Maryland Future Games Trials: Infielders Notebook

July 5, 2018
Kyle Campbell
Maryland Scouting Director

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This week we are diving deeper into last Wednesday's Future Games Trials breaking down by position the statistical leaders, top performers and players to keep an eye on. Today we take a longer look at the top infielders from the event.

Top INF Velo's:

85 mph: Kyle Whitaker

81 mph: Bobby Duffy / Myles Janson

79 mph: Andrew Rickard / Matthew Rodriguez

78 mph: Ethan McCormick

Top INF Exit Velo's:

92 mph: Kyle Whitaker

87 mph: Weston Weilminster

86 mph: Thomas Joseph / James Michel

85 mph: Tyler Blittersdorf / Matthew Bobrowski / Ethan McCormick

84 mph: Andrew Rickard / Stephen Schenning

Top 2019 Future Games Trials Infielders:

Tyler Blittersdorf C / OF / John Carroll, MD / 2019

At third base, he was smooth, showed good hands and had quick exchange. Most impressive however was his two rounds of BP. Blittersdorf hits from a wide stance using a leg kick for rhythm and timing. He has a more compact swing and does a nice job staying behind the ball. He is a line drive, gap to gap hitter with present pull-side power from the left side of the plate.

Top 2020 Future Games Trials Infielders:

Matthew Bobrowski SS / OF / Leonardtown, MD / 2020

Bobrowski moves well at shortstop and took a solid infield at this years Future Games Trials. Can be a little stiff at times and showed at 75 mph INF Velo. Bobrowski is a line drive type hitter at the plate with quick hands and uses a high leg kick to load. Has a tendency to get long at times. Caught some eyes with a 85 mph Exit Velo.

Jack Branthover 3B / RHP / Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD / 2020

Branthover showed good hands at third base and works through the ball. Line drive type hitter with occasional pop to the gaps. Really like his rhythm and balance at the plate. Uses a leg kick for timing, is smooth, and really explodes on the ball (81 mph Exit Velo). Branthover also threw a bullpen at the Future Games Trials. Sat 73-74, top 75 mph with a 70-71 mph slider with late action and a 69-70 mph change-up with good arm speed. Good feel for his pitches and filled the zone a lot.

Bobby Duffy 3B / RHP / North Harford, MD / 2020

Duffy had a great Future Games Trials workout on Wednesday at the University of Maryland. The class of 2020 prospect showed very well at third base, at the plate, and on the mound. Duffy showed good hands at third with the ability to pick through the ball and a good arm (81 mph INF Velo). He took two really nice rounds of BP squaring several balls up to the gaps. He also showed some pull side power taking one out and a couple others came close. On the bump, Duffy was 80-82 topping at 83 mph with a 63-65 mph 11/5 shape breaking ball and 72-74 mph change-up with some dive.

Ethan McCormick SS / RHP / Archbishop Spalding , MD / 2020

McCormick is athletic and plays the middle infield with active feet, good hands, and a strong arm (INF Velo: 78 mph). He attacks ground balls under control and sets up well with a solid base. McCormick showed the ability during the workout to make throws from several different arm angles. At the plate, McCormick stays quiet has good rhythm and balance. He took two solid rounds of BP stroking one line drive after another. There is some power in his bat now (Exit Velo: 85 mph) and that will really continue to increase as he gets stronger. On the mound, McCormick threw a ton on strikes and sat 81-82 mph in his bullpen with a 69-71 mph sweeping slider, and 74-77 mph heavy power change. Really exciting prospect in the 2020 class.

Andrew Rickard SS / RHP / Archbishop Curley, MD / 2020

Rickard is athletic and moved well at shortstop. Showed good hands and the ability to pick it and throw from various arm slots. Took two really nice rounds of BP at the Future Games Trials. Uses a toe tap for rhythm and load and hit a bunch of line drives in both gaps (84 mph Exit Velo). Rickard also threw a bullpen where he was 77-78, top 80 mph. Breaking ball was 67-69 mph, 64-66 mph change-up and showed a 59 mph knuckle ball.

Matthew Rodriguez SS / 2B / John Carroll, MD / 2020

Rodriguez moves well at shortstop and plays with active feet. He has soft hands, is smooth, and showed really nice actions. Line drive type hitter now with occasional pop to the gaps. Aggressive swing (81 mph Exit Velo). Has a tendency to get out on his front side. More power projected at the plate. Interesting prospect to follow.

Kyle Whitaker 3B / RHP / McDonogh, MD / 2020

Whitaker took two show-stopping rounds of BP at Wednesdays Future Games Trials. He is already a big kid at 6’2’’ 225 lbs. with great strength at the plate (92 Exit Velo). He took three out and and several more were driven to the wall. Whitaker is quiet at the plate and uses a leg kick for rhythm and timing. His lower half is explosive and he has quick hands. Most of what he hit was to center field and pull side. Whitaker showed a strong arm at third base (85 mph INF Velo) and was 76-81 on the mound with a 62-65 mph breaking ball and 66-68 mph change-up with plus fade. Easily one of the top class of 2020 offensive prospects with a huge power upside.

Top 2021 Future Games Trials Infielders:

Jake Becker 2B / SS / Sherwood, MD / 2021

Good actions in the infield. Plays with active feet, works through the ball and is smooth. Hits from the left side. Quiet compact swing with quick hands. Line drive type hitter with the ability to use all fields well. Solid prospect that will only get better as he continues to grow and fill out.

James Michel 3B / RHP / Archbishop Curley, MD / 2021

Michel has a projectable frame at 6’3’’ 170 lbs. and showed good hands and smooth actions at third base during the Future Games Trials workout. He starts with a wide base at the plate and showed the ability to hit the ball to all fields during BP. Michel has a nice swing and showed some power to the gaps. More power is projected as he continues to fill out and get stronger. Michel was also 77-79 on the mound topping at 80 mph. His fastball has some arm side run and his breaking ball was 67-69 with 11/5 shape and late breaking action. Michel also threw a change-up at 72-74 with good dive and a 68-71 mph cutter. Lots to like from this 2021 prospect.

Stephen Schenning RHP / 3B / Loyola Blakefield, MD / 2021

Hits from a wide base, line drive type hitter with pull side power. Stays behind the ball well. Schenning also threw a bullpen where he sat 77-79, top 80 mph. Big 11/5 shape 67-69 mph breaking ball and 71-74 mph change up with fade.

Top 2022 Future Games Trials Infielders:

Weston Weilminster 1B / 3B / Walt Whitman, MD / 2022

Solid frame at 5’11’’ 200 lbs for first base. Gap to gap hitter with pop (87 mph Exit Velo). Has a tendency to get long in his swing. Big things to come from Weilminster at the plate. Interesting prospect to keep and eye on as he continues to develop.