By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Unsigned Senior Showcase took place on Sunday January 22^nd at the Max in McCook, IL. The event was open to unsigned seniors in Illinois and Wisconsin and featured over 40 schools in attendance. We began the analysis of the event a few weeks ago with a Quick Hits and Stat Story breaking down the top performers from the event. Today we continue the analysis with a look at the infielders in attendance.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Adam Hillis, 1B, Jacksonville, 2017
6-foot-4, 240-pound right-handed hitting first baseman with an extra large, strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull-power potential with fluid rhythm and a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 97 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.75. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic defender with good footwork around the bag. Threw 75 mph across the infield.

2. Blake Gosswein, INF, Barrington, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitting infielder with an athletic, strong frame. Offensively, simple swing with bat speed and strength through contact; registered an 88 mph exit velocity. Balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger, lift in swing and gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, steady hands, athletic fielding position and ability to play through the baseball. Clean arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm flashed carry and clocked at 82 mph across the diamond. Also, 7.09 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

3. Kevin Davis, RHP/1B, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-8, 210-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B with a lanky, projectable frame. Projects best on the mound. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long, loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Athletic finish with good balance throughout delivery. Fastball was straight at 82-83 topping out at 85 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with some depth at 67-69 mph. Changeup showed running action at 77-79 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance with a smooth load and leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with a short swing path and fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.57. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and a clean exchange. Threw 77 mph across the infield.

4. Tate Wargo, INF, Gillespie, 2017
5-foot-8, 150-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, fluid rhythm, line drive approach, some looseness in swing, short path; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Wide setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, soft hands, quick footwork, clean exchange, athletic fielding actions. Short arm action from an over the top slot, accurate throws clocked at 75 mph across the infield. 6.87 runner in the laser timed 60.

5. Angel Salinas, INF, Lemont, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound, athletically built, left-handed hitting infielder with plenty of room for continued physical development. Ran a 7.09 laser-timed 60. Offensively, quiet hands, simple swing with some looseness throughout. Fluid rhythm, short path, bat stays level through the zone and controls the barrel. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger and maintains good balance throughout. Registered a 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively, soft, receptive hands on the infield and maintains body control on the move. Arm works short from high ¾ and throws clocked at 75 mph.

5. Thomas Moran, INF, Chicago Christian, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound, strong, muscle bound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, had the top exit velocity of the event, 100 mph. Balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Uphill path, gap-to-gap approach and finishes on his backside. Defensively, reliable hands and fields the ball athletically, out in front of body. Arm was clocked at 79 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.15 laser-timed 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

John Carroll, SS, St. Charles East, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting shortstop with a lanky frame. Above average runner running a 6.89 60-yard dash. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Hands work well with quick footwork. Threw 83 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride and good balance. Opposite field hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Brian Croke, C/INF, Lake Zurich, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound, lean, left-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, balanced, slightly open setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Short bat path and line-drive approach. Registered a 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, caught and played the infield. On the infield, clean transfer, long arm action from a ¾ slot and clocked at 70 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, open, tall setup, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 69 mph from a crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.32-2.41. Ran an 8.08 60.

Jalan Cruz, INF, Bolingbrook, 2017
5-foot-9, 145-pound, switch-hitting infielder. Offensively, similar mechanics from both sides. Fluid rhythm, line drive approach; 85 mph exit velocity from the right side, 75 mph from the left. Slightly open setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, cle an exchange, short arm action from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. 7.67 runner in the laser timed 60.

Brian D’Alessio, INF, Oswego East, 2017
5-foot-6, 140-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup with a short stride. Long, uphill path through the zone; 74 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. 7.97 runner in the laser timed 60.

Aidan Dolan, RHP/1B, Buffalo Grove, 2017
6-foot-1, 135-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long, stiff arm action. Drop and drive delivery. Fastball sat 70-71 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 61-65 mph. Changeup was straight at 64-66 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.89. Defensively threw 70 mph across the infield.  

Juan Escamilla, INF, Solorio, 2017
5-foot-9, 173-pound, strong frame, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line-drive approach, ability to find barrel, compact swing, short path. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup, toe tap, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, quick exchange, flashed athletic actions. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 76 mph across the infield. 7.15 runner in the laser timed 60.

Tim Fauth, 1B, Conant, 2017
6-foot-3, 225-pound right-handed hitting first baseman. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance with a short leg lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with an uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.31. Defensively has a short arm action from a high 3.4 slot. Threw 74 mph across the infield.

Jack Ginzkey, INF, Naperville North, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound, athletically built, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, flashed bat speed, short, level path through the zone, line-drive approach and gets extension through contact at times. Open, balanced setup, stride varies and maintains balance. Registered an 82 mph exit velocity. 7.22 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Defensively, steady hands, occasionally gets deep in the body, throws from a lower ¾ slot, clocked at 71 mph across the diamond.

Michael Hartmann, Saint Francis (WI), 2017
6-foot-2, 260-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, full wind up, lands closed and stays on-line. Arm works out of a high ¾ window. Fastball works straight and was clocked at 75-77 mph. Curveball works 11/5 and sat 61-63 mph. Changeup flashed cut action, 70-71 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall, balanced setup and leg-kick timing trigger. Uphill path and pull approach. Exit velocity clocked at 95 mph. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 71 mph. Ran an 8.18 60.

Joshua Heller, 2B, Peoria Christian, 2017
6-foot-1, 171-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup with a low hand set. Short stride with average balance. Showed strength thru contact with 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.30. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 69 mph across the infield.

Rob Hill, INF/RHP, Bartlett, 2017
5-foot-9, 165-pound, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, hits from an open setup, short stride. Exit velocity registered at 73 mph from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 60 mph across the infield. 8.00 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, lands closed. Short arm action from a high ¾ to ¾ angle. Fastball, sat 62-65 mph. Curveball, 51 mph. Changeup, 51-52 mph.

Curt Kissel, INF, Plainfield North, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound, wiry, infielder. Had one of the best combination of tools at the event. Was clocked at 90 mph across the diamond, registered a 90 mph exit velocity and ran a 7.33 laser-timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup and average balance throughout. Short path to the ball and flashed bat speed. Defensively, raw arm strength, quick arm, throws carried; would be interesting to see off the mound. Quick feet, covers ground on the infield.

Braden Menini, 3B, St. Charles North, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short leg kick stride and average balance. Choppy rhythm with an uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.50. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 74 mph across the infield.

Jalen Nicholson-Bourn, OF/2B, TF South, 2017
5-foot-7, 140-pound right-handed hitting OF/2B. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup. Short, leg kick stride with fair balance. Short, uphill swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.17. Defensively in the outfield has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with soft hands and a long exchange. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. Moves well in the infield, throws from a side arm slot across the diamond. Throws clocked at 68 mph.

Zaid Palacios, INF, Solorio, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound, athletically built infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger and average balance through contact. Path works uphill and registered an 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fields athletically with soft hands on the infield. Short arm action from a ¾ slot and clocked at 64 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60.

Parker Panich, 1B, Marquette University (WI), 2017
6-foot-2, 230-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. At the plate hits from a balanced open setup. Short, leg lift stride with good balance. Uphill swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.98. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot with a clean exchange. Threw 70 mph across the infield.

Cody Peterlin, INF, Oswego, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, fluid rhythm, pull-side approach, short path through the zone; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Slightly open setup, leg kick, showed ability to maintain balance through contact. Defensively, fluid footwork, quick exchange, reliable hands on the infield. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 67 mph across the infield. 7.31 runner in the laser timed 60.

Nick Petrella, LHP/1B, Oswego, 2017
6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitting LHP/1B. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 62-65 topping out at 66 mph. Curveball had gradual action at 54-56 mph. changeup sat 58-60 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.66. Defensively has short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Clean exchange with solid footwork around the bag. Threw 61 mph across the infield.

Dawson Povolo, RHP/INF, Cudahy (WI), 2017
5-foot-9, 185-pound, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square. Long arm action from an over the top to high ¾ angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 67-69 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual action, near fastball arm speed, 60-62 mph. Changeup, 62-65 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, toe tap, path works uphill. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield. Short arm action from an over the top to high ¾, flashed accuracy; throws clocked at 67 mph across the infield. 8.20 runner in the laser timed 60.

Allen Primack, 1B, Whitefish Bay, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, crouched, open setup, short stride. Uphill path through the zone; 74 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 63 mph across the diamond. 7.24 runner in the laser timed 60.

Ricky Rank, INF/RHP Newman Central Catholic, 2017
6-foot, 220-pound, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, long arm action and over-the-top slot. Slow paced delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Fastball thrown for strikes, sat 73-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, some feel and 63-66 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, 67-69 mph. Changeup, ranged between 68-72 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, with an 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Crouched setup, drops his hands on load and long, leg-kick timing trigger. Defensively, short arm action, slot varies from ¾ to high ¾. Throws clocked at 67 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.91 60.

Kole Renken, SS, Illini Central, 2017
6-foot-2, 188-pound left-handed hitting shortstop with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, closed setup with a short stride. Stuff rhythm with a short swing path. Ran the 60 at 7.07. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 77 mph across the infield.

Rudy Rodriguez, C/INF, Greenfield (WI), 2017
5-foot-11, 195-pound, solidly built lower half, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall slightly open setup, long stride. Path stays level through the hitting zone and opposite-field approach. Registered an 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield, soft hands and fields out in front of his body. Throws from a low ¾ slot and clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. From behind the plate, low, crouched, slightly open setup, clean exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 72 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.23-2.33. 7.84 runner in the 60.

Trey Romay, INF, Downers Grove North, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound, athletic infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, fluid rhythm, above average bat speed, some looseness in swing, ability to find barrel, uphill path; exit velocity registered at 84 mph. Balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch load, toe tap trigger. Defensively, clean exchange, plays through the baseball. Short, accurate arm from a ¾ slot; 83 mph across the diamond. 7.11 runner in the laser timed 60.

DJ Studniarz, INF, Lockport, 2017
5-foot-9, 180-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, line-drive approach, flashed rhythm, uphill path through the zone. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Open, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield. Short arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot, accurate at times; 74 mph across the diamond. 7.58 runner in the laser timed 60.

Jack Swain, 1B, Metamora, 2017
5-foot-11, 200-pound, left-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, fluid rhythm, pull-side approach, path works uphill; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Tall, open setup with a leg kick trigger. Defensively, short arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy; 74 mph across the infield.

Trever Theis, 3B, Sycamore, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. At the plate hits from a wide base with a heel lift stride and average balance. Early rhythm with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.54. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Slow actions with a quick, clean exchange. Threw 82 mph across the infield.

Anthony Velazquez, C/INF, Roberto Clemente, 2017
5-foot-9, 155-pound multi-positional prospect. Looks natural behind the plate; quick, athletic feet and fast transfer. Flexible lower half, soft hands, quiet receiver, ability to stick pitches. Arm is short and over the top, throws were on the bag and clocked at 75 mph from the crouch. On the infield, quick feet, covers ground and maintains body control. Soft hands, fields deep into the body at times. Throws clocked at 76 mph across the diamond.  Pop times ranged between 2.01-2.10.  Right-handed hitter, open, balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. Fluid rhythm in swing, chokes up off the knob and controls the barrel. Registered a 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.36 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Jacob Weaver, INF, Oak Forest, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, Balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Line drive approach, long, uphill path through the zone; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from an over the top to high ¾ angle; throws clocked at 71 mph across the diamond. 7.46 runner in the laser timed 60.

Drew Wenig, RHP/3B, Riverside Brookfield, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting RHP/3B. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 75-76 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 65-66 mph. Changeup was straight at 66-68 mph for strikes. Also threw a splitter at 63-66 mph. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride. Gap to gap hitter with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.03. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 69 mph across the infield.

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