The Metro East Open returned to the St. Louis area once again on Tuesday, June 25th. The showcase, which took place at GCS Ballpark, the home of the Gateway Grizzlies, was an open event that featured 50 players from all high school classes. Earlier in the summer we began the analysis of the event with a Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis. 

Today we continue the roll-out of the event with a look at the infielders in attendance. 

At the top of the list is Javier Beal (Harrisburg). Beal showed an advanced left-handed bat and continues to make strides on the infield. Beal is an uncommitted 2021 to follow moving forward.

Right behind Beal is physical CIF Zachary Kempfer (Nashville, 2021). Kempfer took an eye opening round of BP showing loose hands, an aggressive swing and pull-power potential. 

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Javier Beal, Harrisburg, 2021
 Positional Profile: 3B/2B. Follow left-handed hitter.
 Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Strong, durable build.
Hit: LHH. Balance setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Loose hands, short, level bat path, gets extension at times, controls the barrel, line-drive approach and easy effort.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high ¾ slot.
Defense: Natural infield actions, fluid footwork, sure-handed, clean transfer and plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

2. Zachary Kempfer, Nashville Community, 2021 - Wabash Valley JC commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-5, 210-pounds. Extra large, physical, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, toe tap/knee knock trigger, confident in the box. Loose, fast hands, swings with intent. Long level bat path, fluid rhythm and power potential.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps off the barrel.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Profiles as a corner infielder.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60. 

3. Alex Zimmerman, DuQuoin, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride, utilizes lower half and maintains balance through contact. Present bat speed, hands work on top of the baseball, flat through the zone. Ability to backspin the baseball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, arm plays accurate.
Defense: Efficient, clean footwork, confident, soft hands, quick release.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

4. Cameron Hailstone, Gillespie, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B. Follow right-handed hitter.
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Strong, durable lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, stride gets back to square. Aggressive swing, fast bat, long, level bat path and consistent, hard, gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Arm works clean from a high ¾ slot, accurate across the diamond and can throw from multiple slots.
Defense: Fluid footwork, confident, reliable exchange, comfortable on the move. Long through exchange at times. Easy, smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60.

5. Easton Rakers, Breese Central, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 130-pounds. Wiry frame, long levers.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, toe-tap stride. Quiet, simple swing, quick hands, short, level bat path. Line-drive, pull-side tendencies and fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short, loose arm action, plays accurate, with carry from a ¾ slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, steady actions, shuffles through release.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

5. Ayalew Sisay, Timberland (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger.  Short path through the baseball, line drive, opposite field approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 82 mph. OF - 84 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws carry from the outfield.
Defense: 2.26- 2.32 pop times. Attacked the baseball in the outfield, quick arm, athletic in the field. Showed a clean exchange behind the plate.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Quinn Chrusciel, Parkway North (MO), 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 230-pounds. Extra-large, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, leg-lift timing trigger, aggressive swing, flashed bat speed. Short, level bat path, gets extension and consistently worked the pull-side gap.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Present feel for the first base bag, sure-handed.
Run: 8.36 runner in the 60. 

Connor Earleywine, Rock Bridge (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. Small, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, leg-lift trigger, level bat path, long at times, line drive approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Stays low through the ball, quick fluid footwork.
Run: 6.73 runner in the 60. Advanced runner for his age. 

Hayden England, Woodlawn, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short to no stride at times. Flashed twitch, short, level path, direct to the ball at times, line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action from low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Quick feet.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Woodrow Foster, Fulton (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 190-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, long stride, uphill bat path, present bat strength, pull-side approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, soft hands and clean release.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Nolan Hallum, Fort Zumwalt South (MO), 2020 - St. Charles CC commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe tap trigger. Long, uphill bat path.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Natural moving to his glove side.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Conrad Heppler, Edwardsville, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-foot-11, 146-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, quiet setup, short stride. Simple swing, short, level bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action, high ¾ slot.
Defense: Reliable defender in the infield, clean footwork, steady hands.
Run: 7.5 runner in the 60. 

Evan Herpstreith, Nokomis, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Athletic, live-body.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, leg-kick trigger. Aggressive swing, loose hands, long, uphill bat path, and the ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Low 3/4 arm slot in the infield.
Defense: Fields out in front, one-handed at times and a quick, clean exchange.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Hites, O'Fallon, 2020
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Long-limbed, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, minimal load, short stride. Flat bat, creates backspin, consistent, hard line-drive contact.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Long arm action, mostly works from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, steady hands.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Jonah James, Columbia, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. High-waisted, lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, tall, open setup, long stride. Level bat path, line-drive, middle of the field approach, loose levers.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Loose arm action, from a low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Plays with bounce, steady hands, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Sean Mitchell, Marquette Catholic, 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 210-pounds. Large, strong body, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, toe tap stride, uphill bat path.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, shows accuracy.
Defense: Steady hands in the infield, winds up through release.
Run: 8.7 runner in the 60. 

Mitchell Murphy, Normal Community, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal loading action and short stride. Short, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and whip at times.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Can change arm angles when needed.
Defense: Quick feet and release at times.
Run: 7.1 runner in the 60. 

Griffin Neuweg, Rochester, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched setup, long bat path and pull approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Reliable defender, steady hands, winds up through exchange.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Hunter ONeil, Waynesville (MO), 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 220-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Long, level bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, accurate arm.
Defense: Body control and feel for the bag, clean exchange.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Blake Parker, Francis Howell (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, long stride. Short path through the zone.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

Bryce Porter, Woodlawn, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 240-pounds. Extra-large, big-bodied.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, long stride. Loose hands, bat speed, line-drive, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Reliable defender, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 8.32 runner in the 60. 

Kayl Ratliff, Coronado (TX), 2020
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 177-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, long stride, simple swing, short path, line-drive approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Winds up through release at times.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Smith, Freeburg, 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-7, 120-pounds.
Hit: SH. Slightly crouched setup, minimal load and short stride. Simple swing, looks to control the barrel, line-drive approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action plays from a high ¾ slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, plays with body control, soft hands and natural turning the double play.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Nick Tsoulfanidis, Holt (MO), 2020
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet setup and short stride.  Long bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady defender, natural double play turn.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60.

To see all statistics from the event in a sortable sheet, click here. Also click the following hyperlinks to quickly get to the positional groups rolled out earlier in the week - C, OF.

RELATED CONTENT