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By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

The 2016 Elite Prospect Showcase took place Saturday, October 29th at Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manheim, PA with nearly 70 prospects from four states displaying their skills. Today we continue our analysis of all prospects in attendance by reviewing those players who showcased as middle infielders.

Note: middle infielders who also participated as pitchers will be covered in a coming article looking at two-way prospects

- FINAL MEASURABLES for all prospects in attendance

Top Middle Infield Prospect

Steven Miller, 2018, North Hills
Athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. Currently shows gap power potential (88 mph exit velocity) and is a plus runner (6.69 60-yard dash). Right-handed hitter whose hands work fairly well and will free up even more as he irons out his lower half. Initial movement varies from a small toe-tap to a rock of weight to the back side sans front foot. Starts from an open stance and strides to a wide base with forward hip slide that limits ability to fully incorporate lower half into swing. Exhibited some feel for the barrel despite not always being on time during this round of BP. Defensively, he exhibits good footwork, a soft glove, and 82 mph arm strength, while he would benefit from working to field the baseball on the glove side of his body instead of off his right hip.

 

Other Participating Middle Infielders

Gianni Arici, 2018, St. Joseph's Prep
Right-handed hitter who ran a 6.75 60-yard dash and has added strength to his now 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. Hits from a slightly open stance with simple, repeatable approach. Swing is geared pullside and can get long, at times, due to some armbar that creates stiffness, while he has developing gap power (86 mph exit velocity). Moves well defensively and follows throws to target. Throws out of a lower slot with elbow in tight to body and 74 mph arm strength.

Jarod Bingaman, 2018, Upper Dauphin Area
While his "prospect status" may be limited by his 5-foot-9, 155-pound build, Bingaman is the middle infielder from this event who many would first take to help win a game right now. The right-handed hitter, who ran a 7.01 60-yard dash, exhibited good balance and hit against his front side during his round of BP. From a slightly open stance he stays inside the baseball and flashes bat speed that helped generate a 90 mph exit velocity. He bounces around defensively, playing low to the ground and below the baseball, and features accurate 81 mph arm strength.

Matthew Clarke, 2018, Hanover Area
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. He hits against his front side well, currently lacking the physical strength to generate significant bat speed or power (77 mph exit velocity), and ran a 7.62 60-yard dash. Defensively, he projects as a second baseman with playable feet and actions accompanied by 79 mph arm strength.

Tucker Ell, 2018, Holy Redeemer
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 7.10 60-yard dash. Starts from an open stance and gets some separation on his way to a square base. Tends to get the barrel moving with his shoulders due to limited physical strength, adding which would free up his hands and allow him to drive the baseball with more authority (76 mph exit velocity). Defensively, he plays below the baseball and can complete the slow roller play, while current 76 mph arm strength and the fact that his arm works more freely from a lower slot than a higher one profile him for second base at the next level.

Justin Hamm, 2018, North Allegheny
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 7.16 60-yard dash. Starts from an open stance and takes a knee-to-knee toe-tap to square with some top-half lean over home plate. Timed up BP well, flashing some bat speed (83 mph exit velocity) and generally using the middle of the field. Nothing flashy defensively, but did a nice job fielding the baseball out front and keeping his feet moving through his throw, while recording 79 mph arm strength.

Cole Rupp, 2020, Coatesville Area
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.99 60-yard dash. Starts from an open stance and strides to slightly open. He takes a short path to the baseball and flashes solid bat speed, while he spins a bit, which doesn't allow his barrel to stay in the zone as long as it could. 75 mph exit velocity was down from the 80 mph he has shown previously. Defensively, he exhibited a solid glove hand and good fielding position that allowed him to incorporate a one-shuffle release on his 72 mph arm strength.

Nick Serafino, 2018, Canon-McMillan
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.68 60-yard dash. Starts from a slightly open stance and takes a knee-to-knee stride to square. Flat barrel path geared mainly to the pullside and has strength in his frame. Could be more to come from a 90 mph exit velocity that is mainly top-half driven, as he has limited backside rotation that is more spin than drive right now. Defensively, he exhibits athletic actions with a solid glove. Arm strength from a low elbow with push action was down at this event, but has been up to 78 mph in the past.

Mason Walker, 2019, Red Land
Projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound left-handed hitter. Starts from an open stance with good pre-swing rhythm and takes a long knee-to-knee stride to square. Front foot lands parallel to front of the plate; opening toe at landing could help him get his hips cleared easier. Nonetheless, swing is smooth with slightly uphill path that projects for solid power (currently 87 mph exit velocity). Solid defensive actions with ability to throw from multiple arm angles. Very intriguing prospect who received strong consideration to lead this article, with a 7.45 60-yard dash and potential to physically outgrow the middle of the diamond ultimately being the deciding factors.