Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Trials: Infield Analysis



By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Underclass Trials took place on Thursday, June 11th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. This event featured 2017 and 2018 graduates, and acts as an identifier for this summer’s prestigious PBR Future Games powered by Under Armour.

89 underclass prospects came together to show off their skills in front of the PBR Scouting Staff in a pro-style workout setting.

CLICK HERE for complete statistics from the event in PDF Format.

Today we’ll take a look at the top infielders from the event, led by Fenwick’s Harrison Hayes, ranked No. 51 in Illinois’ 2017 class. Hayes’ solid 6-foot-2 frame may outgrow the middle infield, as he profiles as a potential power-hitting third baseman down the line.

Let’s take a look at the top infielders from this year’s Underclass Trials:

Top Infielders

1. Harrison Hayes, SS, Fenwick, 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. In the field has a short arm action form a high ¾ arm slot. Easy arm strength with some carry on throws. Soft hands with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Threw 76 mph across the infield. Showed well at SS, has the frame for 3B. At the plate hits from an open stance, hands start high. Smooth load to backside with a short stride. Short swing path with occasional extension. Line drive, gap to gap hitter. Showed strength through contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee, future power potential with frame. Ran the 60 at 7.64.

2. Cam Redding, C/2B, New Trier, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound athletic catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced and athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, and decent lower half. Showed quick bat speed, level and extension path, gap-to-gap type hitter, fluid rhythm. Has solid approach, aggressive, and hits line drives up the middle. Exit velocity off the tee was 84 mph. Defensively showed a short and loose arm action from high ¾ slot. Soft hands, fluid footwork, quick exchange, and athletic. Pop times ranged from 2.19-2.26. Threw 71 across the infield and 69 from behind the plate. Ran 8.03 60.

3. Ryan Molina, SS, Oak Park-River Forest, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Impressed defensively with quality actions and arm strength. Soft hands with fluid footwork and lateral agility. Threw 82 mph across the infield from short, quick, athletic, high ¾ arm slot. At the plate hits from a crouched, open stance. Hands travel back to load, long, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 7.37 60.

2019 to Watch

Jalen Greer, SS, St. Rita, 2019
5-foot-11, 130-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a lanky, athletic frame. Offensively hits from a wide base with an open stance. Smooth load, with a short even stride. Quiet hands with good bat control. Line drive, gap-to-gap hitter, with a short level path and solid approach, barrel whips through the zone. Good balance throughout swing. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.72. Defensively has a short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, quick release, arm strength will come with maturity. Soft hands with slower actions and fluid footwork. Clean exchange with good body control. Threw 66 mph across the infield. Will continue to develop with maturity.

Best of the Rest (In Alphabetical Order)

Wyatt Aldermann, 3B, Athens, 2018
5-foot-7, 160-pound third baseman. Defensively, long and clean arm action, high 3/4, and showed some accuracy. Threw 64 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side, balanced and wide base, toe-tap stride, average balance, and has some fast bat speed. Exit velo 71 mph. Ran 8.21 60.

Jimmy Allen, SS/RHP, Timothy Christian, 2018
5-foot-10, 140-pound, lanky build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set-up, drops hands on load, toe-tap stride. Average bat speed, level bat path, line drive approach, 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed soft hands, ability to play through the ball. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 78 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.25 60-time. On the mound displayed a high ¾ slot, long arm action, lands square. Fastball sat 76-78 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, 57-61 mph. Changeup sat 65-66 mph. Splitter sat 64-66.

Jake Arthur, SS/OF, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound, lanky, athletic build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set-up, short stride. Average bat speed, long path, 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, clean exchange. Short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, some accuracy, 77 mph from the infield, 81 mph from the OF. Ran a 7.73 60-time.

Connor Ashton, 2B, Mundelein, 2018
5-foot-6, 115-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman with a small frame. In the field has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Slower footwork with average hands. Threw 66 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide, closed setup. Short stride with average balance. Opposite field hitter with an uphill swing path. 68 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.77. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Justin Bost, SS, Alleman, 2018

5-foot-9, 120-pound, left-handed hitting shortstop. In the field has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Threw 65 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from an upright, closed stance. Hands start forward, loading to backside. 56 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 in 7.53.

Fletcher Brown, C/INF, Evanston, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound, small build, some athleticism. Hits from a balanced set-up, short stride, average balance. Average bat speed, long bat path, 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively showed short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, pop time ranged from 2.25-2.29, 67 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.63 60-time.

Gage Burroughs, 3B, Mount Vernon, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound strong third baseman. Defensively has short and loose arm action, ¾ slot, and average strength. Showed fluid footwork, average hands, clean exchange and plays thru. Threw 74 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side, closed and wide base, loads hands back, no stride, good balance. Showed strong and sometimes fast bat speed and took level path. Exit velocity registered 81 mph. Ran 7.33 60.

Ben Chapman, C/SS, Rochester, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced setup, slight leg-kick, good balance. Bat speed slightly above average, level bat path, line-drive approach, with fluid rhythm, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively displayed short, over-the-top arm action, with some accuracy, pop-time ranged from 2.25-2.32, 74 mph out of the crouch. Ran a 7.75 60-time.

Nicholas Cinquepalmi, SS/RHP, Brother Rice, 2018
5-foot-9, 161-pound, two-way player, right-handed hitter. Hits from a crouched, narrow stance, hands load back, average balance. Average bat speed, opposite field approach, 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, fields ball deep, long arm action, ¾ slot, some accuracy, 70 mph from SS. Ran a 7.81 60-time. On the mound works from a ¾ slot, loose arm action, smooth rhythm, landing square on line. Fastball showed arm-side-run, 71-73 mph, 74 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, sweeping action, 64-66 mph. Changeup showed sink, sat 65-68 mph.

Anthony Clark, 2B, Springfield Southeast, 2018
5-foot-9, 142-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with some carry. Average hands with fluid footwork. Threw 69 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a narrow open stance, with a high back elbow. Long, toe tap stride with average balance. Long, uphill swing path with some looseness in the hands, and fluid rhythm. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.53.

Ben Cornelius, LHP/1B, Lake Zurich, 2018
5-foot-11, 187-pound strong two-way player. On the mound, throws from high ¾ angle, quick arm speed, loose action, easy effort, tall-fall type. Smooth rhythm, level shoulders, in-line direction and square landing. Fastball sat 78-79 mph and touched 80 with occasional run and is thrown for strikes, curveball was 64-66 mph with 1/7 shape, sharp action, and thrown for strikes, changeup was 71-73 was some arm-side-run. Offensively, hits from open setup, loads hands back, short stride, and good balance. Has fast bat speed, good approach, uphill path, and pull type. Exit velo 75 mph. Defensively showed good feel around the bag at first base, short and loose arm action, high ¾, soft hands, fluid footwork, and clean exchange. Threw 68 mph across infield. Ran 8.52 60. Cornelius projects well and is a high follow on the mound.

John Cruz-Barcenas, 2B, Whitney Young, 2018
5-foot-7, 137-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Average hands with a clean exchange. Threw 66 mph across the diamond. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride and average balance. Opposite field hitter with an uphill swing path. 58 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.65.

Tom Flisk, C/3B, Andrew, 2017
5-foot-10, 170 pound right-handed catcher. Offensively hits from the right side with a narrow and balanced setup, short load and decent balance. Showed quick bat speed, takes short path to ball and has some rhythm. Exit velocity off tee was 78 mph. Defensively, has short arm action from high ¾ slot, some accuracy. Decent hands with a decent exchange, plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.63 60.

Jaime Fuentes, SS, Joliet West, 2016
5-foot-10, 180-pound, strong lower half, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set-up, loads hands back, short stride. Average bat speed, long bat path, opposite field approach, 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively displayed average hands, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 76 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.31 60-time. On the mound had a high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball had some run, 77-80 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, 61-63 mph. Change up sat 69-74.

Clay Goreth, SS, East Peoria, 2018
5-foot-7, 140-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively hits from a balanced, closed setup. Toe tap stride with average balance. Up the middle, line drive hitter with average bat speed. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.53. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 69 mph across the infield.

Dylan Horvitz, C/3B, New Trier, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound lanky catcher. Offensively hits from right side with balanced setup, raises hands during load, leg kick, balanced throughout. Flashed quick bat speed, long path to ball, hit balls the opposite way. Exit velo off tee was 78 mph. Defensively throws from right side, long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, quick exchange. Pop times ranged from 2.07-2.12. Threw 69 mph from behind the plate and ran a 7.87 60.

Logan Hislope, SS, Monticello, 2017
6-foot-2, 160-pound, lanky build, right-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, loads hands down and back, leg kick, average balance. Average bat speed, long bat path, gap-to-gap approach, 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 75 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.37 60.

Roy Iversen, RHP/3B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2017
6-foot-3, 160-pound lanky two-way player. On the mound, showed an over-the-top arm angle, quick arm speed, long action, regular effort, and tall-fall type. Showed some rhythm, in-line direction, and had a square landing. Fastball sat 79-80 mph and touched 81 with sink, curveball was 66-68 mph with 11/5 shape and thrown for strikes, changeup was 71-73 mph with sink. Defensively, long and loose action, over-the-top slot, and average strength. Threw 77 mph across infield. Offensively, open setup with short and even stride, average balance, average bat speed, and takes level path, 69 mph exit velocity. Ran 7.43 60.

Jackson Kaplowitz, SS, Notre Dame College Prep, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a lanky frame. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Some accuracy with average arm strength. Average hands with slower footwork. Threw 72 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a crouched setup. Hands travel back to load, short stride, opposite field hitter. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82. 

Jared Komarynsky, 3B, Nequa Valley, 2018
6-foot-175-pound, average build with some athleticism, right-handed hitter. Hits from and open stance, toe-tape style load, average balance. Above average bat speed, uphill bat path, 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, fluid footwork, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, with accuracy, 77 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.34 60-time.

Tyler Labedz, RHP/SS, TF South, 2018
6-foot-3, 155-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/SS. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and wrap on the backside. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball flashed sink at 76-78 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 56-58 mph. Changeup flashed fade at 60-63 mph. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average arm strength and slower actions. Threw 70 mph across the infield. Offensively has a balanced setup with a short stride and average bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.91.

Alex Mahaz, RHP/3B, Hampshire, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed two-way player. Offensively hits from balanced setup, leg lift during stride, and average balance. Takes level and long path to ball and average bat speed. Exit velo 84 mph. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, average hands and showed some accuracy. Threw 72 mph across infield. Ran 7.43 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm angle, short arm action, max effort, and tall-fall type. Fastball sat 73-74 mph and touched 76, curveball was 67-68 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual action, changeup was 70-72 mph with slight fade.

Zack Mallo, 1B, Marian Central Catholic, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound strong and athletic first baseman. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, average hands, strong and fast bat speed, long and uphill path, power type, makes hard contact. Exit velo 83 mph. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾, average strength and average hands. Threw 60 mph across infield. Ran 7.78 60.

PJ Maloney, 2B, Mount Carmel, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman with an athletic frame and strength in the lower half. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a back load, short stride, and good balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path at times. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 in 7.81. Defensively showed a short quick arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Average arm strength with fluid footwork and soft hands. Threw 73 mph across the infield.

Nathen Martinez, 3B/RHP, Westminster Christian, 2018
5-foot-9, 200-pound right-handed two-way player. Defensively, has long arm action from high ¾, average strength, and average hands. Threw 73 mph across infield. Offensively, this from open and balanced setup, leg lift stride, and average balance, and average bat speed.  Exit velo 76 mph. Ran 8.17 60. On the mound, threw from high ¾ angle, short arm action, tall-fall type. Fastball sat 73-74 mph with occasional cut, curveball was 59-61 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual action, and changeup was 67-69 mph with some fade and was able to throw for strikes.

Austin Matuszewski, SS/RHP, Lake Zurich, 2018
5-foot-8, 165-pound, small frame, strong build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a wide stance, uphill bat path, 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 71 mph from SS. Ran a 7.26 60-time. On the mound displayed a high ¾ arm slot, short arm action, landing square. Fastball sat 70-73 mph, touched 74 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, sat 61-63 mph. Changeup sat 67-69 mph. Slider at 66 mph.

Gage Miller, C/IF, East Richland, 2017
5-foot-7, 155-pound, right-handed hitting C/IF. Behind the plate showed a long, loose, clean arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Soft hands receiving, stand and throw. Popped 2.12-2.33 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. In the infield showed a loose arm with carry on throws. Fluid footwork with a clean exchange and good body control. Threw 70 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, drop load with a leg lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with a long swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76.

Hunter Murawski, 3B/RHP, Reed Custer, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed two-way player. Defensively, long and loose arm action, ¾ slot, showed some accuracy, and had carry on ball. Showed average hands with fluid footwork, clean exchange, and mostly plays thru. Threw 77 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side, crouch setup, toe-tap stride, takes uphill path, and is gap-to-gap type. Exit velo 85 mph. Ran 7.59 60. On the mound, throws from ¾ slot, long and loose arm action, and tall-fall type. Shoulders stay closed, in-line direction, and has square landing. Fastball sat 73-76 mph and touched 77, curveball was 63-65 mph, and changeup was 71-74 mph with occasional fade.

Matt Mier, SS/RHP, Tri-Valley, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound, left-handed hitting SS/RHP with a lanky, projectable frame. In the field has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Slower actions with a long exchange. Threw 72 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide base, with a short load to back side and short stride. Pull hitter, long path, high finish, 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 7.56 60. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle. Long arm circle in back and short out front. Tall and fall delivery, shorter stride, works in line with home plate. Uphill shoulders and a square landing. Fastball sat 69-71 topping out at 72 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 61-63 mph. Changeup sat 64-68 mph. Will continue to develop with maturity.

Brendan Radecky, 2B, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
5-foot-7, 130-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Athletic fielder with soft hands. Fluid footwork with a clean exchange, good body control on run thru. Threw 73 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide base with a balanced setup. Loads to backside with a short stride. Opposite field hitter with a long, level swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 in 7.39.  

Mason Reiff, 2B, Athens, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound, average build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a tall, narrow stance, drops hands on load, short stride, average balance. Average bat speed, long, uphill bat path, 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, fields the ball deep, high ¾ arm slot, 71 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.51 60.

Marshall Rice, RHP/3B, Geneseo, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound athletic and lanky two-way player. On the mound the righty showed over-the-top arm angle, short arm action, and straight up and down leg lift. Slow tempo, level shoulders, in-line direction, and square landing. Fastball sat 78-80 mph and touched 82, curveball was 61-64 mph, and changeup was 63-65 mph and thrown for strikes. Defensively showed long arm action from over-the-top slot, some accuracy, average strength and average hands. Threw 78 mph across infield. Offensively, hits from right side, balanced setup, short stride, average balance, pull type, and average bat speed. Exit velo was an event best 91 mph. Ran 7.39 60.

Drew Roberts, C/SS, Wheeling, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound catcher. Offensively hits from right side with a tall and balanced setup, loads back with short stride, and good balance. Takes short, level path, line drive/gap-to-gap type hitter. Exit velocity off the tee was 78 mph. Defensively throws from right side, long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, and decent strength. Pop times ranged from 2.26-2.44.  Showed decent hands with long exchange. Threw 72 mph across the infield and 70 from behind the plate. Ran a 7.27 60. 

Collin Rogiers, RHP/1B, Alleman Catholic, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound strong two-way player. On the mound showed high ¾ slot, short arm action, regular effort, tall-fall type, some rhythm and in-line direction. Fastball sat 74-76 mph and touched 79, curveball was 61-65 mph with 12/6 shape, and changeup was 64-66 mph with sink. Defensively showed long arm action from high 3/4 , some accuracy, and average strength. Threw 73 mph across infield. Offensively, hit from right side with open setup, big leg kick, and average balance. Exit velo 84 mph. Ran 7.64 60.

Jake Ryder, SS, Hinsdale Central, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound, athletic build, right-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, short stride, above average balance. Average bat speed, short bat path with extension, gap-to-gap approach, 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed above-average hands, fluid footwork, ability to play through the ball. Short, loose arm action, ¾ a lot, 81 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.47 60-time. Ryder would have ranked as one of the top middle infielders at the Underclass Trials, but he’s a 2016, so we’ll rank him with the Prospect I.D. event next week. He was unable to attend any event besides the Underclass due to his summer schedule.

Josh Silverman, SS/RHP, Brother Rice, 2017
6-foot, 145-pound, right-handed hitting SS/RHP. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Average arm strength with average hands and slower actions. Threw 71 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Average bat speed with a short swing path. On the mound works from a short, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery with cross fire action. Level shoulders with some rhythm. Fastball flashed occasional sink at 74-76 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with gradual action at 59-60 mph. Changeup flashed cutting action at 63-66 mph.

Jacob Sonnefeldt, OF/SS, Jacobs, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound, multi-positional player, small, strong build. Hits from a crouched stance, loads hands back and up, short stride, above average balance. Average bat speed, short path with extension, line drive approach, 68 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively displayed slightly above average hands, quick, fluid footwork, ability to play through the ball. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, 78 mph from the infield, 83 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.56 60.

Devin Smith, SS, Lincoln-Way East, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound, lanky build, left-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set-up, short stride, average balance. Long bat path, opposite field approach, 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively average hands, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, 71 across the infield. Ran a 7.59 60-time.

Quentin Wallace, C/SS, Hinsdale Central, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound athletic looking catcher. Defensively throws from high ¾ slot with short, quick arm action, average strength, threw 73 mph across the infield and 70 from behind the plate. Showed decent hands and fluid footwork. Pop times ranged from 2.18-2.26. Offensively hit from the right side, open stance, short stride, showed good balance. Flashed average bat speed, took short path to ball, fluid rhythm and is a gap-to-gap hitter, exit velocity off tee was 77 mph. Ran a 7.64 60. Wallace is a player to follow in the 2018 class.

Cannon Whitby, SS, Hinsdale Central, 2018

5-foot-9, 150-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a small, athletic frame. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Quick footwork with a slower exchange. Showed the ability to throw on the run. Threw 70 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.52.

Michael Wojcik C/2B, Richmond Burton, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound catcher/second baseman. Defensively is a solid catcher with short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate, good arm strength. Pop times ranged from 2.12-2.22. Threw 79 mph across the infield and 73 from behind the plate. Showed decent hands with clean and sometimes long exchange, plays through the baseball. Offensively hits from right side with open setup, long load, short stride, and decent balance. Showed some bat speed, took short path, and is a gap-to-gap type hitter. Ran a 7.82 60.

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