Prep Baseball Report

Central Illinois Open: Infielder Analysis


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

On Aug. 7, PBR Illinois hosted the annual Central Illinois Open at the Corn Crib. Soon after the event we took a quick look at some of the statistical standouts from the day. 

Today we continue the postional breakdown by taking a look at the 40 infielders who participated in the event. At the top are two high-follow 2021s, MIF Daniel Mosele (Normal University) and 1B Bryce Bishop (Metamora). Mosele showed feet, range and actions to stay up the middle of the infield and wields a loose, strong, right-handed bat. Bishop has a repeatable compact swing with quick hands and a knack for the barrel. Bishop is also comfortable operating around the first base bag.

Continue below for reports on each of the infielders who made it to the event.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Daniel Mosele, Normal University, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Compact build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slightly narrow, short stride, gets into lower half. Uphill path, gap to gap approach, aggressive swing hands work, middle of the field approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Above average arm, long loose path, over the top slot, showed carry and accuracy.
Defense: Showed above average actions, soft hands and athletic. Athletic double play turn and run through.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. Strong start, fast twitch effort.

2. Bryce Bishop, Metamora, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot, 190-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, loads into backside, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Compact swing, loose, strong hands, present bat speed. Repeats swing, short, level bat path and consistent hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 76 mph. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot and accurate arm.
Defense: Worked out at first base and in the outfield. Steady around the first base bag, clean release and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

3. Jack Zebig, Marmion Academy, 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, short stride and balanced through contact. Loose, athletic hands, creates whip, long through the zone and line-drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, easy effort and played accurate across the infield.
Defense: Fluid footwork, sure-handed, plays through the baseball at times and athletic on the body control play.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

4. Evan Kochel, Normal University, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 230-pounds. Physically-advanced, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, pre-pitch rhythm and short stride. Presence in the box, swings with intent, quick hands, fast bat. Long, uphill bat path and pull-side power potential.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infield profile. Steady hands and quick release at times.
Run: 7.98 runner in the 60. 

5. Gavin Parkerson, Armstrong Township, 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, confident setup in the box, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Loose, quick hands, aggressive swing, long path, natural lift and pull approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength for age.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, long through release.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

6. Eli Moore, St. Anthony, 2021 
Positional Profile: SS/RHP 
Body: 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Long, lean, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, smooth load, leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH.  INF - 74 mph. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out on the infield and outfield. Steady infield defender, loose actions, sure-handed and clean transfer.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60.  

7. Jimmy Koza, IMG Academy, 2022 
Positional Profile: SS/RHP 
Body: 5-foot-7, 140-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Tall, comfortable setup, leg kick trigger. Path is short to the baseball, stays on top, line drive contact, repeatable swing.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short clean arm action, high 3/4 slot, played accurate and athletic from multiple angles.
Defense: Athletic actions, plays through the baseball with active feet, soft hands, athletic initiating the double play.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

8. Mitchell Murphy, Normal Community, 2021 
Positional Profile: 3B/2B 
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, toe-tap stride and maintains balance through contact. Quick bat, uphill bat path, looks to lift the baseball and fluid rhythm.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH.  INF - 77 mph. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Fluid footwork, ranges well on the infield and ability to play on the move.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

9. PJ Moser, Geneseo, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Large build, sturdy lower half.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, slightly narrow, sets hands low, short toe tap stride. Loose strong path, hard contact off the bat, path works long with gap to gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 78 mph. Long loose arm action, over the top slot, showed ability to play accurate.
Defense: Hands works around the bag, footwork looked comfortable around the bag.
Run: 7.99 runner in the 60. 

10. Peyton Apps, Pittsfield, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Lanky frame, long limbs athletic actions.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, leg lift stride, gets into lower half. Long swing path, hands work, loose through the zone, showed some feel for the barrel, line drive gap to gap contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Athletic action and play out of multiple slots, accurate across the diamond, clean release.
Defense: Showed actions and footwork that play through the baseball, quick exchange with feel to turn a double play.
Run: 8.25 runner in the 60.

10. Mason Telford, Streator, 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Carries lean strength.
Hit: RHH. Weight loaded back in setup, high hands with soft front foot, loads hands back with short stride. Level path with length, showed bat strength.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, quick release at times.
Defense: Quick actions, plays with pace, showed well on the move with body control, hands work under center.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60.  

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jacob Abenroth, Dunlap, 2021
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-foot-11, 135-pounds. Long-limbed, lean frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal pre-pitch rhythm, leg-kick trigger. Level bat path, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.40 pop times. Worked out at first base and behind the plate. Flexible behind the plate, clean and directional out of the chute.
Run: 8.1 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Blazekovich, Lockport, 2020
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, long stride into loading action. Path works slightly uphill, pull side approach, contacts lifts to pull side.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short loose arm action, works out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Showed actions on the infield, feet continue to move through the baseball.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Trey Braun, North Boone, 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Strong athletic build, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, leg kick trigger, confident presence in the box. Above average bat speed, opposite field contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. High 3/4 slot, long action, played accurate across the diamond.
Defense:
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Wesley Carter, Central Catholic, 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Long-limbed, high-waisted frame.
Hit: SH. Balanced, wide setup, smooth load and short stride. Short, level bat path, line-drive approach and pull approach.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, clean through release.
Run: 8.45 runner in the 60. 

Noah Chase, Illinois Valley Central, 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Strong frame, durable lower half.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, minimal load and long stride. Strong hands, level bat path and pull approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long draw out of the glove, high 3/4 slot and accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Clean hands, funnels to release.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60. 

Mitchell Crompton, Champaign Central, 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-foot-6, 150-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Narrow setup, short stride. Hits off front foot, level bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 59 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Clean release and plays through the baseball. Feel around the first base bag.
Run: 7.96 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Cruise, Seneca, 2022
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 162-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, arm bar load, long stride. Uphill path, slight pull side approach, lifted contact.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot, showed accuracy.
Defense: Hands play out front, exchange is clean, occasional glove pack release.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Dobbels, Yorkville, 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-6, 130-pounds. Small frame, lean build.
Hit: SH. Balanced stance from both sides, short stride, maintained balance on both sides. Rhythmic swing, short to the baseball, loose hands, spray line drive type approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Short over the top slot, quick release, glove pat transfer.
Defense: Actions play through the baseball, hands play in the center of body, clean footwork through the baseball.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Mitch Dye, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch load and short stride. Looks to elevate the baseball to the pull side, flashed bat speed and fluid rhythm.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean release.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60. 

John Ehmen, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2021
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Smaller frame, compact strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, lower half works. Line drive opposite field contact.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Long action works out of a low 3/4 slot, played accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Plays with two hands underneath center, feet stay static while fielding the baseball.
Run: 7.98 runner in the 60. 

Austin Eichensehr, Normal, 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 138-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly closed setup, short toe tap trigger. Front foot hitter, gets to front foot early with pull side approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 61 mph. Loose arm, high 3/4 slot, can release from multiple angles.
Defense: Fields in middle of body, deep at times, clean release.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60. 

Maxwell Gutierrez, Huntley, 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-7, 125-pounds. Smaller frame with slender build, loose actions.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth loading action, short toe tap stride. Path is level, line drive opposite field contact.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 57 mph. Long release, athletic action with ability to release from multiple slots.
Defense: Above average hands, play out in front with ability to cushion the baseball, clean exchange.
Run: 8.40 runner in the 60. 

Patch Henderson, Normal West, 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 140-pounds. Lean slender build, live actions.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, smooth loading action to back side, short stride. Path has length, level through the zone, gap to gap contact.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 59 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot, athletic release.
Defense: Played well on the move, hands worked, quick exchange attacked the slow roller and showed above average body control.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

Owen Hobbs, Champaign Central, 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 135-pounds. Long and lean frame, plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, static setup, minimal load and short stride. Long bat path, looks to control the barrel.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields in middle of the body, goes to a knee at times.
Run: 8.41 runner in the 60. 

Connor House, Roxana, 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 205-pounds. Thick, strong, mature build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, short stride. Long bat path and pull approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action and works from a high 3/4 to over-the-top slot.
Defense: Corner infield projection, winds up through release.
Run: 8.12 runner in the 60. 

Alfred King Jr, Lindblom, 2020
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Strong build throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slightly closed, minimal load action to long stride. Level path, creates pull side contact.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Long arm action across the diamond, over the top slot.
Defense: Plays tall through the baseball with clean exchange.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Parker Kuhn, Morton, 2021
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Athletic frame and actions.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, leg lift trigger to even, maintains good balance through contact. Strong hands, path is short and works slight uphill, gap to gap contact.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Long path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Down tempo actions, smooth deliberate to and through the baseball.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

Tanner Legner, Pontiac, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, reverse toe tap stride, hands load back. Front foot hitter, path is uphill, created occasional line drive contact.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Long arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: Deliberate footwork, hands play under center, with two hands, funneling to center on routine ball.
Run: 8.71 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Manaois, Huntley, 2021
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-foot-7, 155-pounds. Small active body.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, minimal loading action, short stride, gets into lower half. Uphill path, loose swing.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet worked fluid, hands play under center, long exchange at times.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Jake Munroe, Champaign Central, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, minimal load and short stride. Long path, present bat strength and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, firm arm action from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Plays tall through release.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60. 

Evan Pogioli, Pekin, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-3, 230-pounds. Large frame and build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, leg kick trigger, average balance through contact. Pull side approach with above average bat speed/strength, uphill path creates lift and topspin.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat strength present, strong through contact.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long over the top action.
Defense: Corner infield profile, hands plays together under center.
Run: 8.08 runner in the 60. 

Joel Powers-Ege, Central, 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 147-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm in hands and leg-lift timing trigger. Level bat path, easy effort.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 62 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot and accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Plays with two hands underneath center, feet stay static while fielding the baseball.
Run: 8.10 runner in the 60. 

Isaiah Ruch, Oakwood, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 215-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, loads hands back, maintains solid base and balance. Swing works uphill, creates line drive contact, stays quiet through contact.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infield profile, long exchange, deliberate footwork to and through the baseball.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60. 

Nate Scranton, Pittsfield, 2022
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, loads hands back, leg kick trigger. Loose hands, create level path, gap to gap contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, played accurate at times.
Defense: Tall actions, hands play through the baseball, showed ability to play on the move.
Run: 8.40 runner in the 60. 

Jack Shields, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal stride and short stride. Easy, fast bat, pull approach and lift in swing.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Jumps off the barrel at times.
Arm: RH.  INF - 81 mph. OF - 88 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws have true four-seam carry.
Defense: Worked out in the outfield and at first base. Steady first base actions. In the outfield, steady hands, length through release.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.

Nick Stoner, Normal, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 215-pounds. Large frame and build, strong throughout.
Hit: LHH. Balanced stance with weight loaded on back side, minimal load action, short stride. Pull side approach, occasional gap to gap.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat strength present, strong hands flashed above average power.
Arm: LH. INF - 70 mph. Long arm action, works out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean hands play deep under center, large target around the bag.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60.  

Tanner Tompkins, Normal West, 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot, 190-pounds. Thick, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, tall setup, short stride. Aggressive swing, middle of the field, long, level bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top, accurate, throws consistently on the second base bag.
Defense: 2.17-2.22 pop times. Worked out on the infield and catcher. Steady hands, clean glove to hand transfer.
Run: 7.4 runner in the 60.

Ryne Willard, Normal Community, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-foot, 135-pounds. Slender build, thin throughout.
Hit: LHH. Tall, slightly open stance, minimal load with short stride. Path is long and level, made line drive contact to pull side.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 66 mph. Short action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Played through the baseball, showed footwork around the bag.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60. 

Logan Wombles, Tri-Valley, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, minimal hand load, leg lift stride, abrupt finish.  Opposite field contact, hands stay inside the baseball.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 66 mph. Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Natural actions around the bag, above average footwork and clean exchange.
Run: 8.11 runner in the 60. 

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