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Preseason All-State Showcase: Middle Infield Analysis

March 4, 2015

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The 2015 Prep Baseball Report Preseason All-State Showcase took place on Sunday February 15th at the Max in McCook, IL. 125 of Illinois top prospects in the 2016 class gathered to display the fruits of their hard winter labor in front of the PBR scouting staff.

Click Here to view complete statistics from the 2015 PBR Preseason All-State in PDF format.

Click Here to view the Top Tools Breakdown from the event.

Over the next few days we will rank the prospects by position, culminating in the Top Overall prospects from the event. Today we’ll take a look at the middle infielders from the event, led by Alabama commit Camden Bauer. Bauer showed plus arm strength across the diamond at 87 mph, and his lanky/projectable frame can carry more weight/strength in the future. 

St. Viator SS Jack Coney, a Purdue commit, possessed one of the slickest fielding gloves at the event, and impressed running a 6.98 60.

Geneva MIF/OF Jack Wassel may have more of a future in the outfield, but his bat stood out, taking the best round of batting practice out of all the middle infielders. Wassel has a lean, 6-foot-2 frame, and a fluid left-handed swing.

Providence’s Mike Madej is steady in the middle infield, but his switch-hitting ability stood out: fluid from the left side, and powerful from the right (95 mph exit velocity).

Let’s take a look at the Top Middle Infielders from this year’s Preseason All-State Showcase:

Top Middle Infielders

1. Camden Bauer, SS, O’Fallon, 2016
6-foot-3, 185-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting shortstop, committed to Alabama, impresses defensively with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, playing through the baseball and athletically fielding his position. Moves side-to-side well, plus hands on backhand ball, threw 87 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry, arm is a plus tool. Hits from an open setup, front knee lifts/loads back, short stride, hands load back smoothly, long, uphill bat path, gets extension, showed pull tendencies, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.49 60.

2. Jack Coney, SS, St. Viator, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting shortstop impresses with advanced infield actions, soft hands fielding the baseball, quick/fluid footwork, quick/clean exchanges, athletically plays through the baseball. Threw 80 mph across the diamond from loose, high ¾ arm slot, average carry, accurate arm. Hits from an open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, dives slightly, short, slightly uphill bat path, gets extension, barrel whips through the zone, 81 mph exit velocity. Ran a 6.98 60. Coney is committed to Purdue and is one of the top defensive middle infielders in the 2016 class.

3. Jack Wassel, OF/MIF, Geneva, 2016
Raw tool set that projects well, frame is lean and athletic, 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, showed the ability to play multiple positions on the field, showed most natural actions in the outfield. Left-handed hitter, open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, athletic setup. Took a great round of BP, showed bat speed and ability to drive the baseball to both gaps. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield moved well through the baseball, arm played well with accuracy, 86 mph from the outfield. Athletic feet, 7.07 runner in the 60. On the infield, showed athletic actions to make routine plays, versatile defender, projects better in the outfield, arm played at 78 mph across the diamond. Wassel shows a high aptitude for the bat in BP, if it carries to the field his bat should be one of the more coveted left handed hitters in the class.

4. Mike Madej, SS, Providence, 2016
5-foot-11, 185-pound strong switching-hitting shortstop impressed from both sides of the plate and took one of the top rounds of batting practice at the Preseason All-State. Hits from a crouched, open setup form both sides (slightly more open from the left side). Short, level bat path from both sides, gap-to-gap approach, strength at impact, feel for the barrel from both sides. More bat speed from the right side, 95 mph exit velocity off the tee, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee from the left side. Legitimate switch-hitter. Defensively, threw 72 mph across the diamond from short, accurate, high 3/4 arm slot, average carry across the diamond. Soft hands fielding the baseball, slow exchange from glove to hand, fields position athletically. Runs a 7.47 60.

5. Jeremy Gaines, MIF/OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
5-foot-9, 170-pound athletic right-handed hitting MIF/OF, committed to Missouri, hits from a crouched, open setup, short stride, long, uphill bat path, bat speed evident, fast twitch, 90 mph exit velocity off the tee, line drives with pull tendencies during batting practice. Defensively, threw 88 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands fielding the baseball, two-seam run on throws. Threw 81 mph across the diamond from shortstop from, slightly shorter, arm action, soft hands fielding, stays back on the ball at times. Ran a 6.74 60.

6. Alec Trela, SS, Normal Community, 2016
6-foot-3, 205-pound strong and physical right-handed hitting shortstop impressed with advanced bat speed, 96 mph exit velocity off the tee. Hits from a balanced setup, slightly closed, short stride, hands drop to load, long, level bat path, strength at contact, showed power potential, particularly to pull side during batting practice. Defensively, threw 84 mph across the diamond from shortstop from a long, over-the-top arm slot with carry and accuracy. Impressed with soft hands fielding the baseball out front. Physical frame may fit better at third base, but showed well in the middle infield. Ran a 7.52 60 yard dash.

7. Connor Lovely, MIF, Metea Valley, 2016
Strong athletic frame, 6-foot-2, 195-pound middle infielder. Right-handed hitter, narrow open stance, longer stride to get back even, athletic setup and approach. Path is short, line drive approach, showed pull side pop, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively moved well, athletic and plays through the baseball, hands have a softer feel than most. Arm action is loose, over the top slot, 79 mph arm strength across the diamond. 7.38 runner, laser timed.

8. Joshua Nowak, C, Stagg, C/2B, 2016
5-foot-7, 160-pound left-handed hitting C/2B hits from a crouched setup, short stride, front knee turns inward to load hips, hands load smoothly, short, level bat path, gets extension, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 82 mph exit velo off the tee, barrel whips through the zone. Defensively, impressed behind the plate with pop times ranging from 1.94-2.12, excels with quick transfer and quick feet, arm strength is average at 74 mph from the crouch. Also impresses in the middle infield, 2B type, threw 76 mph across the diamond from short, athletic, high ¾ arm slot. Could catch and play 2B at the next level, utility type player. Runs a 7.17 60.

9. Brandon Skopick, MIF, Lincoln-Way East, 2016
Athletically built, 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. Solid tools all around the diamond. Offensively hit from a balanced stance, slightly closed, minimal loading action, short stride. Simple quiet approach, short path, inside out type swing. Line drive guy, exit velocity measured at 89 mph from the tee. Defensively played with an over the top arm action, showed to be accurate across the diamond, 83 mph. Average hands, feet can be more active through the baseball. 6.90 runner in the 60.

10. Jake Huber, MIF, Lockport, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from an open setup, starts with feet narrow, longer stride but controlled, stays balanced throughout, short, level bat path, produced line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, 84 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot, carry and accuracy on throws. Average hands fielding the baseball, arm works athletically. Ran a 7.25 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matt Collins, SS, Carmel, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting SS impressed with arm strength across the diamond, throwing 85 mph from shortstop from a loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy. Soft hands fielding the baseball out front, stays deep, needs to attack the baseball more, taps glove after fielding before throws. At the plate, hits from a balanced setup, high back elbow setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, long, uphill bat path, solid up the middle approach during batting practice, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.13 60 yard dash.

Damon Czarnecki, MIF, Oak Forest, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound middle-infielder, some strength. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Average bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee, line drive approach with pull tendencies. Ran the 60 at 8.01. Defensively arm plays over the top, 73 mph across the diamond.

Tyler Dallio, MIF/RHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2016
6-foot, 183-pound lanky right-handed hitting MIF/RHP impressed with bat speed and 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Hits from a tall, slightly open setup, short stride, hands held high initially, load back smoothly, balanced throughout swing. Long, level bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap during live batting practice, up the middle approach. Defensively, threw 75 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot, soft hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.85 60. On the mound fastball sat 75-76 mph with some effort from same arm slot. 62-64 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes consistently. 70-73 mph changeup was thrown down in the zone. Mechanically, works slightly across his body, lands slightly closed.

Jake Grobelny, MIF, Wauconda, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting MIF hits from an open stance, short stride, dives at plate slightly, long, level bat path produced line drives, pull approach during live batting practice, 80  mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 75 mph across the infield from long, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy, average carry, soft hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.43 60.

Brady Huebbe, SS/RHP, LaSalle-Peru, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP impressed on the mound with 82-85 mph running fastball from a short, quick, high ¾ arm slot. Regular effort throughout delivery, compact tall/fall delivery, foot stays under knee at balance point, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lands in line with home plate, slightly closed at foot strike spinning off towards first base. 70-74 mph curveball had better shape when it looked more like a slider, with horizontal movement. Slows arm slightly on 68-73 mph changeup. Defensively, threw 84 mph across the infield from shortstop from short, high ¾ arm slot, with accuracy and carry. Stays back on the baseball fielding. Hits from an open setup, wide base, long, uphill bat path, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.41 60.

Dantrell Lucas, MIF, Morgan Park, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound middle infielder, medium frame. Defensively showed loose actions, funnels the ball well to throwing hand, showed softness. Arm action is short and over the top, athletic arm when on the move, 72 mph across the diamond. Showed some foot speed, 6.98 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a narrow setup, slightly open, longer stride back to even. Contact/singles type hitter, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Patrick McGowan, MIF, Lincoln-Way East, 2016
Good frame, 6-foot-2, 170-pound middle infielder. Defensively arm played over the top, short arm action, average strength, 78 mph across the diamond. Average hands, sits back on balls, showed the ability to make plays to his forehand side. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, stride gets him back to even. Lower half can get more involved as well as top hand. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.57 runner in the 60.

Kyle Mitter, SS, Glenbrook North, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound middle infielder, solid build. Defensively played through the ball well, sets feet up to play through it. Arm action has some length getting rid of it, high ¾ slot, solid arm strength, 80 mph. Ran the 60 at 7.37. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, slight arm bar load, minimal lower half. Repeatable, little movement, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Kyle Niemic, MIF, Batavia, 2016
Good frame, strong and athletic, 6-foot-2, 195-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, short stride. Uppercut path, inside outs it, mostly opposite field contact. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played from a high ¾ slot, rigid arm action, 70 mph across the diamond. Showed the ability to make athletic plays, 7.25 runner in the 60.

Tyler Peterson, SS, Lake Zurich, 2016
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder hits from an open setup, short, leg kick stride, short, slightly uphill bat path, loose wrists, quickness to swing when on time, impressed with gap-to-gap line drives during batting practice, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 76 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot, average carry across the diamond, middle infield actions. Ran a 7.18 60.

Jacob Plucinski, MIF/RHP, Taft, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting MIF/RHP hits from an open setup, short stride, dives slightly, hands load back smoothly, long, slightly uphill bat path, pull tendencies during batting practice, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 72 mph across the diamond from loose, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands, fields the baseball out front, solid middle infield actions, heavy feet, 7.59 runner in the 60. On the mound fastball sat 80-81 mph touching 82 on final pitch from loose, high ¾ arm slot, turns knee over the rubber at balance point, tall/fall delivery, strides across his body, lands closed. 71-73 mph curveball had 11/5 slurvy action. Showed aggressive arm speed on 75-76 mph changeup with solid fading action.

Jacob Rintz, MIF, Schaumburg, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a narrow, open setup, long stride, hands start high, load back smoothly, long, level bat path, 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 79 mph across the infield from short, over-the-top arm slot, average hands fielding the baseball, feet work well side to side, solid body control on run through ball. Ran a 7.36 60.

Colin Rivard, MIF, Naperville North, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a balanced setup, hands start back, stay back, loads back smoothly, leg kick stride, long, uphill bat path, high finish, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee, up the middle approach with line drives during batting practice. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot, average hands fielding, choppy actions approaching the baseball. Ran a 7.06 60.

Kolton Rominski, RHP/MIF, Marian Central Catholic, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound two-way player, medium frame. On the mound works from an over the top slot, short arm action, hides it some. Fastball is mostly straight, 80-82 mph, four seam action. Curveball had 12/6 shape, 67-70 mph. Changeup sat 74-75 mph, straight. Slider has similar action to curveball, 73-76 mph. Defensively played the infield with a high ¾ slot, 79 mph across the infield, showed some arm strength. Played through the baseball average hands, some effort. 7.80 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Some bat speed, uphill path, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Nick Schmidt, SS, Prairie Ridge, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting SS hits from a balanced, slightly crouched setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, short, level bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 75 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot, average carry across the diamond. Ran a 7.36 60.

Matt Waznis, MIF, Providence, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitting, middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, smooth loading action, slightly drops hands, short stride, excellent balance. Simple line drive approach, short path, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, with effort, high ¾ slot. 73 mph across the diamond. 7.42 runner in the 60.

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