By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois

Mario Scalise stood out at the Future Prospect Showcase and Educational Camp both in the field and on the mound. Scalise is clearly physically advanced from his peers and it shows in his game. He was at the top of nearly every statistical category and showed he can receive the baseball with the best of them behind the plate. Baily Egan also stood out as a left handed hitting catcher who has a great feel for the position and a highly advanced left handed swing.

Here’s how we ranked the top position players from the event.

Top Position Players

1. Mario Scalise, C/RHP, Class of 2017
Physically developed, advanced physical makeup for age, 6-foot, 180-pound two way player. Behind the plate showed a highly advanced arm for his age, 72 mph from the crouch. Posted pop times of 2.20-2.32, short arm action, over the top slot, showed a high level of accuracy, with carry. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load back, short stride approach. Lower half works, shows good balance. Bat path is short, shows advanced strength at the plate, gets extension, has a good feel at the plate, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound showed a strong arm, high ¾ arm slot, regular effort. Fastball has sink, showed advanced feel for age, advanced control, 73-75 mph. Curveball lacks consistency, 60-62 mph.

2. Brendan Egan, C/RHP, Class of 2017
5-foot-9, 125-pound left handed hitting two way player. Defensively showed advanced actions behind the plate, received the baseball well. Excellent foot work out of the crouch, short quick steps, 4.63 runner home to first. 2.34-2.50 pop times, 65 mph arm strength from the crouch. Bat path is short and level through the baseball, gap to gap approach with occasional pull tendencies. Advanced contact and path for age. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, minimal effort, smooth and directional to target, athletic finish. Fastball has run, occasional sink, thrown for strikes, 65-68 mph. Curveball has gradual action, occasional 12/6, slow rolling breaking ball, some depth, shows promise (56-57 mph). Changeup has fading action, thrown for strikes, 58-61 mph.

3. Zach Frieling, SS, Class of 2017
5-foot-5, 124-pound middle infielder. Defensively plays quickly and loosely. Fields the baseball athletically, quick and clean exchange, footwork is quick and athletic, showed advanced body control. Arm works loosely, high ¾ arm slot, shows accuracy and carry, 65 mph across the diamond, quick release. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, no load, short stride. Shows bat speed, short bat path, gets occasional extension, line drive approach, athletic swing, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.

4. Cody McArthur, C/3B, Class of 2017
5-foot-7, 133-pound catcher/third baseman. Shows an overall feel for the game at an early age. Defensively receives the baseball well, well above average blocking the baseball. Exchange is clean, arm works at 63 mph out of the crouch, recorded 2.50-2.69 pop times. Hands work well defensively at third base, confident hands. Feet work well laterally, 4.56 runner home to first. Arm plays at 65 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from a taller balanced stance, short stride. Simple swing, good balance throughout, athletic hitter. Repeatable contact, shows barrel awareness. 69 mph exit velocity.

5. Malik Peters, 3B/RHP, Class of 2018
5-foot-2, 108-pound two way player. Defensively shows soft hands for his age, moves well laterally, above average footwork, runs 5.03 home to first, shows body control. Arm plays across the infield at 63 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slight pigeon toed setup, smooth load back, short stride. Hands work well at the plate, stays inside the baseball, short bat path, line drive gap to gap hitter. Shows fluid rhythm and bat speed for age, ball has some jump off his bat. On the mound, fastball has occasional sink, 62-65 mph. Curveball has gradual action, occasional 11/5 break, 55-57 mph, showed some control. Changeup has sink, thrown for strikes, 57-59 mph.

6. Parker Aquino, RHP/SS, Class of 2018
5-foot-3, 98-pound two way player. Athletic arm action, shows promise on the mound, athletic all-around player. On the mound showed advanced overall feel, clean delivery and arm action. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, ¾ arm slot, quick loose arm action. Fastball has slight run, finished through the zone, threw strikes, 66-68 mph. Changeup has sink, thrown with fastball arm speed, thrown for strikes, showed the ability to command it, 61-63 mph. Highly advanced feel for changeup. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride. Excellent pre pitch setup. Simple approach, repeats swing well, consistent contact, barrel awareness. Bat path is short with occasional extension, line drive gap to gap hitter. Defensively shows soft hands, advanced backhand, some body control. Arm strength is advanced for age, 69 mph across the infield, winds up to release the baseball.

7. Eastin May, C/3B, Class of 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher. Good setup behind the plate, arm works at 60 mph from the crouch. Posted pop times of 2.50-2.76. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth load, short stride. Excellent pre pitch setup. Bat path is short, occasional extension, solid contact. 62 mph exit velocity from the tee.

8. PJ Raines, MIF, Class of 2017
Undersized, 5-foot-2, 95-pound middle infielder. Has a good overall feel for the game. Defensively shows soft hands, quick and fluid footwork, fields the baseball athletically, advanced defensive actions for age. Arm action is athletic, shows the ability to release the baseball on the run, loose arm action, 57 mph across the diamond. 5.39 runner home to first. Hits from an open stance, smooth load, drops hands, good balance throughout. Bat path is long and level, path flattens out too early, 60 mph exit velocity from the tee.

9. Brian Heidbreder, OF/RHP, Class of 2017
5-foot-9, 120-pound two way player. Long arm action from the outfield, over the top slot, 64 mph from the outfield. Plays through the baseball, shows an efficient exchange for his age from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride. Makes solid contact, hard contact, bat path is level, line drive type hitter. 69 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound fastball showed occasional sink, showed control. Changeup is 58-59 mph, thrown for strikes.

10. Andrew Perez, 1B, Class of 2018
Offensively hits from a balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Lower half works, shows good balance throughout. Tendency to hit off back side, level path with occasional extension. Some bat speed, 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows soft hands, 59 mph arm strength across the diamond.

11. Trey Torain, C/3B, Class of 2018
5-foot-6, 130-pound catcher/third baseman. Offensively hits from an open stance, tall stance, long stride. Shows strong hands at the plate, creates whip, top hand works. Shows bat speed at the plate, line drive gap to gap approach, occasional power. Smooth rhythm at the plate, good balance throughout, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively recorded pop times of 2.54-2.64, 64 mph arm from the crouch. Shows the ability to block the baseball well. On the infield showed solid footwork.

12. Ricky Allen, 3B/RHP, Class of 2017
5-foot-10, 205-pound two way player. Defensively shows some arm strength across the diamond, 65 mph. 4.93 runner home to first. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, solid balance throughout. Hard contact, shows pop, advanced bat speed for age, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound, fastball is straight, 66-68 mph. Curveball sits at 54-58 mph, lacks action. Changeup is straight, 60-61 mph.

13. Brett Selke, OF/RHP, Class of 2018
6-foot-1, 150-pound two way player. Defensively shows aggressiveness, plays through the baseball. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Line drive hitter, pull side approach. On the mound uses a ¾ arm action, long arm action. Fastball has occasional sink, showed control, 62-63 mph, touching 67 mph twice. Slider sits between 54-60 mph. Changeup has sink, 55-57 mph.

14. Ben Rosengard, SS, Class of 2018
Left handed hitting middle infielder. Shows above average bat control for age. Hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride. Lower half collapses. Athletic swing, makes consistent contact, loose swing, line drive guy. Excellent approach at the plate, works the middle of the field, lacks overall strength, singles hitter. Defensively lacks arm strength, 57 mph across the diamond. Has soft hands, fields athletically, lacks overall strength.

15. Seamus Sjostrom, 1B/OF, Class of 2017
5-foot-8, 126-pound left handed two way player. Shows solid infield actions at first base, fields the baseball athletically and out in front. Shows soft hands, footwork works well, clean exchange. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Bat path shows length, 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball has occasional sink, showed control, 59-63 mph. Curveball has gradual bend, 48-53 mph. Changeup cuts, 50-52 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Blake Begner, LHP/OF, Class of 2017
5-foot-4, 105-pound left handed two way player. Shows upside on the mound. Left handed pitcher works from a high ¾ arm slot, regular effort, tall and fall approach, smooth rhythm. Fastball finishes, occasional run, showed above average control, 67-68 mph. Slider has feel, sweeping action, thrown for strikes, 60-61 mph. Changeup is 54-56 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, no stride approach, good balance throughout. Line drive approach, opposite field slap approach. Defensively shows some infield actions, 65 mph across the diamond.

Andrew Calderon, RHP/SS, Class of 2017
5-foot-8, 125-pound two way player. Fastball has occasional run, 65-68 mph. Breaking ball has some downward action, 58-61 mph. Changeup showed slight arm side movement, 61-64 mph. Defensively throws from an over the top slot, arm action lacks an athletic release. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back. Shows some separation, occasionally gets through the baseball. Makes hard contact, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.

James Coker, RHP/1B, Class of 2018
5-foot-6, 150-pound two way player. Projects better on the mound, shows a feel for multiple pitches. On the mound used a smooth tall and fall style delivery. Stays on line and works well directionally. Arm action is short, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball shows sink, occasionally straight, showed control, 62-64 mph, topping out at 65 mph. Curveball has 11/5 break, showed control, 54 mph, showed advanced feel for this pitch at his age. Changeup showed occasional fading action, 57-59 mph. Defensively lacks foot quickness, 59 mph across the diamond. At the plate hits from a tall stance, leg lift stride. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee.

John Czeslawski, RHP/3B, Class of 2018
5-foot-9, 115-pound two way player. On the mound, arm works with length, high ¾ arm action. Fastball has slight sink, showed control, feel, 63-65 mph. Changeup has occasional sink, 56-61 mph, erratic velocity. Defensively arm plays at 63 mph across the diamond. Hits from a balanced stance, stride opens early. Shows some bat speed, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Tyler Gregory, RHP/SS, Class of 2017
5-foot-8, 125-pound two way player. On the mound he stayed on line working from a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball shows run, has control, 71-72 mph, topped out at 74 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, flashing occasional bite, advanced feel for his age, 60-61 mph. Changeup has occasional sink, showed control, 58-62 mph. In the field he showed some arm strength across the diamond, playable arm, 68 mph across the diamond. Hits from a wide stance, drops hands at load, foot lift trigger. Bat path is level, occasional length in swing, 67 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Octavio Lopez, MIF, Class of 2018
5-foot-4, 122-pound middle infielder. Projects more as a third base type in the future. Defensively shows a solid arm action, 58 mph across the diamond, shows soft hands, lacks quick footwork but takes good angles. 5.40 runner home to first. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, uses a smooth load, short stride. Lower half works well, shows solid balance throughout finish. Shows bat speed, line drive gap to gap type hitter, occasional pop. Good bat control, shows barrel awareness, squares the baseball up regularly. On the mound arm works with length from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball is 55-58 mph, topping out at 59 mph. Changeup was consistently up 49-52 mph.

Barek McCann, C/RHP, Class of 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound two way player. Defensively  recorded pop times of 2.44-2.61, 60 mph arm strength from the crouch, transfer lacks quickness. Shows some body control at third base. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride. Makes hard contact, swings hard, hits off back side. Pull side approach, 62 mph exit velocity from the tee. On  the mound shows a drop and drive style delivery. Fastball is mostly straight, minimal action, showed control, 68-72 mph. Showed two breaking balls, lacked identity between the two, gradual action, shows control. Changeup is straight, decelerated arm action, 59-60 mph.

Peter Pigatti, C, Class of 2017
5-foot-5, 145-pound catcher. Defensively recorded 2.35-2.45 pop times down to second base. Arm action is short from a high ¾ arm slot, 66 mph out of the crouch. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, short stride toe tap trigger. Shows some bat speed, 73 mph exit velocity.

Justin Ruehl, RHP/C, Class of 2018
5-foot-3, 125-pound two way player. On the mound delivery shows rhythm, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball has occasional sink, 63-64 mph. Changeup has occasional sink, showed control, 54-58 mph. Defensively recorded 2.43-2.68 pop times, 60 mph arm strength from the crouch. Offensively hits from a closed stance, short stride. Back side collapse, hits off back side, 65 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Alex Santiago, SS, Class of 2017
5-foot-5, 150-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a wide stance, uses minimal stride, heel lift trigger. Lower half lacks involvement, good balance throughout. Simple approach, short bat path. Defensively lacks lateral quickness, shows solid hands, exchange is quick. Arm slot is over the top, short arm action, 57 mph across the diamond.

Jack Schaffer, MIF/RHP, Class of 2017
5-foot-9, 130-pound two way player. On the mound, fastball has finish, mostly straight, some control, 61-64 mph, topping out at 65 mph. Curveball has some feel, 51-55 mph, showed control. Changeup has occasional sink, thrown for strikes. 51-54 mph. Defensively uses a long arm action, 65 mph across the diamond. Hits from a wide stance, minimal load, heel lift trigger. Occasional line drive gap to gap tendencies.

Trent Sherlock, C/RHP, Class of 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound two way player. Defensively recorded pop times of 2.35-2.70, arm strength at 66 mph from the crouch. Fields the baseball deep on the infield, 66 mph across the diamond as well. Offensively hits from  a balanced stance, minimal stride, lower half lacks involvement. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Drop and drive delivery from the mound, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball is mostly straight, occasional sink, 64-67 mph. Breaking ball has gradual action, 56-57 mph. Changeup is 60-61 mph.

Drew Wenig, RHP/C, Class of 2017
5-foot-7, 125-pound two way player. Behind the plate posted pop times of 2.4-2.58, arm works at 62 mph from the crouch. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, wide stance, uses short stride. Bat path has some whip, pull side approach, slightly shorter path. Drop and drive delivery on the mound, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball has occasional run, 67-69 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 55-60 mph. Changeup is 55-60 mph.

Cody Womack, SS/RHP, Class of 2017
5-foot-4, 120-pound two way player. Fastball sits at 61-63 mph, topped out at 64 mph, high ¾ arm slot, flashed occasional slight sink, showed control. Changeup is 56-59 mph. Defensively arm action lacked athleticism, 57 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from an open stance, leg kick trigger, average balance throughout.

More Illinois News

• IL Illinois recruiting news3.19.13
  Pitlock, Semersky, Stowers, Hickman and more pick their schools... >>
• IL Daily Game Roundup - March 183.19.13
  Weather still has Chicago sidelined while a handful of games were played down south... >>
• IL Daily Game Roundup - March 173.18.13
  St. Rita downs Benet, and Matt James throws a perfect game... >>