On Jan. 21, staff representing both PBR Illinois and PBR Indiana were on hand at the Ho-Chunk Sports and Expo Center in Chicago Heights, Ill., to evaluate close to the 60 prospects who made it out to our Illiana Preseason I.D. showcase.

We began our event coverage last week with our Quick Hits post and a Statistical Analysis, and Monday of this week we began our position-by-position breakdowns with the day’s catchers. We’re continuing out positional analysis today by evaluating the showcase’s infielder’s.

Four of the Top-5 infielders from the event were 2021 graduates. Since our last look, which was about a year ago, Shane Baumgarten has made huge strides in his game and emerged from the event as a high-follow 2021 infielder. Baumgarten has all the tools to stick on the infield and has advanced strength in his bat.

Coming in right behind Baumgarten was 2021 Tristan Figus. Figus, made his first appearance at an event last fall and showed well once again at Illiana. Figus has a strong, athletic frame and a projectable right-handed bat.

If you are looking for a young infielder to follow, make sure to keep an eye on Hunter Snyder, a 2023, from Lake Central HS in Indiana. Snyder is a left-handed hitter who showed well in all aspects of the game and will only continue to progress as he adds strength. Snyder has loose hands at the plate and natural feel on the infield with soft hands, a quick release and accurate arm.

Continue on below for full reports on each of the 20 infielders from the group. And remember to check back tomorrow when we examine the day’s pitcher’s.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Shane Baumgarten, INF, Wheaton Academy, 2021
6-foot, 180-pound, strong, wide-shouldered, athletically-built, right-handed hitting infielder. Emerged as a high-follow 2021 infielder. 7.11 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Defensively, actiony defender with the tools to stay on the left side of the infield. Fundamentally sound, sure hands, active feet, works through the baseball and can make plays on the move. Short, loose, quick arm action, can throw from multiple angles and plays true with carry when he gets on top. Throws topped at 82 mph. At the plate, open setup, pre-pitch rhythm, load and stride gets back to even. Loose, fast hands, creates advanced bat speed. Long bat path, natural lift and gap-to-gap approach with power potential. 95 mph exit velocity from a tee.

2. Tristan Figus, INF, Buffalo Grove, 2021
6-foot, 165-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.23 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, compact, simple swing, minimal wasted movement, repeatable swing. Quick hands, short, level bat path and line-drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Steady infield defender, reliable hands, sits back at times, clean transfer. Accurate arm, throws from a high ¾ window and topped at 77 mph across the diamond.

3. Nicholas Limber Jr., INF, Oak Lawn, 2021
6-foot, 170-pound, long-limbed, projectable, right-handed hitting infielder. Defensively, natural infield actions, fields out in front, maintains body control on the move, soft sure hands and plays through the baseball with clean release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws carried at 79 mph across the diamond. At the plate, balanced, quiet setup, short stride and loose hands. Path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach and 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.47 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

4. Brock Bevil, 2B/RHP, Lake Central (IN), 2020
6-feet, 140 pound slender frame. Right-handed hitter hits from a slightly open setup. Loads back, short stride, good use of his lower half. Stays balanced throughout his swing. Average bat speed, level swing plane, line drive type hitter. High exit velocity of 77. Sure handed defender with fluid footwork and a clean exchange; packs before release. Long, high ¾ arm action across the diamond at 77mph. 7.75 runner in the 60. On the mound showcased average arm speed from a long, over the top arm slot. Has some effort in the delivery, uphill shoulders, stays in line to the plate, lands square, athletic finish. Fastball showed run at 76-77 for a strike. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape with early break at 64-66. Changeup sat 70-71 with fade down and in.

5. Ben Plumley, INF/RHP, Lane Tech, 2021
5-foot-11, 160-pound, long-limbed, athletically-built two-way prospect with room for continued physical development. Upside right-handed pitcher. Arm works loose with arm speed out front, high ¾ slot. Slight drop and drive delivery, works on-line with minimal effort throughout. Fastball, sinking action, tilt at times, sat 79-81 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sharp action at times, 66-69 mph. Changeup, sinking action, thrown for strikes at the bottom of the zone, 69-72 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, smooth load and minimal leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands, creates bat speed at times, lift in swing and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, infield actions, reliable, sure hands, packs on exchange. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 77 mph. 7.41 runner in the 60.  

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Zach Beerling, RHP/1B, Munster (IN), 2021
5-foot-11, 165 pound RHP pitches from short, high ¾ arm action with slightly wrap. Average arm speed. Good balance point, regular effort in the delivery with some rhythm. Shoulders work uphill and slightly closed. Lands square. Fastball shows run at 73-76, T-77 for a strike. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape at 55-61 with gradual action, tends to slow his arm down. Changeup sat 67-68 with slight fade. Offensively, hits from a slight crouch setup, loads back, arm bar, short stride, average use of the lower half with occasional over rotation, average balance. Above average bat speed, long path, pull-side hitter, high exit velocity of 82. Defensively, showcased fluid footwork around the bag with a clean exchange. Plays through the baseball well. Short, high ¾ arm action, throws had some carry at 77. 7.96 runner in the 60.

Chazz Clark, INF, Marist, 2021
5-foot-11, 157-pound, left-handed hitting infielder, athletic, lean build. Ran a 7.15 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Long, level bat path and 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Steady defender, reliable hands, firm arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 74 mph.

Tyler Cuma, 3B/RHP, Michigan City (IN), 2020
6-feet, 190 pound right-handed hitter hits from a slight crouch setup. Loads back, long stride, over rotation with the lower half, average bat speed, level path, pull-side approach with pop. High exit velocity of 86. Defensively, showcased average hands with a clean exchange. Heavy footwork, plays through the baseball. Short, over the top arm action across the diamond with accuracy, throws topped out at 71. 7.57 runner in the 60. On the mound pitches from a short, high ¾ arm action with average arm speed. Regular effort in the delivery with some rhythm. Good direction to the plate, lands square, athletic finish. Fastball was straight at 75-76, T-77. Breaking ball has 10/4 shape with late action, thrown for a strike at 66-69. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed with cut action, 71-72.

Jaden Foster, INF, Morgan Park, 2021
5-foot-5, 130-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder. Ran a 7.40 60, laser-timed. Offensively, wide, crouched setup, deep pre-pitch load and short stride. Short bat path, works on top of the baseball and opposite field approach. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, comfortable working to glove side and plays through the baseball. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 74 mph.

Michael Galanos, SS, Andrean (IN), 2021
5-foot-9, 145 pound right-handed hitter, balanced setup, loads back with a wrap. Leg lift timing trigger, short stride. Average use of the lower half, good balance. Simple approach, level path, pull-side type hitter. Fluid rhythm. High exit velocity of 82. Showcased average hands defensively with fluid footwork, slow exchange. Plays through the baseball. Long ¾ arm action, 73 mph across the infield with average carry. 7.84 runner in the 60.

Lee Hodges, RHP/INF, De La Salle, 2020
6-foot-3, 202-pound two-way player, strong build, large frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short toe tap stride, smooth loading action. Path is long and works slight uphill, pull side power approach, strong at contact. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at a corner position, feet work to setup and play through the baseball, average hands. 7.61 runner in the 60. Arm plays at 78 mph across the diamond, loose high ¾ action. On the mound arm plays similar, shorter draw, some effort. Fastball topped at 81 mph, mostly straight, sat 76-77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 55-59 mph. Changeup cuts at times, worked, 66-70 mph.

Austin Jones, INF/RHP, Providence Catholic, 2021
5-foot-9, 135-pound two-way player, thin wiry frame. Hands showed playability on the infield, flashed softness, glove pat to exchange, feet play through with long actions. 8.13 runner in the 60. Arm action is clean and over the top, 71 mph across the diamond, played accurate to target. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, open stance, long leg kick stride. Path has some length, line drive singles contact. 69 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery works from multiple slots, high ¾, occasional side arm on fastball only. Fastball played 72-74 mph from high ¾ slot, 65-67 mph from side arm slot. Curveball has 10/4 shape, 63-65 mph. Changeup is straight, 59-66 mph.

Charlie Jones, SS/RHP, Andrean (IN), 2021
5-foot-7, 145 pound switch hitter, handles it well from both sides. Right-side: balanced setup, small leg kick, good balance. Average bat speed, short, level path. Compact swing, line drive hitter. Left-side: Balanced setup, short stride, uses lower half well. Load is smooth, short path, gets to extension from an uphill path. Hard contact to his pull-side. High exit velocity of 79. Controls the barrel from both sides well. Defensively showcased soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Works through the baseball. Loose, ¾-low ¾ arm action, average carry, throws topped out at 74 mph. 7.45 runner in the 60. On the mound short high ¾ arm action with average arm speed. Easy effort in the delivery with some rhythm. Level should, works in line to the plate, lands square, athletic finish. Fastball was 76-77 for a strike. Breaking ball sat 66-69, 11/5 shape, gradual action, down in the zone. Shows good command of his CH at 64-67, fade action, kept down in the zone.

Zak Keegan, INF, Lincoln-Way East, 2021
5-foot-4, 135-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger, long bat path and 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, works through the baseball loose arm action and throws topped at 70 mph across the diamond. 8.36 runner in the 60.

Zak Laskowski, 3B/SS, Portage (IN), 2021
6-feet, 205 pound frame. Right-handed hitter, athletic/crouch setup. Loads back with a wrap, dives during the stride. Average use of the lower half, good balance. Above average bat speed, short-level path, line drive type hitter. High exit velocity of 86. Average hands defensively, heavy footwork, clean exchange. Short, high ¾ arm action across the infield with accuracy at 79. 7.99 runner in the 60.

Matthew Melendez, INF, Notre Dame, 2021
5-foot-6, 140-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. 7.36 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short leg-kick timing trigger. Occasional hard contact to the middle of the field and path works uphill. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph.

Ronnie Nowak, SS, Munster (IN), 2020
5-foot-11, 173 pound right-handed hitter hits form a slight crouch setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger. Average bat speed, long-level path, line drive type hitter. Overall good approach in the box with fluid rhythm. High exit velocity of 83. Defensively, showcased above average glove work with quick feet. Exchange is clean. Works through the baseball well. Short, high ¾ arm action across the diamond with accuracy, 74 mph. 7.35 runner in the 60.

David Sharp, 2B, Chesterton (IN), 2020
5-foot-9, 175 pound right-handed hitter, balanced setup, loads back, toe tap timing trigger. Back side collapses. Long, uphill swing path, high exit velocity of 82. Fluid footwork defensively, average hands, clean exchange. Plays through the baseball. Short, high ¾ arm action across the diamond with some accuracy at 72 mph. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Hunter Snyder, SS, Lake Central (IN), 2023
Young prospect stands in at 5-foot-8, 120 pounds. Has feel from the left side of the box, athletic-open setup, smooth load, short stride, good use of the lower half. Average bat speed, uphill swing path, fluid rhythm. Good approach for his age with rhythm. High exit velocity of 74. Defensively, average hands, quick-fluid feet, quick-clean exchange, plays through the baseball with athleticism. Short, loose arm action, throws topped out at 71. 8.12 runner in the 60.

Aidan Wagner, INF, Metea Valley, 2022
6-foot, 155-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder with plenty of room for continued physical development. Ran a 7.58 laser-timed 60. At the plate, balanced setup, minimal pre-pitch load and short stride. Level bat path and 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, maintains body control on the move, plays through the baseball, throws from a ¾ slot and throws topped at 66 mph across the infield.

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