Prep Baseball Report

MoCo Fall Review: Middle Infield Analysis


Kyle Campbell
Maryland Scouting Director

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Close to 50 prospects from around the Old Line State in the 2020 - 2024 graduating classes participated at this year's MoCo Fall Review at Damascus High School. Players showcased their skills in a pro-style workout, batting practice, and bullpens in front of the PBR scouting staff. Below are evaluations on the 10 middle infielders. Stay tuned throughout the week for complete analysis of all players from the event. 

 

THE MiDDLE INFIELDERS

Ryan Clark 2B / OF / Damascus , MD / 2023

Athletic body type and 5’6’’, 120 pound frame. Hits from a tall, balanced, closed stance at the plate. Hands load down and uses a toe-tap into a short stride for timing. Stays behind the ball well with some lower half involvement. Level swing path creating some bat speed through the zone and finishes strong with two hands. Line drive type hitter with an exit velocity of 67 mph. Works through the ball in the infield with fundamental footwork and fields the ball out in front. Throws with shorter arm action from the side at 59 mph across the diamond. Stays low and opens hips well on double play feeds to second. Ran a 7.83 60-yard time.


Bryce Curry SS / 2B / Damascus, MD / 2022

Athletic, lean body type and projectable 6’1’’, 170 pound frame. Hits from an athletic, balanced, slightly open stance at the plate with rhythm. Smooth back load with a medium sized leg kick. Creates some hand separation and stays short to the ball with a level swing path. Showed quick bat speed through the zone and loose hands. Stays behind the ball well with strong lower half involvement and gets good extension through contact. Finishes with one hand and recorded an 81 mph exit velocity. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter with some power to the alleys. Attacks the ball under control in the infield and works through the ball fielding it out in front. Funnels the ball quickly to chest and throws with long arm action from a mid three-quarter slot at 74 mph across the diamond. Early set-up on double play balls and clears hip with fluidity. Showed the ability to throw from a lower slot on double play feeds and slow rollers. Ran a 7.31 60-yard time. 


Ben Escanilla 2B / SS / Sherwood, MD / 2020

Athletic body type and 5’5’’, 130 pound frame. Hits from an athletic, balanced, square stance at the plate. Small leg kick load with quiet hands and lands slightly closed at foot-strike. Short, compact, uphill swing path. Shows excellent balance throughout the swing. Creates some bat speed and lower half involvement staying behind the ball well. Gets good extension and finishes with one hand. Recorded an 80 mph exit velocity. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter with a really nice middle of the field approach. Athletic and rangy in the infield with smooth actions and quick exchanges. Works through the ball and funnels to chest. Throws with short arm action from a mid three-quarters slot at 77 mph across the diamond. Opens hips well on double play feeds and showed fluidity. Showed the ability to throw from a variety of arm slots with accuracy. Ran a 7.12 60-yard time.


Darin Kuskie SS / OF / Damascus , MD / 2023

Athletic body type and 5’9’’, 120 pound frame with room to fill out. Hits from a slightly open stance with weight loaded slightly on back side from the left side. Short, quick leg kick and stride. Stays short to the ball with a slightly uphill swing path. Showed some bat speed and lower half involvement. Does a nice job of keeping hands inside the baseball. Stays behind the ball with good extension and a strong two-handed finish. Showed a more pull-side line drive approach. Recorded a 68 mph exit velocity. Works through the ball in the infield with fundamental footwork and throws with longer arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 69 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.65 60-yard time.


Steele Lechner 2B / OF / Damacus, MD / 2023

Athletic body type and 5’1’’, 118 pound frame. Hits from a slightly open stance with weight loaded on back side. Small stride and stays short to the ball with a level swing path. Gets some extension and lower half involvement finishing with one hand. Line drive type hitter with a middle of the field approach. Recorded a 59 mph exit velocity. Works through the ball in the infield. Athletic set-up and strong base. Fields the ball out in front and throws with longer arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 57 mph. Ran a 7.84 60-yard time. 


Chase Manion SS / OF / Damascus, MD / 2023

Athletic body type and 5’1’’, 100 pound frame. Hits from a taller, slightly open stance at the plate with feet close together and hands held high. Small leg kick load and creates some hand separation. Attacks the ball with intent and stays behind it well with strong lower half involvement. Showed quick hands and creates quick bat speed through the zone with a level swing path. Nice extension past contact and balance throughout the swing finishing with two hands. Uses the whole field well and showed a nice line drive approach. Recorded a 64 mph exit velocity. Works through the ball in the infield with an athletic set-up and quick exchange. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 58 mph. Ran a 8.21 60-yard time. 


Phillip Mitchell 2B / SS / Mount Saint Joseph, MD / 2022

Athletic body type and 5’6’’, 140 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, square stance at the plate. Creates some hand separation with an average stride length. Stays short to the ball with a level swing path. Showed some bat speed and lower half involvement. Gets good extension past contact and finishes with one hand. Line drive type hitter with occasional pop. Recorded a 70 mph exit velocity. Works through the ball in the infield fielding it out in front and funnels to chest. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot at 59 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.71 60-yard time.


Eli Putnam 3B / 2B / Whitman, MD / 2021

Strong, athletic body type and projectable 6’3’’, 185 pound frame. Hits from a relaxed, balanced, open stance at the plate. Minimal load, quick stride and good hand separation. Stays behind the ball well with strong lower half involvement. Creates quick bat speed through the zone and showed an uphill swing path. Gets excellent extension with nice balance throughout the swing. Big power present at the plate. Recorded an 88 mph exit velocity. Plays with active feet in the infield and works through the ball fielding it out in front. Funnels ball to chest and showed quick, clean exchanges with rhythm. Stays low on double play feeds to second and clears left hip naturally. Throws with short, quick arm action from a high three-quarter slot across the diamond at 85 mph. Ran a 7.40 60-yard time.


Daerek Sawyer 2B / RHP / Clarksburg , MD / 2022

Athletic body type and 5’10’’, 127 pound frame. Hits from a tall, balanced, slightly open stance at the plate. Small leg kick load and creates good hand separation. Attacks the ball with intent and stays short to the ball with a level swing path. Creates quick bat speed through the zone and showed some lower half involvement. Gets extension through contact and showed a strong finish. Uses the whole field well showing a nice gap-to-gap line drive approach. Recorded a 74 mph exit velocity. Athletic and rangy in the infield staying light on his feet. Works through the ball with smooth, clean actions and showed a quick exchange. Throws with quick, whippy arm action from a variety of slots at 77 mph across the diamond. Fluid actions on double play feeds and slow-rollers. Ran a 7.50 60-yard time. 


Nick Varda SS / 2B / Atholton , MD / 2021

Strong, athletic body type and 5’9’’, 160 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, slightly open stance at the plate with rhythm. Quick load creating some hand separation. Has a tendency to get long at times but is mostly short to the ball with a slightly uphill swing path. Showed quick bat speed and some lower half involvement. Gets good extension past contact and finishes high with one hand. Gap-to-gap type hitter with some power present. Recorded an 83 mph exit velocity. Athletic and moves well in the infield working through it with clean actions. Throws with short arm action from a mid three-quarter slot at 78 mph across the diamond. Opens hips well on the double play and stays low on feeds to second. Ran a 7.38 60-yard time. 

 

 

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