Class of 2020 Showcase: Infielder Analysis

On Oct. 14, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the fall’s Class of 2020 Showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill. There, more than 80 high school juniors came out to perform in a pro-style workout in front of our staff and a group of college coaches.

Today, we’ll continue rolling out our position-by-position breakdown of the event by evaluating the group of infielders who made it out.

This group was among the deepest at the showcase, led by INF Nicholas Serr (Minooka; uncommitted). The lean 5-foot-9 middle infielder is a natural infield defender and has a repeatable right-handed swing and makes a lot of line-drive contact. 

INF Ernesto Moreno (DePaul; uncommitted) checks in right behind Serr on the rankings below and has a similar profile to Serr with more of a gap-to-gap approach at the plate. Both have the ability to stay on the left-side of the infield moving forward.

Check out the full reports below on both Serr and Moreno, as well as each and every one of the infielders who took reps at The MAX last month. We’ve already published the Statistical Analysis from this showcase, as well as the breakdown of the event’s catchers and outfielders. Keep an eye out tomorrow when we evaluate all of the arms who took the mound at the showcase.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Nicholas Serr, SS/2B, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-9, 150-pound infielder lean athletic frame. Actions play smooth on the infield, hands are soft and clean fluid exchange, actions play through the baseball. Arm works athletically from multiple slots, high ¾ slot, accurate across the diamond, flashed carry, 77 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride gets even. Simple approach, barrel control hitter, level path, line drive hitter, on time. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.35 runner in the 60.

2. Ernesto Moreno, SS/2B, DePaul, 2020
5-foot-9, 160-pound infielder, athletic build. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride. Aggressive swing, confident presence in the box, swings with intent, gets extension on slight uphill plane, hits in rhythm. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Actions play well through the baseball, smooth footwork, clean exchange, showed soft hands. Arm is short and high ¾, carries across, 82 mph. 7.20 runner in the 60.

3. Jack Landmesser, SS/3B, Brother Rice, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitting infielder, lean frame. Hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Line drive, gap to gap approach, hands stay inside the baseball. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is short and high 3/4, 74 mph across the diamond. Shows body control, long to release at times, quick footwork. 6.96 runner in the 60.

4. Sean McDevitt, SS/2B, St. Rita, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound right/right infield prospect with lanky, projectable frame. Offensively, simple, relaxed approach, balanced/tall setup, smooth load back, starts open and gets back even after small leg lift stride. Short bat path on slight uphill plane, flashes bat speed, line-drive contact consistently back up the middle, fluid throughout. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, fluid and clean actions, short and loose arm action from high ¾ slot, steady body control, 82 mph across the infield. 7.64 runner in the 60.

5. Omar Garcia, SS/3B, Lake View, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound right/right infield prospect with wiry, athletic build. Defensively, clean and fluid throughout, smooth feet and soft hands make it easy to play on the move. Clean exchanges, athletic arm action, short and loose with accuracy, 78 mph across the infield. At the plate, pre-pitch rhythm, tall and open setup, leg lift stride gets back square. Hands help create some bat speed, uphill bat path, spray-type with gap-to-gap contact, easy, fluid throughout. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.57 runner in the 60.

6. Will Holland, SS/2B, Harrisburg, 2020
6-foot-1, 152-pound middle infield prospect with lean, athletic build that projects. Right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, smooth load back, short leg lift strides gets back square. Looseness in hands, level bat path produces line-drive contact; 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, quick and fluid footwork, plays through the ball is in control on the move. Smooth, clean actions to his glove side. Short arm action from high ¾ slot with accuracy, 81 mph across the diamond. Above-average runner; 6.75 in the 60.

7. Caleb Pyrz, OF/INF/RHP, Champaign Central, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short stride, maintains control. Quick twitch in swing, strong hands, short level bat path, repeated hard line drive contact to all fields, smooth rhythm through contact. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively from the outfield, quick, under control footwork, clean exchange, hands work. Arm plays loose, ¾ arm slot, ball comes out firm, throws topped 86 mph from the outfield. In the infield, lets ball get deep, steady hands, ranges well, packs at exchange. Loose arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws carried 81 mph across the infield. 7.26 runner in the 60. On the mound, repeats tempo, sturdy balance, works in-line, lands square, athletic finish. Arm plays loose and quick, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball, late run in the zone, 83-84 mph. Curveball, sharp 11/5 break, 70-73 mph.
Changeup played 79-81 mph.

8. Jose Rivera, OF/INF, Whitney Young, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, well-proportioned, athletic frame. Fleet footed runner, 6.75 60-yard dash, laser-timed. At the plate, wide, open setup, back/drop load, long stride, occasional dive. Uphill bat path, occasional hard contact, ball gets deep, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively in the outfield, fluid footwork, fields it deep, long to release. Long arm action with arm speed, throws topped 81 mph from the outfield. In the infield, dedens the baseball, packs at exchange. Short arm action, ball comes out, throws topped 80 across the infield.

9. Bryce Brown, 3B/SS, Morton, 2020
6-foot-3, 170-pound high-waisted infielder with lean, athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, wide, open base, subtle load back, short heel-lift stride. Long, level bat path produces some gap-to-gap contact, 84 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Long, loose arm action from ¾ slot, 77 mph throws to first. 7.26 runner in the laser-timed 60.

10. Frank Morales, 2B/SS, Roberto Clemente, 2020
5-foot-6, 140-pound infielder, lean build. Plays with smooth actions on the infield, hands work, loose actions, works through the baseball. Arm is short, high ¾ slot, played accurate, 76 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, quiet setup, balanced sand smooth load action, short stride, good balance. Level path, barrel control hitter, line drive contact. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.18 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Edwin Alvarez, 1B, St. Laurence, 2020
5-foot-11, 205-pound left-handed hitting first base prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, leg lift stride. Level path with some bat strength, showed occasional pop, 81 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, right-handed, active, fluid feet, soft hands, feel for the bag. Short, loose arm action from high ¾ slot with carry, 71 mph throws to third. 7.83 runner in the 60.

Bryan Avalos, INF/RHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
5-foot-9, 135-pound two-way player, lean wiry frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Bat path is level, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays long on the infield, high ¾ slot, 63 mph across the diamond. Actions play deliberate through the baseball. 7.91 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays similar, fastball showed sink, 68-70 mph, touched 71 mph. Curveball played 60-62 mph. Changeup sinks, 63-65 mph.

Bryce Backal, INF, Providence Catholic, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly close, lift and hang trigger. Hits off front foot, path is long and level through zone. Opposite field contact, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength across the diamond, high ¾ slot, carried at 84 mph. Long shuffle through transfer, shows ability to release from multiple slots. 7.62 runner in the 60.

Thomas Devine, 1B/LHP, Brother Rice, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound left/left two-way player. Offensively, balanced setup, bat wrap load back, short and quick leg lift stride. Long, uphill bat path, line-drive contact, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, clean exchanges, long, over-the-top arm action, 69 mph throws to third. 8.83 runner. On the mound, dorp-and-drive type, can work across body, lands closed. Long, high ¾ arm action, some effort. Fastball, straight, 68-69 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 57-60 mph. Changeup, some sink, 64-65 mph.

Jason Donohue, INF/RHP, Grayslake North, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound two-way player, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, big quick leg kick trigger. Uphill path, showed gap to gap contact, late trigger at times. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot, 72 mph across the diamond. Actions moved well, played through the baseball showed body control. 7.07 runner in the 60. On the mound arm is long out of a ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, 73-75 mph, topped at 76 mph. Curveball is slurve type action, 58-59 mph. Changeup sinks, 65-67 mph.

Kaden Fearday, INF/RHP, St. Anthony, 2020
6-foot-4, 165-pound two-way player with long, thin frame, room for projection. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, small leg lift stride. Long, uphill bat path, 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clean exchanges, short, low ¾ arm action, 77 mph across the infield. 7.30 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed, tall-and-fall type with some rhythm, works with some tempo. Loose arm action from ¾ slot. Fastball, flashed run, 75-78 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, better feel from the stretch, 63-65 mph. Changeup, some sink, 70-72 mph.

Will Gibbs, INF, Harrisburg, 2020
5-foot-10, 140-pound infielder, lean frame, loose live actions. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Path is level, occasional uphill, line drive contact, hard at times, hits in rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.27 runner in the 60. Infield actions play fast, quick feet. Loose arm action plays from multiple slot, 78 mph across the diamond.

Justin Kerestes, 1B/RHP, Rockford Boylan, 2020
6-foot-4, 200-pound two-way player with lean, projectable frame. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, bat wrap load, quick and short stride. Long, uphill bat path, flashed some power potential to the pull-side, 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, long, over-the-top arm action, 72 mph throws to third. 7.83 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall-and-fall type, high draw. Long, over-the-top arm action, finishes upright. Fastball, straight, 68-73 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 58-61 mph. Changeup, near-fastball arm speed, mostly straight, some sink, 60-63 mph.

Mark Lindner, 1B, Morton, 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound right/right first base prospect with some strength in lanky frame. Offensively, tall, open setup, strides back even. Long, uphill bat path, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, footwork is fluid, quick and controlled exchanges, some feel for the bag. Short arm action from ¾ slot, 71 mph across the infield. 7.81 runner.

Jake Margolick, INF, Highland Park, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound infielder, athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg lift stride. Path is short and uphill, some gap to gap contact, hits in rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays short and high ¾, 82 mph across the diamond. Showed actions moving to glove side, with quick release. 7.38 runner in the 60.

Adam Massello, INF/RHP, Highland Park, 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound infielder, lean athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, dives. Path is short, slightly uphill, rotational hitter. 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensive actions work deep on the infield, arm is short and high ¾, accurate across diamond, 75 mph. 7.50 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works slightly uptempo, squared landing, arm action is short and over the top. Fastball plays with arm side run, showed feel for the zone, 75-77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 65-66 mph. Changeup is near fastball arm speed, 67-70 mph.

Matthew McAleer, RHP/3B, Prospect, 2020
6-foot-3, 165-pound two-way prospect with high waist, lanky frame. On the mound, right-handed, briefly rocks into tall-and-fall delivery, works on line and lands square. Over-the-top arm action with some rhythm. Fastball, mostly straight, some tilt, 77-79 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 64 mph. Changeup, sinks, 66-68 mph. At the plate, balanced/tall setup, brief loads back, toe-tap stride. Long, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, agile feet, short, over-the-top arm action, 79 mph across the infield. 7.47 runner in the 60.

Anthony Nalbono, OF/INF, South Elgin, 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound right/right prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick stride, aggressive approach. Long, uphill bat path with average bat speed, 86 mph exit velo from the tee. In the outfield, long, over-the-top throws, 76 mph to home. A corner infield type, clean exchanges, similar long, over-the-top arm action, topped 76 across the diamond. 7.70 runner in the 60.

Sebastian Parchomenko, RHP/INF, Dundee Crown, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player. Delivery is tall and fall, works on line, tucked at top of balance point, lands closed. Arm action plays long and over the top with some effort. Fastball sat 80-83 mph, showed tilt when down. Curveball has sharp 11/5 shape, above average action, 71-75 mph. Changeup sinks, 71-75 mph. Big arm on the infield, long high ¾ slot, accurate across the diamond, 85 mph, length in release with effort. 7.73 runner in the 60. Hands showed softness, gets through the baseball. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, loads hands back, longer stride. Some bat strength present, pull side power approach, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Michael Pawyza, 3B, Lockport, 2020
5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting third base prospect with strength in frame. At the plate, balanced setup, loads back into small leg lift stride. Loose hands work with level bat path, line-drive type contact, works middle of the field; 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, profiles at third base, short, over-the-top arm action with accuracy, clean exchanges, plays through the ball, 79 mph across the infield. 7.30 runner in the 60.

Evan Pogioli, 3B/RHP, Pekin, 2020
6-foot-2, 220-pound two-way prospect with durable, strong frame. Right-handed hitter, tall/balanced, open setup, hands drop into load, brief leg lift trigger back even. Present strength, long, uphill bat path, looking to launch the ball, pull-side tendencies, 87 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, long, over-the-top arm action, 76 mph throws to first. 8.04 runner in the 60. On the mound, drop-and-drive type, some effort involved, lands closed. Short, over-the-top arm action. Fastball, straight, 74-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 66-68 mph. Changeup, sinks, 68-71 mph.

David Roscoe, 1B, Maine West, 2020
6-foot-2, 160-pound first base prospect with lanky, athletic frame. Left-handed hitter, tall, open setup, arm bar load back, leg kick stride back even. Looseness in the box, long, uphill bat path, fluid throughout, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, attacks the ball with control, feel for the bag, quick and clean exchanges. Long, loose, easy arm action from high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the infield. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Jacob Roubein, INF/RHP, Mount Zion, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound two-way player. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short leg lift stride, hands load back. Path is short, short low finish, level through contact, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.97 runner in the 60. Arm plays 76 mph across the diamond, long and loose across the diamond, ¾ slot. On the mound armed worked similar, regular effort, tall balance point, upright through release. Fastball sinks, 71-73 mph, topped at 74 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, slurve type action, 60-62 mph. Changeup slightly sinks, 62-64 mph.

Gabriel Schmitt, 3B, Warren Township, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed hitting infielder with strong, athletic frame. Offensively, pre-pitch rhythm, balanced setup, wide base, back load into small stride. Barrel control through the zone, advanced strength helps create bat speed, short path on uphill plane, gap-to-gap contact, high finish and maintains balance throughout. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, short arm action from high ¾ slot, fluid feet, clean exchanges, 75 mph across to first. 7.31 runner in the 60.

Roberto Vaca, SS/RHP, Lake View, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound two-way prospect with strong, athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, pre-pitch rhythm, balanced setup, small stride, repeats. Loose hands, long, uphill path produces line-drive/gap-to-gap contact, 82 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, quick, fluid footwork, plays through the ball, clean exchanges. Long, high ¾ arm action, 73 mph across the infield. 7.68 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, uptempo, tall and fall delivery with regular effort throughout. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, occasional sinking action, sat 71-73 mph, touched 74. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-61 mph. Changeup, worked straight, 66-68 mph.

Daniel Walton, OF/INF, Glenbrook South, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound, switch hitting outfielder/infielder, lanky frame. Offensively similar setups from both sides, tall, open stance, more bar load from the right side, leg kick trigger. Short, uphill bat path, longer path from the left side, rhythm throughout, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively in the outfield, quick footwork, plays through, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. From the infield, plays through the baseball, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph across the infield. 7.24 runner in the 60.

Zane Zielinski, 2B/SS, Lake View, 2020
6-foot, 150-pound middle infield prospect with thin, lanky frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup, loads back, leg lift stride gets back square. Long, uphill bat path, works the middle of the field, line-drive contact, fluid throughout, 83 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, fluid feet, plays through the ball. Loose, easy, whippy arm action from ¾ slot, with accuracy; 78 mph throws to first. 7.72 runner in the laser-timed 60.

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