For the second fall in a row, the PBR staff headed to GCS Credit Union Ballpark for an event. The St. Louis Open took place on Saturday, October 12th. The open event featured close to 50 prospects from 2020-2024 high school graduates. 

A couple of days ago we began the positional breakdown of the event with a look at the catchers in attendance. Today we continue with a roll-out of the infielders from the day. 2021 1B/LHP Landen Johnson (Westminster, MO) is a physical, left/left prospect who emerged as a high-follow two-way player. Johnson took an impressive round of BP consistently showing a loose, fast bat and big pull-side power potential. 

Missouri State commit, Hayden Moore (Edwardsville, 2021), a switch-hitter, was mentioned in the outfield analysis and his versatility finds him at No. 2 on the infield list as well. 

A couple of follow right-handed bats who also made the list were Ben Kennedy (Evansville Central, 2022), Connor Hennemann (Pawnee, 2021) and Austin Gast (Notre Dame, MO, 2021).

Below is a look at all of the infielders from the day:

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Landen Johnson, Westminster (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP High-follow two-way prospect.
Body: 6-foot-4, 200-pounds. Extra-large, athletic, well-proportioned strength.
Hit: LHH. Crouched setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride and balanced swing. Loose, whippy hands creates bat speed and big pull-power potential. Natural lift in swing and a lot of hard contact.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee. Strong hands, potential power bat.
Arm: LH. INF - 85 mph. Long, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws carry across the infield.
Defense: Athletic around the first base bag. Plays with bounce and a motor. Maintains body control, soft hands, clean release.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60. 

2. Hayden Moore, Edwardsville (IL), 2021 Missouri State.
Positional Profile: OF/INF
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: SH. Natural from both sides of the plate. Pre-pitch rhythm, open setup, smooth load and balanced, rhythmic swing. Hands are loose, directional through the zone and repeatable swing. Controls the barrel, natural lift, uses the whole field and consistent hard contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. OF - 85 mph. Long, loose arm action. high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out in the outfield and infield. Natural outfield defender, profiles at any of the three spots. Fluid natural actions, plays with ease and body control. Moves with a purpose, concise routes, plays through the baseball, clean release.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

3. Ben Kennedy, Evansville Central (IN), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Athletic, lean frame with upside.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, confident look, smooth load and long stride. Swings with intent, loose, quick hands, creates bat speed, level bat path, a lot of hard gap-to-gap contact and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot and throws carried across the diamond.
Defense: Reliable hands, charges the baseball, winds up through release at times. Advanced double play feed.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

4. Connor Hennemann, Pawnee (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Athletic, strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, quiet load, long stride and easy effort in swing. Loose hands, fast bat, level path, sprayed balls to all fields and flashed pull-side pop.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot and arm played accurate.
Defense: Steady defender, plays with body control, shuffles through transfer.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

5. Austin Gast, Notre Dame (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot, 230-pounds. Strong, durable frame, thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm in hands and long stride. Quiet swing, loose quick hands, creates bat speed, ball jumps off the bat at times and made hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, loose, easy arm action from a high 3/4 to over-the-top slot. Throws carried across the diamond.
Defense: Profiles as a corner infielder. Soft hands, clean release, gets tall through exchange at times.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Peyton Apps, Pittsfield (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Well-proportioned, high-waisted with room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm and leg-kick timing trigger. Loose, athletic hands, bat speed at times, level bat path, fluid rhythm and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Profiles as a corner infielder. Steady hands, clean release, long at times.
Run: 8.37 runner in the 60. 

Ty Beasley, Althoff Catholic (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong, muscular frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched setup, short stride. Simple swing, strong hands, short uphill bat path and pull-side approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot and throws were accurate across the infield.
Defense: Reliable infield defender, plays with body control and steady hands.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Payton Crims, Shepard (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 130-pounds. Long-limbed, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, minimal load and short stride. Long, uphill bat path and flashed quick hands.
Power: 63 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields in the middle of his body, reliable hands and clean release with length.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Cooper Howell, DeSmet (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 148-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, narrow setup, long stride and hits off frontside. Long bat path, stays level through the zone at times and occasionally backpun the baseball.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long, loose, easy arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields off the side of his body at times. Reliable hands, clean transfer.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Jayden Jones, Francis Howell Central (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-7, 160-pounds. Compact build, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, slight loading action and leg-kick timing trigger. Strong hands, lets the ball travel, short level bat path, line-drive approach, consistently on the barrel.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Profiles as a corner infielder. Steady hands, early glove presentation, clean transfer with length at times.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60. 

Matt Lehr, Marquette Catholic (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Athletically-built.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, closed setup, minimal load and short stride.  Short bat path and pull approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short, easy arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, steady hands and quick release at times.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Barrett Lohman, Fort Zumwalt North (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, minimal loading action and short stride. Long bat path, stays flat through the zone at times and pull-side tendencies.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Arm works short and from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields the baseball in rhythm, gathers through release.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

Sean Mitchell, Marquette Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 215-pounds. Extra-large, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched setup, long toe-tap stride. Aggressive swing, long bat path and pull-side approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Winds up through release.
Run: 8.99 runner in the 60. 

Nick Palmisano, Collinsville (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot, 220-pounds. Thick frame, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load and toe-tap stride. Compact swing, stays short to the ball and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Arm plays short and out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Profiles as a corner infielder. Plays with body control, sits back at times, clean release.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Rowold, Valmeyer (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 168-pounds. Solid, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Quiet, simple, repeatable swing, stays short to the ball and sprays line-drives to all fields.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short, arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick release and hands played steady.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Ayalew Sisay, Timberland (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: UTIL 
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, smooth load, big leg kick stride. Level bat path, line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 80 mph. OF - 83 mph. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot.
Defense: Worked out all over the diamond. Arguably looked the most natural in the outfield. Quick footwork, plays through the baseball.
Run: 8.02 runner in the 60. 

Ben Stedman, Belleville West (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Lean frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and long stride. Short, level bat path, extension through contact, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short loose arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean defender, smooth actions, works through the baseball, clean exchange. Advanced double play turn.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Aaris Stolte, Hannibal (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-6, 130-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal loading action and leg-kick timing trigger. Long bat path, pull approach and hits off front side.
Power: 64 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws were accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Smooth infield actions, plays from the ground up, natural on the move, maintains body control and clean release.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60. 

Jeff Strobl, St. Mary's (MO), 2020
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-7, 140-pounds. Short, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, pre-pitch bat tip and short stride.  Long bat path, looks to pull the baseball.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short, firm arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Natural infield actions; smooth and confident hands, stays low, clean release plays with length at times.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Cade Tomhave, Pittsfield (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched setup, smooth load and short stride. Advanced strength in swing, long path, flat through the zone at times and ball jumps off the barrel when synced up.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, natural high 3/4 slot but showed ability to change angles.
Defense: Fluid footwork, natural on the move, clean transfer and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Leo Verdecchia, Marmion Academy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and exaggerated leg-kick timing trigger. Aggressive swing, long, level bat path and pull-side approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot and throws carried across the diamond.
Defense: Solid infield actions, steady hands, high front side on release and smooth double play.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60.

Francisco Villarreal, Hickman (MO), 2020
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, smooth load and leg-lift timing trigger. Bat stays flat through the zone, line-drive, pull approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumped off the bat at times.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, charged the baseball, quick release.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60.  

Jordan Wilson, Steeleville (IL), 2020
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 205-pounds. Highly-athletic, strong, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Pull approach, uphill finish and strong hands.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Gains ground through exchange, active feet.
Run: 8.69 runner in the 60. 

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