Summer Preseason ID: Position Player Analysis

June 10, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Wisconsin/Illinois

The summer high school baseball season is now underway and several of the names you see below will be leading their respective schools throughout the playoffs. Several of the top players already ranked in teh state showed up and showed well while others we are seeing for th efirst time and look to make their mark as one of the top prospects in the state.

NOTE: Not all the prospects below play summer high school baseball, rather choosing to play club/travel baseball in the summer.

Top Position Players

1. Alex Binelas, 3B, Oak Creek HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound highly athletic corner infielder. Strong, lanky, athletic build with some burst, 7.20 60 runner. Exhibits fluid, short arm action with some carry across the infield at 82 mph. Soft hands and feet, anticipates well, attacks the baseball when necessary. Clean exchange is fluid, doesn’t waste any movement. Shows comfort moving each direction laterally. Maintains athletic, ready position. Hits from a balanced athletic set up with advanced feel. Smooth, consistent load; keeps the head still throughout the swing. Strong hands with some high-end bat control for his age. 89 mph exit velocity. Found the barrel regularly with a short path to the ball with a slight up-hill plane. Let the ball travel and seemed comfortable hitting to all fields for the time being. Gap-to-gap hitter who could develop into a power-pull type with age and overall physical maturity. High level prospect who projects as middle of the order power hitter. Committed to Louisville.

2. Joe Acker, OF, Marquette University, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder, athletic frame, lean body with strength. Defensively showed well above average arm strength from the outfield, arm carries, long over the top slot, 93 mph arm from the outfield. Plays through the baseball, typical outfield actions, high level defender. Offensively hits from the right side, athletic setup, good balance. Explosive bat speed, coils load, can get long, slight uphill path. Power bat, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. 6.96 runner in the 60. Acker is one of the top outfield prospects available in the Midwest.

3. Alex Rodriguez, MIF, Cudahy HS, 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound middle infielder, strong, athletic build. Defensively has a short, high ¾ arm action with some carry, 83 mph across the diamond. Advanced defensive actions. Moves fluidly side to side, demonstrated soft hands. Showed body control and quick feet around the bag, ran a 6.99 sixty-yard dash. Right-handed hitter, balanced, athletic stance, short stride, smooth load, stays balance through contact. Strong, consistent set-up, looked ready to hit. Fast, fluid hands, with a short path to the baseball, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive type hitter who showed nice extension; potential gap to gap hitter down the road. Has the bat control to hit and uses all parts of the field. Strong hitter for his size. One of the top 2017 middle in-fielding prospects in Wisconsin, projects to stay in the middle of the infield and be a top of the lineup hitter.

4. Jack Thelen, C, West Bend West, 2017
6-foot-3, 185-pound catcher with a projectable frame. Has some burst for his age, size, and position, 7.45 in the sixty-yard dash. Has some physical maturity with room to develop more. Athletic and loose behind the dish. Whippy, over-the-top arm action. Pop times were in the 2.10-2.18 range. Best time was 2.00. Replaced the shoulders and feet naturally, seemed comfortable maintaining an athletic position in the crouch. Strong, fast hands at the plate. Flashed a direct path to the ball with level and violent extension through the hitting zone. Short, smooth load, stayed balanced throughout the swing. Looked to have a plan at the dish with some consistent and fluid rhythm. Above average athleticism and an apparent natural feel for the game makes Thelen an interesting underclassman follow in this 2017 bunch.

5. Carson Youngquist, C, Hamilton Sussex, 2016
6-foot-4, 205 pound catcher, lanky, average build. Offensively hits from right side, closed setup, long stride with leg kick, and average balance. Flashed fast bat speed, long and level bat path, average rhythm. 86 mph exit velo. Behind the plate used a short arm action from over the top slot, typical catchers arm action, average strength, some accuracy, 74 mph. Pop times ranged 2.16-2.19. Footwork out of the crouch was directional and gained ground, efficient feet. Ran 7.43 laser timed 60.

6. Ty Olejnik, OF/LHP, Hamilton Sussex, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound, two-way player, lanky build, highly projectable frame. Left-handed hitter, wide, balanced stance, fluid load. Good bat speed, slightly uphill path, pull-side approach, 88 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm, over-the-top arm action, showing some carry, throwing 77 mph from the outfield. Average hands, showed he could play through the baseball, 71 mph across the infield. Off the mound showed short arm action, over-the-top. Delivery was tall/fall style, landing square. Fastball 72-75 mph, straight. Changeup was 65-68 mph, showed some arm-side-run. Curveball was 66-68 mph. High follow 2018 prospect in the state of Wisconsin.

7. Tanner Smith, OF/LHP, Kettle Moraine, 2017
6-foot, 195 pound two-way player, average body. Delivery works across his body, with some rhythm and regular effort. Left-handed arm plays from low ¾ slot, average arm speed, loose action. Fastball sat 77-81 mph with occasional cut. Throws sweeping slider at 70-73 mph with, sharp and late action, throws for strikes, advanced breaking ball for age. Changeup sat 73-76, occasional fade. From the outfield, has short, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, occasional accuracy. Average hands, fluid footwork, athletic and plays thru the ball. Ran 7.1 laser 60. Offensively hits from left side, open stance, leg kick, loads with a lot of moving parts, average balance. Flashed quick bat speed, takes short bath to ball, gap to gap type. Overall good athlete that looks to have higher upside on the mound, good follow in Wisconsin’s 2017 class.

8. Aaron Trattner, MIF, Nicolet HS, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound middle infielder. Smooth, athletic set up at the plate. Short, direct path to the ball with good extension through the zone, 77 mph exit velo. Incorporates the lower half and stays balanced through the swing, gap-to-gap type hitter. Throws from a low ¾ arm slot with some accuracy at 77 mph, with some carry across the diamond.

9. Ben Cameron, C, Waukesha West, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher. Strong bodied athlete sets up in an athletic base, registering pop-times in the 2.12-2.26 range. Long, high ¾ arm action, replaces the shoulders with the feet well. 7.63 runner, hits in a crouch, balanced position at the dish. Hands are short to the baseball with an uphill swing path with some pop. 84 mph exit velocity. Flashed some bat control and the ability to let the ball travel in the hitting zone.

10. Justin Baker, 3B/1B, Waukesha West, 2018
6-foot-2, 200 pound corner infielder, strong body. Right handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth and short stride, average balance. Fast bat speed, takes short and uphill path to the ball, flashes gap to gap power. Exit velo 82 mph. Primarily a third baseman, long arm action, occasionally stiff, throws from a high ¾ slot with some accuracy, 78 mph INF velocity. Slow footwork and long exchange. Ran 8.04.

11. Bryce Schure, RHP/3B, Muskego, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/3B. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle. Tall at balance point with a drop and drive delivery. Uphill shoulders, online delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 80-81 mph. Changeup sat 73-74 mph. Knuckleball sat 71-73 mph. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Average hands with a clean exchange. Threw 84 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Flashed a fast bat with a long, level swing path. Consistent hard contact on the barrel. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.37.

12. Connor Goodman, 3B, Pewaukee, 2017
5-foot-10, 185-pound, left-handed hitting third baseman with some present strength. Currently ranked No. 69 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride and good balance. Flashed a fast bat with an uphill swing path and fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Carry on throws with average hands. Threw 84 mph across the infield. Ran the 60 at 7.59.

13. Jack Hager, INF/RHP, Wheaton North, 2016
6-foot-1, 172-pound, long levered, athletic build, infielder. Hit from a balance, slightly open setup. Showed above average bat speed, uphill bat path, 83 mph exit velocity. Displayed short arm action, over-the-top arm slot, 74 mph across the infield. Soft hands, fluid footwork, and showed the ability to play through the ball. Ran a 7.11 60-time

14. Jack Dwyer, SS, Marquette University, 2016
6-foot-3, 165 pound shortstop, thin, lanky build. Defensively, short and loose arm action from over the top slot, accurate, average arm strength. 83 mph across the infield. Athletic, Average hands, occasionally slow with footwork. At the plate, hits from the right side, balanced setup, short stride, and average balance. Average bat speed, takes level path to ball, line drive type hitter. Ran 7.59.

15. Travis Styer, SS/RHP, Brookfield East, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting SS/RHP. In the field showed a long loose arm action form a high ¾ to 3/4 arm slot. Slot sometimes causes run on throws. Athletic fielder with average hands. Threw 83 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a tall setup with a short stride. Uphill swing path with average bat speed. Showed some looseness in the hands creating whip with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.28. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm slot with a short loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with level shoulders. Fastball sat 77-79 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball sat 65-68 mph and showed 11-5 shape. Maintained arm speed on changeup at 69-72 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jalen Bilty, OF/INF, Waukesha, 2015
6-foot-1, 165-pound, multi-positional player, lanky, athletic build. Showed a short, over-the-top arm action, showing some accuracy. Average hands, fluid footwork, displayed the ability to play through the ball. Hit from an upright stance, lower half working linear. Level swing, with a 77 mph exit velocity. Ran a 6.99 60-time.

Frank Cistaro, SS/RHP, Muskeo, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting SS/RHP. In the field showed a short loose arm action from a high ¾ to over the top arm angle. Plays thru the ball with a quick release and good body control. Threw 73 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide base with a balanced setup. Good balance with no stride. Line drive pull hitter with a short swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.92. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle. Stab in the back with a tall and fall online delivery with some rhythm. Fastball sat 71-73 topping out at 74 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 55-58 mph. Changeup sat 64-65 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Mitchell Cole, 1B, New Berlin Eisenhower HS, 2018
5-foot-9, 165-pound first basemen. Big bodied player, profiles as a corner infielder. 9.42 runner in the sixty. Tall, open stance at the plate with a high leg kick. Stays balance through contact point, 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, throws from a high ¾ arm slot at 67 mph across the infield.

Brady Cunningham, OF/2B, Whitnall, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pounds, tall, lanky, shows athleticism in the outfield. Right handed hitter, balanced and athletic setup with short stride, average balance. Average bat speed, occasionally drags thru zone, level path to ball. Arm action is long, loose and from a ¾ slot, showed some accuracy with arm side run, 74 mph from outfield. Plays thru the ball, average hands, fluid footwork, and clean exchange. Ran an 8.07.

Nicholas Destefanis, SS/OF, Homestead, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound, right-handed hitting SS/OF. In the outfield showed a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. Also took drills in the infield where he showed a long arm action with average hands. Threw 74 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide setup, short stride, with average balance. Short uphill swing path with average bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.54.

Ryan Hecht, C, Marquette University, 2017
5-foot-9, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively behind the plate has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot with average arm strength and a long exchange. Popped 2.18-2.26 and threw 76 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Flashed a fast bat. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. Ran the 60 at 8.21.

Grant Hill, RHP/3B, Wausau West, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound, left-handed hitting RHP/3B. On the mound works from a ¾ arm slot with a long arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a closed landing. Slow paced delivery with regular effort. Fastball flashed run and sink at 73-76 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 64-65 mph. Showed good feel for changeup with fade at 65-67 mph. Maintained fastball arm speed on changeup. Showed good feel for pitching. Projects well on the mound. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Average arm strength with a long exchange. Threw 77 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with hands away from his body. Big toe tap load to backside with average balance. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.97.

Noah Hill, SS, Waukesha South, 2016
6-foot-1, 155-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. Tall balanced stance, short toe tap stride, average balance. Flat level path, line drive type approach, 69 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a high ¾ slot, long arm action, 76 mph across the diamond. Average hands. 7.32 runner in the 60.

Quinn Hyndiuk, 1B/LHP, Brookfield East, 2016
5-foot-11, 170-pound, left-handed hitting 1B/LHP. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Showed good feel and awareness around the bag. Threw 71 mph across the infield. At the plate loads to backside with a short stride. Pull hitter who looks to lift pitches. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.69. On the mound works from an over the top arm slot with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Some rhythm with level shoulders throughout. Falls off to third base side after release. Fastball showed armside run at 69-70 topping out at 71 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 61-63 mph. Maintained fastball armspeed on changeup that showed sink at 64-65 mph.

Matt Keefer, OF/RHP, Arrowhead, 2018
5-foot-8, 130-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP. In the field has a short loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with average arm strength. Threw 71 mph from the outfield. Ran the 60 at 7.75. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance. Drops hands on load with a leg kick trigger. Uphill swing path with average bat speed. 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.75. On the mound works exclusively out of the stretch from a high ¾ arm angle. Tall and fall delivery with level shoulders throughout. Fastball sat 65-69 mph. Curveball showed slurvy shape at 62-63 mph. Changeup sat 61-63 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Bryce Konitzer, SS/RHP, Mukwonago, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player, lean athletic frame. Showed projection on the mound, high ¾ arm slot, loose arm action, little effort, used slide step in stretch. Fastball is mostly straight, 79-80 mph. Curveball had 11/5 action, slight arm deceleration, 66-67 mph. Changeup flashed arm side run, mostly straight, 72-75 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, toe tap to even stride. Sweeping path, 78 mph edit velocity from the tee. Defensively on the infield arm played short and over the top , 75 mph, solid exchange.

Sam Lukins, OF, Glenbard West (IL), 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, solid wide shouldered build. Hits from a tall narrow stance, long stride, high back elbow setup. Attacks the baseball, average balance, gap to gap approach, head movement. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.54 runner. Defensively plays through the baseball in the outfield, arm showed some carry, 83 mph.

Mitchell Lynch, SS/RHP, Northeast Wisconsin, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Flashed occasional pop, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. On the mound arm played similarly, fastball is straight, 72-74 mph. Curveball has gradual shape, 11/5 plane, 59-61 mph. Changeup has near fastball arm speed, 66-69 mph, some feel with slight fade.

John Manley, OF/1B, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2016
6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed, strongly built outfielder. Hits from a slightly closed stance, short stride, showed he can use his lower half. Possessed average bat speed, short bat path, and a 44 mph exit velocity. Displayed a long arm action, high ¾ slot, 64 mph from the outfield. Appeared stiff in the field, ran a 7.16 60-time.

Tanner Natzke, C, New Lutheran, 2016
Solid athletic build, 5-foot-11, 180-pound catcher. Hits from a balanced stance, right-handed hitter, short stride. Topspin contact, slight uphill path, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Short over the top arm slot worked behind the plate. Quick clean exchange, good footwork, 2.05-2.18 pop times out of the crouch. 7.75 runner down the line.

Anthony Osnacz, IF, Badger, 2016
5-foot-11, 150-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short even stride. Average bat speed with an uphill swing path. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the field has a long arm action from a side arm release. Threw 64 mph across the infield. Ran the 60 at 7.30.

Joe Peck, OF, Milwaukee School of Languages, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound, switch-hitting outfielder with some proportional strength. Wide, crouched stance at the plate with a short, uphill swing path. Exit velocity was 79 mph from the right-handed batters box, 85 from the left. Defensively, showed long, loose arm. Threw 71 mph from the outfield.

Ryan Potts, SS, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2016
5-foot-10, 172-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a strong build. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Flashed a fast bat. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.45. In the field has a short, stiff arm action from a ¾ to high ¾ arm slot. Average arm strength throwing 77 mph across the infield.

J.T. Reed, OF, Whitnall, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound, switch-hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. Ran the 60 at 6.97. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average hands. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. Offensively from the right side hits from a balanced setup with a deep load to backside and toe tap stride with good balance. 80 mph exit velocity from the right side. Toe turn load to backside as a left handed hitter. Level swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee left handed.

Ryan Spalding, C, Menomonee Falls
5-foot-9, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong build. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. High narrow setup receiving. Popped 2.10-2.32 and threw 68 mph from the crouch. Also took drills in the infield and threw 69 mph across the diamond. At the plate hits from a balanced stance with average balance. Opposite field hitter with some extension in swing, hands short to the ball. 68 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.71. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Austin Stuckart, 2B, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2016
5-foot-7, 150-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced stance with a low hand set. Raises hand on load, short stride with average balance. Long, level swing path. 62 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the field has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 68 mph across the infield. Ran the 60 at 7.65.

Jonathon Thompson, OF/INF, Hamilton Sussex, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound, multi-positional player, average build, showed strength. Hits from wide, open stance, short stride, lower half works. Uphill bat path, tendency to lift/scoop balls, 84 mph exit velocity. Showed long arm action, high ¾ slot, flashed 76 mph from the outfield. Average hands, showed the ability to play through the ball, ran a 7.20 60-time.

Jacob Varick, RHP/OF, Kettle Moraine, 2016
6-foot-2, 177-pound, two-way player, athletic build. Throws from a ¾ slot, long arm action, landing slightly open. Fastball sits 78-82 mph showing some sink. Tends to get around his slider throwing it 71-74. Changeup 77-79 with good arm speed. Showed his ability to play through the ball with fluid footwork, 83 mph from the outfield. Hits from a balanced, open stance, showing average balance. Displayed average bat speed, exit velocity of 80 mph. Ran a 7.02 60-time.

Summer Preseason ID: Position Player Analysis

Top Position Players

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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