Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Invitational 2021 Infield Analysis


PBR Colorado Staff

 

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The Underclass Invitational took place on Sunday January 28th at Slammers South.  The invite only event featured many of the top players from the 2020 and 2021 classes along with several newcomers who were able showcase their skills in a pro style workout for the first time for the PBR Colorado staff.  We began our look at this event with the catching position, followed by the outfield position and now we break down the 2021 Infielders.


Best of the Best: 2021 Infield Analysis

Alex Champagne SS / 2B / Heritage, CO / 2021

5-foot-7, 125-pound left hand hitting MIF. 5-foot-7, 125 pounds. Bats left throws right. Proof that baseball players come in all shapes and sizes. Advanced bat speed for his age and size. Led all hitters with a 93 mph exit velocity. Gets money's worth for sure at the plate. Simple load, short stride, then slight-up hill swing. Had a very good live round barreling everything. Solid hands at SS with good hand to glove exchange. Quick feet. Gains good ground towards 1B. Can run. 4.15 home to first. Player to follow in 2021.

 

 

 

Joel Anderson 3B / RHP / Rocky Mountain , CO / 2021

5-foot-8, 190-pound 3B/RHP. 5-foot-8, 190 pounds. Bats and throws right. When he grows and thins out could be a stud. Strong player. Bottom hand dominate at plate, and ball jumps off bat. Everything he is pretty effortless and easy. 87 mph exit velocity. Centered everything during live round. Liked his feet for size at 3B. Moved well. Strong enough arm that will get better at 72 mph. On the mound gets good extension towards plate, lands inline then falls off to 1B. Fastball lived 78-79. Good 3-pitch mix with 64-65 mph curveball and 67 mph change at fastball arm speed. 

 

 

 

Radek Birkholz RHP / SS / Valor Christian, CO / 2021

5-foot-10, 185-pound right hand hitting SS/RHP. 5-foot-10, 165 pounds. Athletic frame, wide balanced stance. Generates good bat whip through zone with bottom hand finish. Pull side power. Would have loved to see flight of ball on field. Good bat speed. 87 mph exit velocity. Wants to launch the ball. Good actions at SS. Gains good ground to 1B with 77 mph arm velocity. Ran a 4.10 home to first. 

 

 

 

Ryan DePew RHP / 3B / Grandview, CO / 2021

5-foot-11, 165-pound right hand hitting 3B/RHP. At the plate he stands balanced with a long stride on the pitch.  Lower half is solid through the zone creating good pull side power.  Swing is long with good extension out front.  Exit velocity was 81 mph at this event.  In the field he comes through the ball and stays square on his delivery.  Shows a good glove transfer and arm is accurate to the bag.  Arm velocity was 77 mph. Righty on the mound and throws from an over-the-top arm angle. Toe lift to balance point with average effort leads to some rhythm and helps land in line. Straight fastball averages between 81-83 mph. Curve showed tight spin and 11/5 break and sat 67-69 mph. He finished with a 61-62 mph Change.

 

 

 

Cole Martino RHP / 1B / Pueblo County , CO / 2021

6-foot-0, 192-pound right hand hitting 1B/RHP. 6-foot, 190 pounds. Bats and throws right. Big-body pitcher with some potential to throw pretty hard by the time he graduates. Fastball lived 79-80 mph, but there is more there, especially if he gets some more extension, and throws off two feet. Square shouldered Over the top arm angle makes him look taller on the mound, and creates good down angle. Curve had good late break with 12-6 shape. Could add some more velocity on Change. 

 

 

 

 

Westin Miller SS / 2B / Wheat Ridge, CO / 2021

5-foot-6, 118-pound MIF. Bats and throws right. Is going to be a good baseball player. Got after it in cage, and showcased good power with size. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a quick load on the pitch.  Good lower leg drive on the swing.  Hands come through the zone on an uphill path.  Exit velocity was 76 mph. Very quick feet at SS, and quick release. Interesting player who we look forward to follow to see what happens as he gets bigger and stronger. Arm was accurate at 61 mph.

 

 

 

Best of the Rest: Listed Alphabetically

Nathan Gutierrez LHP / 1B / Douglas County, CO / 2021

5-foot-10, 135-pound left hand hitting 1B/LHP. Starts in an open stance, short stride during load, mostly balanced. Bat speed continues to improve each time we see him. Swing is short and compact through the zone.  Line drive hitter. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Long arm action from high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the field. On the mound arm action is loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, slightly runs to arm side, heavy fell, stays around the zone, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball has 2/7 shape, 65-68 mph. Changeup sinks and showed as best secondary pitch, 64-66 mph.

 

 

 


Ryan Juul SS / RHP / Grandview, CO / 2021

5-foot-10, 130-pound right hand hitting SS/RHP. At the plate he stands open with a long stride to come square.  Lower half is solid through the zone creating good pull side power. Swing is long with extension out front. Exit velocity was 77 mph. In the field he comes through the ball and stays square on his delivery.  Showed a solid glove transfer and arm is accurate to the bag.  Arm velocity was 62 mph. On the mound he gets to balanced and falls to the plate.  Will benefit from a strong lower leg drive. Delivery is from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball was 69-72 mph with good location in and out. He added a 60-62 mph Curve with sweeping break and a 58-60 mph Change to finish his session.

 

 

 


Trevor O'Brien 3B / C / Broomfield, CO / 2021

6-foot-0, 160-pound right hand hitting 3B/C. Starts in an open stance, short stride during load, mostly balanced. Attacks the ball from a short path with above-average bat speed. Swing path is slightly uphill and displayed the ability to hit to all fields. Recorded a 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.

 

 

 


Gavin Schmeh SS / 2B / Brighton, CO / 2021

5-foot-6, 135-pound right hand hitting MIF. Right-handed hitter, Open stance, big leg kick trigger, solid balance. Short loose path, hands create bat speed, projectable traits at the plate. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed good bat control to all fields during the live round. Defensively he moves well and shows soft hands when fielding.  Excellent glove transfer and a quick release.  Arm is accurate at 71 mph across the diamond.

 

 

 


Max Weiser RHP / SS / George Washington/Denver Academy of Torah, CO / 2021

5-foot-11, 155-pound right hand hitting SS/RHP. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a slow load on the pitch.  Good lower leg drive on the swing.  Hands come through the zone on an uphill path.  Exit velocity was 70 mph. In the field he showed good athletic actions and instincts. He has soft hands and a good glove to hand transfer. Arm Velocity was 70 mph with accuracy. On the mound he gets to balanced and falls to the plate. Will benefit from a strong lower leg drive.  Delivery is from a high ¾ arm slot.  Fastball was 72-74 mph with late run.  He added a 65-66 mph Curve with sweeping 11/5 break and a 66-67 mph Change with some sink.

 

 

 


Blake Windham SS / RHP / Castle View, CO / 2021

5-foot-7, 120-pound right hand hitting SS/RHP. Lean middle infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, wrap load, quick double tap stride, maintains balance through contact. Opposite field approach, long, slightly uphill barrel path, 77 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, soft hands and quick glove transfer. 68 mph across the infield. On the mound, arm action is long and live, high ¾ slot. Fastball has straight life through the zone, sat 72-74 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, flashed tight spin, 56-58 mph. Changeup sinks, near fastball arm speed, 65-67 mph.

 

 

 


Mason Woodhouse 3B / RHP / Castle View High School, CO / 2021

5-foot-6, 120-pound right hand hitting SS/RHP. Open stance, long stride, solid balance. Short loose path, swing path is slightly uphill. 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively projects as a corner infielder, hands played, tall actions at times. Arm played short, 70 mph across the diamond. On the mound he threw from a high ¾ arm angle, short arm action, and easy effort. Landed in line, finished mostly square, occasionally open. Fastball was 72-74 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape with gradual break, sat between 56-57 mph. Changeup averaged 64 mph with some fade.