Houston Top Prospect Showcase: Middle Infield Analysis

Huntsville, TX - Here is the middle infield analysis for the Houston Top Prospect Showcase

Middle Infielders

Top Performers

Blane Romero, SS/RHP, Oak Ridge HS, 2019
McNeese State commit. 6-foot, 165-pound frame with quick-twitch athletic actions.  Romero ran a 6.86 laser-timed 60. He showed tremendous barrel awareness in BP hitting every ball off of the barrel all over the yard; 89 mph exit velo off the tee.  His swing has fluidity, looseness, and rhythm that contribute to his easy swing. Romero starts in a slightly open stance, with plenty of looseness and rhythm in his hands, has a smooth simple load with his body and hands, takes a small leg kick with excellent balance, works from behind the baseball with his body which allows for minimal head movement in the swing, swing has level plane and barrel is in the zone a long time, and has a quick bat.  In the infield he has flashy actions with fluid footwork and a clean exchange, and showed some accuracy at 84 mph across the diamond.

Michael Gresham, SS/RHP, Boerne-Samuel V Champion HS, 2019
Blinn commit.  Athletic 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame.  Gresham punished balls in batting practice from the left field line to the right center gap, registered 103 mph exit velo during the BP round.  The ball jumps off the right-hander’s barrel, he has an open stance with some bend in his knees, hands set high above his shoulder, has a smooth load into a high leg kick, has rhythm in his simple load with his hands, stays down in an explosive lower half with excellent balance in the leg kick, has plus bat-speed as he works with extension through the hitting zone, and has the intent to do damage present in his swing.  In the infield he has athletic actions, high motor, soft hands, he works through the ball with fluidity and swagger, can play on the run, and has a short over-the-top live arm action that produced 92 mph velocity across the diamond with carry and accuracy.

Austin Roccaforte, SS/2B, Tomball Memorial HS, 2019
Wichita State commit. Fast-twitch frame at 5-foot-7, 145-pounds. Not only did Roccaforte run a 6.82 60-yard dash, but he showed power unique to his frame. Aggressive hack, medium leg kick as he loads his hands down and back, before striding forward, creating separation to provide plenty of juice and organic incline in his swing. The power stems from a whippy barrel and explosive lower half weight transfer. On the infield, Roccaforte plays low through the ball, has a quick first step and shows plenty of range to stay in the middle infield at the next level. Fast exchange into a quick, clean arm stroke with a top velocity across the infield of 88. Solid sense of timing with the ability to throw from different slots.

Michael Cervantes, SS/3B, Clear Springs HS, 2019
Athletic 5-foot-11, 172-pound frame with quick-twitch ability and room to develop even more strength into his frame.  Cervantes impressed in the infield with his abilities to play into hops with his feet, he glides to balls with quick footwork, and has a very quick release and arm action.  Cervantes showed the ability to maneuver his body and change arm angles very effectively and accurately, and topped out at 87 mph. He moved well laterally to both sides to make plays, and attacked the slow roller and showed his ability to make plays on the run look easy.  Cervantes has the defensive skill set to stick at shortstop and excel at the next level. He ran a 7.00 laser-timed 60. Posted 85 mph exit velocity off the tee, and drove the ball in the left-center gap during BP. He starts in a slightly-open athletic stance, pulls his left knee back and has a short stride with a smooth load back, controls the barrel with a short path to the baseball, has quick hands at the plate, and excellent balance in the swing.  

Dylan Johnson, SS/RHP, Johnson HS, 2019
Long-limbed athletic 5-foot-10, 168-pound frame with room to grow into his wide shoulders and high waist.  Ran a 6.89 laser-timed 60. Showed bat speed and strength at the plate (95 mph exit velo off the tee). Aggressive swing out of a tall open stance, has a slow and controlled leg kick, flat path, barrel gets in the zone early and has a high finish which creates slight uphill plane in the swing, strong contact, and has quick twitch actions in his barrel. Johnson hit the ball hard, especially to left field in BP. In the infield he showed soft hands, a clean and quick exchange, the ability to play on the run and change arm angles with accuracy, and has the arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield at the next level (87 mph).  

Drake Smith, SS/2B, Katy HS, 2019
Athletic 6-foot, 165-pound frame with strength. Ran a 6.80 laser-timed 60.  Smith flashed pull side power with backspin carry in BP and pounded an 87 mph exit velo off the tee.  At the plate he hits from an open stance, has a smooth load with his body and a long load back with his hands to create plenty of separation, he takes a short stride across to a parallel base, and has quick hands and wrists that whip the barrel through the hitting zone.  Has a live arm from the infield topping out at 91 mph, can change arm angles with accuracy, and his ball has true carry. He has simple glove actions out in front of his feet, and has a quick and clean exchange with his momentum moving fluidly through the play. Smith has an impressive skill set, has the athleticism and skill set to stick at shortstop at the next level, but could also be a solid defender at 3b with his quick reflexes, arm strength, his ability to play on the run, and his length.  

Keagan Vance , SS/RHP, Clear Lake HS, 2019
Lamar Commit.  Athletic 6-foot, 168-pound frame.  Pounded 88 mph exit velo off the tee, and showed barrel awareness by finding the barrel consistently in BP.  The right-hander starts in an open stance in a slight crouch and a flat bat, he loads back with rhythm in his hands as they relax into the hitting slot, he pulls his left knee back before his short stride back to parallel, and his barrel works loosely through the zone with a smooth finish.  Vance has presence and swagger in the box and in the infield. His infield actions are solid, he showed soft hands with fluid footwork, a clean exchange, a quick DP feed, and accuracy at 84 mph across the diamond. Vance ran a 7.30 laser-timed 60. Made a smooth play on the run, and moves through the ball well taking good angles and working through baseballs.

Kade Sanchez, SS/2B, Caldwell HS, 2019
At 5-foot-4, 135-pounds, Sanchez might not be the biggest player on the block, but he sure can pick it on the infield and has the arm strength that will translate to the next level. The right-handed hitter glides his hands back in rhythm with his top-half, as his head never moves off the centerline. He showed off loose wrists and a compact attack through the zone, where he creates a lot of space for his barrel and addresses the baseball with force. Barrel stays in the zone a long time with a middle of the field, contact approach. On the infield, Sanchez uses his low center of gravity to his advantage as he moves laterally and towards home plate with solid tempo. Polished, fundamental actions, can throw from different slots with high end accuracy and feel as he topped out at 88 across the diamond. In all scenarios, he displayed advanced footwork and squared his shoulders towards first base. Plays with high energy and presence, leader.

Zachary Williams, SS/2B, College Station HS, 2019
Athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame.  Williams flashed some leather during the infield session by making plays on the run with quickness and fluidity, flashed soft hands with a good backhand, and showed off his 88 mph arm strength with carry and accuracy.  The right-hander hits from an open stance, has a leg lift that works diagonally back to parallel, leaves his hands back to create separation during his stride, has strong lower half actions in his swing, and loose hands that are rhythmic and quick throughout the swing.  He has a level swing plane with extension through the middle of the field, hit balls off the barrel into both gaps, and pounded 89 mph exit velo off the tee. Ran a 7.49 laser-timed 60.

River Orsak, SS/2B, Barbers Hill HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound frame.  Ran a 6.75 laser-timed 60. At the plate he popped an 88 mph exit velo off the tee, and that translated on the field in BP to loud rising line drives with backspin towards the gaps.  Orsak has quick hands and wrists that deliver the barrel through the zone with fast bat speed, athletic base with a smooth load and a low stride, has fluid rhythm, and a follow through at shoulder-height which leads to a very level path through the zone.  In the infield he has quick feet, uses his feet to play through the baseball, makes a clean exchange off his right hip, and has a quick release from a short over-the-top arm action (82 mph).

Best of the Rest (Alphabetical)

Gavin Baird, 2B/SS, Angleton HS, 2019
5-foot-8, 168-pound athletic frame with wiry strength.  Baird has a strong presence in the box, the left-handed hitting middle infielder made hard contact during batting practice flashing a gap to gap approach, and posted an 86 mph exit velo off the tee.  He has a slightly narrow stance with the bat starting on his shoulder, he has a simple smooth load, a low and small gliding stride with his front foot, gets off his backside with aggression, remains balanced throughout the swing, and works slightly uphill with extension through the zone.  He has the ability to provide some pop from the left-side at the top of a lineup, as he can handle the bat and drive the baseball. In the infield he has soft hands with a smooth funnel to his midline as he works in-line towards first base, he has quick feet, a ¾ arm action (77 mph) and showed both range and athleticism by making a nice diving play up the middle.  Ran a 7.19 laser-timed 60.

Kit Cawley, 2B/SS, College Station HS, 2019
5-foot-8, 155-pound frame.  Cawley took a solid round of BP, where he showed excellent barrel control, consistently hit balls hard off the barrel with backspin to all fields.  He works in his legs in a wide stance at the plate, has rhythm and looseness in his hands, has tight turns and barrel control in the swing working flat in the zone early with a high finish with his barrel, and maintains fluidity and balance throughout the swing (80 mph exit velo off the tee).  From shortstop, he showed quick footwork with soft hands, a quick and accurate arm action (80 mph), and made an impressive play on the run. Cawley ran a 7.32 laser-timed 60.

Reed Chumley, SS/2B, Langham Creek HS, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound frame with budding strength.  Chumley flashed some loud contact in BP, and flashed backspin carry to center field; 83 mph exit velo off the tee.  Athletic stance, smooth load back into his back leg where he unlocks his back knee to get extra torque in his lower half, he has a low leg swing stride where he brings his front foot back past his midline before he strides, he relaxes his hands in his load down into a low hitting slot, and has a high finish that creates lift in his swing.  Takes an aggressive hack and is strong at the point of contact. Fluid footwork at shortstop, closed distance to the ball with controlled aggression, working around and through the baseball with his body and momentum, quick and clean transfer and release. Accurate from various arm angles, 77 mph across the diamond, and plays balls according to his strengths (fluid footwork, and very quick release). Ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60.

Ryan Davenport, RHP/SS/OF, Dripping Springs HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound athletic frame with wiry strength.  Davenport ran a 6.81 laser-timed 60. The left handed-hitter flashed loose barrel whip with fluid actions in his swing; 88 mph exit velo off the tee.  Athletic stance with rhythm and quickness in his hands, he loads back with his body and has a slight lean back during his leg kick, keeps his hands over his backside during his weight-shift with his body to create separation and takes an aggressive hack level through the hitting zone.  In the outfield he worked through the ball with his footwork and clean transfer, had a long release, and made low accurate throws to the dish.

Victor Drago, SS/RHP, Memorial HS, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound athletic frame with wide shoulders.  Posted 85 mph exit velocity off the tee, and made some loud contact in the BP round.  Drago has a tall stance from the right-side, has a smooth low leg kick, balance throughout the swing, easy effort in the swing with minimal head movement, easy effort in the swing, with quick hands and wrists that deliver the barrel level through the zone. Drago barreled some balls with backspin during BP working through the middle of the field towards both outfield gaps. In the infield, he has soft hands with fluid footwork working around and through the baseball with his feet continuing to move with the same fluidity through the entire play.   He showed accuracy at 81 mph across the diamond. Drago ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60.

Cord Filipp, 2B/SS, Sweeny HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 135-pound frame.  Filipp impressed in the infield with quick fluid footwork that works around the baseball and through the play, he moves well laterally and charges the ball aggressively and with fluidity, he showed arm accuracy from different angles (83 mph) and has soft hands with a quick release.  Filipp ran a 6.85 laser-timed 60. At the plate he hits from an athletic stance with rhythm and looseness in his upper body, his hands are high by his right ear and load back with his balanced leg kick to create separation, he works from behind the baseball and flashed the ability to barrel up the ball to right field in BP; exit velocity 82 mph off the tee.

Jordan Grice, SS/OF, Tomball Memorial HS, 2019
Long and lean 6-1, 180-pound frame with wiry strength.  Ran a 6.89 laser-timed 60. Grice has athletic actions in the field, showing well in both the infield and outfield portions of the workout.  He has quick footwork with fluidity in the infield, soft hands that he funnels the ball to his midline with, a clean and quick exchange, and a short arm action with carry and accuracy (83 mph).  He showed the ability to play smoothly on the run, and has enough arm strength to stick on the left side at the next level. In the outfield, he has a quick clean release as he works through the ball fluidly, made low throws with some carry in the workout.  At the plate, the long-levered righty has an athletic stance, a smooth load with a short toe tap stride, linear lower body mechanics, takes the knob to the ball creating a short path to contact, and hit the ball consistently to the opposite field in batting practice; 80 mph exit velo off the tee.

Grayson Lund, SS/2B, Montgomery HS, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound frame.  Ran a 6.89 laser-timed 60. Right-handed hitter who flashed gap to gap line drive approach in BP, worked mainly to center field and right center field, and posted a 83 mph exit velo off the tee.  Athletic stance at the plate with fluid rhythm and balance throughout the swing, intent to drive the ball, controlled the barrel working from inside of the baseball and extends through the right side of the field, and has a level path through the zone.   In the infield, he has quick feet, moves well laterally, fields the ball with solid glove angles out in front of his feet, works through the ball with his glove and body, and flashed some accuracy at 77 mph across the diamond.

Cameron Menendez, SS/RHP, Cedar Park HS, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound frame.  Ran a 6.99 laser-timed 60.  Closed stance, rhythm in his upper body, has back elbow up, takes a short stride where he lands on his toe and then puts his foot down to hit into a firm front leg, works inside of the baseball to the opposite field side with his barrel, and hit balls off of the barrel to right-center in BP; 81 mph exit velo off the tee.  Across the diamond he flashed accuracy at 80 mph, has quick footwork when moving laterally, and flashed a quick release making a play on the run.

Ricky Nieto, SS/2B, Canyon HS, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound frame.  Ran a 6.97 laser-timed 60. Nieto showed power from both sides of the plate, pounding 91 mph exit velo from the right side, and 89 mph from the left side off the tee.  His swing is almost a mirror image from both sides of the plate. He starts in a tall stance, has a smooth and powerful load down into his legs, uses a toe tap into a short stride for timing with this early load, and controls the barrel with strong barrel awareness from both sides of the plate.  He hit consistent line drives off his barrel from both sides, and sprayed the ball all over the yard. Fluid actions in the infield with soft hands, quick feet, a very quick exchange, and works hard to get around the baseball to play through the ball with momentum and rhythm. Short but loose arm action with accuracy at 79 mph, and showed the ability to change arm angles effectively. Nieto has a well rounded skill set, plays with a high motor, can handle the bat from both sides of the plate, and has consistent quality at bats in games.  

Colton Ortner, 2B/SS, Franklin HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 175-pound frame.  Ran a 7.17 laser-timed 60. Pounded 88 mph exit velo off the tee, and that translated into consistent gap power in the BP round.  Ortner starts in a tall open stance, has a simple load with a leg kick into a long stride, has balance throughout the swing, and has the intent do damage at the plate.  He hit consistently off the barrel, and the majority of the balls in his round were driven to the left-center field gap. He flashed soft hands, athleticism in his footwork, a clean exchange, and a short over-the-top arm action (81 mph across the diamond). Ortner has a quick exchange and release while playing on the run.

Cole Outlaw, SS/2B, Cypress Ranch HS, 2019
A wiry-strong 5-foot-9, 160 pound frame. The right-handed hitter maintains a poised stance, with limited wasted motion. Before the pitch, he keeps his hands balanced and does well to sync his stride with his load. Outlaw attacks the baseball with ferocity, and at the showcase, he managed a blend of bat speed and barrel awareness, much to do with a rapid-quick front side. There were a lot of line drives during his batting practice session. In the infield, he showed athletic feet and solid lateral quickness, allowing him to consistently center ground balls. Outlaw also has a big arm, topping out at 91 mph across the infield, and showed a quick transfer and release deep in the 5-6 hole. His arm works well from all angles, and his soft hands certainly stood out. He also ran a respectable 6.89 60-yard dash.

Rob Ruff, 2B/OF, Smithson Valley HS, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound frame with wiry strength and quick twitch ability.  Ruff made hard contact in BP, drove balls with carry to left-center field, and posted 85 mph exit velo off the tee.  Works from a wide crouched stance at the plate, has a smooth load back, a high leg kick where he turns his front knee in to create some torque, loose quick hands, a level barrel path that finishes at shoulder height, quick twitch in his lower half, and aggressiveness in the swing. He has quick feet in the infield, flashed soft hands, has a clean transfer out in front of his body, and has a short arm action with accuracy; 84 mph across the diamond.

Logan Thielepape, 2B/SS, Waco Midway HS, 2019
5-foot-9, 145-pound frame.  Right-handed hitter who works from an athletic open stance, has a low leg lift in his stride forward, lands in a wide base, has a smooth load back with his hands to create separation, and has fluidity and and barrel control through the zone.  He posted an exit velo of 74 mph off the tee, and hit consistent line drives off of the barrel in BP. In the infield he has quick and quiet footwork, soft hands, he works around and then through the baseball with his body and feet, has a ¾ arm slot (76 mph) with some accuracy from different arm angles.  Ran a 7.20 laser-timed 60.