Ben
Hartl

Formerly the No. 14 ranked prospect in the Illinois 2021 class. Recorded a .435 batting average last season with 25 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 68 RBIs, 86 runs scored and 35 walks. Hartl has continued to add strength to his 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame. The right-handed hitter works with a simple operation, minimal load and remains on balance, staying on the barrel throughout his round with a max exit velocity of 99.9 mph; showing barrel control and adjusting to pitches in all quadrants of the plate. Average to slightly better arm strength, reached up to 82 mph from the chute with a top pop-time of 2.00 seconds, clean transfer that could be tightened up a bit for even lower POPs. Reached up to 86 mph on the infield with steady actions and a quick transfer. 

Heartland Scout Day: Another versatile defender due to his athletic feet and sure hands, Hartl looked to be the top catcher for the Hawks, but also impressed on the infield. With average arm strength behind the dish (81 mph) and similar quality from shortstop (87 mph) he’s a steady receiver and produced POP times of 1.84, 1.87 and 1.94 during I/O. He also moved well with a 6.76 laser timed 60. At the plate, he’s developing more power (98 mph max EV) as a hitter with a loose, easy and repeatable swing.

Recent Heartland CC commit, ranked No. 44 in Illinois. Stock has been trending up all summer long. 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame with quality strength added to his frame as of late, especially in the lower half. Right-handed hitter, profiles towards the top of an order. Repeatable, compact right-handed swing with rhythm and balance throughout. Present plate awareness, hunts the fastball and has present pull-side power. Launched a no-doubt home run to deep left-field on Saturday. Defensively, advanced receiver; quiet setup, flexible hips, soft hands, present pitches well, gets underneath the low pitch and quiet soft blocker. Arm plays strong and true from behind the crouch. In game pop times range from 2.00-2.10. One of the top catchers in the state.

Verbally committed to Heartland CC.

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Compact build, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced, strong base, quiet load, short stride and maintains balance throughout.  Compact swing, repeatable, strong wrists, path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. INF - 84 mph. Arm plays short, quick and from an over-the-top slot. Throws play true.
Defense: 2.09-2.19 pop times. Worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Has the actions and ability to stick at both. Behind the plate, sure hands, sticks pitches, athletic actions, clean out of the crouch. On the infield, reliable defender, hands play soft and receptive, works through the baseball.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

2019 Future Games: 5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher/infielder; compact, strong lower half. Despite playing the majority of the time behind the plate, has the ability to stick on the infield as well. Behind the plate, advanced receiver, quiet, soft, receptive hands, presents pitches well, gets underneath and sticks the pitch at the bottom of the zone. Flexible hips, clean and directional out of the crouch. Traditional catcher arm action; short and over-the-top. True, four-seam carry, inconsistent accuracy and throws topped at 80 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.05-2.12 on workout day. On the infield, profiles at third base; fundamentally sound, clean footwork, soft hands and arm plays true across the diamond (83 mph). Offensively, took consistent, quality at-bats throughout the week. Understands the strike zone, has a plan in the box, rarely leaves the zone and minimal swing-and-miss. Only struck out once on the week and saved his best game for last, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Open setup, short stride and repeatable swing. Short, uphill bat path, feel for the barrel and finishes on his backside. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.21 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-11, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short leg lift stride, average balance. Uphill bat path, gap-to-gap hitter.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Long arm action, works from an over the top slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.24 pop times. Sets up with feet slightly staggered. Steady hands, clean exchange, upright replaces feet.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher; compact build, strong, defined lower half.  Started behind the plate and hit in the three-hole. Is also more than capable of playing the infield. Offensively, quiet, balanced setup, simple swing, stays within himself. Quick bat, stays short the ball, controls the barrel. Took competitive at-bats throughout, tough out. Was on time and not over-matched against 86-88 mph in his final at-bat. Hit a hard come-backer for a 1-3 groundout, 4.64 down the line. Defensively, natural behind the plate, athletic actions, quick feet. Ability to bounce out of the crouch and make plays in front of the plate. Strong arm, stays true and on-line to second base, consistently around the bag. Was 2.01 in game on a stolen base. Follow 2021 prospect, currently ranked No. 30 in the state.

2.18.19 - 5-foot-10, 170-pound switch hitting multi-positional prospect, well-proportioned, athletic frame. From the right side of the plate, sets up balanced, smooth load, short stride, simple and controlled. Loose and athletic hands, short, fluid path, works uphill, repeated line drive contact to all fields. More open setup on the left with more pull tendencies, repeated from both sides. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Smooth actions on the infield, fluid footwork, plays through with soft hands, steady and clean all around. Long to release, arm plays short and quick, over the top slot, accurate throws carried 84 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, pop times ranged 1.90-2.10, an event best. Quiet setup, rhythmic hands, athletic feet out the chute, quick and clean transfer to release. Arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot with arm speed, throws topped 77 mph from the crouch. 7.31 runner in the 60.

7.23.18 - 5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly open, short stride, occasionally dives. Path is loose and creates bat speed, short uphill plane, occasional line drive contact. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.79 runner home to first. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 76 mph out of the crouch. Occasionally gets uphill out of the chute, hands play soft clean exchange. 2.18-2.25 pop times.

1.27.18 - 5-foot-8, 145-pound, lean, athletically built, catcher/infielder. At the plate, right-handed hitter, open, wide setup, short stride, fluid rhythm and maintains balance through contact. Profiles as a top of the order type of hitter. Simple swing, loose hands, feel for the barrel and makes a lot of hard contact; 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, showed well behind the plate and on the infield. Behind the plate, clean transfer, stays on-line, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. 72 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.15-2.26. On the infield, athletic actions, sure hands, maintains body control on the move. Clean transfer, follows throws and topped at 77 mph. 7.90 runner in the 60.