By Steve Nielsen and Sean Duncan

As we continue our coverage of the Underclass Invitational on Jan. 20, we take a deeper look into the middle infielders. The 2016 class stole the show for middle infielders, as Tyler Fitzgerald (Rochester HS, 2016) and Matt Burch (Warren HS, 2016) very well could be the two of the top prospects at the entire event. Fitzgerald is an extremely projectable and athletic shortstop who could project as one of the top prospects nationally. Burch, a left-handed hitting shortstop, will also be a high level prospect as he showed advanced defensive actions and an excellent feel for the game.

The top Class of 2015 middle infielders showed well, too, as Reid Birlingmair (Normal West HS, 2015) proved that he will be a legitimate offensive threat. General McArthur (Crete-Monee HS, 2015) also impressed as he showed improved arm strength and foot speed since the last time we saw him in the fall.

Here’s how the rest of the classes shook out.

Top 2015 Middle Infielders

1. Reid Birlingmair, Normal West HS, MIF/RHP, Class of 2015
Athletic frame, shows strength, 5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way player. Hits from left side, left handed pull pop, explosive bat speed, 93 mph exit velocity, rotational swing, lacks repeatability, hard contact. Defensively, shows strong arm (83 mph), long arm action, over the top slot, arm shows accuracy, athletic actions, average infield hands, could project as power hitting corner outfielder or third baseman. On the mound, shows arm speed, over the top arm action, quick arm, delivery shows effort, drop and drive style. Fastball sits 82-84 mph, touches 85 mph, shows control, some heaviness. Curveball works on 11/5 plane 64-67 mph, consistently down, near fastball arm speed. Changeup is straight, occasional arm side run, 67-70 mph.

2. General McArthur, Crete-Monee HS, SS, Class of 2015
Long, slender frame, thin lower half, 6-foot, 140-pound shortstop. Defensively, shows plus actions, soft hands, moves well laterally, above average range, arm strength has improved (83 mph), excellent body control, excellent overall defender. Offensively, hits from balanced setup, slightly open stance, smooth load, short stride, lower half works, excellent balance, swing repeats, line drive approach, short level path. Lacks overall strength.

3. Neil Lambert, Pontiac Township HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 155-pound middle infielder. Above average defensive actions, athletic footwork, arm plays well, shows carry and accuracy, 77 mph across infield. Offensively hits from balanced setup, left handed hitter, stays through the baseball, creates extension, loose easy swing. Runs 7.25 60.

4. Connor Dall, West Chicago HS, SS, Class of 2015
Long athletic build, 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, projectable frame. Defensively shows quick footwork, quick exchange, arm shows accuracy, 70 mph across infield. Offensively, hits from open stance, short stride, smooth load, short bat path, solid extension, line drive gap to gap style hitter, excellent bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity.

5. Mitchell Boe, Joliet Catholic Academy, SS, Class of 2015
5-foot-8, 154-pound middle infielder. Excellent hands defensively, moves well laterally, above average range, quick footwork. Arm plays well, shows carry across (82 mph), quick clean exchange. Offensively hits from balanced setup, slightly open stance, smooth load of hands, short stride, excellent bat control, swing shows some effort, short bat path, line drive hitter, will hit for average.

6. Joe Kenney, Mahomet-Seymour HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2015
Strong frame, 5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player. Projects better positionally. Athletic infield actions, long arm action, strong arm (82 mph), arm shows carry and accuracy. Hits from balanced setup, smooth load, slight leg lift trigger, lower half works well, short path, line drive hitter, flashes hard contact.

7. Brady Fairfield, Metamora HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder. Hits from balanced setup, smooth load, long stride, good balance throughout, gets extension, bat speed is present. Good feet, 7.00 runner. Defensively shows soft hands, athletic feet, footwork is quick and fluid. Arm plays well, flashes carry, 77 mph.

8. Deion Thompson, Bloomington HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Athletic, rangy build, 6-foot-1, 175-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows soft hands, footwork is quick and fluid, arm works long with accuracy, 70 mph across the diamond, release lacks athleticism. Offensively hits from closed stance, stride is short, lower half works well, solid balance throughout, flashes bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity.

9. Esteban Martinez, St. Rita HS, INF/RHP, Class of 2015
Athletic 6-foot, 170-pound switch-hitting two-way player. Defensively shows arm strength (82 mph), hands work quickly, shows some effort defensively, good body control. Offensively hits from both sides; shows bat speed from both sides, right handed shows more pop, more explosiveness right handed, pull side approach left handed. On the mound delivery shows effort, high ¾ arm slot, quick arm action, up tempo delivery. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, showed run, minimal control. Curveball showed minimal action (70-72 mph). Changeup had cut action, lacks feel, 71-72 mph.

10. Edgar Sanchez, Marmion HS, MIF/RHP, Class of 2015
Athletic build, lanky frame, long limbs, 6-foot, 165-pound two way player. Defensively shows soft hands, transfers cleanly, long-strided defensively, 7.19 runner. Offensively, hits from open stance, good balance throughout, excellent bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity. On the mound arm works from high ¾ slot, moderate arm speed, delivery shows some rhythm, upright finish. Fastball shows slight run, shows control, 78-79 mph. Curveball lacks action, 67-70 mph. Changeup is best secondary, fastball similar arm speed, shows arm side run and sink, thrown for strikes (69-71 mph).

11. Will Troia, Boylan Catholic HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 155-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively showed some actions, exchange and release are long, foot work lacks quickness, average arm strength (72 mph), lacks carry and accuracy. Offensively, hits from balanced setup, slightly open stance, smooth load, short stride, line drive hitter, creates whip and occasional lift. Gets excellent extension after contact with barrel whip through the zone.

12. Lavezz Middleton, Marian Catholic HS, SS, Class of 2015
Strong body, physically advanced, 5-foot-10, 170-pound switch hitting middle infielder. Defensively shows excellent hands, soft hands, transfers well, long arm action, arm action lacks athleticism, 75 mph across infield. Offensively hits from both sides, right side shows more pop, natural righty, 81 mph exit velocity, uses lower half more from right side. Left handed swing uses hands only, lacks lower half, some stiffness, no stride, bat speed is present.

13. Dakota Head, Benton HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2015
Athletic 6-foot-2, 160-pound frame. Showed advanced middle infield actions. Takes concise routes to baseball; plays through the ball, and hands and feet work together well. Soft, easy hands and showed ability to throw ball at different angles. Accurate throws clocked at 70 mph. Defensive athleticism doesn’t reflect 7.65 60 time. Offensively, hits from open setup, using short stride and balanced lower half. Bat stays flat through hitting zone. Weak top hand inhibits power potential. On the mound, showed repeatable, smooth mechanics with rhythm and tempo. Fastball sat at 77-79 mph from high 3/4 slot. Slows arm action on both curveball (59-62 mph) and changeup (65-67 mph).

14. Michael Kolzow, Naperville Central HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Athletic frame, long legs, 6-foot-1, 160-pound middle infielder. Hits from balanced setup, uses short stride, smooth load, low hands, bat path shows extension, creates occasional whip, bat speed present, line drive gap to gap hitter, solid balance throughout. Infield actions are solid, hands work well, footwork is fluid, exchange is quick and clean, arm works loosely and accurately.

15. Dominic Pilas, Mt Carmel HS, MIF/RHP, Class of 2015
Small, strong body, some physicality, 5-foot-9, 165-pound switch hitting two-way player. On the mound showed explosiveness in delivery, drop and drive tendencies, high ¾ arm slot, loose arm action, arm quickness, above average arm speed, some rhythm, throws with conviction. Fastball has run, 84-85 mph touching 86 mph in windup, 83-84 mph from stretch. Curveball varied in action, mainly 11/5 tilt, flashed 12/6, showed curveball command, aggressive arm speed, 70-72 mph. Changeup showed arm side run, similar arm speed to fastball, 71-73 mph. Defensively showed loose arm, strong arm with carry and accuracy, 77 mph. Hits from both sides of the plate, more athleticism from right side, right side natural side, more pop from right side, left side lacks looseness, stiff feel from left side, hits off of front foot from left side.

Top 2016 Middle Infielders

1. Tyler Fitzgerald, Rochester HS, SS, Class of 2016
Looks to be one of the premier prospects in the Class of 2016, with potential to be a high-level national prospect. Athletic frame, lanky build, 6-foot, 160-pound shortstop. Plus defensive actions for age, short loose arm action, arm carries (80 mph). Footwork is quick, plays athletically, projects well. Excellent athleticism, runs 6.89 60 as freshman. Hits from balanced setup, short stride, smooth load, excellent rhythm, bat speed present, lower half works well, creates extension, excellent balance throughout, offensive threat.

2. Matt Burch, Warren HS, SS, Class of 2016
Small frame, 5-foot-8, 155-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows soft hands, quick actions, advanced defensive actions, arm plays well (79 mph) across diamond, shows accuracy. Offensively hits from slightly open stance, balanced approach, smooth load of hands, uses short stride, lower half works well, gap to gap style hitter, sprays balls to all fields, short bat path, excellent balance, repeats swing.

3. Justin Machado, Glenbrook South HS, MIF, Class of 2016
Average frame, 6-foot, 165-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows average hands, short arm action, arm shows strength (75 mph), lacks carry. Offensively hits from open stance, smooth load, short stride, solid balance throughout, moderate bat speed, 78 mph exit velocity.

4. Jacob Snider, Champaign Central HS, MIF, Class of 2016
5-foot-5, 135-pound middle infielder. Offensively, left handed hitter, leg lift trigger, good timing and rhythm, excellent balance. Defensive actions are mechanically sound, high ¾ release point. Ran a 7.5 60.

5. Kelly Lane, Morgan Park HS, MIF, Class of 2016
Slender frame, 5-foot-10, 135-pound middle infielder. Above average infield actions, quick glove to hand transfer, soft hands, fluid footwork, lacks arm strength (67 mph), long over the top release. Offensively, pull tendencies, out and around bat path, hits off back side, lacks separation. On the mound, over the top arm slot. Fastball sits 64-68 mph. Curveball shows minimal action at 55-56 mph. Changeup thrown at 56-57 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kevin Clifford, Naperville Central HS, SS, Class of 2015
Short frame, physical body, 5-foot-7, 175-pound infielder. Loose arm action, 75 mph across diamond, athletic actions defensively, fluid footwork. Ran 7.46 60. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, moderate bat speed, strong lower half, gets good use out of lower half, some rotational tendencies, 80 mph exit velocity.

Cedric Garrett, Rich Central HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Small frame, lacks strength, 5-foot-5, 125-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows soft hands, some infield actions, lacks arm strength (65 mph), projects at second base. Hits from balanced setup, short stride, lower half works, excellent balance throughout, quiet approach, short quick swing, some effort, game will improve with added overall strength.

Darius Hill, TF South HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Thin frame, 5-foot-8, 125-pounds, lacks overall strength. Athletic feet, runs 6.97 60. Defensively uses short arm action, arm lacks carry (68 mph), soft hands defensively, quick footwork. Offensively hits from open and narrow stance, lacks extension, 71 mph exit velocity.

Nik Jackson, Lanphier HS, INF, Class of 2015
5-foot-7, 155-pound infielder. Offensively, solid setup, singles hitter, gap to gap, drops hands at load, short path. Defensively, footwork lacks quickness, arm strength 69 mpg across diamond. 8.13 runner.

Zach Jarosz, Plainfield North HS, MIF, Class of 2016
5-foot-8, 140-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from balanced setup, short stride, line drive hitter, flashes solid extension, short level bat path. Defensively showed average actions, exchange was slow, glove pat before release, long, over the top arm slot, arm action lacks athleticism, 72 mph across diamond.

Conner Lovely, Metea Valley HS, MIF, Class of 2016
Athletic frame, 6-foot-1, 158-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows athletic release, quick hands, clean exchange, lacks ­­­­­arm strength (69 mph). Hits from balanced setup, smooth load, no stride approach, moderate bat speed.

Connor Mapes, Champaign Central HS, MIF, Class of 2015
6-foot, 160-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows solid hands, tends to field on heels, exchange is long, occasionally pats glove before release. Hits from slightly open stance, short to no stride, lower half works, swing shows maximum effort, level path.

Tyler Peterson, Lake Zurich HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2016
Small frame, 5-foot-9, 140-pound two-way player. Defensively uses over the top arm slot, 69 mph across infield, plays tall defensively. Left handed hitter, good setup, hits from open stance, short stride, short bat path, lacks extension, choppy rhythm. On the mound works from high ¾ arm slot, direction is on line, shows some rhythm. Fastball sits 74-76 mph, slight run. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual bend, 62-65 mph, tends to cast curveball. Slider shows sweep (63-69 mph), inconsistent velocity, breaking balls lack identity. Changeup thrown with arm speed, arm side run, showed control, 67-70 mph.

Matthew Waznis, Providence Catholic HS, MIF, Class of 2016
5-foot-8, 155-pound middle infielder. Defensively shows proper footwork, long arm action with stiffness, 69 mph across infield, release lacks athleticism. Offensively, left handed hitter, balanced setup, shows balance throughout, swing uses aggressive wrist action, moderate bat speed.

Click here for complete catcher analysis
Click here for complete corner infielder analysis