Prep Baseball Report

16u Midwest Championships: Scout Blog



The 16u Midwest Championship was won by ESP Black on Sunday night in a 3-2 win over the Lincoln Way Vipers - Clark. Two late runs in the sixth gave ESP Black the lead and held on for the Championship. Nick Taylor went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the win. Jake Page went the distance on the mound, striking out five, allowing just one earned run on six hits.

Below you will find scout notes collected throughout the four days of tournament play.

CLICK HERE for Tourney Machine game scores from the entire tournament.

Aurora Acceleration

Spencer Collins, C, Metea Valley, N/A
Right-handed hitting catcher hit a two run homer to left field in the first game of the day.

Michael Varzino, IF, Metea Valley, N/A
Right-handed hitting infielder homered on the third pitch of the first game of the day.

Chicagoland Panthers

Jake Greifelt, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. Showed good bat speed at the plate in game, makes hard line drive contact. Good runner down the line at 4.34.

Tommy Cronin, 1B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed hitting first baseman with a large frame, and strength in the upper half. Drives the ball to all fields with present raw power. Hit two homeruns in game.

Chicago Elite 16u

Tommy Windt, RHP, Sandburg, 2019
6-foot, 168-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm circle on the backside. Fastball sat 77-79 topping out at 80 mph with occasional cutting action. Curveball worked 67-71 mph with 10-4 shape.

Brad Miller, C, Oak Forest, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a low hand set. Line drive approach at the plate with loose hands. Showed the ability to find the barrel in game.

Chicago Elite 15u

Zach Hise, RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin frame. Works exclusively from the stretch, easy effort. Athletic arm action with some looseness. Throws from a high ¾ angle. Fastball sat 81-83 mph in the first inning. Settled in at 78-80 in the next two innings of work. Slider, 73-74 mph.

Sean McLaughlin, LHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
6-foot-6, 205-pound, lanky left-handed pitcher with projectability. Tall and fall delivery, in line direction, finishes slightly closed. Short, easy arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, occasional arm side run, sat 76-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, some depth, 63-64 mph.

Chicago Warriors

Elijah Davila, 1B, McPherson
Sturdy, left/left first baseman. Balanced, narrow relaxed setup at the plate. Loose, quick hands, flashes bat speed.

Devon Willis, SS, Admundsen
Lean, wiry, right-handed hitting shortstop. Smooth, fluid defender on the infield. Confident hands, plays under control and good baseball IQ. At the plate, hit into a fielder's choice and ran a 4.44 down the line.

Liam Sherman, C, Lane Tech
Athletically built, right-handed hitting, defensive minded catcher. Handles pitchers well, willing, agile blocker, athletic behind the plate and sticks pitches in the zone. Clean, quick exchange out of the crouch, athletic arm action and consistently around the bag at second base. 2.15-2.20 pop times in between innings.

Crystal Lake Cardinals White

Dominic Listi, OF, Prairie Ridge, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, arm bar start with a high back elbow. Line drive, middle of the field approach. In his first at bat of the day lined an RBI single over the second baseman.

DBA’s 2019

Marcus Wright, RHP, St. Patricks, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Looks noticeably stronger than the last time we’ve seen him. Started on the mound. Struck out the side in the first inning. Long, quick arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 80-83 mph and consistently mixed in a 11/5 breaking ball ranging between 66-69 mph. At the plate, leads off, open, athletic setup. Drew a walk in his first at-bat.

Marc Virusso, RHP, 2019
Athletic right-handed pitcher. On the mound, loose, athletic arm action, ¾ arm slot. Methodical motion with a quick delivery. Fastball, flashed run, 78-81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 67-68 mph. Changeup, flashed sink, 68 mph. Offensively, flashed a loose swing.

Joshua Williams, LHP, Morgan Park, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound, athletic, muscular, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, loose, powerful swing. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 79-81 with run.

DBA’s 2020

Alec Gonzalez, Mt. Carmel, SS, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound athletic shortstop, physically advanced for his age with plenty of room for more development. Offensively, hits from a slightly open setup with a high back elbow. Quick hands, short swing with looseness. Present bat speed for his age. Defensively, soft hands with a quick transfer. Fluid footwork, athletic fielding position. Throws had accuracy and carry across the diamond. High 2020 follow.

Demarini Black

Jake Griffith, OF, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot, 190-pound, strong, physical right-handed hitting outfielder. Hits in the four-hole for Demarini. Makes consistent hard contact, ball has tendency to jump off the bat. Hit a line-drive single up-the-middle and a run scoring single to left field. Also, stole two bases.

Aidan Mizwicki, SS, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot, 150-pound, lean, athletically built right-handed hitting infielder. Open, athletic setup, slight leg-lift timing trigger. Hit an RBI double to right field and an RBI double to left-center field; 5.01 on-the-turn. Also, single to right. Defensively, steady actions and flashed body control at shortstop.

Jimmy Lynch, OF, Hinsdale Central, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Tall, relaxed setup and short stride at the plate. Loose swing, creates whip. Hit a run-scoring triple into the left-center field gap; 4.61 on-the-turn.

Elite Baseball Training 2020

Chris Perry, RHP/3B, Benet, 2020
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher with some projectability. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot, slight crossfire action. FB worked mostly straight, sat 75-77 mph, touched 79. Curveball, 10/4 shape, 61-65 mph, some feel. Got stronger as the game went on.

Colin Gillespie, OF, Benet, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound, athletic, lanky, projectable frame, right-handed outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, load back, showed a patient eye. Made solid contact on multiple occasions. On the mound, short circular arm action, ¾ slot, clean delivery. Fastball, run action, 77-79 mph. Curveball, sweeping action. In the outfield showed speed and coordination, nicely tracking fly balls.

Ken Hemmer, 3B/OF, American School of Japan, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletic frame, with room for continued physical growth. Offensively, loose hands, quick barrel to the ball, maintained power through contact, made consistent hard contact. Defensively, smooth, clean hands at third base.

Ernesto Moreno, SS, Depaul Prep, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound, athletic shortstop. Defensively, athletic arm action from multiple slots. Showed advanced range, quick and clean transfers, fluid footwork, overall smooth look. Offensively, has an approach, pull hitter, with surprising power.

Elite Baseball Training - NWI 2020

Jonathon Sabotnik, SS/RHP, Crown Point (IN), 2020
5-foot-9, 150-pound, athletic left-handed hitting two-way prospect. On the mound, showed pitchability,  athletic arm action from ¾ slot, finishes with a toe-tap, repeatable motion. Fastball, arm-side-run, 77-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, showed feel for and confidence in, 67-69 mph.. Changeup, fade action, 68 mph. In the field, played shortstop, ranged well, tracked fly balls, took leadership in the infield. Offensively, athletic swing, hit a double off the right-center wall.

Tyler Nemtuda, LHP, Chesterton Senior (IN), 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed pitcher. Smooth delivery, works form a high ¾ arm slot, keeps body on-line, finishes falling towards third base. Fastball, run action, 81-83 mph. Changeup, fade, had feel for, 74-75 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, slows arm, 67 mph. Sparingly used curveball, relied more on changeup.

Brady Perez, 1B, Rochester (IN), 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound, lanky, athletic right-handed first baseman, with room for physical development. Offensively, balanced setup, strides out, late rhythm. Uses length well to cover entire plate. Hit a two-strike RBI double to right center. Ran a 4.37 home to first and stole third base. 

Elite Baseball Training Premier

Jack Cagigal, RHP, Metea Valley, 2019
6-foot-3, 140-pound, tall, lanky-limbed, with much room for physical maturity, projectable frame, right-handed pitcher. Has a major presence on the mound and pitchability. Long, loose arm action, ¾ slot. Fastball, tilt, run action, 82-84 mph, commanded well. Changeup, heavy fade, 73-74 mph, used early as an out-pitch. Slider, tight spin, 70-73 mph, effectively introduced in the latter half of the game.  

Bennett Eltoft, OF, St. Francis, 2019
6-foot-1, 160-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, loose hands, fluid rhythm. Doubled off the right field wall.

ESP Black

Cam Kissel, OF, Plainfield North, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup. Line drive approach at the plate. Features a strong arm from the outfield. Laced an RBI double to the wall in left field. Also added on two insurance runs with a two run single in the bottom of the 6th.

Jack Page, C, Plainfield North, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Had an RBI double off the wall in right field.

Hitting Center Arsenal

Cameron Edmonson, RHP/OF, Rochester, 2019
5-foot-9, 150-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, keeps it simple. Slightly crouched setup, short stride. Short swing with strength through contact. Consistent hard contact going 3-3 with two doubles, one down the line in left field and another to the right-center gap.

Matt Helm, 1B/RHP, New Berlin, 2019
6-foot-3, 240-pound, strong third baseman. Pull-side power with ability to find barrel. Hit two doubles to deep left center. Path works uphill with strength through contact.

 

Illinois Silver Hawks

Robbie Zagorski, RHP, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-2 165-pound, lean, lanky, athletic right-handed pitcher. Sets up on the first base side of the mound, long, reaching arm action from a high ¾ arm slot, arm comes through with some looseness. Fastball, easy effort, flashed cut and sink actions, 78-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 58-61 mph.

Garrett Wano, SS, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-2, 163-pound, long limbed, athletic infielder. Fielded his position athletically, showed a semi-firm arm action in the field. Offensively, right-handed, open setup, coils to an athletic crouch as loads. Showed a good approach at the plate.

Brandon Gonzales, C, Bartlett, 2019
6-foot, 215-pound, thick body, broad shoulders, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger, athletic, loose hands. Found hard, consistent contact all afternoon.

Illinois Hitmen

Anthony Stellato, SS/2B, Downers Grove South, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound, athletic left-handed hitting middle infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth rhythm. Flashed quick hands, top spinning a baseball above his hands. On the base paths showed advanced feel and intelligence.

Brock Wilken, LHP, Harvest Christian Academy, 2019
6-foot-2, 161-pound, tall, lean, lanky left-handed pitcher. On the mound, long, wrapping arm action from ¾ slot. Lands towards first base, throwing across body. Motion combined with delivery creates deception and allows for an effective pick-off move to first. Fastball, armside-run, 75-77 mph. Changeup, fade action, 65-67 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, 58-60 mph. Commanded all three pitches. Was able to mix in, out, up, and down; kept hitters off-balance. Offensively, left-handed, showed good approach, taking a curveball breaking away to opposite field.

Illinois Patriots White

Mitch Hundley, C, Fremd, 2019
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a small, athletic frame. High energy player on the field with a high baseball IQ. Behind the plate showed flexibility in the lower half and soft hands receiving. Popped 2.07-2.21 between innings with accurate throws. Hits from a balanced setup with a low hand set. Saw two at bats, worked a walk and got hit by a pitch.

Tim Okonek, 1B, Fremd, 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound, right-handed lanky, athletic first baseman. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, loose hands. Puts the ball in play with hard contact. Moves well on the base paths and in the field.

Brett Haman, OF, Fremd, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound, outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup with high hands. Loose hands help generate bat speed, evident by his two-run homerun, as well as consistent hard contact all afternoon.

Illinois Patriots Blue

Jacob Hadluch, 1B, Rolling Meadows, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound, solidly built, left/left first baseman. Loose clean arm and moves around the bag well at first base. Offensively, balanced setup, rhythm and looseness in swing.

Indiana Jayhawks

Zachary Dobos, SS/RHP, Lake Central (IN), 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, hands start high, drop on load. Takes aggressive swings, sees the ball well. On the mound, long arm action form an over-the-top slot. Fastball, hard downward angle, 82-84 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, fastball arm speed.

Kollin Mann, 2B/RHP, Knox, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed, long, wrapping arm action from high ¾ arm slot. Quick to the plate out of the stretch. Fastball, run action 80-81 from high ¾ slot, dropped to submarine slot occasionally, 72 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, 64-68 mph. Offensively, left-handed, hit a three-run homerun over the left field fence in second game of the day.

Lake County Stars

Ghavin James, 3B, Crystal Lake South, 2019
6-foot-5, 210-pound, athletically built, strong, well-proportioned right-handed hitting corner infielder. Offensively, hit in the three-hole for the stars. Short, quick swing, creates bat speed and strength through contact. Looks to lift and drive the ball to the pull side. Hit a deep two-run homerun to left field in his second at-bat of the day.

Greg Van Hollen, 2B, Barrington, 2019
Small frame, right-handed hitting second baseman. Prototypical leadoff hitter. Competitive at-bats, tries to put the ball in play and sees a lot of pitches. Drew a walk and stole a base. Instinctive on the base paths.

Lake in the Hills Thunder

Robert Renkosik, RHP
Athletic frame, some muscle development present, lanky limbs, right-handed pitcher. Short arm action from ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed run, commanded glove-side, 75-77 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, tight break, enough to keep batter’s off-balance. Offensively, open setup, patient, flashed a loose swing. Hit a three-run homerun on an 80 mph fastball.

Lincoln Way Vipers - Latronica

Jake Pakula, SS, Lincoln-Way West, N/A
Dumped an RBI single into centerfield for the first run of the game.

Lincoln Way Vipers - Clark

Brock Berry, 3B/OF, Lincoln-Way West, 2019
6-foot, 145-pound, lean, athletically built, right-handed hitter. Played center field on this day. At the plate, hit a deep triple to left field. Loose swing, creates bat speed and easy, athletic runner on the bases.

Garret Cook, 2B/OF, Plainfield North, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound, left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, led off for the Vipers. Quick hands and strength through contact at plate. Flew out to left field, stole a base and also singled to right field later in the game hitting right handed; 4.61 on the turn from the right side. Sure hands and fluid footwork on the infield. Follow 2019 top of the order type of bat.

Seth Masters, 1B, Sandburg, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound, athletically built first baseman with plenty of room for added strength. Left handed hitter, hits in the four-hole. Balanced, slightly open setup, low hand set, loose hands, aggressive swing and length through the hitting zone.

Jacob Shearer, INF, Plainfield North, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound, lean, wiry, right-handed hitting infielder. Hit an inside the park home-run deep into the power alley, 4.87 on the turn. Earlier, reached on an error and ran a 4.22 down-the-line. Also, stole a base. Short bat path and natural lift in swing.

Erik Herold, RHP, Sandburg, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Stretch only, simple repeatable delivery, works on line with direction, strong front side. High ¾ slot, short arm action. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, slight arm side action, ability to pound the zone. Breaking ball played at 73-74 mph, short tight action, 10/4 shape, occasional depth with swing and miss capabilities. Showed ability to consistently pound the zone with both pitches.

Michiana Scrappers White

Connor Krantz, CF, Chesterton, 2019
5-foot-9, 140-pound, wiry, athletic left/left outfielder. Hit two hard line-drive singles; one to left field and one back up the middle (4.75 and 4.79 on the turn). Balanced setup, quiet approach, minimal wasted movement and controls the barrel. Athletic actions and fluid footwork in center field.

Jeremy Krantz, C, Chesterton, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Hit a two-run single into left field and doubled over the left fielder’s head. Quick, short stroke at the plate and looks to drive the ball to the pull side.

Roman Kuntz, 2B, New Prairie, 2019
5-foot-10, 135-pound, athletic, left-handed hitting infielder. Typical leadoff type hitter. Takes competitive at-bats, controls the barrel and stays within himself. Led off the game with a line-drive single right back up-the-middle. Also, hit into a fielder’s choice, 4.68 down-the-line. Starts with a crouched setup, leg-kick timing trigger and looks to use the whole field.

Jonah Sibley, RHP, Edwardsburg, 2019
Started on the mound and also hit in the three-hole for the Scrappers. On the mound, athletic, long and loose arm action from a ¾ slot. Fluid delivery repeats well and featured a two-pitch mix throughout. Fastball, slight arm side run, consistently around the zone, 77-79 mph. Curveball, 10/4 action, feel, 66 mph.

Midwest Rangers

Tyler Schlaffer, INF/RHP, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2019
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lean, athletic two-way prospect. Above average actions at shortstop, hands play soft and through the baseball, athletic arm. Offensively, right-handed, open setup, pick up, put down stride. Line drive approach that can spray the ball to all fields. On the mound, loose, athletic arm action, ¾ slot, works on-line finishes athletically. Fastball, arm side run, glove-side cut, 82-84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 69-71 mph.

Mason Diaz, C, Wheeler (IN), 2019
Committed to Northern Kentucky. 5-foot-11, 180-pound, muscular, athletic catcher. Defensively, moves athletically behind the plate, soft hands, recorded a 2.01 pop time in between innings. Offensively, right-handed hitter, squares the ball up with power, hit a two-run opposite field homerun.

Kyle Wisch, 1B, Hinsdale Central, 2019
6-foot-4, 195-pound, tall, athletic first baseman with further room for physical development. Highly projectable frame. Offensively, balanced setup, loose swing resulted in a two-run homerun to left center.

Carson Husmann, RHP, South Central (IN), 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound, athletic right-handed pitcher. On the mound, clean arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, frun action, 78-81 mph. Offensively, open, athletic setup, smooth load, loose hands, generates bat speed for power potential.

Marek Bauner, RHP, Crown Point (IN), 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, lean athletic frame, projectable build. Athletic delivery, finishes to first base side, well above average pitchability for age, fills up the strike zone. Arm works clean and easy, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 81-83 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball had sharp 11/5 action, swing and miss bite, 73-74 mph. Upside arm with feel for the mound and advanced secondary.

Michael Bohlen, 3B/RHP, Marian Catholic, 2019
Northern Kentucky commit. 6-foot-5, 205-pound two-way player, advanced frame, strong build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, athletic setup. Above average bat strength, ball jumps off bat, middle of the field approach. Harb contact back up the middle for a pair of hits in two at bats.

Naperville Renegades

Luke Wheatley, OF, Naperville North, 2019
Hit a three run homer in the first game of the day.

Naperville White Sox

Matt Blanton, RHP, Naperville Central, 2019
Lean, lanky right-handed pitcher. Firm arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. High leg kick, falls first base side, throws across body. Fastball, run action, 75-77 mph. Changeup, sinking action, fastball arm speed, disguised well,  commanded anywhere in the zone, a true out-pitch 62-65 mph.

Logan Van Poucke, RHP/3B, Naperville North, 2019
Thick, physical, right-handed pitcher and third baseman, hit in the three-hole for the White Sox. On the mound, methodical delivery, clean arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, run action, 77-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 65-68 mph. Consistently threw both pitches for strikes.

Next Level Baseball

Sean Wallace, RHP
Right-handed pitcher, started game one for Next Level. Short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, heavy run, commanded to arm side, ate lefties up, 72-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 57 mph.

Jacob Taft, RHP
Right-handed pitcher, soft body, started game two for Next Level. Short arm action, high ¾ to over-the-top arm slot. Fastball, flashed sink, hides well, 73-75 mph.

NITB Aces

Max Herubin, C/3B, Carmel, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with an athletic frame. Hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Takes aggressive swings, level path through the zone. Ability to find barrel. Went 2-3 with the only out being a hard hit line drive to the second baseman.

Logan Mueller, OF/RHP, Lakes Community, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter with present bat speed. Hits from a slightly open setup, leg kick timing trigger. Hit two doubles to deep left field. On the mound, drop and drive delivery, uptempo, works across his body, some effort. Long arm action from a ¾ angle. Fastball, sat 80-83 mph, touching 84. Slider, slurve type, some feel, 69-72 mph.

Northern Knights

Jacob Rosenkranz, RHP, Stevenson, 2019
6-foot-4, 170-pound, projectable right-handed pitcher. High leg kick, falls off to first base. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, sat 80-82 mph. Curveball, slurve action, 71-72 mph. Struck out four in his two innings of work.

Jason Volpe, C/1B, Lakes, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound, left-handed hitting C/1B with a strong, athletic frame. Has a short, quick swing with some strength. Went 2-3 with a hard hit single to the opposite field.

Oswego Cobras Red

Brandon Sfikas, RHP, Metea Valley, 2019
6-foot-1, 164-pound lanky right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch wit a closed landing. Fastball sat 76-79 mph with occasional running action.

Pirates Baseball - Orange

No Roster.

Pirates Baseball - Black

Nate Roberto, RHP, Timothy Christian
Athletic right-handed pitcher. Short arm action from a slot varying between ¾ and low ¾, falls off towards first base. Arm slot produced heavy movement on all pitches. Fastball, heavy run, 77-78 mph, glove-side command. Changeup, heavy fade, 71-72 mph.

Thomas Remijas, 3B, Lyons Township, 2019
Strong, lanky left-handed hitting corner infielder. Offensively, hit in the two-hole, balanced slightly open setup, flashed some looseness and bat speed. Made good contact consistently, including squaring a ball up in a lefty on lefty matchup.

Danny Machaj, C, Lyons Township, 2019
Thick, athletic catcher. Defensively, quick lateral movements behind the plate, consistent blocker, clean footwork, intelligent decision making. Offensively, right-handed, balanced setup, short stride, made hard contact consistently including an RBI double to left center. On the basepaths is intelligent, knows positioning well and is advantageous.

Jeremy Conforti, 1B, Willowbrook
Tall, thick, muscular body, massive figure on the diamond. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride. Hits for power, looks to lift the ball. Successfully did so in final game on Saturday, blasting a two-run homerun.

Prime 9

Eli Paplanus, RHP, Huntley, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. Drop and drive delivery. Short arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball, sweeping action, 65-67 mph.

Dylan Janke, C/RHP, Huntley, 2019
5-foot-10, 178-pound right-handed two-way player, solid thick build, strong lower half. Showed advanced arm strength for age. On the mound worked out of a full windup with good direction, simple and repeated easily. Arm action is short and over the top, occasional recoil. Fastball touched 86 mph, worked at 82-85 mph for over an inning pitched, flashed arm side run at times, able to pound the zone with good direction. Curveball played 12/6 with depth, only showed once in game. 2.05 best pop between innings, arm carried at times from short over the top slot.

Pro Player Canes

Evan Geske, INF, Woodstock, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, showed loose hands. Exhibited good plate discipline and approach. Took a tailing fastball away to right field for a base hit.

Alex Powers, 3B, Prairie Ridge, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound, athletic, muscular third baseman. Offensively, right-handed hitting, balanced setup, short stride, showed loose hands. Consistently squared the ball up all afternoon.

Kyle Hetherington, LHP, Crystal Lake South, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound, athletic left-handed pitcher. Low effort, clean arm action from a ¾ slot, finishes athletically. Fastball, running action, 76-78 mph. Curveball, slurve action, 69-71 mph. Changeup, flashed fade, 68 mph. Threw all three pitches for strikes effectively.

Rhino Wisconsin

Henry Donaldson, RHP, De Pere (WI), 2019
5-foot-7, 130-pound, right-handed pitcher. Quick arm action from ¾ arm slot, short and quick to the plate. Fastball, flashed run and sink, 74-75 mph.

Rockford Baseball Academy

Connor Anderson, OF, Winnebago, 2019
5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder, strong sturdy build. Bat plays, showed barrel control with occasional pop. Path is long but carries bat strength, found the barrel in every at bat, including a pair of doubles to pull side.

Andrew Long, C, Dixon, 2019
Long projectable frame, 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, wide shoulders, can carry additional strength. Defensively arm played lower than traditional catcher’s slot, showed arm strength, 2.08 between innings. Right-handed hitter, open setup, loose hands. 4.68 down the line on a 6-3.

Scott Schneider, 2B, Winnebago, 2019
5-foot-9, 150-pound middle infielder. Projects at second base, played up defensively. Hands played quick on the turn at second, quick release. Reliable defender with body control and flashed athletic arm action.

Rockford Big Dogs

Johnny Beck, LHP/OF, Rochelle Township, 2019
6-foot-7, 195-pound, tall, lanky frame with lots of room to fill out, projectable frame. On the mound, stands end-to-end on the rubber, creating an even larger presence. Long, loose arm action, ¾ slot. Lands toe-closed and finishes towards third base. Fastball, running action, 80-81 mph, commanded. Curveball, shape varied between 1/9 and 2/8, gradual break, thrown for first pitch strike, 66-69 mph. Offensively, sets up on the plate, balanced, squared the ball up multiple times.

Brandon Johnson, 1B, Rochelle, 2019
5-foot-10, 225-pounds, strong, thick upper and lower halves, left-handed first baseman. Played the game with next level effort and intensity. Offensively, slightly open setup, made consistent hard contact including a two-RBI double off the left center wall. A downhill runner on the basepaths, moves extremely well, stole two bases, including third.

Aden Cassidy, C, Dakota, 2019
5-foot-9, 165-pound, athletic catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, showed the ability to go gap-to-gap with hard hits sprayed all over the outfield. 

Bret Wilhelmi, RHP/OF, Rockford Lutheran, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lanky, athletic frame with room to fill out. On the mound is laser focused, has a closer look and feel to him. Works with a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Quick to the plate, falls off heavily towards first base. Fastball, heavy run, 76-79 mph, comes out with life. Slider, 2/8 shape, minimal break but enough to fool batters, 65 mph.

Cade Bibby, 3B, Harlem, 2019
5-foot-11, 195-pound, thick third baseman. Moved athletically at third base, made a highlight play on a grounder that carried him into foul territory, then showed off an athletic arm action and accurate throw.

Savage Baseball

Nick Black, RHP, Geneva, 2019
Thin frame, Right-handed pitcher with some projectability. Threw a no-hitter. Short, loose, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. In line direction with a slight recoil. Fastball thrown for strikes, sat 76-79 mph, touched 80 a few times. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual action, 63-67 mph.

Slammers Coyote

Ben Lopez, OF, Libertyville, 2019
Right-handed hitting outfielder waited back nicely on a hanging curveball and drove it off the top of the fence for a double. In his second at bat did the same thing driving the ball off the wall in centerfield.

Ryan Klainos, OF, Libertyville, 2019
Athletically built outfielder, highly projectable frame, 6-foot-1, 191-pounds. Hit a two run homer to left field. Has pull side pop in his bat, loose hands, feel for the barrel, athletic setup in the box. In later action hit a groundrule double to left at Plunkett Park.

Ryan McElhinny, SS, Stevenson, 2019
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop with a strong, athletic frame. Line drive hitter, showed strength thru contact. Hit an RBI double over the centerfielders head.

Coby Moe, RHP, Grayslake Central, 2019
6-foot-3, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with good balance and trempo. Works in line with home plate with a square landing. Fastball has late cutting action thru the zone. Worked 85-86 mph in the first inning, settled in at 80-84 mph. Works the bottom half of the zone. Curveball has 10-4 shape with tight rotation and depth at 69-70 mph. Flashed a changeup in warmups at 70 mph with downer action.

Top Tier Nationals

Mason Kasprisin, RHP, Joliet West, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Long arm action from an over the top angle. Falls off to the first base side. Fastball, had cutting action, sat 80-83 mph. Threw four shutout innings.

Top Tier Nationals - Heaney

Michael D’Angelo, CF/RHP, Stevenson, 2019
6-foot-1, 150-pound, lanky, athletic two-way prospect. Long arm action from ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed run and sink, 76-78 mph. Curveball, 10/4 action, 68 mph. Changeup, flashed fade, 69-71 mph. In the field, athletically tracked fly balls and showed above average arm strength.

Upper Deck

Dan Cappello, SS, Lockport, 2019
Average build, right-handed hitting shortstop. Drove a run-scoring single into right field in his first at-bat. Reliable consistent defender at first base. Steady hands and made a running, over-the-shoulder catch in the outfield.

USA Extreme Baseball

Jared Roberts, 3B, Winnebago, 2019:
6-foot-2, 225-pound right-handed hitting third baseman with a strong, physical frame. Found barrel twice on the day. Showed strength through contact on a hard line-drive single to the opposite field, driving in two runs.

Stephen Carlson, RHP, Winnebago, 2019
6-foot-3, 235-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, shoulders open early. Fastball, cut action, 72-74 mph. Curveball, thrown for strikes, varied between 11/5 and 10/4 shape, 62-65 mph.

Windy City - Harden

Jake Novak, LF, Loyola Academy, 2019 
5-foot-10, 155-pound, lean, athletic frame, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, squared the ball up in every at-bat. Hit a double off the left center wall with a man in motion on first. Tomahawked another ball off the left field wall for a double.

Windy City - Stevens

Dylan Coleman, SS, Notre Dame, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting shortstop with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Opposite field line drive hitter. Had an opposite field double and two run single in a double header.

Wisconsin Vipers

Zach Storbakken, SS. Sussex Hamilton, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound middle-infielder with an athletic frame. Hits from a slightly open setup with a confident approach. Path works short with quick hands generating bat speed. Ability to find barrel. Strong offensive night going 4-4 with a double. High 2020 Wisconsin follow.

Alex Ryan, OF, Lakeside Lutheran, 2020
5-foot-9, 150-pound athletic, right-handed hitting outfielder. Hit leadoff and played centerfield for the Vipers. Made quick reads and showed range in the outfield. Showed above average arm strength for his age. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with a slight leg kick. Present bat speed with some looseness.

Ryan Taylor, MIF, Verona, 2021
5-foot-11, 145-pound wiry, athletic left-handed hitting middle-infielder. Above average runner for his age.  Hits from a balanced. Path works short and quick to the ball.

Hunter Day, RHP, Bloomington Jefferson (MN), 2020
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Works with rhythm and repeats his delivery. Athletic arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 78-81 in the first inning, eventually settling in at 76-78 mph.

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