Top 2017 Uncommitted Infielders

By TJ Hunt
New Jersey Scouting Director

As the signing period has come and gone, it is time to look at some of the top uncommitted 2017  prospects still on the board in New Jersey. There is a plethora of talent still out there, and there is plenty of time for these players to decide on the perfect fit. 

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of the top uncommitted seniors by position. Over the last two weeks we highlighted the top pitchers and catchers that are still left. Since the first weekly article was posted, RHP John Barone (Wayne Hills HS, NJ) committed to Seton Hall. This week  we highlight the top uncommitted senior infielders:



TOP UNCOMMITTED INFIELDERS
 + Nick Carnevale, SS/2B, Lyndhurst HS, NJ
New Jersey Games (July 23, 2016)
Carnevale is 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Can play anywhere in the infield. Ran a 7.03 60. Primary position is SS, but played exceptionally well at 3B during the games. Looks comfortable at all spots. Offensively, sits in a low crouch. Bat rests on shoulder and rises as he loads his hands. Load is smooth, weight transfer looks fluid and athletic. Small stride. Crouch helps him get hips through the zone, is athletic enough to stay balanced, even though stance ends up being wide after finish.  
Defensively - attacks the baseball and is fluid and athletic. Agile, can move laterally very well. Throws from a 3/4 arm slot. One of the top infield velocities at the whole event at 84.  

+ Peter Liccio, SS/2B/3B, Clearview HS, NJ
New Jersey Games (July 23-25, 2016)
Liccio stands 5-foot-10 175-pounds and can play all infield spots. Offensively, shows some athleticism in his swing. Loose wrists and hands that are started by a small leg kick. Hand load is small but present. Occasionally drifts toward pitch. Line drive type hitter. Exit Velo 79, Ran 60 in 7.09. 
Defensively - Shows quick hands and release. Clean transfer. Can be choppy at times but makes up for it with throws on target that are released quickly. Throws across field topped at 72 mph.  

+ Luke Neco, SS/2B, Camden Academy HS, NJ
Unsigned Senior Showcase (October 16, 2016)
Neco has a lean, athletic build at 5-foot-10 150-pounds. Ran a 6.97 60 yard dash, which was the top time of the entire event. Offensively- Neco starts in a narrow stance in a crouch. Uses a leg kick and stride to start load. Hand load is minimal, but hands drop slightly. Hips clear fluidly. Finishes tall. 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively- throws topped at 74 mph across the infield. Showcased average hands and footwork that played through throws well to 1B. Good athlete with smooth baseball movements in the field. 

+ Spencer Sklivas, 2B, Woodbury HS, NJ
Unsigned Senior Showcase (October 16, 2016)
Sklivas has an athletic build at 5-foot-11 180-pounds. Ran 60 in 7.80. Offensively- LHH with a strong swing. Recorded an exit velocity of 86 mph, which was one of the top of the event. Hands are loaded back pre-pitch. Uses a leg lift and stride to start swing. Lower half rotates with some aggressiveness. Finish is balanced. Gap to gap potential. Defensively-  exchanges are clean and shows soft hands up the middle. Throws topped at 77 mph across the infield, which was one of the top measurements from the event. High-3/4 arm slot with loose arm action. Baseball actions are there, just needs to get quicker. 

+ Brendan Clarke, 3B/SS, Colts Neck HS, NJ
Unsigned Senior Showcase (October 16, 2016)
Clarke has a lean athletic build at 6-foot-1 183-pounds. Ran a 7.26 60 which was one of the top times of the event. 80 mph exit velocity. Offensively- LHH showed well in batting practice. Starts with wide feet and a slight crouch. Hands are loaded high and back prepitch, minimal movement when pitch comes in. Power is produced from hips. Uses a small toe tap to start swing. Occasionally will only partially clear hips, which indicates that he might be too wide in prepitch stance.  Defensively- showed some feel for the glove at SS, feet and approach was somewhat choppy and hesistant. Arm action is short and stabby.  

+ Jason Ortiz, SS, Paramus Catholic HS, NJ
New Jersey Games (July 23-25, 2016)
Ortiz is a 5-foot-8 155-pound middle infielder. Ran 60 in 7.26. Offensively, sets up with an athletic stance with a short foot stride and minimal hand load. Hips rotate well through the zone, shows average hand speed with the bat. Exit velocity of 80.
Defensively - Very smooth with the glove in the field. Quick, clean exchange, very athletic movements up the middle. Throws were 82 across the infield with back spin and carry. Plays both middle infield spots well.