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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Position Player Analysis

October 17, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Wisconsin/Illinois

The Wisconsin Unsigned Senior Showcase saw a talented group of prospects, many of which have the capabilities of playing at the college level.  Here’s a look at our top ten performers from the showcase who stood out amongst the rest.

Top Position Players

1. Drew Steinmetz, SS, Chippewa Falls, 2014
Athletic frame, solid build, 5-foot-11, 170-pound middle infielder. Defensively displayed soft quick hands, advanced infield actions, plays athletically through the baseball, natural infield actions. Ran a 7.04 60. Arm played well with a quick release and transfer (77 mph), short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, highly accurate and showed carry. Offensively hit from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, slight bat wrap, high back elbow setup. Lower half works well and maintains balance throughout.  Showed bat speed, good approach, works middle of the field. Short bat path line drive, gap to gap hitter. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Ty Jandrowski, OF/1B, Kenosha Bradford, 2014
6-foot-2, 205-pound left handed multi-positional player, solid frame. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short leg lift stride, lower half works with strong balance throughout. Advanced bat speed, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee, bat path has extension, pull side approach with pop. Athletic hitter with quick hands to the baseball, good power potential. Defensively showed well in the outfield as well as first base, more natural at first base. In the outfield showed athletic actions through the baseball, loose arm action, played through well with crow hop, 86 mph. Arm plays loosely and athletically from both positions. At first base shows the ability to play and release on the move. Natural instincts around the bag, feet show good awareness, soft defensive hands.

3. John Moynihan, RHP/3B, Verona Area, 2014
Sturdy build, 5-foot-11, 190-pound two-way player. On the mound showed a solid delivery, some effort, work quickly, up-tempo delivery, solid direction. Arm works quickly, high ¾ slot, regular arm action. Fastball touched 85 mph, worked at 83-84 mph, mostly straight four seam, pounded the zone. Curveball has 12/6 shape, thrown at fastball arm speed, flashed sharp action. Slider played at 71-73 mph, occasional depth. Changeup showed excellent control, fastball similar arm action, some fade, 74-78 mph. Offensively recorded the top exit velocity at the event, 94 mph from the tee. Hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Well above average bat speed, hard contact, occasional pull side approach, some lift. Defensively plays through the baseball with body control. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy and carry, 80 mph across the diamond.

4. Dominic Hillesheim, OF/C, Menasha, 2014
Athletic build, shows strength, 5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher/outfielder. Defensively showed improved pop times at 2.19-2.28. Uses a short over the top arm action, 74 mph from the crouch. Showed quick feet behind the plate, long strided out of the crouch. 6.93 runner in the 60. In the outfield arm played at 80 mph, showed accuracy and stayed on line. Hits from the right side, wide stance, slight bat wrap load. Lower half worked, solid balance through contact. Showed bat speed, hard contact, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap approach, flashed hard contact to the pull side.  

5. Matt Gruse, SS, Neenah, 2014
Athletic frame, shows strength, 6-foot-1, 165-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from the left side, athletic setup, clean load, short stride, good balance throughout. Lower half coils at load, bat speed present, flashes extension in swing. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed some body control while playing on the move. Plays athletically, clean exchange. Arm works out of a high ¾ slot, short arm action, showed occasional carry at 75 mph. Ran a 7.47 in the 60.

6. Jordan Richardson, C, Menomonee Falls, 2014
Athletic build, 6-foot, 185-pound catcher. Defensively used a short arm action out of the crouch, over the top slot, showed some carry and accuracy, 76 mph from behind the plate. Feet worked well out of the crouch, 7.28 runner in the 60, showed natural catching abilities. Posted pop times of 2.11-2.19. Offensively hit from a balanced stance, short stride, typical loading action. Displayed bat speed, level bat path, line drive gap to gap abilities. Recorded exit velocity of 81 mph from the tee.

7. Jacob Nelson, RHP/MIF, Jefferson, 2014
Slender build, 5-foot-10, 145-pound two-way player. On the mound delivery repeats well, tall and fall approach, regular effort, stays on line, athletic finish. Arm action is short and loose, works with some quickness, athletic arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashes occasional sink, showed control, 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, flashed late action, thrown with fastball arm speed for strikes, 68-71 mph. Changeup has excellent action, showed feel, 72-74 mph, fastball arm action. Shows pitchability throwing three pitches from the same window, repeats and disguises secondary well. Defensively showed clean athletic actions on the infield. Showed soft hands, with a clean exchange, backhand exchange showed excellent quickness,  solid body control. Arm played accurately, short loose arm action from a high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. 7.58 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from both sides, slightly open stance, short stride from both sides. Maintains solid balance throughout, short bat path, showed more strength from the right side. Posted exit velocities of 78 mph from the right side and 71 mph from the left side.

8. Clay Gale, C, La Crosse Central, 2014
Strong build, 6-foot, 185-pound right handed hitting catcher. Defensively showed mechanically sound blocking skills. Arm played at 76 mph from the crouch, flashed carry, over the top slot, short action, traditional catcher’s release. Recorded pop times of 2.18-2.23. Offensively hit from an open stance, quick load with hands, short stride. Lowe half showed some involvement, good balance through contact. Strong hitter, flat path through the zone, posted 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. 7.23 runner in the 60.

9. Kyle Washburn, SS, Indian Trail, 2014
5-foot-10, 145-pound middle infielder, wiry frame, shows projection. Defensively displayed soft hands on the infield, footwork is fluid, clean exchange, quick transfer. Short arm action across the diamond, over the top slot, excellent accuracy (71 mph). Offensively hits from the right side, tall narrow stance, smooth load back, short stride. Lower half works, displays strong balance throughout. Bat path is short, occasional extension, line drive gap to gap hitter. High contact hitter repeats swing well, 77 mph exit velocity.

10. Connor Hafeman, OF, Hortonville, 2014
Athletic build, 6-foot, 180-pound outfielder. Advanced foot speed, 6.8 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced setup, short stride. Lower half is active in swing, solid balance throughout. Contact hitter, aggressive approach, above average bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat path shows occasional extension, some lift. Defensively throws from an over the top slot, 74 mph arm strength from the outfield.

10. Conner Funnell, OF, Sun Prairie, 2014
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder. Displayed solid defensive actions. Traditional outfield arm action, long over the top slot, showed accuracy and carry. 84 mph arm strength from the outfield. Feet worked through the baseball, used crow hop well, natural outfield instincts. 7.57 runner. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, smooth load, short stride. Lower half shows occasional activity, solid balance throughout. Bat path is short to the baseball, steep path, line drive type hitter. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Carter Daniels, LHP/OF, Montello, 2014
5-foot-9, 170-pound left handed two-way player. From the outfield, arm played at 75 mph from a long over the top arm slot showing accuracy. 7.37 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short toe tap stride, hands drop at load. Lower half shows involvement, front foot hitter. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery has a tall and fall approach with regular effort. Arm action is long from a high ¾ slot. Fastball displayed slight cut action, showed control, 72-75 mph. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, 60-63 mph. Slider showed later and tighter action at 66-69 mph. Also featured a cut fastball at 72-73 mph.

Zach Emerson, OF/3B, Brodhead, 2014
Physical make up, 6-foot-3, 200-pound right handed multi-positional player. Defensively in the outfield uses a long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy. 81 mph from the outfield. At third base showed a similar arm action, 78 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from a narrow stance, long stride, high elbow setup. Bat path has length, slightly uphill, flashed occasional hard contact, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jacob Formella, OF, Neenah, 2014
Lanky athlete, 6-foot-2, 180-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance with wide setup, smooth load, short stride. Works the middle of the field, showed bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee, flashed extension, gap to gap hitter. Defensively uses a long arm action from a high ¾ slot from the outfield. 78 mph arm strength from the outfield. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Troy Granick, OF, Verona Area, 2014
5-foot-8, 145-pound right handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits with a simple approach, heel lift stride, smooth load. Retains solid balance throughout. Line drive hitter, repeats his swing well, produced consistent line drives, 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a crow hop through the baseball, rigid arm action, 72 mph arm strength from the outfield. Ran a 7.26 60.

Mitch Hart, 1B, Oak Creek, 2014
Strong build, 6-foot-3, 210-pound right handed first baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, slight dive. Bat path is slightly uphill, pull side approach, occasional pop. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long arm action across the diamond (75 mph). Mechanically sound, hands play out in front. 7.11 runner in the 60.

Tanner Heisel, C, La Farge, 2014
6-foot, 160-pound catcher. Defensively posted pop times in the 2.19-2.30 range. Showed a quick release, 70 mph arm strength from the crouch. Ran a 7.17 in the 60. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, drops hands at load, slightly longer stride. Posted exit velocity of 79 mph from the tee.

Nicholas Kukurich, 3B/RHP, Appleton West, 2014
6-foot, 185-pound two way player, sturdy frame. On the mound delivery is sound, shows little effort, tall and fall style. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball featured slight arm side run, 79-80 mph, showed solid control. Curveball has 12/6 shape, flashed sharp bite occasionally, 70-71 mph. Changeup has advanced action, sinking movement with occasional arm side run, showed control, 73-75 mph, thrown with near fastball arm speed. Defensively showed a strong arm across the diamond, 79 mph with accuracy. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Bat path displayed some whip, solid contact, line drive gap to gap hitter.

Matthew Liewen, OF, Brookfield, 2014
6-foot-2, 185-pound outfielder, strong build. Ran a 7.12 60. Defensively arm played at 84 mph from the outfield, long arm action, ¾ arm slot. Shuffles through release point. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, minimal load, short stride. Flashes line drive abilities, solid balance, 76 mph exit velocity from the outfield.

Andrew Luscomb, SS, Bradford, 2014
6-foot, 160-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed clean actions, solid hands. Long arm action across the diamond, 76 mph arm strength, high ¾ slot, occasional accuracy. 7.33 runner in Offensively hits from a wide stance, right handed hitter, smooth load, short stride, solid balance. Swing shows the ability to repeat, uphill bat path, occasional front foot hitter. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Matt Pudlo, C/RHP, Appleton West, 2014
5-foot-11, 195-pound two way player. Offensively hits from the right side, tall stance, short stride. Hands worked in his swing, pull side approach, lacked back side explosion. Posted an exit velocity of 82 mph from the tee. Defensively posted pop times of 2.26-2.29. Short over the top arm action, showed accuracy, 70 mph arm strength out of the crouch. On the mound worked from a tall and fall delivery, hesitation at the top of balance point, regular effort, arm plays from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 76-78 mph, showed sinking action with occasional run. Curveball had 12/6 shape, 63-65 mph. Changeup flashed sink, down in the zone, decelerated arm action, 61-64 mph.

Jeffrey Reinholtz, OF/RHP, Verona Area, 2014
Lanky frame, 6-foot-1, 175-pound two way player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load and short stride. Bat path is level, line drive type hitter, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. From the outfield used a long arm action from a high ¾ slot, occasionally accurate, 79 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.67 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Arm played out of a high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball registered at 75-76 mph, topping out at 78 mph. Slider showed early action on a 10/4 plane, typically up in the zone, 63-64 mph. Forkball displayed tumbling action, 65-68 mph, down in the zone.

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