Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Senior Showcase 1.12.14: Infield Analysis



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

This entire week we will bring you positional analysis from the Unsigned Senior Showcase on Jan 12 at The Max. The event featured an impressive mix of prospects from Illinois and Wisconsin.

Today we take an in-depth look at the infielders:

Brian Seymour, a slick fielding shortstop from T.F. South took the top spot and put up an impressive run  of numbers. At 5-foot-10, 170-pounds, Seymour ran a 6.85 60, threw 84 mph across the infield and registered 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Here's a look at all the top performers.

Top Infielders

1. Brian Seymour, MIF, T.F. South HS
Wiry 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame, hard-nosed attitude, athletic all-around actions. Has shown significant improvements in his game, evidenced by statistics at Unsigned Senior Showcase: Ran a 6.85 60, registered 84 mph across the infield and 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively, moves with purpose and energy; athletic actions, plays through ball well, ball carries across infield, some effort in throw. Offensively, has balanced line-drive, opposite-field approach. Showed barrel awareness, quick athletic hands; quiet, compact swing mechanics.

2. Trevor Lines, MIF, Morris, 2014
6-foot-1, 165-pound infielder with high quality actions. Defensively, plays through the ball athletically with clean, quick exchanges. Arm works loose from a high ¾ slot at 81 mph with quality carry and accuracy. At the plate hits from a balanced stance, backward loading action, short stride, and maintains balance through contact. Sprayed line drives from gap-to-gap with a short, level swing. Exit velocity off a tee was 80 mph.

3. Nick McLees, MIF, Marquette (WI), 2014
5-foot-9, 180-pound athletic infielder. Defensively, he has quick, fluid footwork, soft hands and a quick release. He moves athletically and takes aggressive angles to the ball. Arm works loose from high ¾ slot, throws are accurate with solid carry at 80 mph. Ran a 7.6 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced, open stance, smooth backward loading action and short stride. Incorporates the lower half well in the swing while maintaining excellent balance through contact. Has above average bat speed, solid approach, and rhythmic swing that sprayed line drives from gap-to-gap. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee.

Best of the Rest

James Alexander, 1B/3B, Wilmot Union (WI), 2014
Developed body, physical 6-foot-2, 215-pound first baseman. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, balanced, lower half works, solid balance throughout. Flashed well above average bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed playable hands, 67 mph across the infield, high ¾ slot, loose arm action. 7.66 runner in the 60.

Kyle Austif, 3B, Taylorville, 2014
6-foot-1, 170-pound third baseman. Defensively, throws with a long arm, from over-the-top at 75 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.21 60. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride, maintains balance through contact. Swing has late rhythm and a long bat path. Exit velocity off a tee was 76 mph.

David Barboza, 3B/RHP, Jones College Prep, 2014
5-foot-9, 150-pound two-way player. On the infield he throws with a long arm from a high ¾ slot at 73 mph with solid carry. Ran a 7.87 60. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick trigger and short stride. Exit velocity off a tee was 74 mph. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot. Delivery has choppy rhythm, level shoulders, with high effort. Fastball was straight at 72-73 mph, touching 74 mph. Throws a cutter at 62-66 mph. Changeup was 62-65 mph.

Collin Barry, OF/MIF, Wilmot Union (WI), 2014
Athletic build, 6-foot-2, 165-pound multipositional player. Defensively from the outfield arm played at 74 mph, long arm action, over the top slot. On the infield arm played similarly at 74 mph. Offensively hits out of a balanced stance, short stride, moderate bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Roberto Berdericia, 3B, Roberto Clemente, 2014
5-foot-8, 190-pound third baseman. Defensively, he showed quality actions with fluid feet and solid hands. Arm works short and loose with solid carry at 78 mph. Ran a 7.82 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action and short stride. Uses lower half well and maintains balance through contact. Swing is handsy with above average bat speed and good barrel whip. Exit velocity off a tee was 65 mph.

David Collins, 3B, Carmel Catholic, 2014
5-foot-11, 185-pound third baseman. Defensively, throws with a long arm action, from high ¾ slot at 75 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.37 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with short stride and maintains balance through contact. Bat path is long and flat with solid bat speed. Exit velocity off the tee was 84 mph.

Taylor Grimm, C/3B, Cedarburg, 2014
Strong sturdy build, wide shoulder, solid lower half, 6-foot, 205-pounds. Defensively showed solid receiving skills, strong arm, showed accuracy to the bag with carry, 73 mph out of the crouch. 2.09-2.18 pop times. On the infield arm played at 85 mph across the infield, showed soft hands. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, uses lower half well, solid balance throughout. Above average bat speed, 89 mph exit velocity, line drive gap to gap hitter with power. Strong hitter with a physical make up, sturdy receiver.

Grant Gingerich, 1B/3B, Sherrard, 2014
5-foot-10, 185-pound corner infielder. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with no loading action. Has a flat, gap-to-gap swing. Exit velocity was 60 mph off a tee. On the infield he throws with a short, stiff arm action from a high ¾ slot at 63 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.82 60.

Nate Heili, RHP/INF, Sheboygan Falls, 2014
Lanky build, projectable body, 6-foot-4, 185-pound two way player. On the mound works from a ¾ arm slot, long action, moderate arm speed. Fastball had run, 80-81 mph, touched 83 mph, showed control of the zone. Curveball works on 11/5 plane, slurve action, showed control with fastball similar arm speed. Changeup has sink, 71-72 mph, deceptive arm action. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, shorter stride, lacks extension, showed bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively uses a long arm action across the diamond, ¾ arm slot, 79 mph. Runs a 7.11 60.

Drake Hlavin, RHP/1B, Glenbrook South, 2014
Strong build, 6-foot-1, 195-pound two way player. On the mound works with a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball has arm side run, 79-81 mph. Slider has sweeping action, showed control, 66-73 mph. Changeup flashed occasional sink, 70-71 mph. Offensively is contact hitter, singles type hitter, 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively plays with a long arm action, high ¾ slot, solid actions, 69 mph from the outfield. 7.66 runner.

Anthony Iniquez, RHP/1B, Morton West HS, 2014
Athletically built 6-foot-2, 205-pound two-way player, proportionally strong frame. On the mound, extremely short arm action, over-the-top slot, hides ball well, athletic delivery. Fastball topped at 81, sits in 78-80 range, sneaky fast life due to arm action. Curveball has short, tight, late break in 70-73 range, throws pitch for strikes. Straight change thrown with good arm action, 71-73 mph, consistent strikes. Offensively, shows pullside power potential; ball jumps with backspin carry. Bat speed present, uphill path, reverse toe-tap trigger, consistent hard contact, 84 mph exit velocity. At first base, shows athletic feet around bag and reliable hands.

Josh Meyers, SS, Marmion, 2014
6-foot, 175-pound shortstop. On the infield he shows quality actions and clean catch and release skills. Arm works clean from a ¾ slot at 81 mph with solid carry and accuracy. Ran a 7.25 60. Offensively hits from a balanced setup and maintains solid balance through contact. Swing showed flashes of quality extension and strong contact. Exit velocity off a tee was 72 mph.

Teddy Mills, OF, Wilmington, 2014
6-foot-1, 165-pound outfielder. Ran a 7.04 60. Defensively, throws with a long arm from a low ¾ slot at 70 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced, open stance, with a smooth loading action. Swing gets solid extension with good bat speed. Exit velocity was 66 mph off a tee.

Austin Murray, MIF, Midwest Central, 2014
5-foot-11, 160-pound infielder with quality actions. On the infield he plays through balls athletically with quick feet and clean catch and release skills. Throws 81 mph with above average carry. Ran a 7.32 60. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with a short stride. Has a line drive swing with quality rhythm. Bat path is short and flat with above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee.

Christian Ott, OF, Jefferson (WI), 2014
5-foot-10, 165-pound outfielder. At the plate he hits from a narrow, open stance, backward loading action. Bat path is short and maintains balance through contact. Exit velocity off a tee was 73 mph. From the outfield he throws with a short arm action from high ¾ slot at 72 mph. Ran a 7.25 60.

Nathan Owens, MIF, Fort Zumwalt North (MO), 2014
5-foot-11, 176-pound, switch hitting infielder. Hits from a wide, balanced stance with short stride from both sides of the plate. As a right-handed hitter the swing gets solid extension. As a left-handed hitter the bat path is longer with uphill path. Exit velocity was 77 mph as a right handed hitter, 68 mph as a left-handed hitter. Defensively, he throws from a ¾ slot at 76 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.53 60.

Noah Showalter, 1B, Peoria Christian, 2014
5-foot-11, 185-pound first baseman. At the plate hits from a narrow, balanced stance and solid balance through contact. Has a handsy, pull side swing and approach with an uphill bat path and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 74 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed solid actions. Throws from a high ¾ slot at 72 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.5 60.

Austin Tabeling, RHP, St. Thomas More HS, 2014
Sturdy, durable frame, 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from high-3/4 slot, fastball topped at 81 mph, sitting 77-79. Changeup flashed occasional sink in 68-69 sink; curveball thrown at 64-65 mph.

Derrion Thomas, MIF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2014
5-foot-7, 180-pound, left-handed hitting middle infielder with a strong lower half. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with smooth, backward loading action and short stride. Uses the lower half well and maintains balance through contact. Swing has rhythm, level bat path and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee. Defensively, throws with a loose arm from ¾ slot with accuracy, at 76 mph. Ran a 7.41 60.

Joe Tidaback, MIF, Providence Catholic, 2014
5-foot-10, 180-pound infielder. Defensively, plays through the ball athletically with soft hands. Arm works loose at 71 mph with some accuracy. Ran an 8.02 60. At the plate he hits from an open stance with a short, diving stride and maintains balance through contact. Bat path is uphill with solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee.

Justin Vanorsby, MIF/OF, Marian Catholic, 2014
5-foot-9, 140-pound multi-positional player. From the outfield he moves with some athleticism and throws with a long arm from over-the-top at 75 mph. On the infield showed quality feet and hands. Throws with the same arm action as from the outfield at 73 mph. At the plate he hits from a balanced, closed stance with short stride to the ball. Swing is handsy with choppy rhythm and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee.

Sean Wilson, MIF, Stevenson, 2014
5-foot-10, 175-pound middle infielder. Offensively, hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with a short stride. Swing uses lower half well and maintains excellent balance through contact. Has a fluid, line drive swing with a quality approach and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed solid hands. Arm works long and stiff from a high ¾ slot with some carry at 72 mph. Ran a 7.4 60.

More Unsigned Senior Showcase News

2.17.14 IL slide