MO Preseason All-State Player Analysis: Middle Infielders

Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pound lean and athletic frame with room for added strength and size in the future. 

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and a crouched posture.  Hands get set at shoulder height and in a slight arm-bar position.  Big load into the lower half and utilizes a small leg kick stride.  Slowly drifts weight to the front side.  Works the lower half underneath the ball well and takes good routes to the ball.  Showcases serious strength at contact for his size with exit speeds reaching up to 94 mph during the BP session off of the trackman and made lots of consistent hard contact.  Also registers good overall rotational acceleration and hand speed off of the Blast sensor.

Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-83 mph.  ¾ arm slot with short arm action and hand working across the body at release.

Defense: In the infield shows a bouncy energy and a feel for routes working around the ball.  Uses short and choppy steps when attacking the ball.  Shows a developing feel for soft hands and glove action.  Gets underneath the ball well with the body.  Exchanges are clean and funnels ball back into the body.

Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pound lean and developing frame with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with an open and narrow stance with an athletic posture.  Hands get set at shoulder height with a slight arm-bar position.  Works a high leg kick stride to a wide stance.  Works the lower half well underneath the ball and matches plane with the pitch.  Line drive approach with level bat path.  Good balance throughout the swing.  

Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-79 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with long/loopy arm action.

Defense: In the infield shows short and choppy steps working around the ball.  Likes to sit on the ball and fields the ball out in front of the body.  Soft hands and glove action are developing skills.

Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic and developing frame with room for added strength and size in the future. 

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral stance and athletic posture.  Rocks into the backside for the load of the lower half and hands get set quietly at shoulder height.  Hands separate while the short leg kick works to a neutral position.  Raises up slightly in the swing.  Strong top hand and rotational upper body.  Pull-side approach.  Has quick hands and very good overall bat speed registering up to 85 mph on the Blast sensor.

Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  OF-86 mph.  INF-82 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with clean arm action and good hand speed.

Defense: In the outfield attacks the ball aggressively with good rhythm.  Fields the ball outside the glove side leg with clean exchanges.  Utilizes a shuffle style crow hop.  In the infield shows a feel for routes to the ball with smooth rhythm.  Has quick/clean exchanges and a developing feel for glove action. 

Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pound lean and developing frame with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open and narrow stance with an upright posture. Hands set at shoulder height with arm-bar position.  High leg kick stride with foot kicking out into the foot strike.  Leans back on the backside and gets minimal weight transfer to the lead leg.  Long and rotational bat path.  Works hands quickly through the zone.  Balance and hand strength are developing skills.

Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF 67- .  High ¾ arm slot with long arm action.

Defense: In the infield works laterally around the ball and creates angles by pre-setting the body towards first.  Fields the ball with firm hands tight to the body.  Shows a developing feel for rhythm around the ball and showed a good slow roller technique.

Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pound lean and athletic build with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with an open stance and athletic posture.  Hands get set slightly above shoulder height with a high back elbow.  Very rhythmic swing with a two tap stride and hands working back in separation.  Works lower half very linear through the zone into a wide stance.  Quick hands through the zone shows some strength at contact with exit speeds reaching up to 95 mph in the BP session.  Line drive approach and does a good job of matching plane.

Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-82 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with short arm action and long release.

Defense: In the infield shows good routes and feet working around the ball with rhythm.  Shows a feel for soft hands and glove action.  Exchanges are quick and clean.   Very active fielder with good body control.

Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pound lean and developing frame with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open and wide stance with an athletic posture.  Hands set at shoulder height with high back elbow.  Gets good weight transfer into the backside on short leg kick that lands slightly closed.  Rotates hard off the back side with minimal weight transfer to the front leg.  Rotational upper half and bat path with a strong top hand.  Pull-side approach and tries to work the ball up in the air.

Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-83 mph.  Over the top arm slot with a long and clean arm action.

Defense: In the infield prefers to sit on the ball and uses short and choppy feet for rhythm working to the ball.  Works the body low underneath the ball and fields the ball out in front with a feel for soft hands and glove action.  Shows a smooth slow roller technique.

Body: 6-foot-3, 180-pound long and lean frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral base and an athletic posture.  Utilizes a mid height leg lift with weight getting all the way on the back side.  Lower half works linearly with even weight distribution at contact point.  Hand set slightly below shoulder height and slight arm-bar set up with hands tucked in towards the body.  Barrel head is pointed towards pitcher to start and works a short and compact bat path.  Has some strength at contact and uses long levered swing well to generate potential power.

Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-76 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with long arm action.

Defense: In the infield shows a feel for rhythm and working around the ball with the feet.  Fields the ball deep into the body and funnels to the chest.  Glove action and quickness of exchanges are developing tools.

Body: 6-foot, 188-pound athletic and well-built frame.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and upright posture.  Hand set at shoulder height with high back elbow.  Loads weight into backside with knee-knock leg kick.  Swings the bat hard and finishes with good balance.  Matches plane well with body position and has quick hands through the zone.  Showcased very good strength at contact with exit speeds reaching 96 mph in the BP session.  

Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-85 mph.  Over the top arm slot with short arm action and long release.   Good hand speed.

Defense: In the infield shows a feel for working around the ball with good rhythm and footwork.  Has clean exchanges and a feel for glove action working out in front of the body. 

Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pound athletic and developing frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and athletic posture.  Hands set at shoulder height tucked into the body with a slight arm bar position.  Uses a simple stride back to neutral with good rhythm and hands working in sync.  Lower half works linearly through the zone with good balance.  Front shoulder turns in slightly before launch and bat path works rotationally.  Works the ball deep into the zone and uses the whole field well.

Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-80 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with short arm slot and good hand speed.

Defense: In the infield shows a bouncy energy and active feet.  Gets into a good fielding position and has a feel for soft hands and glove action.  Clean exchanges with the ability to change arm slots if the play dictates it.

Body: 5-foot-6, 145-pound lean and developing frame with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: LHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and athletic posture.  Hands set just below shoulder height with a high back elbow.  Uses a quick leg kick stride that lands slightly closed.  Smooth rhythm and good balance throughout the swing.  Leans back at contact and tries to work the ball in the air.  Has quick hands through the zone.  Bat speed and hand strength are both developing skills and should continue to improve as he adds more strength.  

Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-73 mph.  Low ¾ arm slot with hand working across the body.

Defense: In the infield shows active feet and good routes working around the ball.  Clean transfers and exchanges.  Shows a feel for soft hands and glove action.  Maintains control over the body and plays below the ball well.

Body: 5-foot-6, 140-pound lean and developing frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral stance and a slightly crouched upper body.  Rocks into a load into the lower half with hands shooting back and getting set at shoulder height.  Raises body up in the load and works an uphill bat path.  Pull-side approach with rotational hand path and finishes on balance.  Bat speed and hand strength are both developing tools.

Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-76 mph.  Over the top arm slot with a short arm action and long release.

Defense: In the infield works around the ball with short and choppy steps.  Fields the ball out in front of the body with firm hands and stiff glove action.  Exchanges and transfers are clean out of the glove.

Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pound athletic and lean frame with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral set up and athletic posture.  Hands get set at shoulder height with a high back elbow.  Gets a good load into the lower half with a simple and smooth rhythm.  Uses a small leg kick stride that is well-balanced and timed with the pitch.  Hands work quickly through the zone and matches plane with the pitch very well.  Athletic positioning all the way through the swing and finishes with good balance.  Well put together swing and will only get better with added strength.  

Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  OF-84 mph.  INF-75 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with clean arm action and release.

Defense: In the outfield attacks the ball aggressively and in good rhythm with the feet.  Fields the ball outside the glove side leg and utilizes a two-hop crow hop on the back leg with good pull down.  In the infield prefers to sit on the ball with short steps.  Creates angles by pre-turning the body towards the target.  Plays underneath the ball well and shows a developing feel for glove action and soft hands.

Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pound long-limbed and lean frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: LHH.  At the plate starts with an open stance and upright posture.  Pre-turns the front shoulder in on the set up.  Hands get set low underneath shoulder height and tight to the body.  Uses a leg lift stride that lands slightly closed.  Rotational upper body and bat path.  Hands work quickly through the zone on a flat bat path.  Plays the ball deep into the zone.  Strong top hand and line drive approach.  Hand strength and balance are developing skills.

Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.  

Arm: RH.  INF-75 mph.  ¾ arm slot with short arm action and release.

Defense: In the infield likes to sit on the ball and pre-turn the body to create angles to first base.  Fields the ball deep into the body with a firm glove.  Works well laterally and has clean exchanges.  Glove action and routes to the ball are in development.

Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pound lean and athletic frame with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and athletic posture.  Hands get set below shoulder height with slight arm-bar position.  Gets good weight transfer into the backside on short leg kick stride.  Smooth rhythm with good balance throughout the swing.  Short and compact swing with a level bat path and quick hands.  Line drive approach and does a good job of using the whole field.  Hand strength is a developing skill and will only get better with added strength and size to the frame.

Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-82 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with a clean arm action and good hand speed.

Defense: In the infield shows a feel for routes working around the ball with active feet.  Gets into a good fielding position and fields the ball out in front of the body with some glove action.  Smooth actions and showed a good slow-roller technique.

Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic and projectable frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with an open stance and upright posture.  Uses lots of hand rhythm through the swing with them getting to a set point below the shoulder height.  Uses big leg kick with weight shifting hard into the back leg.  Good hand speed and rotational acceleration metrics off the Blast sensor.  Shows strength at contact.  Swings hard but maintains good balance throughout the swing.

Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-85 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with short arm action and long release.

Defense: In the infield shows smooth rhythm and likes to let the ball come to him.  Fields the ball in good fielding position with soft hands and a feel for glove action.  Shows the ability to change arm slots if the play dictates it.

Body: 6-foot-1, 167-pound lean/athletic frame with a projectable body.

Hit: LHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral stance and upright posture.  Hands get set early at shoulder height.  Slow load into the lower half with short leg lift stride and good rhythm.  Lower half drives linearly to the front foot.  Rotational upper body and hand path.  Line drive approach and made consistent hard contact with exit speeds reaching up to 92 mph during the BP session on the Trackman.  Does a good job of using the whole field.

Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  OF-88 mph.  INF-83 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with a long arm action and good hand speed.

Defense:  In the outfield attacks the ball with smooth rhythm and long strides.  Fields the ball on the outside of the glove side leg with soft hands.  Utilizes a shuffle crow hop technique with clean transfers.  In the infield approaches the ball with short steps and pre-turns the body to create angles towards first base.  Works underneath the ball well with a good fielding position.  Smooth overall actions and works well laterally to both glove and back hand sides. 

Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pound lean and developing frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with an open stance and crouched lower half.  Hands set at shoulder height with slight arm-bar position.  Uses a simple stride to the toe and slight weight shift on the back side.  Hands work back when stride works forward.  Hands work quickly through the zone.  Level bat path and line drive approach.  Hand strength and bat speed are developing tools.

Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-80 mph.  OF-82 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with short arm action and long release.

Defense: In the outfield attacks the ball with short steps and slow rhythm.  Fields the ball out in front of the glove side leg.  Utilizes a two hop crow hop on the back leg.  In the infield works lateral routes and pre turns the shoulders to create angles towards first base.  Shows a feel for soft hands and some glove action.  

Body: 5-foot-7, 150-pound developing frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a closed front toe and weight pre shifted on the back side.  Hands get set below shoulder height and tight to the body.  Simple stride to slightly closed with lots of rhythm with the hands.  Swing works rotationally and hands work around the outside of the ball.  Bat speed and hand strength are developing tools.

Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-77 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with short/choppy arm action.

Defense: In the infield shows short steps when attacking the ball.  Fields the ball out in front of the body.  Showed good glove action on the back hand.  Rhythm and routes are developing tools.

Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pound lean and athletic frame with room for added strength and size.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral stance and upright posture.  Rhythmic swing with weight shifting slightly into the backside on traditional stride.  Hands get set at shoulder height with relaxed back elbow.  Slight uphill bat path with lower half working underneath the ball well.  Shows quick hands through the zone.  Rotational bat path and strong top hand.  Bat speed is a developing tool.

Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Arm: RH.  INF-76 mph.  OF-74 mph.  High ¾ arm slot with short arm action and long release.

Defense: In the outfield attacks the ball with smooth/short steps.  Maintains good rhythm throughout the fielding process into clean exchanges.  In the infield works around the ball with good angles and light feet.  Shows a developing feel for glove action out in front of the body.