By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Listed below we ranked the top five infielders from the Class of 2017 Showcase. Ryan Altenberger (Morton) led the way with a smooth left-handed stroke that produces easy bat speed, 94 mph exit velocity  and arm strength to play on the left side of the infield at the next level. There were also many other intriguing prospects to keep a close eye on.

TOP INFIELDERS

1) Ryan Altenberger, 2B/SS, Morton, 2017
5-foot-10, 147-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from left side with balanced and crouch setup, smooth load, short stride, and good balance. Showed quick bat speed, good approach, level path, line drive gap-to-gap type, and fluid rhythm. Exit velocity was event best 94 mph. Defensively, throws from right side with short loose arm action from high ¾, accurate, and has carry on ball. Displayed soft hands, quick clean exchange, and plays thru. Threw 82 mph across infield. Ran 7.20 60.

2) Dominic Connolly, 2B/OF, Lemont, 2017
5-foot-7, 145-pound athletic second baseman/outfielder. Defensively, the right-hander has a short, loose arm action from over-the-top slot, accurate, and has carry on ball. Flashed soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays thru and is athletic in the field. Threw 85 mph from outfield and 82 mph across infield. Offensively, hits from right side with athletic and balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, ok lower half, and good balance. Showed quick bat speed, good approach, short level path, line drive type, and fluid rhythm. Exit velocity, 78 mph. Ran 7.14 60.

3) Shakur Jackson, SS/2B, Rock Island, 2017
5-foot-8, 168-pound strong and athletic middle infielder. Defensively throws from right side with short loose arm action, high ¾, some accuracy, and carry on ball. Showed soft hands, fluid footwork, quick clean exchange, and plays thru. Threw 82 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side with athletic and open setup, smooth load back, short stride, and good balance. Showed quick bat speed, fair approach, and power/pull type. Exit velocity 85 mph. Ran 6.96 60.  

4) Connor Yukna, OF/3B, Waubonsie Valley, 2017
6-foot-0, 180-pound, lean, lanky build, right-handed hitter, projects more as an outfielder. Hits from a wide set up, short stride, average balance. Above-average bat speed, long, uphill bat path, line-drive approach, 86 mph exit velocity. In the outfield showed average hands, fluid footwork, plays through the ball. Short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, with accuracy, 86 mph from the outfield. On the infield showed a clean exchange, low ¾ arm slot, 78 mph across the infield. Ran a 6.97 60-time.

5) Charlie Loftus, SS/2B, St. Ignatius, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound athletic two-way player. Offensively hits from right side with athletic and open setup, smooth load, short stride, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, good approach, level path, and line drive type. Exit velo 79 mph. Defensively, the right-hander has short arm action from over-the-top slot, average strength, average hands, long exchange, and plays thru. Threw 74 mph. Ran 7.27 60. On the mound, throws from over-the-top, average arm speed, short arm action, regular effort, and tall-fall type. Showed some rhythm, level shoulders, in line direction, and square landing. Fastball was 73-75 mph and touched 80 with cut, curveball was 62-65 mph with 12/6 shape and gradual action, and changeup was 72-74 mph with cut.

BEST OF THE REST (ALPHABETICALLY)

Matthew Barnes, OF/2B, Central Catholic, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound outfielder/second baseman. Defensively the right-hander has long arm action in the outfield and short in the infield, high ¾, some accuracy, and average strength. Displayed average hands, clean exchange, and plays thru. Threw 83 mph from outfield and 78 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side with tall and balanced setup, no load and long leg kick. Showed average bat speed, long uphill path, and line drive/pull approach. Exit velocity, 80 mph. Ran 7.11 60.

Casey Barr, SS/RHP, Fancis Parker, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lanky build, two-way player, right handed hitter. Hits from a slightly closed set up, short stride, average balance. Long bat path, line-drive approach, 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively on the infield showed average hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, 78 mph across the infield. In the outfield showed ability to play through the ball, long arm action, 79 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.55 60-time. On the mound displayed a tall-and-fall deliver, short arm action, over-the-top slot, landing open. Straight fastball sat 77-79 mph. Curveball showed 12/6 shape, gradual break, 64-66 mph. Changeup showed occasional sink, 70-71 mph.

Josh Bishop, 3B/RHP, Crete-Monee, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound, average build, two-way player, right-handed hitter. Hits from a tall set up, loads down, slight leg kick, fair balance. Long, uphill bat path, line-drive approach, 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively displayed average hands, long exchange, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, some accuracy, 69 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.16 60-time. On the mound showed short arm action, ¾ slot, lands open, falls to the first-base side. Straight fastball, sat 75-76 mph. Curveball had 10/4 shape, gradual break, 66-68 mph. Changeup showed some arm-side-fade, 68-70 mph. Slider sat 66-68.

Matt Blaney, RHP/3B, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound, small frame, two-way player. On the mound showed a tall-and-fall delivery, short arm action, over-the-top, some rhythm, lands on line. Straight fastball sat 82-83 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, sharp action, thrown for strikes, 67-70 mph. Showed good feel for his changeup, arm-side-run, 73-75 mph. Defensively on the infield showed average hands, fluid footwork. Short arm action, low ¾ slot, 80 from the infield. From the outfield showed the ability to play through the ball, long arm action, 84 mph from the outfield. Hit from an open set up, loads back, average balance. Long, uphill bat path, 79 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.91 60-time.

Keegan Bridges, RHP/OF, Bloomington Central Catholic, 2017
6-foot-0, 160-pound, lanky build, two-way player, right-handed hitter. On the mound showed short arm action, high ¾ slot, smooth rhythm, landing square, athletic finish. Fastball showed arm-side-run, thrown for strikes, sat 81-82 mph. Curveball showed 12/6 shape, late action, 69-70 mph. Changeup showed slight arm-side-fade, 66-68 mph. Defensively in the outfield showed average hands, quick feet, short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 81 mph from the outfield. On the infield had fluid footwork, short arm action, ¾ slot, 77 mph across the infield. Ran a 6.94 60-time.

Drew Gibson, LHP/1B, St. Anthony, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound, lanky build, wide shoulders, two-way player, left-handed hitter. On the mound showed long arm action, high ¾ slot, landing square, falls to 3B side. Fastball showed cut, 75-77 mph. Curveball showed 1/7 shape, showed sharp action, 65-67 mph. Changeup 65-69 mph. Cutter had 10/4 shape, 69-71 mph. Defensively showed average hands, clean exchange, long  arm action, high ¾ slot, 76 mph across the infield. Hits from a narrow stance, short stride, average balance. Uphill bat path, line-drive approach, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.42 60-time.

Rayme Hamilton, SS/RHP, Mattoon, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from right side with tall and balanced setup, short stride, ok lower half, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, good approach, long uphill path, and line drive type. Exit velo 75 mph. Defensively the right-hander has long arm action from high ¾, some accuracy, average hands and average strength. Threw 75 mph across infield. Ran 6.98 60. On the mound, throws from high ¾, long loose arm action, regular effort, some rhythm, in line direction, and closed landing. Fastball was 71-73 mph with run and slight action, curveball sat 61-63 mph with 12/6 shape, and changeup was 68-69 mph with sink and fade.

Logan Hislope, 3B, Monticello, 2017
6-foot-2, 160-pound, lanky build, right-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, loads down and back, leg kick, fair balance. Average bat speed, long, uphill bat path, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, clean exchange, ability to play  through the ball. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, with accuracy, some carry, 80 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.33 60-time.

Christopher Kelly, 2B/SS, Greyslake North, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound, average build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set up, short stride, average balance. Uphill bat path, pull-side approach, 73 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 69 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.16 60-time.

Connor Kelly, 3B/RHP, St. Rita, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way player, projectable lean frame. Offensively hits from the right side, slightly open stance, short stride. Path has length, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played third base, pats glove before release, showed the ability to play laterally. Arm played from a high ¾ slot, 79 mph across the infield. 7.51 runner in the 60. On the mound works from the tall and fall delivery, regular effort, squared landing. Works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run and sink, showed feel for the zone, 76-78 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball played at 65-68 mph, gradual action on fastball similar arm speed. Straight changeup, with slight fade action, showed feel for the zone.

Joey Lake, 3B, Carmel Catholic, 2017
6-foot-1, 190-pound, solid build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a slightly-open stance, short stride, lower half can work, above-average balance. Average bat speed, short bat path, line-drive approach, 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively displayed above-average hands, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 73 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.65 60-time.

Kelann Lampkin, 2B, Rock Island, 2017
5-foot-5, 125-pound, small frame, right-handed hitter. Hits from a slightly open set up, short stride. Long, uphill bat path, line-drive approach, 65 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed a clean exchange, short arm action, low ¾ arm slot, some accuracy, 62 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.66 60-time.

Karter Lowery, 3B, Ottawa, 2017
6-foot-1, 193-pound, average build with some strength, right-handed hitter. Hits from slightly open stance, long stride, loads back, above-average balance. Fast bat speed, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm, 91 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, ability to play through the ball. Long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, 81 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.37 60-time.

Alex Mahaz, RHP/3B, Hampshire, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound two-way player. Defensively throws from short arm action, over-the-top, some accuracy, has some carry on ball, and average hands. Threw 76 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side with tall and balanced setup, no load, short leg kick, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, long uphill path, and pull type. Exit velo 83 mph. Ran 7.52 60. On the mound, the right-hander throws from over-the-top angle, average arm speed, short action, regular effort and tall-fall type. Displayed uphill shoulders, falls to 1B side, open landing and upright finish. Fastball was 74-75 mph, curveball was 67-69 mph with 12/6 shape and gradual action, changeup was 70-73 mph with some fade.

Mitchell Mulvihill, SS/RHP, Hinsdale Central, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound solid build two-way player. Offensively hits from left side with open and tall setup, loads back, short stride, and excellent balance. Showed quick bat speed, good approach, short path, gap-to-gap type, and fluid rhythm. Exit velo 83 mph. Defensively showed long action from high ¾, with average strength and average hands. Threw 72 mph across infield. Ran 7.15 60. On the mound, the right-hander throws ¾ slot, with short action, regular effort, smooth rhythm, in line direction, and open landing. Fastball was 74-76 mph with some run and slight action curveball was 65-67 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual action, and changeup was 69-71 mph with some sink and some fade.

Dave Navarro, SS/RHP, De La Salle, 2017
5-foot-5, 130-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from left side with balanced and open setup, smooth load back, short stride, ok lower half, and good balance. Showed average bat speed, good approach, long flat path, line drive gap-to-gap type, and fluid rhythm. Exit velo 77 mph. Defensively the right-hander has short loose arm action from ¾ slot, soft hands, clean exchange, and plays thru. Threw 70 mph across infield. Ran 7.95 60. On the mound he showed a ¾ arm angle, average arm speed, short arm action, regular effort, tall-fall type, in line direction and square landing. Fastball was 69-70 mph and touched 71, curveball was 61-62 mph with 10/4 shape and gradual action, changeup was 63-66 mph with some fade, and knuckleball was 62-63 mph.

Dan Opem, C/1B, Glenbard South, 2017
6-foot-0, 185-pound, right-handed hitter. Hits form an open stance, short stride, lower half can work, average balance. Long, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively on the infield showed average hands, long arm action, over-the-top arm slot, 71 mph across the infield. Behind the plate showed soft hand, short arm action, pop-times ranged from 2.10-2.18, 69 mph from the crouch. Ran a 8.06 60-time.

Reis Padjen, SS/2B, TF South, 2017          
5-foot-8, 164-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from right side with tall and open setup, loads back, long leg lift, ok lower half, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, good approach, short uphill path, and gap-to-gap type. Exit velo 81 mph. Defensively the right-hander short loose arm action from over-the-top, accurate, average strength, average hands, and quick clean exchange. Threw 72 across infield. Ran 7.43 60.

Jim Richmond, 2B/SS, Lincoln-Way East, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound average build middle infielder. Offensively hits from right side with tall and open setup, no load, short stride, and good balance. Showed average bat speed, long level path, and line drive/pull type. Exit velo 78 mph. Defensively the right-hander has short loose arm action, from ¾ slot, some accuracy, average strength, average hands, and clean exchange. Threw 68 mph across infield. Ran 7.33 60.

Kellen Sarver, C/SS, Champaign Centennial, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletic build with some length, left-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, short stride, above-average balance. Average bat speed, short bat path, line-drive approach, 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively on the infield displayed average hands, clean exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the infield. Behind the plate showed short arm action, high ¾ slot, pop times ranged from 2.18-2.22, threw 69 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.53 60-time.

Hunter Simon, RHP/3B, Seneca, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound strong two-way player. On the mound throws from high ¾, average arm speed, loose arm action, some effort, and square landing. Fastball was 79-80 mph and touched 81 with some sink, curveball was 65-67 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual action, changeup sat 70-72 mph with cut. Offensively hits from right side with balanced and athletic setup, bar load, short stride, and average balance. Showed some quick bat speed, good approach, long uphill path, and oppo type. Exit velo 85 mph. Defensively has short arm action from high ¾, with some accuracy, and average strength. Threw 78 across infield. Ran 6.89 60.

Tyler Suchy, SS, Oak Forest, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound, average build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a tall, narrow stance, loads back, occasional leg kick, good balance. Average bat speed, long, level bat path, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively displayed okay hands, ability to play through the ball, short arm action, low ¾ arm slot, 75 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.08 60-time.

Connor Walsh, 1B, Belvidere North, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound first baseman, long large frame. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, short stride. Path has some uphill length, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, 70 mph across the diamond. Ran the 60 at 8.29, laser timed.

Andrew Wells, 1B/3B, Normal Community, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound, athletic build, left-handed hitter. Hits from a slight-open stance, loads back, short stride, above-average balance. Loose hands, average bat speed, long, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm, 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, fluid footwork, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, 71 mph from the infield. Ran a 7.4 60-time.

Drew Winegardner, SS/3B, Vernon Hills, 2017
6-foot, 160-pound lean infielder. Defensively throws from long loose high ¾, average strength, average hands, clean exchange, and plays thru. Threw 78 mph across infield. Offensively hits from right side with tall and open setup, loads back, short stride, average balance, average bat speed, good approach, long extended path, and line drive type. Exit velocity, 86 mph. Ran 7.29 60.

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