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Preseason I.D. - McHenry: Infield Analysis

February 29, 2016

Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Preseason I.D. Showcase at McHenry is in the books and over the next several days we will be rolling out positional analysis on the event, today we continue with infielders. Here's a look at our top infield prospects on the day, complete with scouting reports and stats.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Jeff Heinrich, 3B, Huntley HS, 2017
Solid build 6-foot-1, 185-pound physical frame right-handed hitting infielder. Showed an impressive combination of speed and power. Ran a 4.34 home-to-first and registered a 96 mph exit velocity at the event. Offensively, quiet, simple approach with strength and bat speed. Flashed hard contact with the ability to backspin the baseball. Short, level bat path and good balance. Defensively, he continued to impress on the infield. Soft hands, athletic fielding position and a clean exchange. Long, over-the-top arm action with carry and clocked at 83 mph.

2. Danny Sperling, SS/3B, Wauconda HS, 2018
Long and lean 6-foot-1, 150-pound plenty of room to fill out left-handed hitting infielder. Ran a 4.36 home-to-first. Offensively, loose, relaxed, handsy swing and flashed present bat speed. Consistently made hard contact, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach. Wide setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and good balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, steady hands and clean footwork on the infield. Athletic arm action, accurate throws, with some carry and clocked at 77 mph.

3. Bryce Thelander, SS/2B, Prairie Ridge HS, 2017
Average build 5-foot-9, 160-pound, some strength in the lower half left-handed hitting infielder. Showed off his speed running a 4.26 home-to-first time. Offensively, short, compact stroke with loose hands and flashed bat speed. Wide setup, short stride, line-drive approach and good balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, hands work well on the infield, showed some softness and fielded the ball athletically. Feet work quick, with bounce and good lateral agility. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate and throws were clocked at 77 mph.

4. Owen Patzin, SS, McHenry East HS, 2018
Well-proportioned 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, routinely made hard contact during his round of batting practice. Fluid rhythm, present bat speed, level bat path with a line-drive approach. Open, crouched setup, smooth pre-pitch load, got back to square with his stride and good balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, quick feet and exchange on the infield. Loose, quick arm action from a ¾ slot, accurate and clocked at 78 mph. Also, ran a 4.61 home-to-first.

5. Eric Maurer, 2B/3B, Huntley HS, 2017
Solidly built 5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, stayed on top of the baseball, gap-to-gap approach, short and level bat path. Open, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, leg-lift timing trigger and fluid rhythm through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, reliable hands and clean exchange on the infield. Moved well to his right, making the play deep in the hole. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.83 home-to-first.


Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Brandon Bannon, C/2B, Marian Central Catholic HS, 2018
Wiry, lean build 5-foot-9, 135-pound right-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Offensively, consistently barreled baseballs up the middle. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load, leg-lift timing trigger and average balance through contact. Line-drive hitter with a long bat path. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, flashed quick feet and exchange on the infield. Made an impressive diving play to his glove side. Loose arm from a ¾ to low ¾ slot and throws clocked at 68 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, throws flashed some arm-side-run and pop times ranged between 2.18-2.25. Also, ran a 4.68 home-to-first.

Jack Blindt, OF/3B, Loyola, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitting OF/3B. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and a clean exchange. Showed soft hands in the outfield. Threw 81 mph from the outfield. In the infield works from a low ¾ arm angle with quick footwork and good body control. Threw 76 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced slightly open stance with a high back elbow and short leg lift stride. Early rhythm with an uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.59.

Cory Busse, RHP/SS, Woodstock North HS, 2017
Athletic build 6-foot-3, 170-pound well-proportioned right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, flat bat path through the hitting zone and line-drive approach. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and long stride. Registered an exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, reliable hands, quick and clean exchange on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arms and clocked at 76 mph. Also, ran a 4.44 home-to-first. On the mound the right-hander flashed a quick arm out of a high ¾ window. In-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball featured some heaviness and clocked at 78-80 mph, touching 81. Curveball worked between 11/5 and 10/4, sitting 63-67 mph. Changeup, slight arm-side-run, fastball arm speed and ranged between 71-73 mph.

Jake Busse, LHP/1B, Woodstock North HS, 2018
Lean 6-foot, 160-pound plenty of room for continued physical development right-handed hitting infielder and left-handed pitcher. On the mound the left-hander operated with some rhythm and regular effort in his delivery. High ¾ slot, in-line direction and square landing. Fastball, slight arm-side-run and clocked at 73-74 mph, touching 77 once. Curveball, flashed late action at times, thrown for strikes, 12/6 shape and 64-66 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, down in the zone, slight fade and ranged between 68-70 mph. Offensively, started from a balanced, slightly closed setup position. Long bat path with a pull approach at the plate. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Also, ran a 4.69 home-to-first.

Nick Finley, 3B/2B, McHenry West HS, 2018
Projectable, lean frame 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, level bat path, occasionally getting extension through contact and a gap-to-gap approach. Flashed bat speed, some looseness in his hands and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, steady hands on the infield and accuracy on his throws. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, and clocked at 71 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.57 home-to-first.

Keegan Garcelon, RHP/1B, Huntley HS, 2018
Long limbed 6-foot-3, 175-pound athletic frame right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound featured feel for three pitches and smooth rhythm. In-line direction, square landing, athletic finish and regular effort. Fastball flashed finish, slight arm-side-run and clocked at 77-79 mph. Curveball 12/6 shape with short action and clocked at 64-66 mph. Changeup, sink and ranged between 69-72 mph. Offensively, balanced, open setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and average balance. Level bat path and pull approach. Registered an exit velocity of 77 mph. Defensively, steady hands, athletic fielding position and quick feet on the infield. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, carry on throws and clocked at 76 mph.

Garrett Gillund, C/INF/RHP, McHenry West HS, 2018
Well-proportioned 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting position player and pitcher. Offensively, simple swing with not a lot of wasted movement. Balanced setup, short stride, uphill bat path and average balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 77 mph. Defensively, flashed steady hands and made a nice run through play on the infield and throws were clocked at 72 mph. Behind the dish, clocked at 67 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.43-2.54. Also, ran a 5.01 home-to-first. On the mound, repeated his delivery, long arm action, from a high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. In-line direction, square landing and an athletic finish. Fastball sat 72-73 mph. Curveball worked 11/5, some feel, short break and ranged between 64-66 mph. Changeup flashed some sink and was clocked at 65-68 mph.

Jordan Goldstein, SS/3B, Huntley HS, 2018
Average build 5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, fluid rhythm and level bat path through the hitting zone. Line-drive type hitter, balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch load, leg-lift timing trigger and good balance. Registered an exit velocity of 77 mph. Defensively, steady, reliable hands and clean exchange on the infield. Loose, quick arm from an over-the-top slot and clocked at 77 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.76 home-to-first.

Ian Grubich, RHP/2B, McHenry HS, 2018
Average, lean build, 5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound, featured a three-pitch repertoire, quick arm out of an over-the-top window and some rhythm in the delivery. In-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Curveball was best pitch, tight spin with depth, plus action, worked 12/6 and clocked at 64-67 mph. Fastball thrown for strikes, down in the zone and clocked at 78-80 mph, touching 81. Changeup, slowed arm some and clocked at 69-73 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, deep pre-pitch load with a big leg-lift timing trigger and uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 78 mph. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate throws clocked at 77 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 4.84 home-to-first.

Kamrin Hoffmann, C/2B, Huntley HS, 2018
Average build, well-proportioned 5-foot-7, 154-pound left-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Ran a 4.59 home-to-first. Offensively, flashed some strength and bat speed. Wide, balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Uphill bat path and an opposite field approach. Registered an exit velocity of 72 mph. Defensively, worked out as a catcher and infielder. On the infield, steady hands, athletic fielding position; out in front of his body and a quick, clean exchange. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 71 mph across the infield. As a catcher could incorporate his lower half more on his exchange. Throws clocked at 68 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.17-2.25.

Dylan Honkala, RHP/1B, McHenry West HS, 2018
Strong, sturdy build 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound the right-hander flashed a quick arm with some rhythm throughout his delivery. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, some effort, in-line direction and square landing. Featured a 4-seam and 2-seam fastball. Both fastballs sat anywhere from 79-80 mph, touching 81 once with the 2-seam exhibiting heaviness and sink when down. Curveball showed some feel, could turn into a plus offering, sharp action, 11/5 shape and ranged between 71-74 mph. Honkala has a bright future on the mound. Offensively, showed strength in his swing with bat speed and some looseness. Balanced, closed setup, pre-pitch load, leg-kick timing trigger and some rhythm throughout. Gap-to-gap approach and level bat path through the hitting zone at times. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, steady hands and moved well around the bag at first base. Loose arm action, ¾ slot and clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.97 home-to-first.

Robert Hunt, OF/2B, Zion Benton, 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound left-handed hitting OF/2B. Defensively in the outfield has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a quick, clean exchange. Threw 77 mph from the outfield. In the infield showed soft hands. Threw 73 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced open stance with a smooth load and short leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm and a level path. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.29.

Evan Jewson, C/3B, Crystal Lake South HS, 2019
Long and lean 5-foot-11, 150-pound plenty of room for continued physical development right-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Offensively, flashed some looseness in his swing at times. Balanced setup, reverse toe tap stride and a level bat path through the zone occasionally. Registered an exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, on the infield flashed a quick arm from a ¾ slot and throws were clocked at 73 mph. Behind the dish, showed textbook form on his block, impressive for his age. Throws from the crouch were clocked at 67 mph and pop times ranged between 2.18-2.29. He also ran a 5.12 home-to-first.

Joseph Kaminski, RHP/3B, McHenry West HS, 2019
Long and lean 6-foot-1, 165-pound plenty of room for continued physical development right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound the right-handed worked with a long arm action from an over-the-top slot. In-line direction, square landing and some effort in his delivery. Fastball, thrown for strikes, flashed slight cut at times and sat 74-76 mph. Curveball thrown with fastball arm speed, good spin and depth for his age, clocked at 62-63 mph. Changeup, had feel, slight arm-side run and ranged between 69-70 mph. Offensively, started from a balanced setup position, short leg-lift timing trigger and average balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path and a pull approach at the plate. Registered an exit velocity of 74 mph. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot on the infield. Accurate throws clocked at 74 mph. Also, ran a 4.69 home-to-first.

Tyler Koss, SS/C, Huntley HS, 2018
Average build 5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitting infielder and catcher. Offensively, made hard contact during his round of batting practice. Balanced setup, early load, short stride and level bat path at times. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Ran a 4.68 home-to-first. Defensively, on the infield, quick and clean exchange. Tendency to field the ball deep, short arm action, accurate throws clocked at 76 mph across the infield. Behind the plate, flashed some bounce in his step. Short arm action, throws had some arm-side-run at times, clocked at 73 mph and pop times ranged between 2.12-2.25.

Jack Kuiper, OF/1B, Williams Bay, 2019
5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed hitting OF/1B. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short toe tap stride. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 68 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.90. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick footwork with average hands. Threw 62 mph across the infield and 64 mph from the outfield.

Maxwell Michelini, SS/2B, Huntley HS, 2017
Lean frame 5-foot-11, 145-pound plenty of room for continued physical development right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short leg-lift timing trigger, and average balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 65 mph. Defensively, arm flashed some quickness on the infield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 73 mph. Also, ran a 4.72 home-to-first.

Kyle Morgan, LHP/1B, Huntley HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound long, projectable frame right-handed hitting infielder and left-handed pitcher. On the mound the left-hander has a lot of upside. Featured a three-pitch mix which all flashed above-average to plus potential. Loose, quick arm from a high ¾ slot, regular effort and smooth rhythm throughout. Fastball, run and sink, down in the zone and clocked at 79-81 mph. Curveball, true 12/6 action, good spin and feel, 61-63 mph. Changeup thrown for strikes, flashed sink and fade at times, 66-67 mph. Offensively, long, level bat path and a pull approach. Balanced, open setup, short stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 78 mph. Defensively, steady hands on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 66 mph. Also, ran a 4.86 home-to-first.

Nicholas Morris, RHP/3B, McHenry West HS, 2018
Average build 6-foot, 135-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound, repeated his delivery well and threw three pitches for a strike. Easy effort, some rhythm, in-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball worked mostly straight at 76-77 mph. Curveball, mainly 12/6 shape with good spin and depth, clocked at 61-62 mph. Changeup flashed sink, located down in the zone and ranged between 65-67 mph. Offensively, balanced, tall setup, toe-tap stride, and long bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, clean exchange on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.93 home-to-first.

Jake Motley, 3B/C, Wauconda HS, 2018
Athletic frame, well-proportioned 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting infielder and catcher. Offensively, simple swing, short bat path, line-drive approach with limited movement. Balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 78 mph. Also, ran a 4.83 home-to-first. Defensively, on the infield, quick exchange, short arm action and throws clocked at 71 mph. Behind the plate, throws clocked at 70 mph and pop times ranged between 2.17-2.28.

Tommy Neilson, 1B, Cary Grove HS, 2017
Thick bodied 5-foot-11, 220-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, flashed loose hands and some strength in swing. Fluid rhythm, line-drive approach and good balance. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, soft hands and fluid footwork on the infield. Loose, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws and clocked at 74 mph. Also, ran a 4.70 home-to-first.

Blake Ottaviano, 3B/RHP, Huntley HS, 2019
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, short and level bat path at the plate. Balanced, open setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield. Throws clocked at 66 mph. Also, ran a 5.20 home-to-first. On the mound, some rhythm in his delivery and easy effort. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball mostly straight, clocked at 67-68 mph, touching 69. Curveball worked 12/6, ranged between 54-56 mph. Changeup sat 59-62 mph.

Davis Pasco, SS/RHP, Huntley HS, 2019
Lean, projectable build 6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Ran a well-above average home-to-first time for his age, 4.36. Offensively, simple swing and short, uphill bat path. Balanced setup, short stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, reliable hands, quick and clean release on the infield. Short arm action, threw from multiple arm angles, mainly low ¾’s and clocked at 64 mph across the diamond. On the mound, some rhythm and regular effort in his delivery. Short arm action, out of a high ¾ window and athletic finish. Fastball, slight arm-side-run at times and sat 70-72 mph, touching 73. Curveball worked 11/5, solid shape and ranged between 57-60 mph. Changeup flashed arm-side-run and fade, 64-65 mph.

Jason Peters, 3B, Huntley HS, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound athletically built right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, flashed strength in swing and bat speed. Fluid rhythm, gap-to-gap approach and an uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, reliable hands and a long exchange at times on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 72 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.69 home-to-first.

Joe Rizzo, C/2B, Huntley HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 190-pound sturdy build, strong right-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Offensively, registered an above-average exit velocity of 90 mph. Quiet swing with present strength and made some hard contact at times during his round of batting practice. Level and long bat path with a gap-to-gap approach. Balanced, narrow setup, short stride, and good balance at times. Defensively, flashed a big arm behind the plate clocked at 79 mph from the crouch. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot, arm-side-run and pop times ranged between 2.05-2.09. Also, worked out on the infield, steady hands, and his arm flashed carry across the diamond at 80 mph.  

Thomas Ross, C/2B, Lake Park HS, 2018
Undersized 5-foot-6, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Offensively, fluid rhythm, loose hands and a simple approach at the plate. Balanced, open setup position, pre-pitch load, short stride and long uphill bat path. Registered an exit velocity of 69 mph. Defensively, showed the ability to catch and play the infield. On the infield, steady hands, quick, short arm action from a high ¾ slot, accurate and clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, flashed a quick transfer and short arm action. Throws were consistently on the bag, clocked at 70 mph and pop times ranged between 2.16-2.19. Also, ran a 4.85 home-to-first.

Denny Smith, 1B, Huntley HS, 2017
Strong build 6-foot-4, 205-pound solid lower half right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, flashed bat speed, a level path and a gap-to-gap approach. Balanced, wide setup, short stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, steady hands at first base. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 68 mph. Also, ran a 4.94 home-to-first.

Scott Swarek, SS, Crystal Lake South HS, 2018
Average build 5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, simple, repeatable swing and the ability to backspin the baseball. Short bat path, stays on top of the baseball, good balance and line-drive type hitter. Balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 73 mph. Defensively, quick, clean exchange and reliable hands on the infield. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and clocked at 76 mph. Also, ran a 4.94 home-to-first.

Jay Ward, LHP/1B, Carmel Catholic HS, 2018
Lean frame 5-foot-10, 140-pound left-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound the left-hander repeated his delivery well and had good feel for all three of his pitches. Flashed a quick arm from a high ¾ slot, and some effort throughout. Fastball, slight run, occasionally up in the zone and sat 78-79 mph. Curveball routinely was thrown for strikes, 12/6, 1/7 shape, and ranged between 61-63 mph. Changeup was thrown aggressively, for strikes, sink and fade action, 71-73 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, level bat path and looked to pull. Registered an exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, at first base, quick arm and solid arm strength across the diamond, 80 mph. Moved around the bag well, steady hands and a clean exchange. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws with carry.

Scott Wojcik, SS/OF, Dundee-Crown, 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound right-handed hitting SS/OF. Offensively hits from a balanced, closed setup with a high hand set. Long, level swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.58. Defensively has a long arm arm action from an over the top arm angle. Defensively in the outfield plays thru the ball. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. In the infield threw 72 mph across the infield.

Grant Yakimisky, SS/RHP, Huntley HS, 2018
Lean build, 6-foot, 150-pound well-proportioned right-handed hitting shortstop and pitcher. Offensively, displayed looseness in hands at times and sprayed balls to all fields. Balanced, tall setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and average balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, flashed athletic actions, steady hands and a quick release on the infield. Ability to throw from multiple angles evidenced on the ball to his glove side. Loose arm action and throws were clocked at 72 mph. Also, ran a 4.81 home-to-first. On the mound, threw strikes and flashed a loose arm out of a high ¾ window. Some rhythm, in-line direction and athletic finish. Fastball worked down in the zone and clocked at 77-79 mph. Curveball, slight downer action, 11/5 action mainly and ranged between 63-65 mph. Lived down in the zone with his changeup, 70-71 mph.

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