By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

At the Class of 2015 Showcase we saw a big group of infielders with a wide range of talent. Sam Flamini (Yorkville) stood out as the top overall infielder. Flamini showed excellent hands couple with the range and arm to play the left side of the infield. Nick Maton (Chatham-Glenwood) also showed well, his long rangy frame has projection at the shortstop position as well as a repeatable left handed swing. General McArthur (Crete Monee) was also one of the top infielders displaying advanced actions and soft hands up the middle.

Here’s a look at the top infielders.

Top Infielders

1. Sam Flamini, SS/3B, Yorkville, 2015
5-foot-11, 170-pound infielder. Displayed one of the most well-rounded skill sets at the showcase. Showed excellent foot speed, ran a 7.0 60. Defensively showcased soft hands, natural infield instincts, quick footwork. Advanced actions, athletic body control, efficient release of the baseball, plays well on the move. Short arm action from over the top at 82 mph with carry and accuracy. At the plate he has a balanced, slightly open stance and short stride. Swing mechanics are advanced and repeated with ease. Showed power from gap to gap, middle to opposite field approach. Exit velocity was 89 mph off a tee.

2. Nick Maton, SS, Chatham-Glenwood, 2015
Projectable frame, 6-foot-1, 160-pound left hand hitting infielder. One of the more projectable prospects in attendance. Defensively he showed athletic movements with soft hands and quick exchanges. Throws with a short arm, quick release, gets solid carry at 78 mph. Ran a 7.12 60. At the plate he has a tall, slightly open stance with a short stride. Maintains balance in the swing with a short bat path and extension, line drive type swing. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee.

3. General McArthur, MIF/OF, Crete-Monee, 2015
6-foot, 150-pound athletic multi positional player. In the outfield he showed above average actions and athletic movements. Arm worked free and easy at 89 mph with carry. On the infield has advanced actions, confident hands, smooth glovework. Efficient transfer and release, throws it 81 mph across the infield with accuracy. Ran a 7.4 60. Offensively, he hits with an open stance and short stride. Line drive type swing with fluid rhythm and a middle of the field approach. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee.

4. Jack Rettig, LHP/1B, Mahomet-Seymour, 2015
Lanky athletic frame, 6-foot-2, 185-pound left handed throwing two-way player. Shows projection on the mound, delivery is tall and balanced, regular effort. Arm action is long, operates from a high ¾ slot. Fastball has consistent running action to his arm side, sat at 80-82 mph. Curveball sat 67-69 mph, decelerated arm action. Changeup flashed sinking action, 72-74 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Advanced approach, slightly uphill path, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a long am action across the diamond at 74 mph. Showed agile feet around the bag, 7.04 runner in the 60.

5. Cristian Sanchez, MIF, Minooka, 2015
Wiry build,6-foot, 165-pound infielder. Defensively showed above average range, moved well to both side, athletic actions, showed well above average body control. Arm works long and from a high ¾ slot at 81 mph with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.26 60. At the plate he has an open stance with a short stride. Lowe half works but has some collapse. Maintains balance in the swing with a short, level path that gets extension and produces line drives to the gaps. Exit velocity was 82 mph.

6. John Riordan, 3B/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound two way player. On the mound he has a drop and drive delivery with good direction, rhythm and some effort. Arm is short and quick from a ¾ slot. Had feel for his fastball, sitting 81-82 mph and touching 83 mph. Throws a 12/6 curve with late, sharp bite at 67-69 mph. Changeup was thrown with fastball arm action at 76-77 mph with sinking action. Defensively he showed natural feel for 3B, playing with quick clean actions, quality footwork, and smooth exchanges. Arm works at 76 mph across the diamond with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.47 60. Offensively he hits with a balanced stance, smooth load, and short stride. Uses the lower half well, and has a solid swing plane. Opposite field approach with solid extension. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee.

7. Ben Chapman, SS, Hinsdale Central, 2015
Lanky frame, slender build, 6-foot, 145-pound infielder. Showcased an advanced arm from the infield, arm action is short, high ¾ slot at 86 mph with carry and accuracy. Defensively he showed solid actions with soft hands.  Controls his body well moving to both sides. Ran a 7.36 60. At the plate has a balanced setup with a short stride and solid lower half. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee.

8. Enrique Manzano, MIF/RHP, Solorio, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound left hand hitting, two way player. On the infield he showed some actions, playing through the ball with solid hands and feet. Arm is long, high ¾, and has carry at 74 mph. Ran a 7.36 60. At the plate he has a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride and strong lower half. Swing generates solid bat speed and pop to the pull side in fluid rhythm. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee. On the mound he throws with the same long arm. Fastball was straight, sitting 75-76 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape with rolling break at 61-62 mph. Throws a split with some fade at 67-69 mph.

9. Frank Greco, SS, St. Laurence, 2015
Athletic build with strength, shows physical development, 6-foot-2, 185-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, lower half works, displays solid balance through contact. Showed advanced bat speed, excellent path to the baseball, gets extension. Line drive gap to gap type hitter, worked the middle of the field well. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Excellent potential at the plate. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action from the infield, showed some accuracy, 81 mph across the diamond. Used a quick exchange, fields deep at times, athletic defender, showed some body control.

10. Kellen McCormick, SS, Hononegah, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pounds, developed upper body, wide shoulders, shows strength. Defensively plays with above average hands on the infield. 7.47 runner in the 60. Arm plays at 77 mph across the diamond, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy. At the plate hits from a wide stance, slightly open and crouched, arm bar load, short stride. Strong hands, slightly uphill path, low hands at load. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

11. Alex Mandeville, MIF/OF, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2015
5-foot-10, 150-pound multi-positional player. In the outfield he moves well with clean actions. Throws with a short loose arm from a high ¾ slot with carry at 78 mph. On the infield has fluid footwork and clean exchanges. Plays through the ball and throws it 76 mph with accuracy. Offensively he hits with an open stance, smooth load and short stride. Swing is short with solid extension. Exit velocity off a tee was 78 mph. Ran a 7.53 60.

12. Timothy Fox, MIF, New Trier, 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pound athletic infielder with long legs. On the infield displayed clean hands. Throws with a long arm from high ¾ with quality carry and accuracy at 80 mph. Ran a 7.68 60. Offensively, has a slightly crouched, balanced stance with a short stride. Bat path is long and gets to good extension. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee.

13. Matt Murawski, MIF, St. Rita, 2015
5-foot-9, 140-pound athletic infielder with foot speed. Showed advanced foot speed, running a 6.86 60. At the plate he has an open stance with a short stride and sound balance. Swing is level with solid extension and barrel control. Has an opposite field approach. Had an exit velocity of 78 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed fluid footwork and soft hands with smooth exchanges. Throws with a short arm from a ¾ slot with accuracy at 72 mph.

14. Hunter Fiorito, MIF, Aurora Central Catholic, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound infielder with solid bat speed. At the plate he has a balanced, open stance and a short stride. Swing is short, strong, and fast showing occasional extension, line drive hitter, works both gaps. Exit velocity was 87 mph off a tee. On the infield he plays through the ball with clean hands. Arm is short from a ¾ slot with some carry at 75 mph. Ran a 7.52 60.

15. Nick Verta, MIF/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic two way player. On the infield he showed above average actions. Arm works free and easy at 79 mph with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.26 60. Excellent setup at the plate, balanced stance, smooth load, short stride. Excellent rhythm, repeats well, athletic swing. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery with some rhythm and an athletic finish. Arm is long and loose with quick acceleration. Showed three pitch feel. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, flashing 82 mph, with some run. His curveball had 11/5 shape with sharp bite at 71-73 mph. Changeup showed swing and miss potential, throwing it with fastball arm speed at 73-75 mph with high grade sinking action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Mario Aguinaga, MIF/RHP, Lemont, 2015
5-foot-8, 125-pound two way player. On the infield he showed quick feet with solid hands. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a long arm and accuracy at 69 mph. At the plate hits with a balanced stance and short stride. Solid line drive swing with good extension. Off a tee had an exit velocity of 72 mph. Ran a 7.44 60. On the mound uses a tall and fall delivery with easy effort and rhythm. Throws from a ¾ slot with a long arm. Fastball was 72-73 mph, touching 74 mph with sink. Curveball has an 11/5 tilt at 63-66 mph for strikes. Showed feel for a changeup throwing it with fading action at 65-66 mph.

Sage Bruhl, SS/RHP, Glenbrook North, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound left hand hitting, two way player. Defensively he showed quality actions and movements with quick feet. Throws it with a loose arm at 73 mph across the infield and 79 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.46 60. At the plate has an open stance, short stride and solid balance. Has a short, level swing with pull side approach. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee.

Justin Dennison, 3B/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
6-foot-1, 170-pound two way player. Defensively he moves athletically, with solid hands and quick feet. Ran a 7.22 60. Throws from a high ¾ with short arm action at 70 mph with accuracy. At the plate he hits with a balanced setup and short stride. Exit velocity was 70 mph off a tee. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery with good direction. Throws with a long arm from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 73-76 mph with flashes of slight running action. Breaking pitch was 65-69 mph with rolling break. Changeup was 69-71 with cut.

Fischer Durbala, MIF, Burlington (IA), 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic, left hand hitting, infielder. At the plate he hits with a balanced setup and short stride. Uses the lower half well with an opposite field, line drive swing and approach. Exit velocity off a tee was 82 mph. Defensively he showed standard movements. Throws from high ¾ slot at 68 mph. Ran a 7.53 60.

Jonathan Eng, RHP/3B, Whitney Young, 2015
6-foot-3, 170-pound two-way player, athletic frame. Defensively uses a long high ¾ arm action across the diamond, accurate arm (78 mph). 7.58 runner. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, bat wrap load. Creates whip, long path, pull side approach, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound pitches out of a tall delivery, long arm action from an over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, showed control, 78-80 mph. Curveball has gradual action on an 11/5 plane, 63-66 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 68-70 mph. Also showed a splitter at 65-68 mph.

Alex Ewell, RHP/MIF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
6-foot, 165-pound two way player. On the mound his delivery is easy effort. Arm works loose and easy from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 74-76 mph with arm side run. Throws a changeup at 64-68 mph with fading action. Breaking ball was 10/4 shape with little action at 61-64 mph. On the infield he showed standard actions with the same arm action at 69 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.57 60. Offensively, he has a balanced setup with a short stride. Bat path is slightly uphill. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee.

Easton Haase, MIF, Herscher, 2015
5-foot-9, 150-pound infielder. At the plate showed solid bat speed. Had an exit velocity of 82 mph off a tee. Has a balanced stance and short stride. Swing has solid extension and makes consistent contact. Defensively, he has quick feet and clean exchanges. Throws 72 mph with a short arm from over the top. Ran a 7.56 60.

Dakota Head, SS, Benton, 2015
6-foot-2, 170-pound athletic infielder. Moves athletically on the infield. Ran a 7.17 60. Throws with a loose arm from a high ¾ slot with solid carry at 77 mph. Offensively, he hits from an open stance. Has a line drive swing with just a touch of uphill path in it. Exit velocity was 85 mph off a tee.

Max Hughes, 3B/SS, Brother Rice, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound lanky infielder. Defensively he showed solid hands and body control. Arm is short and loose from over the top, with accuracy at 66 mph. Ran a 7.19 60. He hits with a balanced setup and a short, diving stride. Has an uphill path with good extension. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee.

Alex Kiszkowski, SS, Schaumburg, 2015
5-foot-11, 155-pound infielder. Defensively he showed solid hands. Throws from over the top with a short arm at 73 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.33 60. At the plate has an athletic, slightly opened stance and short stride. Swing is clean with good plate coverage and extension. Exit velocity off a tee was 74 mph.

Ryan Kramer, MIF, Nazareth, 2015
6-foot, 165-pound lanky, athletic infielder. Defensively, showed sound actions with good hands. Throws with a short arm from a high ¾ slot with some accuracy at 76 mph. Ran a 7.32 60. At the plate has a slightly open stance with a short stride. Swing has good balance with a level path. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee.

Justin Lo, MIF, Whitney Young, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound infielder. Defensively he showed solid hands, fluid feet and clean exchanges. Throws with a long arm from over the top with carry at 79 mph. Ran a 7.15 60. At the plate has a balanced stance with some crouch. Has a line drive swing that is short and level with fluidity. Exit velocity off a tee was 80 mph.

LJ Kurek, 3B/RHP, Bishop McNamara, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way player. Defensively displayed a short high ¾ arm action across the diamond, 71 mph. Showed reliable hands, above average footwork, showed some athleticism. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, no load. Opposite field tendencies, front foot hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Also ran a 7.51 60.

Grant Lindsey, 3B, T.F. South, 2015
5-foot-8, 155-pound corner infielder. Showed solid hands and a clean exchange defensively. Throws from over the top with average carry at 66 mph. Ran a 7.36 60. At the plate has a balanced stance and short stride. Has pull side approach with a slap contact type swing and smooth rhythm. Exit velocity was 66 mph off a tee.

Dominic Pilas, SS/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound two way player with arm strength. On the mound he has a drop and drive delivery with some effort and repeats it. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a short, loose, quick arm. Had feel for his fastball, which was straight and sitting 83-85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape and sharp slider action to it, sitting 75-76 mph. Changeup was 73-75 mph with flashes of quality sinking action. At the plate he has an open, slightly crouched stance with a leg kick trigger. Swing is short with sound extension. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. On the infield he throws with the same arm action as on the mound. Throws 76 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.43 60.

Brandon Quillin, MIF, Oak Lawn, 2015
5-foot-9, 155-pound left hand hitting infielder. At the plate he has a balanced stance, short stride, and smooth swing with quality extension. Off a tee had an exit velocity of 69 mph. Defensively, showed soft hands. Throws 77 mph from a high ¾ slot with a long, stiff arm action. Ran a 7.69 60.

Jake Radel, MIF, St. Francis, 2015
5-foot-10, 175-pound infielder with solid foot speed. Ran a 7.01 60. At the plate hits with a open stance and a long stride. Swing is strong with a long bat path and solid pop the other way. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. Defensively, he plays with sound hands. Arm is long from a ¾ slot working at 74 mph.

Luis Rivera, SS, Morton, 2015
6-foot, 145-pound wiry infielder. Defensively showed some body control and good hands. Throws with a short arm at 75 mph. Ran a 7.32 60. At the plate he has a tall, open stance with a short stride. Swing has a line drive path with fluid rhythm. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee.

Julius Roman, C/3B, Holy Trinity, 2015
6-foot, 220-pound switch hitting catcher. From behind the dish he throws from a high ¾ slot with short arm action. Clean exchanges, with pop times in the 2.04-2.18 range, at 74 mph. At 3B throws with a long arm from high ¾ slot at 75 mph. Ran an 8.44 60. From both sides of the plate he has the same swing. Wide stance with a leg kick trigger. Creates solid whip and bat speed from the left side. Exit velocity as a LHH was 82 mph off a tee. As a RHH exit velocity was 77 mph.

Jacob Skrabacz, MIF, Alton, 2015
5-foot-9, 135-pound infielder with a solid swing. At the plate has a balanced stance with a long stride. Has a level bat path with quality extension that creates solid barrel whip. Off a tee his exit velocity was 76 mph. Defensively, he throws from a ¾ slot with a long arm and accuracy at 63 mph. Ran a 7.77 60.

Brandon Viken, SS, Seneca, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound left hand hitting infielder. Showed solid hands defensively. Arm is short and over the top at 72 mph. Ran a 7.69 60. At the plate hits with an open stance and short stride. Showed some bat control with a short, flat swing. Exit velocity off a tee was 74 mph.

Joseph Woltke, SS/RHP, Lane Tech
5-foot-10, 140-pound left hand hitting two way player. On the infield he shows athletic actions. Throws from a high ¾ slot with accuracy at 58 mph. Ran a 7.7 60.  At the plate he has an open stance with a short stride. Bat path is long with an opposite field approach. Exit velocity off a tee was 72 mph. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot with a short stiff arm. Fastball was 69-71 mph and straight. Curveball has an 11/5 shape with gradual break at 55-57 mph. Throws a slider at 62-63 mph.

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