2019 Top Prospect Games: Infield Analysis

August 29, 2016

By Steve Nielsen & Drew Locascio
Illinois/Wisconsin

The 2019 Top Prospect Games featured some of the top 2019 graduates in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Historically this event has served as an unveiling of sorts for the next in line high follow prospects.

Our event analysis started last week with the catching prospects, usually a position of strength in the two states over the last several years. Today we take a look at the infielders in attendance.

Ranking the top infielder from the event was a tough choice. Both Andrew Wiegman and Xavier Watson are dynamic prospects who are deserving of the top spot. Wiegman has advanced tools, a projectable frame and an extremely high ceiling, while Watson is an advanced high-level defender with polish to his game.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Andrew Wiegman, SS, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2019
Louisville commit. Loose projectable frame, 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Balanced stance, leg lift stride, average balance. Loose live hands, explosive bat speed through the hitting zone, path is level and works through contact. Hard contact that jumps off the bat, plays in game. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively is highly athletic, raw actions with soft athletic hands. 4.37 runner down the line. Active and aggressive baserunner, applies pressure to the defense. High motor gamer, plays with enthusiasm.

2. Xavier Watson, SS, South Milwaukee (WI), 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound shortstop, lively/loose athletic body, lean strength for his age. High follow 2019 prospect. Defensively moves well laterally, athletic defender on the move, hands are soft, cushions the baseball, quick release. Feet are quick, sets them up to play through, shuffles through to release, can eliminate steps to release on routine plays. Arm action is athletic, can play from multiple slots, loose arm quick release, carries across, 79 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, simple quiet setup, stays on balance. Bat path stays through the hitting zone, short to the baseball, line drive gap to gap hitter. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Went 3-for-6 in game play with a double and two RBI.

3. Jared Cushing, SS, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2019
6-foot-3, 170-pound infielder, lanky athletic frame, highly projectable build, plus upside frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Hands are loose and athletic, generates bat speed and path stays on top of the baseball, creates backspin. Gap to gap approach with fast bat and handles it well. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm carries across the diamond, 79 mph, loose high ¾ slot. Hands are soft and athletic with quick efficient exchange, plays through the baseball, moves well with advanced body control. 4.68 runner down the line. 3-for-5 in game play with a double. High follow 2019 prospect.

4. Paul Toetz, 3B, Greendale (WI), 2019
5-foot-10, 175-pound third baseman, solid athletic build. Premium infield defender projects at third base. Soft confident hands, footwork is fluid, plays through the baseball, excellent body control, showed ability to attack the slow roller. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, carries well across the diamond, advanced arm strength at 82 mph across. Right-handed bat, balanced setup, wider sturdy base, excellent balance, short stride, quiet pre pitch setup. Bat path stays on top of the baseball, line drive gap to gap type hitter, also flashed pull side pop. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.50 runner down the line, 1-for-6 with a double in game play.

5. Dan Blomgren, SS, Janesville Craig (WI), 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound shortstop, athletic frame with loose live actions. Defensively showed advanced actions on the infield, soft hands, plays quickly and aggressively, plays through the baseball, confident hands. Showed easy actions with good body control. Arm action is short, over the top slot, can play athletically when on the move, 82 mph across the diamond. 4.63 runner down the line. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, strong balance. Loose athletic hands at the plate, head stays level, showed barrel awareness in BP, line drive spray approach. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Tyler Brandenburg, CIF/RHP, Lake Country Lutheran (WI), 2019
Large framed corner infield prospect, 6-foot-2, 202-pounds, solid thick build. Right-handed hitter, short stride, athletic setup. Showed bat strength, fast bat, slight uphill plane, hard lifted contact, pull side power approach. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Hit a double in game play. 4.88 runner down the line. Defensively showed hands and mobility to stick at third base. Arm carries across at 81 mph, showed body control on the slow roller. On the mound fastball touched 80 mph, sat 77-79 mph with slight arm side run. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, gradual short action, 70-72. Flashed changeup at 74 mph.

Hayden Brotz, 1B/RHP, Stevenson (IL), 2019
6-foot-1, 205-pound two-way player, strong build for his age, sturdy lower half. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, athletic setup, solid balance. Aggressive swing, flashed pop, above average bat speed for his age, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed well above average actions around the bag, hands work. Arm action is loose from a high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. On the mound worked online with good direction. Fastball played at 78-80 mph, showed feel for the strike zone. Curveball is 65-67 mph on 11/5 plane, showed feel. Flashed a knuckleball a 63-65 mph.

Tucker Cole, MIF, Dixon (IL), 2019
5-foot-10, 140-pound middle infielder, wiry slight build, loose athletic actions. Defensively plays with soft hands, hands will stick in the middle infield, advanced actions. Short loose arm action, live arm from high ¾ slot, 79 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick trigger. Level path showed barrel control, line drive type hitter who can spray the baseball. Some effort, generated 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.82 runner down the line.

Nathan Ebersole, MIF, Whitefish Bay (WI), 2019
Small bodied middle infielder, 5-foot-6, 130-pounds. Moves well with short quick footwork on the infield. 4.61 runner down the line. Second baseman type projection. Hands showed soft feel, clean efficient exchange, good body control. Athletic arm action, short over the top slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Simple spray hitting approach. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Bennett Frazer, SS, Oconto (WI), 2019
5-foot-8, 145-pound shortstop, compact athletic frame. Defensively possesses advanced actions for his age, plays through the baseball with soft/quick hands, plays athletically on the move, attacks the slow roller with body control. Arm action is short, plays from a high ¾ slot, 82 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, good balance through setup. Line drive, spray approach, slightly favored opposite field in BP. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.53 runner down the line. High follow middle of the infield defender, bat should catch up as he gets stronger.

Patton Germann, INF, Sussex-Hamilton (WI), 2019
6-foot, 160-pound infielder, lean athletic frame with quick twitch actions. Advanced runner for his age, gets out of the box well, 4.36 down the line in BP, got a 4.22 in game on a ground out to second. Defensively showed soft hands, ability to cushion and funnel to release. Occasionally fields deep. Arm action is short and firm, high ¾ slot, 72 mph across the diamond. Speed may project him into a centerfield prospect. Right-handed hitter, open stance, average balance. Path works slightly uphill, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Griffin Holderfield, CIF/RHP, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2019
Large frame, 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-handed hitting two-way player. Hits out of a tall setup, lifted stride. Lower half collapses, pull side elevated contact with power, bat strength present, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Middle of the lineup type bat with pop to pull side. Defensively showed arm strength across the diamond, 81 mph, carries from a high ¾ slot. Hands played, average range, corner infield defender. On the mound arm plays from a high ¾ slot. Fastball runs, occasionally heavy, 78-81 mph. Breaking ball is 66-67, short gradual action, 11/5 type.

Jimmy Juergensen, 1B, Living Word Lutheran (WI), 2019
Strong physical build, 6-foot-3, 200-pound left-handed hitting first baseman. Left-handed power bat, balanced stance, loads hands back and down, leg lift stride, average balance. Advanced bat strength for his age, path works uphill with lift, looks to elevate the baseball to pull side. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average feel around the bag, clean exchange, hands work for his position. Arm played at 77 mph across the diamond.

Ryan Leland, 3B, Sandburg (IL), 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound infielder, lean projectable build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open setup, short stride, good balance. Average bat speed, path has length, some uphill tendencies. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, athletic arm action when on the move, showed ability to use different slots. 72 mph across the diamond. 4.92 runner down the line.

Jacob Neese, INF, Sheboygan North (WI), 2019
6-foot, 170-pound infielder, lean athletic shape, projectable type build. Balanced stance, hands drop slightly into arm bar load, slight toe tap stride. Loose hands, flashed lean bat strength, can add extension. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively moved with gangly actions, still finding body control, raw athletic actions. Arm flashed occasional carry, 79 mph across, high ¾ slot with loose arm action. 4.69 runner down the line. Wet 1-for-5 in game play with a double.

Jacob Rosenkranz, RHP/1B, Stevenson (IL), 2019
6-foot-2, 150-pound right-handed pitcher, long thin projectable frame. Projects best on the mound, works from a full windup, tall and fall down the hill, works on line. Arm action is clean and highly projectable, long and loose, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball runs to arm side with late action, ranged 78-82 mph, topped at 83 mph. Throws changeup with arm speed, fades to arm side, 71-75 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Long path on slight uphill plane. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 5.08 down the line. Average actions around the bag, arm really works across, 77 mph.

Rhay Street, MIF, Brother Rice (IL), 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively plays with confident hands, quick clean transfer, hands work quickly to get to release, good body control, plays uptempo. Arm action is short and over the top, 77 mph across the diamond. Bat shows barrel control, hits from a balanced stance, short stride, excellent balance. Hands works with simple approach, pull side contact in BP. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Ben Wiegman, RHP, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2020
Louisville commit. 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, large body type for his age. Delivery worked exclusively from the stretch, tall and fall type, front side stays closed. Arm action is quick and strong, high ¾ slot, shorter action. Plus fastball for his age, played at 83-85 mph, mostly straight, lacked command in this outing, lively through the hitting zone. Changeup is 72-73 mph, flashed slight cut action. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg kick trigger. Has bat strength for age, balance in the box can improve, occasional hard contact to pull side. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.