Prep Baseball Report

Peoria Preseason I.D.: Infield Analysis


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

On Wednesday, February 26th, the PBR Illinois staff made its last stop on the high school winter showcase circuit for the third annual Peoria Preseason I.D. Approximately 70 prospects from the area and all high school classes made their way to the Louisville Slugger Dome in Peoria.

We began our positional breakdown with a look at the catchers in attendance. Today we continue the coverage of the event with a breakdown of the infielders in attendance. 

The top four infield spots belong to underclassmen with 2022 INF Nolan McMasters (Glenwood) leading the way. McMasters creates advanced bat speed at the plate, showed feel for the barrel and has the feet, hands and arm to stick on the left-side of the infield moving forward. 

Bryer Arview (Civic Memorial, 2023) is a freshman middle infielder who came in right behind McMasters. Arview also is a natural infield defender with a chance to stay on the left side of the diamond and he has a loose easy left-handed swing.

Seth Parkinson (Rochester) and Easton Harris (Washington) are two uncommitted sophomores to follow who rounded out the top four on the list. Both have the tools to stick on the dirt with upside right-handed swings.

Read on below for reports on all of the infielders from the event.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Nolan Mcmasters, Chatham Glenwood  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP Emerged as a high-follow 2022.
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load and quick leg-kick timing trigger.  Fast bat, athletic hands, short path, stays through the zone and feel for the barrel. Worked gap-to-gap, fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short, quick arm, over-the-top slot and plays accurate with carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, quick feet, ranges well to both sides and comfortable on the move. Sure-handed and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

2. Bryer Arview, Civic Memorial (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP Follow 2023 left-handed hitting middle infielder.
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds. Athletic, lean build.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, hands load and short stride. Loose easy swing, quick bat, short uphill path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short clean arm action, plays loose with accuracy from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic infield actions, fluid footwork, hands play soft, funnels through release and plays through the baseball in rhythm.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. Clean straight line runner. 

3. Seth Parkinson, Rochester  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced comfortable setup, smooth load, short stride and stays on balance throughout. Loose hands, present bat speed, stays short level and through the zone. Feel for the barrel, works gap-to-gap and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Clean arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Natural infield actions, sure-handed, advanced double play turn, plays with body control on the move and clean transfer.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

4. Easton Harris, Washington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 167-pounds. Lean athletic build with plenty of room for continued added strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, quiet load and short stride. Loose hands, creates whip in the barrel, level path, extension through contact at times. Consistent line-drive, gap-to-gap contact and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Loose arm plays accurate and out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, plays into body at times, confident on the move, smooth double play, clean release.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

5. Jake Tapia, Belvidere North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Athletically-built with room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride and hits with rhythm Loose athletic hands, long bat path, stays through the zone and uses the entire field.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Loose quick arm, plays easy and flashes carry across the diamond.
Defense: Light on his feet, fluid footwork, comfortable on the move, body control, sure-handed and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

6. Luke Flesner, Springfield (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Narrow upright setup, smooth quiet load and short stride. Strong hands, short uphill path, looks to elevate the baseball and ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Short quick arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws played with life across the diamond.
Defense: Steady hands, maintains body control on the move, crow hops into release.
Run: 6.72 runner in the 60. Long, easy strides.

7. Jack Barham, Dunlap  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-foot-6, 150-pounds. Compact frame with strength in lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight loading action and leg-lift trigger. Swings with controlled aggression. Repeats, quick bat, short path, line-drive approach and finishes on balance.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot and throws played with carry.
Defense: Smooth defender, plays with body control, sure-handed, quick double play turn, gathers through exchange at times.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

8. Josh Heyder, Washington (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot, 210-pounds. Broad-shouldered strong build with physciality throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced wide setup, smooth loading action and mininimal stride. Quiet compact swing, strong hands, present bat strength, short path and flashed pull-side power.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. INF - 88 mph. Easy arm strength. Short over-the-top arm action and throws played with carry.
Defense: Showed best behind the plate but has the ability to profile as a corner infielder as well. Clean and directional out of the crouch. Efficient and easy actions, advanced blocks; deadens the baseball in front. Quiet receiver, soft hands.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

9. Carson Dubach, Edwardsville (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: /SS
Body: 5-foot-7, 140-pounds. Wiry build.
Hit: LHH. Narrow open setup, smooth load and stride works back to square. Loose hands, fluid rhythm, stays through the zone, line-drive gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, plays over-the-top. Throws play true and with carry from behind the plate.
Defense: Worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Behind the plate, flexible hips, athletic clean actions, repeatable and directional out of the crouch. Soft hands, soft willing blocker.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

10. Kellen Hershberger, Normal Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Highly-athletic frame with well-proportioned strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced tall setup, smooth load and short stride. Hits with rhythm, long bat path, uphill tendencies and pull-side approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short loose arm action plays athletically from multiple slots.
Defense: Natural infield actions, fluid footwork around the first base bag, soft hands and clean release.
Run: 8.12 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jacob Abenroth, Dunlap (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds. Lean build with plenty of room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall upright setup and leg-kick timing trigger. Loose levers, long bat path, extension at times and pull-side approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot from behind the plate.
Defense: Worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Steady infield defender, clean transfer and sure-handed. Behind the plate, replaces feet, clean transfer.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Anderson, Bloomington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 140-pounds. Lean wiry frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Loose levers, creates leverage at times, flat through the zone and pull-side approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Arm plays long and from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields out front, smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

Grant Aten, Galesburg  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal wasted pre-pitch movement and short stride. Simple, repeatable, handsy swing, short level path, line-drive spray approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long arm action plays from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Fields in the center of his body and out front, clean directional transfer and steady hands.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

Zach Carpita, Alleman (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Thick strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet setup, slight loading action and short stride. Quick hands, bat stays level through the zone, occasional leverage to the pull-side.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Compact arm action, plays over-the-top.
Defense: Fields in the center of his body, funnels through exchange, smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Noah Chase, Illinois Valley Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Open tall setup, hands separate and long stride. Strong quick hands, fast bat, short path and made consistent hard contact to the pull-side.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Arm plays long and from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, gets around the baseball, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Jack Duncan, Macomb (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Athletic build with a strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Swings with controlled aggression, flashed bat speed, level through the zone and uses the whole field.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Arm plays long and from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Secures the baseball, clean release, works towards target.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60. 

Mitch Dye, Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic build with room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Upright setup, quiet load and short stride. Flashed loose levers, short bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Arm plays long and from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields out in front at times, clean release, plays with length.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. 

Karson Eccles, Deer Creek Mackinaw (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Muscular well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced closed setup and short stride. Aggressive swing, strong hands, long path, stays level through the zone at times, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws were consistently around the bag.
Defense: Steady hands, quick glove-to-hand transfer.
Run: 6.79 runner in the 60. One of the top 60 times of the event.

Matthew Gaffney, Manteno (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 154-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Spread setup, minimal load and stride. Simple swing, repeatable, short bat path and pull-side approach.
Power: 69 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Maintains body control on the move, secures the baseball, clean release at times.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Dane Herrington, Charleston (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open tall setup, big leg-lift timing trigger. Handsy loose swing, minimal effort, long path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action plays from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, gets around the baseball, maintains body control on the move, sure-handed and clean transfer.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Quinn Hoftender, Orion (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall quiet setup, pre-pitch load and short leg-lift timing trigger.  Strong wrists, flashed bat speed, short path, natural lift.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: LH. INF - 77 mph. Arm works long and from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Secures the baseball, fields out front at times and clean transfer.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

Andrew Jablonski, Eureka (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 195-pounds. Thick durable lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and toe-tap stride. Loose hands, long bat path, stays level through the zone with occasional extension and worked the middle of the field.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Secures baseball into body, length in exchange.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Logan Justus, Midwest Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 132-pounds. Wiry frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short stride.  Loose hands, aggressive swing, level path through the zone and uses the entire field.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, reliable hands, clean transfer.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Kannon Kleine, Galesburg (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide balanced setup, smooth subtle pre-pitch load and minimal stride. Strong fast hands, short path, natural lift at times, uses the middle of the field.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 77 mph. Short firm arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Clean upright transfer on the infield. Behind the plate, steady hands, directional release.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

Parker Kuhn, Morton (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Broad-shouldered, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly open setup, stride gets back to square and stays balanced throughout. Swings with intent, level path, consistently on the barrel and worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, fields in the center of his body and clean transfer; plays tall through release at times.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Jared Lockmiller, Monticello (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Physical, wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Open tall setup, minimal load and short stride. Long bat path, strong hands, consistently worked the pull side gap.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Big target at first base. Agile for size, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Mayes, Bloomington  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/
Body: 6-foot-2, 220-pounds. Broad-shouldered, physical build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Long level bat path, sneaky jump off the barrel at times.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Big first base target and plays with pace.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Mccaw, Peoria Heights  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: LHH. Quiet slightly crouched setup, smooth quiet load and short stride. Aggressive swing, fast bat, flashed quick-twitch, stays short to the ball, line-drive approach and sprayed balls to all fields.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, attacks the baseball at times, length in release.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

Patrick Mulcahey, Bloomington Central Catholic (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 210-pounds. Physical, wide-shouldered, well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal loading action and long stride. Hits off front foot, strong hands, long bat path, consistently on the barrel and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Prototypical big target at first base. Secures the baseball, funnels into body.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Jake Nelms, Geneseo (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Quiet balanced setup, pre-pitch load and toe-tap stride. Long bat path, line-drive approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 71 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean footwork, smooth transfer and steady hands.
Run: 8.53 runner in the 60. 

Griffin Neuweg, Rochester (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Durable, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, big pre-pitch load, toe-tap stride. Simple swing, long path, looks to elevate the baseball and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Arm plays long and out of an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Steady hands, secures the baseball, funnels to exchange and transfer gains ground.
Run:  runner in the 60. 

Jonathan Oliger, Mt. Zion (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Quiet and relaxed setup, smooth load and short stride. Compact swing, repeatable, strong wrists, level through the zone and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long firm arm action, plays from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Maintains body control on the move, plays through the baseball at times and gains ground through transfer.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Jake Parker, Lanphier  (IL), 2020 Culver-Stockton
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Lean, wiry build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, big pre-pitch load, toe-tap stride. Loose hands, flashed twitch, short and level through the zone.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long, firm arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays light on his feet, easy range, clean release.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. 

Kaiser Quick, Metamora (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Athletic well proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride.  Aggressive swing, flashed bat speed, long bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long  loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws carry.
Defense: Steady hands, funnels into body, clean release has length.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

Chase Reid, Metamora (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 140-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched setup, minimal load and short stride. Simple swing, flat bat path, stays in the zone, line-drive approach with the ability to backspin the baseball.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Secures the baseball, clean release.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

Bennett Sierens, Princeton (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet setup, minimal load and short stride. Simple swing, long path, occasional lift and works the pull-side.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick feet at times, maintains body control, steady hands.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Jackson Weber, Morton  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Lanky, long-levered frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, loads quick, short stride.  Short path, some raw bat strength.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. OF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out in the infield and outfield. Attacks the baseball in the outfield. Athletic feet, steady two-hand gather on the infield.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Sawyer Wilcox, Eureka (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: INF/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 140-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: SH. Crouched setup, wide base, hands start up above head, quick leg kick trigger.  Long path, line drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, long to release at times.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

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