Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2022 Showcase: Infield Analysis


By Kevin Cronin and Drew Locascio
Illinois Staff

On July 15th, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Class of 2022 Showcase at Lee Pfund Stadium in Wheaton, Ill. This annual event was open to all incoming juniors in the state and serves as an identifier for the PBR Future Games and other invite-only events.

Shortly following the event we took a deep dive into the statistical leaders from the event. Today we continue our positional analysis of the event by evaluating the day’s outfielders. We began our coverage with the catchers and outfielders, and we’re onto the day’s infielders today.

At the top of the rankings below from this event is Homewood Flossmoor’s Shai Robinson (2022), who’s committed to Illinois State. His wiry frame and athleticism offer exciting potential, as his all-around smoothness at the plate and especially at shortstop make for one of the state’s top juniors.

For a look at the rest of the infielders from the event, read on below.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Shai Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2022; Illinois State commit
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. High-waisted, athletic frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, smooth load, short stride. Fluid, repeatable swing, loose hands, uphill swing, gap-to-gap approach, looks to control the barrel.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 86 mph exit velocity on pitches down and in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short loose arm action, ability to throw from multiple slots. Throws play accurate and flashed carry.
Defense: High-level actions, plays easy and under control. Slows the game down, fluid athletic footwork, plays light on his feet, comfortable on the move, soft sure-hands, clean release, advanced double play turn and body control play. One of the top middle infield defenders in the state.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60.

 

2. Randy Seymour, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 145-pounds. Long, lean, loose-bodied frame. Plenty more strength and physical development to come.
Hit: RHH. Tall relaxed setup, comfortable in the box; smooth load, short stride  Easy swing, short level path, gets extension, line drive gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 89 mph exit velocity on pitches down and in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Natural infield actions, fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

3. Jake Munroe, Champaign Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds. Physical, wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced, quiet setup, short stride. Minimal wasted movement, strong short level swing, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 93 mph exit velocity on pitches down and in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws play accurate.
Defense: Fluid footwork, soft hands, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

4. Jayden Cummings, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Athletic, live frame.
Run: 6.66 runner in the 60. Above-average runner.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Smooth short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Athletic defender, fluid footwork, ranges with ease, plays with body control on the move, soft hands, clean release.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open balance setup, short toe tap. Athletic loose hands, short uphill swing, pull approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 85 mph exit velocity on pitches middle middle during BP, per Trackman.

5. Gage Wolfe, Bloomington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced slightly open setup, short stride. Fluid swing, works long and uphill through the zone, intentful, pull-side approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 87 mph exit velocity on pitches up and in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Bouncy, athletic defender, confident actions, works around the baseball, soft hands, quick clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60.

5. Brek Baranoski, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Wiry-strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, short leg lift.  Athletic hands, short uphill swing, looks to drive the baseball with authority, creates leverage and lift to the pull-side, fluid rhythm.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 85 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, reliable hands, clean exchange, plays tall at times through release.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Braden Alfano, Rochelle Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: LHH. Open balance setup, short stride. Short uphill swing, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot
Defense: Average hands, clean exchange.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Bivens, Yorkville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Lanky frame, lean build.
Hit: RHH. Wide crouch setup, smooth load, short stride.  Solid off the bat, long level swing, pull approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 88 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play with carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Joe Bollard, Saint Viator (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-1, 157-pounds. Lanky frame, lean build.
Hit: LHH. Tall open balance setup, toe tap. Short level swing, line drive oppo approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, arm plays true.
Defense: Average hands, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

Quinn Butera, Jacobs  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, smooth load, short leg lift. Level swing, line drive pull approach.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws play accurate and carried.
Defense: Average, hand, clean exchange.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Jaylun Camper, Brooks College Prep (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds. Lanky frame, lean build.
Hit: RHH. Tall open setup, short leg lift.  Short level swing, pull approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Average hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Nicholas Cortes, Chicago Bulls College Prep (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. strong build.
Hit: RHH. Wide crouch setup, short leg lift.  Long level swing, line drive pull approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 87 mph exit velocity on pitches middle up during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws play accurate, flash carry.
Defense: Average hands.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Jackson Cullen, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall balance setup, short stride.  Level swing, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Average hands, clean exchange.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

Carter Hall, Champaign Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Simple wide balance setup, small leg lift. Short level swing, line drive gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws play accurate, flashed carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Christian Hopkins, Rich Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Lanky, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open balanced setup, short leg lift.  Long path, works uphill, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 88 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, ability to throw from multiple angles.
Defense: Soft feet, steady hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

Royce Hricik, Downers Grove North (), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. Small frame, athletic build
Hit: RHH. Tall slightly open setup, big leg kick. Short uphill swing, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 65 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 59 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, average hands, clean exchange.
Run: 8.11 runner in the 60. 

Colin Husko, Wauconda (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open balance setup, short leg lift. Short level swing, line drive, oppo approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 87 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws play accurate.
Defense: Fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Nikolas Krecu, John Hersey  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Tall balance setup, short stride.  Short uphill swing, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Theo Levinson, Buffalo Grove (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short leg lift. Strong short compact swing, pull approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 82 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. OF - 74 mph. Clean long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fast feet, average hands, quick exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 

Jackson Lindquist, Winnebago (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 6-1, 166-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall balance setup, short stride. Simple easy level swing, repeatable, stays on top of the baseball; line drive gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play accurate and carry
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Robb Meister, John Hersey  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Compact balance setup, smooth load, short stride. Short level swing, line drive gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 90 mph exit velocity on pitches low away during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, throws played accurate, flashed carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, average hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

Trevor Morris, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Small frame, lean build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open balanced setup, smooth load, high leg kick. Athletic fast hands, level swing, line drive pull approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 89 mph exit velocity on pitches middle middle during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws flash carry.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Max Oliveira, Loyola (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6-1, 160-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Open balanced setup, short stride.  Quick hands, short level swing, pull approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 93 mph exit velocity on pitches middle down during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play accurate and carry
Defense: Quick footwork, quick clean exchange.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Phillips, Schaumburg (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 250-pounds. Big frame, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, leg lift.  Strong uphill swing, pull approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 87 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, throws flash accuracy and carry.
Defense: Clean transfer.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

Sam Pritchard, Grayslake North  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: RHH. Tall balance setup, smooth load, short leg lift.  Uphill swing, pull approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Alex Vasquez, Evanston (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic frame, lean build.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, smooth load, short stride. Loose, handsy swing, quick bat, short uphill swing, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 89 mph exit velocity on pitches mow and in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, reliable hands, clean exchange.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

Mason Weckler, Belvidere North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, back load, short stride. Raw strength, strong hands, uphill gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 87 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per Trackman.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action, low 3/4 slot, arms plays.
Defense: Steady hands.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

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