IA Top Prospect Games- Infield Evaluations

September 7, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

Prep Baseball Report's IA Top Prospect Games event took place on Sunday, August 7, 2016. The event was held at Duane Banks Field; on the campus of the University of Iowa. The event featured many of the top 2017 prospects from Iowa who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff. Thank you to the players, parents, my staff and the University of Iowa coaching staff.

There were a number of great individual performances this year at the IA Top Prospect Games.

CLICK HERE to view Complete Statistics in PDF Format.

Below we have highlighted the prospects at their respective positions with evaluations; listed alphabetically.

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infield Prospects

Gregory Bennett, SS/OF, Western Dubuque, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting infielder/outfielder. Athletic build with present strength. Upright posture with open stance, easy stride to square, head is level and quiet, occasional stiff path with high back elbow, stays on and through contact, mid/pull approach, hard line drive and fly ball contact, 88 mph exit velocity. Plays on balls of feet, soft glove action, works around ball and plays through well, above avg. arm with carry and accuracy, 89 mph arm strength across diamond. Solid actions in outfield, plays through ball, soft glove, with above avg. carry and accuracy to target, online throws with 92 mph arm strength from outfield.

Elijah Bergeron, 3B, Center Point-Urbana, 2017
5-foot-9, 180-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Pre-set hands, high elbow setup, square stance, easy stride, drives through baseball well with backside, gap to gap, barrels baseball consistently, 85 mph exit velocity. Soft glove, adequate range, solid actions, low elbow release on throws, accurate arm,75 mph arm strength.

Caleb Dicks, 2B, Des Moines East, 2017
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Slightly crouched open stance, works down and through baseball, some lift in swing plane, finds barrel consistently, line drive contact with gap to gap approach, 83 mph exit velocity. Quick actions in field, fields out front, above avg. hands, made numerous pick plays and tags during game action, throws flat-footed occasionally, accurate arm, 78 mph arm strength across diamond.

Timothy Diewold, RHP/SS, Mediapolis, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Open stance, strides open to swing, flat bat path through zone, stiff swing with choppy rhythm, mi/pull approach with fly ball contact, 78 mph exit velocity. Decent glove action, late presentation, fields across body, long clean arm action, has carry and accuracy to bag, 80 mph arm strength.

DJ Duve, RHP/2B, WDM Valley, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Square stance, body load, lays bat flat early with minimal rhythm, pushes barrel through zone, occasional pop to pull side of field, 80 mph exit velocity. Short strides in field, avg. range, soft glove, plays high at times, low ¾ arm slot, accurate arm, 71 mph arm strength.

Derek Ehrhardt, 3B, Central Community, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Lean athletic frame. Square stance, shoulder load, simple swing, clean flat path through zone, sneaky strong at contact, gap to gap approach, 79 mph exit velocity. Fields out front, decent glove, solid footwork, clean arm action, plays athletically, 74 mph arm strength across diamond. Interesting player- somewhat raw, multi-sport athlete, minimal playing experience, follow in 2017 class.

Luke Fennelly, SS, Davenport Assumption, 2017
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Square stance, high hand setup, strides across body slightly, inverted swing plane, clean path, works mid/away, hard line drive contact when extended, 78 mph exit velocity. Feet and hands work well together in field, soft glove, works through ball, quick quick release from repeatable short arm action, accurate to bag with solid carry, 78 mph arm strength.

Ben Fitzgerald, SS, Mason City Newman, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. Athletic stance, slightly open, body load, strides to square, easy bat path, out front occasionally, keeps head still, consistent solid contact, above avg. bat in IA 2017 class, 89 mph exit velocity. Good hands and feet, working way back from hip injury, plays tall occasionally, works through ball, clean arm action with carry, long release on throws, 80 mph arm strength.

Jake Gilbert, 1B/RHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2017
6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Large strong build. Square stance, high back elbow load, collapses into hitting position, inverted swing plane with lift, flashes above avg. power to pull side of field, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid glove at first, adequate range, moves well for size, receives ball well at bag, 81 mph arm from first base.

Noah Gyldenvand, 2B/RHP, Dowling Catholic, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Athletic stance with good rhythm, controlled leg kick trigger, strides square, flashes pop to pull side of field, shows good hands in swing, and stays inside baseball, 86 mph exit velocity. 87 mph arm strength across diamond. Active feet and solid range, shows quality infield actions, fields deep into body occasionally, defends in middle infield well.

Cole Hassman, 1B, Southeast Polk, 2017
6-foot-2, 245-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. Square stance with easy load, short balanced stride, quiet head, short to contact, hard line drive contact to middle of field, flashes pop in bat to pull side, 87 mph exit velocity. Solid defender, fields underneath in tall stance occasionally, solid receiver at bag, needs to improve footwork around bag, 73 mph arm strength across infield.

Ethan Hayes, OF/3B, Cedar Falls, 2017
6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Square stance, body load with active hands, heavy leg kick trigger, extra movement with head and eyes, aggressive swinger, mid/pull approach, hard line drive and fly ball contact, 83 mph exit velocity. Solid actions in outfield, clean glove action, extra step on throws, compact arm circle, quicker release, accurate to target with above avg. arm strength, 89 mph arm strength from outfield. Solid actions at third base, works from ground up, fields out front, solid glove, active feet, accurate arm across, can throw from multiple slots, good body control on slow roller, 80 mph arm across infield with quick release.

Andrew Hegland, 3B, Davenport Central, 2017
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Tall open stance, leg kick trigger, aggressive to contact, stays on baseball showing above avg. hard contact to mid/pull side of field, 81 mph exit velocity. Works around ball well, soft glove, fields deep in stance, avg. momentum through baseball and on throws, accurate arm, 72 mph arm strength.

Justin Hutter, 2B, Bettendorf, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Square stance, closed front side, occasional late load, simple leg kick trigger, shows solid bat speed, aggressive swinger, mid/pull approach with consistent line drive contact, 85 mph exit velocity. Light on his feet with good athleticism, fields deep occasionally, works around and through baseball well, short clean arm action, stays on top of baseball, solid carry and accuracy to bag, 76 mph arm strength.

Michael Krist, 3B/RHP, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Simple setup, early body load, knee to knee trigger, linear swing mechanics, flashes pop in bat to pull side of field, consistent hard contact, 92 mph exit velocity. Works up and through ball well, creates direction with feet on throws, heavier feet to field, 80 mph arm strength.

Rylan Lechner, 3B, Linn Mar, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Wider square stance, athletic upper half with good rhythm in hands, leg kick trigger, stands up through contact, lift in swing plane, contact underneath baseball, 83 mph exit velocity. Good pre-pitch, works from ground up, flat glove/ stiff at times fielding, shows mobility and range, accurate throws to bag, 76 mph arm strength across.

Connor McDermott, RHP/3B, Dyersville Beckman, 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Tall stance, front heel turn trigger, high back elbow load with low hand slot, occasional stiff swing plane, flashes line drive contact, gap to gap approach, 80 mph exit velocity. Shows soft glove, plays through ball, quick release, stops after throw, need to improve footwork and use momentum/follow throws, accurate to bag, 71 mph arm strength across.

Jake Olejniczak, LHP/1B, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound switch-hitting 2-way player. Preset hands, lower hand slot, flat swing plane, pull approach, limited use of lower half, stiff swing mechanics, 73 mph exit velocity. Fields tall at posltion, stiff hands, long clean arm action, long release, 75 mph arm strength.

Sam Olson, SS, Dowling Catholic, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Lean athletic build. Square stance, active hand load, strides across body occasionally, shows ability to use whole field, line drive contact, consistent solid contact off barrel, 82 mph exit velocity. Loose above avg. actions and glove in field, solid footwork, optimal arm action for SS, repeats slot with quick release, good hand speed, accurate with carry to bag, 82 mph arm strength.

Izaya Ono-Fullard, 3B, Iowa City West, 2017
5-foot-10, 195-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. High back elbow setup, easy load and stride, extremely quick hands to contact, hard mid/pull contact, flashes of power to pull side, stays inside baseball well at contact, 100 mph exit velocity. Easy actions in field, active feet, works from ground up, soft glove, plays through baseball, accurate arm with carry to bag, 87 mph arm strength across.

Zachary Parson, SS, Northeast Goose Lake, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Square stance, hitchy leg trigger disrupts timing, clean line drive swing plane, solid line drive and ground ball contact, 76 mph exit velocity. Good glove actions, quick arm action out front on throws, raw footwork and mechanics, shows ability to field consistently, 75 mph arm strength.

Mason Pitts, SS, Cherokee, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Wide stance, preset hands and load, loses balance in swing, quick hands to contact, mid/pull approach with line drive pop in bat, 81 mph exit velocity. 86 mph arm strength from short, soft hands, has athletic actions, multi-sport guy, minimal baseball development, will make big strides in college environment. Follow in IA 2017 class.

Devin Porter, 1B, Saydel, 2017
6-foot, 245-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. Large strong build. Surprisingly good runner for size, 4.6 H-1B, and has previously ran a 7.07 60. Slightly closed stance, short leg kick trigger, short to contact, stays inside baseball well, well above avg. ability to simply square up baseball, quick hands to contact, 81 mph exit velocity. Active feet with soft glove, hitchy arm action, avg. accuracy on throws, moves well around bag and is an above avg. picker/receiver at first. 76 mph arm strength.

Chase Rath, RHP/1B, Highland, 2017
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Square stance, short stride, stiff swing mechanics, mid/away approach, line drive and ground ball contact, 76 mph exit velocity. Sits back on ground balls, fields deep in stance, avg. glove, fields routine, above avg. arm strength for position, 83 mph arm strength.

Evan Reifert, RHP/3B, Wilton, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean athletic build with wiry strength. Productive 2-way player in high school- strength will be on mound in college. Committed soon after event to NIACC. Leans over plate, good bat speed, some length to contact, works middle of field, line drive contact, 93 mph exit velocity. Avg. actions in field, late glove presentation, has soft glove, makes up for avg. footwork and direction with above avg. arm and accuracy to bag, 85 mph arm strength.

Garrett Rickels, SS, Calamus-Wheatland, 2017
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Athletic setup and stride, stiff lower half in swing, straight legs and stand up through contact, mid/away approach, line drive and ground ball contact, 71 mph exit velocity. Raw mechanically, shows soft glove and light on feet, fields deep in stance, simply has never been worked with, clean arm action out front, solid accuracy to target, 76 mph arm strength.

Parker Ridge, SS/RHP, Marion, 2017
6-foot-1, 140-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Taller thin build. Square stance, body load with back shoulder turn, clean swing path, long to contact, creates bat speed, line drive contact with mid/away approach, 88 mph exit velocity. Shows above avg. feet and hands, solid actions in field, loose arm action, accurate to bag, 80 mph arm strength.

Caleb Sass, SS, Iowa City, 2017
5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Has made solid improvements through junior year; one of better infield performers at event. Short open stance, strides into contact, good rhythm with hands, compact swing with strength, shows ability to use whole field, aggressive swing with consistent solid contact, 86 mph exit velocity. Good angles through baseball, above avg. hands and feet, short quick release with clean arm action, accurate to bag with carry, 82 mph arm strength.

Bennett Spry, 2B, Oskaloosa, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Compact build with solid strength. Open stance, strides into contact, short to contact, flat line drive swing plane, squares baseball consistently with hard contact, could be high avg. hitter in college, 83 mph exit velocity. Good glove with quick release, raw angles and footwork on left-side, shows ability to field, college second baseman, 79 mph arm strength.

Ben Steidler, RHP/1B, North Scott, 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Square stance, no stride, low hand slot, stands up through swing, inconsistent contact, 81 mph exit velocity. Fields out front, ok hands, tends to field flat-footed, 79 mph arm strength.

Benjamin Sterler, RHP/SS, Burlington, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Open stance, strides to square, length to contact, underneath baseball occasionally, ground ball and line drive contact, 79 mph exit velocity. Shows ability to work through baseball with good footwork, clean glove actions, loose arm action with quick release, 79 mph arm strength.

Eric Steyer, 1B/RHP, Ames, 2017
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Wide square stance, short stride, aggressive swinger, short path through zone, limited extension, gap to gap approach, line drive contact, 85 mph exit velocity. Solid footwork with good hands, fields on heels, long arm action, accurate throws, 75 mph arm strength.

Sam Stonskas, SS, North Scott, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Above avg. defender with range, quickness, good hands and feet, and accurate arm with quick release, 82 mph arm strength. Tall stance, short to contact, inconsistent lower half, disrupts timing and contact, pull approach, 82 mph exit velocity.

Jared Thompson, 1B/LHP, Vinton-Shellsburg, 2017
6-foot-4, 175-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. High hands with square setup, off-time during BP, high back elbow effects swing plane, flashes solid line drive contact to middle of field, 86 mph exit velocity. Athletic fielder, works from ground up, soft hands, fields out front, with well above avg. arm for position, 87 mph arm strength across infield. Good enough runner and athleticism could translate to outfield.

Michael Van Riessen, RHP/3B, Urbandale, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Open stance, hitchy hand load, short to contact, quick hands to contact, uses whole field, 84 mph exit velocity. Good mobility and range, soft glove, shows instincts and reactions in game, overall solid infielder, quick release with clean arm action, 83 mph arm strength.

Ethan Weichers, 3B, Dike-New Hartford, 2017
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Lean build with wide shoulders, should add considerable size and strength in college. Easy load and stride, arm bar to contact, uses hands in swing, flashes above avg. pop in bat, 85 mph exit velocity. Late glove presentation, funnels underneath body, has solid athleticism, raw mechanics, 76 mph arm strength. Follow in IA 2017 class; has solid ingredients; should improve in college atmosphere.

Mitchell Wiese, 1B/RHP, Marion, 2017
6-foot-7, 220-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Square stance, easy load and stride, out front with inconsistent contact during event, flashes above avg. pop with leverage to gaps, 89 mph exit strength. Shows good glove and active feet at first, receives around bag well, accurate arm, 77 mph arm strength.

Casey Zarr, 3B/RHP, Bondurant-Farrar, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Spread stance with heel lift trigger, short to contact, pull approach, very good strength, pull approach with above avg. power, 96 mph exit velocity. Fields tall, avg. glove, fields out front, avg. actions, stiff arm action, 77 mph arm strength.

IA Top Prospect Games- Infield Evaluations

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