Top-10 Stories of 2019: No. 4 Binelas powers historic freshman season at Louisville
December 30, 2019
Few prospects in the Midwest carried the kind of tools Alex Binelas (Oak Creek, 2018; Louisville commit) did coming out of high school. The big third baseman was rewarded with a 35th round selection by the Washington Nationals in the 2018 MLB Draft, but Binelas opted instead to fulfill his commitment to Louisville.
That has already proved to be a wise decision.
Binelas was called on to start for the Cardinals in his first year at the program. In 59 games played, Binelas hit .291 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs and helped Louisville propel themselves to a College World Series appearance.
A two run ? from Alex Binelas adds some insurance for the Cards! #RoadToOmaha | @LouisvilleBSB pic.twitter.com/tilPiraMJY
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 2, 2019
With his freshman season in the books, Binelas has elevated his stock to the point where the pro scouting community has him on high alert for the 2021 draft, when he’s next eligible. After a decorated high school career, he reeled in the accolades in 2019 and landed on Freshman All-American lists of D1Baseball, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, and the NCBWA, among others. He was also named to the NCAA All-Louisville Regional Team, the All-ACC Second Team, and the ACC All-Freshman Team. It was probably the best freshman season at Louisville in over a decade.
After starring for four years at Oak Creek, Binelas was named the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year after his senior season and he was named to the All-State Team all four of his years in the Milwaukee area. Per our rankings, Binelas wrapped up his high school career ranked No. 3 overall in the state and No. 103 on our national board. He attended the 2018 Super 60 in which he topped an exit velocity of 104 mph, ran a 6.62 in the 60-yard dash, and topped 92 mph across the infield.
Alex Binelas (Super 60, 2/4/18)
Given his illustrious track record, his instantaneous success at a prestigious program like Louisville helps generate even more attention to Wisconsin’s prep baseball scene, one that has seen added attention after the MLB debut of Gavin Lux (Indian Trail, 2016; Dodgers, 1st Round) and pro debut of Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West, 2018; Mets, 1st Round).
Looking ahead to 2020, Binelas is already an All-American, according to the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper as he strives to power the Cards to an even deeper run in Omaha this spring.
Scouting Report
6/6/18 - Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 35th Round.
2/4/18 - Louisville recruit. Physical 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitting corner infielder with broad shoulders and proportional strength. Turned in one of the most impressive offensive performances at the Super 60. Powerful strider, moves extraordinarily well for size/strength, running a 6.62 laser-timed 60. Extremely balanced and explosive offensive approach, generates plus bat speed with hands; quiet pre-pitch load, subtle hand load with minimal moving parts. Delivered two of the top BP rounds of the day, consistently impacting the baseball, working middle and to his pullside. Registered 104 exit velocity off the tee. FlightScope data during BP registered five hits 102 or greater, with peak velocity of 104.5 and average of 96.7 in two rounds. Max carry was 370.91 with a 25.7 degree launch angle. ... Defensively, shows arm strength from third base, registering 92 mph, long deliberate transfer. With his athleticism and offensive profile, may project as corner outfielder in future.
7/11/17 - Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018 and No. 53 in the PBR Overall Ranks. 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitting third baseman with a strong, mature frame. Profiles as a power hitting corner infielder. Moves extremely well for size, 6.76 60-yard dash. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short hand load to backside and heel lift stride. Short, level swing path generates easy bat speed. Line drive hitter, shows power to the pull side in BP. Showed strength thru contact with 96 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry across the infield at 88 mph. Good body control on the run thru.
4/1/17 - A premium left-handed bat with pop, Binelas showed off his arm on the mound. Working one inning of relief, Binelas started out 84-85 mph from a short over the top window, and gradually kept climbing to 86-88 to finish out the inning. Complimented his fastball with a 68-70 mph changeup.
2/26/17 - Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the WI Class of 2018. 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting third baseman. Physical advanced frame with plus strength. Was the events top performer in three categories, vastly improved his 60 yard dash time running a 6.69, 103 mph exit velocity, and 89 mph arm across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Explosive lower half and bat speed. Pull, power hitter. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws across the infield showing carry. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and soft hands. Solidified himself as one of the top left-handed bats in the Midwest for the 2018 MLB Draft.
2/28/16 - Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018. 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting third baseman. Offensively hits from a tall setup with a short stride and good balance. Gap to gap power hitter with a short path and extension thru contact. Fluid rhythm with explosive batspeed. Showed strength thru contact with 96 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.02. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Throws showed carry across the infield, throwing 84 mph. Solid actions with average hands.
5.9.15 - 6-foot-2, 185-pound highly athletic corner infielder. Strong, lanky, athletic build with some burst, 7.20 60 runner. Exhibits fluid, short arm action with some carry across the infield at 82 mph. Soft hands and feet, anticipates well, attacks the baseball when necessary. Clean exchange is fluid, doesn’t waste any movement. Shows comfort moving each direction laterally. Maintains athletic, ready position. Hits from a balanced athletic set up with advanced feel. Smooth, consistent load; keeps the head still throughout the swing. Strong hands with some high-end bat control for his age. 89 mph exit velocity. Found the barrel regularly with a short path to the ball with a slight up-hill plane. Let the ball travel and seemed comfortable hitting to all fields for the time being. Gap-to-gap hitter who could develop into a power-pull type with age and overall physical maturity. High level prospect who projects as middle of the order power hitter. Committed to Louisville.
2/8/15 - Louisville commit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound third baseman, advanced frame, long limbed, wide shouldered, projects well. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Takes aggressive swings, advanced bat speed for age, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Athletic hitter, fluid path, pull side power approach. Defensively plays with a longer arm action, showed arm strength at 82 mph across the diamond. Hands worked, showed softness. Ran a 7.17 laser timed 60. High follow 2018 prospect, projects really well with the bat, possible middle of the order type bat at the next level that can defend a corner infield position.
12/5/14 - Verbally committed to Louisville as a freshman.
10/25/14 - 6-foot-1, 175-pound third baseman, advanced frame with projectability, athletic build, projects for additional strength. Offensively looks to be an early favorite for the top left handed bat in the 2018 class. Balanced stance, short stride, lower half works well, maintains strong balance, good presence in the box, hitterish. Gap to gap approach with power, explosive bat speed, hits with rhythm, excellent timing. 98 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively projects at a corner infield spot, third baseman, hands are soft, footwork is fluid and plays through the baseball, takes good routes/angles to the baseball. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed carry, arm plays at 76 mph across the diamond. 7.26 runner in the 60. High follow prospect in the 2018 class.