Preseason All-State Showcase: Middle Infielder Analysis

The middle infield group from the Preseason All-State Showcase saw plenty of depth but one stood out amongst the rest: Rahman Williams. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound switch hitting shortstop shows excellent athleticism in the field coupled with an 85 mph arm that is athletic and plays well on the move. Williams is clearly at the top of his class for middle infielders, not only in Illinois but the region as well.

Here’s how we rated the top middle infielders from the Preseason All-State Showcase.

Top Middle Infielders

1.Rahman Williams, Morgan Park HS, SS, Class of 2014
Athletic build, shows some strength, body still shows projection, 5-foot-11, 170-pound switch hitting middle infielder. Feet work well, shows athleticism, 6.94 60. Defensively shows an advanced prowess with the glove, confident fielder. Soft hands, excellent body control, highly athletic defensive actions. Arm works well across the diamond, shows carry, stays true to target, 85 mph arm strength across infield. Offensively hits from both sides of the plate. Hits from an open stance, short stride. Bat speed is present, hands work well from both sides. Right handed, pull side approach, slightly more pop. Left handed swing shows good balance, works the middle of the field well. High level middle infield prospect. Click here to read more on Rahman Williams in a PBR PLUS story.

2. Don Buonavolanto, Hinsdale South HS, SS, Class of 2014
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame, shows strength. Plus foot speed, 6.64 runner. Defensively hands are soft, quick clean exchange. Arm shows some carry, 79 mph across infield. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with a slightly open stance, uses short stride. Bat speed is present, 84 mph exit velocity, showed a pull side approach, barrel has whip, gets extension and shows pop to all fields. High level athlete who shows plus foot speed.

3. Kevin Sullivan, Brother Rice HS, SS, Class of 2014
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 165-pound left handed hitting shortstop, excellent athleticism. Defensively shows advanced skill set, hands play well defensively, soft glove, exchange is quick and clean. Arm plays well, athletic arm action, releases the ball well on the run, 83 mph across the diamond, shows carry and accuracy. Offensively hits from the left side, open stance, short stride. Athletic swing, lacks extension, back side collapses some, line drive hitter. Highly projectable athlete, 6.89 runner, long rangy athleticism will play well.

4. Joe Becht, Downers Grove South HS, MIF/OF, Class of 2014
Athletically built, 5-foot-10, 155-pound multi positional player, left handed hitter. Defensively plays athletically, shows the ability to play multiple positions. In the outfield plays aggressively to and through the baseball, uses crow hop well, athletic feet. Arm works well defensively, loose arm action, shows accuracy, 85 mph from the outfield, 79 mph from the infield. On the infield shows solid hands, quick exchange of the baseball, arm works athletically. Offensively, hits from the left side, balanced setup that starts slightly open, uses smooth load and short stride. Bat path is short, shows bat speed, line drive hitter, shows bat control. Projects as an athlete who can play multiple positions and hit from the left side.

5. DJ Lee, Lincoln-Way North HS, SS, Class of 2014
Lanky, athletic frame, long legs, 5-foot-11, 150-pounds, projectable frame. Defensively plays athletically, long rangy athlete, soft hands, fluid footwork, glides to the baseball, 6.97 runner. Arm plays athletically, ability to release the baseball on the move, 79 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride, wrap load, excellent setup. Bat path is level and creates extension. Hits with rhythm, solid balance throughout, 85 mph exit velocity.

6. Matt Sullivan, Huntley HS, MIF, Class of 2014
5-foot-10, 170-pound middle infielder. Shows athleticism defensively, 6.89 runner, footwork is fluid. Arm plays well, 81 mph across the infield, quick and clean exchange. Hits from a balanced setup, uses smooth load, short stride. Shows some bat speed, path is short with extension. Quiet approach, excellent balance throughout. Shows an advanced offensive presence, solid barrel awareness, bat will play well at the next level.

7. Mario Tursi, Glenbrook South HS, MIF, Class of 2014
Athletic build, 6-foot-1, 160-pound middle infielder. Defensively, feet work well, 7.13 runner, plays quickly, solid defensive actions. Arm works well, shows carry, 85 mph across the diamond. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, uses short stride. Bat path is level, line drive, gap to gap hitter. Projectable athlete with soft hands, arm strength and a line drive approach.

8. Lavar Reed, Morgan Park HS, SS, Class of 2014
Lanky athletic middle infielder, 6-foot-2, 155-pounds, lacks overall strength. Defensively shows soft hands, athletic feet, moves quickly and fluidly. Arm has carry, some windup in release, 81 mph arm strength across the diamond. Offensively, hits from open stance, uses short stride with slight leg lift, dives some. Bat path is short, hands are off the knob, chokes up, contact hitter, lacks overall strength, singles hitter.

9. Tanner Russell, Urbana HS, MIF, Class of 2014
Lanky build, slender frame, 6-foot, 170-pound middle infielder. Defensively arm works from an over the top slot, above average arm, 78 mph, lacked accuracy. Hands work quickly, athletic hands, transfer shows inefficiencies, above average defensive skills. 7.07 runner. Offensively, hits from open stance, some crouch, short stride that dives back to the plate, bat waggle load. Bat path is level, average pop,  shows consistencies, singles hitter. Bat speed is present, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Very projectable middle infielder.

10. Michael Metz, Mundelein HS, INF, Class of 2014
5-foot-10, 175-pound left handed hitting two way player. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm slot, fastball sits 80-82 mph, lacks movement. Curveball flashes sharp action, works on a 12/6 plane, 70-71 mph. Changeup shows feel as well, showed control at the bottom of the zone, 71-73 mph. Defensively shows soft hands and some athleticism, arm plays at 79 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, narrow stance. Solid swing, flashes gap pop at times, inconsistent timing.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Christian Bland, Harlan HS, C/OF/MIF, Class of 2014
Undersized athlete, 5-foot-8, 145-pounds, sneaky strong frame, quick twitch actions, ability to play multiple positions. Defensively, quick footwork behind the plate, 2.10-2.18 pop time. Shows actions from the outfield, 86 mph arm strength, arm shows carry, stays on line, true hop off turf, aggressive crow hop. Higher projection as an outfielder. Offensively hits from slightly open stance, uses short stride. Bat path is short, compact tendencies, line drive hitter. Could improve offensively by staying closed on front side.

Tommy Bordignon, Loyola HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Slender frame, 5-foot-11, 155-pound two-way player. On the mound, delivery shows some rhythm. Arm works quickly and loosely, operates from ¾ arm slot. Fastball shows late run, 83-85 mph, late life. Curveball has 12/6 shape, shows above average action, thrown for strikes, 70-72 mph. Changeup thrown with feel, similar arm speed to fastball, 77-79 mph, flashed plus action. Defensively shows soft hands, arm works with carry, 81 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits with an open stance, uses short stride. Rhythm hitter, shows good extension, flashes pop for size.

David Calderon, Marian Catholic HS, RHP/MIF, Class of 2014
5-foot-11, 160-pound two way player. Possesses a lively arm. Delivery shows some rhythm, drop and drive style delivery, back side tends to collapse. Arm works well, ¾ to high ¾ arm slot, quick arm, gets underneath the baseball at times. Fastball has run, erratic life, 85-87 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, thrown with similar arm speed to fastball, has the ability to throw for strikes, 67-69 mph. Change up has control, thrown with fastball arm speed, 71-74 mph. Defensively uses a long arm action from the outfield, long transfer and release, arm works at 81 mph. Offensively hits from open stance, good setup. Bat path is short, line drive swing, lacks strength.

Gino Cavalieri, Fenwick HS, MIF/RHP, Class of 2014
Average build 6-foot, 170-pound two way player. On the mound pitches with a slow tempo, arm works from a high ¾ arm action. Fastball has run and thrown with command at the bottom of the zone, 78-80 mph. Curveball has loose rotation, arm decelerates, 63-65 mph. Change up sits at 70-71 mph, arm speed decelerates. Offensively, hits from a tall balanced setup, uses slight leg lift trigger. Shows some bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity, occasional rhythm.

Dean Christakes, Cary Grove HS, OF/SS, Class of 2014
6-foot-1, 175-pound multi positional player. Defensively shows better from the outfield, arm shows carry at 86 mph, feet work well, runs 6.81 60, hesitant attacking the baseball. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, inside out bat path, stays inside the ball well. Quiet setup, excellent balance throughout. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jack Ciombar, St. Francis HS, MIF, Class of 2014
5-foot-9, 155-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows athletic hands, glove has soft tendencies, plays through the baseball athletically. Arm lacks accuracy, 74 mph across the infield, release is long. Offensively hits from a balanced setup using a slight leg lift trigger. Bat path starts level and stays level, excess movement in feet.

Clint Cress, Alton HS, SS, Class of 2014
6-foot, 175-pound shortstop. Shows good arm strength, 80 mph, ¾ arm slot. 7.25 runner. Offensively hits from slightly open stance, short stride. Bat speed present, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull side approach, some back side collapse and uphill bat path, shows some pop.

Joshua Crist, River Ridge HS, SS, Class of 2014
Solid build, 5-foot-11, 185-pound middle infielder. Defensively, arm shows accuracy, 73 mph across the diamond, arm lacks athleticism. Offensively hits from a wide stance, slightly open, uses short stride. Balance is solid throughout. Bat path is level, line drive style hitter, lacks bat speed, swing shows some stiffness.

Craig Dankovich, Providence Catholic HS, MIF, Class of 2014
5-foot-10, 165-pound middle infielder. Shows advanced hands defensively, quick exchange, soft glove. Arm works athletically, lacks arm strength, 68 mph across the diamond, advanced hands make up for lack of arm strength, quick release. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with slightly open stance, uses smooth load, short stride. Shows solid hand-eye, finds the barrel consistently, bat path is short and level, line drive type hitter.

Zach Girard, Dundee Crown HS, SS, Class of 2014
5-foot-10, 170-pound multi-positional player. At shortstop showed athletic foot work, arm played well across the diamond, 78 mph, showed carry, over the top slot, hands lack softness. 6.89 runner. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride. Positions hands high, swing lacks lower half, moderate bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity.

Ty Grunenwald, Merril HS (WI), SS, Class of 2014
Lean, athletic frame, 6-foot-1, 170-pound switch hitting shortstop. Defensively shows quick feet, arm action is long and over the top, 78 mph across the diamond. Offensively, hits from both sides of the plate, hits with slightly open stance, short stride. Line drive hitter, two-piece swing, shows more athleticism and balance from right side. Left handed swing is still raw but shows promise.

Tanner Kehrer, Belvidere North HS, SS/OF, Class of 2014
5-foot-9, 150-pound multi-positional player. Defensively showed a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot, uses crow hop. On the infield, athletic arm action, ability to release the baseball on the run, footwork lacks quickness. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, short stride, great balance throughout. Bat speed is present, short bat path, line drive gap to gap style hitter. Shows bat speed and barrel awareness, makes hard contact, creates whip.

Tyler Lewan, Dundee-Crown HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Athletic frame with some length, 6-foot-1, 175-pound two way player. On the mound delivery is smooth and shows direction. Arm action is loose, ¾ arm slot. Fastball has sink 79-81 mph. Curveball was down, 68-70 mph. Change up sat 73-74 mph. Defensively showed effort fielding the baseball, arm showed accuracy, uses lower arm slot, 78 mph across the diamond. Offensively, hits with an open stance, uses short stride. Line drive approach, shows rhythm, good balance throughout, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Kevin Mampe, Lincoln-Way Central HS, MIF/RHP, Class of 2014
Average frame, 6-foot-2, 185-pound two way player. Defensively, shows solid glove work, projects more as a third base type, arm plays across diamond, 76 mph, stands tall to release the baseball. Offensively, hits from an open stance, short stride with leg lift, pre pitch bat waggle, sets hands low. Shows bat speed through the zone, 81 mph exit velocity. Above average hand-eye, finds the barrel regularly. Lacks some balance and timing but still squares the baseball up. On the mound, fastball showed control of the zone, showed sink, 79-81 mph, flashed 82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, lacked control, 72-74 mph. Changeup thrown with aggressive arm action, shows arm side run, lacks control, consistently below the zone, 75-77 mph.

Nick Rodenbeck, Boylan Catholic HS, MIF, Class of 2014
5-foot-10, 155-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows effort in actions, arm action is long, ¾ arm slot, 77 mph across the diamond. 7.10 60 yard dash. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, uses short stride. Bat path is level and flat, line drive hitter. Works to the opposite field, tendency to drop back side.

Evan Sandman, Lincoln Way East HS, C/OF/INF, Class of 2014
Average build, 6-foot, 155-pound two way player. Defensively shows excellent accuracy from the crouch, pop times range from 1.99-2.12, 79 mph from the crouch. Also shows arm strength from the outfield (86 mph) and infield (81 mph). Offensively hits from open stance, short stride, dives some. Hits off back side, average pop, lacks timing, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Neal Tyrell, Minooka HS, SS, Class of 2014
6-foot-1, 180-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows soft hands, hands play well, footwork is quick, and exchange is quick and clean. Arm plays at 77 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride. Finds the barrel consistently, some collapse, soft front side. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.