Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Underclass Games at UIC has quietly became one of the more premier events for incoming sophomores in Illinois and Wisconsin. This year’s event took place on Monday, July 24th and featured more than 60 rising sophomores. 

Today we continue the analysis of the event with a look at the infielders in attendance. There are a number of high-follow 2020 infielders to keep an eye on over the coming years.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Edward Howard IV, INF, Mount Carmel, 2020
5-foot-11, 156-pound, projectable, lean, athletic build, right-handed hitting, infielder. Continues to solidify himself as one of the top 2020’s in Illinois. Highly-advanced and projectable defensive middle infielder. Plays with extreme confidence, poise and never seems to be in a hurry. Athletic actions, soft, receptive hands, fluid footwork, ranges well to both sides, maintains body control on the move. Plays through the baseball, clean transfer, short, quick arm action, flicks it across the diamond, throws are accurate and carry, clocked at 78 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, good balance, fluid rhythm and overall simple approach. Quick twitch, creates bat speed, controls the barrel, uses the middle of the field and line-drive approach. 89 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.68 home-to-first in game. High-follow 2020 prospect.

2. Anthony Mangano, INF, Lake Zurich, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, athletically built, left-handed hitting middle infielder. High-level 2020 left-handed bat. Balanced setup, short stride and maintains good balance through contact. Aggressive swing, looks to do damage and creates explosive bat speed. Controls the barrel, stays short to the ball, has a knack for finding the barrel and consistently hits balls on a line. Line-drive approach, looks to pull at times. Took some of the best in game at-bats on the day. Middle of the order potential with the bat. 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.32 down the line in game. Defensively, steady hands, quick feet, ranges well to both sides, funnels on exchange at times, clean transfer. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot; accurate throws across the diamond clocked at 77 mph.

3. Jacob Mote, INF, Normal University, 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound, physically-advanced, strong, toolsy, right-handed hitting infielder.  Has one of the most impressive skill sets in the 2020 Illinois class; arm clocked at 86 mph across the infield, 93 mph exit velocity and ran a 4.50 home-to-first during game play. At the plate, balanced setup, deliberate loading action, short stride and good balance through contact. Ball jumps off his bat differently than most guys in the 2020 class. Creates easy bat speed, gap-to-gap approach and made a lot of strong contact. Defensively, should continue to fill out physically and may end up at third base. Flashes soft hands, plays with confidence and shows off a big arm that has carry and occasional life across the diamond. High-level 2020 prospect.

4. Michael Seegers, INF, Home School (WI), 2020
5-foot-9, 145-pound, lean, athletically built, infielder. Ran a 4.25 down-the-line in game. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, short path and maintains good balance through contact. Easy, simple swing, short level bat path, hands work above the baseball, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, soft hands, quick, active feet, plays well on the move, maintains body control and athletic arm action; ability to throw from multiple angles. Accurate throws, flash carry across the infield and clocked at 83 mph.

5. Anthony Livermore, INF, Mount Carmel, 2020
5-foot-9, 135-pound, compact, athletically built, infielder. Profiles as a top of the order left-handed hitter. Fluid, smooth swing, stays short to the ball, controls the barrel, flashes bat speed and sprayed line-drives to all fields. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains good balance through contact. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fundamentally sound, extremely steady defender. Fluid footwork, fields out in front of body, soft hands, plays through the baseball, clean, quick transfer. Loose arm, ¾ arm slot, throws were consistently on the bag, 74 mph. Ran a 4.36 home-to-first. High-follow 2020 infielder.

6. Colton Coca, INF, Case (WI), 2020
6-foot-3, 185-pound, highly-projectable, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. Makes everything he does on the field look easy. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains excellent balance throughout. Easy, simple, highly-projectable swing. Stays on top of the ball, line-drive, middle of the field approach; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.80 home-to-first. Defensively, profiles as a third baseman. Easy, fluid actions, soft hands, quick, clean release, short loose arm action, throws flash carry and clocked at 84 mph across the diamond. Highly-projectable 2020 infielder.

7. Eric Erato, INF, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, athletically built, lean, highly-projectable, third baseman. High-ceiling prospect with a smooth left-handed bat. Confident look in the box, balanced setup, fluid pre-pitch rhythm, loads into backside, short stride and maintains good balance through contact. Short bat path, stays level through the hitting zone, line-drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural fluid actions, plays under control, soft receptive hands, fields athletically and plays through the baseball. Clean transfer, loose, athletic arm action, throws were accurate and carried at 80 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 4.44 home-to-first in game.

8. TJ Manteufel, INF, Union Grove (WI), 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, lean, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. High-ceiling 2020 infield prospect. 4.36 runner, home-to-first. Defensively, advanced, confident infield actions. Feet work quick and clean, soft hands, plays through the baseball with a quick release. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws were accurate and carry across the infield; clocked at 81 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, good balance and simple overall approach. Loose hands, stays on top of the baseball and ball has a tendency to jump off his bat. Level bat path through the hitting zone and line-drive approach; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee.

9. George Klassen, RHP/INF, Port Washington (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound, long, wiry, two-way prospect with plenty of room for continued physical development. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, worked a hitless inning while striking out two. Drop and drive, directional, repeatable delivery. Arm works long, loose and whippy and works predominantly out of a high ¾ slot; will lower arm slot at times. Fastball flashes slight arm-side-run, thrown for strikes and sat 81-83 mph, touching 84. Changeup looks to be best secondary offering, fade action, feel, 76-78 mph. Curveball works 11/5, loose action at times, tendency to back up, 72-73 mph. Defensively, had the strongest arm of the event from across the infield, 87 mph. Throws were accurate with carry. Receptive, steady hands, plays through the baseball and clean transfer. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall setup, maintains balance through contact and stays on top of the baseball. Simple overall swing, line-drive approach and flashed loose hands. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.32 down-the-line.

10. Rohan B. Shah, INF, Lyons Township, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, long, lean, projectable build, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works from the stretch only, repeatable, on-line delivery. Arm works loose, from a ¾ slot and regular effort throughout. Fastball, arm-side-run, sat 79-81 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, short-breaking action, 69-72 mph. Changeup, average command, occasionally misses glove side, 67-68 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slight leg-lift trigger and maintains balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, loose swing, path works uphill, looks to lift the baseball; 84 mph exit velocity. Finished the game 3-for-3. Ran a 4.28 home-to-first. Defensively, on the infield, average hands, winds up on release at times. Long arm action, ¾ slot and throws clocked at 79 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Mitchell Alba, INF, Franklin (WI), 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound, long, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, short stride and average balance. Hands work in swing, creates leverage, jumps off the bat at times, uphill bat path and pull-type approach. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, lets the ball come to him, winds up on release at times. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, throws flashed carry, clocked at 79 mph. 4.83 runner, home-to-first.

Colin Bohanek, INF, Marist, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound, thick lower half, muscle-bound, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, tall, slightly open setup, pre-pitch load and stride varies. Bat works level through the hitting zone and flashed strength in swing. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, profiles at third base. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 75 mph across the infield. 4.97 runner, home-to-first.

Tyler Chadwick, OF/RHP/1B, Marshall, 2020
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed hitting utility player with a lanky, highly projectable frame. Intriguing two way talent. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.61 runner down the line. Defensively in the outfield threw an event best 91 mph from the outfield. Long arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throw with carry. Plays thru the ball with fluid rhythm. Also took drills at first base and threw 79 mph across the infield. Projects best on the mound. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 83-85 topping out at 86 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 67-71 mph. Changeup has downer action at 72-74 mph.  

Vincent Esposito, INF, Rock Island, 2020
6-foot-3, 225-pound, extra-large, imposing, mature, left-handed hitting first baseman. Prototypical power-hitting first baseman potential. Balanced, wide setup, short stride, utilizes lower half and advanced strength through contact; 94 mph exit velocity through contact. Long, uphill bat path, pull approach with power potential. Defensively, steady hands, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate throws, clocked at 76 mph. 5.26 home-to-first.  

Ben Gerl, INF/LHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
5-foot-11, 158-pound, well-proportioned two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, works from a hybrid delivery, smooth rhythm, repeats well. Clean, compact arm action and comes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, thrown for strikes, slight arm-side action, 76-79 mph. Curveball, depth, 2/8 shape, missed glove side at times, sat 66-68 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, feel, down in the zone, 70-71 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm, short stride and repeatable swing. Loose hands, flashes bat speed, makes consistent hard contact, pull approach; 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out at first base, fluid footwork at times, quick release, short, loose arm action, throws clocked at 74 mph. 5.26 runner, home-to-first.

Tommy Giese, INF, Huntley, 2020
6-foot-3, 175-pound, long-levered, right-handed hitting first baseman with a projectable build. Offensively, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch load, short leg-lift load and average balance throughout. Long bat path through the zone, pull approach and average bat speed. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, first baseman, steady hands and clean transfer. Arm works short and from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 73 mph across the infield. 5.01 runner, home-to-first.

James Harris, INF, Gwendolyn Brooks, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound, thick lower half, right-handed hitting first baseman with well-proportioned strength. Offensively, starts from a narrow open setup, long stride and average balance throughout. Hands work on top of the baseball,  stays short to the ball and can backspin the baseball on occasion; 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.55 home-to-first in game. Defensively, showed feel around the bag at first base, fluid footwork at times and a clean exchange. Arm works short and throws clocked at 78 mph.

Cody Horon, INF, Union Grove (WI), 2020
6-foot-1, 200-pound, imposing, strong, wide-shouldered, muscle-bound, two-way prospect. Offensively, tall setup, short stride and strength through contact; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Simple swing, stays short to the ball, pull tendencies and flashes power potential at times. Defensively, steady, receptive hands, plays deep into body at times. Short, over-the-top arm action, clocked at 73 mph across the infield. Ran a 4.69 down-the-line. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Short arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight, occasional cut, 75-76 mph, topped at 77. Curveball worked 12/6 to 11/5 63 mph. Changeup, clocked at 69-71 mph.

Jake Margolick, INF/RHP, Highland Park, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, loads into backside and toe-tap stride. Long, uphill bat path and pull approach; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.62 runner, home-to-first. Defensively, steady hands, shuffles into release, short, high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop-and-drive delivery, stays on-line and works with rhythm. Short arm action from a high ¾ window. Fastball flashed slight cut at times, sat 71-73 mph, touching 74. Curveball works 11/5, 60-61 mph. Flashed a changeup at 68 mph.

Brandon Micetich, INF, Plainfield Central, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, lean, athletically built, left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, open, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, short leg-kick and maintains good balance through contact. Flashed quick twitch in swing, loose hands, creates bat speed, short uphill bat path and used the whole field to hit. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.59 home-to-first in game. Defensively, reliable hands, deliberate fielder, packs on exchange at times, long arm action, clocked at 69 mph across the diamond.

Will Semb, INF, DePere (WI), 2020
5-foot-9, 140-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder with plenty of room for continued physical development. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, slight arm-bar load, leg-kick timing trigger and fluid rhythm throughout. Aggressive swing, flashed bat speed, line-drive, gap-to-gap type approach; 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, athletic fielding position, soft hands, quick, clean exchange and accurate throws across the infield. Short, over-the-top arm action, clocked at 76 mph. 5.07 runner, home-to-first.

Evan Tocmo, SS/OF, Huntley, 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitting SS/OF. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with good balance. Line drive hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.51 runner down the line. Took drills in the infield and outfield, profiles best in the outfield. Short arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with quick, fluid footwork. Threw 78 mph from the outfield and 76 mph across the infield.   

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