Class of 2015 Prospect Games: Infield Analysis
September 30, 2014
By Rob Allison
Iowa Scouting Director
The Class of 2015 Prospect Games brought almost 50 uncommitted prospects to showcase themselves to colleges in attendance in the one day event held at the University of Iowa. Over the next week we will unveil our analysis of the top players at their respective positions.
Our next group is the middle and corner infielders. A wide array of talented players were evaluated at this position. 2015 Connor Enochs (Connor Enochs), took the top stop in this category. Enochs showed the ability to run, consistently make routine plays, and finish with quality throws across the infield. The bat is projectable and with continued physical maturity will be a player that will open eyes in the future.
TOP infield PROSPECTS
1. Connor Enochs, SS, Des Moines East, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound short stop. 4.1 home to first time. Right handed hitter, minimal load, strides across body, high back elbow. Setup causes him to fight the bat through zone some. Bat works uphill at times. Has wiry strength. Consistent hard contact all day. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, plus actions, good quickness and soft hands, arm has carry and is very accurate. Consistently makes plays. Has present Division 1 shortstop ability. Currently un-committed. With added strength and maturity could be future draft.
2. Nick McMurray, SS, Dowling Catholic, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound infielder. 4.69 home to first time. Left handed hitter, 80 mph exit velocity off tee. Short load, balanced swing, makes consistent solid contact, stays in middle of field. Fluid swing mechanics. Defensively, fields out front, makes routine play, arm works well out front. Above average high school second baseman, average tools but makes routine plays at short. 80 mph velocity across infield. Overall shows ability to hit for average, with physical progression has chance to be very offensive middle infielder at college level.
3. Zachary Daniels, RHP/SS, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2015
5-foot-11, 150-pound 2 way player. Long wiry build. 4.28 home to first time. Left handed hitter, 90 mph exit velocity off tee, pre-set load, high leg kick stride, gets good leverage down through ball. Above average hand eye coordination. Consistently squared balls up all day. Defensively, light on his feet, moves well to balls, very athletic, soft hands. Low ¾ slot across infield- 85 mph.
4. Chino Alcala, 1B, Des Moines East, 2015
6-foot-4, 220-pound first baseman. 4.34 home to first time. Left handed hitter, pre-set load, closed stance with easy stride. Level swing path. Takes barrel to ball. Simple swing. Hit several balls hard and deep to right field. 95 mph exit velocity off tee. Ok actions at first base. Throws from low ¾ arm angle. Has enough athleticism to be more than adequate at position. 75 mph throws across infield. Big projection with current plus power.
5. Chase Wood, 3B, Ottumwa, 2015
6-foot, 180-pound third baseman. Indian Hills Community College commit. 4.4 home to first time. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Right handed hitter, high back elbow, starts open and double taps to inline stride. Swings with barrel. Has gap to gap approach with pull side pop. Defensively, works down to up. Has workable hands. Powerful actions. Sneaky tools with strength. Not fluid and loose but has ability to make plays and very strong physically. Interesting prospect after two years at JUCO.
6. Fischer Durbala, 2B, Burlington, 2015
6-foot-2, 180-pound second baseman. Physical build. 4.81 home to first time. Left handed hitter, pre-set load, deep load with arm bar, level swing producing high contact rate, fouled off a lot of tough pitches, stayed in long AB’s. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, very impressive turning double play from second base. College ready right now. Works down to up well. Soft hands and makes routine plays. Proto 2 hole college second baseman. With added strength projects as physical 2B/3B with ability to hit and above average defense. Was the surprise player of event for me. Has things to improve on but has chance to be very good player.
7. Luke Larson, SS, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2015
6-foot-3, 185-pound infielder. Projectable body. 4.37 home to first time. Right handed hitter, deep load, swings off stiff front leg, uphill swing plane. Needs better leverage and weight shift through ball but makes consistent solid contact. 81 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, works down to up well for big body, soft hands, arm works very well, high ¾ slot. 86 mph across infield. Has tools to stay at SS now; physical progression might necessitate move to 3B. Above average runner with good tools.
8. Bryce Bisenius, 1B/RHP, Dowling Catholic, 2015
6-foot, 210-pound 2 way player. Strong barrel chested. Home to first time of 4.94. Left handed hitter, very simple small load and stride, pre-set load, simply trying to lift and separate on every swing, shows plus pull power, hit balls hard to oppo gap. 91 mph exit velocity off tee. Average/ok actions around first base. Can handle position. Accurate throws, 80 mph velocity across infield.
9. Ryan Zimmel, C/IF, St. Thomas Academy (MN), 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher – outfielder. 4.44 home to first time. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Left handed hitter, high back elbow, easy load, strides slightly across body, uphill swing plane with minimal weight shift through contact. Solid contact with barrel throughout B.P. In the infield, fields tall at position, glove is steady, makes routine plays, made above average plays during game portion. Throws from over the top slot with accuracy and carry. Infield velocity of 74 mph.
10. Nolan Reinhardt, 1B/RHP, Dowling Catholic, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pound 2 way player. Projectable body with some athleticism. 4.81 home to first time. Right handed hitter, deep load, aggressive swing, quiet head, showed average pull side power. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, easily enough actions to play first base. Would be interested in seeing him at 3B or corner outfield. Moves well. 82 mph across infield. Interesting prospect a 2 way player. A lot of things to work with.
BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Jeremy Bentley, LHP/1B, Des Moines East, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound 2 way player. 4.68 home to first time. Open stance, strides into baseball, low hands, slashy level swing, 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively moves well at first base. Good actions with soft hands. Made several pick plays on throws across infield. Athletic enough to start/finish 3-6-3 double plays. Low ¾ arm slot; 76 mph across infield.
Jake Brumbaugh, RHP/1B, Tri County, 2015
6-foot, 210-pound 2 way player. 4.85 home to first time. Right handed hitter, high front elbow, inconsistent load and stride, effects timing and ability to repeat swing. Average bat speed. Limited weight shift through contact. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, average athlete with ok glove and heavy feet. 78 mph across infield.
Jarod Cadena, 1B, Cedar Rapids Prairie, 2015
5-foot-11, 195-pound first baseman. 4.8 home to first time. Right handed hitter, high hand set, pre-set load, drops hands while striding, uphill swing plane, takes aggressive swings with long finish, 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, average actions at first, makes routine plays, throws from short arm action.
Zachary Galindo, 3B/RHP, Iowa City Regina, 2015
5-foot-7, 170 pound 2 way player. 4.62 home to first time. Right handed hitter, no load with heel turn for a trigger, good direction towards pitcher. Stiff swing with short finish. 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, works to get in good fielding position. Throws from low ¾ slot across infield- 74 mph.
Luke Gallagher, 1B, Iowa City Regina, 2015
6-foot-1, 200-pound first baseman. 5.25 home to first time. Right handed hitter, good rhythm in load. In line with stride. Uses aggressive back hip to ball in swing. Overall good swings using gap to gap approach. Defensively, average athlete at first, makes routine plays, high ¾ arm slot. Velocity of 67 mph across infield.
Kevin Klein, SS, Burlington Notre Dame, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound infielder. 4.85 home to first time. Right handed hitter, high hand set with shoulder load, front heel turn trigger, short to contact, stays on ball after contact. Spray/line drive hitter. 76 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, long strides to ball, some energy, funnels baseball into body, arm is loose making accurate throws across diamond. 73 mph throwing velocity.
Nathan Leisenring, RHP/3B, Keokuk, 2015
6-foot-2, 235-pound 2 way player. 5.1 home to first time. Right handed hitter, crouched stance, minimal use of lower half, short swing, pull side approach with short finish. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, below average quickness. Shows ok hands. Arm works ok across infield with accurate throws. 77 mph across infield. Projects to be a first baseman.
Tanner Mueller, 2B, West Liberty, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound infielder. 4.6 home to first time. Right handed hitter, low hand set, uphill swing plane, unbalanced stride and swing. Effort in swing. 80 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively showed ¾ arm slot with velocity of 76 mph. Below average rhythm and feel at position.
Hunter Peebler, 1B/RHP, Danville, 2015
6-foot-4, 195-pound 2 way player. 5.19 home to first time. Right handed hitter, deep gradual load, minimal use off backside through swing, line drive swing plane. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, long lanky body, makes routine, average rhythm and athleticism fielding balls. 79 mph velocity across infield.
Lane Peterson, 2B, Southwest Valley, 2015
5-foot-10, 140-pound infielder. 4.77 home to first time. Right handed hitter, 69 mph exit velocity off tee. Choppy swing mechanics, uphill swing plane, drops hands in load. Defensively, max effort fielder, fields balls deep in crouch, ¾ arm slot, 71 mph throwing velocity across infield.
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