17U Midwest Championships: Scout Blog
July 29, 2017
Below is a compilation of scouting notes throughout the PBR 17U Midwest Championships - Scouted by PBR from July 27th-30th…
CLICK HERE for Tourney Machine game scores from the entire tournament.
Algonquin Storm
Christian Scianna, SS, Jacobs, 2019
5-foot-7, 150-pound middle infielder, smaller frame but carries above average strength for size. Showed above average glove work on the infield, flashed quick actions, profiles at second base.
Aurora Thunder
Cameron Zimmerman, C, West Aurora, 2018
5-foot-4, 160-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, comes out of the crouch quick and athletically, stays on-line. Arm works short and over the top; throws stay true and carry. Pop times ranged between 2.07-2.18 in between innings. Offensively, short, quick swing, creates bat speed at times. Hit an RBI double to left field in his first at-bat and later scored a run.
Chicago Elite (Forystek)
Jacob Plastiak, SS, Andrew, 2018
Wichita State commit. 6-foot-3, 190-pound switch-hitting shortstop with a lanky, athletic frame. Defensively showed range laterally going up the middle on a ground ball. Showed the ability to play on the run with good body control. Accurate arm across the infield with carry.
Bryce Spoolstra, OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Slap and run hitter, moves well down the line, 4.32 on a ground out. Had a two run single up the middle in game.
Matt McCormick, C, St. Laurence, 2019
West Virginia Commit. Currently ranked No.2 in the 2019 Illinois class. 6-foot, 195-pound, left-handed hitting catcher with an advanced offensive approach. Squared up multiple balls to the opposite field including a home run and a double off the wall. Simple swing with strong hands, present bat speed. Defensively, popped 2.05-2.08 in between innings. High-level 2019 prospect.
Andrew Hancock, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2019
6-foot-7, 205-pound, right-handed pitcher with a long, projectable frame. Long, loose arm action action from a high ¾ angle with some stab. Fastball, works mostly straight, tends to miss arm side, sat 81-84 mph. Curveball, had 11/5 shape with some depth, 70-71 mph.
Ryan Vice, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2019
Recently committed to Western Michigan. 6-foot-4, 210-pound, projectable, right-handed pitcher with wide shoulders. Works exclusively from the stretch. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 84-87 mph in his one inning of work.
Zach Hise, RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletic, right-handed pitcher with projectability. Repeatable delivery with easy effort, stays in line. Athletic arm action from high ¾ slot. Fastball, sat 84-85 mph. Slider, has feel, thrown 75-77 mph. High follow arm in the 2020 Illinois Class.
Cougar Baseball Club
Simon Marinelli, 2B/C, Addison-Trail, 2019
5-foot-8, 170-pound, right-handed hitting 2B/C with a solid lower half. Hits from an open setup with good balance. Short, level path through the zone, above average bat speed. Hardest contact of the day was a hard hit line drive to center field.
6-foot-2, 170-pound, right-handed hitting, middle-infielder with a lanky frame. Offensively, hits from an open setup. Path works uphill with a pull-side approach. Defensively, tall fielding position. Has a quick exchange, throws flashed accuracy.
ESP Black Select
Ian Hanson, RHP, Geneva, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound, athletic, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, repeats delivery. Fastball, downward angle, 80-83 mph. Curveball, shape varied 11/5 and 12/6 swing and miss pitch, locates, 72-75 mph.
Ryan Summers, OF, Plainfield North, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound, athletic, good runner, outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, hit a stand up triple, opposite field into right field corner. Scored one pitch later on a suicide squeeze.
Tyler Horvath, LHP, Romeoville, 2018
University of Illinois-Springfield commit. 6-foot, 200-pound, athletic left-handed pitcher. On the mound, long arm action, arm slot varied between high ¾ and over-the-top. Fastball, 81-82 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 66-67 mph. Changeup, sinking action, 72-74 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup. Showed situational awareness at the plate, hit a deep sacrifice fly with a runner on third.
Gavin Doyle, SS, Plainfield North, 2018
Western Michigan commit. 6-foot-2, 170-pound, athletic shortstop. Defensively sound, sure-handed, athletic arm action. Offensively, right-handed hitter, quick twitch, maintains strength through contact, uphill swing. Turned on a fastball for a double off the wall on Thursday. On Saturday afternoon had a field day pulling the baseball, was a homerun away from the cycle, amassing a triple, double, and single, in that order.
Nick Cerrato, RHP, Plainfield North, 2018
6-foot, 155-pound, lanky, athletic right-handed pitcher. On the mound, short arm action, some firmness, high ¾ arm slot. Quick rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes in a balanced, athletic position. Fastball, run action, 81-83 mph. Changeup, fade action. Curveball, shape varied between 11/5 and 12/6, 66 mph.
Noah Ernst, 1B, Neuqua Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound, strong, thick bodied, first baseman. Right-handed hitter, belted a two-run homerun over the left field fence (347 feet).
Jake Page, RHP, Bolingbrook, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, short arm action from a low ¾ slot, delivers with quick rhythm. Fastball, run action, located glove-side, 76-77 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, confident in, 63-66 mph. Knuckleball, legitimate downward action, 61 mph.
Extreme Elite 16U
Eli Jacobs, 1B, Metro East Lutheran, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting first baseman with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short swing path and fast bat. Line driver hitter.
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Cut the score to 7-5 in the top of the seventh with a two run homer to left field.
GRB Rays Fox Valley
Cameran Crawford, RHP, Southwest, 2018
6-foot-3, 200-pound, right-handed pitcher, thick, wide frame. On the mound, short arm action from ¾ arm slot, stays tall, getting good downward angle on pitches, falls first base side. Fastball with tilt, 78-80 mph, ran the ball under the hands of right-handed hitters all game. Curveball, 11/5 shape, showed depth, has feel for, liked to go to regardless count.
Wes Sommers, 3B/RHP, Appleton North, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, long arm action with a slight wrap, high ¾ arm slot. Works very fast, gets the ball and goes, maintains smooth rhythm. Fastball, slight run action, 82-84 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 67 mph. Defensively, athletic arm action, made every play, including multiple slow rollers, showed fluid footwork, maintained body control. Offensively, right-handed hitter, finished the day 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
Christian Jack, SS, St. Mary’s Central, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound, long, lanky, right-handed hitting, athletic shortstop. Offensively, had two hard hit singles in four at-bats, maintaining strength through contact. An intelligent baserunner with above-average speed and agility, took advantage when on the bases, stole second and third, timing up the pitcher well, in multiple games. Moves well for size, showed coordination and body control.
5-foot-11, 170-pound, athletic, speedy right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, quick twitch, good hand-eye coordination, squared the ball up in every direction, including a hard hit fly ball into 20 mph wind caught on the warning track, F7. Finished the day 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Hit a two-run opposite field homerun on Saturday morning.
Jordan Strick, RHP, West De Pere, 2018
6-foot-3, 205-pound, right-handed pitcher, large frame, thick body. On the mound, short, firm arm action, high ¾ slot, works towards first base side. Fastball, tilt, 83-85 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, commands, repeatable, 69-71 mph.
6-foot-2, 183-pound, athletic two-way prospect. Defensively, sure-handed, good footwork around the base, showed flexibility in his stretches. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup. Through multiple games showed situational awareness and an approach at the plate. Consistently barrels the ball up, has a knack for putting the ball in play with runners in scoring position. On the mound, long, stab arm action, ¾ slot, repeatable delivery, steady rhythm. Showed pitchability. Fastball, run action, 78-80 mpjh. Slider, 2/8 shape, 65-69 mph. Changeup, fade action, 75 mph.
GRB Rays Green
Trevor Tietz, RHP, Watertown, 2018
Uncommitted 2018 pitching prospect. 6-foot-2, 170-pound lean projectable frame. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot. Showed command at times of his fastball worked to both sides of the plate with a purpose, ranged 82-85 mph. Curveball showed out pitch potential, 73 mph, 11/5 shape flashed late action. Changeup plays 73-75 mph.
GRB Rays Yellow
Kade Bohlman, C, Janesville Parker, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, wide shouldered frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, upright setup with a short, uphill swing path.
Illinois Hitmen
Sean Haughey, RHP, Lemont, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, lean strong frame. Stretch only delivery, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 82-84 mph , touched 86 mph, straight four seam type. Curveball played 11/5, 64-68 mph, guided at times.
Illinois Indians
Henry Gonzalez, OF, Notre Dame, 2018
Left-handed hitting right-handed throwing outfielder with a thin, lanky frame. In game slapped a two run single down the left field line.
Illinois Indians Red
Cory Scholler, OF, Maine West, 2018
5-foot-11, 145-pound, athletic, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, bar load, quick twitch, good hand-eye coordination. Consistently barreled up the ball, went 3-for-4 with a run scored on the day.
5-foot-7, 140-pound, athletic shortstop. Defensively, looks and plays the part, smooth fielder, athletic arm action from multiple slots, accurate on throws, maintains body control.
Illinois Stix
Ethan Sund, RHP, Crystal Lake South, 2017
North Park commit. 6-foot-3, 205-pound, long, lanky, right-handed pitcher, colorful personality on the mound. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, works fast, locates well. Fastball, 78-80 mph, topped out at 81. Changeup, sinking action, relied heavily on, 73-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 70 mph.
6-foot-2, 151-pound, athletic, lanky, outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, learned from each at-bat, showed plate awareness. Went one-for-one with a single to the right-side on a breaking ball.
KVL KHawks
Parker Bradford, RHP, East Peoria, 2020
6-foot-3, 180-pound, lanky, lean with room for physical development, right-handed pitcher, only recently picked up baseball, formerly a track and field athlete. On the mound, wide stance across the rubber, long, stab arm action, ¾ slot, smooth rhythm, lands square, falls first base side. Fastball, run and sink action, locates glove-side, 76-77 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 59-61 mph.
6-foot-1, 225-pound, strong, thick-bodied, corner infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, showed quick twitch, pull-hitter approach, maintains strength through contact. Consistently made hard contact.
Lake County Stars
Michael Zavoli, C, Barrington, 2018
Switch hitting catcher with an athletic, thin frame. Crouched, slightly open setup at the plate. Leg lift stride with good balance. Loose hands with a fast bat. Pull approach. Doubled down the left field line to lead off the game. 4.61 on the turn. RBI double to the gap in left centerfield, 4.57 on the turn. Also singled down the right field line from the left side of the plate. Active blocker behind the plate, moves well laterally.
VMI commit. Left-handed hitting outfielder with a strong athletic frame. Balanced, slightly open setup at the plate. Short, uphill swing path with a fast bat. Drove a ball deep to centerfield in first plate appearance. 4.76 on the turn.
Northern Illinois Reds
Ben Bokus, LHP, Mendota, 2018
Lean frame, 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed pitcher. High ¾ slot, delivery changes eye level, scap pinch arm swing. Fastball sat 78-80, topped at 82 mph, occasional arm side action. Curveball ranged 63-65 mph, 1/7 plane.
Michael Obos, OF, Ottawa Marquette, 2017
Rock Valley College commit. 6-foot-4, 180-pound outfielder, long lean frame with projection. Right-handed hitter, opposite field approach, loose hands.
PBA Wisconsin
Jacob Kaiser, C, Catholic Memorial, 2018
6-foot-4, 220-pound, athletic catcher, physically impressive, muscular, large frame, advanced flexibility for size. Right-handed hitter, athletic setup, short stride, maintains strength through contact, pull approach. Squared the ball up hard in each of his three at-bats, finished the day one-for-three with an RBI, lone hit came on a 73 mph slider inside to him. Defensively, traditional catcher’s arm action, quick, short, over-the-top, accurate with carry. Uses large frame extremely well while blocking. Situational awareness keeps runners honest. Caught multiple runners stealing on Ssaturday afternoon.
Brady Fields, 1B, Badger, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound, first baseman, muscular, wide-shoulders, athletic-build. Offensively, right-handed hitter, has feel for the zone and an approach, some swagger, balanced, slightly open setup, short stride, maintains balance. Line drive hitter, maintains strength through contact. Went two-for-three with a RBI, taking inside sliders to right field. Defensively, moved athletically around the bag, sure-handed.
Tanner Fields, RHP, Badger, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound, lanky, right-handed pitcher, square frame. On the mound, long, circular arm action, over-the-top slot, quick, smooth rhythm, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, 75-77 mph, commanded at-will. Curveball, 11/5 shape, located, 61-62 mph.
Eli Campbell, RHP, South Milwaukee, 2018
Bradley commit. 6-foot-5, 185-pound, right-handed pitcher, large frame with room to physically define.On the mound, long, circular arm action, high ¾ arm slot, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball, tilt, 83-86 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, commands, repeats, throws in any count, 65-71 mph.
Team Demarini
Charlie Pakenas, RHP, York, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, works from the stretch-only, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, rotates body towards second base during delivery. Fastball, run action, went in and out with, 79-81 mph, touched 84. Changeup, fade action, 70 mph. Slider, 2/8 shape, slight break, 68-70 mph.
Team Heat Baseball
Adam Juran, C, Sauk Prairie, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound catcher, solid build with some strength. Advanced defense catcher, arm carries well, short over the top slot, stays on line and accurate. Agile defender, blocks and recovers quickly, strong lower half. Pop times ranged 2.01-2.13 in game and between innings. Right-handed hitter, open setup, double down the line to pull side.
Dayne Leonard, SS, River Valley, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound shortstop, average athletic build. Plays with easy actions, hands play softly moves well with actions through the baseball. Active defender, commands the infield. Arm plays well across the diamond, carries and shows accuracy, arms strength plays from the hole, shows body control. Advanced defender. Right-handed hitter, showed some barrel control, 4.75 runner on a 5-3, 4.21 on a drag bunt.
Will Sprout, 1B, Madison Memorial, 2019
Left-handed hitting first baseman, large build 6-foot-3, 187-pounds. Handles the bat with ease, loose easy hands that showed he can use the whole field. Ball comes off the bat well. Above average base runner for size and speed, gets good reads and reacts.
Top Tier Darnell
Jacob Havis, OF, Plainfield East, 2018
Average build, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, Finished the day 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Balanced, square setup, short stride and makes consistent hard contact. Gap-to-gap approach and short bat path.
Brendan Carrane, SS, St. Rita, 2019
5-foot-8, 155-pound, left-handed hitting infielder. Defensively, athletic actions, has range to both sides, plays under control, soft hands and accurate arm. Offensively, selectively aggressive at the plate. Finished the day 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a hit by pitch.
Will Jackson, OF, Loyola, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Open setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm and an aggressive pull approach. Looks to damage on every pitch.
Sean Sinisko, 1B, Geneva, 2018
Illinois State commit. 6-foot-5, 230-pound, extra-large, left-handed hitter. Better known for his ability on the mound but played first base in this game. Reached in all four of his plate appearances. Hit a three-run triple to deep center field in his first at-bat of the game. Also, was hit by a pitch twice and had an infield single.
Top Tier Nationals
Jack Anderson, OF, Marist, 2018
RBI double into the right centerfield gap in game. 4.76 on the turn.
Donovan Nanfeldt, 1B, Andrew, 2018
6-foot-1, 198-pound, physical, extra-large right-handed hitting first baseman. Projects as a middle of the order type of bat. Creates easy bat speed and strength through contact. Path works uphill and looks to lift the baseball. Moves well at first base for his size and flashes soft hands.
Hunter Johnson, INF, St. Viator, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, long and lean, right-handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively, fluid, easy actions, steady hands, plays under control and maintains body control. Arm works from a 3/4 slot, accurate throws and flashes carry at times.
Top Tier Nationals Hernandez
Logan Riley, C, Sycamore, 2019
5-foot-8, 135-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting catcher. Led off, tall, open setup at the plate. Disciplined approach, did not chase out of the zone. Hit a line-drive single to left field in his first at-bat and later scored. Defensively, flexible and agile behind the plate. Hands work soft with ability to stick pitches in the zone. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws were accurate and stayed true.
AJ Casmer, RHP, Lisle, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, athletically built, right-handed pitcher. Started the game on the mound. Works across his body, creates some deception and threw a high volume of strikes. Arm works short and from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 75-78 mph. Breaking ball sat 65-66 mph. Offensively, hit in the four-hole and added a RBI and run scored.
TPA Crush
Bryce Biedrzycki, RHP, Westosha Central, 2018
6-foot-1, 171-pound, athletic, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, quick draw, short arm action, ¾ arm slot. Fastball, run action, pounded the zone, 80-82 mph. Changeup, fade action, 73-74 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape. Fields the position well. Offensively, right-handed hitter, athletic, balanced setup, uphill swing path. Turned on an 80 mph fastball for an RBI double on Friday afternoon.
Yorkville Foxes
Mark Sommers, CF, Yorkville, 2018
Athletically built, left-handed hitting center fielder with some present strength. Offensively, leads off for the Foxes and is sparkplug of the offense. Led the game off with a triple to deep center field. Later reached on a bunt for a hit. Also, lined out hard to center field. Starts from a balanced square setup, short stride and good balance through contact. Quick, short bat path, barrel stays flat through the zone and showed ability to backspin the baseball. Follow 2018 outfielder.
Grant Weiland, 2B, Yorkville, 2018
Strong, well-proportioned right-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively, tall, relaxed setup and short stride. Aggressive approach, swings with intent, creates bat speed and pull approach. Hit two run scoring doubles; one to center field and one to deep left field which resulted in a ground rule double. Also walked and scored two runs. Defensively, steady defender, makes the routine play. Arm works short and carries.
Matt Ramey, RHP, Yorkville, 2018
Lean, athletically built right-handed pitcher. Delivery works with rythm, stays on-line and is repeatable. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot. Filled up the strike zone throughout his outing. Fastball, flashed arm-side-run and sat 75-77 mph. Breaking ball works 11/5 and sat at 60-61 mph.
Ty Liaromatis, SS/RHP, Yorkville, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound, strong, defined lower half, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Hits in the three hole. Long bat path, creates easy bat speed and ball jumps off his bat at times. Doubled and scored a run. Defensively, maintains body control on the move, reliable hands and strong, easy arm that carries across the diamond. On the mound, high leg kick, short arm action, quick draw, ¾ arm slot, works on-line, finishes walking off, high effort. Fastball, run action, 84-85 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 70-72 mph. Changeup, sink action, used sparingly, 78 mph.
Zepp Prospects
Scott Savage, OF, Hartfield Union, 2019
6-foot, 185-pound, strong, athletic right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, open setup, hands back, barrel upright upon load, maintains strength through contact. Defensively covers ground well, made a diving play into foul territory on a fly ball to left field.
Kansas State commit. 6-foot, 168-pound, left-handed pitcher. Long arm action, slight wrapping action, low ¾-to-side arm slot, works on-line, lands square, finishes falling towards first third base, slide step from stretch. Fastball, heavy arm-side run, 81-84 mph, touched 85, 86, locates arm-side. Slider, sweeping action, commands, 71-73 mph. Commands both pitches at-will, heavy horizontal movement.
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