On Jan. 25, the PBR Wisconsin team held its first showcase of 2020, the Kenosha Preseason I.D., at Fielder’s Choice Training Academy, in Kenosha, Wis. For the past two years now, this event has revealed to us some of the most talented prospects in the Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois areas, and this year’s event was no exception.

In the days following the showcase, we published our Quick Hits story, as well as our Statistical Analysis from the Kenosha event. We began our position-by-position analysis on Monday, evaluating the day’s catchers, and the outfielders came next, and we’re on to the infielders today.

A couple of the day’s biggest revelations came from this group, including the prospect sitting atop this group: Sawyer Smith (Shoreland Lutheran, 2021). His 6-foot-2, 167-pound frame sticks out naturally, and he uses it especially well in the left-handed batter’s box. His live and loose arm is plenty strong enough to stick to the left side of the infield, and it works well on the mound, too.

Freshman Chris Calico (West Salem) also broke out onto the prospect scene with his performance in Kenosha last month. He’s a smooth, sure-handed defender who looks like he’ll be able to occupy an up-the-middle spot on the dirt. Calico’s right-handed swing is also loose and athletic.

Sophomore T.J. Williams (Racine Horlick) is ranked inside the state’s 2022 class for his quick twitch actions. He profiles best at second base, and looks like he can be a vacuum there, as he plays exceptionally well on the go. He repeats a fast left-handed swing, too, with a spray approach. 

Continue on below for a look at each of the infielders who attended the Kenosha-area event. Keep a lookout tomorrow, Thursday, when we’ll bring to you the notes on each of the event’s pitchers.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Sawyer Smith, Shoreland Lutheran (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot-2, 167-pounds. Long lean projectable frame with loose lively levers.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, open stance, short stride, gets into lower half and maintains balance. Loose quick hands, shows excellent bat speed with projection. Path is level and on plane, gap to gap contact and hits in rhythm.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps off the bat at times.
Arm: RH.  INF - 86 mph.  Live arm, plays loose and clean across the diamond, showed carry and accurate while playing from multiple slots.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, two-hands works out front funnels to release, soft hands.
Run: 4.57 runner home to first. 

2. TJ Williams, Racine Horlick (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-4, 122-pounds. Small, wiry frame, quick twitch body.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth loading action and short stride, quiet and simple pre pitch, maintains excellent balance. Short path to the baseball, line drive approach, spray singles type hitter, repeatable swing.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 76 mph.  Loose arm action plays athletically, high 3/4 slot and accurate.
Defense: Second base profile, soft hands and quick footwork, advanced hands and actions with excellent body control on the move.
Run: 4.25 runner home to first. Plus runner, gets out of the box well.

3. Ethan Clark, Lakes Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 162-pounds. Projectable frame, slender build with long lanky levers, and above average actions.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open stance, tall setup, leg kick trigger. Loose hands, flashed bat lag through the zone, slight lunge front foot hitter. Path is level with extension at times, hits in rhythm.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 85 mph.  High 3/4 slot, short loose action, live arm, plays with carry.
Defense: Showed ability to play through the baseball, hands work under center, funnels through.
Run: 4.24 runner home to first. 

4. Chris Calico, West Salem (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. Athletic build and actions out of a small frame, moves well with bounce.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, repeatable pre pitch, maintains solid balance. Short path to the baseball, loose hands work athletically to find the barrel, line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 72 mph.  Arm plays athletically, short and loose works on the move.
Defense: Soft hands, glovework plays out in front, feet and hands show ability to work together, typically plays through the baseball, average body control.
Run: 4.45 runner home to first. Above average athlete.

5. Nicklas Williams, Union Grove (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build with a strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balance stance, athletic setup pre pitch, uses short stride, and subtle hand load. Short to the baseball, slight uppercut path, shows bat speed and swings with bat strength.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Quick twitch leads to above average hard contact.
Arm: RH.  INF - 85 mph.  Arm showed carry across the diamond out of a short, over the top slot.
Defense: Feet setup to play through the baseball, two hands transfer baseball right to throwing slot, long to release at times with shuffle through.
Run: 4.26 runner home to first. Strong runner, above average top end speed.

6. Marco Falletti, Wilmot (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Athletic shape, sloped shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slightly crouched, leg kick trigger and barrel lift load. Line drive contact, showed bat speed and strength, ball jumped off the bat at times, mostly pull side contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advance contact off the bat for age.
Arm: RH.  INF - 85 mph.  Long arm action with some effort out of a high 3/4 window, showed ability to play accurately.
Defense: Live actions, feet stay active and glove plays out front, long to release, glove pat and windup through the transfer.
Run: 4.63 runner home to first. 

7. Ivan Jake, Tremper (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B Young left-handed power bat to follow.
Body: 6-foot-2, 215-pounds. Large strong frame and build.
Hit: LHH. Sets up balanced, weight on back side, smooth load and short stride triggers swing. Path has natural uppercut, on plane and gets mostly pull-side contact. Well above average bat speed for his age, produces hard contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential bat creates relatively easy bat speed for age.
Arm: LH.  INF - 77 mph.  Short loose arm action, works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Shows feel around the bag, natural first baseman, hands work and plays through the baseball large target with above average catch radius.
Run: 4.66 runner home to first. 

8. Sam Ott, Oconomowoc (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 230-pounds. Hulking build, extra large with strength.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, smooth load, works on time, repeatable pre pitch. Path is short and works with natural uppercut, well above average bat speed generated with strength in hands. Barrel consistent swings showed playable power potential.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average power, ball jumped off the bat with natural lift.
Arm: RH.  INF - 77 mph.  Plays short and loose, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infielder, played most natural at 1B, showed feel around the bag, playable hands.
Run: 4.78 runner home to first. 

9. Cristiano Ramirez, Muskego (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Lean projectable frame, slender build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, stays balanced, smooth load, leg kick stride. Creates whippy bat path, loose hands gets lag in swing, line drive contact.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 76 mph.  Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, flashed carry across the diamond.
Defense: Actions are light on his feet, plays fluid through the baseball with soft hands, above average body control.
Run: 4.39 runner home to first. 

10. Max Tindall, Indian Trail (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Average frame with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Slight open setup, smooth and quiet loading action with slight leg lift trigger. Gap to gap contact, swing is on time and in rhythm.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 82 mph.  Short over the top arm action, played with above average accuracy and carry.
Defense: Actions play through the baseball, rolls glove over to present soft hands and funnels to release. Hands played confident at times and worked together with athletic feet.
Run: 4.39 runner home to first.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Mason Beining, Mequon Homestead (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: CIF
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Solid build, sturdy lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, balanced setup, short stride, linear to the baseball. Flashed bat strength, path is level through contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 74 mph.  High 3/4 slot, short arm action and shows accuracy.
Defense: Feet shuffle through release, corner infield profile.
Run: 4.70 runner home to first. 

Seth Brankey, Westosha Central (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/closed setup, hands set head high, bat stays tall. Small leg lift stride, lands closed. Short bat path to the zone, inclined plane through contact.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 72 mph. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: A more natural fit on the outfield. Works through with crowhop.
Run: 4.27 runner home to first. 

Miguel Chacon, Grant (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-7, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, short toe tap stride. Uphill path, pull side lifted contact.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 66 mph.  Long arm action out of high 3/4 slot, works underneath the baseball.
Defense: Feet stay active and stays on the balls of his feet, presents glove out front and works with one hand through the baseball.
Run: 4.50 runner home to first. 

Brady Davidson, St Joseph Catholic Academy (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 165-pounds. Strong lower half in a compact build.
Hit: LHH. Quiet balanced setup, slightly open stance, short leg lift stride, sturdy balance through contact. Slight uphill path, with some pull side tendency, repeatable swing with some projection. Showed low effort hard contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 71 mph.  Short arm action, works out of over the top slot.
Defense: Showed best at catcher, deliberate actions, directional out of the crouch.
Run: 4.78 runner home to first. 

Nathan Esch, Fowlerville (MI), 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Closed stance, no stride, minimal loading action. Stays quiet pre pitch. Line drive approach, middle to opposite field contact.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH.  INF - 70 mph.  Long arm action, works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Settles into fielding position, stays down on the baseball.
Run: 4.60 runner home to first. 

Nate Freeze, Crystal Lake South (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Lanky, thin athlete with room to develop; projects well.
Hit: SH. Similar setup and approach from both sides of the plate. Balanced/athletic stance, hands set high with bat horizontal, smooth load back, small leg kick stride to closed. Fast bat speed off a short, level bat path, extension through contact. Loose, athletic hands whip bat through the zone; plane is more lofted from the left side, flatter from the right.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Creates advanced bat strength for thin size, adding upside.
Arm: RH.  INF - 83 mph. OF - 85 mph. Above-average arm strength plays better from the outfield. Short, loose arm action from a 3/4 slot on the infield; more natural and from a higher slot on throws home.
Defense: Deliberate actions on approach, some soft hands.
Run: 4.27 runner home to first. 

John Hoover, Brookfield East (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 200-pounds. Long lanky frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide, open toed setup, slightly crouched, short stride. Path is long on an uphill plane.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH.  INF - 70 mph.  Loose arm action, works short when needed, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Methodical footwork around the bag, large target and showed some range at the bag.
Run: 4.75 runner home to first. 

Austin LaBreche, Tremper (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Thin build, wiry lean levers.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, narrow stance, toe tap load to long stride.  Path is short to the baseball and steep to contact, loose easy bat speed, creates line drive middle of the field contact.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 74 mph.  Long drawing arm action, works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands play under center, two-hands to funnel baseball, deliberate footwork through the baseball.
Run: 4.25 runner home to first. Above average runner, gets out of the box well in stride.

Brock Malecki, Waterford Union (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: CIF
Body: 5-foot-10, 210-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, balanced base, short stride, simple pre pitch. Path is loose and showed handsy bat speed, late swing initiation lets the ball travel. Generates aggressive swings.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average pop, ball jumps off the bat at times.
Arm: RH.  INF - 79 mph.  Short loose arm action, works out of a high 3/4 slot, with ability to play accurately.
Defense: Corner infield profile, hands work in front, left of center, deliberate footwork, hands play sure.
Run: 5.20 runner home to first. 

Michael Maloney, Pulaski (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 188-pounds. Compact build. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, leg kick stride gets to even, slight hand load back.  Path has length, works around the baseball with pull side contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 77 mph.  Arm played short out of the crouch, showed more length when working on the infield, over the top slot.
Defense: Showed direction out of the chute, tall at times.Hands funnel the baseball on the infield, rolls glove into fielding position, best on routine baseballs.
Run: 4.39 runner home to first. 

Noah Musolf, Franklin (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/INF
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Squared setup, hands held high, bat wrapped load, short stride. Level path with length, low finish through contact.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 84 mph.  Long arm action, high 3/4 slot, works with effort.
Defense: Long actions, shuffle through the baseball, long to transfer and release, hands work under center.
Run: 4.53 runner home to first. 

Tim Nelson, Racine Lutheran (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-foot-10, 255-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, slightly open stance, smooth loading action. Strong hands generate above average bat speed. Path has length and works around the baseball, pull side contact.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat strength hitter.
Arm: RH.  INF - 72 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infield profile, , hands play front of center, uses two hands and funnels to release.
Run: 4.97 runner home to first. 

Corey Plahuta, Muskego (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: LHH. Slightly closed setup, leg kick trigger, hands load back. Uphill bat path, showed above average bat speed.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH.  INF - 71 mph.  Long arm action across the diamond, high 3/4 slot, arm worked more efficiently when necessary.
Defense: Methodical around the bag, first base profile.
Run: 4.40 runner home to first. 

David Ripke, Shoreland Lutheran (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-foot-9, 142-pounds. Lean wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, beyond should width, short stride, slight leg lift. Path is long and level, flashed occasional line drive gap to gap contact.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 75 mph.  Short loose arm action, works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands are out front, plays in center, deliberate footwork sets up to play through.
Run: 4.97 runner home to first. 

Elliot Rodriguez, Tremper (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 178-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/open setup, hands set high. Brief, small leg kick stride to even, arm bar load, maintains balance. Long path to the zone, flat path, pull-side approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 72 mph. OF - 72 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Controlled, deliberate on approach, efficient gather. Crowhop, plays through.
Run: 4.71 runner home to first. 

Bennett Spolar, St. Catherines (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 175-pounds. Strong compact frame, muscle bound build.
Hit: LHH. Slight open stance, wide sturdy base, short stride, loads into high back elbow. Swings with bat strength, slight uphill plane with some length.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 77 mph.  Long arm action works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Deliberate footwork, follows his throws, hands play left of center and receives the baseball into body.
Run: 4.50 runner home to first. 

Remmi Sweet, Union Grove (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Athletic, live build; added strength.
Hit: RHH. Extra wide, balanced setup, vertical bat. Smooth load back, short/fluid stride, athletic finish through contact. Loose, quick bat speed on a long, level path. Creates hard line-drive, gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Impressive jump from the barrel; advanced bat strength.
Arm: RH.  INF - 76 mph. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot with effort, average arm strength.
Defense: Reps are more natural, athletic in the outfield; quick feet.
Run: 4.19 runner home to first. 

Gage Taylor, Burlington (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-foot-7, 125-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride. Uphill swing plane, long path, lifts contact.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 78 mph.  Loose and long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands field under center, long transfer, gathers and windup to release.
Run: 4.72 runner home to first. 

Gabe Zielinski, Pius XI Catholic (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Large build, present strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall balanced setup, smooth loading action, working hands and weight back, slight leg kick trigger. Path has length on level plane with low finish, flexed lower half.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 79 mph.  Long arm action, works out of 3/4 slot.
Defense: Long actions, wide base at field position, hands work under center.
Run: 4.46 runner home to first. Upright runner.

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