By Phil Kerber
Associate Scout

The Central Illinois Open took place on Wednesday, August 9th, at the Corn Crib in Normal, IL. The event featured over 50 prospects from all high school classes.  

We began the event analysis with a stats story shortly following the event. Today, we conclude the analysis with a look at the position players in attendance.

2019 infielder Jacob Willis (Highland) swings a physical right-handed bat and made a lot of hard contact in his round of batting practice. Defensively he flashed soft hands and an accurate arm.

Another infielder to follow moving forward is 2020 Sean Shook (Normal West). Shook swings the bat with intent and has feel for the left-side of the infield.

Collin Elvers (Edwardsville, 2018)  is a left-handed hitting catcher with some strength in his swing. Behind the plate he has clean actions and an accurate arm.

Position Players (Listed Alphabetically)

Brady Alexander, OF, Normal West, 2019
5-foot-9, 150-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, uphill barrel path, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.61 60. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, 75 mph from the outfield.

Timothy Anderson, INF, Chicago Agricultural, 2019
5-foot-9, 153-pound, right-handed hitting infielder. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate on some, 70 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, long barrel path, 76 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.72 60.

Brock Ashens, INF/OF/RHP, Belvidere North, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound, athletic, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, long, loose arm action, generates arm speed, over-the-top slot, accurate with carry, 83 mph from the outfield, 81 across the infield. Fields position athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, maintains body control. Offensively, tall, open setup, short toe-tap stride. Line drive approach, long barrel path through the zone, fluid rhythm, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.29 60. On the mound, short, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands closed. Fastball, late run action, 79-81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 67-69. Changeup, down in the zone, 72-75.

Cole Bland, OF, Pawnee, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, bat stays level through the zone, gets extension, line drive approach, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.08 60. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate, 68 mph from the outfield.

Jackson Bland, C/INF/RHP, Pawnee, 2019
6-foot, 190-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance, flashed loose hands, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.37 60. Defensively, behind the plate, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, clean on exchanges, 70 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.26-2.37. On the infield, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 75 mph across the infield. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth, uptempo rhythm, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, flashed run action, commanded, 78-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, commanded, 63-64. Slider, 10/4 shape, 65-67. Changeup, mostly straight, 70-73.

Kyler Edelman, OF/LHP, El Paso, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short, athletic arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate with carry, 83 mph from the outfield. Fields position athletically, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Offensively, open setup, short stride, maintains balance, uphill barrel path, 80 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.12 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, mostly straight, up in the zone, 78-80 mph, touching 81. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 67-70. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, flashed fade, 74-76.

Collin Elvers, C/OF, Edwardsville, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound, strong, left-handed hitting catcher and outfielder. Offensively, tall, open setup, leg kick timing trigger, gap-to-gap approach, 91 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.09 60. Defensively, behind the plate, traditional catcher’s arm action, short, over-the-top, throws were around the bag with carry, 74 mph from the crouch. Soft hands, clean exchanges, pop times between 2.04-2.12. From the outfield, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, quick footwork, clean exchanges, 79 mph from the outfield.    

Jeffrey Garrett, OF/LHP, Mercer, 2019
5-foot-11, 135-pound, lanky, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, left-handed, long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, plays through the ball, fluid footwork, 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short, toe-tap stride, level barrel path through the zone, 71 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.52 60. On the mound, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, lands toe open, works across body. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed cut, 73-75 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 65-67. Changeup, cut and sink action, 70-71.

Benjamin Gonzales, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2021
5-foot-6, 155-pound, two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 71 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, drop load, level barrel path, line drive approach, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.74 60. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball sat 68-69 mph. Cut fastball came in at 58-61. Changeup, fastball arm speed, 64-66.

Logan Hadfield, C, Metamora, 2018
5-foot-8, 150-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, traditional catcher’s arm action, short, over-the-top slot, gains ground, clean on exchanges, 73 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.11-2.19. Offensively, balanced setup, bar load, short stride, long, uphill barrel path, 83 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.20 60.

Cameron Hall, INF/RHP, Carterville, 2020
6-foot, 140-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, wide setup, no stride, simple, line drive approach, fluid rhythm, 69 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.63 60. Defensively, long arm action, slot varied between high ¾ and ¾, soft hands, clean on exchanges, 76 mph across the infield. On the mound, full wind up, long arm action, ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, run action, 74-76 mph. Slider, early action, 57-59 mph. Changeup, sink action, 68-70.   

Eric Hall, SS, Centennial, 2020
5-foot-10, 140-pound, athletic, left-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, short stride, short barrel path through the zone, line drive approach, some looseness, 80 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.41 60. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ slot, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 74 mph across the infield.

Evan Hutson, 1B, Normal West, 2020
6-foot-3, 195-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, left-handed, short arm action, ¾ slot, clean exchanges, fields position athletically, 67 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, level barrel path, flashed power approach, 89 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.87 60.

Andrew Johnson, C/OF, Somonauk, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound, sturdy catcher. Offensively, right-handed hitter, wide, crouching setup, back load, leg kick timing trigger, maintains good balance, gap-to-gap approach, 81 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.92 60. Defensively, behind the plate, traditional catcher’s arm action, short, over-the-top, clean on exchanges, 70 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.25-2.35. In the outfield, short arm action, over-the-top slot, plays through the ball cleanly, 72 mph from the outfield.  

Luke Jones, INF, Rantoul, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound, right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance, flashed bat speed, line drive approach, 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.43 60. Defensively, short, firm arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate, 62 mph across the infield.

Kooper Loehr, INF, Mt. Zion, 2019
5-foot-8, 130-pound, athletic middle infielder. Defensively, short arm action, from over-the-top slot, accurate, some carry, 79 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance, keeps it simple. Line drive approach, level barrel path through zone, fluid rhythm, 72 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.69 60.

Vincent Massaglia, OF/RHP, Morton, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, tall, open setup, leg kick timing trigger, maintains good balance, loose hands. Gap-to-gap approach, long barrel path through the zone, fluid rhythm, easy effort, 92 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.40 60. Defensively, short, loose arm action, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, accurate with carry, 87 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. On the mound, short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot, stays tall in his delivery. Smooth, uptempo rhythm, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, mostly strikes, commanded, 84-85 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 71-72. Changeup, fastball arm speed, arm side run, down in the zone, 76-78.

Jack McGinnis, C, Joliet Catholic, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ slot, gains ground, clean exchanges, 69 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.13-2.25. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, long, level barrel path, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.78 60.

Mitchell McLaughlin, C/INF, Amboy, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, short stride, loose hands. Present bat speed, uphill barrel path, looks to pull, fluid rhythm, 86 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.87 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top as a catcher, 69 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.29-2.38, ¾ slot in the field, 73 mph across the infield.

Mitchell Murphy, OF, Normal Community, 2021
5-foot-7, 145-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance, level barrel path, line drive approach, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.81 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 71 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball with quick footwork.

Daniel Ojeda, OF/1B, Pritzker, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, lanky right-handed hitting first baseman and outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, simple, opposite field approach, 77 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.64 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 69 mph across the infield, 66 mph from the outfield.

Daniel Ortega, 1B/RHP, El Paso, 2021
5-foot-9, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 67 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, back and drop load, long, uphill barrel path, 80 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.08 60. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, mostly straight, 66-69 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 55-57. Changeup, flashed cut, 62-65.

Justin Rohde, INF/RHP, Marian Central, 2020
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, closed setup, short, leg lift stride, line drive approach, level barrel path, fluid rhythm, 76 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.42 60. Defensively, short, firm arm action, low ¾ slot, 71 mph across the infield. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, flashed run, 73-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-62. Changeup, fade action, 68-71.

Brandon Roth, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound, strong, athletic, two-way prospect. Defensively, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, plays through the ball, 86 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, stride hangs, maintains balanced, uphill barrel path, opposite field approach, 91 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.52 60. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, sink action, 79-81 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 63-65 mph. Changeup, flashed fade, 69-71.

Alex Rupp, OF, Limestone, 2019
5-foot-4, 136-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 73 mph from the the outfield. Fields position athletically, plays through the ball, soft hands, fluid footwork, quick, clean exchanges. Offensively, balanced setup, chokes up, leg lift stride, maintains balance, opposite field approach, 68 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.41 60.

Jake Rutkowski, OF/1B, Normal West, 2018
6-foot-3, 200-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, long, uphill barrel path, 87 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.78 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 70 mph from the outfield, 67 mph across the infield.

Cade Sharp, 3B/RHP, Mercer, 2020
6-foot, 210-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, fluid footwork, maintains body control, 73 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, long barrel path, 85 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.37 60. On the mound, long arm action, over-the-top slot, tall and fall delivery, works on-line. Fastball, mostly straight, 74-76, topped out at 77. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 60-62. Changeup, fade action, 67-70. Knuckleball, 61-62.

Sean Shook, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2020
5-foot-9, 180-pound, strong two-way prospect with a thick lower half. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth, wrap load, short stride, some looseness, present bat speed, uphill barrel path, 88 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.73 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate on some throws, 79 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, soft hands, quick, clean exchanges. On the mound, loose, stabbing arm action, high ¾ arm slot, open landing, works across body. Fastball, flashed cut, commanded, 75-78 mph, touched 79. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 64-67. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, has feel, 73-74.

Tom Smith, 1B, East Peoria, 2019
6-foot-4, 205-pound, strong, right-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short stride, present bat speed, short barrel path, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.52 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 70 mph across the infield.

Matthew Snyder, INF, Plainfield South, 2018
5-foot-8, 130-pound, right-handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively, short arm action, low ¾ slot, accurate, 70 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, flashed soft, steady hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, open setup, short stride, maintains balance, long, level barrel path, opposite field approach, 73 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.80 60.

Brendan Tupper, OF/INF, Normal University, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, heel lift stride, flashed loose hands, present bat speed, pull approach, early rhythm, 87 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.32 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, 78 mph from the outfield, 75 mph across the infield.

Jordan Veldman, C/INF, Mahomet-Seymour, 2019
5-foot-11, 158-pound, right-handed hitting catcher and middle infielder. Offensively, open setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Line drive approach, present bat speed, level barrel path, gains extension, fluid rhythm, 83 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.29 60. Defensively, behind the plate traditional catcher’s arm action, short, over-the-top slot, accurate, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, 72 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.18-2.29. In the field, short arm action, over-the-top slot, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, maintains body control, 76 mph across the infield.

Sean Weiser, INF, Antioch, 2019
5-foot-10, 137-pound, right-handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate on throws, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 70 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced, crouching setup, leg kick timing trigger, flashed line drive approach, 76 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.34 60.   

Tyler Wessels, C/RHP, Elmwood, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, open setup, leg lift stride, loose hands, present bat speed, short, level barrel path, 86 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.51 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 71 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.15-2.26. On the mound, short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, works towards first base, lands open. Fastball, mostly straight, 78-80 mph, touching 81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-67. Changeup, sink action, 68-70.

Jacob Willis, INF, Highland, 2019
6-foot-1, 195-pound, strong, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced, open setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains good balance through the zone. Line drive approach, short, level barrel path, present bat speed, fluid rhythm, 91 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.30 60. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ slot, accurate with some carry, 79 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, soft, steady hands, clean on exchanges.

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