By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Metro East Open took place on Tuesday, June 27th at Blazier Field in O'Fallon, Illinois. The event had over 55 prospects from Illinois and Missouri participate in a pro style workout in front of the PBR Scouting Staff. Today we continue the analysis with a look at the infielders from the event. 

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Cole Hampton, 3B/OF, Edwardsville, 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound, lanky, athletic, right-handed hitting outfielder and third baseman Defensively, short, loose arm action, arm slot varied between high ¾ and over-the-top, accurate. Plays through the ball, moves well in the infield and outfield, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, 86 mph from the outfield, 84 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick stride, maintains good balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short, level barrel path, generates bat speed, fluid rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.33 laser-timed 60.

2. Josh Ohl, SS/2B, Edwardsville, 2019
5-foot-8, 135-pound, right-handed hitting, athletic middle infielder, has feel and fluid actions in everything he does. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, works from multiple angles, accurate. Athletic fielder, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchanges, maintains body control, steady, 76 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, loose hands, short barrel path, fluid rhythm, 78 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.19 laser-timed 60.

3. Nic Baker, 3B, Rochester, 2018
5-foot-9, 183-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance through swing. Gap-to-gap hitter, loose hands, attacks the ball, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action from multiple slots, some accuracy and carry, 86 mph across the infield.

4. Nathan Martin, MIF, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively, short arm action, slot varies between high ¾ and over-the-top, accurate. Moves athletically, maintains body control, soft hands, fluid footwork, quick exchanges, 75 mph across the infield. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive, opposite field hitter, long barrel path, 77 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.22 laser-timed 60.

5. Logan Lowery, SS/2B, O’Fallon, 2020
5-foot-9, 125-pound, lanky, athletic middle infielder, advanced defender for his age. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ slot, accurate with carry, quick release. Athletic fielder, soft hands, fluid footwork, quick exchanges, maintains body control, 69 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short barrel path straight to the ball, 78 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.58 laser-timed 60.

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Clayton Adams, SS, O’Fallon, 2021
5-foot-10, 136-pound, lanky right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively, tall, open setup, bar load, short stride, maintains balance. Line drive hitter, long, level barrel path, 80 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.50 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, fluid footwork, 77 mph across the infield.

Evan Anderson, 1B/3B, Triad, 2019
6-foot-4, 215-pound, thick, switch-hitting corner infielder, physically intriguing. Offensively, similar setup from both sides, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing, keeps it simple. Gap-to-gap hitter, short, uphill barrel path, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee from the right-side, 72 from the left. Ran a 7.24 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, 71 mph across the infield.

James Beirne, SS/2B, Ladue Horton Watkins (MO), 2018
5-foot-7, 164-pound, right-handed hitting, thick lower half, middle infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains good balance through swing. Gap-to-gap type hitter, showed looseness in swing, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.54 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action from multiple slots, kept throws around the bag, some carry. Plays through the ball with body control, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, 78 mph across the infield.

John Beirne, 1B/3B, Ladue Horton Watkins (MO), 2018
5-foot-8, 220-pound, thick right-handed hitting corner infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains some balance through swing. Line drive hitter, some looseness, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran an 8.65 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 70 mph across the infield.

Luke Biehn, 2B/3B, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-9, 134-pound, lanky right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains good balance through swing. Line drive hitter, sprays the ball, long barrel path, fluid rhythm, 76 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, accurate, quick, clean exchanges, fields athletically, 76 mph across the infield.

Brennen Bledsoe, SS/2B, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot, 145-pound, lanky, right-handed hitting, middle infielder. Defensively, long, loose arm action from low ¾ slot, accurate with some carry. Plays athletically, soft hands, quick, fluid footwork, quick exchanges, 77 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced, open setup, bar load, maintains balance, long barrel path, 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.15 laser-timed 60.

Jarrett Budde, 2B, Breese Central, 2018
5-foot-9, 165-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing, uphill barrel path, 75 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.26 laser-timed 60. Defensively, right-handed, long arm action, ¾ slot, accurate on throws, 68 mph across the infield.

Evan Furfaro, SS, Webster Groves (MO), 2020
5-foot-11, 135-pound, lanky right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, tall, open setup, minute leg kick timing-trigger, maintains good balance through swing. Line drive hitter, long, level swing, fluid rhythm, 75 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.36 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, kept throws around bag, 67 mph across the infield.

Zechariah Georgian, SS/2B, Belleville East, 2019
5-foot-8, 135-pound, left-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, crouching setup, keeps it simple, no load or stride, line drive hitter, barrel stays level through the zone, bat speed present, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.10 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, quick footwork and exchanges, fields athletically, 73 mph across the infield.  

Seth Germann, 2B/SS, Carbondale, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound, lanky, athletic middle infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, back load, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short barrel path, advanced approach, late fluid rhythm, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, soft hands, 72 mph across the infield.

Quinten Helmuth, 3B, Arcola, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound, right-handed hitting third baseman. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing, line drive hitter, short barrel path, 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.59 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, clean footwork, 68 mph across the infield.

Jake Holan, 2B, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lanky, athletic, right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate with some carry. Plays through the baseball athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, quick exchanges, gets rid of the ball quickly, 73 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, toe-tap stride, maintains balance through swing. Simple swing, easy effort, uphill barrel path, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 6.89 laser-timed 60.

Jake Levin, MIF/RHP, O’Fallon, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, hands drop on load, long stride. Gap-to-gap hitter, loose hands, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 78 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.26 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm action varied between long and short, low ¾ arm slot, gets rid of the ball fast, quick on exchanges, 74 mph across the infield. On the mound, works from left-side of rubber, short arm action, ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works towards third, lands closed. Fastball, slight run, 71-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 61-63 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sink and fade action, 69-70 mph.

Spencer Owens, RHP/1B, Dexter (MO), 2018
6-foot-2, 215-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Defensively, long arm action from high ¾ slot, clean on exchanges, maintains body control, 72 mph across the infield. On the mound, long, wrapping action, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, slight run action, 75-79 mph, topped out at 80. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 65-69 mph. Slider, downer, 64-66 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, bar load, long stride, long, uphill barrel path, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.28 laser-timed 60.

Tyler Placke, 1B/RHP, Parkway South (MO), 2018
6-foot-2, 205-pound, left-handed hitting, strong, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed, short circular arm action, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes walking off the mound. Fastball, run action, commanded the zone, 77-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, near fastball arm speed, 63-66 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 70-71 mph. Defensively, high ¾ slot, accurate with carry, 77 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, short leg kick timing-trigger, some looseness, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.49 laser-timed 60.

Elliott Prott, 3B/RHP, Highland, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound, strong, right-handed two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Pull hitter, long, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.52 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate on some, 78 mph across the infield. On the mound, short arm action, mostly works from high ¾ slot, drops to side-arm occasionally for fastball. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, finishes athletically. Fastball, run action, 77-79 from high ¾ slot, 73-75 from side-arm. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 67-69 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 72-76 mph.

Garrett Ray, 1B/3B, Francis Howell North (MO), 2018
5-foot-11, 215-pound, thick, right-handed hitting corner infielder. Offensively, tall, open setup, leg kick timing-trigger, some looseness, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 89 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.71 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long, firm arm action, high 3/4 , accurate on throws, 81 mph across the infield.  

Carson Richardson, SS/RHP, Collinsville, 2020
6-foot-3, 175-pound, right-handed, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, short, quick arm action, ¾ arm slot, smooth rhythm, works on-line. Fastball, slight, late run, commands, 77-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, occasionally showed depth, 66-69 mph. Changeup, flashed near fastball arm speed, 72-74 mph. Offensively, athletic setup, balanced crouch, long stride. Line drive hitter, level barrel path, 76 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.57 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short, loose arm action, ¾ slot, accurate with some carry, soft hands, quick exchanges, fields athletically, 78 mph across the infield.  

Robert Sigman, 1B/LHP, Highland, 2018
6-foot-1, 198-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, left-handed, short arm action, ¾ slot, maintains body control, 73 mph across the infield. Offensively, tall, open setup, long stride, level barrel path, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.37 laser-timed 60. On the mound, stretch only, firm arm action, high ¾ slot. Possesses some rhythm, occasionally falls third base, lands square. Fastball, mostly straight, 74-75 mph. Slider, 1/7 shape, 65-68 mph. Knuckleball, some feel, 60-63 mph.

Andrew Whipple, RHP/2B, Valmeyer, 2018
6-foot-5, 165-pound, lanky two-way prospect. Defensively, short, loose arm action from ¾ arm slot, accurate. Fields athletically, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 77 mph across the infield. Offensively, left-handed hitter, tall, balanced setup, short stride, long barrel path, 75 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.20 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short arm action, ¾ to low ¾ arm slot. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, flashed cut, commanded the zone, 74-76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, showed feel, 62-65 mph.

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