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Topeka Prospect ID: Corner Infield Analysis

November 29, 2014

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

Today we take a look at the corner infielders that participated in the Topeka Prospect Identification Showcase on November 2, 2014 at Bettis Family Sports Complex. This was an open event for uncommitted high school baseball players - all grades.

Two projectable class of 2016 prospects stood out among the corner infielders in first baseman Tanner Padgett (Valley Center HS) and third baseman Bryce Unruh (Dodge City HS). Padgett showed a fast bat that produced line drives in the middle of the field along with the event's top exit velocity of 90 mph. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hand hitter's athleticism was on display at first base and he also ran a 7.09 60-yard dash. Unruh is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound switch hitting third baseman. In many cases just being a 6-foot-3 switch-hitting infielder pushes a player up a baseball prospect list, however Unruh did his part to separate himself from the group by working the gaps in batting practice from both sides of the plate while also showing solid defensive skills at third base.

Below are the scouting reports on the corner infielders that participated in the event. We include position players in one of the post-event features at their best position while two-way players will also appear in the pitching analysis article.

To see a complete list of stats from this event click here.

Click on the player's headline link to be directed to their profile with video from their performance.

Top corner infield prospects

1. Tanner Padgett, 1B/RHP, Valley Center HS, KS (2016)
Padgett is a projectable 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hand hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher. During batting practice showed a tall set-up, minimal hand load, short stride, short path, fast bat, maintains balance, finishes with extension, 90 mph exit velocity – top mark in camp. Simple, repeatable swing with some thump. Flattened ball out in the middle of the field. Ran a 7.09 60-yard dash – impressive considering how physical he is. At first base showed athletic footwork, soft hands, moves well for a big man, high three-quarters throwing motion, 81 mph throwing velocity, made all accurate throws. On the mound works from the stretch exclusively, medium knee lift, tall at balance. Closes off and hides ball well. Three-quarters slot, athletic finish, repeats. Consistent fastball velocity, nine fastballs all in the 80-82 mph range with arm side run. Command of breaking ball with 11/5 to 12/6 shape, gradual action, 71-73 mph. Sinking change-up, 75-76 mph. 

2. Bryce Unruh, 3B/RHP, Dodge City HS, KS (2016)
Unruh is a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound switch-hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. Hitting right-handed showed a balanced set-up, smooth hand load, strides in place, level bat path, lower half in sync, bat speed, worked middle of the field with juice at times, exit velocity 83 mph. Left-handed showed an athletic set-up, hands close to body, strides in place, minimal hand load, worked gaps, exit velocity 79 mph. Simple swing with rhythm and flow from both sides. Ran a 7.52 60-yard dash. Showed athletic actions in the infield, clean exchanges, short high three-quarters arm action, 78 mph throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws. On the mound starts on left side of rubber, under control early, tall balance point, leans back. Closes off and hides ball. Three-quarters arm slot, some effort. Fastball with sinking action down in zone, 76-77 mph, topped out at 78. Breaking ball with 11/7 shape, at times short, 67-69 mph. Change-up 66-67 mph. 

3. Daniel Baker, 3B/RHP, Olathe North HS (2016)
Baker is a physical 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hand hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. At the plate showed a tall set-up, wide stance, strides inline, no load, short path, upper half dominant, strong hands. Middle to pull approach, 83 exit velocity. Ran a 7.52 60-yard dash. In the infield showed athletic infield actions, soft hands, quick three-quarters throwing motion. Made strong, accurate throws, top throw at 84 mph – top mark among infielders. On the mound has a simple delivery, aggressive tempo, high three-quarters arm action, some effort, upright finish, repeats well. Fastball in 81-82 mph range, strikes. Short breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 71-76 mph. Change-up runs arm side, 76-77 mph.

4. Cooper Marks, RHP/1B, Blue Valley North HS, KS (2016)
Marks is a 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher and right-hand hitting first baseman. At the plate showed a balanced set-up, minimal hand load, strides in place, upper half dominant, hands work, gap-to-gap approach, occasional pull-side pop, exit velocity 83 mph. Ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. At first base showed athletic footwork, soft hands, clean exchanges, easy high three-quarters throwing motion. Made all strong, accurate throws. Throwing velocity up to 84 mph – top mark among infielders. On the mound showed a very simple delivery, tall balance point, tucks knee, high three-quarters arm action, easy arm, athletic finish. Repeats well. Fastball with sinking action at bottom of the zone, 81-83 mph, topped out at 84. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, tight spin, 66-69 mph. Shortened breaking ball up at 72-75 mph, good pitch. Change-up with fastball arm speed and dying sinking action at plate 71-72 mph.

5. Lane Fleming, RHP/1B, Council Grove HS, KS (2015)
Fleming is a 6-foot, 220-pound right-handed pitcher and right-hand hitting first baseman. At the plate has a tall set-up, mini-leg kick, no hand load, short path, hands work, fast bat, gets barrel out front, drove the ball well, maintains balance throughout. Very aggressive swing, exit velocity 85 mph. One of the best rounds of batting practice of the day. Ran a 7.69 60-yard dash. Athletic footwork at first base, clean exchanges, easy three-quarters throwing motion, arm works, 76 mph throwing velocity, very accurate throws. On the mound showed a simple, repeatable delivery. Stays closed during stride, hides ball, loose high three-quarters arm action, athletic finish. Fastball with arm side sinking action, occasional glove side cut, 75-77 mph, 78 tops. Feel for breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph. Fastball arm speed on change-up, sinking movement, 72-74 mph. Pounded the strike zone with all three pitches, more in the tank velocity-wise.

Best of the rest (alphabetical order) 

Austin Bade, 3B/RHP, Blue Valley HS, KS (2016)
Bade is a 6-foot, 155-pound right-hand hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. During batting practice showed a balanced set-up, strides inline, creates length in hand load, level bat path, aggressive swing, lower half in sync, maintains balance. Slight pull approach, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.78 60-yard dash. In the infield made clean exchanges, high three-quarters arm action, accurate throws, 74 mph throwing velocity. On the mound worked under control early in delivery, tall balance point, tall/fall, short high three-quarters arm action, some effort. Simple and repeated well. Fastball 73-74 mph, 75 tops, early arm-side movement, high percentage of strikes. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, gradual break, 65-70 mph. Feel for change-up at 70-71 mph, kept it down in the zone.

Jake Bieker, 1B, Hays HS, KS (2015)
Bieker is a 6-foot-1, 250-pound left-hand hitting first baseman. During batting practice showed a tall set-up, open stance, mini-leg kick, inline stride, minimal hand load, short path, stays inside ball, maintains balance, 71 mph exit velocity. Simple, middle-oppo approach. At first base fielded everything cleanly, short three-quarters arm action, 69 mph throwing velocity, all accurate throws. 

Wesley Gilmore, 3B/RHP, Wellington HS, KS (2016)
Gilmore is an athletic-framed 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-hand hitting third baseman/outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Athletic set-up at the plate, short stride, no hand load, short path, upper half dominant, middle-oppo approach, 76 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.51 60-yard dash. In the outfield showed athletic footwork, three quarters arm action, 83 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws. During infield drills showed fluid footwork, quick exchanges, loose three-quarters throwing motion, 74 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws. Listed as third baseman but has the actions, athleticism of middle infielder. On the mound works from a tall balance point, slight drop/drive, picks up-tempo during delivery, three-quarters slot, athletic finish. Fastball with arm side run that matches arm slot, 74-75 mph, topped out at 76. Short breaking ball with 12/6 to 11/5 shape, 62-67 mph. Change-up with sinking action 69-70 mph. 

Trevor Kemp, 1B, Flinthills HS, KS (2016)
Kemp is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound right-hand hitting first baseman. At the plate showed a tall set-up, mini-leg kick stride, works inside out, exit velocity 71 mph. Middle-oppo approach. Ran a 7.97 60-yard dash. At first base attacked the ball, three-quarters arm action, 69 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws.

Alec Koehn, 3B/RHP, Dodge City HS, KS (2016)
Koehn is an athletic-framed 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-hand hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. During batting practice showed a balanced set-up, smooth hand load, no stride, short path, slight pull approach, exit velocity 70 mph. Ran a 7.53 60-yard dash. In the infield fielded everything cleanly, short high three-quarters throwing motion, easy arm, throwing velocity 74 mph, mostly accurate throws. On the mound under control early, hops at balance, leans back, slinging low three-quarters arm action. Fastball with arm-side run that matches slot, 75-76 mph. Feel for 11/5 breaking ball, 67-68 mph. Worked down in the zone with 66-69 mph change-up.

Nate Postlethwait, RHP/3B, Valley Center HS, KS (2017)
Postlethwait is a physically impressive 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-handed pitcher and right-hand hitting corner infielder. Balanced set-up at the plate, leg kick, minimal hand load, inline stride, works middle-oppo, 77 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.78 60-yard dash. During defensive work fielded the ball cleanly, three quarters arm slot, easy arm, 80 mph throwing velocity. Strong, accurate throws. On the mound starts deliberate and under control. Tall balance point, picks up tempo, slight drop/drive, three-quarters arm action, easy arm, arm works, excellent body control throughout delivery. Gets out front and works the bottom of the zone. Fastball with sinking action down, 77-79 mph, topped out at 81. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape 68-71 mph. Feel for change-up with arm side run 73-74 mph. Highly projectable class of 2017 pitching prospect with body control, an easy arm and much more in the tank velocity wise.

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