By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

The Prep Baseball Report MN Preseason All-State event took place on Sunday, March 19, 2017. The event was held at the Vadnais Sports Center in Vadnais Heights, MN. The event featured prospects from the 2018 grad class; and included many breakout performances from this year's participants. Players showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff and college coaches in attendance. 

 Today we take a look at the infielders that were in attendance at this year's event.

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infielder Evals (alphabetical)

Tommy Auth, 1B, Hopkins, 2018
5-foot-11, 205-pound right-handed hitting first baseman. 7.76 runner. Tall stance, body load with high leg kick trigger, clean path to contact, occasionally off-time, flashes hard contact, pull approach, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid actions at first, usable hands and feet, comfortable around bag, ability to turn double play, 74 mph arm strength across infield.

Nick Azar, 2B, Edina, 2018
5-foot-8, 175-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. 7.39 runner. Rolling hand load, aggressive swinger, line drive swing plane, solid present strength, hard middle/pull contact, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid footwork, works through ball, slightly stiff hands, shows body control on slow roller, accurate arm with carry to bag, 81 mph arm strength across infield.

Nathan Berg, SS/RHP, New Prague, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #14 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.35 runner. Athletic set-up, body load, rhythm in hands, uses lower half in swing, flashes pop in bat, ability to use whole field, 87 mph exit velocity. Easy actions in field, has footwork with clean exchanges, creates direction and works through ball, soft hands, accurate arm with carry to bag, 85 mph arm strength across infield.

Nathan Brandecker, RHP/3B, 2018
6-foot-4, 208-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #62 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.34 runner. Tall stance, short stride, slight rhythm in hand load, aggressive lower half in swing, flashes of pop to pull-side of field, 83 mph exit velocity. Usable hands in field with appropriate footwork, avg. range, flashes soft glove on back-hand, solid accuracy to bag, 78 mph arm strength.

Tyler Brown, 1B/RHP, Buffalo, 2018
6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.75 runner. Solid set-up in box, body load, shows rhythm in hands, good hand-eye coordination, consistent solid contact, flashes of pop in bat, 85 mph exit velocity. Accurate arm, usable glove, works comfortably around bag, solid receiver, 76 mph arm strength across infield.

Noah Budach, SS, Owatonna, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.08 runner. Square stance, slight crouch, body load with front heel turn trigger, clean path through contact, stays inside ball well with hard line drive contact, ability to use whole field, 81 mph exit velocity. Shows solid glove in field, good feet and works through ball, quicker release on throws, solid accuracy on throws, 75 mph arm strength across infield.

Michael Caron, SS, Cretin-Derham Hall, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #34 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.32 runner. Aggressive swinger, hard line drive and ground ball contact, works gap to gap, shows hitting ability- would benefit from simplifying swing mechanics, 82 mph exit velocity. Confident fielder, good body control, fields deep occasionally but hands work, shows actions laterally, well above avg. arm with carry, 92 mph arm strength across infield.

Corbin Cross, 3B, Prior Lake, 2018
6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Physical frame with present strength. 7.38 runner. High back elbow setup with shoulder load, aggressive swing, shows above avg. pop to pull-side of field, barrel stays through zone with extension, 91 mph exit velocity. Active feet and hands, makes solid plays, high fielding position, glove is usable, accurate to bag, 79 mph arm strength across infield

Chester Dixon, SS/OF, Edina, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #44 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.34 runner. Crouched stance, heavy body load, changes eye levels effecting contact, aggressive approach and swing, works middle of field, 77 mph exit velocity. Solid athlete in field, short arm action, accurate to target, above avg. momentum working through and following throws, 85 mph arm strength from outfield. Solid footwork and actions at shortstop, college second baseman, hands are occasionally stiff, accurate to bag with carry, 81 mph arm across infield.

Jake Dorff, SS, Blaine, 2018
5-foot-8, 152-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #77 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.22 runner. Easy hand load, leg kick trigger, lift in swing plane, limited weight transfer through contact, line drive contact, gap to gap, ability to use whole field, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid glove in field, appropriate footwork, one-piece arm action, accurate to bag, 79 mph arm strength across infield.

Zack Elliott, SS, Eden Prairie, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #27 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.33 runner. Tall square stance, high back elbow load, easy stride, flat bat path with solid bat speed, hard contact to middle of field, aggressive lower half and transfers weight well through contact, 83 mph exit velocity. Active feet in field, above avg. actions with projectable build, soft glove with clean exchanges, accurate arm with carry to bag, 81 mph arm strength across infield.

Justin Firpo, 3B/OF/RHP, Apple Valley
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #12 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 6.84 runner. Square stance, hand and body load, stiff lower half in swing, creates bat speed, flat path to contact, aggressive swinger, 89 mph exit velocity. Solid athlete in field, plays through ball, above avg. carry and accuracy to bag, proto rightfielder, 88 mph arm strength from outfield and 86 mph arm strength across infield.

Justin Fleming, SS, Eagan, 2018
5-foot-9, 157-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #37 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.35 runner. Small, mature frame. Swing works on level plane with quick hands and solid balance. 82 mph exit velocity. In the field, showed a long arm, but was able to throw from multiple angles. Choppy footwork, but hands played smoothly, 78 mph arm strength with accuracy to bag.

Kaden Gage, SS/RHP, Eagan, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.7 runner. Tall stance, works middle of field, heavy collapse with lower half through contact, lift in swing plane, flashed line drive contact, 77 mph exit velocity. Choppy rhythm in field, hands are slightly stiff and fields deep, long release on throws, 74 mph arm strength.

RJ Galvez, SS/RHP, Cretin-Derham Hall, 2018
6-foot-2, 195-pound switch-hitting shortstop. 7.53 runner. Similar hitting mechanics from both sides of plate, works middle of field, active loads, aggressive approach, line drive swing plane, 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively shows solid footwork and usable glove, stops to field occasionally, OT arm slot, solid carry on throws, accurate to bag, projects to move to corner position.

Cooper Grashorn, 2B, Cloquet, 2018
5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. 7.46 runner. Open stance, tall and fall approach, rolling hand load, limited weight shift through contact, spray contact, 74 mph exit velocity. Shows solid footwork, stiff actions, avg. glove, one-piece arm action, 72 mph arm strength across infield.

Jacob Grimm, SS/RHP, Lakeville North, 2018
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #78 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.83 runner. Open stance, rolling shoulder load, square stride, flat bat plane through zone, contact to all fields with mid/away approach, 83 mph exit velocity. Quick arm action, avg./solid actions, easy glove with good hands, avg. range and speed, accurate to bag with 80 mph arm strength across infield.

Matthew Gruber, SS, Minnewaska, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. 7.53 runner. Square stance, choppy rhythm, shows good hands to baseball, flashes hard line drive contact, gap to gap approach, 79 mph exit velocity. Clean arm action, avg. rhythm and tempo, stops to field occasionally, usable hands, 78 mph arm strength across infield.

Keenan Hodgkin, SS, Providence Academy, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.58 runner. Open stance, easy leg kick trigger, deep load with arm bar, length to contact, uphill plane to swing, mid/pull approach with occasional pop in bat, 81 mph exit velocity. Plays through ball, active feet, avg. hands, long release on throws, throws are accurate with solid carry to bag, 80 mph arm strength across field.

Nate Hogan, 3B/RHP, Maple Lake, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.75 runner. Good setup in box, double tap trigger, clean path through contact, line drive swing plane with lift, shows good hands to baseball, mid/pull approach, 81 mph exit velocity. Works around and through baseball, fields deep occasionally, higher fielding position, makes routine plays, 78 mph arm strength.

Carter Johnson, 2B/RHP, Apple Valley, 2018
5-foot-8, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.4 runner. Open stance, shows rhythm in hands, short to contact with compact swing, short finish with mid/pull approach, consistent solid contact, 78 mph exit velocity. Shows soft hands, sits to field, solid footwork, accurate to bag, 77 mph arm strength across infield.

Will Kaeding, SS, Chanhassen, 2018
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.64 runner. Square stance, high back elbow setup with shoulder load, uphill path through contact, pull hitter with spray contact, 77 mph exit velocity. Sits to field, funnels ball underneath, avg. overall actions in field, 75 mph arm strength across infield.

Derek Kay, 2B, Prior Lake, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. 6.82 runner. Open stance, leg kick trigger, deep load with arm bar creating length to contact, works middle of field, flashes of pop in bat, 81 mph exit velocity. Shows solid glove with clean exchanges and quick release on throws, has range, shows actions and athleticism in field, accurate to bag with 79 mph arm strength.

Nicolas Laakkonen, 1B, Coon Rapids, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. 7.85 runner. Tall closed stance, clean path through zone, some stiffness in lower half, works gaps well, consistent hard line drive contact, 83 mph exit velocity. Sits back to field, solid fielder, comfortable around bag, accurate arm, 71 mph arm strength.

Jonah Lewis, SS/RHP, Minnetonka, 2018
5-foot-9, 146-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.7 runner. Square stance, front heel turn trigger, short to contact, spray contact, uses whole field, 78 mph exit velocity. Solid actions in field, works through ball, clean exchanges, quick arm with carry and accuracy to bag, 82 mph arm strength across infield.

Kristian Masters, SS, Minneapolis Southwest, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.62 runner. Square stance, leg kick trigger, flat bat path, transfers weight well through swing, shows rhythm in load and stride, inconsistent timing, 82 mph exit velocity. Shows solid footwork, fields on heels occasionally, glove is solid, avg. range and actions, accurate to bag on throws, 76 mph arm strength across infield.

Tyler Milford, 1B/LHP, New Prague, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #71 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.06 runner. Tall square stance, slight body load, compact swing and stays short to contact, works mid/away with consistent line drive contact, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid athlete at position, works through ball, aggressive fielder, soft hands, accurate throws, comfortable receiving around bag, 73 mph arm strength across infield.

Seth Miller, RHP/3B, Blaine, 2018
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #67 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.75 runner. Square stance, easy shoulder load, slight front heel turn trigger, aggressive hitter, good extension through contact, works middle of field, 84 mph exit velocity. Active feet, fields deep occasionally, solid glove, avg. range, small crow-hop on throws, accurate to bag, 82 mph arm strength across infield.

Mason Nadolney, SS/RHP, Minnetonka, 2018
6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Physical build with present strength. Projects as corner infielder at next level. Currently #13 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.18 runner. Square stance, body and hand load, aggressive swinger, flashes pop in bat, 86 mph exit velocity. Shows solid footwork in field, avg. range at shortstop, glove plays with softer hands, long release on throws with carry and accuracy to bag, 86 mph arm strength across infield.

Nic Nelson, SS, Eastview, 2018
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #43 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.83 runner. Tall square stance, body load with easy knee to knee trigger, short to contact, early finish through zone, flat bat path, consistent solid contact, flashes of pop in bat with ability to use all fields, 85 mph exit velocity. Projects as corner infielder, shows appropriate footwork creating direction and working through baseball, soft hands, funnels baseball occasionally and fields deep, accurate arm to bag, 76 mph arm strength across infield.

Austin Nikolas, RHP/SS, St. Cloud Tech, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right handed hitting 2-way player. #11 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.12 runner. Front heel turn triggers swing with pre-set hand and body load, flat bat plane, line drive contact, aggressive swinger, mid/pull approach, 85 mph exit velocity. Athletic at position with raw actions, sure hands, glove is occasionally stiff, makes plays, accurate arm, sinking action on throws from low3/4 slot, 84 mph arm strength across infield.

Cody Peterson, RHP/1B, Hill-Murray, 2018
5-foot-9, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.77 runner. Extra moving parts in load and stride, difficulty repeating swing and timing, has present strength, mid/away approach, should make improvements by simplifying swing, 86 mph exit velocity. Active feet in field, solid range, comfortable around bag, sure hands, accurate arm, 80 mph arm strength across field.

Zachary Raabe, SS, Forest Lake, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #7 ranked player in MN 2018 class. U. Minnesota verbal commit. 7.22 runner. Square stance with body load, slight length to contact, aggressive swinger but keeps head still to contact, consistent hard contact with line drive swing plane, mid/pull approach, 84 mph exit velocity. Active feet with sure hands, good range to both sides, works through ball, longer arm path, accurate to bag with solid carry, projects as offensive second baseman at college level, 76 mph arm strength across infield.

Mark Reimel, RHP/3B, Cretin-Derham Hall, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.26 runner. Square stance with body and hand load, flat bat path through zone, creates solid bat speed, pulls off baseball occasionally, flashes hard line drive contact, 86 mph exit velocity. Solid/avg. actions in field, sure hands, makes routine plays, stops to field and throw, 82 mph arm strength.

Tyler Rodewald, 1B/RHP, Lakeville North, 2018
6-foot-5, 255-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Athletic and moves well for size. 7.25 runner. Square stance, body load, stays compact and connected in swing, short to contact with extension through zone, flashes above avg. power potential, works middle of field, well, 93 mph exit velocity. Confident fielder, moves well around bag, soft glove, easy receiver on throws, accurate arm with above avg. strength, 82 mph arm strength across diamond. Runs enough that corner outfield could be option as well. Interesting follow in 2018 class.

Jonas Sanders, RHP/3B, Fargo North, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.1 runner. Lean strength, square stance, lift in swing plane, flashes pop in bat, flyball contact, works middle of field consistently, 86 mph exit velocity. Above avg. arm strength with accuracy to bag, decent athlete, raw actions, avg. glove, makes routine plays, 85 mph arm strength.

Derek Shoen, RHP/3B, Truman, 2018
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Shoulder load with front heel turn trigger, stays connected, short to contact, drives baseballs up in zone, flashes power potential, aggressive swinger, 89 mph exit velocity. Sure hands, avg. feet and range, plays back on ball relying on arm strength, makes solid plays, accurate to bag with carry, 85 mph arm strength across diamond.

Trevor Smrekar, 3B, Lakeville North, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. #66 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.95 runner. Body load, level head to contact, longer stride, clean line drive bat path, consistent hard contact to mid/pull side of field, 85 mph exit velocity. Active feet, sure hands, extra glove pat effects timing and rhythm, accurate arm to bag, 76 mph arm strength.

Eathan Soeffker, 3B, Buffalo, 2018
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. #45 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.98 runner. Slight open stance, leg kick trigger, easy rhythm in hands, clean path through contact with extension, aggressive swinger with flashes of pop in bat, 85 mph exit velocity. Solid actions in field, usable glove, appropriate footwork, accurate to bag with carry on throws, 83 mph arm strength across infield.

Justin Stacey, 2B, Chanhassen, 2018
5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. 7.91 runner. Narrow open stance, longer stride to contact, flat bat path with short finish, some stiffness to swing, works middle of field well, solid contact, gap to gap approach, 77 mph exit velocity. Choppy rhythm, high fielding position, avg. footwork, accurate to bag, long release on throws, 76 mph arm strength.

Teddy Tauer, LHP/1B, Red Wing, 2018
6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. #41 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.77 runner. Athletic stance, body load, swings off back leg with minimal weight transfer, lift in swing plane, mid/pull hitter, solid contact, 78 mph exit velocity. Usable feet at position, comfortable around bag, flashes soft glove, avg. accuracy on throws, 75 mph arm strength.

Carter Theis, 3B, Edina, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting third baseman. #20 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.56 runner. Body load, slight arm bar, off-time at this event, spray contact, worked middle/away, 86 mph exit velocity. Works down to up, hands are out front, solid actions, above avg. hands and glove, accurate to bag, 76 mph arm strength across infield.

Paxton Thompson, SS/RHP, St. Michael-Albertville, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #29 ranked player in MN 2018 class. Tall athletic frame. 7.18 runner. Square stance with leg kick trigger, choppy rhythm and load with hands, longer path to contact, shows pop in bat when extended through contact, gap to gap approach, 84 mph exit velocity. Active feet with good hands in field, works though ball, creates direction on throws, long release with carry and accuracy to bag, 85 mph arm strength across field.

Hayden Thomsen, SS/RHP, Maple Grove, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #61 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.27 runner. Tall square stance, easy body and shoulder load, clean path to contact, shows ability to drive baseball with pop in bat, has extension through contact, mid/pull approach,88 mph exit velocity. Active feet with good actions, solid glove, tends to field deep into body, clean arm action, ball has carry and accuracy to target, 83 mph arm strength across infield.

Henry Trost, SS, Chisago Lakes, 2018
5-foot-10, 172-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. #56 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 6.76 runner. Well above avg. range, sure hands, solid actions, shows ability to make above avg. plays, ¾ arm slot, accurate to bag with sinking action, 78 mph arm strength across infield. Spread stance, small stride, guarded crouched stance, uphill swing plane, underneath at contact, works middle/away, 80 mph exit velocity.

TJ Truso, SS, Chanhassen, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #35 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.35 runner. Body load with leg kick trigger, produces above avg. bat speed, good connection in upper half and shows compact line drive swing, flashes hard line drive contact to gaps with flashes of pop, 92 mph exit velocity. Active feet, confident with glove and has sure hands, plays through baseball, good direction with feet on throws, clean arm action with accuracy to bag, 76 mph arm strength across diamond.

Jarod Wandersee, SS, Minnetonka, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. #81 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.7 runner. Open stance, knee to knee trigger, deep load with arm bar creating length to contact, balanced through swing and works gaps well, solid hitter that should improve with added strength, 87 mph exit velocity. Athletic actions in field with active feet and sure hands, plays with rhythm and tempo, projects at position if speed improves, 77 mph arm strength across infield. Interesting follow in 2018 class.

Michael Wallace, C/3B, Minneapolis Southwest, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Currently #36 ranked player in MN 2018 class. 7.35 runner. Slightly open stance, easy rolling load into launch position, loose hands with clean swing plane, consistent hard contact, works gap to gap well with line drives, 86 mph exit velocity. Solid receiver, strong set-up, shows body sway to both sides of plate, glove is occasionally late to spot on fastballs. Works through plate with feet, simple consistent actions, quick exchange, clean arm action, above avg. accuracy to bag with carry, 80 mph arm strength with 1.98-2.13 pop times. Also shows ability in the field, strong carry on throws, usable hands, shows footwork and creates direction on throws, makes plays, 85 mph arm strength across infield.

Samuel Warren, 1B, Rochester Mayo, 2018
6-foot-1, 189-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. 7.24 runner. Square stance, leg kick trigger with high back elbow setup, inconsistent hand/hitting slot, flashes pop in bat, hard line drive contact to middle/opposite side of field, 88 mph exit velocity. Plays through baseball, usable hands, seems comfortable around bag, avg. accuracy on throws, decent athlete at position, 70 mph arm strength across infield.

Keenan Wenzel, SS, Rosemount, 2018
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 7.26 runner. Body load, slight shoulder turn, aggressive swinger, works middle field, shows ability to use whole field, lift in swing plane with fly ball contact, 83 mph exit velocity. Aggressive fielder, attacks baseball, solid footwork and glove, shows ability to make plays, avg. accuracy to bag, 82 mph arm strength.

Daniel Wuxihong, OF/IF, Winona Cotter, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. #55 ranked player in MN 2018 class. International student currently attending Winona Cotter. 7.16 runner. Shows hitting ability, simple actions, bat stays long and through zone, quick to contact with above avg. bat speed, uses whole field with consistent hard contact, 94 mph exit velocity. Plays fast in outfield, works through ball, covers ground, clean compact arm action, online throws with accuracy to target, 85 mph arm strength from outfield. 78 mph arm strength at shortstop, solid actions at short, plays with quickness, fields underneath occasionally, solid accuracy to bag.