Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Class of 2016 Showcase: Corner Infield Analysis

November 4, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report’s Class of 2016 Showcase took place on Sunday October 19th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. The event featured 100 uncommitted prospects in the junior class and also saw several Division-I coaches in attendance.

CLICK HERE to see complete statistics from the event in PDF format.

Morgan Park may be one of the fastest teams in the state next spring, as we highlighted teammates Christian Bullock, Darius Hill, and PJ Byrd in our Stats Story, who were three of the fastest players in attendance.

Yesterday we highlighted catchers and today we’ll take a look at the top overall corner infielders at the event.

Bullock takes the top spot, and you’ll be hearing his name a lot as we roll out position-by-position analyses. Though he may profile better in the outfield thanks to his 6.75 60 speed, he also fits as a plus lefty-lefty defender at first, capable of saving infielders from errors with his athleticism around the bag.

Stevenson’s Patrick Loeffler runs extremely well and also possesses a linebacker-type frame. The left-handed hitter flashed perhaps the most power projection out of any prospect at the showcase.

Lincoln-Way North’s Tom Szczasny proved to be one of the better left-handed bats on the summer and fall circuits, manning third base and the three-hole for Elite Baseball Training’s 2016s.

Lemont’s Nick Wisz starred at second base as a sophomore during the Indians’ Class 3A state title run. Wisz profiles better at a corner infield position thanks to his size and sure hands. His bat will carry him to the next level.

St. Laurence’s Jack Cavanaugh wraps up our top five, impressing with his bat speed and sure hands at the hot corner.

Let’s take a look at the Top Corner Infielders at this October’s Class of 2016 Showcase:

Top Corner Infielders

1. Christian Bullock, OF/1B/LHP, Morgan Park, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting outfielder, first baseman, and left-handed pitcher, committed to Michigan impressed as the top overall player at the Class of 2016 Showcase. Hits from a tall, open setup, hands load smoothly, utilizes a leg kick stride, lower half is aggressive with hips, explosive bat speed, level bat path gets extension, slightly uphill at times, showed off gap-to-gap power, particularly to the opposite field gap with several line drives, overswings at times, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 79 mph from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry. Arm action is clean and smooth, projects to have at least an average arm as he gets stronger. Impressed attacking the baseball, soft hands, quick footwork, clean and quick exchanges fielding. At first base, could be a premium defender as well, turns double play quickly, hands work clean scooping baseball. On the mound fastball sat 76-79 mph with slight run. 11/5 breaking ball has slurvy action at 65-67 mph. Cuts changeup at 67-69 mph. Delivery is clean, flies open a bit, lands slightly open, athleticism evident. Bullock also ran the top 60-time of the event at 6.75 seconds.

2. Patrick Loeffler, 3B, Stevenson, 2016
6-foot-1, 195-pound physically strong and athletic left-handed hitting third baseman hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, short bat path, feel for barrel, impacts the baseball, impressed with several line drives during batting practice, especially to left-center field, 90 mph exit velocity off the tee, second highest recorded at the Class of 2016 Showcase. Defensively, threw 79 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy, hands are soft, exchange takes some time, moves well for physical size, ran a 6.91 60.

3. Tom Szczasny, 3B, Lincoln-Way North, 2016
5-foot-10, 180-pound athletic, left-handed hitting third baseman impressed both with his bat and defensively. Hits from a slightly open stance, hands load back smoothly, short stride, above average bat speed, advanced approach, short path to the ball gets extension, showed gap-to-gap power, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Impressed with up the middle approach during batting practice with several line drives off the screen. Defensively, threw 77 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy. Hands are soft, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, solid defender. Ran a 7.33 60. Szczasny should make an immediate impact for the Phoenix next year as they attempt to duplicate the success they had during the spring 2014 season.

4. Nicholas Wisz, 1B/3B/RHP, Lemont, 2016
6-foot-2, 215-pound strong right-handed hitting corner infielder/right-handed pitcher currently ranked No. 47 in Illinois’ 2016 class hits from a balanced slightly open setup, short stride, fast bat speed, short level bat path, with plus feel for contact and barrel, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee, right-center line drive approach during batting practice. Defensively, threw 75 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot, doesn’t possess elite third base actions but gets it done. Soft hands fielding the baseball, could profile as an above average to plus defender at first base. Ran a 7.71 60. On the mound, fastball sat 77-78 mph from the same arm slot with arm side run. 11/5 curveball sat 68-70 mph with gradual break. 70-72 mph changeup flashed arm side run and was thrown down in the zone.

5. Jack Cavanaugh, OF/3B/RHP, St. Laurence, 2016
6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way player, lean build with strength. Hits from a wide base, short stride, above average bat speed with right center field approach during batting practice, slightly uphill bat path produced 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, profiled better in the infield throwing 81 mph across the diamond at third base from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry. Possesses soft hands, fluid footwork, and clean exchanges. Threw 82 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.41 60. On the mound worked from a stretch only delivery, slightly across his body, athletic delivery. Arm action is loose, ¾ slot. Fastball has running action, showed feel for the zone, worked at 82-84 mph, touched 85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 64-66 mph. Changeup has fading action, throws aggressively with fastball arm speed, 73-75 mph. Splitter has downer action, mostly arm side, 68-70 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Anthony Ackerly, LHP/1B, Lake Park, 2016
6-foot-2, 205-pound left-handed hitting first baseman/left-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, hands start high, drop and move back to load, average bat speed with opposite field tendencies created 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 73 mph across the diamond from long, ¾ arm slot, showcasing average hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.9 60. On the mound, fastball sat 73-75 mph from long ¾ to low-3/4 slinging arm action, creating tough angle for a hitter, especially from the left side. 59-61 mph sweeping breaking ball flashed 2/8 shape, and 64-69 mph changeup flashed sinking action to his arm side.

Ryan Anderson, RHP/1B, Palatine, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting first baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, barrel whips through the zone, gap-to-gap type hitter with several line drives during batting practice, 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 75 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot at first base. On the mound, fastball sat 79-80 mph from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, slight hook/stab in the back of arm slot. 62-64 mph curveball flashes 12/6 break, backed up at times. Threw strikes with 70-72 mph sinking changeup with occasional cutting action.

Jacob Chapman, 1B, Barrington, 2016
6-foot-2, 215-pound strong right-handed hitting first baseman hits from a balanced setup, short stride, short, level bat path gets extension through the zone, feel for barrel, producing 85 mph exit velocity off the tee with power potential, especially to the pull side. Defensively, threw 70 mph across the diamond from long, over the top arm slot.

Anthony Cocco, 3B, Lockport, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound strong and athletic left-handed hitting third baseman hits from an open stance, hands load back smoothly, short stride, dives slightly at the plate, short, level bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap with above average 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, threw 76 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot. Shortens up arm when he gets rid of the ball quicker. Plays slightly hunched over, average hands, plays though the baseball. Ran a 7.6 60.

Joseph Curci, 1B/RHP, University of Chicago Lab, 2016
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from an open setup, dives with lower half, long uphill bat path produced 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 66 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.68 60.

Jason DeCicco, 1B/LHP, Crystal Lake South, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitting first baseman/left-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, hands load back, short stride, long, flat, level bat path, 72 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 68 mph across the diamond from short, ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Ran an 8.4 60. On the mound, fastball sat 69-72 mph, topping at 73 mph from short, high ¾ slot, toe up at balance point, tilt-and-topple delivery, lands online towards home plate. 59-60 mph curveball thrown for strikes with gradual 1/7 break. 65-67 mph changeup showed fading action.

Vincent Dellamorte, 3B, Plainfield North, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting third baseman hits from a crouched, open setup, short stride, opposite field tendencies with 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot, taking time to get rid of the baseball. Showed average hands fielding the baseball out front. Ran a 7.43 60.

Paul Dobravec, RHP/1B, Naperville North, 2016
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting first baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short toe tap stride, fast, short, level bat path producing several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 73 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.39 60. On the mound, fastball sat 77-79 mph from short, high ¾ to ¾ arm slot, drop-and-drive type delivery, rushed rhythm, lower half stays in line with home plate, lands square. 68-69 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape with short, tight slider type action. Slowed arm on 65-69 mph changeup.

Jake Dupre, RHP/1B, Neuqua Valley, 2016
6-foot-5, 215-pound athletic right-handed hitting first baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a balanced, open setup, short stride, slightly uphill bat path with extension, showed pull tendencies during batting practice with 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot with average hands fielding the baseball. Ran an 8.19 60. On the mound, fastball sat 75-77 mph from long, over-the-top slot, tall/fall type delivery, toe down at balance point, shoulders work downhill, lands square towards home plate. 54-58 mph curveball flashed 12/6 shape, was more consistent from the stretch. Threw 66-68 mph changeup for strikes, with straight action.

Michael Fossali, LHP/1B, Batavia, 2016
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting first baseman/left-handed pitcher hits from a tall, open setup, long leg kick stride, average balance, short inside-out type swing produced 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 73 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Ran a 7.95 60 yard dash. On the mound, fastball sat 72-74 mph touching 76 once with arm side run. Slurvy breaking ball with 1/7 shape sat 60-63 mph with gradual break. 63-65 mph changeup flashed cutting action.

Johnny Galvan, 3B/RHP, De La Salle, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from an open, spread out stance, short stride, short, level bat path, contact orientated approach with line drives from gap-to-gap and 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 82 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Average hands fielding, clean exchanges. Ran a 7.69 60 yard dash. On the mound, fastball sat 81-83 mph with running action from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot. 67-69 mph breaking ball showed some bite and 11/5 shape. Throws 74-76 mph changeup aggressively. Also threw a 70-73 knuckleball.

Dominic Gerace, 3B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
5-foot-7, 165-pound infielder, compact build, shows strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly crouched, short stride. Opposite field approach, inside out path, produced groundball/line drives to the right side of the field, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played third base with confidence, good pre pitch setup. Arm action is short over the top slot, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.44 runner in the 60.

Chris Hoffman, C/3B, Home School, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher/third baseman hits from a balanced open setup, hands start high, load smoothly, dives at plate with lower half, long swing, with pre pitch waggle and movement produced 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.25-2.40 seconds, 69 mph from the crouch from short over-the-top arm slot, one-hop throws to second with accuracy. Impressed more defensively at third base, threw 77 mph across the diamond with accuracy, flashed soft hands, clean exchanges, played through the baseball athletically. Ran a 7.78 60.

Jarren Norman, RHP/3B, Morgan Park, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitting right-handed pitcher/third baseman hits from an open setup, high back elbow, leg kick stride, short path, producing 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Ran an 8.03 60. On the mound, fastball sat 75-77 mph with slight running action. Utilizes overhead windup, leans back at balance point, shoulders work uphill, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands slightly open. Curveball sat 66-68 mph with gradual shape. 67-71 mph splitter flashed downward action.

John Rugen, 1B/3B, La Salle-Peru, 2016
6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from a tall, open setup, utilizes a leg kick, hands drop to load, quick wrists, average bat speed, took a right-center field approach during batting practice, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively at first, threw 74 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands fielding, fluid footwork, athletic around the bag, runs an 8.08 60. On the mound, fastball sat 78-80 mph with arm side run from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot. Turns back at balance point, toe up, rotational delivery, landing with front foot open. 11/5 curveball sat 63-66 mph, 67-69 mph slider was harder with later break from a lower arm slot. 70-73 mph changeup flashed sinking action.

Josh Shaw, 3B/OF, Morgan Park, 2016
6-foot-1, 172-pound lanky right-handed hitting third baseman/outfielder hits from a tall, narrow, open stance, short stride, short slightly uphill bat path with feel for barrel and some power to his pull side producing 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, profiles better in the infield thanks to short, high ¾ arm slot with soft hands, clean, fluid actions, playing through the baseball and throwing 81 mph across the diamond. Also threw 81 mph from the outfield, from the same short arm action. Ran a 7.33 60.

Kobe Shutter, 1B/3B/OF, Bishop McNamara, 2016
6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed hitting corner infielder hits from a tall, open setup, drops hands to load, long stride, long level bat path with above average 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 78 mph from the outfield and 74 mph from the infield from short, high ¾ arm slot. Hands worked better in the infield at third base. Ran a 7.39 60.

Kyle Struck, 3B/C, Providence Catholic, 2016
5-foot-8, 170-pound third baseman. Right handed hitter, slightly open stance, wide base, short stride, backwards loading action. Hits off back side, slightly uphill path, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action across the diamond, high ¾ slot, showed active feet playing through the baseball. Behind the plate used similar arm action at 70 mph from the crouch. Posted 2.29-2.32 pop times. 7.69 runner in the 60.

Blake Swanson, 3B, Barrington, 2016
6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitting third baseman hits from a wide, balanced setup, short quick stride, level bat path, line drive type hitter with 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 80 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran an 8.08 60.

Thomas Tucker, RHP/1B, Jacobs, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting first baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a wide base, long stride, long uphill bat path produced 79 mph exit velocity with pull tendencies during batting practice. Defensively, threw 72 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot. Ran a 7.71 60. On the mound, fastball sat 76-79 mph from short, over-the-top slot, toe up at balance point, some rhythm to delivery, shoulders level throughout delivery, lower half stride direction in line with home plate. 64-66 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape with gradual break. 72-73 mph changeup flashed sinking action.

Zachary Zarifian, 3B/SS, Kenosha Tremper (WI), 2016
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman/shortstop hits from a slightly closed, balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short leg kick, above average bat speed, slightly uphill bat path, several line drives up the middle during batting practice, 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Average hands fielding, took infield at third and short, profiles better feet wise at third. Ran a 7.33 60.

Recent Headlines

1.18.15 IL Underclass Slide