Underclass Games: Corner Infield Analysis
November 27, 2017
Twitter: @PBR_Texas PLANO, TX - Players from the 2020 and 2021 classes met at Prestonwood Christian Academy on Saturday, October 21 in Prep Baseball Report Texas’ Fall Underclass Games. The event was loaded with talented sophomores and freshman from around the state. Here is the corner infielder analysis from that event. + Levi Wells, 3B/RHP, LaPorte HS, 2020 + Garrison Rice, 3B/OF, Hebron HS, 2020 + Tony Garza, 3B/1B, South Grand Prairie HS, 2020 + Harrison Hess, 1B/RHP, Midlothian Heritage HS, 2020 + Storm Hierholzer, 3B/RHP, Lake Travis HS, 2020 + Sam Pierce, RHP/3B, Grapevine HS, 2021 + Hunter Marshall, RHP/3B, Keller HS, 2020 + Katcher Halligan, 1B/OF, St. Johns HS, 2021 + Trace Blue, 1B/RHP, Midland Christian HS, 2020 + Ryan Feddersen, 1B/LHP, Wakeland HS, 2020 + Blake Morrow, 3B/1B, Wakeland HS, 2021 + Brett Harper, C/3B, Allen HS, 2020 + Miles Chen, 1B/3B, Colleyville Heritage HS, 2020 + Hunter Reid, 3B/RHP, Plano Senior HS, 2020 + Derek Miller, 1B/RHP, Aubrey HS, 2020 + Joshua Tate, 3B/OF, Prestonwood Christian Academy, 2021 + Trey Smith, 1B/3B, Southlake Carroll HS, 2020 + Dylan Pettit, RHP/3B, Round Rock HS, 2020 + Peyton Kirgan, 3B/RHP, Timber Creek HS, 2020 + Connor Gill, 3B/RHP, Byron Nelson HS, 2020
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Wells has a confident demeanor and is a projectable two-way player with a strong, athletic frame at 6-foot, 185-pound frame. A right-handed hitter, Wells swings the bat with conviction, a fluid hack and loose finish, keeping the barrel in the zone a long time. He has fast-twitch hands as he whips the barrel through the zone with an exit velocity of 87 mph. The ball jumps off his bat and he has current gap power with carry. On the infield, Wells has quick footwork with a clean exchange and easy carry across the diamond at 84 mph. He shows soft hands and good glove action as he plays low - and out front, funneling the ball to the midline of his body. During the game he made hard contact when he singled to left-centerfield and stole second base several pitches later. During the catching portion of the workout, Wells showed advanced glove action making numerous picks on throwdowns. A true competitor, Wells also topped out at 86 mph on the mound. With his presence, aggressive demeanor and ability to play two premium positions, Wells is sure to catch the attention of college recruiters in the near future.
Rice has a strong, muscular frame at 5-foot-11, 184-pounds, and posted some of the top statistical scores in multiple categories at the Underclass Games. A right-handed hitter, starts from a tall, open stance, smooth load back using a toe tap as he triggers his hands. Strides forward as his hands stay back, maintaining balance and landing balanced with good separation. Simple weight transfer, generates high end bat speed (94 mph) with his overall strength, ball jumps off his bat with gap power. On the infield, he plays with a bounce in his step as works through the ball with fluid footwork and soft hands. Threw 87 mph across the infield with a strong, quick arm stroke from a high-¾ slot. With his overall strength, projectable power and ability to play two positions, Rice will be a valuable addition to a recruiting class.
Garza has a strong, thick, broad chested frame at 5-foot-11, 205-pounds. We got our first glimpse of the right-handed hitter last year when he was a staple on the varsity team at South Grand Prairie. Garza has an advanced feel for hitting with a nice combination of power, bat speed (90 mph) and barrel awareness. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, open stance, then uses a leg kick to load as he triggers his hands back and up, then strides out toward the mound. Short path through the zone as he uses his overall strength to accelerate the barrel through contact. Ball jumps off his bat with current gap power and more to come. For a young hitter, Garza has the unique ability to show up on time with velocity, and keep his hands back to handle off speed pitches. On the infield, he has soft hands, an accurate arm (83 mph), can throw from different slots, and starts the pivot quickly. Moving forward, look for big things from Garza as he continues to assert himself as one of the top young hitters in the Metroplex.
Hess has a projectable, high-waisted, long-limbed frame at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. A right-handed hitter, Hess showed great leverage at the plate, posting an exit velocity of 92 mph off the tee and the ability to drive the ball deep to the gaps during batting practice. He starts from a slightly open stance with his knees pinched together and relaxed hands. Simple load back as he triggers his hands back early, working into a short stride to land balanced. Barrel gets on plane early as his lower half rotates to contact, short path creates leverage and lift with a high-loose finish and simple strength to the pull side. During the game, Hess flew out on the barrel to deep centerfield and doubled down the left field line, driving in two runs. At first base, Hess threw 80 mph across the diamond. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Hess topped out at 85 mph and shows feel for both a curveball and split-finger fastball.
Hierholzer has a high ceiling and a ton of upside with his projectable, long-limbed, sturdy frame at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. A right-handed hitter, Hierholzer showed good leverage and bat speed (90 mph exit velocity) during batting practice as he drove the ball deep to both gaps. He starts from a tall, balanced stance, simple-smooth load to get started as he triggers his hands back and lands into a short stride. Does a nice job of dropping the barrel on plane, creating lift with a high finish, and maintains balance throughout his swing. On the infield, Hierholzer moves with smooth rhythm and fundamental footwork, soft hands work well out front and has good feel for playing third base, creating good angles on balls to his back-hand side. Accurate thrower with a long arm swing across the infield at 87 mph. A two-way player, Hierholzer also has a bright future on the mound, where he topped out at 88 mph.
Pierce has a strong frame at 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. The left-handed hitter starts from a tall, open stance then turns inward, using a slight toe tap as he triggers his hands up and back, striding out toward the mound landing with a soft stride into an athletic launch position. Overall fluid hack with a smooth weight transfer and quick hands through the zone with loose finish. Strong top hand with high end bat speed for his class (87 mph) with more to come. Gap approach with carry and back spin to the middle of the field. Swung the bat very well during the game, flew out on the barrel deep to centerfield twice, and grounded out to second base. On the infield, Pierce has a clean, elbow dominant arm stroke and is an accurate thrower at 83 mph across the diamond. He has quick feet and soft hands that should allow him to stay at third base as he continues to develop.
Marshall, who committed to Oklahoma recently, has an athletic, lean-muscular frame at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. A right-handed hitter, Marshall starts from a balanced, slightly open stance. Quick load back, hands are back as he lands with a short stride, flat path through the zone, line drive approach with hard contact and an exit velocity of 84 mph. Ran a 7.44 60-yard dash. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Marshall also has a bright future on the mound, where he topped out at 89 mph and spun a sharp slider.
Halligan has a strong, sturdy frame for a freshman at 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. The left-handed hitter has has a good overall feel for hitting with loose-quick hands and an exit velocity of 85 mph. He starts from a relaxed, tall, open stance, smooth load as he triggers his hands, then strides forward toward the mound, landing square. Does a nice job of keeping his hands back, rides his legs with a linear weight transfer. Loose-quick hands with a short, flat path, whips the barrel through contact with a loose finish. Handles the ball on the outer half, but can also pull his hands through to get to an inside fastball and elevate to the pull side. During the game, he smoked a fastball back through the middle for a single. At first base, has good feel for position with fundamental footwork, soft hands and rhythm through the catch. Clean, quick exchange as he gathers to throw across the diamond at 73 mph. Has a feel for different slots with an elbow dominant arm stroke, and starts the double play at second with relative ease and accuracy.
Blue has projectable, long-limbed, sturdy frame at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. A right-handed hitter, Blue start from a tall, slightly open, balanced setup, loading with early rhythm as he triggers his hands back to land with a short stride. Flat path with a slight arm bar as he rotates his lower half and fires his hands through the zone with strength at contact, gap power, and an exit velocity of 90 mph. Projectable power through the middle of the field with more to come. On the infield, Blue has soft hands out in front with a quick exchange and threw 79 mph across the diamond.
Feddersen has a strong, 6-foot, 170-pound frame with broad shoulders. A left-handed hitter, Feddersen starts from an open, crouched stance with his weight shifted toward his back leg. Loads with a reverse, low-level leg kick as he pinches his knees together. Strides out as he lands square and balanced, uncoiling his lower half, slotting the barrel on plane and using a short, uphill path to work through contact with strong hands. Showed power and strength to the pull side with an exit velocity of 87 mph off the tee. At first base, Feddersen throws from a low-¾ slot with an accurate arm at 67 mph across the infield. He has soft hands and good glove action on picks with solid footwork around the bag.
Morrow is an athletic, left-handed hitting infielder with loose hands and life in his hack. He has a still-developing frame at 5-foot-10, 155-pounds, but look for him to advance quickly as he continues to add strength. In the box, he starts from an open stance with his hands set into a low, relaxed position. Smooth load with a balanced, low-hanging reverse leg lift as he pinches his knees together and whips the barrel back and forth as he triggers his hands. Lands soft with good energy in his lower half. Very athletic swing for a freshman, easy lower half transfer, quick hands, slightly uphill path, extends through contact with a strong top hand and loose finish. Hard contact through the middle of the field during batting practice. On the infield, he has fundamental actions, quick footwork and rhythm through the catch. Soft hands out front, quick midline exchange into a clean, elbow dominant arm swing. Accurate arm across the infield at 68 mph. Although the measurables are pedestrian, with Morrow’s actions and feel to hit, he should be a fun player to watch over the next couple of years as he continues to develop.
Harper is a hard-nosed player with a lean-strong frame 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. A right-handed hitter, Harper uses strong hands to create hard contact with carry. He starts from a tall, slightly open, stacked stance with his front foot turned in and a high hand position. Smooth load back, triggers his hands down and back, creates good separation as he lands with a short stride. Slight front arm bar, powerful swing, barrel stays in the zone a long time with good leverage, uphill path and good extension through contact with an exit velocity of 83. Drove the ball during batting practice creating lift and carry from the middle to pull side. During the game he just missed a fastball and hit sky high popup with a 6.29-second hang time. On the infield, Harper has quickish footwork and uses short, choppy steps to create rhythm through ball. Throws from a long-¾ slot with accuracy at 79 mph across the diamond. A two-way player, Harper showed a lot of toughness behind the plate, blocking balls in the dirt, and didn’t flinch when he took a ball of the throat and another off his right forearm. Behind the plate, he has soft hands, a quick, clean exchange, and made accurate throws on top of the bag at second base with pop times ranging from 2.03-2.18 with a velocity from the crouch of 74 mph.
Chen has a lean-muscular frame 6-foot, 170-pounds. Plays with a bounce in his step at first base showing quick footwork, easy actions around the bag, and the ability to play through the ball with rhythm. Plays low with soft hands and good hip mobility, clean transfer into a ¾ arm stroke at 68 mph across the infield with accuracy. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has good energy and rhythm in his swing as he starts from an open stance with his hands held high in a relaxed position. Pushed back to load as he triggers his hands down and back, then strides out, landing square. Smooth, linear, lower half transfer, barrel gets on plane early as he slots his hands into the zone then uses an aggressive hack with strong hands to generate lift and carry to the gaps with an 82 mph exit velocity off the tee.
Reid has a solid frame for a sophomore at 6-foot-2, 218-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide base, with a stacked, crouched stance. Loads back smooth and early as he triggers his hands back, then lands into an athletic launch position with a short stride. Fluid hack through the zone with an uphill path and slight front arm bar. Good extension through contact, gap approach with carry to the opposite field gap and an exit velocity of 87 mph. On the infield, Reid has a clean exchange and accurate arm across the diamond from a low-¾ slot with a long arm stroke at 79 mph.
Miller has a long-limbed frame with broad shoulders at 5-foot-11, 158-pounds. The left-handed hitter starts from a narrow, open stance, then triggers his hands back into a front arm bar as he strides out, landing into a stacked launch position. Flat path through the zone, strong hands, partial transfer, line drive approach with an exit velocity of 82 mph off the tee. At first base, he plays low with soft hands, clean exchange and still developing footwork. Accurate arm from a high-¾ slot, he threw 73 mph across the infield.
5-foot-8, 150-pound, lean, muscular frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, narrow stance, then uses a two part toe-tap load as he triggers his hands down - then brings them back up as his front foot strides out, landing in a balanced launch position with good separation. Slots barrel in the zone early, short path to contact with a strong top hand and high finish as he stays down into his legs as he transfers his weight. Current line drive power with an exit velocity of 79 mph and more to come in the future. On the infield, he has quickish feet, soft hands, and clean exchange. Accurate throws across the diamond from a short, over the top arm stroke at 72 mph.
Smith has a strong, muscular frame with a well defined lower half and broad shoulders at 6-foot, 190-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from wide base with a balanced stance. Loads with a quick leg kick as he triggers his hands down and back, then shifts his weight forward as he rotates his lower half to contact. Uses his upper body strength to create hard contact on a flat plane with an exit velocity of 86 mph. At first base, he plays low with soft hands and relative rhythm through the ball. Throws from a short, high-¾ arm stroke with accuracy at 71 mph across the diamond.
Pettit has a strong frame at 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance, with the barrel laid back and relaxed hands. Loads back early, triggering his hands up and back before he strides out with a short leg kick. Inside-out, flat path with a high finish. Line drive power with a contact approach, Pettit posted an exit velocity of 80 mph off the tee. On the infield, Pettit has a clean exchange, and throws from a low-¾ slot with a long arm stroke at 74 mph across the diamond with accuracy.
Kirgan has a long-limbed, strong frame at 5-foot-11, 168-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, stacked stance with a high hand position. Simple load back into a short stride. Rotational lower half weight transfer, short, flat path through the zone with strong hands at contact and an exit velocity of 82 mph. On the infield, Kirgan throws from a long, over the top arm stroke at 71 mph.
Gill has a long-limbed frame at 6-foot, 150-pounds. A right-handed hitter, Gill starts from a tall, balanced stance. Simple load back as he triggers his hands, then strides out. Flat path with a high finish and an exit velocity of 74 mph. On the infield, Gill throws from a high-¾ slot with a clean arm stroke and accuracy at 70 mph.
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