Classes of 2017 and 2018 Top INF Velos

By John Cackowski
State Director

Over the next couple of weeks we are going to recap some of the best statistics we have on record since our launch in April of 2014. We have covered the top 60 times in the 2017 and 2018 classes, and the 2016 Class  We have covered top OF Velos for the 2017 and 2018 classes and the 2016 Class. Now we are cover the top INF Velos for the 2017 and 2018 classes.

Austin Chouinard, SS/RHP, Regis Jesuit, 2017
INF Velo: 84
Commitment: Uncommitted
Scouting Report: 6-foot-0, 185-pounds. Bats and throws right. Has grown since last time we saw him. We love his size and strength. Might project as a corner at next level.  Athletic in stance, short to the ball with hands, and smooth level swing that can be explosive. Very quiet and little movement, and long through extension. Just does the job at the plate. Gap to gap power with good carry on the ball. Impressive 91 mph exit velo off the tee. Was given nicest swing award at event. Throws well from position at 84 mph and accurate. Showed nice range back hand side. First time we got to see him pitch. Simple smooth delivery with minimum effort. Square to plate, high 3/4 arm slot with fastball at 79-80 mph touching 81. Curveball was 66-68 mph with nice 11/5 break. Ran a 7.63 60. One of the top 2017 prospects in the state.

Jake Hammons, SS, Rock Canyon, 2017
INF Velo: 84
Commitment: Uncommitted
Scouting Report: 5-foot-10, 180 pounds. Bats and throws right. First time we have seen Hammons and we came away impressed. At the plate Tall, open stance with smooth load, fluid swing. Has good hands through the ball, and had good pop with wood bat during bp. Stays long and strong through finish producing gap power and 84 mph exit velo off the tee. In the field displayed same smoothness, and was awarded best hands at the event. He was the best defensive player on the field. Has great range, and a quick release at shortstop. Arm velo came in at 84 mph and was accurate. Ran a 7.55 60. Player to follow in 2017.

Luke Ziegler, 3B/RHP, Valor Christian, 2018
INF Velo: 82
Commitment: Uncommitted
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 165-pound, third base and right-handed pitcher. Was recognized as having the best swing in the 2018. Looks even more athletic then since we last saw him in January. Defensively, he shows good feet and a quick arm produced 82 mph velocity across the diamond which was way up from 66 at January event.  At the plate he hits from a straight balanced upright stance, gets his front foot down early with a long stride.  Has a level, line drive swing with long finish and good hands to the ball.  Exit velocity was 85 mph  Time will help Luke continue to grow and develop. Luke ran a 7.7 60 time. On the mound he looks very polished and smooth. Arm works well from high 3/4 slot. Has long legs so you can see he's going to fill out. Was consistently 80 mph touching 81, and a 66 mph curveball with 11/5 shape.

Jake Haze, SS/RHP, ThunderRidge, 2018
INF Velo: 81
Commitment: Uncommitted
Scouting Report: 5-foot-8, 160 pounds. Switch hitter who throws right. Haze was voted 2018 prospect that had best two-way talent. At the plate Haze has a consistent swing from both sides, but from right side he starts open. Tall stance with medium stride. Hands load down and back and swing is slightly uphill from both sides. Can turn on inside fast ball from both sides of the plate and does not appear to be more dominant from one side or the other. Generated a 75 mph exit velo from both sides off a tee. Was on base multiple times during the weekend. Defensively has good fundamentals. Throws from high 3/4 arm slot. Might be more comfortable at 3B. Has a good arm at 81 mph across diamond and accurate. On the mound depends on arm strength the most from same arm slot. Falls off towards first. Fastball sat at 76 mph, and curveball was 61-63 with 10/5 shape. If he gets more square to the plate and more leg drive has potential to throw a lot harder. Ran a 7.31 60 time. 2018 player to follow.

Nick Merone: SS/3B, Rock Canyon, 2018
INF Velo: 81
Commitment: Uncommitted
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11, 165 pounds. Bats and throws right. Merone showed some real good skills over the weekend. At the plate hands start high with smooth load and slight leg kick. Hands are quick to the ball and generates good bat whip through the ball with one hand high finish. Bat is in the hitting zone a long time, producing gap to gap power. Had a 85 mph exit velo off the tee. On defense projects as a future shortstop. Very good range to both sides, and quick hands with release. Has arm strength and threw 81 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.60 60.

Rocco Porreco, 3B/RHP, Mullen, 2017
INF Velo: 81
Commitment: Uncommitted
Scouting Report: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Bats and throws right. Porreco is is big frame on the mound that throws a heavy fastball. Was also voted 2017 pitcher with best breaking ball at the Top Prospect Games. Porreco has a square delivery to the plate, crouches in balance point, then throws from an over the top arm slot. Could get more extension if he worked on not throwing over stiff front knee. Fastball sits at 80-81, but touched 82. We came away impressed with his curveball that had very tight spin with 12/6 shape. At the plate shows some rhythm, loads back and has pull power with pretty level swing through the zone. Ball jumps off bat as evident with his 88 mph exit velo off a tee. At 3rd showed nice quick, soft feet for his size. Went backhand well and strong arm across diamond at 81 mph. Ran a 7.8 60. 2017 prospect to follow.

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