The infield defensive workout at the Northern Nevada Pre Season ID offered insight on spring follows as well as a potential rising star.  Below is a look at what PBR Nevada saw from the infielders at Golden Eagle Sports Complex.

2019

Connor Culp, R/R, SS, (Spanish Springs). A UNLV commit, Culp is athletically built, 6-foot-1, 170. He has smooth infield actions with a degree of flair to his defensive game. He has the ability to throw from multiple angles with comfort and accuracy in a low ¾ arm action.  He has enough arm strength ranging to the six-hole on backhand plays and solid feel for his footwork on slow rollers. He plays defensive with a high level of confidence.  Culp is equally confident in the box with a naturalness to his swing that provides both bat speed and whip in his barrel, 94 exit velocity.  He has loft to his swing plane which he manages and may lend to power down the road with weight and strength gains. He is an interesting two-way player that only time will tell where his future lies.

Brian Baker, R/R, 3B (Galena) Big, 6-foot-3, 210, Baker has a strong sturdy frame. He displays capable infield actions with foot speed that will lend more naturally to first base.  That being said, he has plenty of arm strength for the “hot corner” and can lend some depth and versatility in a pinch at the next level.  As a first baseman, he has the potential to be a solid defender with instincts for picks and footwork around the bag. At the plate, Baker is an imposing figure in the batter’s box. He maintains balance throughout his swing with solid plane and barrel feel. He relies on strength over bat speed in a controlled approach that looks to use the whole field.  Baker has power potential.

Calvin Bailey, R/L, 2B (Bishop Manogue), Small Frame, 5-foot-9, 150, Bailey is lean with plenty of room for weight and strength gains.  With time to realize physical gains, he offers the ability to play an everyday second base and the utility as a swing infielder.  He has solid actions with the footwork to assist carry on throws from around the infield. He has instincts for the pivot on double plays.  At the plate, Bailey is a bat handler.  He displays a line drive, all fields approach with balance throughout his swing.  Physical gains may provide gap power, but Bailey is a consummate two-hole or bottom of the order performer whose value shines with repeated looks.  His future is in the infield and might benefit from a two-year college stint to realize physical maturity and position specific experience.

Aidan Elliott, R/R, 2B (Galena) Athletic, 6-foot, 165, Elliott has room to grow.  Although he is a natural outfielder, he has some low-end value as an athlete that can play second or third base in a pinch.  He is a get the job done type player with a “no fear” approach. A skill player in football, Elliott will benefit greatly from his dedication to one sport going forward.  With a heavy ground ball work load, his infield actions could be refined to be a serviceable second baseman.  In the box,  he is a front foot hitter (balance throughout his swing) with a flat bat that creates consistent contact to all fields.  Elliott is the type of athlete whose best baseball is in front of him.  From a pure baseball standpoint, he might be better suited to a stay at a two year institution with an unlimited amount of time to develop his athleticism and future as a baseball player.

Tyler Hopper, R/R, 3B, (Damonte Ranch), Wide, 5-foot-11, 215, Hopper is a thick bodied corner infielder with developing actions.  Physical refinement will be essential to his future as an infielder.  He has a feel for plays on the move, right and left, as well as slow rollers and is more comfortable on the move, fielding outside of his feet. Definitely suited to the reaction positions of third and first base.  Hopper has an aggressive pull-oriented approach.  He strides wide with a naturally lofted swing plane.  He manages the length in his swing with pull-side power. Hopper could look to a two-year college to refine his position player skills or develop a possible future on the mound or a small college, looking for two-way player potential.

James Skiver, L/L, 1B (Damonte Ranch), Large, 6-foot-1, 210, youthful physique. Skiver has the instincts that one comes to expect from a left-handed first baseman in his footwork around the bag and throws to feed double plays. To stay at the position, he will need to continue to develop his pick skill and foot speed for a future at the position.  At the plate, he maintains balance throughout a down to level swing path. His pull-side approach offers limited carry with current swing plane, but the potential for power exists. Skiver is a more natural commodity on the mound with natural movement and feel for spinning the breaking ball.

Anthony Lynch, 3B, (Bishop Manogue) Sturdy, 6-foot-2, 195, Lynch has wide, square shoulders with the ability to hold additional weight.  He has capable corner infield actions with a feel for throws from multiple angles. He displayed solid footwork rhythm on slow rollers and fielding balls on the run.  With his future likely behind the dish, Lynch offers some depth to play wither corner infield positions.  In the box, he stands strong with a minimal stride, loading to a below shoulder launch position and getting deep into his legs.  He relies on strength over bat speed with a slightly uphill swing in a pull-oriented approach. He made consistent quality contact.  Lynch project as a solid catch and throw guys with developing offensive skills.  He can be an attribute for just about any program behind the plate and provide possible depth at the corner infield positions.

2022

Garrison Geis, SS (Reno), 5-foot-11, 150. High waisted, Geis is an athletically built and easily projectable.  He has solid infield actions with a good feel for throws from multiple angles.  He has enough arm to throw from the six-hole and feel for touch throws on the run and feeding double plays.  He plays confidently with soft hands fielding between his feet and picks skills on the run. Geis is an aggressive hitter. He swings with manageable aggression and length, impacting the ball with a combination of strength and bat speed from a backside approach.  He can easily improve impact with a more efficient lower half and weight transfer. Geis’s athleticism accompanied by arm strength and actions, put him at the front of his class in Northern Nevada.