FL Preseason All State: Middle Infielder Analysis
February 12, 2019
The weekend of January 26th and 27th, PBR Florida held its 3rd annual Preseason All-State event at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., to evaluate close to 100 of the state’s top prospects. This invite only event was comprised of prospects from all classes. To view the whole roster, CLICK HERE.
We began our event coverage with a Statistical Analysis, highlighting the top statistical performers on leaderboards. We then provided our first impressions from the event, broken down by team: Team White, Team Blue, Team Black, Team Red, Team Yellow, Team Gray
Today, we continue our position-by-position breakdown with the middle infielders. First, we present the top-10 middle infielders from the event, led by Tommy Benson (IMG Academy), who went on to break the Super60 exit velocity record of 111mph. Following the top-10 prospects are the rest of the participating athletes in alphabetical order. (Two-way prospects will be presented on their own).
Top 10 Middle Infielders:
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Tommy Benson SS / RHP / IMG Academy, FL / 2019North Alabama recruit, he is one of the most physically mature and strong players in attendance.Stands at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds with athleticism and strength. Defensively, there is some stiffness, but works under control. Hands work well, gets to and through the ball and throws have plenty of carry to stay on the left side of the infield, topping out at 89 mph. Offensively, the switch hitter has bat speed and the strength plays from both sides. Appears more confident right-handed where he has more rhythm and works with a leg kick. Stays fairly compact with elite bat speed and an exit velocity of 104 mph. Left handed is still very impressive. The strong lower half clears, works slightly open, could benefit from some separation with the hands but the bat speed plays and shows pull power. Overall, a lot of tools and a follow going into the spring.
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Kevin Karstetter SS / RHP / IMG Academy, FL / 2020Florida Atlantic recruit. Overall, is one of the more twitchy athletes in attendance with not only quick twitch, but strength in the 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame. Looks more like a middle-linebacker than a middle infielder. The athleticism plays well though. Has a quick first step, could work with come more rhythm, but has quality ranges and hands work well. Offensively, the hands are extremely quick and creates well above average bat speed, compact through the zone. Had an exit velocity of 93 mph. Overall the athleticism and present tools still give him a high ceiling even with the presently physical frame.
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Connor Moore SS / 2B / St. John's Country Day, FL / 2021Rankings StateRank: 123 / POS: 29
Florida State recruit. The athletic 6-foot, 170 pound middle infielder was one of the more impressive defenders on the day. He has natural bounce in his step, quick, easy lateral agility. Under control, but works fast while keeping feet and hands in sync. Overall has the actions to be a potential plus defender. Offensively, he has an early separation while can create some length at times. The hands are loose and bat has natural whip. Swing will become more compact with strength and maturity and has present bat speed that should develop into gap to gap power. Overall, a potential plus defender with a high offensive ceiling.
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Cade Parker SS / Bozeman, FL / 2019Rankings StateRank: 149 / POS: 29
FAU recruit. 5-foot-11, 170 pound, athletic build. Defensively, is a very sound defender. Works under control and appears to be the type of infielder who will make all the routine plays and be an all around solid defender who could potentially play multiple positions on the infield. Solid all-around athlete and runner. Offensively, he has a line drive path at the plate. Can get long with the swing and come around the ball but is athletic enough with his hands to overcome. Has a natural feel to hit and should develop.There is natural strength as well as bat speed, an exit velocity of 91 mph and the ball carries well off of the bat, especially to the pull side. Overall, a very athletic player with some upside.
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Marcus O'Malley SS / 3B / Barron Collier, FL / 2021Rankings StateRank: 95 / POS: 23
At 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, he has a slender, athletic and projectable frame. Showing ability to compete with skills now and will mature physically soon, should see a big jump when that happens. Defensively, he is an above average, athletic defender. There is a feel for the position with functional athleticism and soft hands. Quick first step and projects to stick at short. Offensively, he has a high-hand finish and can elevate the baseball. The setup is simple and balance. There is present bat speed and bat to ball skills with more power to come with maturity. Plays the game with a swagger. Very high ceiling in the future.
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Malik Young SS / 2B / Bishop Kenny, FL / 2020Uncommitted, at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds he has a wiry, athletic build. Continues to progress as a player, with plenty of raw athleticism, he continues to refine his skill set. Functional athleticism in the infield, fluid actions and projects to stay at short. Offensively, he has a line drive path and a natural bat-to-ball ability. Quiet setup, could benefit from some added rhythm, but has quick hands and the natural athleticism allows him to get through the zone and to the ball on time.. Exciting follow while he matures as a baseball player.
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Jake Mummau SS / 3B / Palm Harbor University, FL / 2021Rankings StateRank: 52 / POS: 11
Slender athletic build with plenty of physical maturity to come. A very projectable 5-foot-11, 155 pounds. Defensively, the actions are advanced for his class. Still growing into his body, but showed natural feel, quality first step, lateral range and rhythm through the ball. Actions project to be an above average defender. At the plate, the left handed hitter uses his hands well, throwing them directly to the ball no matter where it is in the zone. There is rotational action in the swing, but really stays in the zone a long time and shows advanced feel for the barrel, consistently hitting the ball hard in BP. Overall the is a lot of upside all around
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Connor Fosnow SS / 2B / Lake Brantley, FL / 2022A long, lean, athletic and overall very projectable 6-foot, 175 pounds. Defensively, he has a quick first step, there is some stiffness and works somewhat upright, but there is plenty of athleticism and the hands work well. The bat is his best tool. Very offensively, with a line drive approach currently, there is plenty of power potential in the future. Simple swing that generates power from the lower half. Shows ability to spray the ball from gap to gap, on the barrel consistently. Very high offensively ceiling with a very projectable frame.
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Finn Howell SS / RHP / St. Johns, FL / 2022Rankings StateRank: 89 / POS: 23
An athletic, 6-foot, 155 pounds. Defensively, he moves under control while covering ground efficiently. Hands work from ground up, solid funnel, confident, sure hands. Offensively, while he does drop his hands on the load, he is aggressive through the zone and showed a strong enough top hand to remain on plane. There is present bat speed and more strength to come. A lot to like in the all around athleticism and actions. High ceiling follow.
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Stewart Puckett SS / 2B / DeLand, FL / 2022Rankings StateRank: 47 / POS: 13
A stocky 5-foot-9, 170 pound frame. Present strength and athleticism. Defensively, he has sound all around actions, soft hands and throws were accurate. Offensively, he has a simple leg kick and drives with the backside, clearing his hips and firing the hands through the zone. Above average bat speed and utilizes present strength well. Bat to ball skill with gap to gap power and more to come in the future. May eventually be a very offensive second basemen, but has a lot to like in the offensive profile.
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Best of the rest: Alphabetical Order
Austin Alexander, MIF, Miami Sunset (2020)
A lean and projectable 6-foot-1, 160 pounds. Defensive actions are presently above average and projects to stick on the left side. Works with rhythm, but shows quick first step and functional athleticism. Offensively, he stands tall and works with a leg kick trigger. Trusts his hands and creates natural leverage. Has some length, but will continue to add mower and become more compact with strength. Present exit velocity of 85 mph.
Joseph Casale, MIF, Jesuit (2020)
A very athletic and projectable 6-foot, 170 pound. Long arms and legs. Defensively, works under control, funneling ball into the body. Hands work, will need to quicken release, but has upside defensively. Offensively, the swing is simple with a wide base and level through the zone. The path works and overall will improve as he continues to get stronger.
Konrad Ehmke, MIF, Pine Crest (2019)
A lean 6-foot-1, 170 pounds he shows some present athleticism. Defensively, movies with athletic actions. Hands work, has some rhythm and a short arm action topping at 83 mph in the infield. Athleticism and arm play up in the outfield, where he topped at 88 mph. Offensively, he has a simple compact swing. Path is level, line drive approach. Could benefit from a firmer front swide, but clears the back side well and has a feel for the barrel and an exit velocity of 86 mph.
Evan Griffis, MIF, Lake Brantley (2022)
Very athletic and projectable 6-foot-1, 164 pounds. Defensively, the athleticism plays fairly well. Quick first step and shows lateral range. Could improve release, but hands are sound and overall solid defender. Offensively, he has a simple load and separation. Will see benefits from strength and maturity as the front side gets stronger. Clears hips well and hands work independently and level through the zone. Line drive approach currently, but bat speed and strength to see potential power in the future.
Jack Hodges, MIF, St John’s Country Day (2020)
The lanky 5-foot-11, 160 pound middle infielder has plenty of room to fill out. Defensively, he works from the ground up and shows overall solid defensive actions. Offensively, the swing is simple, compact and level through the zone. Had an 82 mph exit velocity. There is bat to ball skills and overall upside.
Trey Jackson, SS/RHP, Eau Gallie (2020)
Continuing to add strength to a 6-foot, 185 pound frame, although he did not throw Sunday, he has consistently shown two way ability and continued to show his offensive toolset. Defensively, he may slide to third, but hands and feet work well together, arm works, throws have carry and topped at 86 mph. Offensively, he stand confident and tall, starting slightly open and using a small leg kick load. Has present strength and bat speed with some current leverage. Overall, a very intriguing uncommitted two-way follow.
Andres Natera, MIF, Cypress Bay (2022)
5-foot-8, 140 pounds, he still has plenty of room and time to mature. There is a lot of present athleticism and twitch in his actions. Offensively, the swing is simple and works on time with a simple leg kick and lands soft with a strong front side. Swing is compact and level through the zone with present bat to ball skills that will all make big strides with strength. Defensively, he worked light on his feet with quickness in his actions and rhythm through the ball. Overall, the actions works and could make some major strides as he matures.
Hayden Reed, MIF, IMG Academy (2020)
Reed, continued to stand out despite being undersized at 5-foot-8, 150 pounds. Would have really enjoyed seeing him play in game and will be a follow in spring as he plays with a lot of energy. Athletic, function actions defensively. Works under control, rhythm, quick release and carry on the throws. Offensively, he is aggressive through the zone while remaining compact. Has bat to ball skill and overall feel to hit. Intriguing follow heading into the spring.
Zeth Rodriguez, MIF, Nature Coast (2021)
Standing at 5-foot-6, 155 pounds, he has a stocky frame with some present quick twitch athleticism. Defensively, the athleticism plays. Works with rhythm and has a feel for the position. Hands work, clean transfer and throws were accurate with carry. Offensively, he works with a leg kick trigger. Stays balanced, has some length in the swing, but uses the strong lower half well. Swing will become more compact as he matures and adds strength. Present feel for the barrel and should develop into a solid gap-to-gap hitter.
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