Capitol City Open: Position Player Analysis

September 22, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The very first Capitol City Open took place on Saturday, September 13^th on the campus of Sacred Heart-Griffin on their three-year old, $1.5 million dollar turf baseball complex. The open event saw prospects from the 2015-2018 classes come together, and a majority were new to the eyes of the Prep Baseball Report scouting staff. The event allowed the scouting staff of Prep Baseball Report to get a good look at several prospects in the Springfield area.

Sacred Heart-Griffin’s first baseman John Plattner takes home top honors thanks to an advanced approach at the plate with future power potential. Staunton’s Austin Gusewelle showcased the top outfield arm at the event, and also impresses hitting from the left-side. Pawnee’s Cade Hennemann is a left-handed hitting catcher entering his sophomore year who impressed with his physical build and aggressive approach.

Let’s take a look at the top position player prospects at this year’s Capitol City Open.

Top Position Players

1. John Plattner, 1B/RHP, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound two-way player, athletic build. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, short stride, high loading action, good balance through contact. Produced pull side line drives, some bat speed present, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played through the baseball athletically, short loose athletic arm action, 73 mph across the diamond, softer hands. 7.74 runner in the 60. Delivery has regular effort, tall and fall approach, stays closed. Arm works from high ¾ slot. Fastball ranged 73-76 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 63-66 mph, flashed sharp tighter break. Changeup thrown with near fastball arm speed, 67-68 mph.

2. Austin Gusewelle, OF/RHP, Staunton, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a wide, balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, average bat speed, level bat path with an up the middle approach. Hit several line drives during batting practice with exit velocity up to 80 mph from the tee. Defensively, threw 83 mph from outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Showcased average hands, plays through the baseball when fielding with fluid footwork. Ran a 7.60 60, and 4.73 seconds from home to first. On the mound, fastball sat 76-78 mph with run from shorter, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort, tall and fall delivery, no load at balance point, some rhythm, and level shoulders throughout delivery. Lands 11/5 breaking ball for strikes at 63-65 mph. Change was best secondary offering at 68-70 mph with arm side run.

3. Cade Hennemann, Catcher, Pawnee, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher impressed at the plate hitting from a balanced, slightly open setup, hands are low, load smoothly, short stride, barrel whips aggressively through the zone creating short, level bat path with line drive tendencies and 70 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 68 mph from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.25-2.37 from short, over the top arm slot. Stays tall in crouch when receiving, could work to provide lower target. Ran an 8.28 60 and 4.88 seconds from home to first.

4. Will Greenwald, OF, Highland, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide, crouched setup, short stride, quiet approach, level bat path hitting several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, impressed in the outfield with short, loose, quick, over the top arm action with carry and accuracy. Threw 82 mph from the outfield, also impressing with fluid footwork, quick exchanges, playing through the baseball. Ran a 7.15 60 and 4.51 seconds from home to first.

5. Tanner Scott, 1B/RHP, Mattoon, 2015
Extra-large body, 6-foot-5, 235-pound two-way player, strong, wide shouldered build. Hits from the right side, open stance, toe tap stride. Impacts the baseball, pull side power approach, occasional bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound works with a short arm action. Fastball has slight run, 79-83 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, flashed bite, 65-69 mph. Changeup has arm side run, 69-70 mph, near fastball arm speed.

Best of the Rest (In Alphabetical Order)

Richard Barnum, MIF, Springfield, 2015
5-foot-6, 145-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a wide, balanced setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, average bat speed, short level bat path, up the middle/line drive approach with 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 69 mph across the infield from long, loose, over the top arm slot, soft hands fielding the baseball, clean exchanges, plays through the ball. Ran a 7.83 60 and 4.91 seconds from home to first.

Patrick Belz, MIF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a balanced setup, short stride, average bat speed, level bat path, sprayed line drives up the middle and to the opposite field during live batting practice with 73 mph exit velocity off the tee. Impressed defensively with plus middle infield actions. Threw 76 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry. Soft hands, quick fluid footwork, athletically plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.41 60 and 4.54 seconds from home to first.

Tommy Drake, 3B/1B, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder hits from a balanced setup, short toe tap stride, aggressively impacts the baseball with short, uphill bat path and above average bat speed with 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 67 mph across the diamond from short, over the top arm slot with accuracy from third base. Ran a 7.52 60, and 4.8 seconds from home to first.

Derrick Engelke, OF, Gillespie, 2015
6-foot-3, 190-pound outfielder, projectable build, long and athletic looking frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, toe tap stride, good balance throughout. Line drive, gap to gap approach, above average bat speed, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield uses a standard crowhop to play through the baseball, over the top arm slot, showed some arm strength, 82 mph from the outfield. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Sam Greene, C/RHP, Highland, 2016
5-foot-10, 220-pound two-way player, developed build, strong lower half, shows overall present strength. Right handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal stride, lower half works, good balance through contact. Makes hard impact, showed barrel awareness, path is short, line drive gap to gap type hitter. Defensively works from a short arm action, over the top slot. Arm played at 73 mph from the crouch, 2.18-2.22 pop times. Sturdy receiver. 8.01 runner in the 60. On the mound worked from a high ¾ slot, longer arm action, squared landing. Fastball flashed cut action, 73-76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 60-62 mph, tendency to decelerate. Changeup showed sink, near fastball arm speed, 68-71 mph.

Hunter Groth, C, Rochester, 2017
6-foot, 250-pound catcher. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly closed, short leg lift stride, high back elbow. Path has length, lifts the baseball shows occasional power. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, 2.22-2.32 pop times, arm played at 71 from the crouch. 8.99 runner in the 60.

Bryce Hinton, C, Peoria Notre Dame, 2016
5-foot-10, 189-pound catcher, sturdy build, shows excellent present strength, strong lower half. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly closed, short toe tap stride, maintains strong balance. Fluid rhythm, some pull side tendencies, lacked extension. 69 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from an over the top slot, showed accuracy to the bag, sets up well, footwork can improve. 2.19-2.33 pop times, arm played at 69 mph from the crouch.

Cadel Hortberg, C, Pleasant Plaines, 2018
5-foot-5, 106-pound small framed, right-handed hitting catcher hits from an open setup, hands held high, load smoothly, short stride, short level bat path, singles type hitter producing exit velocity off the tee up to 65 mph. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.61-2.69 at 59 mph from the crouch from short, over the top arm slot. Showed soft hands receiving and moves athletically behind the plate. Ran an 8.33 60.

Matt Moseley, C/OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound catcher, lanky frame with athleticism, projectable body. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, short leg lift stride. Pull side approach, slightly uphill path. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a longer arm action from the crouch, arm played at 64 mph. Pop times ranged from 2.39-2.62. 7.88 runner in the 60.

Bryce Nolan, OF/LHP, Kewanee, 2017
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/left-handed pitcher hits from a tall setup, hands held high, short stride, long, level bat path with pull tendencies and 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, uses short, high ¾ arm slot, throwing 70 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.82 60 yard dash. On the mound, threw 69-71 mph from short, high ¾ arm slot with smooth rhythm, level shoulders, lands square. Only secondary offering was 65-67 mph changeup thrown near fastball arm speed with sinking action.

TJ Painter, LHP/OF, Havana, 2018
5-foot-10, 135-pound left-handed two-way player, thin build. Left-handed hitter, tall stance, hands load backwards, maintains balance. Stays on top of the baseball, short path down through the ball, line drive type hitter, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played with length, ¾ slot, exchange is clean, 75 mph from the outfield. Delivery slightly across his body, clean arm action, works quickly. Fastball showed slight running action, 71-73 mph. Breaking ball sat 51-52 mph, more sweeping action. Changeup had cutting action, slight sink, 56-59 mph, near fastball arm speed, inconsistent action.

Joe Roscetti, 3B/1B, Williamsville, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound corner infielder. Left handed hitter, balanced stance, heel lift load, partial lower half involvement. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 8.00. Defensively fields out in front, long firm arm action, 72 mph across the diamond. On the mound, fastball sat 72-74 mph, touched 75 mph controlled the zone. Changeup showed feel, 68-69 mph, arm side action. Flashed a knuckle ball at 65-67 mph.

Addison Ruot, OF/RHP, Pleasant Plains, 2018
5-foot-7, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, open setup, leg kick stride, short, slightly uphill bat path with exit velocity up to 77 mph. Defensively, threw 67 mph from the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy from an aggressive crow hop. Quick footwork when fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.84 60, 4.87 from home to first. On the mound, fastball sat 65-69 mph from short, high ¾ slot, easy effort from tall and fall delivery, level shoulders throughout, lower half stays in line with home plate. Utilizes overhead windup, curveball showed gradual break at 62-64 mph. 64-67 mph slider had cutter action and was thrown more consistently for strikes than curveball. Also threw 61-64 mph changeup.

Sawyer Scott, RHP/OF, Mattoon, 2016
6-foot-4, 220-pound two-way player, lanky frame, highly projectable body. Hits from an open stance, quick short lifted stride, minimal load. Line drive hitter, pull side approach, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shuffles through the baseball, showed the ability to play through the baseball. Arm works from an over the top slot, short loose arm action, accurate arm, 79 mph. 7.78 runner in the 60. On the mound works from a full windup, over the top slot. Fastball flashed hard sink, 73-76 mph. Curveball had 12/6 shape, 58-62 mph. Changeup thrown with near fastball arm action, 65-69 mph.

Jake Shea, MIF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2017
Lanky frame, 6-foot-2, 170-pound middle infielder. Balanced stance, short stride, high hands, collapse at load. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands showed the ability to play, clean exchange, showed the ability to play through. Arm played from a high ¾ slot, 65 mph across the diamond. 7.84 runner in the 60.

Logan Tate, 1B/3B, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2017
6-foot-1, 215-pound corner infielder. Left handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly closed, short stride, partial lower half involvement. Pull side approach, lifts the baseball, some bat speed present. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, 66 mph across the diamond. Hands worked, showed some natural actions around the bag. Ran the 60 at 7.69.

Griffin Welz, 3B/RHP, Highland, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP hit from an open setup, leg kick stride, long uphill bat path, with pull tendencies and 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Impressed defensively showing steady hands and actions, 72 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ slot with accuracy. Ran a 7.92 60. On the mound, short, high ¾ arm slot delivered 72-75 mph fastballs. Slows arm on 57-58 mph gradual breaking, 11/5 curveball. 66-70 mph changeup flashed cutting action.

Benjamin Williamson, RHP/3B, Blue Ridge, 2016
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP hits from a wide, slightly closed setup, very little movement in hand load, no stride/lifts heel to stride, above average bat speed with pull tendencies during batting practice with 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from long, over the top arm slot with accuracy. Showcased average hands when fielding, stays deep fielding from position. Ran a 7.67 60. On the mound, fastball sat 80-82 mph from long, high ¾ arm slot, toe down at balance point, tall and fall delivery with regular effort, slow tempo, throws slightly across his body, lands square. Threw both a curveball and slider in the 63-66 mph range, curveball was more consistent with more depth and 12/6 action. 71 mph changeup was thrown near fastball arm speed.

Cody Womack, SS/RHP, Williamsville, 2017
5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitting shortstop hits from a balanced setup, raises hands during load, utilizes a leg kick stride, short, level bat path with pull tendencies and 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 64 mph across the diamond long, ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Plays tall, average hands, corner infield actions. Ran a 7.81 60. On the mound, threw 70-72 mph fastball with run. Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands closed. Landed 55-60 mph curveball with 11/5 shape for strikes. 57-61 mph changeup flashed occasional fading action.

Brian Zanger, MIF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2016
5-foot-9, 120-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a closed setup, no stride approach, short, level bat path produced line drives up the middle and to the opposite field with 67 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 65 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Showcased average hands, clean exchanges fielding the baseball. Ran an 8.20 60.