By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Chicagoland Open took place on Sunday, August 21st at The MAX in McCook, IL.  Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and over the next week we will break down the event position by position.

Earlier this week, we began the analysis of the event taking a look at the catchers in attendance. Today we roll-out the analysis of the infielders from the event.

Once again Ronald Applewhite sits atop the list. Still uncommitted, he ran a 6.77 60 at the event and the ball jumped off his bat at the plate. Applewhite should be a high follow 2017 moving forward.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Ronald Applewhite, OF/INF, Rich East, 2017
6-foot, 160-pound outfielder, lean lanky frame, live loose body. 6.77 runner in the 60. Defensively showed athletic actions and range, footwork is quick and fluid, showed soft athletic hands. Arm action is loose and quick, carries well, 85 mph from the outfield, 84 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup with short stride. Spray line drive type hitter, loose hands, gets on top of the baseball, short path. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Ernst Coupet, OF/INF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder, lean lively frame. Quick twitch athlete, 6.78 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even, good balance. Loose hands, showed bat speed, athletic hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played multiple positions, showed raw athleticism at both, longer strided actions. Arm action is loose played at 79 mph from the outfield, 75 mph across the diamond.

3. Corey Graham, OF/INF, Crete-Monee, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound outfield/infielder. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, hands load back. Loose hands on level path, flashed bat speed, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 6.89 in the 60. Defensively, trusts his hands, work soft and clean exchange. Raw foot speed has yet to translate defensively. Feet could arm played long from a high ¾ slot, 83 mph from the outfield, 79 mph across the diamond.

4. Andrew Hoffmann, RHP/3B, Plainfield East, 2018
6-foot-3, 160-pound two-way player, long lanky frame. On the mound, arm action is long and loose, works well out front, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 77-79 mph, touched 80 mph with slight arm side run. Curveball showed feel, gradual action on 11/5 plane, 65-68 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 70-74 mph. Right-handed hitter, slightly open setup, short stride, good balance. Loose and easy bat, level path. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed similar arm across the diamond as on the mound. Average hands, 79 mph across the diamond. 8.03 runner in the 60.

5. Andrew Gatland, SS/RHP, Lyons, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP with a thin, lanky frame. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic actions with fluid footwork. Threw 74 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a wide base. High back elbow with a long, uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.18. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 71-74 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with loose rotation at 59-62 mph. Fastball arm speed on changeup with arm side run at 67-70 mph for strikes.  

5. Nate Harris, MIF, Woodstock North, 2017
5-foot-9, 145-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed above average actions, average hands with ability to control body, some athleticism and range. Arm action is athletic, can release from multiple angles, 77 mph across the diamond. Ran the 60 at 7.05. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, looseness in swing. Occasional quick twitch, mid-opposite field approach, level path. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jake Anderson, INF, Bolingbrook, 2017
Lean lanky frame, 6-foot, 150-pound middle infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, chokes up off the knob, solid balance through contact. Short path, static, line drive approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average hands, clean exchange, showed some body control and athleticism while playing through the baseball. 7.29 runner in the 60. Arm flashed some carry, 80 mph across, longer action with some accuracy.

Danny Borgstrom, SS, Morris, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic actions with a quick exchange and fluid footwork. Threw 82 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance with a smooth load and short stride. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.47.

Mark Cruse, MIF, Barrington, 2019
5-foot-6, 125-pound middle infielder, lean wiry build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Path has length, pull side contact, 61 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot, 65 mph across the diamond. Showed solid footwork, some athleticism. 7.86 runner in the 60.

Joshua DeLeon, RHP/3B, De La Salle, 2020
5-foot-8, 125-pound two-way player. On the mound arms slots out of a high ¾ window. Fastball is straight, 67-70 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 55-59 mph. Knuckle ball flashed some action, 59-61 mph. Right-handed hitter, even setup, short stride. Loose hands, sprayed the baseball, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 70 mph across. 7.85 runner in the 60.   

Noah Dellutri, 3B, Downers Grove North, 2018
6-foot-1, 215-pound right-handed hitting third baseman with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a narrow, open stance with a leg lift stride. Low hand set with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.05. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Slow actions with above average hands, third base type defender. Threw 73 mph across the infield.

Zach Fricke, RHP/SS, Buffalo Grove, 2018
6-foot-2, 158-pound right-handed hitting RHP/SS. Projects well on the mound. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery. Works in line with home plate. Fastball showed slight running action at 83-84 topping out at 85 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with tight rotation with late breaking action at 68-69 mph. Maintained fastball arm speed on changeup that has sinking action at 71-73 mph. Also threw a knuckleball at 66-67 mph. Defensively has a loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws with carry throwing 79 mph across the infield. Showed good body control with a quick, clean exchange. At the plate hits from a tall open stance. Line drive hitter with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.37.

David Grunder, RHP/SS, Madison West (WI), 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way player. Delivery works slightly across body, closed front side, little effort. High ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 74-75 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, slurve type action, 59-62 mph. Changeup is 63-66 mph, decelerated arm action. Right-handed hitter, squared setup,short stride, simple setup and approach. Mostly opposite field contact, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short high ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond. Second base type defender, stays deep on the baseball. 8.38 runner in the 60.  

Ian Grunder, 2B, Madison West (WI), 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, closed front foot, short stride, pre pitch barrel tip. Path has some length, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, high ¾ slot, 70 mph across the diamond. Low effort actions, 8.31 runner in the 60.

Ryan Leland, 3B/RHP, Sandburg, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP with a lanky, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short leg lift stride. Fluid rhythm with good balance. Gap to gap hitter with extension thru contact. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.04. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball, slower actions with fluid footwork. Threw 76 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball has slight running action at 77-79 mph. Slider has sweeping action with tight rotation at 66-68 mph, thrown with conviction. Changeup showed sinking action at 65-68 mph.

Jalen Lemons, OF/INF, Simeon, 2017
6-foot, 185-pounds, squared stocky build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth loading action, leg kick trigger. Bat strength, above average bat speed, occasional hard contact, pull side hitter. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, flashed carry from the outfield, 84 mph, 79 mph across the diamond. Corner type defender, 7.30.

Carlos Martinez, SS/RHP, Grant, 2019
5-foot-4, 126-pound two-way player, smaller body type. Defensively projects at second base,  showed actions on the infield, some body control, and quick release. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot, flashed quick release, 73 mph across the infield, 77 mph from the outfield. 7.52 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short toe tap stride. Singles contact, path is level, some length, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound fastball has slight run, 71-75 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has short 11/5 shape, 63-67 mph. Changeup played at 68-70 mph, fades. Flashed a cutter at 72-74 mph.

Aiden Monce, 1B/RHP, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitting first baseman, open stance, longer stride with leg lift, drifts to front foot. Barrel works around the baseball, average bat speed. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, showed an athletic arm action, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.73 runner in the 60. On the mound fastball sat 71-73 mph, slight running action. Curveball has 10/4 gradual action, 58-61 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, 64-70 mph.

Luke Olbrot, INF/RHP, Morris, 2019
5-foot-6, 140-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup. Swings with effort, level path with length, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Positionally plays short footwork, 8.10 runner in the 60, average hands. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 70 mph across the diamond. Right-handed pitcher, similar arm action on the mound, showed feel for the zone. Fastball has slight arm side run, 71-72 mph. Curveball has short break, 58-63 mph. Changeup is 59-61 mph, ability to throw for strikes. Showed splitter at 63-64 mph with some sink.

Graham Radabaugh, SS/RHP, Geneva, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP with a raw present tool set. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride. Short swing path with stiff rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.41. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Showed raw arm strength throwing 80 mph across the infield. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an open landing and effort in delivery. Will continue to improve with more backside involvement Fastball sat 82-83 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 68-69 mph. Changeup has slurve action at 64-65 mph.

Justin Rios, OF/1B/LHP, St. Laurence, 2018
5-foot-6, 150-pound two-way player. On the mound arm works from a high ¾ slot, short arm action. Fastball showed arm side run, 76-78 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, showed feel for the zone, 63-66 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, straight action, 68-72 mph. Left-handed hitter, leg lift stride. Path works uphill, loose hands, fly ball contact. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played similar to that on the mound, 80 mph from the outfield and across the infield. Active and aggressive footwork in the outfield, 7.56 runner in the 60.

Trey Romay, 2B/SS, Downers Grove North, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound middle infielder, lean athletic body type. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loose balance. Some effort with a longer swing, uphill path, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays 76 mph across the infield, high ¾ slot, long release. 7.32 runner in the 60.  

Garrett Wano, SS, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-2, 154-pound middle infielder, lanky thin frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open setup, loads back, slight arm bar, toe tap stride. Showed loose hands, some projection in his bat, will improve with strength. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 67 mph across the diamond, longer arm action. 7.87 runner in the 60, average footwork, gangly actions.

Nathan Wantland, 2B/OF, Morris, 2018
5-foot-7, 145-pounds, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, short stride, simple setup and approach. Spray contact, worked gap to gap, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played 69 across the infield, 70 mph from the outfield, short high ¾ slot. 7.75 runner in the 60. Defensively showed infield type actions, uses two hands, deep defender at times.

Jack Wendelberger, 1B, Pewaukee (WI), 2017
6-foot, 215-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. Wide setup, short lifted stride, sets hands forward. Showed bat strength, path has some length on natural uphill plane. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action across the diamond, over the top slot, 67 mph across the diamond. 7.93 runner in the 60.

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