By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Illinois/Wisconsin

Adam LaRock (Eau Claire North, 2016) showed off a well-rounded athletic game with arm strength, speed, and switch hitting abilities. LaRock leads the group as the top position player in attendance after running a 6.74 in the 60 and showing off an 86 mph arm across the diamond.

Here’s a look at the top position player prospects.

Top Position Players

1. Adam LaRock, INF/OF, Eau Claire North, 2016
Switch hitting multi-positional player, athletic build with projection, 6-foot, 165-pounds. Defensively showed advanced arm strength from both the outfield and infield. Hands work softly, shows natural athletic action at both positions, arm action is short and loose, 86 mph across the infield. LaRock shows the ability to defend at multiple positions up the middle of the diamond. Offensively hits from both sides, slightly open stance, smooth loading action athletic setup. Hands work loosely, shows the ability to find the barrel, more of a pull side approach from the left side. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 6.74 runner in the 60. LaRock is a high level athlete who is clearly a high follow recruit.

2. Zach Gilles, OF, McDonnell Central, 2016
Smaller frame with strength, 5-foot-8, 155-pound left handed outfielder. Fast twitch strong lower half, plus runner, posted 6.66 laser timed 60. Left handed hitter, hits from open stance, taller setup, maintains good balance. Opposite field approach, path has some length, can shorten for style of play, bat speed present, solid impact of the baseball, line drive hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has above average range in the outfield, precise routes, advanced defender, profiles as speedy centerfield type that can defend a large area. Arm action is long, over the top slot, lacks carry, 76 mph, accurate arm to bases.

3. Hayden Houts, C, Owen-Withee, 2015
Solid frame, sturdy lower half, 5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher. Defensively showed feel for the position, natural actions, reliable blocker, footwork is fluid. Arm played at 72 mph from the crouch, short over the top arm slot, 2.13-2.18 pop times with accuracy. Left handed hitter, open setup, smooth load, short stride, athletic quiet setup, good balance throughout. Short path with extension, line drive gap to gap type hitter with bat speed. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.87 runner in the 60.

4. Gannon Goldensoph, C, Oak Creek, 2016
5-foot-10, 172-pound left handed hitting catcher, lean build. Offensively hits from an open stance, athletic setup, shorter stride with good balance throughout. Showed above average bat speed, occasional strength, slight uphill path, line drive to lift approach, slight pull hitter in BP. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed mechanically sound blocking skills, clean exchange. Arm action is short, over the top slot, with some accuracy, 2.11-2.12 pop times. 7.79 runner in the 60.

5. Cody Cline, C, Fall Creek, 2016
5-foot-8, 160-pound catcher, stocky build, strong lower half. Defensively showed a feel for the catching position, well above average actions. Mechanically sound blocking the baseball, athletic defender. Short, over the top arm action, 68 mph out of the crouch. Left handed hitter, hits from a balanced stance, shorter stride, good balance throughout. Simple approach, middle to opposite field approach, showed the ability to impact the baseball. Line drive type hitter, fluid rhythm through contact, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.28 runner in the 60.

5. Matt McHugh, OF, Stevens Point, 2016
6-foot-3, 170-pound outfielder, lanky frame, has projection. Left handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Above average bat speed, works on uphill plane, lifts the baseball, stride gets inconsistent, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Projectable frame and hitter. Defensively arm works from a short over the top action, some accuracy. Exchange is clean, plays through the baseball, showed some natural outfield actions.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kyle Balash, MIF, Eau Claire North, 2015
Short stocky frame, solid build with some strength, 5-foot-5, 140-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a closed stance, short stride, slight dive. Line drive approach, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed the ability to control his body when on the move, occasionally played through the baseball. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, showed the ability to release while on the move. 7.42 runner in the 60.

Ben Bergman, RHP/OF, Eau Claire Memorial, 2016
6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way player, large frame, mature build. On the mound delivery works on line with squared landing, uses slide step from stretch. Arm operates from high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball is mostly straight four seam action, showed control in the zone, 78-79 mph. Curveball has vertical action, 64-68 mph. Changeup sits 72-75 mph, showed the ability to keep it down, occasional sink. 7.54 runner in the 60. Right handed hitter, open stance, short stride, solid balance. Path has uphill tendencies, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee, strong swing. In the outfield uses a longer action, high ¾ slot with accuracy.

Egan Bonde, LHP/1B, Fairbault, 2015
6-foot, 185-pound two-way player, strong build. Tall and fall delivery, short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 71-73 mph, touched 76 mph, showed control of the zone. Curveball worked at 64-66 mph with feel of the zone. Slider showed similar action to curveball 66-68 mph. Changeup played at 56-61 mph. Defensively around the bag showed fluid actions, softer hands, feel for the position natural first base actions, athletic arm action. Left handed hitter, hits from a balanced stance, longer stride, slight opposite field approach. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Will Brahan, SS, Altoona, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound middle infielder, young lanky frame. Left handed hitter, balanced stance, taller setup, short stride. 64 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed an accurate arm across the diamond, showed the ability to go get it up the middle, arm topped at 69 mph across the diamond. 7.51 runner in the 60.

Ty Greco, INF, Whitnall, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound infielder, medium frame. Offensively hits from an open stance, tall setup, short stride, good balance throughout. Makes deep contact, some rhythm, rotational type hitter. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays upright on the infield, arm played with some accuracy, 72 mph across the diamond. 7.74 runner in the 60.

Adam Klos, SS, West Salem, 2015
6-foot-3, 190-pound middle infielder, longer frame, lean strength. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, tall setup, short toe tap stride, good balance throughout. Made solid impact of the baseball, raw pop, some whip. Pull side approach with some pop, swing mechanics can improve. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively projects as a corner infield type. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 76 mph across the diamond. 7.23 runner in the 60.

Nate Leibfried, OF, Colfax, 2015
5-foot-7, 155-pound outfielder. Defensively plays aggressively through the baseball. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, 67 mph from the outfield. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, shorter stride, maintains balance. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Level path with slight line drive opposite field tendencies. 7.28 runner in the 60.

Joshua Leibrandt, C, McDonnell Central, 2016
5-foot-8, 155-pound right handed hitting catcher, medium frame. Defensively plays with a long arm action, high ¾ slot, 2.57-2.65 pop time, arm strength is 64 mph from the crouch. Offensively hits from the right side, closed stance, short stride, slight leg kick. Flashed hard contact to the opposite field, slight uphill path, hits off back side, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Cameron McDougall, C, Stratford Northwestern (CAN), 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher, some strength. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, backwards loading action, good balance throughout. Line drive type hitter, some gap to gap approach, level path. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 60 mph across the diamond. 7.35 runner in the 60.

Eric McGregor, LHP/OF, Ellsworth, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound two-way player. On the mound arm worked from a high ¾ slot, loose arm action, with regular effort. Showed the ability to throw strikes with three pitches. Fastball ranged 71-73 mph touched 74 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, 63-64 mph. Changeup had feel with occasional sink at 67-69 mph. Offensively hit from the left side, slight open stance, short stride. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield arm played similar to that on the mound, showed accuracy and played on line at 74 mph.

Carter Moss, OF, Altoona, 2017
5-foot-8, 134-pound outfielder, thin build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, sets hands high, short stride, 62 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield works through the baseball with a shuffle to release. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 61 mph from the outfield.

Tyler Moua, C, La Crosse Logan, 2015
5-foot-9, 160-pound middle infielder, average frame, slender build. Offensively hits from a tall balanced setup, short stride, arm bar load, good balance. Contact type hitter, line drive opposite field approach. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, high ¾ slot, 67 mph out of the chute. Drops hands to exchange, will see better pop times when hands stay higher and shorter actions. Pop times ranged from 2.36-2.44. 7.61 runner in the 60.

Jake Olson, RHP/3B, Fall Creek, 2016
6-foot-2, 200-pound two way player, large build. Right handed hitter, slightly open stance, short toe tap stride. Low finish, slight uphill path, low finish. Defensively projects as a corner infield type, arm played at 74 mph across the diamond. On the mound, fastball topped at 77 mph, ranged from 72-76 mph. Curveball showed some feel, 65-66 mph, ability to throw for strikes. Changeup pitched in 63-66 mph range. Also flashed a cutter at 67 mph that showed steeper action.

Anthony Osnacz, INF, Badger, 2016
5-foot-10, 145-pound infielder, lean build. Right handed hitter, slightly open stance, shorter loading action, short stride approach. 61 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a shorter arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy across the diamond, 68 mph arm strength from short stop. Ran the 60 at 7.63.

Satchel Postlewaite, INF, Eau Claire Memorial, 2016
5-foot-11, 135-pound infielder, slender build. On the infield showed above average arm strength for his age, 76 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot, longer arm action. Right handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger. Hits off back side, leans on it with slight uphill path, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.33 runner in the 60.

Seth Rowe, OF, Rice Lake, 2016
5-foot-8, 150-pound outfielder, average frame. Defensively attacks the baseball, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Showed the ability to play through the baseball, athletic defender. Offensively hits from an open stance, longer stride, lower half is active, solid balance through contact. 69 mph exit velocity. 7.74 runner in the 60.

Porter Sartor, RHP/SS, Fairbault (MN), 2015
6-foot-2, 194-pound two-way player, strong build, larger frame. Defensively showed some arm strength across the diamond, some accuracy, 75 mph across the diamond. Projects as corner infield type, showed the ability to make backhand play. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, closed setup, short stride. Showed some impact of the baseball, uphill path, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.70 runner in the 60.

Cal Sauro, 1B, Eau Claire North, 2016
6-foot-4, 215-pound first baseman, strong build with larger frame. Right handed hitter, open taller stance, short stride. Some looseness in swing, power approach, with bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed some natural feel around the bag, hands worked. Arm showed some accuracy from high ¾ slot, 72 mph across the infield. 7.53 runner in the 60.

Jacob Schwall, 1B, Wisconsin Lutheran, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound first baseman, athletic build, some quick twitch. Showed well above average foot speed for a first baseman, 6.97 runner in the 60. Defensively plays with a long arm action across the diamond, 72 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from an open stance, toe tap stride, line drive gap to gap hitter. Short path on slight uphill path. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jake Somerville, RHP/OF, St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player, lanky frame. Right handed hitter, wide stance, short stride, can get more out of lower half. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield arm action is long and over the top, showed the ability to play through the baseball. On the mound showed feel for three pitches, over the top slot, long arm action. Fastball sat at 75-78 mph, mostly straight four seam. Curveball had 12/6 action, ok depth, 69-70 mph. Changeup had feel, 68-70 mph, slight sinking action.

Clint Ugolini, C, Lake Geneva, 2015
5-foot-9, 180-pound catcher, solid build, stronger lower half. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, slight leg kick stride. Creates some whip through the zone, path lacks extension, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed mechanically sound blocking skills, arm action is short and over the top, showed some accuracy, 74 mph from the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.13-2.26. 7.48 runner in the 60.

Reese Vold, RHP/INF, Black River Falls, 2018
5-foot-9, 135-pound, two-way player. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, slightly across body. Fastball is mostly straight, showed control of the zone, 70-71 mph. Curveball has steeper plane, 12/6, 57-62 mph. Changeup has slight sink, 64-66 mph, showed feel for the pitch. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, slight arm bar load and leg kick trigger, 67-71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played with shorter action, 67 mph across the diamond.

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