Prep Baseball Report

Chicagoland Open: Middle Infield Analysis



By Ryan Quigley              
Illinois Scouting Director

The Chicagoland Open took place on Sunday August 17th on the campus of Saint Xavier University and included prospects from the 2015-2018 classes.  Several players impressed, and over the next few days we will roll out a position-by-position analysis and finally the top overall prospects from the event.  Today we’ll take a look at the top middle infielders led by Brother Rice’s switch-hitting shortstop, Ryan King.  King’s game should take a leap forward as he physically matures, but he already possesses high level middle infield actions, and a feel for spraying line drives from both sides of the plate.  Morgan Park’s Dantrell Lucas ran one of the top 60 times at the Chicagoland Open, and displays soft hands fielding the baseball.  Rich East’s Ronald Applewhite is lanky and projectable, with high level hands in the middle of the diamond and a loose arm action.  All three project well over the next two-to-three years.   

Let’s take a look at the top middle infield prospects from this year’s Chicagoland Open.

Top Middle Infield Prospects

1. Ryan King, SS, Brother Rice, 2017
5-foot-8, 140-pound small and athletic switch-hitting shortstop currently ranked No. 19 in Illinois’ 2017 class.  Hits from a wide base with a short stride and simple approach from both side.  Right handed swing may be a bit stiffer and more uphill, but still short and to the ball.  Left handed swing is fluid, short to the baseball, with several line drives to the opposite field gap during batting practice.  Hands load smoothly, minimal/quiet pre-pitch movement from both sides of the plate.  Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from short, loose, ¾ arm slot with accuracy and more in the tank arm strength wise.  Possesses plus fielding actions for the middle infield, with a good feel for when to use full arm, or flip the ball to first base getting rid of it quickly.  Hands are soft, quick footwork, ranges well both up the middle and in the hole, solid body control on run through ball.  Ran a 7.08 60, 4.69 from home to first.  King was the top defensive infielder in attendance, and as he physically matures will only get better as his all-around feel for the game is advanced for his age.

2. Dantrell Lucas, SS, Morgan Park, 2016
5-foot-10, 155-pound shortstop, medium build, shows athleticism. Above average runner, 6.98 laser timed 60. Defensively displayed soft hands, feet work quickly and athletically, played through the baseball showing body control. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Right handed hitter, open stance, short stride, sets up with weight to front side good balance with high one handed finish. Flashed quick twitch in swing, above average bat speed, line drive approach with some extension, worked both gaps, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Ronald Applewhite, MIF, Rich East, 2017
5-foot-9, 135-pound small, lanky, and athletic right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a slightly crouched, open setup, short stride; short, level bat path with pull tendencies and 69 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, threw 72 mph across the diamond from a short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry.  Also flashed soft hands, and fluid footwork playing through the baseball when fielding.  Ran a 7.24 60 and 5.04 from home to first.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Justin Blasinksi, C/MIF, Lakes, 2015
5-foot-11, 185-pound muscular left-handed hitting C/MIF hits from an open setup, hands start lower around letters, producing slightly uphill bat path, with power to his pull side and good rhythm throughout.  Posted 92 mph exit velocity, the second highest recorded at the Chicagoland Open.  Defensively, threw 79 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot; showcased average hands, and fluid, clean actions playing through the baseball.  Profiles at a corner infield position or behind the plate.  Behind the plate, rattled off pop times between 2.12-2.25 seconds at 72 mph from the crouch.  Ran a 7.32 60 and 4.83 seconds from home to first.

Ricardo Chavez, MIF, George Washington, 2015
5-foot-11, 162-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a balanced setup, long stride, producing 79 mph exit velocity.  Impressed taking a solid round of batting practice with several line drives from gap-to-gap.  Defensively, threw 73 mph across the diamond from short, over the top arm action.  Ran a 7.64 60, 4.78 seconds from home to first.

Darius Coleman, MIF, T.F. South, 2016
5-foot-8, 173-pound middle infielder. Right handed hitter, crouched setup, slightly open, leg kick trigger. Front foot type hitter, occasionally lunges, linear lower half. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played with some accuracy, 69 mph across the infield. 9.10 runner in the 60.

Zack Fick, SS/RHP, St. Charles North, 2016
5-foot-11, 140-pound two-way player. Right handed hitter, open stance, tall setup. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Quick swing, compact, handsy swing, line drive hitter. Defensively showed an athletic arm action, played through the baseball with above average actions, quick exchange, athletic hands. Arm played at 76 mph across the infield. 7.41 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays from high ¾ slot, compact delivery. Fastball flashed arm side action, 75-77 mph, showed control of the zone. Curveball ranged 64-69 mph. Changeup was 66-67 mph, straight action, works underneath.

Jonah Matulle, SS, Neenah (WI), 2016
6-foot-3, 165-pound shortstop, slender build, long lanky frame. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Longer bat path, bat wraps behind head in load, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively works from a shorter arm action, arm plays at 70 mph across the diamond. Ran the 60 at 7.98.

Jay Militello, RHP/SS, Fenwick, 2016
6-foot-2, 175-pound, two-way player, projects higher on the mound, athletic frame, projectable body, multi-sport athlete. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, works online, slightly loaded balance point with toe down, squared landing, works athletically from the stretch. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot, quick arm, room for more. Fastball touched 87 mph, settled in at 83-85 mph, projects to have the ability to sit in the 87 mph range, showed control of the zone. Straight changeup has feel, excellent control of the zone, fastball arm action, 72-76 mph. Breaking ball has some sweeping action, he calls it a cutter, 68-72 mph, velocity not comparable to cutter, showed feel for the pitch, should develop into a slider. Offensively hits from a right handed, balanced stance, heel lift stride. Line drive approach, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed athleticism defensively, hands worked. Arm action is loose, works similarly to that on the mound. High follow pitching prospect.

Michael Munroe, SS, Tremper (WI), 2017
6-foot-1, 150-pound middle infielder, lanky frame, thin build, room to fill out. Offensively hits from the right side, open stance, leg kick stride, high finish. Bat path works uphill, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands show the ability to play on the infield. Arm action is long, over the top slot, long release. 71 mph across the infield. 8.21 runner in the 60.

Jonathan Runquist, MIF, Shepard, 2018
5-foot-7, 135-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a balanced setup, short toe tap stride, hands load back smoothly, producing 67 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, threw 61 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy.  Ran an 8.75 60, 5.58 from home to first.

Jake Ryder, MIF, Hinsdale Central, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from an open stance, short stride, drops hands to load; long, uphill bat path, pull tendencies, with 84 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 75 mph across the diamond from short, ¾ arm slot with accuracy.  Ran a 7.62 60 and 5.01 seconds from home to first.

Tomas Springhetti, MIF/RHP, Geneva, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder/right-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, short stride, short bat path with pull tendencies and 76 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 67 mph from the outfield from a long, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.55 60 and 4.75 seconds from home to first.  On the mound, fastball sat 74-75 mph from same arm slot as in the outfield, tall-and-fall delivery, toe down at balance point, shoulders stay level throughout, lands closed at foot strike.  60-61 mph curveball was up in the zone, 68-70 mph changeup showed occasional sink.

Carter Turnquist, RHP/SS, Oswego, 2015
6-foot-1, 155-pound two-way player, long thin frame. On the mound uses tall and fall delivery, works on line, easy effort, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph, flashed sink. Slider showed short action, 74-75 mph. Changeup ranged 75-78 mph. Secondary pitches thrown with good arm speed, hard splits off of fastball. Hits from a tall stance, open stance, short stride, lower half, works, good balance throughout. Path is short and level, gap to gap approach. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm, 82 mph across the diamond. 7.27 runner in the 60.

Justin Welch, RHP/SS, Romeoville, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player, medium frame. Offensively hits from the right side, open stance, pronounced leg kick stride. Attacks the baseball, front foot hitter, longer path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short arm action on the infield, 75 mph arm strength across the diamond, high ¾ slot. 7.78 runner in the 60. Drop and drive style delivery, ¾ slot. Fastball sat 71-75 mph. Breaking ball has sweeping action, gradual bend, 57-59 mph. Changeup sat 58-62 mph.

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