Southern Wisconsin Open: Infield Analysis

November 11, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

Alex Rodriguez (Cudahy, 2017) is a well-known commodity in Wisconsin as one of the top shortstops in the 2017 class. Rodriguez stood out at the Future Games early this summer and showed again that he is one of the top defenders in the state. Here’s a look at the top infield prospects from the Southern Wisconsin Open.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Alex Rodriguez, SS, Cudahy, 2017
Small, super athletic middle infielder, 5-foot-7, 145-pounds. Plus potential defender at his age, feet work athletically with soft hands, advanced actions and body control. Possibly the best infield defender in Wisconsin’s 2017 class. Arm plays short and over the top with a quick release, accurate arm with carry, 82 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, lower half works, athletic setup with good balance throughout. Fast bat on short path, line drive gap to gap type hitter, can cut down some head movement, loose athletic hitter. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. One of the top overall prospects in Wisconsin’s 2017 class.

2. Evan Albrecht, MIF, West Bend West, 2018
5-foot-10, 140-pound middle infielder, lean athletic shape, loose frame, good athlete. 7.26 runner in the 60. Defensively showed advanced actions and athleticism, hands are soft with ability to cushion the baseball, advanced exchange, quick and clean, fields athletically , plays through the baseball, good body control. Arm action is loose and athletic ability to release from multiple angles on the move, 76 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short toe tap stride, bat wrap load. Loose hands on short path to the baseball, athletic hitter, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Brandon Komar, RHP/INF, Elkhorn, 2017
6-foot, 190-pound two-way prospect, solid strong build, large body type. Delivery is simple and repeats well, stays on line, tall and fall, athletic finish with little effort. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed arm speed. Fastball played up, sat 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph, consistent run and sink to arm side, showed command. Showed ability to spin two breaking balls, tight rotation, curveball is occasionally 12/6, 65-66 mph. Slider had good feel, 69-72 mph. Good feel for changeup, sinking action, thrown with arm speed, 70-73 mph. Pounded the zone and showed feel for three pitches. Showed potential with the bat as well, slight open stance, short lifting stride, lower half worked and maintained balance throughout. Excellent bat path, short to the baseball and got extension through contact, consistently hard contact in BP, loose hands and repeats. Bat speed present, occasional pop, gap to gap type, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a loose arm across the diamond, short over the top, flashed carry at 78 mph. Third base type prospect, hands played well, fluid feet, showed body control. 7.8 runner in the 60.

4. Justin Reinkall, RHP/SS, Superior, 2017
Projectable athletic frame, 6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player. Uptempo tall and fall delivery, works online, squared landing. Loose fast arm, long arm swing, high ¾ slot, projects. Fastball showed hard running action, good control, 80-82 mph, projects for more. Curveball has 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, showed feel, 66-70 mph. Changeup has slight fade to arm side, aggressive arm speed, 70-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, wider setup, leg kick trigger, good balance. Loose whippy swing, fast bat, level path with occasional extension. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength across the diamond, loose high ¾ slot, 75 mph across. Showed body control and athletic actions.

5. Jason Abatto, MIF, Kettle Moraine, 2017
5-foot-7, 160-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder, solid stocky build with strength. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride with aggressive lower half and good balance. Compact swing with ability to repeat, showed bat speed on a short path, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a shorts arm action, high ¾ slot across the diamond, 75 mph arm strength. Showed playable hands, fluid foot work and clean exchange, 7.57 60 yard dash.

6. Ryen Ryba, MIF, Homestead, 2018
5-foot-11, 145-pound middle infielder, thin slender build. Left-handed hitter, slightly open stance, smooth loading action with short stride, maintains good balance. Athletic setup and hitter, loose hands, smooth left-handed swing makes repeatable contact. Good approach, path works well, line drive gap to gap hitter, 73 mph across the diamond. Defensively played with soft hands for his age, showed an ability to play through the baseball, some body control and athleticism on the move. Arm played loosely from a ¾ slot, 67 mph across the diamond, can get rid of the baseball on the move from multiple angles. 7.41 runner in the 60.

7. Nicholas Steele, INF, Cudahy, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound infielder, average build, loose frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, slight bat wrap load, short stride, good balance through contact. Aggressive swing, attacks the baseball made hard contact in BP round, showing bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Front foot hitter, path is level with extension, line drive gap to gap hitter. Defensively showed playable hands, 7.62 runner in the 60. Arm action is firm from a ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond.

8. Evan Rice, RHP/SS, Brillion, 2018
5-foot-11, 172-pound two-way player, solid average build, thick lower half with strength. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, four seam type, showed control of the zone, 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 67 mph, showed depth. Slider worked at 66-69 mph, occasionally backed up. Curveball was the better of two breaking balls. Changeup has occasional cut action, mostly sinks, 69-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick stride, solid balance. Showed ability to make hard contact on the barrel, level loose path, fluid hitter, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed fluid actions and footwork. Longer arm action, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. Profiles as third base type prospect. 7.85 runner in the 60.

9. Trey Hunt, MIF/RHP, Fennimore, 2018
5-foot-8, 165-pound middle infielder, strong athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back with slight arm bar. Strong bat makes hard contact, occasionally casts barrel but showed bat speed to make up for it. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the infield arm played at 77 mph across, high ¾ slot. Athletic defender, feet worked, showed some body control. 7.34 runner in the 60. Tall and fall delivery, works on line, athletic finish. Fastball is mostly straight, 76-78 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball ranged 65-70 mph, 11/5 shape. Changeup flashed arm side run, fastball arm speed, 67-68 mph.

10. Sam Smith, MIF/RHP, Madison Memorial, 2018
5-foot-4, 120-pound two-way player, small athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, long strided leg kick trigger, lower half collapses, average balance. Aggressive swinger, attacks the baseball, hits off front foot, works up through the baseball, lifting path. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.6 runner in the 60. Defensively showed above average hands at his age, exchange is clean, good pre pitch approach, showed some body control. Arm action is firm and short, high ¾ release, 69 mph across the diamond. On the mound delivery is compact and repeatable. Similar arm action to that in the field, over the top slot. Fastball pitched at 72-73 mph, touched 74 mph. Curveball showed early 11/5 action, 56-58 mph. Slight sink on changeup, 58-61 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kyle Abatto, MIF, Kettle Moraine, 2018
5-foot-7, 155-pound middle infielder, solid stocky build. 7.26 runner in the 60. Hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, average balance. Compact swing, showed bat speed, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee, short path, pull side approach. Defensively played with a short arm action, 69 mph across the diamond.

Bailey Amble, MIF, River Valley, 2018
5-foot-9, 140-pound middle infielder, slender build. Runs a 7.33 in the 60. Right-handed hitter, tall open setup, slight leg lift stride, average balance through contact. Hits off back side, oppo contact, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, short arm action, 70 mph across the diamond.

Justin Anderson, INF, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2017
5-foot-6, 150-pound infielder, solid stocky build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short lifted stride. Path is level, flat through the zone, timing can improve. Pull side line drive contact, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played from a high ¾ slot, average arm strength, 69 mph across the diamond. 7.83 runner in the 60.

Cameron Anfang, RHP/MIF, Jefferson, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player, thin build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Made deep contact on level path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a loose over the top arm action, 75 mph across the diamond. Showed ability to play through the baseball with some actions. On the mound delivery is clean, squared landing. Fastball is mostly straight 76-78 mph, topped at 79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 58-60 mph. Changeup is 63-64 mph.

Alex Behr, LHP/1B, Oak Creek, 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound left-handed two-way player, above average frame, carries some strength. Balanced stance, tall setup, slight arm bar load, short stride. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee, lengthy path, slight uphill scooping action, lift pull hitter. Defensively showed solid actions around the bag. Arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the diamond. Tall and fall delivery, closed landing, works over firm front side. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 77 mph, sat 74-76 mph. Slider played vertically, back up type action, ranged 65-70. Changeup sinks slightly, 68-69 mph.

Ryan Berger, 1B, West Salem, 2018
6-foot, 220-pound right-handed hitting first baseman. Balanced setup, short stride, average balance. Posseses bat strength, made hard contact in cages, slight lifting path, rotational swing, above average power bat for his age. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played over the top, 68 mph across the diamond. Hands showed some actions around the bag.

Rich Byhre, RHP/1B, Catholic Memorial, 2019
Extra-large frame, 6-foot-4, 230-pound two-way player, projects best on the mound. Tall and fall delivery, balanced and repeatable, stays online, uses slide step in stretch. Arm action is loose, over the top slot, quick strong arm, projects well. Fastball topped out at 85 mph, sat 81-83 mph, throws a heavy ball, good tilt. Curveball lacked shape, 66-68 mph, tendency to get on the side. Changeup is mostly straight, occasional fading action 71-73 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride with average balance. Stride fluctuates, late timing, well above average strength with the bat for his age. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed adequate actions around the bag, plenty of arm strength across the diamond, 78 mph. Byhre looks to have one of the biggest arms in Wisconsin’s 2019 class, off-speed stuff is yet to be refined but possesses a plus fastball for age that looks to get even better with maturity.

Teig Chase, MIF/RHP, Kettle Moraine, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player, frame carries lean strength. Defensively showed body control for his age, average hands, works out in front. Arm action is short high ¾ slot, 65 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even. Showed ability to repeat swing, level path with average bat speed. On the mound worked with little effort from a tall and fall delivery, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball featured heavy sink, good feel for the zone, 76-77 mph. Curveball rolls on 11/5 plane, 61-63 mph. Changeup is thrown near fastball arm speed with sink in the strike zone at 69-70 mph.

Mark Herold, MIF, Kettle Moraine, 2019
5-foot-8, 140-pound middle infielder, young build and frame. 7.36 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, back elbow raises to load, short stride. Path is level, head stays down through contact, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively presents glove early and out front, arm action is long, over the top slot, 68 mph across the diamond.

Colton Ketter, MIF, Lomira, 2017
5-foot-7, 160-pound two-way player, stocky frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Hands worked and flashed bat speed. Two piece swing, late timing, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action across the diamond, ¾ slot, 72 mph across. 7.5 runner in the 60.

Luke Kundinger, MIF/ RHP, Waukesha West, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride. Level path, mechanically sound, average bat speed, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from a high ¾ slot, short action, 74 mph across the diamond. Showed actions, ability to play through the baseball, clean exchange. 7.87 runner in the 60. On the mound works over the top with a long arm action. Fastball sat 77-78 mph, tendency to stay up. Showed good feel for curveball, ability to drop for strikes, 64-67 mph. Changeup is thrown with arm speed, 71-73 mph.

Zachary Lutz, LHP/1B, Hartford Union, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound left-handed two-way prospect. Projects best on the mound, uses a tall and fall type delivery, smooth rhythm, works online, balanced finish. Full arm swing, slight stab, high ¾ slot. Fastball has occasional running action to arm side, 69-71 mph. Curveball plays on 12/6 plane, 59-61 mph. Straight changeup at 65-66 mph, showed good feel for the pitch. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride bails. Pull side contact, average bat speed, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm worked similar to that on the mound, 66 mph across the diamond. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Keegan McCarthy, 1B, Cedarburg, 2018
Solid build with strength, 6-foot, 195-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. Hits from a wide setup, slightly crouched, regular stride. Rotational swinger, flashed bat strength, excess head movement, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 71 mph across the diamond, short high ¾ slot, efficient release. 7.58 runner in the 60.

Micah Overley, MIF/RHP, Janesville Craig, 2019
5-foot-10, 135-pound two-way player, slender build. Left-handed hitter, tall open setup, narrow stance, loads hands back, slight arm bar load, longer stride. Long level sweeping path, line drive contact, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played out of ¾ slot, 56 mph across the diamond. On the mound used repeatable mechanics, delivery lacks separation, stays on line. Long firm arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight sink at 65-67 mph. Curveball gradually bends on 12/6, 53-55 mph. Changeup was down, 61-63 mph.

Joe Peck, INF, Milwaukee School of Languages, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound switch-hitting infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, stance is slightly open from the left side, short stride. Level path from the right side, slight uphill from the left, created bat speed with effort. 85 mph exit velocity from the left side, 79 mph from the right side. Defensively played with a short high ¾ arm action, 72 mph across the diamond. Ran the 60 at 7.38.

Lupe Rivera, SS, St. Anthony, 2016
5-foot-7, 135-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively hits from an open stance, loads hands back, short lifted stride, solid balance at contact. Compact stroke, middle of the field approach, line drive type, occasionally cuts self off, spray singles type hitter. 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and loose, over the top slot, average arm strength, 73 mph across the diamond. 7.77 runner in the 60.

Taylor Shallue, 1B/3B, De Pere, 2018
6-foot, 220-pound corner infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, partial lower half, gets hips closed, average balance. Occasional hard contact, flashed pull side approach, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, short action, 70 mph across the diamond. 8.14 runner in the 60.

Jordan Smith, INF, Kenosha Tremper, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound infielder, average frame and build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short lifting stride, average balance, static pre-pitch setup. Path has length on uphill plane, average bat speed, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long high ¾ arm action across the diamond, 57 mph. Ran the 60 at 8.11.

Sam Valona, OF/SS, West Allis Hale, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting OF/IF. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load to backside and a short toe tap stride. Good balance with a fast bat. Line drive hitter with a middle away approach and fluid rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.58. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield and 71 mph across the infield. Actions play better in the infield with average hands.

Jordan Van Dyke, RHP/3B, Elkhorn Area, 2017
Extra-large 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-way player. Easy delivery, stays online with little effort, good balance. Arm action is loose, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action, showed feel, 77-78 mph, topped at 81 mph. Showed two breaking balls, curveball sat 61-62 mph while slider was slightly harder at 64 mph, similar action on both. Changeup was around the zone, occasional fade, 67-68 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, partial lower half involved. Shorter path, drops hands on it, upper half dominated swing. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, over the top slot, 68 mph across the diamond. Ran an 8.13 in the 60.

Davis Wilson, MIF/RHP, St. Mary Central, 2018
5-foot-8, 135-pound two way player. Defensively played with soft hands for his age, showed some ability to cushion the baseball, plays tall on the infield. 8.16 runner in the 60. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 70 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Smooth easy swing, longer path, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Tall and fall, smooth delivery. High ¾ arm slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 66-68 mph. Curveball is on 10/4 plane, 59-62 mph. Changeup flashed sink at 63-64 mph.