Prep Baseball Report

GPA Games: Infielder Analysis



By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The GPA Games held at brand new Rocky and Bernice Miller Park at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL spanned the course of two days, Friday August 12 – Saturday, August 13. The roster was broken into six teams, three of which reported on August 12, the other three reported on August 13. Each day consisted of position player workouts in the morning, with game play in the afternoon.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the two days. Over the next week we will be breaking down the event position by position, today looking at the infielders.

Below is a list of the top 10 infielders from the GPA Games.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Peter Ahn, SS/OF, Marquette (WI), 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lanky, athletic, middle infielder. Currently Ranked No. 48 in the 2017 Wisconsin Class. 4.12 home to first time. Offensively, left-handed hitter, bat speed, level path through the zone, gets extension, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm; exit velocity clocked at 82 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Showed well in gameplay with two hits, including an inside-the-park homerun. Defensively, reliable hands, quick exchange, fields position athletically. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 82 mph across the diamond.

2. Sam Jones, INF, Brother Rice (IL), 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, lean, middle-infielder. Ranked No. 32 in the 2018 Illinois Class. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm; exit velocity clocked at 78 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, fields position athletically. Long, loose accurate arm from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 81 mph across the diamond. 4.57 home to first time.

3. Will McNulty, INF, New Trier (IL), 2017
5-foot-9, 170-pound, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, above-average bat speed, short level path through the zone, gets extension through contact, line drive approach, fluid rhythm; exit velocity registered at 82 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintain balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, quick footwork, clean exchange. Loose, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph across the infield. 4.75 home to first time.

4. Mitchell Mulvihill, INF, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound, average frame, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line drive, gap-to-gap approach, above average bat speed, short, level path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 84 mph. Tall, open setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, profiles as a second baseman. Reliable hands, fluid footwork, fields position athletically. Long arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 81 mph. 4.51 home to first time.

5. Jimmy Kelly, 2B/OF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, athletic, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, loose hands, gap-to-gap approach, uphill path; exit velocity registered at 81 mph. Crouched, open setup, short stride. Defensively, flashed soft hands, fluid footwork, fields position athletically. Short, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 81 mph across the infield. 4.44 home to first time.

6. Dylan Hauck, 3B/RHP, Crete Monee (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line drive, pull-side approach, fluid rhythm, long, slightly uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 84 mph. Tall, open setup, leg kick. Defensively, reliable hands, flashed a short, accurate arm from a high 3/4; throws clocked at 78 mph across the infield. 4.76 home to first. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, threw one inning in game play. Arm works short and from a high 3/4 slot and some rhythm throughout delivery. Fastball, arm-side-run and sat 77-79 mph. Curveball 12/6 action, occasionally backed up, 62 mph. Threw a changeup in warmups; maintained arm speed, fade action.

7. Brenden Butler, SS/RHP, Oak Lawn (IL), 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, hard contact, line-drive, pull approach, long bat path; exit velocity clocked at 86 mph. Open setup, leg kick, showed ability to maintain balance through contact. Showed well in gameplay with two base hits. Defensively, reliable hands, short, loose arm from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 74 mph across the infield. 4.91 home to first time.

8. Nolan Kelliher, INF, Middleton (WI), 2018
Currently ranked No. 64 in Wisconsin. 5-foot-11, 165-pound, average frame, right-handed hitting, infielder. Ran a 4.47 home-to-first. Offensively, compact swing and good balance throughout. Path works uphill with some strength through contact; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Upright, slightly open setup, slight loading action to the back side and short stride. Defensively, steady hands, natural fluid actions on the move, throws from multiple angles. Throws from a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 77 mph across the diamond.

9. Tommy Benson, SS/RHP/OF, Andrean (IN), 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound switch hitting utility player. From the left side hits from an upright, slightly open stance with a low hand set. Line drive hitter with a short stride. 74 mph exit velocity left-handed. Form the right side showed more pop with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. 5.33 runner down the line. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 87 mph. In the infield showed solid actions with a loose arm action. Threw 84 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a collapse on the backside. Fastball showed running action at 85-86 mph. Curveball has sweeping action at 65-69 mph.

10. Teig Chase, INF/RHP, Kettle Moraine (WI), 2018
6-foot, 185-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line-drive approach, fluid rhythm, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 80 mph. Tall, open setup with a short stride. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Flashed a short, loose, accurate arm from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. 4.69 home to first time. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in-line, lands slightly closed. Long, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 78-80 mph. Changeup, features arm side run, 75 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

NIcholas Akstulewicz, INF, Sheboygan North (WI), 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound, strong build, right-handed hitting, infielder. Offensively, flashed bat speed, strength through contact, hard contact and a gap-to-gap approach; 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Balanced setup, no load, short stride, front foot hitter. Defensively, hands work out front at times, long arm action and high ¾ slot; clocked at 71 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.84 home-to-first.

Cal Cangilla, 1B/OF, Plainfield North (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound, first baseman. Offensively, right-handed hitter with a line drive approach, flashed bat speed, uphill path; exit velocity clocked at 74 mph. Balance setup, leg lift, showed ability to maintain balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, clean exchange. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 69 mph. 4.72 home to first time.

Noah Chopp, INF, Grafton (WI), 2017
5-foot-9, 170-pound, middle infielder with a solid lower half. Offensively, right-handed hitter, hands work on top of the baseball and flashed hard contact at times during batting practice. Fluid rhythm, long bat path and a pull approach. Balanced setup, hands load pre-pitch, short stride and average balance through contact. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, steady hands on the infield, clean exchange. Arm works short and from a high ¾ to ¾ slot; clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.92 home-to-first.

John Dahlinger, RHP/INF, Mundelein (IL), 2017
5-foot-11, 155 pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, long, slightly uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 74 mph. Tall, balanced setup, short stride, keeps it simple. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork. Long arm action from a ¾ slot, showed accuracy; throws clocked at 70 mph across the infield. 4.62 home to first time. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, lands square. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, 74-76 mph. Curveball, sweeping action, 60-62 mph.

Dylan Diorio, INF, Plainfield North, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, bat speed, line-drive, opposite field approach, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 90 mph. Open setup, smooth load, long stride. Defensively, clean, longer exchange short arm and throws from an over-the-top slot; throws clocked at 80 mph across the diamond.

Brady Fields, SS/RHP, Badger (WI), 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line drive, pull approach, fluid rhythm, long bat path; exit velocity clocked at 83 mph. Tall, slightly open setup, short stride. Defensively, plays through the baseball, short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 68 mph across the diamond. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth rhythm, in line direction, lands slightly closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, features slight arm side run at times, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, 68-69 mph.

Colin Fields, 3B/RHP, Libertyville, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth, repeatable delivery, lands slightly closed. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm side run, sat 81-83 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, sat 66-70 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, showed well in gameplay with a double and a walk in five plate appearances. line-drive approach, level path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 76 mph off a tee. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield, flashed athletic actions. Loose, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 80 mph across the infield. 5.29 home to first time.

Harvey Freed, RHP/1B, Milford (MI), 2018
6-foot-2, 195-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, lands closed. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, features arm side run, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sweep action, gradual break, tendency to slow down arm, 63-66 mph. Defensively, clean exchange, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, backload, toe tap. Long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 83 mph. 5.43 home to first time.

Roy Iversen, RHP/3B, Oak-Park-River Forest, 2017
6-foot-3, 160-pound, lanky, two-way player. 4.43 home to first time. Offensively, right-handed hitter, pull-side approach, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 73 mph. Balanced setup, slight back load, short stride. Defensively, clean exchange, some athletic actions. Long, loose arm from a high ¾ to ¾ slot, flashed accuracy; throws clocked at 77 mph across the diamond. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 79-81 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sweeping action, 68-70 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 72-74 mph.

Tim La, SS/2B, Fenwick (IL), 2018
5-foot-8, 150-pound, middle-infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed loose hands, middle of the field approach, short path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 82 mph. Tall, narrow setup, short stride, leg lift. Defensively, reliable hands, short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 72 mph. 4.61 home to first time.

Jimmy Laurenti, OF/SS, Aurora Central Catholic, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting OF/SS. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with minimal load and stride. Long, level swing path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.62 runner down the line. In the outfield has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 74 mph from the outfield. In the infield has a short arm action with a quick transfer. Threw 73 mph across the diamond.

Colin Mack, INF/RHP, Morgan Township (IN), 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lanky, loose frame, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, compact swing, line-drive type hitter, middle of the field approach. Balanced, closed setup, slight load, short stride and good balance through contact. Registered a 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clean transfer on the infield, tendency to field the ball deep. Short, high ¾ arm slot, accurate throws clocked at 79 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.55 home-to-first. On the mound, right-handed pitcher. Short arm action, flashed quickness out of an over-the-top window with some effort throughout. Fastball flashed slight arm-side-run and sink when down in the zone, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 and was clocked at 69 mph.

Daniel Marrero, SS/2B, University School of Milwaukee (WI), 2018
5-foot-7, 120-pound, small frame, middle-infielder. Offensively, line-drive approach, flashed fluid rhythm, long, level path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 72 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load, short, leg lift stride, ability to maintain balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork, quick exchange, fields position athletically. Flashed a short, accurate arm from an over the top slot; throws clocked at 72 mph across the infield. 4.63 home to first time.

Austin Matuszewski, SS/3B, Luke Zurich (IL), 2018
5-foot-9, 170-pound, average frame, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, line-drive approach, long bat path; exit velocity clocked at 86 mph. Balanced setup with a  leg kick timing trigger. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield, quick footwork, clean exchange. Flashed a long, accurate arm from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph. 4.43 home to first time.

Nick Musial, SS/2B, Deerfield (IL), 2018
5-foot-7, 140-pound, small frame, infielder. Defensively, quick footwork, clean exchange, reliable hands. Short arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. Offensively, opposite field approach, long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 76 mph. Balanced setup with a short stride. 4.75 home to first.

Matthew Owens, 1B/3B, Shawnee Mission North (KS), 2018
5-foot-9, 215-pound, first baseman. Offensively, right-handed hitter, short path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 74 mph. Balanced setup with a short stride. Defensively, clean exchange, short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 65 mph across the diamond. 5.23 home to first time.

Robert Pettas, INF, New Trier (IL), 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, opposite field approach, fluid rhythm, uphill path; exit velocity registered at 80 mph. Slightly open setup, with a short stride. Defensively, clean exchange, short arm action from a high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy; throws clocked at 70 mph across the infield. 4.58 home to first time.

Jimmy Shea, OF/1B, Bishop Dwenger (IN), 2017
6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed hitting OF/1B with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, spread out setup with a short leg lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with a short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.36 runner down the line. In the outfield has a long, stiff arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with slower actions. Threw 71 mph from the outfield. Took drills at first base and throws clocked at 71 mph across the infield.

Ben Sodikoff, OF/SS, Deerfield, 2018
5-foot-9, 130-pound right-handed hitting OF/SS. At the plate hits from an open stance with a long stride. Line driver hitter with a level swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.62 runner down the line. Defensively in the outfield has a loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Threw 77 mph from the outfield. In the infield showed a quick release throwing 73 mph across the diamond.

Thomas Stoodt, INF, St. Ignatius (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-handed hitter infielder. Offensively, loose hands, long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 84 mph. Balanced setup, short stride, leg lift. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the baseball. Short, loose arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy; throws clocked at 81 mph across the infield. 4.51 home to first time.

Wynn Takacs, INF, Taylor (IN), 2018
5-foot-10, 140-pound, small frame, middle infielder. Offensively, switch-hitter, looks more natural from the right side. Line drive approach, level bath path, fluid rhythm; exit velocity clocked at 86 mph from the right side, 79 from the left. Balanced setup, back load, leg kick, maintain balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball. Short arm action from an over the top slot; throws clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 4.50 home to first time.

Bobby Tilot, RHP/1B, Bay Port (WI), 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound, two-way prospect. Left-handed hitter, line drive, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm, finds barrel, uphill path; exit velocity registered at 76 mph. Wide setup, smooth load, long stride. Defensively, clean exchange, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 5.08 home to first time.  On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in line, lands square. Short arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, features cut action, sat 77-78 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 64-67 mph. Changeup, cut action, 73 mph.

Jason Vrbancic, INF, Loyola (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, flashed bat speed, ability to backspin the baseball and strength through contact; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Level, long bat path, line-drive and middle of the field approach. Balanced setup, slight bar load, and short stride. Defensively, steady hands at first base. Short arm action, over-the-top, accurate and clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Ran a 4.53 home-to-first.

Adam Wittenberg, INF, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletic, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, opposite field approach, long, slightly uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 84 mph. Open setup, leg kick timing trigger. Defensively, quick footwork, athletic fielding action. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph across the infield. 4.89 home to first time.

Benjamin Yoss, INF, Northrop (IN), 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, opposite field approach, level path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 79 mph. Balanced setup with a leg kick timing trigger. Defensively, reliable hands, clean exchange, flashed fluid footwork. Long, loose arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 72 mph across the diamond. 5.18 home to first time.

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