On July 23, we hosted one of the summer’s most high-profile 2021 showcases, Underclass Games at the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Les Miller Field at Curtis Granderson Stadium.

We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the event as well as positional breakdowns for the day’s catchers and outfielders, but today we’ll turn our attention to the infielders in attendance.

This group was talented and deep, headlined by an impressive two-way prospect: INF/RHP Nick DeMarco (St. Charles North). DeMarco took one of the top rounds of BP on the day and is more than capable to stick on the infield at the next level. On the mound, he has feel for pitching and featured one of the strongest arms of the day.

Right behind DeMarco is Wisconsin native Liam Moreno. Moreno, may be one of the top offensive talents in the state. Moreno has an aggressive approach, an advanced feel for the barrel and keeps the bat through the zone for a long time.

After Moreno comes a pair of projectable-framed, slick-fielding middle infielders in Noah Miller and Benjamin Loyd, both hailing from Wisconsin.

The rest of the top 10 can be found below, along with a look at every infielder from the loaded event.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Nick DeMarco, INF/RHP, St. Charles North, 2021
5-foot-11, 180-pound, strong, athletically-built, two-way prospect. All-around impressive day. On of the top offensive rounds of the event. Right-handed hitter, presence in the box, balanced setup, smooth early load, short stride and good balance. Quick twitch in swing, present bat speed, explosive at times, consistent hard contact, balls jumps off the barrel. Short bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout; 89 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, athletic infield actions, fluid feet, soft hands, works through the baseball and clean release. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm, throws carry and clocked at 83 mph. 4.76 runner down the line. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, one of the top arms of the event. Clean, repeatable delivery, works with rhythm, on-line and finishes athletically. Fluid, clean, compact arm action; works quick out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, down in the zone, sinking action, sat 85-86 mph. Slider, 10/4 plane, flashed sharp action, thrown for strikes, 74-76 mph. High-follow two-way prospect in the 2021 class.

2. Liam Moreno, INF, Sun Prairie (WI), 2021
5-foot-9, 165-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, strong, physical build. One of the top 2021 offensive threats in the state of Wisconsin. Presence in the box, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm and is on time to hit. Present bat speed and strength through contact. Level bat path, stays through the hitting zone, line-drive, gap-to-gap approach. 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Doubled during game play. Ran a 4.47 down-the-line. Defensively, could profile as a corner infielder if his frame continues to fill out. Steady hands, short, loose arm action, accurate arm and throws topped at 78 mph across the diamond. High-follow 2021 prospect.

3. Noah Miller, INF, Ozaukee (WI), 2021
5-foot-10, 160-pound, lean, athletic, switch-hitting infielder. High-level middle infield defender. Advanced actions, easy fluid footwork and range to both sides, maintains body control, soft, confident hands and quick, clean transfer. Short, loose arm action, can throw from multiple slots, accurate throws topped at 79 mph across the diamond. At the plate, handles the bat from both sides. Balanced, quiet setup, smooth load and short stride. Stays short to the ball, looks to control the barrel and sprayed line drives. 82 mph exit velocity from the right side and 84 mph from the left. 4.69 runner, down-the-line.

4. Benjamin Loyd, INF, Tremper (WI), 2021
5-foot-10, 145-pound, long, lean, projectable, left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, gets separation, leg-lift timing trigger, maintains balance and fluid rhythm throughout. Loose, handsy swing, line-drive, spray approach and looks to control the barrel. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, advanced infield actions; fluid, easy footwork, ranges well to both sides while maintaining body control. Confident, soft hands, clean, quick release and can throw from multiple angles. Loose arm, accurate throws clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 4.76 runner, home-to-first.

5. Austin Bestul, INF, Elkhorn (WI), 2021
5-foot-8, 145-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, long stride, utilizes lower half in swing and maintains balance through contact. Aggressive swing, short, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap, middle of the field approach, hard contact and fluid rhythm. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid feet, maintanis body control on the move, soft hands. Clean exchange, long arm action, high ¾ slot, highly-accurate arm, throws carry across the diamond at 84 mph. 4.68 runner, home-to-first.

6. Nathan Buchan, INF/RHP, Plainfield Central, 2021
6-foot-1, 190-pound, two-way prospect with a strong, athletic, advanced build. At the plate, balanced, quiet setup, short stride and maintains balance. Went 3-for-3 during game play, including an RBI triple. Swings the bat with controlled aggression, flashed bat speed and quick twitch. Path works short with uphill tendencies and fluid rhythm throughout. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, profiles as an above-average third baseman. Clean actions, moves well for size, sure hands, athletic fielding position and smooth, quick transfer at times. Arm is short and loose, high ¾ slot, ball comes out easy with carry, clocked at 78 mph across the infield. 4.69 runner, home-to-first. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, compact, repeatable delivery, works with rhythm. Stays on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Quick arm action, comes out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, down in the zone, tilt, sat 80-82, touched 83. Curveball, maintains arm speed, 12/6 shape, 69-70 mph. Also, mixed in a slider, 77 mph.

7. Owen Washburn, INF/RHP, Webster (WI), 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. High-upside left-handed hitter. Tall, open, quiet setup, minimal pre-pitch movement, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger, maintains balance through contact and fluid rhythm throughout. Simple swing, stays short to the ball, natural lift, hard contact. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short, loose, easy, accurate arm; carries across the diamond and clocked at 77 mph. Sure hands and clean, quick exchange. 4.44 runner down the line. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, compact, balanced, repeatable delivery, works on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Clean, compact arm action, loose and quick out front, high ¾ slot. Fastball, inconsistent run and cut action, sat 80-82 mph, touched 83. Curveball, works on a 12/6 to 11/5 plane, depth, 73 mph. Saw a changeup in warmups, sink and fade action. High-follow 2021 two-way prospect.  

8. Carson Shepard, INF, Sun Prairie (WI), 2021
5-foot-8, 138-pound, infielder, small, athletic build. 4.36 runner, home-to-first. Defensively, athletic, easy infield actions, fundamentally sound fielding position, out in front of his body, fluid footwork and soft hands. Quick, clean, easy transfer, short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws that topped at 75 mph across the infield.  At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride, late bat tip and maintains balance. Bat stays level through the zone at times, line-drive approach and 86 mph exit velocity. Singled hard up the middle in game play and also lined out to center field.

9. Dylan Scafuri, 1B, Romeoville, 2021
6-foot-3, 205-pound, strong, left-handed hitting infielder. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth deep pre-pitch load, short stride and maintains balance. Loose, athletic hands, flashes bat speed, gap-to-gap, pull approach, hard contact and fluid rhythm throughout. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, reliable hands, clean exchange, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 73 mph. 4.78 runner, home-to-first.

10. Brian Rapanan, C/INF/RHP, Warren (IL), 2021
5-foot-7, 150-pound two-way player, compact build with present strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced spread stance, loads hands back, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Path is short and level through contact, gets extension, present bat speed. Spray line drive contact, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch, played at 77 mph across the diamond. Catcher/second base defensively profile, hands play soft and clean, athletic actions. 2.11-2.19 pop times. 4.68 runner down the line. On the mound arm action plays similar to that on the field, compact delivery, repeats. Fastball is mostly straight, 80-82 mph. Curveball played 70-72 mph, 11/5 action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Sam Antonacci, INF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2021
5-foot-10, 160-pound, well-proportioned, switch-hitting infielder. At the plate, left-handed swing is currently ahead of the right-handed swing. Balanced setup, quiet, smooth load, short stride. Easy, simple swing, stays short to the ball, line-drive, pull approach. Singled twice during game play. 78 mph exit velocity from the right side and 79 mph from the left. Defensively, comes and gets the baseball, steady hands, winds up on release at times, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm, flashed carry, clocked at 81 mph. 4.76 runner, home-to-first.

Andrew Chapman, INF, Waterford (WI), 2021
5-foot-10, 185-pound, physically-advanced, right-handed hitting infielder. Ran a 4.43 home-to-first during the workout. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, short stride and stays balanced through contact. Present bat speed, bat strength, pull approach with slight lift in swing; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the infield, stays low on the move, reliable hands, packs on exchange. Throws from a ¾ to high ¾ slot, accurate throws, clocked at 80 mph across the diamond.

Adam Dowler, LHP/1B, Oswego East, 2021
6-foot-3, 200-pound, well-proportioned, extra-large, two-way prospect. High-ceiling left-handed arm. Works out of the stretch only, repeats delivery well for his size, works on-line, lands front toe closed. Clean, loose arm action, quick out front and comes out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, arm-side-run, consistently pitches to the arm side, sat 81-83 mph. Curveball, thrown for strikes, 1/7 plane, occasional sharp action, 70-72 mph. Saw one changeup at 75 mph. At the plate, left-handed hitter, balanced setup, deep load, gets hands back and toe-tap stride. Long, uphill bat path, makes strong, hard contact to the pull-side at times. 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, natural actions at first base, maintains body control, sure hands and fluid footwork around the bag at first. Throws topped at 80 mph across the infield. 4.69, home-to-first.

William Duff, INF, St. Ignatius, 2021
6-foot, 210-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, thick, strong lower half. At the plate, swings with intent and does not get cheated. Starts balanced and wide, toe-tap stride, short uphill bat path, present bat speed and gap-to-gap approach. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, packs on exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 81 mph across the infield. 4.83 runner down-the-line.

George Henkel, RHP/INF, Appleton West (WI), 2021
6-foot-1, 185-pound, athletically-built, long, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, delivery works with rhythm, coiled at balance point, lands slightly open and regular effort throughout. Full, clean arm swing on the backside, loose and quick out of a ¾ slot. Fastball, running action, hard and late at times, sat 78-80 mph, touched 81. Slider, 10/4 shape, 69-72 mph. Curveball sat 64-67 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride and average balance throughout. Long, uphill bat path at times and 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield, reliable hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 77 mph. 4.91 runner, home-to-first.

Aidan Krupp, 1B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2021
6-foot-3, 215-pound, extra-large, strong, physically-advanced, right-handed hitting first baseman. At the plate, understands who he is as a hitter. Starts tall, balanced, pre-pitch load and leg-kick trigger. Aggressive swing, looks to drive the baseball with authority, fast bat, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, flashed pull power and ball jumps off the barrel. Hit a triple during game play. 96 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, athletic fielding position, loose arm action and throws clocked at 78 mph. 5.07 runner, home-to-first.

Jackson Lee, RHP/INF, Effingham, 2021
5-foot-10, 190-pound, thick, strong, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, side-step delivery, works with rhythm, repeats, works down the mound, stays on-line and finishes athletically with easy effort throughout. Clean, loose arm action comes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, thrown for strikes, mostly straight action, sat 78-80 mph, touched 81. Curveball 10/4 to 11/5 plane, depth at times, around the zone, 71-72 mph. Changeup, fade action, 71-74 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth deep loading action and leg-lift timing trigger. Aggressive to the ball, short, level bat path, pull approach and 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, loose arm action, high ¾ to ¾ slot and throws topped at 79 mph across the infield. 4.93 runner, down-the-line.  

Frank Magnelli, INF, Ridgewood, 2021
6-foot-1, 196-pound, thick, strong, physically advanced, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, slight loading action and quick leg-kick trigger. Present bat strength, flashed bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, lift in swing, finishes on backside and registered an 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Also, registered two hits in game play. Defensively, profiles as a corner infielder. Reliable hands, loose arm, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 77 mph across the infield.

Matthew Maloney, INF, Lincoln-Way Central, 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, slight hand load and leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands at times, long bat path, works the middle of the field and fluid rhythm throughout. 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the infield, steady hands, winds up at times on exchange, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 80 mph across the infield. 4.82 runner, home-to-first.

Michael Maloney, INF, Lincoln-Way Central, 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, open setup, pre-pitch load, leg-kick timing trigger and average balance. Loose, handsy swing, long, uphill path, line-drive approach, middle of the field approach. Singled and scored a run during game play. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, sure-handed, clean release with length. Loose, quick arm action, multiple slots and throws clocked at 77 mph. 4.61 runner, home-to-first.

Kevin McCormick, INF, St. Laurence, 2021
6-foot, 165-pound, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, crouched, open setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Stays short to the ball, level through the zone, line-drive, spray approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, stays low through exchange, ability to throw from multiple angles and topped at 79 mph across the diamond. 4.43 runner, down-the-line.

Brody Munch, INF, Joliet Catholic, 2021
6-foot, 165-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced tall setup, deep load, toe-tap stride, hits off front foot. Path stays flat through the zone, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, charges the baseball, flashy actions, looks to field with one hand, plays through the baseball. Clean arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 82 mph across the diamond. 4.67 runner, down-the-line.

Maxwell Thompson, 1B, Warren, 2021
6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman; athletically-built, well-proportioned strength. At the plate, open setup, slight pre-pitch hand load, short stride and maintains balance throughout. Quick twitch in swing, creates bat speed and bat strength; ball jumps off the bat at times, short, uphill path and fluid rhythm throughout. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, loose arm action, throws from a high ¾ slot and topped at 78 mph across the infield. Ran the home-to-first at 4.82.

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