Underclass Invitational: Top Overall Prospects

February 17, 2015

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report’s Underclass Invitational for 2017 and 2018 prospects took place on Sunday January 18^th at the Max in McCook, IL. 98 underclass prospects completed a pro-style workout for the PBR Illinois Scouting Staff, several of whom were new to the PBR.

Click Here to view complete statistics from the event in PDF format.

Click Here to view Top Performers from the event based on standard scouting terminology in our “Top Tools Breakdown”.

Over the last week we’ve broken down the talent at each position in the field and today we’ll take a look at the Top Overall Prospects from the event, broken down by graduating class. The showcase was loaded with talent as eight of the top twenty players from PBR’s 2017 rankings were in attendance. Several prospects from the event will make their debut when the 2017 rankings are updated shortly.

Lake Forest’s Brad Czerniejewski takes the top spot at the event, thanks to his electric bat speed and plus tools all across the board. The TCU commit is currently ranked No. 2 in the 2017 class.

The No. 1 player in the PBR rankings is Brother Rice RHP Ryan Kutt. Kutt impressed swinging the bat, with arm strength across the diamond at shortstop, and ranks No. 15 on this list as a position player. Kutt undoubtedly would have been near the top had he pitched.

Louisville commit Bobby Miller was the top arm at the event, touching 90 mph with his running fastball. Miller’s breaking ball also showed flashes of its flush potential. Not only did Miller impress on the mound, he was also one of the top left-handed bats at the event.

Speaking of top left-handed hitters at the event, Wake Forest commit Bobby Seymour (Mount Carmel HS) was the top power prospect at the event. The ball jumps off Seymour’s bat with little effort thanks to his brute strength. He also showed nimble feet around the bag at first base.

We also ranked five of the top 2018 prospects to keep an eye on this upcoming spring. It’s not easy to play varsity baseball as a frosh, but these prospects could potentially make contributions thanks to their advanced abilities. Homewood-Flossmoor’s Zaid Walker had the smoothest hands of any infielder at the event and has plus bat speed for his age.

Janesville (WI) catcher Jacob Campbell posted a 1.98 pop time to second, and profiles to hit for power down the road. Naperville North’s Parker Aquino showed an electric three pitch mix, highlighted by an 82-83 mph fastball that is easy to see increasing over the next few years thanks to his youthful, lanky frame.

Let’s take a look at the Top Overall Prospects at this year’s Underclass Invitational:

Top 2017 Prospects

1. Brad Czerniejewski, OF, Lake Forest, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound athletic, fast-twitch right-handed hitting outfielder currently ranked No. 2 in Illinois’ 2017 class, No. 23 overall, committed to TCU. Hits from an open setup, hands load back smoothly, utilizes a leg kick, bat speed is off the charts with 95 mph exit velocity off the tee. Impressive in that he can over swing but still make hard, solid contact off the barrel consistently, reminiscent of a young, right-handed Bryce Harper. Defensively, in the outfield threw 87 mph from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, effort present, soft hands, quick footwork, quick clean exchanges, throws can struggle with accuracy as he over throws, plenty of arm strength present. Ran a 6.84 60. Czernijewski would have fit in fine at this year’s Super 60 Pro Showcase among prospects two years older, where his bat speed along would have been at the top of all prospects. He’ll be watched closely over the next several years, and could see considerable draft interest in the spring of 2017.

2. Bobby Miller, RHP/1B, McHenry West, 2017
6-foot-4, 185-pound lanky, athletic, extremely projectable RHP/1B hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, slight leg kick trigger, hands load back smoothly, fluid rhythm, plus bat speed, short, level bat path, feel for barrel, gets extension, hit line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 90 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, a plus defender at first base, athleticism to play third as well. Threw 86 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands, could improve feel of feet around the bag. Ran a 7.46 60. On the mound, Miller sat 87-88 from the windup touching 90 mph from a long, loose, ¾ arm slot, heavy arm side run on fastball, late action. Tall/fall delivery, smooth rhythm throughout, to up at balance point, lands in line with home plate, slight recoil at finish. Fastball sat 86-88 mph from the stretch. 68-72 mph breaking ball is called a curve, has 10/4 slurvy shape, sharp, late action, thrown for strikes, down the road due to arm angle could have a lethal sinker/slider combination. Also showed feel for 76-78 mph changeup thrown aggressively with same heavy finish as fastball. Miller is committed to Louisville and shows legitimate two-way potential, although is ceiling on the mound may be higher thanks to his potential for two plus pitches.

3. Bobby Seymour, 1B, Mount Carmel, 2017
6-foot-4, 225-pound strong, physically imposing left-handed hitting first baseman ranked No. 3 in Illinois’ 2017 class, committed to Wake Forest. Hits from an open setup, short stride, minimal movement in hands, simple, powerful approach, short path, barrel gets extension, hit line drives from gap-to-gap with power to his pull side, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands fielding, good feel around bag, moves well for size. Ran a 7.65 60. Seymour may have as much pure power at the plate than any prospect in the state of Illinois, regardless of graduating class. He’ll provide power in the lineup this spring at Mount Carmel.

4. KC Simonich, 3B, Joliet Catholic, 2017
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting third baseman currently ranked No. 11 in Illinois’ 2017 class, may be the top pure hitter in the class. Hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, hands load smoothly, loose wrists, bat whips through the zone, short, level bat path, fluid throughout, drove line drives from gap-to-gap, 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 79 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry across the diamond. Athletically fields position, pats glove after fielding lengthening exchange, solid on body control ball. Ran a 7.26 60. Simonich is one of the top prospects in the 2017 class and has plenty of room for projection in his lanky frame.

5. Max Rosenthal, C, New Trier, 2017
6-foot-3, 215-pound physical advanced, strong and athletic left-handed hitting catcher hits from an athletic wide base, hands load back smoothly, very little stride, incorporates legs into swing, short, level bat path, gets extension, feel for barrel, drove the baseball from gap-to-gap, power to his pull side, 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, showed the best pure arm strength of any catcher at the Underclass Invitation, throwing 81 mph from the crouch from a short, over-the-top arm slot, with carry. Struggled some with accuracy, but tools are there. Quick footwork and quick, clean exchanges, pop times to second ranged from 1.94-2.04 down to second.

6. Brendan Murphy, LHP, Mundelein, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound lanky, athletic, and projectable LHP works from a long, loose, easy high ¾ arm slot, tall/fall delivery, smooth rhythm throughout, loads lower half over rubber, toe up at balance point, stride direction is in line with home plate, lands square. Fastball sat 81-83 mph for strikes with occasional plus sinking action. 71-74 mph curveball flashed 1/7 shape, thrown from strikes, gets slurvy at times. Aggressive arm action on 74-76 mph changeup with arm side run. Murphy is one of the top southpaws in Illinois’ 2017 class and projects to throw harder due to his plus frame and smooth, easy arm action.

7. Austin Marozas, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
6-foot-5, 190-pound physical right-handed pitcher, long levers, currently ranked No. 10 in Illinois’ 2017 class. Marozas works from a long, loose high ¾ arm slot, tall/fall type delivery, strides well across his body, but then lands slightly open at times, stride direction causes shoulders to close off, work side-to-side, and limits extension on pitches. Fastball sat 83-85 mph, curveball showed gradual break, 11/5 shape in the 63-65 mph range. Drops angle slightly at times on 67-70 mph slider, shape is more lateral that curveball. Also threw 75-76 mph changeup with arm side run. Shows feel for all four pitches, breaking balls show separation. Marozas has as high of a ceiling as any prospect in the 2017 class and will be followed closely over the next three seasons.

8. Easton Bertrand, OF/3B, Manteno, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound strong and athletic right-handed hitting OF/3B hits from a balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, short, level bat path, barrel looks to stay level through the zone for a long time, 87 mph exit velocity with easy effort. Defensively, impresses both in the outfield and at third. Throws 84 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry, soft hands fielding the ball, fluid footwork. At third, shows plus carry, shortens up arm action a bit, may profile better at third base, but versatility will be an asset. Ran a 7.22 60. Bertrand is one of the most physical athletes in the 2017 class and will be a high follow prospect over the next three seasons.

9. Zach Frieling, MIF, Chicago Christian, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound middle infielder, athletic build with some strength, body moves well and projects. Defensively looks more developed than his peers, good actions, mechanically sound. Showed good body control, played well on the move, feet worked well. Arm action is athletic, high ¾ slot, loose arm action, 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced setup, short stride with minimal loading action. Good barrel control, made hard contact, showed bat speed with a gap to gap approach, line drive hitter to the middle of the field, 76 mph exit velocity, ran a 7.45 60.

10. Mike Addante, OF, Jacobs, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, slightly closed stance, high back elbow setup, short, level bat path produced line drives to left center field during batting practice. Fluid rhythm, above average bat speed, plus feel for barrel, 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 82 mph from the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with life and carry. Quick footwork, plays though the baseball aggressively. Ran a 7.07 laser timed 60, previously recorded 6.90 60 times. Addante is a high follow prospect in the 2017 class, and possibly the top defensive outfielder in the class.

11. Konnor Ash, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed pitcher impressed with plus arm speed for age and smallish frame. Plenty of projection remaining. Fastball sat 84-86 mph from quick, loose, high ¾ arm slot, loads knee over rubber at balance point, aggressive with lower half, jumps at hitter, slightly uphill shoulders/front side, smooth rhythm through delivery, lands slightly closed at times, stride direction is in line with home plate. Curveball and slider both sat in the 71-73 mph range, similar shapes, better command of hard, late breaking slider, 10/4 shape. Plus feel for 78 mph changeup thrown aggressively with arm side run. Ash will be one of the top arms in the 2017 class to follow thanks to his arm speed and feel for three pitches, especially if he grows/physically matures.

12. Connor McCormick, C/3B, Manteno, 2017
5-foot-11, 140-pound lanky right-handed hitting C/3B hits from a tall setup, slightly open stance, short stride, hands load back, long, level path, line drives in batting practice, pull tendencies, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee, well above average for age. Defensively, impressed with arm strength at 3B and behind the plate. Threw 81 mph across the diamond, and 76 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged from 2.04-2.18 to second. Short, over-the-top slot, accurate arm both at 3^rd and behind the plate, quick footwork behind the plate, plus release, overthrew at times from third base. Ran a 7.48 60. McCormick is a prospect to follow over the next three seasons in the 2017 class.

13. Jackson Petersen, C, Libertyville, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound muscular, wide shouldered, left-handed hitting catcher starts from a narrow, open setup, long stride, hits from a wide base, draws power from legs, hands start low, load up and back smoothly, long, uphill swing, premium bat speed, barrel whips through the zone, high finish, drove the baseball from gap-to-gap during batting practice, future power potential, 83 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.05-2.12 down to second, 74 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, carry present on throws. Ran an 8.03 60. A Libertyville backstop with left-handed power projection will inevitably draw comparisons to current TCU freshman, and 34^th round MLB draft pick Evan Skoug. Peterson will be a high follow prospect in the 2017 class over the next three years.

14. Kade Burns, SS/RHP, Edwardsville, 2017
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting SS/RHP hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, hands load smoothly, short, level path to the baseball, advanced feel for barrel, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee, produced several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice. Defensively, threw 81 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot with carry and accuracy. Soft hands fielding the baseball, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, athletically plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.22 60. On the mound, fastball sat 78-81 mph with late arm side run for strikes. Short, quick, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort, tall/fall delivery, balanced throughout delivery, level shoulders, lands in line with home plate. Slows arm on 64-66 mph curveball, with gradual break, 12/6 shape. Threw 69-74 mph changeup for strikes with sinking action. Burns is a high follow prospect in the 2017 class.

15. Ryan Kutt, SS/RHP, Brother Rice, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP is currently ranked No. 1 in Illinois’ 2017 class, No. 21 overall. Kutt did not pitch at the Underclass, but did prove he may be able to swing the stick at the next level when he steps foot on campus at Illinois. Hits from a crouched setup, short stride (picks foot up), hands are held low, very little movement in load, simple/repeatable approach, short, level bat path, fluid rhythm, line drives up the middle in batting practice, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 84 mph across the diamond from long, loose, quick, high ¾ arm slot, accurate arm with carry, gets rid of it quicker when on the move, showed soft hands fielding. Kutt may be one of the top 2017 arms in the Midwest, but he showed he’ll make a contribution all over the diamond for Brother Rice this spring.

Top 2018 Prospects

1. Zaid Walker, 3B/SS, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic right-handed hitting 3B hits from a crouched, open setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, lower half is aggressive, advanced approach at the plate, short, powerful, slightly uphill bat path, gets extension, drove balls to left-centerfield with authority during batting practice, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 84 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy, soft hands fielding the baseball, stays back could attack the baseball more. Ran a 7.51 60. Walker will be a high follow prospect in the 2018 class thanks to his bat, arm strength, and quality infield actions.

2. Jacob Campbell, C, Janesville Craig (WI), 2018
5-foot-10, 180-pound freshman catcher, strong lower half, advanced strength for age. Defensively showed plus arm strength for his age, 77 mph arm from the crouch, showed carry, short over the top slot, accurate arm, stayed on line. Posted some of the best pop times at the event, ranged from 1.98-2.12. Showed some softness receiving the baseball, footwork had quickness, good transfer. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, smooth loading action, stride slightly dives, strong balance through contact. Flashed power potential, excellent bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee, gap to gap approach. Well above average runner for a catcher at his age, 7.32 runner in the 60. High follow in Wisconsin’s 2018 class.

3. Parker Aquino, RHP/MIF, Naperville North, 2018
6-foot, 135-pound lanky right-handed hitting RHP/MIF hits from an open setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, barrel whips through the zone, long, slightly uphill bat path, some lift to swing, feel for barrel, 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 80 mph across the diamond from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry, average hands fielding, fluid footwork, winds up to throw the baseball taking some time getting rid of it. On the mound Aquino is one of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2018 class. Sat at 82-83 mph from short, clean, high ¾ arm slot, turns over rubber at balance point, rides lower half down the mound leading with front hip, smooth rhythm, lands square in line with home plate, athletic finish. 66-69 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes. Also threw 74-75 mph changeup with advanced feel out front. Pitch is plus for his age, with arms side run and late finish. Aquino’s frame, loose arm, and feel for three pitches will make him a high follow prospect in the 2018 class.

4. Christian Lucio, SS/RHP, Mount Carmel, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound lanky left-handed hitting SS/RHP hits from a balanced setup, elbows relaxed at sides pre pitch, hands load smoothly, short stride, leg kick short, level bat path, barrel whips through the zone, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 67 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 77 mph across the diamond from loose, high ¾ arm slot, carry across the diamond, soft hands fielding the baseball, fluid footwork, athletic middle infield actions. Ran a 7.5 60. On the mound, fastball sat 73-75 mph from quick, loose, high 3/4 , some effort to delivery, lands hard on front side. 68 mph breaking ball flashed 11/5 shape, also threw 68-70 mph sinking changeup, and a 69 mph knuckleball.

5. Charlie Mangieri, RHP/1B, Dunlap, 2018
Hulking 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B hits from a crouched, open setup, wide base, leg kick stride, some stiffness but big time power potential, in short, slightly uphill bat path, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee, power to his pull side. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands fielding, fluid footwork around the bag, feel for turning the double play. Ran a 7.47 60. On the mound fastball sat 77-79 mph from short, quick, loose, high ¾ arm slot, tall/fall delivery, downhill shoulders, stride direction in line with home plate. 12/6 curveball sat 65-66 mph, also threw 67-68 mph changeup with fading action. Mangieri is perhaps the most physical 2018 prospect in Illinois, and should see significant recruiting interest in both baseball and football

5. Cameron Robinson, SS, Champaign Central, 2018
6-foot-2, 155-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting SS hits from a wide, athletic stance, short stride, turns in front foot to load hips, hands load back smoothly, short, level, fluid bat path, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 74 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot, carry on throws, average hands fielding. Ran a 7.64 60. Robinson has a projectable frame and athletic actions, as he adds strength he could turn out to be one of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2018 class.