St. Louis Open: Middle Infielders Analysis

On February 10, Prep Baseball Report - Missouri held the St. Louis Open at the Sports Barn in Wentzville, Missouri.  Over 70 players attended in the 2021 to 2018 classes. 

Players can now updated their profiles with a ProspectPlus subscription, while scouts and recruiters can add players on the ScoutPlus dashboard.

Player profiles have been updated with profile picture, running times, velocities, and videos.  Today will take a closer look at the middle infielders from the event. Players are listed in alphabetical order below.

The middle infielders included twelve in the 2019 class, thirteen in the 2020 class and four in the 2021 class.  Seven players in this group posted velocities of 80 mph or better, one had a 90 mph velo. Eleven players had 85 mph or better exit velocities, and three players ran a 7.01 or better 60 time.  Here is a closer look at the entire group of middle infielders from the St. Louis Open Showcase.

Middle Infielders

Tyler Bastunas SS / RHP / Timberland, MO / 2019 Bastunas is an athletically built 5-foot-10 155-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.27 60 and has an 88 mph exit velocity. At the plate, tall and open stance, controlled leg lift, hands separate from stride, loose and quick bat speed, slight natural lift to pat path, hands works inside ball, short to contact, gap to gap line drives.  On the infield, 90 mph positional velocity, over the top release, works behind the ball and through the catch, transfer is on time with quick and athletic footwork, throws are accurate with carry.

Kellen Blum 2B / 3B / Valle Catholic, MO / 2019 Blum is a 5-foot-7 155-pound right-handed hitting second baseman Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.45 60 and has an 85 mph exit velocity.  At the plate, starts with open stance and smooth rhythm in hands, small and controlled leg lift, in line stride, no wasted movements, repeatable, gap to gap line drives, level path through extension.  On the infield, 78 mph positional velocity, high three quarters arm slot, smooth footwork on time with exchange, accurate throws with carry,

Tyler Blum 2B / SS / Valle Catholic, MO / 2019 Blum is a 6-foot-3 180-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a  7.39 60 and has an 87 mph exit velocity.  At the plate, open stance, short in line stride, minimal load, loose hands with level path, body stays under control, gap to gap approach, flashed  pull power.  On the infield, 75 mph positional velocity, fields ball out front in athletic position, clean exchange, controlled and smooth actions, accurate throws with soft hands and quick exchange, lean frame with room to add strength.

Cody Boatwright C / 2B / Francis Howell Central, MO / 2019 Boatwright is a 5-foot-9 165-pound right-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.82 60 and has an 80 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, pre pitch rhythm in hands, smooth weight shift to back side, short stride, consistent solid contact to the middle of the field, loose hands, feel for barrel, has range in swing. On the infield, 77 mph positional velocity, over the top release, fluid actions, stays under control, clean transfers with some momentum to throw after the catch.

Jack Boland SS / 2B / CBC, MO / 2019 Boland is a 5-foot-10 switch-hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.53 60 and has a 91 mph exit velocity.  At the plate, open stance with quick rhythm in hands, leg kick, in line stride, quick and aggressive hands, occasional power to pull side, hard middle to pull side contact during batting practice.  On the infield, 85 mph positional velocity, quick to the ball with clean exchanges, gains ground to 1B after the catch, loose arm action, with mostly accurate throws.

Austin Brush RHP / 2B / St. Louis University High, MO / 2020 Brush is a 6-foot 175-pound left-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.38 60 and has an 84 mph exit velocity. At the plate, balanced stance, loads in hands, minimal stride, level path, solid consistent contact gap to gap during hitting evals.  On the infield, 75 mph positional velocity, high three quarters release, quick catch and throw, aggressive to the ball with footwork, clean exchange on time with feet, fundamentally sound actions, accurate throws.

CJ Cepicky SS / OF / Vianney , MO / 2020 Cepicky is a long and lean 6-foot-3 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 6.97 60 and has a 92 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, short in line stride, hands separate from stride, quick hand with fast bat speed, body stays under control. On the infield, 85 mph positional velocity, smooth actions to the ball, gains ground with feet after the catch, throws with over the top release, loose and quick arm action, mostly accurate throws with carry.

Jacob Cordevant SS / OF / Seckman, MO / 2020 Cordevant is a 5-foot-11 145-pound right-handed hitting outfielder in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.01 60 and has an 80 mph exit velocity. At the plate, starts in a balanced stance, crouched, quick pre pitch rhythm, little hand load, in line stride, level path with gap to gap approach. On the infield, 75 mph positional velocity, high three quarters arm slot, aggressive to the ball with footwork, clean transfers, stays under control, gathers feet after the catch, mostly accurate throws.

Tyler Gilmore SS / 2B / Parkway West , MO / 2020 Gilmore is a 5-foot-10 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.55 60 and has an 83 mph exit velocity.  At the plate, open stance, controlled load to back side, in line stride, level path with gap to gap approach, loose hands with feel for barrel.  On the infield, 74 mph positional velocity, over the top release, works through the ball, soft hands, feet create momentum to throw, accurate throws.

Cal Hagin SS / 2B / Timberland , MO / 2019 Hagin is a 5-foot-11 switch hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.63 60 and has an 83 mph exit velo from the right side and a 78 mph exit velo from the left side.  At the plate, balanced stance, quick rhythm to load, hands load stride, more hand load on left side with similar stance and load from both sides, swing produced line drives gap to gap from both sides.  On the infield, 78 mph positional velocity, over the top release, quick actions in feet and exchange, has momentum to throw, mostly accurate.

Cameron Hall SS / RHP / Carterville, IL / 2020 Hall is a 6-foot 140-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Illinois 2020 class.  He ran a 7.57 60 and has a 78 mph exit velocity.  At the plate, wide set up in base, minimal stride with weight shift to load, swing produced middle of the field contact, level path with bat whip.  On the infield, 74 mph positional velocity, high three quarters release, controlled actions with smooth transfer, accurate throws.

Konner Hutchings SS / 3B / Liberty , MO / 2021 Hutchings is a 5-foot-8 159-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2021 class.  He ran a 7.20 60 and has an 85 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, controlled leg kick, in line stride, aggressive acceleration with hands to the ball, quick hands with bat whip, swing produced pull side contact, occasional power.  On the infield, 82 mph positional velocity, over the top release, athletic actions, soft hands, works through the ball with momentum, accurate throws, athletic build continuing to develop.

Nicholas Hunter 2B / SS / Herrin, IL / 2020 Hunter is a durable 5-foot-7 175-pound left-handed hitting second baseman in Illinois’ 2020 class.  He ran a 7.38 60 and has an 87 mph exit velocity. At the plate, balanced stance, small and smooth load with no wasted movements, hands control the barrel, level path though the zone, stays on ball after contact, simple and repeatable, gap to gap approach.  On the infield, 65 mph positional velocity, short over the top release, fields ball out front in athletic position, fluid footwork to the ball.

Chuck Koenig 2B / 3B / Vianney, MO / 2019 Koenig is a slender and lean 5-foot-10 145-pound right-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.75 60 and has an 81 mph exit velocity. At the plate, simple and repeatable swing mechanics, feel for the barrel, balanced stance, short stride, sprayed the ball gap to gap during hitting evals.  On the infield, 73 mph positional velocity, smooth actions, shows athleticism, soft hands, clean exchange, still developing physically.

Angelo La Mantia RHP / SS / Webster Groves, MO / 2019 La Mantia is a strong 6-foot 180-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.82 60 and has an 85 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, short in line stride, aggressive bat speed, some lift to swing path, mostly pull side hard contact, occasional power to pull side.  On the infield, 77 mph positional velocity, three quarters arm speed, quick transfer with fluid footwork, clean exchanges, works through the ball, mostly accurate throws.

Garrett Laughlin SS / 2B / Troy Buchanan, MO / 2020 Laughlin is a 5-foot-8 133-pound left-handed hitting shortstop in Missouris 2020 class.  He ran a 7.52 60 and has an 80 mph exit velocity. At the plate, tall and open stance, in line stride, loose hands with quick bat speed, natural lift to bat path, feel for the barrel, consistent line drives gap to gap during hitting evaluations.  On the infield, 71 mph positional velocity, high three quarters release, gains ground after transfer, clean exchange, smooth footwork to the ball, mostly accurate throws.

Mathew Leonard 2B / OF / CBC, MO / 2021 Leonard is a athletically built 5-foot-9 165-pound second baseman in Missouri’s 2021 class.  He ran a 7.31 home to first and has an 84 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance with smooth load in lower half, in line stride, slight lift to bat path, middle to pull side contact, flashing power to the pull side.  On the infield, 72 mph positional velocity, quick actions in both feet and transfer, gets rid of the ball after exchange, aggressive to the ball with high three quarters arm slot, mostly accurate throws.

Alex Logusch SS / RHP / De Smet Jesuit, MO / 2020 Logusch is a well built 6-foot 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.24 60 and has an 85 m ph exit velocity. At the late, balanced stance, simple and repeatable, smooth load in lower half with slight pre-pitch rhythm in hands, slightly closed stride with gap to gap line drives.  On the infield, has advance arm strength with 88 mph positional velocity, loose over the top arm slot, athletic movements, soft hands, quick glove to hand exchange, gains ground to throw after the catch, mostly accurate throws with carry.

Frank Lopez RHP / SS / Fort Zumzalt South, MO / 2019 Lopez is a solid 6-foot-1 200-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2019 class. He ran a 7.77 60 and has an 85 mph exit velocity. At the plate, balanced stance, thin base, quiet set up and load with no wasted movements, swing produced mostly middle to pull side line drives, occasional power.  On the infield, 83 mph positional velocity, high three quarters arm slot, exchange and feet work in sync, clean transfer, feet create momentum through the catch, mostly accurate throws.

Rylee Mabe 2B / OF / Steelville , MO / 2020 Mabe is a 5-foot-7 142-pound right-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.50 60 and has a 76 mph exit velocity. At the plate, balanced stance, controlled leg lift, quiet hands, in line stride, quick hands with bat whip, consistent solid contact, gap to gap approach.  On the infield, 69 mph positional velocity, high three quarters arm slot, smooth actions with short arm circle, works though ball with momentum in feet, sound fundamentals.

Jake Markert SS / OF / Ft. Zumwalt South, MO / 2021 Markert is a 5-foot9 145-pound switch hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2021 class.  He ran a 7.20 60 and has an 82 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, quiet hands with minimal rhythm, smooth load in lower half, closes off during stride, hard solid consistent contact during hitting evals, middle to pull side.  On the infield, 76 mph positional velocity, quick catch and throw, high three quarters arm slot, athletic, accurate thrower, feet are quick to the ball and create momentum to throw.

Bryce Mckinnon SS / OF / Seckman, MO / 2019 McKinnon is a 5-foot-9 155-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.52 60 and has an 84 mph exit velocity. At the plate, starts loaded on back leg, controlled pre-pitch rhythm, loose and quick hands, level path to extension, controlled to stride, accelerated swing, good tempo, swing produced solid contact mostly middle to pull side. On the infield, 71 mph positional velocity, over the top release, controlled actions, soft hands with fluid footwork, clean exchanges, momentum in feet after the catch, accurate throws.

Tom McPherson RHP / 2B / Webster Groves, MO / 2020 McPherson is a long limbed 6-foot 155-pound right-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.91 60 and has an 84 mph exit velocity. At the plate, thin and tall set up, some hand load as he strides, long in line stride with top tap, level path trough the zone, showed power to the pull side.  On the infield, 70 mph positional velocity, three quarters arm slot, short arm circle, smooth footwork to the ball, quick glove to hand exchange, smooth actions, accurate throws.

Spencer Nivens SS / 2B / Rock Bridge, MO / 2020 Nivens is an athletic 5-foot-10 165-pound left-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 6.90 60 and has an 86 mph exit velocity.  At the plate, balanced stance, quiet hands, controlled leg lift, accelerated hands to the ball, hands work inside ball, short to contact, mostly hard solid line drives to the opposite gap, repeats swing.  On the infield, 78 mph positional velocity, short over the top release, gathers feet and momentum after the catch, smooth footwork to the ball, gains ground to throw, made all plays cleanly, accurate throws.

Chase Racherbaumer 2B / OF / Hermann , MO / 2019 Racherbaumer is a 5-foot-10 145-pound left-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2019 class.  He ran a 7.28 60 and has a 72 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, some hand load, closes off a bit to stride, hands create bat whip, swing produced mostly middle to pull side line drives. On the infield, 76 mph positional velocity, three quarters arm slot, quick catch and throw, aggressive to the ball with feet, works through the catch with momentum, clean exchanges, mostly accurate throws.

Cameron Roll OF / 2B / Timberland , MO / 2020 Roll is a 5-foot-9 145-pound switch-hitting outfielder in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.52 60 and has an 84 mph exit velocity from the right side and a left handed exit velo of 80 mph. At the plate, starts open on both sides, more middle to pull side on left side, gap to gap on right side, quiet hands, in line stride, feel for the barrel from both sides, body stays under control, level bat path.  On the infield, high three quarters to the ball, quick feet to the ball with momentum to throw, quick catch and throw, soft hands, mostly accurate throws.

Drew Sutton 2B / RHP / Holt , MO / 2020 Sutton is a 5-foot-10 160-pound right-handed hitting second baseman in Missouri’s 2020 class.  He ran a 7.84 60 and has a 77 mph exit velocity. At the plate, balanced set up, no wasted movement in hands, level path to extension, gap to gap contact during hitting evals.  On the infield, high three quarters release, gathers feet and gains ground to throw after clean transfer in hands, fluid feet to the ball, clean transfer, mostly accurate throws, lean frame with room to add muscle.

Robby Taul SS / 2B / Alton , IL / 2019 Taul is a 6-foot-1 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Illinois’ 2019 class.  He ran a 7.53 60 and has a 93 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, smooth weight sign to back side, stays under control, slight lift in bat path, gap to gap line drives with occasional pull side power.  On the infield, athletic actions, loose high three quarters arm slot, fluid feet to the ball, gathers feet and momentum to throw, exchange on time with footwork, mostly accurate throws.

Zach Ury SS / 3B / Staunton, IL / 2021 Ury is a 5-foot-11 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Illinois’ 2021 class. He ran a 7.93 60 and has an 80 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, in line stride, quiet hands with some pre pitch rhythm in hands, level bat path, hands control the barrel, gap to gap line drives.  On the infield, high three quarters arm slot, fluid feet to the ball, quick transfer, controlled actions, 73 mph positional velocity, mostly accurate throws.

For Related Content

For More PBR Missouri News