and changeup was 51-52.

Nicholas Medo, 2B, Owatonna, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound second baseman. 6.97 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Low hand set with minimal load. Square stance. Simple front heel turn trigger. Short uphill swing plane with short finish. 80 mph exit velocity. Plays on the balls of his feet, moves well to ball, at times plays tall in position. Short arm action with arm speed. Makes accurate throws. Average on body control plays. Slightly stiff upper body in actions. 79 mph across infield.

Joseph Sullivan, OF/1B, Academy of Holy Angels, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound outfielder/first baseman. 6.96 60 time. Left-handed hitter. Pre-set load with short balanced stride. Minimal weight shift. Rotational swing with level plane through contact. Pull approach. Short to contact. 82 mph exit velocity. Stiff actions in outfield. Limited momentum on throws from low ¾ arm slot. Below avg. carry. 73 mph from outfield. At first base has a usable glove. Tends to field flat footed and deep. 67 mph across infield.

Dakota Tilton, 2B/RHP, Elkhorn Area(WI), 2015
6-foot-3, 145-pound 2 way player. 7.22 60 time. Right handed hitter. High hand set with long swing. Hands drift down. Slight uphill swing plane. 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively moved tentatively. Short funky arm action. Tall in fielding position working down to ball. On the mound showed controlled balanced delivery. Good balance point and direction to home. High hand set. Arm starts long and shortens up at ear. Fastball was 70-74. Curveball was 64-68. Changeup 62-66 mph.

Jamie Wick, 1B, Cook County Sr., 2015
6-foot, 255-pound first baseman. 8.65 60 time. Right-handed hitter with 74 mph exit velocity. Stiff actions in field with 62 mph velocity across. Needs to continue to play and develop.

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