By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The annual Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior Showcase at the Max in McCook, IL took place on Sunday, October 9, 2016. The open showcase saw close to 100 unsigned seniors come out and show off their skills in front of 30 plus college coaches.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and over the next week we will break down the event position by position.We began the analysis earlier this week, looking at the catchers in attendance. Today we roll-out the infielder analysis from the event.

Top Infield Prospects

1. CJ Deshazer, SS, Conant, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound switch-hitting shortstop, live wiry frame, quick twitch type athlete. Well above average runner, 6.82 in the 60. Defensively actions are quick and plays with a bounce, athletic defender can make all the plays to both sides, above average range. Arm action is loose and quick, showed carry and athleticism, ability to release on the move. 84 mph across the diamond. Offensively showed ability to hit from both sides, open stance, quick loading action with leg kick and drops hands. Aggressive quick twitch approach, loose hands, fast bat. 79 mph exit velocity from the left side, 82 mph from the right side.

2. Alex Steinbach, 3B, Plainfield North, 2017
6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed hitting third baseman with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, spread out setup. Low hand set with a load to backside and short leg lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.21. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry throwing 82 mph across the infield. Athletic defender with a clean exchange.

3. Ernst Coupet, OF/INF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound, lanky, athletic multi-positional prospect. Ran a 6.68 laser timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, present bat speed, quick hands, fluid rhythm, gap-to-gap approach; exit velocity registered at 86 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, plays through the baseball. Flashed a long, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 78 mph from the outfield, 74 across in the infield.

4. Timothy Sullivan, SS, St. Francis, 2017
5-foot-7, 158-pound middle infielder, stocky squared body type, some present strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, excellent balance through contact. Athletic hitter, on time, loose hands and finds barrels in BP. Simple line drive type hitter with bat speed. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands are soft, athletic actions, fields out front, funnels to release. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, arm played on the move, 78 mph across the diamond. Ran the 60 at 7.35, laser timed.

5. Michael O’Brien, INF, Joliet Catholic, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, short stride, smooth loading action, solid balance. Showed bat speed, uphill path with extension. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, showed carry across. Plays tall but got through the baseball, clean exchange, added glove pat. 6.97 runner in the 60.  

6. Jimmy Kelly, 2B, Peoria Notre Dame, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. At the plate hits from a couched, open setup with a short leg lift stride. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path and fluid rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.26. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws with average arm strength throwing 79 mph across the infield. Athletic actions with a clean exchange and soft hands.

7. Noa Taylor, 2B, Argo, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively has a loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Quick, exchange with fluid footwork and soft hands. Threw 79 mph across the infield, enough to carry from the left side, likely projects at third base at the next level. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and leg lift stride and collapse on the backside. Line drive hitter with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.73.

8. Matthew Duske, MIF, Lincoln-Way Central, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound middle infielder, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, strong sold balance through contact, simple setup. Path is short, level through the hitting zone, line drive type hitter, mechanically sound. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed good actions, plays through the baseball, clean transfer, soft hands. Arm works, high ¾ slot, showed athletic arm action, 79 mph across the diamond. 7.35 runner in the 60.

9. Bryan Maldonado. SS, Niles West, 2017
5-foot-9, 165-pound middle infielder, slender athletic type. Strong defender, actiony infielder, plays low to the ground and well on the move. Hands are soft, plays through the baseball, clean athletic exchange. Arm action is short and loose, accurate at 72 mph across the infield, arm strength may project him at second base. 7.4 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, lower half collapses at times. Path has some length on uphill path, hands are loose, opposite field contact. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.

10. Raul Flores, SS, Oak Forest, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop with a strong, athletic frame. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Slower footwork with smooth actions and soft hands. Athletic fielder with a clean exchange. Threw 77 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.64.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jack Blindt, INF, Loyola, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound infielder, average build. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short leg lift stride, good balance. Path works well, hits with rhythm, average bat speed. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and loose, flashed carry, 78 mph across. Showed some actions, softer hands, athletic defender. 7.48 runner in the 60.

Thomas Boeh, 3B, Antioch, 2017
5-foot-11, 207-pound right-handed hitting third baseman with a strong lower half. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Moves well for his size with quick footwork. Threw 73 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a hand load to backside and short leg lift stride. Short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.38.  

Nick Crowe, LHP/1B, Manteno, 2017
6-foot-2, 2105-pound right-handed hitting LHP/1B. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort and smooth rhythm. Fastball showed slight running action at 74-76 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with gradual action at 57-60 mph for strikes. Knuckleball sat 58-59 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and minimal lower half. Long, level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Clean exchange with average hands. Threw 71 mph across the infield.

Billy Curtis, 1B/RHP, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Good feel around the bag at first. Threw 78 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a narrow, open stance with a barred out setup with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.54. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working exclusively from a stretch. Creates a crossfire angle, square landing. Fastball showed slight running action at 77-78 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball showed sweeping action at 71-72 mph. Changeup flashed fading action at 67-79 mph.

Tony Deluna, 1B/RHP, Morton, 2017
6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride. Collapse on backside, cuts off extension out front. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.94. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 72 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball sat 71-74 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape with short breaking action at 60-62 mph. Changeup was straight at 65-67 mph for strikes.

Liam Evans, MIF, Carmel Catholic, 2017
6-foot-2, 177-pound infielder, long wiry frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg lift stride, average balance. Swing has some looseness, gap to gap contact, uphill path. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the infield. 7.48 runner in the 60.

Sam Heaton, MIF, Central Catholic, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound middle infielder. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Simple approach with loose hands, showed ability to handle the bat. Middle to opposite field approach with bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. Average hands, stays deep on the baseball, 7.29 runner in the 60.

Clark Hendricks, LHP/1B, Kaneland, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound two-way player, lean frame. Tall and fall rotational delivery, arm action is short from a high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 73-74 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 62-66 mph. Changeup showed slight sinking action, 68-70 mph. Defensively arm worked similarly, 70 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, squared setup, lowed half collapses, long levers. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 7.36, laser timed.

Luke Hermle, 1B/LHP, De La Salle, 2017
5-foot-8, 195-pound left-handed hitting 1B/LHP. At the plate hits from a narrow, slightly open stance. Slight wrap on the load, fluid rhythm with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.33. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 64 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a low ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery, works in line with home plate. Good balance throughout delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 64-66 mph. Curveball spins at 58-61 mph. Changeup showed no differential from fastball at 63-65 mph.

Noah Kararo, INF, Homeschool, 2017
5-foot-10, 135-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift stride, average balance. Loopy uphill path, long path, front side stays open occasionally. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Moved best to his glove side, exchange was quick. 7.11 runner in the 60.

Christopher Kelly, 2B, Grayslake North, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound second baseman. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, drops hands into arm bar load. Long path on uphill plane, late opposite field contact. 62 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, works from a lower slot, 69 mph across the diamond. Fields deep, clean transfers.

Justin Klug, INF, Lockport, 2017
5-foot-8, 150-pound infielder, lean build. 7.17 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short quick leg kick trigger, starts late. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, long to release, 68 mph across the diamond.

John Kubacha, RHP/3B, Woodstock, 2017
6-foot-2, 225-pound right-handed hitting RHP/3B with a strong frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Fastball showed slight cutting action at 78-80 topping out at 82 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-68 mph. Changeup showed sinking action, thrown hard at 73-76 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.74. Defensively has an easy arm action from a side arm slot. Clean exchange with average arm strength. Threw 74 mph across the infield.

Bobby Lochner, INF, Niles West, 2017
5-foot-8, 175-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, balance through contact can improve. Average bat speed, path has length, late trigger at times. Some bat strength, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot. 79 mph across the infield. Arm strength could also play from third base, 7.82 runner in the 60.

Mitchell Lynch, SS, New Lutheran (WI), 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. At the plate hits from a tall setup with a drop load and average balance. Generates strength thru contact, 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Short, uphill swing path with a high finish. Ran the 60 at 7.79. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 75 mph across the infield.

Justin Markiewicz, 3B/RHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2017
5-foot-7, 185-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, taller setup. Late trigger, mostly opposite field contact. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot. 73 mph across the diamond. Played best with routine ball sat him, third-base type defender, 7.77 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays from a high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 74-76 mph. Curveball has rolling action, 63-66 mph. Straight changeup ranged 59-63 mph.

Kellen Mitchell, 1B/RHP, Wheaton Academy, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitting 1B/RHP. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Loose hands with an uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic fielder with a long exchange. Threw 74 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, stiff arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery, shoulders open up early. Fastball showed running action at 75-76 topping out at 77 mph for strikes. Curveball sat 58-60 mph. Gets underneath curveball, showed sinking action at 64-67 mph.

Tommy Moran, RHP/2B, Loyola Academy, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball has slight arm side run, 69-72 mph, topped at 73 mph. Curveball shaped 11/5, gradual action, 61-64 mph. Changeup is straight, slight sink, 66-68 mph. Left-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg lift stride. Sprayed contact, long path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Joe Oswald, 1B/3B, Andrew, 2017
6-foot-1, 215-pound right-handed hitting 1B/3B. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with an arm bar load and even stride. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.80. Defensively has a short arm action from a low ¾ slot. Fluid footwork with solid actions around the bag. Clean exchange with soft hands. Threw 80 mph across the infield.

John Peterson, MIF, St. Laurence, 2017
5-foot-8, 165-pound middle infielder, solid build with strength. Defensively showed smooth actions, reliable hands, exchange was quick, can get rid of the baseball on the move. Short arm action, can release from multiple angles, ¾ slot, 72 mph across the infield. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly crouched, minimal stride, heel lift trigger. Path has length, uphill, lifts the baseball at times. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Giovanni Ramirez, INF, St. Patrick, 2017
5-foot-6, 160-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, average balance. Starts hand load early, quick leg lift trigger. 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is shorter and firm, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Long release, windup and glove pat, played through the baseball at times. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Kole Renken, SS, Illini Central, 2017
6-foot-2, 188-pound left-handed hitting shortstop with a solid frame. Ran the 60 at 7.06.  At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a big leg kick stride. Early, stiff rhythm. Defensively has a short, arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph across the infield.

Johnny Rennolds, 1B/LHP, Grayslake North, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting 1B/LHP. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Clean exchange with average hands. Threw 68 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Opposite field hitter with late rhythm. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.86. On the mound works form an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 68-70 topping out at 71 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 62-65 mph. Changeup showed fading action at 65-66 mph.

Trey Romay, 2B, Downers Grove North, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Some accuracy with average arm strength. Threw 79 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a handsy load to the back side. Short stride with fair balance. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.21.

Josh Schuetz, 1B, Plainfield East, 2017
6-foot, 210-pound right-handed hitting first baseman. At the plate hits from a narrow, slightly open setup, with an arm bar load and long stride. Average balance with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.18. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Clean exchange with average hands. Threw 66 mph across the infield.

Alex Verta, INF, St. Laurence, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong lower half, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, simple, stationary setup, short stride and average balance through contact; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, athletic fielding position and steady hands on the infield. Profiles as a third baseman. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot and clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.3 laser-timed 60.

Josiah Walton, 1B, Schaumburg, 2017
6-foot-1, 200-pound first baseman. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride. Flashed hard contact, late trigger, average bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is firm, high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. 7.87 runner in the 60.

Nick Watson, RHP/2B, Normal West, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting RHP/2B with an athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with an upright finish. Fastball flashed run at 79-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with some bite at 69-70 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup with some running action at 72-73 mph. Defensively has a short, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws showed carry across the infield throwing 82 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balance setup with a quick heel lift stride. Short, slightly uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76.

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