Prep Baseball Report

Chicago Preseason I.D.: Infield Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

On Feb. 28, the PBR Illinois team hosted the third annual Chicago Preseason I.D. at the Pullman Community Center in Chicago, Ill. The event featured nearly 50 players from high school graduates in classes 2022-25, from across the Chicagoland area, including a handful of prospects from across the Indiana state line.

Previously, our staff collaborated to highlight the biggest takeaways and highlights from this showcase, and published them within our Quick Hits piece. We also shared the event's traditional leaderboards, published inside this Statistical Analysis. Later on, with the help of the state-of-the-art technology we had on-site, we dove a little deeper into the data to see what we could find within our TrackMan Files and Blast Motion Board stories.

We began to roll out these position-by-position reports on Thursday, beginning with the event’s catchers. We’re publishing the reports on the day’s infielders today.

Freshman INF Savion Flowers (Kenwood, 2024; uncommitted) used this event to continue to show our staff that he’s among the class’ top left-handed bats. His smooth, upside swing sprayed hard all-fields contact here, and he earned an invite to the Underclass Invitational because of it.

Junior Nick Lagges (Lane Tech, 2022) looks like a long-term fit on the left side of the diamond, and his short, simple right-handed swing earned him extra attention at this showcase.

Another junior, INF/RHP Ryan Kramer (Latin School of Chicago, 2022; uncommitted), was one of the top statistical performers of the event, recording the day’s highest max exit velocity (95.6 mph) during batting practice, the top infield velocity measured at 86 mph across, and his 85 mph high fastball velo was also among the day’s leaders.

For full reports on these three, as well as each of the other infielders who made it to this showcase, continue on below.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Savion Flowers, Kenwood (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: L/R. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg lift, advanced pre-pitch actions. Athletic, effortless swing, repeatable, level path, peak hand speed of 20.9 MPH, used the entire field with an advanced round of BP, line drives.
Power: 88.87 max exit velocity, averaged 71.68 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: L/R. INF - 84 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, flashes accuracy and carry.
Defense: Easy infield actions, soft hands, smooth feet, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 

2. Nick Lagges, Lane Tech (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, balanced throughout, easy pre-pitch actions. Simple, repeatable swing, level path, advanced bat speed with a max of 71.4 MPH, ball jumps off barrel, used entire field during BP.
Power: 89.27 max exit velocity, averaged 76.61 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry across infield.
Defense: Smooth mover, advanced infield actions, clean exchanges, flashes a quick release, plays through the ball with proper direction.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

3. Ryan Kramer, Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 210-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, easy load, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Aggressive swing, long, uphill path, advanced strength, ball jumps off bat, 68.8 MPH max bat speed, pull-side power approach.
Power: 95.64 max exit velocity, averaged 88.79 mph. 344’ max distance. Best average and max exit velocity at the event.
Arm: R/R. INF - 86 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry with accuracy.
Defense: Soft hands, clean exchanges, plays through the ball with proper direction.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

4. Omar Alday Jr, St. Rita (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: R/R. Tall, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, athletic pre-pitch actions. Aggressive swing, max bat speed of 71.9 MPH, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach, some pull-side tendencies, line drives.
Power: 90.81 max exit velocity, averaged 80.52 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 84 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry across infield.
Defense: Shows athleticism on infield, soft hands, advanced double play turn, plays through the ball with proper direction.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60. 

5. Carter Dow, Lane Tech (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long, athletic frame.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, bend in knees, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, simple swing, fluid, level bat path, advanced bat speed with a max of 73.7 MPH, line drive approach.
Power: 88.82 max exit velocity, averaged 79.27 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, quick footwork, clean exchanges, plays through the baseball, flashes natural infield actions.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically) 

Adan Abarca, Munster (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-4, 140-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Tall setup, leg lift, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Path works slightly uphill, inside the baseball at times, gap-to-gap approach, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 85.71 max exit velocity, averaged 78.3 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, soft hands, flashes easy actions, works with proper direction.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Christian Arenibar, Lockport (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 135-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, small load, short stride. Long, slightly uphill bat path, pull-side approach, some line-drives.
Power: 76.91 max exit velocity, averaged 69.65 mph. 230’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 67 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, quick/clean exchanges, plays through ball at times.
Run: 8.34 runner in the 60. 

Cody Barnes, Whitney Young (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Simple, easy swing, level path, extension through contact and line-drive approach.
Power: 80 mph max exit velocity, averaged 67.51 mph. 231’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 72 mph.
Defense: Comfortable on the move, maintains body control, presents the glove early and out front, steady hands and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60.

Sean Bolin, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds. Large frame.
Hit: R/R. Balanced, athletic setup, short stride. Simple swing, shows strength, max bat speed of 72.4 MPH, path works long/uphill, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach, intent to hit ball in air.
Power: 93.72 max exit velocity, averaged 85.48 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 66 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Aidan Bosak, Lane Tech (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-7, 110-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Tall, balanced setup, leg kick, short stride. Level path, pull-side approach, line drives.
Power: 72.57 max exit velocity, averaged 60.99 mph. 205’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 67 mph. OF - 74 mph. Infield: short arm action, 3/4 arm slot. Outfield: Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Infield: plays through the ball with proper direction, flashes athleticism. Outfield: clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 8.12 runner in the 60. 

Ian Burke, Libertyville  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: R/R. Wide setup, minimal pre-pitch movement. Level bat path, loose swing, peak hand speed of 23.3 MPH, uses the whole field, advanced line drive approach.
Power: 84.55 max exit velocity, averaged 80.07 mph. 230’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 73 mph. OF - 72 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Infield: fields from wide base with two hands, funnels ball to center, plays through the ball with proper direction. Outfield: Plays through the ball.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60. 

Jaylun Camper, Brooks (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: R/R. Tall, open setup, toe tap, strides to square. Short swing, level path, flashed ability to use the whole field.
Power: 88.17 max exit velocity, averaged 78.8 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Fluid mover, steady hands, flashes advanced infield actions, body control.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Samuel Castillo, Lakeview  (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF/INF
Body: 5-10, 216-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, toe tap, simple pre-pitch actions. Short swing, level bat path, has barrel control, used the whole field, line-drive approach.
Power: 85.84 max exit velocity, averaged 73.74 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 77 mph. OF - 82 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Infield: fields from a wide base, uses two hands, plays with proper direction at times. Outfield: clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Damorea Christmas, Munster (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-6, 152-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Tall, balanced setup, front foot starts with heel up, short stride. Level bat path, works inside the ball, opposite field approach.
Power: 70.15 max exit velocity, averaged 50.52 mph. 211’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 63 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Fields from a wide base, uses two hands to funnel to center.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Alexander Cortes, Warren (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-6, 135-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, leg lift, short stride. Long, level path, flashed ability to use whole field, line drive approach.
Power: 80.28 max exit velocity, averaged 67.76 mph. 242’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 82 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the ball at times.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Dumo, Deerfield (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Advanced athletic frame.
Hit: R/R. Balanced, athletic setup, leg lift, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Strong, simple swing, path works efficiently uphill, max bat speed of 70.2 MPH, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 91.57 max exit velocity, averaged 79.83 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Soft hands, plays around the baseball with proper direction, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.

Richard Gomez, St. Laurence  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Balanced, open setup, smooth load, toe-tap, balanced throughout. Consistent hard contract in BP, path works uphill, max bat speed of 68.1 MPH, gap-to-gap approach, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 93.73 max exit velocity, averaged 87.2 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash accuracy and carry.
Defense: Plays low, steady hands, clean exchange, shows athleticism on double play turn, body control.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Jairus Harris, Kankakee (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-8, 185-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: R/R. Balanced setup, slightly closed, short stride. Strong swing, level bat path, looks to get hands extended, peak hand speed of 24.8 MPH, consistent hard contact in BP, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87.19 max exit velocity, averaged 81.01 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Potentially profiles as a 3B, steady hands, plays with proper direction at times.
Run: 8.36 runner in the 60. 

Danny Johnson, St. Ignatius (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Wide, balanced setup, small, smooth load, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Quiet, fluid swing, level bat path, line drive approach, pull-side tendencies
Power: 83.55 max exit velocity, averaged 77.92 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 75 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Easy infield actions, works around the baseball.
Run: 8.65 runner in the 60. 

Kendall Larry, Brooks (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-4, 107-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Athletic, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, simple swing, level bat path, controls barrel, line drive approach.
Power: 78.99 max exit velocity, averaged 73.06 mph. 261’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 64 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Profiles as a 2B, smooth actions, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

MJ Liyeos, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: R/R. Open setup, smooth load, leg kick, short stride, smooth pre-pitch actions. Short swing, works slightly uphill, consistent hard contact, line drive approach, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 89.38 max exit velocity, averaged 85.21 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 82 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, plays through the ball with proper direction.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Maross, Marian Catholic  (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 200-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Tall, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Strong, simple swing, path works uphill, max bat speed of 66.8 MPH.
Power: 89.7 max exit velocity, averaged 81.14 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 61 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchanges.
Run: 8.54 runner in the 60. 

Grant Raber, Moline (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Long, athletic frame.
Hit: R/R. Tall, narrow, open setup, toe tap, long stride. Athletic, fluid swing, works uphill, max bat speed of 69.0 MPH, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.91 max exit velocity, averaged 80.03 mph. 247’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 71 mph. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Outfield: fields the ball out front, plays through it. Infield: plays low, wide base, quick, clean exchange, plays with proper direction.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Manuel Romero Jr, St. Ignatius  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-7, 158-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Narrow, open setup, short stride. Short swing, works uphill, max bat speed of 66.8 MPH, pull-side tendencies, line drives at times.
Power: 81.56 max exit velocity, averaged 70 mph. 271’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Fields from a wide base, uses two hands.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60. 

Donyae Smith, Brooks (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-8, 175-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: R/R. Balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, long stride. Strong, aggressive swing, level bat path, creates backspin through extension, max bat speed of 69.6 MPH, ball jumps off barrel, gap-to-gap approach, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 95.03 max exit velocity, averaged 85.67 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Quick feet, active mover, soft hands, clean exchanges, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Collin Williams, Morgan Park  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds.
Hit: R/R. Balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Quiet, fluid swing, level path, intent to make contact out front, peak hand speed of 22.7 MPH, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81.67 max exit velocity, averaged 64.35 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Easy infield actions, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

David Wodynski, Munster (IN) (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 157-pounds. Long, athletic frame.
Hit: L/R. Balanced setup, quick leg lift, short stride. Level bat path, works on top of the ball, uses the whole field, line drive approach.
Power: 76.51 max exit velocity, averaged 62.92 mph. 217’ max distance.
Arm: L/R. INF - 64 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields from a wide base.
Run: 9.32 runner in the 60. 

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