Prep Baseball Report

Beloit Prospect Identification Showcase: Position Player Analysis



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director

Today we break down the position players from the Beloit Prospect Identification Showcase. The middle infielders showed well at this event with a number of prospects that have the abilities to play at the next level. Will Troia, a left handed hitting middle infielder from Boylan Catholic (IL), took the top spot as his bat separated him from the rest of the pack.

Top Position Player Prospects

1. Will Troia, MIF, Boylan Catholic (IL), 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. Hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, slight bat wrap, abbreviated leg kick stride. Well above average bat speed, 82 mph exit velocity, barrel whip through the zone, excellent balance through finish. Short path with a gap to gap approach. Defensively showed an athletic arm action with body control. Soft hands, above average back hand abilities, clean exchange. Arm action is loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry, 82 mph across the diamond. Troia is one of the top left handed hitting middle infielders in Illinois 2015 class.

2. Nick Schrader, MIF, Jefferson (WI), 2015
Athletic build, strong lower half, 5-foot-8, 155-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed advanced defensive actions, soft hands, solid back hand abilities. Arm plays with carry across the diamond, loose arm action, high ¾ slot with accuracy, 81 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, short stride, excellent balance throughout. Showed above average bat speed, 77 mph exit velocity, short path to the baseball, gap to gap approach. 7.58 runner in the 60. Schrade is a high follow in the Class of 2015 who shows advanced defensive action, foot speed will need to improve but shows an athletic swing with a solid approach.

3. McCauley Cox, MIF, Janesville Craig (WI), 2015
Lanky, athletic frame, 6-foot, 160-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively hits from a slightly narrow stance, smooth load. Showed bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee, pull side approach, consistent contact with repeatability, showed well above average hands and barrel awareness. Slight front foot hitter, solid balance, fluid rhythm throughout. Defensively showed soft hands on the infield, quick clean exchange, rangy defender, 7.50 60. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot, some accuracy across the diamond, 75 mph arm strength. Cox is a high follow middle infielder in the Class of 2015.

4. Taylor Grimm, C/3B, Cedarburg (WI), 2014
Grimm is a big 6-foot, 195-pound catcher and third-baseman with a strong lower half. He displayed quick footwork and a clean exchange on throws to second, registering pop times between 2.04-2.08 at 75 mph from the crouch. Grimm showed some catching ability and effort during bullpens behind the dish, receiving firmly within the framework of his body looking every pitch into his glove. At the plate he displayed strength in his swing with an 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. He has an approach at the plate showing some power to the gaps with bat speed. Grimm ran a 7.68 60.

5. Ty Jandrowski, 1B, Kenosha Bradford (WI), 2014
Jandrowski is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitting and throwing first-baseman who showed hitting ability and pop at the plate. Registered the highest exit velocity off the tee at 91 mph. He creates lift in his swing and pull-side power but capable of shooting either gap. He has a short path to the ball with bat speed through the zone, making use of his lower half with continued balance throughout. Jandrowski showed athletic defensive actions at first displaying soft hands and a clean exchange. His arm played at 80 mph across the diamond. Jandrowski showed the ability to be one of the top left handed power hitters in the class, his natural smooth uphill path creates lift and backspin and shows enough bat speed to beat outfielders deep.

6. John Moynihan, RHP/3B, Verona Area, 2014
Moynihan is a high-level prospect with projectability. The two-way player has a 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame with a sturdy lower half. Has a soft front side but works in line with the plate following through on his pitches. Showed some rhythm in his delivery throwing with some effort. His arm action was short, loose and quick from a high ¾ slot. Had control of his fastball at 84-85 mph with some late arm-side action topping at 86 mph. 12/6 curveball ranged 67-71 mph, lacked the ability to get it to his glove side but showed above average depth and action. His changeup was his best pitch thrown with command at 73-76 mph with pronounced arm-side run, changeup has potential to be a high level swing and miss pitch. Moynihan showed offensive ability making hard contact at the plate with pop to the opposite field gap. He has bat speed and whip through the zone making contact on an uphill plane, registering an 84 mph exit velocity off the tee maintaining balance throughout the swing. Defensively his arm plays at 80 mph across the diamond. Has a windup release but his fielding was clean and throws were made with accuracy. Moynihan is a high prospect to follow.

7. Zack Forney, C, Cary-Grove (IL), 2015
Average build, some athleticism, 5-foot-9, 145-pound catcher. Showed good footwork behind the plate, solid agility, mechanically sound blocking the baseball. Arm worked in a short arm action, over the top arm slot 73 mph from the crouch. Posted 2.05-2.18 pop times. Offensively hits from a tall narrow stance, smooth load, short stride. Lower half showed occasional involvement, excellent balance through contact. Compact swing, stays inside the baseball well, quiet throughout, highly repeatable. Short path with some extension. 75 mph exit velocity, 7.71 runner in the 60.

8. Jared Nelson, C, Jefferson (WI), 2015
5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher, athletic frame. Defensively showed soft hands behind the plate. Quick agile feet, quick out of the crouch. Arm action is short and loose, over the top slot with accuracy, showed carry at 77 mph. 2.08-2.18 pop times to second. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, leg kick trigger, good balance through contact. Line drive approach, solid hitter, lacked extension. Athletic rhythm and setup allows for high rate of repeatability.

9. Samuel Osisek, OF/MIF, Mundelein (IL), 2015
5-foot-9, 155-pound multi-positional player. From the outfield showed a long over the top arm action with some accuracy, showed some carry at 80 mph. Footwork played well through the baseball, used a crowhop at release, 7.26 runner in the 60. Offensively hit from a wider stance, slightly open, short stride. Shows some whip, flat through the zone, level path with extension, line drive type hitter.

10. Kyle Washburn, SS/2B, Indian Trail (WI), 2014
Washburn is a 5-foot-10, 145-pound middle-infielder who showed advanced defensive actions. He fields instinctively with natural abilities displaying soft hands and fluid footwork with a clean exchange. Threw across the infield at 69 mph showing athletic arm action. Washburn also ran a 7.32 60. Hits from a balanced base at the plate with a smooth load and short stride. Has the tendency to hit off his back side and registered 72 mph exit velocity off the tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Ryan Anderson, RHP/3B, Palatine (IL), 2016
6-foot, 162-pound two way player, projectable frame. Defensively showed an accurate arm across the diamond (70 mph). Offensively hits from a slightly taller stance, short stride. Front foot hitter, showed some bat speed and occasional extension through contact. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.75 runner in the 60. On the mound fastball was mostly straight at 73-74 mph. Showed a curveball at 58-59 mph. Straight change thrown with comparable arm speed, 65-66 mph, occasional sink.

Austin Blackmer, RHP/1B, Mundelein (IL), Class of 2015
6-foot-2, 160-pound two way player, lanky frame. Defensively showed natural instincts around the bag at first base. Long arm action with stiffness, high ¾ slot, accurate arm at 69 mph across the infield. Hits from a balanced stance, slightly wider setup, smooth load, short stride. Level bat path, occasional solid contact, good balanced throughout. On the mound fastball showed arm side action, showed control, 69-71 mph. Breaking ball flashed sweeping action 57-60 mph. Changeup at 64-66 mph, flashed sink and fading action.

Connor Bowen, 1B/RHP, Milton (WI), 2014
6-foot-4, 180-pound two way player, lanky athletic frame with projection. Defensively worked from the outfield with a crowhop at 80 mph, showed the ability to play through the baseball. On the infield, showed average hands, first base looks to be primary position, 75 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a tall balanced stance, smooth load with slight arm bar, short stride. Lower half works, showed balance through finish. Uphill path, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound fastball was mostly straight, 77-79 mph. Curveball had 12/6 action, 65-68 mph. Slider had short action, 69-73 mph. Changeup was straight at 73-74 mph.

Kevin Brandt, 1B/LHP, Janesville Craig (WI), 2014
Strong bodied 5-foot-10, 190-pound left handed two way player. Showed natural actions around the bag, flashing occasional softness in his hands, clean exchange, 71 mph arm strength across the diamond. Offensively hits from the left side, open stance, leg kick trigger, slight dive over the plate. Hard contact to his pull side, pull side approach, showed athletic hands at the plate. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound fastball was straight at 71-72 mph. Curveball flashed 11/5 axis, 58-59 mph. Changeup has occasional cut, 60-64 mph.

Michael Brekke, 1B, Sun Praire (WI), 2015
6-foot-1, 190-pound left handed hitting first baseman, solid build, long limbed. Offensively hits from the left side, open stance, slight arm bar load, shorter stride. Lower half works well, flashed solid balance through contact, well above average bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat path has some length, level path with occasional pull side approach, flat through the zone. Defensively showed average hands around the bag, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 69 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Ryan Dubs, OF/INF/RHP, Jacobs (IL), 2014
5-foot-8, 140-pound two way player. Defensively arm played at 74 mph from the outfield, showed the ability to play through the baseball. On the infield arm played at 73 mph. 7.57 runner in the 60. At the plate hits from a balanced stance, leg kick trigger. Solid contact, showed a short path, fluid rhythm, 80 mph exit velocity. On the mound, fastball sat at 71-73 mph, straight with slight sink. Curveball at 62-64 mph, mostly up. Slider flashed occasional action, 64-65 mph. Changeup showed sink when down in the zone, near fastball arm speed, 66-68 mph.

Nicholas Elsen, OF, Indian Trail (WI), 2017
5-foot-11, 132-pound outfielder, underdeveloped build, room to fill out. Offensively hit from a wider, slightly closed stance, drops hands at load, leg kick trigger. Showed signs of barrel awareness, long bat path, slightly uphill. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played through the baseball with a crowhop, mechanically sound approach, 67 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Ross Gunderson, MIF, Waterford (WI), 2015
5-foot-10, 145-pound middle infielder. Defensively used a long arm action on the infield, ¾ arm slot, 69 mph arm strength across the diamond. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, wider setup, short stride, minimal lower half involvement. Line drive type hitter, 75 mph exit velocity.

Aaron Hammond, SS/RHP, Brookfield Central (WI), 2014
5-foot-11, 185-pound two-way player. Mechanically sound hitter made good opposite field contact at the plate. Starts from an open setup with a short stride, registering an 84 mph exit speed off the tee. Threw 74 mph across the infield and ran a 7.5 60. Throws with a slow delivery on the mound with some direction and short, over-the-top arm action. Fastball was 75-76 mph with control. 12/6 curveball at 66-67 mph. Slows arm on changeup at 70-72 mph with some sink.

Tyler Holley, OF, Middleton (WI), 2015
Smaller frame, average build, shows some strength, 5-foot-8, 155-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, drops hands at load, short stride. Exhibited occasional bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed extension through contact, slight uphill path. Defensively used a long arm action from the outfield, high ¾ arm slot, 69 mph arm strength. 7.15 runner in the 60.

Jacob Kellerman, 1B, Rockford Christian (IL), 2015
5-foot-10, 220-pound first baseman. Defensively showed some awareness around the bag, flashed signs of athletic feet, 72 mph arm strength across the diamond. At the plate hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride approach, good balance throughout. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Matthew Liewen, OF, Brookfield Central (WI), 2014
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder who showcased his speed running an event best 6.95 60. Liewen threw 79 mph from the outfield. Offensively he sets up with a balanced base using a short stride. His exit velocity was 62 mph off the tee.

Kellen McCormick, MIF, Hononegah (IL), 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pound middle infielder. Showed an athletic arm action n the infield, loose action with some accuracy, 74 mph arm strength across the diamond. Above average hands, showed the ability to play through the baseball, showed body control. Offensively hit from an open stance, bat wrap load, leg kick trigger. Barrel showed whip through the zone, solid contact, uphill bat path, occasional bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jacob Nelson, RHP/MIF, Jefferson (WI), 2014
Nelson is a 5-foot-10, 145-pound two-way player showed particularly well on the mound displaying three-pitch feel. He has a smooth tall-and-fall delivery with quick high ¾ arm action. He filled up the zone with all three pitches. His 77-78 mph fastball had arm-side run and some sink. Curveball was located with sharp action ranging 63-67 mph. His changeup was thrown with some arm-speed at 66-70 mph with sink. Nelson fielded his position with natural athletic actions playing through the ball with soft hands, fluid feet, and a quick, clean exchange. Throws 71 mph across the infield with some accuracy and short, loose arm action. Offensively showed quicker actions from the right side of the plate. Sets up in a wide base with a minimal load maintaining balance throughout. Exit velocities were 76 mph from the right, 72 mph from the left. Nelson ran a 7.58 60. 

Tyler Nunez, MIF, Byron (IL), 2014
5-foot-9, 155-pound middle-infielder. Nunez displayed some athletic actions defensively, playing the position with rhythm throwing 70 mph across the infield. Line-drive hitter at the plate setting up in a tall, balanced stance utilizing a leg-kick. Exit velocity was 74 mph and ran a 7.5 60.

Derek Peterson, MIF, Parkview (WI), 2015
5-foot-9, 145-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed mechanically sound hands. Over the top arm action at 69 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride approach. Front foot hitter, line drive type, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Brad Sabol, LHP/1B, Lake Country Lutheran (WI), 2014
Sabol is a strong 6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed hitting and throwing two-way player with projectability. On the mound he works in line with the plate finishing his pitches. Threw with long arm action at a moderate arm speed from a ¾ slot. He had feel and command for his fastball at 79-82 mph with slight run. He stayed around the zone with his sweeping 10/4 curveball at 65-67 mph. His slider had similar action and velocity at 68 mph. Threw a straight change at 67-69 mph. Offensively hits from a wide base and no stride, barring his arm on his load. Showed a level, uphill path to and through the ball. Showed some gap-to-gap power with bat speed, registering an 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively he threw 76 mph across the diamond and ran a 7.64 60.

 Jeremy Williams, MIF, Case (WI), 2014
5-foot-5, 150-pound switch-hitting middle-infielder. Showed some athleticism defensively fielding cleanly, flashing soft hands and accuracy across the infield at 76 mph. Offensively displayed bat speed, more so from the left side (80 mph left-handed exit velocity, 75 mph right). Starts from an open stance and maintains balance throughout. Williams ran a 7.44 60.

More Wisconsin News