Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Chicago: Infield Analysis


Phil Kerber
Assoc. Scout/JUCO Wire Editor

Top Prospect - Chicago was held on Tuesday, June 12th at Joliet’s Route 66 stadium. Nearly 70 of Illinois and Wisconsin’s top uncommitted players performed in a pro-style workout in front of the PBR Illinois Scouting Staff as well as 50+ college programs. Monday we began the rollout with the catchers in attendance, followed by the outfielders yesterday.

Today, we take a look at the infielders who participated. Nick Kosmetatos (St. Francis, IL) continues to impress with every look our staff gets. The corner infielder oozes athleticism from every facet of his game. Physical right-handed hitting first baseman, recent Purdue commit, Tyler Brandenburg (Lake Country Lutheran, WI) swings a powerful bat, looking to get damage done with the long ball.

Andrew Sweetalla (Appleton East, WI), Ethan Burgh (Prospect, IL) and Samuel Correa (St. Patrick, IL), round out our top five. Sweetalla and Burgh are two prospects physically put together with strength throughout their games. Correa, a switch-hitting middle infielder, possesses quick, athletic actions that make him a prospect to follow.

Read on below to see reports on the top five infield prospects followed by all infield prospects.

Top Overall Infielders

1. Nick Kosmetatos, INF, St. Francis, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athletic build, strength transfers to the field. Offensively, relaxed, balanced setup, smooth load, short toe tap trigger. Strong hands, level, compact bat path with extension, line drive hitter, gap to gap approach, ball comes off the bat hard, easy effort and rhythm involved. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 96 mph from a tee. Defensively, natural, effortless actions, plays through with smooth footwork, super soft hands, exchanges are quick and clean, maintains body control. Arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot, throws carried 88 mph across the diamond. Present foot speed, 6.90 runner in the 60.

2. Tyler Brandenburg,1B, Lake Country Lutheran (WI), 2019
Recent Purdue commit. 6-foot-3, 222-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman, strong, thick build. Offensively, balanced setup, short toe-tap stride, maintains good balance through contact. Power hitter with pull-side tendency, long, uphill barrel path, produces back spin, exit velocity topped 104 mph from a tee. 7.22 runner in the 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, fields position athletically, throws topped 82 mph across the diamond.

3. Andrew Sweetalla, INF/RHP, Appleton East (WI), 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, lanky, athletic frame, plenty of room for continued physical development. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, back load, short stride. Loose hands, uphill bat path, flashed hard contact, pull/power potential, rhythm involved. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 94 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through the ball, steady hands, clean exchange, arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot, throws carried 86 mph across the diamond. 7.14 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, high knee balance, works in line down the mound, athletic finish with rhythm involved. Arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot, some effort involved. Fastball, some run, topped 87 mph, sat 83-85 mph. Changeup faded with arm speed, ranged 73-75 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, ranged 71-73 mph.

4. Ethan Burgh, INF, Prospect, 2019
6-foot-1, 195-pound, athletic right-handed hitting infielder, thick, durable frame. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, capable of making multi-angle throws, carried with accuracy, 85 mph across the diamond. Fields position athletically, hands work softly, footwork is fluid, exchanges quick and clean. Ran a 7.05 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall setup, long leg lift stride, maintains good balance throughout. fluid rhythm. Gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel path is short and level through the zone, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee.

5. Samuel Correa, INF, St. Patrick, 2019
5-foot-9, 166-pound, switch hitting infielder, well-proportioned, athletic frame. Present foot speed, 6.84 runner in the 60. Confident defender, natural actions, works through the baseball, agile, under control footwork, maintains body control. Super soft hands, packs at exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, ball comes out firm, carries across at 86 mph. Offensively, from the left side, balance setup, stride and load are short and simple. Short, fluid bat path, stays inside the ball, flashed extension through the zone, line drive ability. Similar right-handed pre-pitch actions, loose hands, works middle of the field, rhythm involved. Quick bat, exit velocity topped 88 from the left side, 89 from the right. 

Best of the rest (Listed alphabetically)

Antonio Brown, INF, Vernon Hills, 2020
5-foot-8, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athletic build. 6.94 runner in the 60. Defensively under control actions, plays through with fluid feet, quick and clean exchange. Soft hands, arm plays short and loose, ability to change slot, accurate throws, topped 75 mph across the diamond. Offensively, balanced setup, back bar, top-wrap load, short toe lift trigger. Strong hands, bat path is long and uphill, high finish, occasional line drive ability, works middle of the field, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee.

Michael Chialdikas, INF, Lake Zurich, 2019
6-foot-1, 160-pound, left-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, wide setup, smooth back load, short leg lift trigger, easy effort involved. Loose hands, fluid, uphill bat path, pull/power potential, rhythm involved. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively profiles as a corner infielder, hands work, clean exchanges, arm plays long and loose, high ¾ slot, throws carried 85 mph across the diamond. 7.39 runner in the 60.

Tucker Cole, INF, Dixon, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic frame, room for continued physical development. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, smooth load, leg kick trigger. Loose hands, long, uphill bat path, looks to create lift, gap to gap ability, high finish, rhythm involved. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee. Defensively, natural, athletic actions, fluid feet, clean and quick exchanges, plays through the baseball on the move. Soft hands, arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot, can drop down, true ball, carried 85 mph across the diamond. 7.72 runner in the 60.

Johnny Colombo, INF, Lane Tech, 2019
6-foot-3, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic, projectable frame. Defensively, long, loose arm action, whip-like, predominantly high ¾ slot, utilized multiple, kept throws around bag with carry, topped 92 mph across the diamond. Fields position athletically, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Ran a 7.28 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance. Line drive type hitter, aggressive intent, long barrel path, exit velocity topped 82 mph from a tee.

Fletcher Dallas, INF, Valders (WI), 2019
6-foot-2, 195-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, strong, athletic frame. Offensively, tall, open setup, hands load back and drop, leg kick timing trigger. Power pull hitter, barrel path is long and uphill through the zone, exit velocity topped 92 mph from a tee. 7.24 runner in the 60. Defensively, short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, quick release, accurate, topped 82 mph across the diamond. Plays through the ball, short, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges.

Ethan Harrast, INF, Hinsdale Central, 2019
5-foot-9, 149-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, high-waisted, athletic frame. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth back load, toe tap trigger, maintains balance. Loose hands, level bat path, can get uphill, flashed line drive ability, favored pull side, rhythm involved. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, steady hands, long exchange, athletically plays through. Arm plays long and loose, ¾ to high ¾ slot, throws carried 88 mph across the diamond. 7.17 runner in the 60.

Nicholas Hofmann, INF, Elk Grove, 2019
5-foot-7, 145-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athleticism in frame. Present foot speed, 6.71 runner in the 60. At the plate, relaxed, slightly open setup, bar load, short stride, maintains balance. Strong hands, level stroke, flashed extension through the zone, line drive ability to the middle of the field, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Confident and smooth defender, plays through with agile feet, soft hands, exchanges are quick and clean. Maintains body control, short arm action, multi angle slot, accurate throws, topped 81 mph across the diamond.

Patrick McCabe, INF, Morris, 2019
5-foot-9, 149-pound, left-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth back load, short stride, maintains balance. Contact, line drive hitter, short, level bat path, flashed extension through the zone, middle of the field approach, fluid rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 77 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through with quick, fluid footwork, body stays under control. Super soft hands, quick and clean exchanges, gets rid of it, arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, topped 74 mph across the diamond. 7.26 runner in the 60.

Alex Powers, C/3B, Prairie Ridge, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, wiry, athletic frame. Offensively, balanced, high-elbow setup, minimal load, short stride, maintains balance. Generates pop with lower half, stays on top of baseball, aggressive bat path with extension, middle of the field approach, rhythm involved. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 90 mph from a tee. 7.29 runner in the 60. Defensively behind the plate, pop times ranged from 2.00-2.06. Athletic actions, flexible lower half, quick feet and transfer, hands work in rhythm. Arm plays short and loose with arm speed, true ball, accurate throws carried 83 mph to second. In the infield, quick feet, gets low, steady hands. Loose arm, throws topped 85 mph across the infield.

Ryan Rhoda, INF, Prairie Central, 2019
6-foot-4, 180-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, strong, athletically-built. Defensively, loose arm action, ¾ slot, throws carry with easy effort, topped 84 mph across the diamond. Offensively, open setup, short toe-tap stride, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap type, short, uphill barrel path, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. 7.85 runner in the 60.

Hunter Rumachik, 1B, Huntley, 2019
6-foot-4, 200-pound, left-handed hitting infielder, strong, lanky, athletically-built. Projectable frame. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws around bag with some carry, topped 84 mph across the diamond. Fields position athletically, clean on exchanges.Ran a 6.95 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance. Pull side hitter with power, looks to elevate the ball, uphill barrel path, natural lift, exit velocity topped 91 mph off a tee.

Ben Schuler, INF, Pontiac, 2019
5-foot-10, 90-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athletic frame, strong lower half. Offensively, wide, open setup, smooth load, short stride. Strong hands, level bat path, short to the baseball, keeps hands in, flashed line drive ability to middle of the field. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively, fluid feet, stays down, athletically plays through. Steady hands, clean exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 80 mph across the diamond. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Ryne Singsank, 1B/LHP, Elk Grove, 2019
6-foot-7, 215-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, extra large frame, strong upper and lower halves. Ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, hands load back, barrel wraps, short stride. Gap-to-gap type hitter, long barrel path, gains extension through zone, fluid rhythm, exit velocity topped 100 mph from a tee. Defensively, loose arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws around bag with carry, topped 79 mph across the diamond. Fields position athletically, clean on exchanges. On the mound, drop and drive delivery, loose arm action, ¾ slot. Smooth rhythm, shoulders work uphill, lands heel square, finishes with recoil. Fastball, running action, gets on top, sat 80-81, touched 82. Changeup, fade action, 69-72. Slider 1/7 shape, 65-68.

John Weis, INF, Lockport, 2019
6-foot-2, 200-pound, left-handed hitting infielder, strong, wide-shoulders. Offensively, balanced setup, quiet, minimal pre-pitch movement, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance. Simple approach, gap-to-gap type hitter, long, uphill barrel path, natural lift, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. 7.32 runner in the 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, clean exchanges, fields position athletically, throws topped 79 mph across the diamond.

Nolan Weis, INF, Lockport, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, crouched, wide setup, back load, short stride. Short bat path, some uphill, tries to stay inside the ball, flashed line drive ability to the middle/opposite field, rhythm involved. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, hands work, deadens the baseball, clean exchange, easy actions. Arm plays short and loose, clean, high ¾ slot, throws topped 81 mph across the diamond. 7.14 runner in the 60.

JUCO

Dominic Gerace, INF, Triton JC, 2016
5-foot-8, 180-pound, switch hitting infielder, athletic build. Offensively, narrow, balanced setup, smooth load, long stride, maintains balance. Line drive approach, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Ran a 7.08 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, fluid footwork, quick exchanges, throws topped 76 mph across the diamond.

Tristan Michaels, INF/RHP, Triton JC, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, athletically-built. On the mound, stretch-only, short, loose arm action, gets out front quickly, high ¾ window. Tal and fall delivery, simple lift and go, easy effort, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands heel square, finishes athletically. Fastball, glove-side cut, located low in the zone for strikes, sat 84-88. Slider, 11/5 shape, power action, maintains arm speed, commanded, 73-76. Changeup, glove-side cut, armside fade, 76-79. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate with carry, 85 mph across the infield. Plays through the ball with fluid footwork, quick, clean exchanges. Offensively, balanced setup, short leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap approach, long, uphill barrel path, gets extension through zone, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Ran a 7.52 laser-timed 60.

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