All-State Games: Infielder Analysis

On Aug. 9, we hosted the invite-only showcase in River Grove, Ill., at Triton College: All-State Games. The showcase featured over 50 of the top 2020 prospects from both Illinois and Wisconsin. We’ve already seen one of the event’s attendees commit to play at the next level since All-State Games and, given the talent at Triton College last month, there’s bound to be more in the future.

Today, we’ll continue our position-by-position analysis with a deep dive into the event’s infielders.

The day’s group of infielders may have been the deepest and most talented at the showcase. Coincidentally, four of the top five prospects within this group represented the state of Wisconsin, including Will Semb (DePere; uncommitted). Semb, a top-30-ranked prospect within his state’s class, produced the highest velocity across the infield – by plenty – in River Grove. The DePere middle infielder is also well-known for his contributions at the plate. Semb has a loose, quick bat that creates hard line-drive contact from gap to gap.

The lone Illinois prospect in the top five below is Wheeling’s Cade Zalewski (uncommitted). The 6-foot-3 unsigned first baseman was one of the more interesting bats in attendance. Zalewski has loose, quick hands and made a lot of hard contact in his round of batting practice. 

Finally, from Burlington Catholic Central, middle infielder Tyler Swanson (uncommitted) has been on the ascent all summer long and that trajectory is still trending up after All-State Games. He’s an active, reliable defender – with both his feet and hands – and has the offensive skillset to cut it at the next level. Swanson also ran a sub-7.00 in the 60 and plays with a high-motor.

We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the showcase, as well as reports on the event’s catchers and outfielders. Also, keep an eye out tomorrow where we’ll break down the day’s pitchers. For now, read reports on all 18 infielders who attended All-State Games.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Will Semb, INF, DePere (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth back load, leg kick trigger, rhythm in pre-pitch. Loose hands, smooth, uphill bat path, generates torque, line drive hitter with a gap to gap approach, ball comes off, effort involved. Present fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 92 mph from a tee. Juiced a double to the pull side gap in-game, plays hard. Defensively, fluid footwork, ranges well, fields in stride, plays through. Long to exchange, short arm action, over the top slot, winds up. Accurate throws carried 92 mph across the diamond, true ball. 7.26 runner in the 60.

2. Cade Zalewski, 1B, Wheeling, 2020
6-foot-3, 180-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman, athletic, strong frame, projectable frame. At the plate, wide setup, smooth load, long leg kick trigger. Rhythm in hands, uphill path, creates lift, hard contact, barreled the baseball, gap to gap approach, fluid rhythm. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Waited back on a breaking ball and drove a ground rule double to the opposite field in-game. Defensively, stays low to the ground, steady hands, exchanges are clean and long. Arm plays long, high ¾ slot, throws topped 78 mph across the diamond. 7.58 runner in the 60.

3. Tyler Swanson, INF, Burlington Catholic Central (WI), 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, well-proportioned, athletic build, strength in frame. Present foot speed, 6.92 runner in the 60. Defensively, fluid feet, hands work, plays through the baseball, clean exchange, pats glove. Arm plays short and loose, quick arm speed, athletic ¾ to high ¾ slot, accurate throws carried 84 mph across the diamond. At the plate, wide setup, drop load, short stride. Strong hands, long, uphill bat path, flashed quick twitch in swing, ability to lift to both gaps, rhythm involved. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 92 mph from a tee. Legged out an infield single in-game, 4.29 down the line, plays hard.

4. Payton Foltz, INF, Watertown (WI), 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth, rhythmic hands, short stride, maintains control. Loose hands, controls the barrel in the zone, compact, level path with extension through contact, line drive hitter, gap to gap approach, rhythm involved. Easy, fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Singled hard to the pull side in game. Defensively, hands work, clean transfers, long to release, feet stay underneath. Arm plays loose, athletic arm action, multi-angle slot, accurate throws topped 78 mph across the diamond. 7.26 runner in the 60.

5. Lukas Broske, 1B, West Bend West (WI), 2020
6-foot-4, 195-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, strong, athletic build. Hits from a tall, balanced setup, smooth load, toe tap trigger. Strong hands, long, uphill bat path, flashed pull side pop potential, can lift the baseball. Generates present bat speed, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Juiced a double and a triple deep to right field, showing in-game gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, stays low, hands work through the ball, clean exchange. Long arm action, flicks the baseball, high ¾ slot, throws topped 74 mph across the diamond. 7.48 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nick Cairo, RHP/1B, Kenosha Bradford (WI), 2020
6-foot-2, 225-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman, thick, strong build. At the plate, balanced setup, top wrap load, short stride. Long, uphill bat path, pull side tendencies, loose hands  generate bat speed, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, clean exchange, short arm action high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph across the diamond. 7.61 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall till slight sit on back side, works in-line, square landing, head jerks, athletic finish. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some effort and rhythm involved. Fastball, ran down in the zone, 81-83 mph, topped 85 mph. Curveball, 11/5 gradual break, 72 mph. Worked a 1-2-3 inning in one inning.

Ernie Day, RHP/INF, Taft, 2020
6-foot-2, 190-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athletic frame. Projects on the mound, tall and fall delivery, compact balance point, slightly cross body, short stride, closed toe land, easy finish with rhythm. Arm plays short and loose, high front side, quick arm speed, over the top slot, easy effort. Fastball, worked straight, came out firm, played up, 83-87 mph, topped 88 mph. Curveball, 11/5 slurvy shape, around it, 68-73 mph. Changeup played 70 mph. Allowed no hits with two K’s and two walks in game. Defensively arm works across the infield, easy, long and loose arm action, winds up, high ¾ slot, steady hands, clean exchange, works through the ball, throws carried 85 mph across. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, back load, short stride. Strong hands, uphill path, line drive hitter, repeats to the middle of the field in BP, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. 7.48 runner in the 60.

Vincent Esposito, 1B, Rock Island, 2020
6-foot-4, 215-pound, left-handed hitting first baseman, well-proportioned, strong frame. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, back load, short stride. Short, simple bat path, strong hands, hard contact with power potential, ball comes off, gap to gap approach, rhythm involved. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Back spun a triple to his pull gap in-game. Defensively, clean exchange, pats glove, choppy feet, long, whippy arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph across the diamond. 7.49 runner in the 60.

Davey Fitzpatrick, INF, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, lanky, athletic, projectable frame. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains control. Strong, loose hands, short bat path, high finish, line drive pop, rhythm involved. Generates quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 90 mph from a tee. Flared a single to right field in game play. Defensively profiles at the hot corner, steady hands, clean transfer, plays through the baseball. Arm plays loose, long to release, high ¾ slot, throws topped 79 mph across the diamond. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Nathan Gehrke, INF, Joliet Catholic, 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, well-proportioned, athletic frame. Defensively, feet work in rhythm, funnels the baseball, clean exchange, plays through the baseball. Long to release, arm plays short and over the top, accurate throws topped 76 mph across the diamond. At the plate, balanced, open setup, smooth load, short stride, slight head dive over plate. Long, level bat path, occasionally uphill, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. 7.26 runner in the 60.

Ethan Habetler, INF, West De Pere (WI), 2020
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athletic build, strength in frame. At the plate, tall, open setup, smooth load, high leg kick trigger. Loose, rhythmic hands, short to the baseball, uphill bat path, line drive hitter with a gap to gap approach, rhythm throughout. Definite bat strength, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Defensively projects as a third baseman, gets behind the baseball, steady hands. Clean exchanges, pats glove, loose, strong arm action, high ¾ slot, throws carried 81 mph across the diamond. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Colin Hageman, INF, Craig (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, switch hitting infielder, well-proportioned, athletic frame. In the infield, athletically plays through the baseball, ranges well, steady hands, exchanges are quick and clean, plus body control play. Short, loose, athletic arm action, over the top slot, can drop slot, easy effort, throws topped 76 mph across the diamond. 7.17 runner in the 60. Wide setup from the right side, crouched from the left, back load, short stride. Level bat path from both sides, keeps it simple, middle of the field approach, slight pull tendencies form the left side, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee.

Matthew Klement, INF, Catholic Memorial (WI), 2020
6-foot-2, 190-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, strong build. At the plate, tall setup, drop load, long stride. Uphill bat path, flashed pull side tendencies, power potential, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, early release, ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph across the diamond. 7.71 runner in the 60.

Arthur Liebau, RHP/1B, Homestead (WI), 2020
6-foot-1, 195-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman, strong build. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, works in-line to home, quick tempo, athletic finish. Arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot, rhythm throughout. Fastball played straight, up in the zone, 82-85 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 74-75 mph. Changeup dropped straight, 79 mph. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, toe tap trigger, hard stride landing. Short, level bat path, line drive hitter, middle/opposite field approach, hands generate quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. 7.13 runner in the 60. Defensively, feet work in rhythm, steady hands, clean exchange,. Long, over the top slot, clean action, throws topped 83 mph across the diamond.

Breck Nowik, INF/RHP, Lake Forest, 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, lanky frame. Defensively, loose, athletic arm action arm across the diamond, ¾ slot, fields deep, funnels into stomach, clean exchanges, long to release, throws topped 79 mph across. At the plate, wide, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Loose hands, level bat path, some extension through the zone, controls the barrel, line drive hitter to the middle of the field, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Singled back up the box in game. 7.28 runner in the 60. On the mound, third base setup, tall and fall style, works in line, toe lands closed, upright finish. Arm plays long and loose, ¾ slot, smooth rhythm. Fastball, run in the zone, 76-79 mph. Slider, 10/4 sharp sweeper for strikes, spins it well, 67-69 mph. Changeup, arm side run, 74-75 mph. Two groundouts and a infield fly in-game.

Logan Rademan, INF, Pius XI Catholic (WI), 2020
5-foot-8, 135-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athleticism in frame. At the plate, even setup, minimal load, short stride. Short, level bat path, hands stay inside the baseball, some line drive ability, exit velocity topped 76 mph from a tee. Defensively, stays low, steady hands, occasional stab, clean exchange. Short arm action, low ¾ slot, throws topped 71 mph across the diamond. 7.41 runner in the 60.

Nicholas Serr, INF, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-9, 140-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, wiry, athletic frame. At the plate, open setup, minimal load, short stride, quiet pre-pitch. Level, compact bat path, line drive ability, thinks middle of the field, exit velocity topped 82 mph from a tee. Barreled a single to right field and  lined another to left in-game, 4.62 on the turn. Defensively, feet work in rhythm, fields in stride with soft hands, exchanges are quick and clean. Short, loose, athletic arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph across the diamond. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Evan Tocmo, INF, Huntley, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, well-proportioned frame. At the plate, tall, narrow, open setup, smooth load, leg kick trigger. Handsy hitter, long, uphill bat path, flashed line drive type, gap to gap approach, goes with location of pitch, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Had one of the more impressive offensive days, hit two triples in game both sending the centerfielder to the track. Defensively, plays through with soft hands, feet work in rhythm, clean exchange, rhythm involved. Short, loose arm action, over the top slot, accurate throws topped 79 mph across the diamond. Present foot speed, 7.06 runner in the 60.

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