Prep Baseball Report

Chicagoland Open: Infielder Analysis


By Illinois Staff

On Aug. 23, the PBR Illinois team hosted this large, annual late summer showcase: the Chicagoland Open. Eligible to any and all high school-aged players, the Chicagoland Open is generally among the more well-attended events on our summer dockett, and this year’s edition was no different. There were 90 players who made it out to Carol Stream’s Lee Pfund Field for this showcase, and we began breaking down our findings in the days that followed. We previously published rapid analysis inside of our Quick Hits story, and we dove into the measured data gathered inside the Statistical Analysis.

Today, our positional analysis continues with the infielders, after we started the week publishing the reports on the event’s catchers and outfielders

At the top of the ranking is a follow 2025 prospect that we made a note to check back in on next summer: Derrick Holmes. His quiet, simple right-handed bat repeated line-drive contact well, while using the whole field. Holmes also took comfortable, advanced reps on the infield during his defensive portion of the workout and simply looks the part of a future next-level athlete.

We were also introduced to sophomore Joe Chiarelli (Downers Grove North, 2023), a fluid lefty swinger who plays with some bounce on defense.

Read the full reports of the aforementioned below, and check out the rest of the infielders who made it to the Chicagoland Open.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Derrick Holmes, N/A (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-6, 140-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet, balanced setup, smooth load, steady leg kick trigger, controlled finish through contact. Quick hands, level bat path, hands work inside the baseball, consistent line drive approach. Knack for the barrel, feel to all fields, repeats. An upside offensive profile. 
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short and loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Advanced infield actions for age. Quick feet, athletic on the move, lower half consistently moves in a fluid rhythm. Soft hands field out front, quick hand transfer, clean to release, confidently plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. Advanced, athletic gait.

2. Joe Chiarelli, Downers Grove North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. Wiry, long-limbed frame that projects.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch hand rhythm, smooth load, leg kick trigger, controlled through contact.  Loose athletic hands, short and uphill path, uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach. Smooth, fluid rhythm throughout, clear offensive upside.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot. Comfortable throwing from multiple arm angles.
Defense: Plays with some pre-pitch bounce, feet breakdown in a smooth rhythm, steady hands with a quick hand transfer, clean to release, plays through at times.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

3. Luke Perry, Mattoon (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-0, 147-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, tall setup, steady pre-pitch hand rhythm, leg lift timing trigger.  Loose and whippy hands, level bat path, line drive approach, backspins off the barrel. Fluid actions throughout, consistently hits in rhythm.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with a comfortable and relaxed tempo in the field, soft hands receive the ball out front, clean exchange to a quick hand transfer, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

4. Christopher LeCrone, Dunlap (IL), 2021. Milwaukee Area Tech JC commit.
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Wiry, highly projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat starts rested over back shoulder, smooth load, fluid leg kick trigger, controlled balance through contact.  Loose hands with bat speed, short bat path, line drive approach. Controls the barrel well, sneaky juice on contact; average exit speed of 86.36 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Upside frame that flashed juice to the pull-side. Hit a ball in batting practice at 95.11 mph that traveled 351 feet, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient rhythm, lower half works around the baseball, glove plays out front, clean hand transfer, quick to release. Profiles best at third base.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

T-5. Colin Lewanowski, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal hand movement, simple load, quick leg lift trigger. Simple swing, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, smooth rhythm through contact.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet work in rhythm, outward funnels to a secure exchange, quick transfer, some pack to release.
Run: 6.83 runner in the 60. 

T-5. Teddy Andrews, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Athletic frame with room for added strength.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, hands start back, slight back load in sync with a quick leg lift trigger.  Quick bat; averaged 25.17 mph of hand speed per Blast Motion. Long and level bat path, pull-side approach with power. Generates juice from twitchy hands: max exit speed of 96.24 with a max fly ball distance of 357 feet, per TrackMan.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Above-average arm strength for age.
Defense: Steady hands, quick double play feeds, some footwork feel around the bag, strong body control on run through play.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Elias Alexander, Lincoln Park (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 153-pounds. Thin frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start back, minimal load, short stride.  Level path, hands stay short to the ball, line drive approach, favors pull-side.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Upright posture, fields with two hands, some pack to release.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Altenbaumer, Saint Joseph-Ogden (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Proportionally strong.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands rest high, loads in rhythm, leg lift timing trigger.  Strong hands, short and uphill path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet break down in rhythm, hands play out front, quick to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

Nicolas Altobelli, Andrew (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Lean, wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick hand movement into a smooth load, leg kick timing trigger.  Athletic hands, short and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, repeats well.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Arm plays with some length in the back, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet work in a tempo'd rhythm, glove plays out front, soft hands, clean transfer into a long release.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

William Applegate, Charleston (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame. Some strength in the lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, hands coil into a smooth load, steady leg lift trigger to footstrike.  Short and level bat path, line drive approach, consistently repeats. Silky-smooth left-handed stroke, hits in a fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields low to the ground, hands work out front, funnels into the belt, some glove pack to release.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Andrew Bollman, Lincoln Way East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back, short stride.  Level bat path, sprays line drives to all fields.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 release.
Defense: Upright posture at gather, two-hand gather.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

Peyton Burgh, Prospect (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Proportional frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start high, minimal load, short stride.  Uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, some bat strength.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork around the baseball, glove fields out front, quick hand transfer at times.
Run: 6.67 runner in the 60. Swift movement, above-average foot speed for age. 

Cooper Burk, Springfield (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands slightly load back, quick toe-tap trigger.  Short and uphill bat path, pull-side approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Compact arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick pre-pitch hop, patient to the baseball, upright some at gather, hands work under center of body, quick exchange.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Chavez, N/A (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Large frame for age.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, high hands, quick bat coil leads into a smooth load, short stride.  Level bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 68 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 65 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front of body, some footwork feel around the bag.
Run: 8.83 runner in the 60. 

Jayden Clark, Thornton Fractional South  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 253-pounds. Large, physical presence.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance, some knee bend, smooth load, leg kick trigger.  Imposing presence at the plate, bat travels on an uphill trajectory, pull-side approach, advanced raw power for age; max exit speed of 97.97 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Compact arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Goes and gets the baseball, occasionally long to release.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

Connor Corrigan, Yorkville  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, strides to even.  Athletic hands, short and level bat path, consistent line drive contact, steady barrels to the pull-side. Repeats, hits in rhythm.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, hands work out front, long to release.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Alex Day, Andrew (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Wiry, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance, bat starts rested over back shoulder, hands load back into a coil, long stride.  Bat stays level through the zone, gap-to-gap approach, some feel for the barrel, syncs up into a smooth rhythm at times.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Arm gets long in the back, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet work in rhythm at times, fields low to the ground, hands play out front, secure exchange, plays through the baseball after release.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Nick Drtina, Lemont (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 163-pounds. Projectable frame; plenty of room for added physical development.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup with some lower half bend, smooth hand load, short stride.  Loose hands, bat consistently works on a short and level plane, gap-to-gap approach, upside offensive profile.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sits back on the baseball, upright posture at baseball, two-hand gather.
Run: 7.89 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Dumo, Deerfield (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean, high-waisted build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands drop at load, short stride.  Long bat path.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, glove plays under center, quick pack to release, plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Nathan Edders, Oswego East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride.  Loose whippy hands, long and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick hip turn into an athletic fielding position, comfortable on the move, ball gets deep under center of body, quick to release.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Parker Engel, Marian Catholic (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-6, 135-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, static hand motion, slight toe-tap trigger.  Simple swing, long bat path.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Active feet play to the baseball, one-hand glove gather, quick to release at times.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Connor Faught, Boylan Catholic  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, quick bat waggle to load, short stride.  Short and level bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 63 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick feet, hands glove plays under center of body, two-hand gather.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Justin Gutierrez, Nazareth (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet/athletic in the box, balanced setup, smooth load, rhythmic leg kick trigger.  Long and uphill bat path, extends through contact, gap-to-gap approach with a pull-side tendency. Repeats well, hits in rhythm.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Drops down to an athletic 3/4 slot on the move.
Defense: Quick feet, attacks the baseball, glove plays out front, quick to release. Smooth hip turn on double play feed.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Huang, New Trier (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick pre-pitch hand rhythm, leg kick trigger to even.  Short/compact stroke, line drive approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, stays low to the ground, glove plays out front, soft hands, clean transfer, quick lateral movement up the middle.
Run: 6.72 runner in the 60. Above-average foot speed. 

Ayinde Kidd, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-5, 117-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, slight hand load back, short stride.  Bat stays level through the zone, line drive approach.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Glove plays under center of body, two-hand gather.
Run: 8.85 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Melendez, Notre Dame (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight hand bar at load, short stride.  Short bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with some pre-pitch bounce, fluid feet work in rhythm around the baseball, glove plays out front, clean funnels to hand.
Run: 6.9 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Nagel, McHenry (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-3, 110-pounds. Lean, high-waisted build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, open base, arm bars at load, quick toe-tap timing trigger.  Athletic stroke, short and level bat path, fluid line drive approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet attack, hands play under center of body, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.89 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Parkerson, Armstrong  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Athletic frame, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, fluid pre-pitch hand rhythm, short stride.  Well advanced Blast Motion metrics: average hand speed of 23.71 mph and average bat speed of 77.14 mph. Long bat path with an elevated attack angle at times, gap-to-gap approach, loose at extension, hits in a fluid rhythm.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed advanced bat strength and raw power for age. Max exit speed of 92.65 mph with a max fly ball distance of 347 feet.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, fields in a staggered rhythm, hands play out front and low to the ground, long to release.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Edan Perez, Manteno  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, narrow base, hands start over center of body and load back, lead leg lift to even.  Athletic hands, short and uphill bat path, naturally lifts through contact, gap-to-gap approach. Knack for elevating the baseball on the barrel, average exit speed of 90.69 mph with an average fly ball distance of 290 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit speed of 96.23 mph with a max fly ball distance of 338 feet in BP according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Bouncey pre-pitch rhythm, patience to the baseball, fluid footwork, fields out front, packs to release, plays through at times.
Run: 7.0 runner in the 60. 

Justin Pflomm, Hersey  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-11, 205-pounds. Proportionally strong, broad-shouldered build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick pre-pitch rhythm, leg lift timing trigger.  Strong hands/wrists, long and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach. Raw bat strength, flashed an advanced power tool for age; max exit speed of 93.57 mph with a max fly ball distance of 356 feet, per TrackMan.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields low to the ground, hands play out front of body, quick hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Cristian Ruiz, Oak Lawn (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds. Thin frame.
Hit: SHH. Balanced setup, quick hand rhythm into a back load, leg kick trigger.  Level bat path, barrel head stays flat through the zone, consistent line drive contact, middle-in approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Slight pre-pitch bounce, fields low to the ground, hands play out front and funnel to the right hip, quick exchange to release at times.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Jack Wajda, Providence Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Strong, broad-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance, hands start over center and quickly slot back, leg kick trigger.  Twitchy hands, level bat path, throws the bat head at the baseball with intent, line drive approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands field out front, some length to release.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

CJ Weik, Mundelein  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, short stride to even.  Strong hands, level bat path, line drive approach. Flashed some pull-side power, max exit speed of 93.59 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, long to release. Corner infield profile.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Wieczorek, Northwest Cedar Hill (MO) (MO), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 175-pounds. Lanky, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load straight back, short stride.  Long and level bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Bouncy pre-pitch rhythm, moves well for his size, athletic feet work around the baseball, glove plays out front, steady hands to a clean transfer, occasionally long to release.
Run: 8.06 runner in the 60. 

Joe Wright, Northwest - Cedar Hill (MO), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, minimal load, short stride.  Strong hands, simple stroke stays level through the zone, hard contact to the pull-side.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands field under center of body.
Run: 8.55 runner in the 60. 

Noah Zaccanti, Geneva (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Athletic, proportionally strong frame. Continued room for added physical strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat wraps, smooth load, short stride.  Short and simple stroke, bat stays level through the zone, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out on the dirt and behind the dish. Sits into back hip behind the plate, tall posture at release, clean exchange to the hand.  Glove fields out front at first base, two-hand gather, quick to release on the move.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Jack Zlogar, Providence Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic frame with some strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, rhythmic pre-pitch hand rhythm, short stride, easy balance through contact.  Short bat path, steep attack angle to the baseball.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, tall at gather point, hands work out front.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60. 

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