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Southwest Suburban Prospect ID: Infield Analysis

December 2, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Southwest Suburban Prospect I.D. took place on November 1st at Elite Sports Performance in Oswego, IL. This week we started rolling out our analysis of the event. Today we take a look at the infielders. Our PBR scouting staff got together and ranked the Top 5 infielders from the event. 

TOP INFIELDERS

1. Alex Steinbach, 3B, Plainfield North, 2017
Athletic, projectable frame 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Registered the top exit velocity of the event, 90 mph. Offensively, made a lot of loud contact during his round of batting practice. Fast bat speed and a pull approach. Balanced setup, short stride and good balance through contact. Defensively, steady hands, fluid footwork and plays through the baseball on the infield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws with carry and clocked at 81 mph. Also, ran a 4.52 home-to-first.

2. Brent McDowell, INF, Lockport, 2017
Athletic build 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, quick hands and easy bat speed. Ball jumped off of his bat at times during his round of batting practice. Fluid rhythm, gap-to-gap and short path into the hitting zone. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, steady hands on the infield. Long arm action, ¾ slot, flashed some carry and clocked at 81 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.62 home-to-first.

3. Garrett Goetz, RHP/SS, Oswego East, 2017
Solid, athletic build 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Flashed some impressive numbers at the event. Ran a 4.26 home-to-first. Registered an 89 mph exit velocity and ran his fastball up to 86 mph on the mound. On the bump, up-tempo delivery, high leg lift, some rhythm and regular effort. Quick arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball worked down in the zone and sat 85-86 mph. Curveball, tendency to shorten arm action, worked 11/5 and 10/4 at times, clocked 69-72 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, thrown with fastball arm speed and sat 76-77 mph. Offensively, flashed fast bat speed and strength through contact. Simple swing and level bat path. Wide setup, pre-pitch load, no stride and average balance throughout. Gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, athletic fielding position out in front of his body. Fluid footwork, quick and clean exchange. Loose arm action, ¾ slot and clocked at 82 mph across the diamond.

4. Matthew Donahue, SS/RHP, Marist, 2017     
Average build 5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, loose hands and aggressive swing. Pull pop at times during his round of batting practice. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and big leg-lift timing trigger. Flashed a quick bat and uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield. Long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 77 mph across the diamond. Ran a 4.62 home-to-first. On the mound, pronounced delivery with some rhythm. Loose, short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Regular effort, in-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball mostly straight, thrown for strikes and sat 75-78 mph. Features a curveball and a slider. Both showed good spin and some feel. Curveball worked between 12/6 and 11/5 with depth and ranged between 60-63 mph. Slider, worked more 10/4, flashed late break at times, 65-67 mph.

5. Connor Donlon, RHP/3B, Neuqua Valley, 2017
Solidly built 6-foot, 180-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder. On the mound, athletic and repeatable delivery. Quick and loose arm action out of a high ¾ window. Some rhythm, regular effort, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, thrown for strikes down in the zone, sat 78-80 mph and touched 81. Curveball worked 10/4 and sat 62-64 mph. Changeup worked down and ranged between 71-73 mph. Offensively, simple stroke and the ability to backspin the baseball. Bat stays through the zone well and gets extension after contact. Fluid rhythm and line drive approach. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and toe-tap timing trigger. Registered an exit velocity of 88 mph. Defensively, steady hands and clean exchange on the infield. Loose arm action from a ¾ slot and clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.53 home-to-first.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jack Bahnaman, MIF, Lincoln-Way East, 2017
Athletic build 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, flashed some looseness in swing. Long and level bat path through the hitting zone at times. Balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 78 mph. Defensively, reliable hands and clean exchange on the infield. Loose arm action, low ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.67 home-to-first.

Ben Benoit, RHP/2B, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2017
Long and lean 5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Ran a 4.15 home-to-first. Offensively, starts from a balanced, tall setup. No pre-pitch load and short stride. Average bat speed and short path to the baseball. Registered an exit velocity of 70 mph. Defensively, slow but clean exchange on the infield. Over-the-top slot and clocked at 72 mph across the diamond. On the mound, some rhythm and effort in his delivery. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball, natural cutting action sat 70-71 mph. Curveball worked mostly 12/6, thrown for strikes and ranged between 58-60 mph. Solid feel for a changeup, slight sink and sat 57-60 mph.

Brandon Gonzales, C/RHP, Bartlett, 2019
5-foot-11, 200-pound, right-handed hitting C/RHP. Offensively hits from a balanced, closed setup with a short stride. Hits off the backside with a long uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 5.25. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Tall receiver with slower footwork. Popped 2.44-2.51 and threw 65 mph from the crouch. Decent receiving in pens. Also took drills in the infield, slower actions with a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Threw 67 mph across the diamond. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with a closed toe landing. Fastball sat 64-67 mph. Curveball showed no action at 56-59 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup at 55-59 mph. Also featured a knuckleball at 54-55 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Tyler Guertin, RHP/3B, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2017
Big-bodied 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder. On the mound, repeats his delivery well, throws three pitches for a strike and plus feel for both off-speed offerings. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot and smooth rhythm throughout delivery. Fastball, located down in the zone, flashed slight run and sat 78-79 mph. Curveball thrown aggressively, for strikes, worked 12/6 and sat 64-67 mph. Changeup, flashed arm-side-run and fade at times ranged between 67-69 mph. Offensively, some looseness and fluidness in swing. Balanced setup, short stride and good balance. Registered an exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, steady hands and clean exchange on the infield. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot and clocked at 77 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.79 home-to-first.

Cody Harrison, RHP/INF, Plainfield North, 2019
Lanky build 6-foot-1, 150-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder. On the mound, arm has some whip from a high ¾ slot. Some rhythm, regular effort, tall and fall delivery. Fastball thrown for strikes and sat 74-75 mph. Curveball worked 10/4, loose spin and ranged between 61-63 mph. Changeup featured cut and sink at times, 61-64 mph. Offensively, simple approach and swing. Balanced setup, no pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, short and loose arm action. High ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 72 mph. Also, ran a 4.62 home-to-first.

Clark Hendricks, LHP/1B, Kaneland, 2017
6-foot, 140-pound, right-handed hitting LHP/1B. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with regular effort. Some rhythm with a square landing. Hides the ball well. Threw fastball for strikes at 74-76 mph. Showed feel for his curveball with 1-7 shape at 67-68 mph. Maintained arm speed on his changeup at 70-71 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Moves well around the bag at first base. Threw 73 mph across the diamond. Also took drills in the outfield throwing 75 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, heal lift stride. Opposite field hitter with a short swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.47.

Brandon Hutson, INF/RHP, Plainfield North, 2019
Long and lean build 6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, clean exchange on the infield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 78 mph. On the mound, he features some arm strength for his age. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Short arm action, high ¾ window and some rhythm in the delivery. Fastball flashed slight sink and run at times, sitting 76-78 mph. Slider, thrown near fastball arm speed, 10/4 action and ranged between 67-69 mph. Changeup, slight run with a tendency to miss up in the zone, sat 65-67 mph.

Eric Lundell, RHP/SS, Marmion, 2019
5-foot-11, 140-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Looks to have a higher ceiling on the mound. Long, loose and quick arm action out of a high ¾ window. Smooth, easy and controlled delivery. Slight cross fire action with an athletic finish. Fastball sat 75-77 mph. Two breaking balls with distinct shapes. Curveball, thrown aggressively, worked 11/5 and ranged between 64-69 mph. Slider, more of a sweeper shape and 10/4 shape, sat 67-69 mph. Changeup, had feel, down in the zone and some sink at 69 mph. Offensively, balanced setup and a toe-tap timing trigger. Long bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 72 mph. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.69 home-to-first.

PJ Maloney, MIF, Mount Carmel, 2017
Average build 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, starts from a balanced setup position. Quick pre-pitch load of his hands, short stride and average balance through contact. Short, uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, quick feet, steady hands and plays through the baseball on the infield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate with carry and clocked at 82 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.69 home-to-first.

Jacob Mason, C/3B, Minooka, 2017
Big bodied 5-foot-10, 225-pound, right-handed hitting C/3B. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly closed stance. Short stride with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.83. Defensively behind the plate has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Quick clean transfer with a slower release. Popped 2.12-2.18 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. Took drills in the infield, moves well for size, threw 76 mph across the diamond.

Nick Petrella, 1B, Oswego, 2017
Strong, athletically built 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Short bat path, pull approach and average balance throughout. Registered an exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, showed feel around the bag at first base. Quick and clean release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate and clocked at 69 mph. Also, ran a 4.71 home-to-first.

Bobby Pierce, 2B, Marmion, 2017
Compact build 5-foot-7, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, strength through contact and compact swing. Balanced setup, pre-pitch hand load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Above-average balance and rhythm in swing. Registered an exit velocity of 78 mph. Defensively, steady hands, fielding the ball out front of his body and a quick release. Short arm action, ¾ slot and clocked at 75 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 4.51 home-to-first.

Steven Proutsos, SS, Plainfield East, 2019
Lean build 5-foot-9, 135-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Crouched, wide setup, short stride and no pre-pitch load. Average balance and long bat path through the hitting zone. Opposite field approach during batting practice. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, steady hands on the infield. Long arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws and clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.57 home-to-first.

Hunter Simon, 3B/RHP, Seneca, 2017
Solid build 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Ran a 4.23 home-to-first. Offensively, strength in swing, flashed bat speed and registered an exit velocity of 89 mph. Pre-pitch rhythm, balanced setup, short stride and uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Defensively, long arm action from an over-the-top slot on the infield. Throws flashed some carry and clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. On the mound, works out of a high ¾ window, short, quick arm action and some rhythm in delivery. Fastball, flashed arm-side-run and sat 80-82 mph, touching 83. Curveball worked 11/5, short, tight break, 67 mph. Changeup, sink and fade and sat 69-72 mph.

Tyler Venditti, RHP/1B, Geneva, 2018
Athletic, projectable framed 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder. On the mound, smooth rhythm, regular effort, tall and fall delivery. High ¾ slot, high leg kick and coiled at balance point. Fastball sat 72-74 mph, touched 75. Curveball located down in the zone, worked 11/5 with depth at 60-62 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, some feel ranged between 62-65 mph. Offensively, sprayed balls to all fields during his round of batting practice. Balanced setup, short stride and average bat speed. Registered an exit velocity of 81 mph. Defensively, flashed a long stretch at the first base bag. Steady hands, long arm action, over-the-top slot and clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.67 home-to-first.

Garrett Wano, SS, South Elgin, 2019
Long and lean 6-foot, 135-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, bat stays level through the hitting zone. Balanced, tall setup, slight pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 72 mph. Defensively, flashed reliable hands on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 68 mph. Also, ran a 5.00 home-to-first.

Ryan Wheeler, MIF, Neuqua Valley, 2018
Lean build 5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, loose swing and bat stays through the hitting zone. Fluid rhythm, flat bat path and line-drive approach during his round of batting practice.  Balanced, open setup, long stride and average balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, athletic fielding position, steady hands, loose arm and a quick release on the infield. ¾ arm slot, accurate and clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.44 home-to-first.

Brendon Wills, INF/RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2017
Long and lean 6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, used the whole field during his round of batting practice. Tall, narrow setup, no load, long stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, reliable hands and quick exchange on the infield. Loose arm action, ¾ slot and clocked at 75 mph. On the mound, over the head full windup. Repeats delivery, some rhythm, loose arm out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, thrown for strikes, flashed hard arm-side-run at times, sat 77-79 mph, touching 80. Slider, feel, worked 10/4, late action ranged between 74-76 mph. Changeup featured slight fade, 73-75 mph.

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