MOKAN Preseason All-State Showcase: Infielder Analysis
April 27, 2020
On Saturday, February 29, Prep Baseball Report - Missouri/Kansas held the MOKAN Preseason All State Showcase event at the Urban Youth Academy in Kansas City. Roughly 60 of some of the top prospects in the state were in attendance, representing the 2021-to-2022 classes.
Shortly after the event’s conclusion we published an instant analysis story, highlighting the top statistical performers from the event. Our position-by-position breakdown from this event started earlier in the week with the catchers and continued yesterday with the outfielders. Today, we’ll take a dive into yet another talented crop of prospects: the infielders.
Representing the 2021 class at this event are three uncommitted and intriguing prospects: Landen Johnson (2021; Westminster Christian Academy), Matthew Haley (2021; Rockwood Summit), and Kolden Howerton (2021; Seaman).
Johnson brings a unique physicality to the plate with an imposing 6-foot-5 frame. There’s clear power potential to all fields in his loose and easy swing. Johnson gets it done on the mound, too, making him a name-to-know in Missouri’s 2021 class.
Haley is a sure-handed middle infielder that has some power to his game generated by his sturdy lower half. Howerton profiles best as a third baseman with a loose arm and took a strong round of batting practice where he consistently barreled up the baseball. Both are top-40 prospects in their respective state’s classes.
Both Missouri and Kansas’ sophomore classes were represented well at this event, especially by Anthony Fumagalli (2022; Timberland), Cooper Kelly (2022; Blue Valley Southwest), and Blake Reeder (2022; Shawnee Mission Northwest).
Perhaps the top overall prospect from this group is Kelly, who is already committed to Kansas and is nationally ranked inside the country’s 2022 class. Kelly is a true switch-hitter with a knack for barrelling up the baseball from both sides of the plate. His advanced defensive actions and strong arm give him a well-rounded skill-set that’ll certainly play at the next level.
Reeder, another nationally ranked prospect in his class, is a physical 6-foot-3, 210-pound third baseman that does serious damage to his pull-side. Fumagalli is also one of the top infield prospects in his class with plenty of upside in his wiry 6-foot, 170-pound frame. His ceiling might be the highest of this group as he continues to mature and fill out his frame.
Read on below for all infield reports from this event.
Lee Allen, Lincoln College Prep (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. Strong, compact build.
Defense: Active feet, athletic defender in the field, two-hand gather, secures the baseball, long to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, active pre-pitch movement in hands, toe-tap trigger, short stride, stays balanced through contact. Short, level path through the zone to contact, consistently sprayed line drives.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. Quick feet.
Brady Beverman, Olathe South (KS), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot-0, 200-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned build.
Defense: Strong base, fluid footwork, steady hands, confident defender.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Quick, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, leg kick trigger leading to short stride. Loose, quick hands, short, level path to contact, consistent line drive contact, clear barrel feel.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Easily produces hard contact.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60.
Arm Action: RH. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot; quick arm.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Primarily played straight, flashed arm-side run, strikes.
SL: 75-75 mph. Tight, vertical break, 11/5 shape.
CH: 75-75 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed, natural run/sinking action, above-average pitch.
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 140-pounds. Athletic build; projectable.
Defense: Active feet, quick to release, accurate throws across the diamond.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight leg lift, short stride, stays balanced through contact. Bat travels in a short, level path through the zone, contact-oriented swing, produced pull-side line drives.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60.
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Sturdy, durable build.
Defense: Two-hand gather, fluid footwork, accurate throws across the diamond.
Arm: LH. INF - 77 mph. Short, over-the-top slot; quick arm.
Hit: LHH. Relaxed, athletic setup, smooth, simple load, stays balanced through contact. Quick hands, loose, easy swing, short, level path to the baseball, clear barrel feel, line drive approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60.
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-0, 155-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Defense: In the infield, two-hand gather out in front, long to release, accurate throws across the diamond. In the outfield, solid breakdown in feet, showed some accuracy on throws.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short draw, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, wide base, toe-tap trigger leading to short stride, showed balance through contact. Simple, compact swing, bat travels in a short, level path to the baseball, sprayed pull-side line drives.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60.
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic build.
Defense: Two-hand gather, secures the baseball, long to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Starts tall in the box, minimal load and stride, stays tall through contact. Level path to contact through the zone, line-drive oriented approach, hits the ball out in front.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot-0, 190-pounds. Strong, sturdy, well-proportioned build.
Defense: Athletic fielding position, fluid footwork, rangey defender, steady hands, secures the baseball, clean funnels leading to quick release, accurate throws across the diamond, fluid overall defensive actions.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot; present arm strength.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, balanced setup, slight bat tip in load, leg kick trigger, short stride to even, stays balanced through contact. Short, level path to the baseball.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Some pull-side raw power.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60.
Anthony Fumagalli, Timberland (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-0, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic, high-waisted build.
Defense: Athletic fielding position, confident footwork, steady breakdown, smooth hands, clean exchange leading to quick release, multiple arm slot accuracy, athletic body control.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, leg kick trigger, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Quick hands, short path through the zone, steady line drive contact, fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Steady dosage of barrel action.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Primarily plays straight, did show some arm-side run.
CB: 65-67 mph. Loose 12/6 shape, gradual action.
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Strong lower half.
Defense: Fields the ball with two hands out in front, clean exchange, long to release, upright finish on throws.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, front foot starts closed, quick leg kick trigger, short stride leads to even. Short, level path through the zone.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60.
Matthew Haley, Rockwood Summit (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP Strong right-hander with an advanced slider. A name to know in his class.
Body: 6-foot-0, 185-pounds. Sturdy, well-proportioned build; built in his lower half.
Defense: Active feet, athletic in the field, steady hands, quick to release, strong body control, plays through the baseball.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot; quick draw.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed, athletic setup, slight leg lift trigger, short stride. Bat travels in a long, uphill path through the zone.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present raw power.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T87, 85-86 mph. Straight movement, more left in the tank, strikes.
SL: 71-74 mph. Tight, 11/5 shape, strikes.
CH: 77-78 mph. Thrown with slightly decelerated arm action.
Kolden Howerton, Seaman (KS), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build.
Defense: Fields the ball out in front, quick funnel on the move, athletic defender.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Loose arm action, quick draw, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, active pre-pitch movement in hands, bar load, quick toe-tap trigger, short stride, showed occasional balance through contact. Able to generate some bat speed with hands, level path to contact, line drive approach at the plate, aggressive hacks.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed some juice in BP, ball jumps when he finds the barrel.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60.
Landen Johnson, Westminster Christian Academy (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B Intriguing two-way left/left prospect. Powerful bat at the plate with a lively arm on the bump.
Body: 6-foot-4, 207-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned, wide-shouldered build.
Defense: Steady two-hand gather, quick double play turn, some accuracy on throws across the diamond.
Arm: LH. INF - 85 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot; quick arm.
Hit: LHH. Slightly crouched, athletic setup, wide base, slight wrap, toe-tap trigger, short stride. Long, uphill path to contact, extension through contact, ball jumps when he connects with the barrel.
Power: 99 mph exit velocity from the tee. Powerful presence at the plate.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot; quick arm.
FB: T86, 85-86 mph. Plays straight, lively action.
SL: 75-75 mph. Minimal spin.
CH: 70-74 mph. Flashed fading action.
Positional Profile: SS A switch-hitter with feel from both sides of the plate, able to stick up the middle defensively. A high-follow in his class.
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, wiry, well-proportioned build; more maturity to come.
Defense: Athletic fielding position, fields with a confident rhythm, fluid footwork, silky smooth hands, clean funnels leading to quick release, advanced defender that can stick up the middle.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, lively arm.
Hit: SH. Well balanced setup, smooth load from both sides of the plate, leg kick trigger, short stride. Loose hands, short, level path through the zone to contact, steady line drive approach to all fields, more juice from the left side, rhythm through contact.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Easily finds the barrel.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60.
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build; muscular lower half.
Defense: Two-hand gather, long to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bar load, short stride. Level path to contact, steady line drive contact, middle-away approach at the plate.
Power: mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Defense: Athletic in the field, quick feet, clean funnel on the move, quick to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long, whippy arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, weight starts slightly shifted on back leg, steady leg lift trigger, short stride. Quick hands, uphill path to contact, elevates the baseball.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60.
Russell Lucas III, Shawnee Mission Northwest (KS), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered build; defined lower half.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, long to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Stands tall in the box, front foot starts slightly closed, slight bat tip, smooth load, toe-tap trigger, short stride. Present bat speed, short, uphill path through the zone, gap-to-gap approach at the plate, some rhythm throughout.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.96 runner in the 60.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 72-75 mph. Plays straight, plays down in the zone, plenty of strikes.
CB: 66-69 mph. Tight 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes.
CH: 68-73 mph. Thrown with near fastball arm speed, slight arm-side run.
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-0, 205-pounds. Sturdy build, strong lower half.
Defense: pop times. Two-hand gather, sits back on the ball.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start high and angled, slight leg lift trigger, short stride. Short path through contact, hits the ball out in front, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw pull-side power.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60.
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Athletic frame; more room to mature.
Defense: Two-hand gather, secures the baseball, mostly accurate throws.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short draw, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch movement in hands, front foot starts open, quick leg lift trigger, short stride to even, hands stay tight prior to initiating swing. Quick bat that travels in a short, level path through the zone, some feel to find the barrel, line drive approach.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.
JD McReynolds, Sullivan (MO), 2021 Central Missouri commit.
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-3, 210-pounds. Strong lower half.
Defense: Steady hands, quick double play turn, athletic around the bag.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, weight starts shifted onto back leg, toe-tap trigger, short stride. Some bat speed, bat travels in a short, uphill path to contact, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed some power to all fields.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-82 mph. Primarily played straight with hard action into the zone, plenty of strikes.
CB: 63-66 mph. Gradual action, 11/5 shape.
SL: 68-72 mph. Tight shape, tunnels well with fastball, best secondary pitch.
CH: 66-71 mph. Thrown with near fastball arm speed, flashed fade.
Luke Quackenbush, Kickapoo (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Twitchy, athletic, well-proportioned build.
Defense: Athletic fielding position, steady two-hand gather, clean exchange, quick release on the move.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, loose arm action; lively arm.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched, athletic setup, wide base, toe-tap trigger, slight stride. Present bat speed, short path to the baseball, clear juice to his pull-side.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps when he finds the barrel, raw pull-side power.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Short draw; quick arm.
FB: T85, 82-84 mph. Heavy action, life.
CB: 63-69 mph. 12/6 shape, breaks early.
SL: 69-71 mph. Tighter 11/5 shape, late break, pairs well with fastball.
SPLT: 67-70 mph. Flashed fading action.
Positional Profile: 3B A high-follow sophomore in the state.
Body: 6-foot-3, 210-pounds. Athletic frame, more projection to come as he matures.
Defense: Active feet, sound fielding foundation, smooth hands, clean funnels on the move, quick to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, feet start narrow, smooth load, quick leg lift trigger leads to long stride, drives his lower half. Quick hands, short, level path through the zone to contact, does damage to his pull-side.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull-side juice.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. Quick on his feet.
Luke Ruhl, Lee's Summit (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-0, 160-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Defense: Athletic fielding position, fluid footwork, steady hands, clean funnels, accurate throws, confident in himself.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed, balanced setup, pre-pitch movement in hands prior to initiating load, high leg kick trigger, short stride, stays balanced through contact, fluid rhythm. Loose, quick hands, short, uphill path to contact, showed some barrel feel, line drive approach, confident at the plate.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.
Jakob Rust, Olathe South (KS), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 240-pounds. Durable build.
Defense: Two-hand gather, quick double-play turn, accurate throws across the infield.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, hands start high, long stride. Short, uphill path to the baseball, consistently hits the ball in the air.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.14 runner in the 60.
Triston Speaker, Topeka West (KS), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Defense: Showed his athleticism in the field, fluid footwork, lateral range, steady hands, smooth funnels on the move, multiple arm-slot accuracy, displayed natural defensive actions.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, athletic setup, front foot turns prior to stride. Simple, short, level path to contact, contact oriented swing.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60.
Jackson White, Lees Summit West (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-0, 156-pounds. Lean, athletic, projectable build.
Defense: In the infield, two-hand gather, secures the baseball. In the outfield, athletic actions, quick to the baseball, active feet, range to his glove side.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap trigger, short stride, hands drop prior to contact. Long, uphill path to contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60.
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