Midwest ProCase: Position Player Analysis

On July 7, the PBR Illinois, Wisconsin, and National teams reconvened in the Chicagoland area, at Ozinga Field in Streamwood, Ill., to host its sixth annual PBR ProCase Midwest event. Every year, the top prospects in the region meet in Illinois to participate in a pro-style workout and compete against one another in-game in front of both high-level college recruiters and professional scouts.

We previously analyzed this loaded event from a more statistical perspective, with the help of our TrackMan and Blast Motion technologies integrated into the showcase. You can find that insight at the following link, here.

In attendance was PBR and D1Baseball Director of College Scouting David Seifert, who produced the scouting reports on each of these players you’ll see below. Check out his analysis on the day’s position players today, with the event’s pitchers coming your way tomorrow.

POSITION PLAYER ANALYSIS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

+ Sam Antonacci, SS/2B, Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL) – Heartland CC commit
The left-handed-hitting middle infielder showed a solid all-around game with an average arm (85 mph across the diamond), a slightly below average run tool and a balanced, albeit somewhat stiff swing. There’s also some length to his swing. He attempts to use all fields. Most of his hard contact was to his pull-side with an exit velocity of 92 mph and a ProCase top five with 74 mph bat speed and a strong power kW mark of 4.72. After a laborious start and choppy stride throughout, he finished with a 7.01 sixty. Defensively, he can play tall at times on the dirt while showing fair actions and sure hands. Overall, the uncommitted Antonacci exited the ProCase with his prospect arrow pointing up.

+ Gavin Baldwin, OF, Nashville (IL) – John A. Logan JC commit
Six-foot-3, 225 pounds with wide shoulders and strength throughout frame, especially in his lower half. Ran a 7.25 in the sixty. Showed strong acceleration off the line and into full speed, especially for someone his size. Sure handed in outfield with fringe arm strength at 86 mph. Near max effort level on throws. Balanced setup, deep load with length to uphill swing path. Slower bat, but has plenty of bat strength. Max exit velocity of 101.5 mph and 401’ furthest distance during BP. Commits early with swing during game, looking to pull and elevate.

+ Ty Batusich, C, Joliet West (IL) – Western Kentucky commit
Already known for his bat coming into the ProCase, Batusich bashed his Blast Motion capture with a top-scale 80 rotation score, a ProCase record 28.1 g of rotation acceleration and 5.96 power kW. With a vertical bat during his setup, he was short to the ball with a flat swing through the zone and just 0.12 seconds to contact which produced a majority of line drives and ground balls. The left-handed hitter led the way in numerous metrics. His bat speed was exceptional at an eye-popping speed of 76 mph. During BP he clubbed one with an exit velocity of 101.5 mph and another that traveled 374’. During game action, he led the way with a pair of hits and a hit by pitch, reaching base in three of his four plate appearances. After a slow start off the line, the Western Kentucky commit ran a 7.10 sixty, down from a 6.86 he ran earlier this year. Behind the dish he blocked well and showed near average arm strength (78 mph). Some extra wiggle in his arm action on the transfer led to 2.02-2.14 pop times and fair accuracy.

Ty Batusich Blast Motion scores, from 7/7/20

 + Ivan Brethowr, OF, St. Thomas Aquinas (KS) – Arizona State commit
An extra-large bodied Sun Devil recruit at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, Brethowr impressed with a 6.78 sixty and slightly above average arm strength (89 mph) as his top tools. He’s a long strider who is slow to accelerate and was below average down the line from the right side (4.51), but moves well underway. Offensively, he worked uphill and around the ball creating average present raw power to his pull side with the strong possibility that it could develop into plus future with solid peak hand speed (23.8 mph) and pro-caliber rotational acceleration (16.2 g) scores. Defensively, he did not look comfortable in the outfield, letting the ball come to him with unsure footwork instead of aggressively running it down. He’s likely to find a permanent home at first base where he will present a large target and could develop into a near average future defender.

Ivan Brethowr's spray chart, from 7/7/20

+ Auston Brewer, OF, Snider (IN) – Uncommitted
At 5-foot-10, 183 pounds Brewer is a twitchy athlete with a live body and good present strength throughout his medium-sized frame. His top tool is run speed, clocking a smooth 6.61 sixty-yard, good for second best at this year’s ProCase. Another above average tool is his arm strength, reaching 88 mph from the outfield with a clean exchange and strong carry. At the plate his pull approach showed much pre-pitch movement with a big load and leg lift stride. With some effort to his swing he creates 69.3 mph of bat speed with an exit velocity of 93 mph off the tee. However, with a below average 0.17 seconds of time to contact and just 8.1 g of rotational acceleration with an on-plane efficiency score of just 61% his swing will need some adjustments going forward. With his current approach and spin-swing, he struggled to find the barrel with two strikeouts in his first two at-bats of the ProCase before flying out to right field during his third and final trip to plate.

+ Alex Calarco, C, New Trier (IL) – Northwestern commit
Extra large-framed, 6-foot-4, 235-pound switch-hitting catcher. Top catcher arm strength at the ProCase; plus (81 mph) with good carry and accuracy; true to bag. 1.93-2.01 pop times. Clean transfer, quick footwork. Good mobility and flexibility for size. More advanced swing from the left side with slight dive stride, but raw power from both sides is very similar. Looking to lift and pull, Calarco gets on-plane well from both sides with identical average time to contact of 0.15 seconds and very similar bat speed (LH 71.0 mph vs RH 69.6 mph).

+ Jared Comia, OF/1B, Hanover Central (IL) – Illinois commit
Six-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed hitter with a simple and easy to repeat swing. Minimal load and separation produces solid bat speed (92 mph avg exit speed). Loose with lift for above average power potential. Best bolt during BP traveled 386’ to pull side. Chance to really hit at the collegiate level. Ran a 6.88 sixty after a slow start with a loose, in-line arm swing. Strong defender with near average arm strength (82 mph) from the outfield. Could get more out of lower half with proper footwork after catch to improve arm strength and accuracy.

+ Nicholas DeMarco, INF/RHP, St. Charles North (IL) – Notre Dame commit
Strong-bodied infielder and Notre Dame commit who showed average arm strength (90 mph) with fair accuracy from a high slot at shortstop. Playing with four stitches in his foot, the 6-foot, 185-pound DeMarco showed the actions of a middle infielder, but his body type and range profile best to third base at the college level. Had good bat strength with effort to his swing in the batter’s box. Pulls off the ball, but gets good use of his lower half. Top exit velocity during BP was 96.7 mph and farthest ball hit 356’. Short to the ball (0.14 seconds) with 21.9 mph of peak hand speed and a ProCase low 1 degree attack angle per Blast.

Nicholas DeMarco (7/7/20)

+ J.P. Gauthier, SS, De Pere (WI) – Illinois State commit
An Illinois State recruit, Gauthier produces good whip with the bat head and above-average power potential with his balanced weight transfer, rhythm and loose swing. At 6-foot-2, 170 pounds he has the frame to add weight and gain strength. His strong scores with exit velocity (94 mph), bat speed (73.8 mph), peak hand speed (23.5 mph) and power kW (4.82) further underscore his power potential. Additionally, his on-plane efficiency score of 77% placed him in the top five at the ProCase. Defensively, he showed average arm strength (85 mph) from shortstop with fair hands and actions. His ability to more aggressively play through the ball will likely be developed at the next level. At present he looked to rely more on arm strength to make plays. After a slower start, Gauthier showed to be a present average runner underway while clocking a 7.05 sixty. There will likely be improvement to his run tool due to his athletic, in-line stride and arm swing to go along with a lower effort level. All things considered, Gathier doesn’t have the loudest tools at this point in his career, but they are solid and something to build upon. The arrow is certainly pointing up with proper development.

+ Garrett Harker, 3B, Lebanon (IN) – Cincinnati commit
Physical bodied infielder with a long gather and release showed 70-grade arm strength (93 mph) across the diamond. Fair hands during pre-game I/O with solid range. Made a real nice backhand play during game action. Profiles best to 3B at the college level. Quick feet with above average acceleration during the sixty (6.87 seconds). In the batter’s box the 5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitter showed good weight transfer with a still head and hit the ball out front during BP. Rolled over for a 5-3 and struck out looking during game action. Average length to contact (0.15 seconds) with a top level rotational acceleration score of 20.8 g. Average bat speed (93.4 max EV during BP) with a max peak hand speed of 23.5 mph.

+ Zamaurion Hatcher, OF, Kenwood (IL) – Michigan commit
A Michigan recruit, the left-handed hitting outfielder is athletically built at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. His top tool on this look was raw power to his pull side, which showed near average. It’s produced by a rotational swing with an exit velocity of 86 mph. With just 66.3 mph of bat speed and 20.1 mph of peak hand speed, both adequate for the high school level, his rotational acceleration measured strong at 13.7 g. Finishing out his tool package were an average sixty time of 6.96 and fringe average arm strength of 85 mph.

+ Kyle Hayes, C/1B, St. Charles East (IL) – Kirkwood CC commit
Showing some of the top raw power at the ProCase, the powerfully built, 6-foot-1, 220-pound Hayes has a swing geared for power. With strong hands and good use of his lower half he blasted balls to his pull side, averaging 309’ on his BP swings with a best of 398’. He was also a TrackMan favorite with his big thunder, posting a mark of 102 EV off the bat during BP and a 29.6 average launch angle. Hayes also ran a 7.62 sixty and showed an average arm (79 mph) with 2.07-2.19 pop times behind the dish. However, his arm strength played down due to below average carry and accuracy. He will need to clean up his drawback during his transfer and some extra length to his footwork, but he has plenty of power to profile to first base if the tools of ignorance don’t work out.

Kyle Hayes' TrackMan spray chat, from 7/7/20

+ Cameron Hill, OF, Brother Rice (IL) – Purdue commit
Large, long-framed athlete who offers a power/speed package. Plus runner with quick feet, ran a 6.93 sixty, but not his best time. Solid off the line acceleration. At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Hill has big power potential at the plate with elite hand speed of 27 mph max and a top exit velocity was 102 mph during BP. The farthest batted ball was 392’. Fluid BP swing with good lift. Game swing was off-time and out of sync. Aggressive defender with above average arm strength (89 mph) from the outfield, but below average accuracy.

+ Camden Janik, C, Wauconda (IL) – Illinois commit
The Illinois commit showed a slightly better than average arm with a clean exchange, quick release and pop times in the 1.93-2.08 range. With a wrestler-type build at 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Janik led a talented group of ProCase catchers with 81 mph of arm strength and top level defensive skills behind the plate. He also showed some athleticism with a 7.04 sixty before taking a solid round of BP where he averaged 290’ of distance on 15 batted balls with a high mark of 354’ and exit velocity of 92.7 mph. His big swing with an open stance has plenty of pre-pitch movement, yet he displayed an ability to consistently put the bat on the ball, stroking a pair of base hits during game action. He also posted solid marks in Blast rotational acceleration (12.7 g), peak hand speed (22.7 mph) and power kW (4.32).

Camden Janik (7/7/20)

+ Joe Longo, C, Holy Angels (MN) – Michigan commit
Longo excelled with short footwork and a quick release which produced 1.88-2.01 pop times behind the dish, despite fringe average arm strength (75 mph). His throws were on-line and accurate; the most accurate of all catchers at the event. At 6-foot, 205 pounds there was some stiffness to his gait and too much side-to-side motion during his initial acceleration as he sprinted to 7.22 sixty. Despite some effort and stiffness to his swing, the right-handed hitter displayed a balanced approach and solid bat strength (88 mph exit velocity of tee). He hit against a firm front side with good lift and high finish to his stroke.

+ Cole Luckey, C, Glenbrook South (IL) – Bradley commit
A bit raw, but tooled up at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, the athletic Luckey blazed to a 6.68 sixty with good acceleration off the line. Lessening his side-side arm swing will lead to even better times in the future. Average arm strength (89 mph) from the outfield with clean motion to a high three-quarter slot. Further instruction and development of proper crow-hop footwork after the catch should quicken his release and sharpen accuracy with even more velocity behind his throws. Gets on-plane well with very good bat speed (ML caliber top bat speed of 79.2 mph) with some bat lag and barrel whip through hitting zone; plus power potential at the next level. Best bolt during BP was 375’. Struggled to adjust to spin at the plate during game action. An uncommitted and on-the-rise talent entering the ProCase, he has since committed to Bradley. Overall, Luckey is a high ceiling, potential five-tool talent if he can put it all together.

Cole Luckey's Blast Motion scores, from 7/7/20

+ Chase Mason, OF, Viborg-Hurley (SD) – Uncommitted
The tooled-up uncommitted outfielder from South Dakota put together the kind of day that will have him plastered atop several leaderboards. His 6.66 sixty was the third best time at the ProCase, and his 94 mph throw from the outfield led the event. And, for good measure, Mason led all hitters with an average 26.7 mph (28.3 max) peak hand speed in his swing. This hand speed and the natural lift in his swing were put to good use when peppering a car well beyond the right field fence with majestics shots, the best of which sailed 390’. His present plus raw left-handed power could easily turn into top-grade 80 raw in the future with an eye-popping 23.8 g of rotational acceleration. RA measures how quickly the bat accelerates into the swing plane. He also sparkled with a Major League caliber 0.14 seconds to contact and 4.92 kW of power generated. Although he struggled to identify spin during game action, resulting in a pair of strikeouts, Mason left the event having created a buzz in the scouting industry.

Chase Mason (7/7/20)

+ Carter Mathison, OF, Homestead (IN) – Indiana commit
Strong bodied, power runner with some effort to his stride; 6.78 sixty. Later sprinted to a 4.12 down the line. Easily fielded everything hit at him in the outfield, but was more cautious than aggressive pursuing the baseball. Instead, he let the ball come to him. Showed average arm strength with loose arm and lower effort from a high three-quarter release point. At the plate the left-handed hitter showed a complicated and busy hand load. Likely a great timing mechanism on his good days and a hitch on others. Good balance, firms up front side and gets on-plane well. Next-level bat speed (74.5 mph average, 80 mph max) with the potential for future plus raw power. Took a loud BP, where his max exit velocity was 98 mph and furthest batted ball was 363’.

+ Joshua McAlister, SS, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL) – Ohio State commit
Athletic-framed shortstop with lean build at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds. Began the day with a 6.86 sixty showing a shorter stride while running with an upright posture. Athletic actions, but raw footwork and fair hands on the dirt. Below average arm strength (81 mph) with inconsistent accuracy across the diamond. In the batter’s box, McAlister showed a short load, steep swing with some lift produced a top exit speed of 97 mph during BP and a top distance of 369’. All hard contact was to his pull side. Had some trouble recognizing and adjusting to spin during game action.

+ Anthony Migliaccio, C/OF, Detroit Country Day (MI) – Vanderbilt commit
Strong-bodied Vanderbilt recruit stands 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. Versatile defender took I/O both in the outfield and behind the plate. Average arm strength (80 mph) with a longer draw and fair carry to bag; 2.08-2.13 pop times. Loose arm with plus arm strength from the outfield, measuring 94 mph which tied for first at the ProCase. Clocked a 6.78 sixty with quick feet, medium stride and average effort. More fluid right-handed swing that was longer through the zone, albeit with similar bat speed to the left side (RH 73.7 mph vs LH 73.4) and time to contact (16.0/15.5 seconds). Rotational acceleration from left side was nearly double (9.19 vs 5.22) to that of the right.

+ Noah Miller, SS, Ozaukee (WI) – Alabama commit
Ranked No. 1 overall in the 2021 Wisconsin class, Miller brings tools, instincts and energy to the diamond. At 6-foot, 180 pounds there is room to add weight and strength to his medium frame. He’s a skilled athlete with polished actions and defensive dependability. He plays low to the ground with quick feet and soft hands. Miller took the smoothest infield of the day, showing off his above average arm strength (86 mph across the diamond) with a clean exchange and quick release, allowing it to play up. In the batter’s box the switch-hitter offers some pop from both sides of the plate with more bat speed and a level bat path from the right side compared to a little more length with bat tilt and lift from the left. Although the Alabama recruit did not test all that well with Blast analytics, he has an innate feel to put the bat on the ball and loose hands at the plate giving him potential for above-average power in the future. Miller also clocked in with a 6.87 laser-timed sixty.

Noah Miller (7/7/20)

+ Ryan Moerman, S, Lockport (IL) – Illinois commit
Showed his toughness by taking a pitch to the helmet during his second at-bat of the ProCase and wanted to stay in the game. The 5-foot-9, 160-pounder isn’t flashy, but is very competitive and has a polished game, both on the dirt and in the batter’s box. After running a 6.77 sixty with moderate effort, the sure-handed defender showed an average arm (80 mph across the infield) with athletic actions and strong body control. He plays through ball well. In the batter’s box, Moerman has simple, compact swing and uses all fields. With modest power (95.3 mph max EV during BP) his bat control, loose barrel and easy to repeat swing should set him apart from most others at the collegiate level. Blast metrics liked his rotational acceleration (20.2 g) and peak hand speed of 22.1 mph.

+ Q Phillips, OF, Brookfield East (WI) – Michigan commit
With one of the top run/throw combinations at the ProCase, Phillips is super athletic at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. His top tool is his speed, clocking a blistering 6.53 in the sixty and a 4.13 from the left side on a ground out during game action. His sixty time was the top at this year’s ProCase. He also showed above average arm strength (89 mph) from the outfield with strong carry to his target. His speed plays on defense with plenty of range in all directions to cover the big field. Offensively, the switch-hitter looked more comfortable from the left side with a loose swing, stayed inside the baseball and used the middle of the field. From the right side his swing was short, but choppy and out front. With an exit velocity off the tee of 91 mph he showed some present pop, but during game action there wasn’t much power from either side. His measurables of 64.7 mph of bat speed, 17.3 mph peak hand speed, 7.9 g of rotational acceleration and an on-plane efficiency score of 51% all check-in below average for the college level. However, he is able to currently thrive on offense by putting the bat on the ball in just 0.14 seconds of time to contact and using his superior speed to create havoc on the base paths. Phillips possesses many of the tools to become a premium prospect, and just how premium will be determined by the development of his bat over the next few years.

+ Alex Ritzer, SS, Stillwater (MN) – North Carolina commit
Ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Minnesota, Ritzer is a strong all-around infield prospect. He’s a North Carolina recruit who possesses above average tools in his defense and run abilities. There’s some effort to his run with too much east/west movement in his arm swing, yet he gets down the track for a 6.75 sixty. On the dirt his sure hands, athletic actions and solid range to both sides offer dependability without the flash. With a clean transfer his near average raw arm strength plays up and bolsters his already strong defensive package. In the batter’s box the left-handed hitter shows good bat strength with a repeatable swing using his lower half well. These traits produce near average raw power to all fields and a 93 mph exit velocity off the tee. With a strong on-plane efficiency score of 77%, Ritzer’s bat is long through the zone, but he must improve his marks of 66.4 mph of bat speed, 20.5 mph peak hand speed and just 7.9 g rotational acceleration to have an impact at the collegiate level.

Alex Ritzer (7/7/20)

+ Will Rogers, C, Mounds View (MN) – Arizona State commit
Arizona State commit with good present strength at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. Sound defensive package. Athletic feet. Strong hands. Average arm strength (81 mph). One knee setup with clean exchange and good carry. Accurate throws with 1.97-2.00 pop times. Ran a 7.04 sixty. Loose arm swing and athletic stride. Open stance. Controlled stride. Good weight transfer with a balanced approach. Hits against firm front side. Gets on-plane well. Strong attack angle of 11 degrees. Average bat speed with good bat strength produced consistent hard contact; 101.5 max exit velocity during BP with furthest distance at 375’. Blast metric of a next-level rotational acceleration average of 19.2 g. Has necessary tools/skills to become a better than average defender behind the plate with plus power potential in the batter’s box.

+ Joey Spence, C, West Bend East (WI) – Notre Dame commit
Making hard contact throughout the day, Spence’s bat is his carrying tool. With a smooth, repeatable swing and plenty of strength in his 5-foot-11, 195-pound mature frame, he squared up lasers to center and left center in two of his four at-bats. With top level bat-to-ball skills, the left-handed hitting Spence generated 96 mph exit velocity with a powerful core and strong forearms. His 7.09 sixty was loose with lower effort, something his compact body type may suggest otherwise. Behind the dish Spence displayed near average arm strength (78 mph) with fair carry and consistent pops in the 2.03-2.09 range. His footwork was short and direct, while his throwing motion compact. He will head to Notre Dame next fall and has all the tools and skills to make an immediate impact on the program.

+ Ryan Taylor, SS, Verona Area (WI) – Central Florida commit
Impressive athlete showed quick hands and above average bat speed at the plate. The left-handed hitter stayed inside the ball and used the middle of the field. With a line drive swing, the ball jumped off his bat (94 mph max EV during BP), but carry was limited (297’ BP max). Lean bodied at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, the Central Florida recruit ran an in-line, efficient 6.77 sixty. Also showed above average arm strength (89 mph) with effort from shortstop, as well as sure hands and solid body control with the ability to field/throw quickly on the move.

+ Vytas Valincius, 3B, Baylor School (TN) – South Carolina commit
Big and strong at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds the eye test may fool you at first glance. The South Carolina recruit is much more athletic and nimble than an initial perception based simply on body type. He’s a solid defender who moves really well for his size (7.14 sixty), showing impressive range to his left into the 6-hole, while making accurate throws on the run. With sure hands and above average arm strength (87 mph across the infield), Valincius may physically look like a future first baseman, but his skills and tools give him a strong change to remain at the hot corner. As good as his defensive game showed on this look, he was even better in the batter’s box. With some length and big strength that produces plus-to-better present raw power and a ProCase best 104 mph exit velocity off the tee, “Vito” also showed the ability to get to his pop during the game with hard hit balls in his trips to the plate. He’s aggressive, swings hard and even his mishits have carry. He scored high in Blast testing for peak hand speed (24.1 mph), rotational acceleration (17.1 g) and led the ProCase with 75.3 mph of bat speed and a top exit velocity of 104.3 mph in batting practice.

Vytas Valincius (7/7/20)

+ Ivan Witt, C, Fort Scott (KS) – Creighton commit
Strong-bodied and quick-armed backstop with clean exchange and short footwork which produced 1.83-1.95 pop times. Fringe average arm strength at 77 mph with average carry and true flight for very good accuracy. Did a good job staying in his legs to throw. Agile feet, blocked well, smothered the baseball. Ran a 7.06 sixty. Good balance, strength and bat speed at the plate. Short load with around the ball swing path at times. Good hand strength produced the third best bat speed at ProCase (74.9 mph). Top exit velocity of 97.1 mph and furthest batted ball in BP was 358’. Averaged a pro-level rotational acceleration score of 18.7 g, as well as top power kW of 5.07.

RELATED CONTENT