TOP FIVE REMAINING INFIELDERS

We continue this week by diving into the uncommitted senior infielders. The 2020 class is rich in talent with the top ten players all committed to high end Division 1 programs and the infielder position has a number of high ceiling prospects still on the board. The number one ranked second baseman, John-Howard Bobo (Basic Academy) and the number 4 ranked shortstop, Josh Johnson (Coronado), lead the pack of infielders that could make a positive impact at the next level.

John-Howard Bobo 2B / OF / Basic, NV / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 1 Bobo is lean with a tapered look and wiry strength. If he realizes the room for weight and strength gains, he can be a “beast”.  He has reliable infield actions and has spent noticeable time developing the confidence to make all the plays with the appropriate actions. He has enough arm strength to stay on the left side with proper rhythm and footwork.  There is an unpolished appeal to his infield game which provides optimism but I think his best days are in the outfield, where he can roam. Continued growth and length will likely require a move to the corners of the field. As a hitter, Bobo uses a leg kick trigger with a solid combination of strength and bat speed.  There is whip in his barrel which will be enhanced by staying on plane longer, but there is an explosiveness to his offense that lends to a middle of the order bat in the future.

Joshua Johnson SS / RHP / Coronado, NV / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 4 Johnson is a projectable infielder with room for weight and strength gains. He has reliable infield actions and fields with confidence.  With size and strength gains, he may profile at third base down the line.  He has enough arm strength to play anywhere on the field and a feel for changing his arm slot to start double plays and make plays on the run. At the plate, He stands with slightly flexed legs, utilizing a leg kick trigger and tipping the barrel while swinging with bat speed, exemplified by his 94 mph exit velocity. He has good barrel release and projectable power with a combination of bat speed and leverage, maintaining good posture throughout his swing. if Johnson's arm strength and feel transition to the mound, he may very well be a legit two-way player in college.

Jack Weise 2B / SS / Bishop Manogue , NV / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 3 Weise is long legged with slightly sloped shoulders and room to add weight and strength. Weise has solid footwork and exchange as well as a feel for touch throws on the run. He currently uses a shuffle to provide carry on longer throws. He showed the ability to throw from multiple arm angles. Core strength will stabilize movements and promote arm strength.   At the plate, Weise sets up tall, with busy hands and employing a significant leg kick.  Upon foot plant, he achieves good separation. His long levers lend a manageable length to his swing.  He maintains balance throughout an aggressive swing and two-handed finish, hitting against a firm front side.  He possesses a rhythm timing making consistent quality contact. Weise’s swing lends to projectable power with physical gains.

Colby Smith SS / 3B / Desert Oasis, NV / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 31 / POS: 6 Smith is a confident infielder with solid actions. He has a feel for all the plays with good footwork.  He maintains enough arm strength to stay on the left side of the diamond and pure footspeed likely lends better to third base. In the box, he maintains an aggressive swing, using mostly middle to pull side of the field.  He has sneaky pull power with more to be gained from an efficient use of his lower half.

Everett Williams 3B / RHP / Damonte Ranch , NV / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 1 Williams has a medium to large frame, with a strong lower half. Williams posted one of the better all-around performances of the day. Defensively, he made all the plays, including a nice over the shoulder catch in the game. He took a mature round of batting practice with consistent hard contact in a mostly pulls side approach, but on occasion displayed an ability to drive the ball the other way. He recorded three hits and used the whole field in the game. He showed a capable arm with a high level of accuracy. Williams has tremendous makeup and playability that will provide an ability to stay at 3B and be a middle of the order bat.  There is not a lot of flash to his game, more of a blue collar ‘get it done” type and surprised by his availability, but he won’t be available long.

Uncommitted 2020 and 2021 prospects will have an opportunity to join the #1 resource for amateur baseball in the country with over 850 colleges subscribed to our network. Registration is open for the Uncommitted Upperclass Showcase which will be held at College of Southern Nevada on Sunday, November 10th!