Prep Baseball Report

Prospect I.D. Showcase: 2012 and 2013 analysis



By Matt Yarber and Sean Duncan

The Prospect Identification Showcase at the Quarry Fieldhouse in Romeoville on Feb. 20 featured a wide-range of talent from all classes. Jeremiah Figueroa, a 2013 outfielder from Clemente HS, earned top prospect honors after his all-around stellar performance.

Here, we examine the Class of 2012 and 2013 prospects at the event:

1. Jeremiah Figueroa, OF, Roberto Clemente HS, Class of 2013
Figueroa looks to be one of the premier outfield prospects in the Class of 2013, as the athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pounder impressed in all facets of the game.  Figueroa moves well in the outfield, taking concise routes to the baseball and showed the ability to play through the baseball.  He exhibited a strong, accurate arm with excellent carry (88 mph).  At the plate, Figueroa continued to impress with his explosive bat speed.  He has an athletic setup with a smooth load.  He showed gap-to-gap power as he consistently squared up the baseball to all fields while maintaining excellent balance throughout.  Additionally, Figueroa ran a 4.46 home-to-first.

2. Brent Feldner, C, Marian Catholic HS, Class of 2013
Feldner is an excellent all-around defensive catcher. Beyond his strong, accurate arm, he demonstrated advanced fundamentals. He receives low while maintaining nimble, athletic feet. He receives with soft hands and a firm wrist. Feldner was clocked at 77 mph from the crouch position and posted a best pop time of 2.08, and all his throws were glove-side on the bag. At the plate, Feldner has a balanced setup and creates good whip through the zone.  He has an economical approach the baseball and sprayed line drives to all fields.  Additionally, Feldner ran a 4.5 home to first.

3. Kyle Pullia, RHP, Fenwick HS, Class of 2013
Pullia is a big-bodied 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-handed pitcher. Coming from an over-the-top arm slot, he delivered heavy 83-85 mph fastballs with some arm-side sink.  His off-speed pitches included a 64-67 mph curveball with some bite and depth and a 65-71 mph changeup.

4. Alex Mumm, OF, Winnebago HS, Class of 2013
Mumm is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder who had one of the strongest arms at the event, throwing 88 mph from his position.  Mumm gets downhill on his throws, which were all around the plate and showed carry.  At the plate, Mumm has a balanced setup and a short stride to the baseball.  He has a level bat path and a fundamental overall approach.  Additionally, Mumm ran a 4.51 60.

5. Mike Mueller, 3B, Munster HS (IN), Class of 2013
Mueller is a 6-foot-2, 158-pound third baseman who impressed defensively with his smooth actions and accurate arm.  Mueller moved well laterally and showed soft hands; he was clocked at 75 mph from across the diamond.  At the plate, Mueller has a balanced setup and is short and quick to the baseball.  Additionally, Mueller ran a 4.42 home to first.

6. Joe Rizzuto, 2B/OF, Jacobs HS, Class of 2013
Rizzuto is a 5-foot-9, 135-pound multi-positional player who showed good athleticism in all aspects of the game.  Rizzuto has a solid left-handed swing.  He showed some rhythm at the plate with his easy, level swing as he sprayed line drives to all fields.  Defensively, Rizzuto exhibited quick footwork and soft hands.  He displayed the ability to play through the ball at all positions and exhibited an accurate arm (78 mph from OF and 70 mph from across the diamond).  Additionally, Rizzuto ran a 4.37 home to first.

7. Chase Wendling, OF, Teutopolis HS, Class of 2013
Wendling is a 5-foot-9, 194-pound left-handed outfielder with a strong lower half.  In the outfield, Wendling showed athletic actions, taking concise routes to the ball and showcasing a strong, accurate arm (84 mph).  Offensively, Wendling hits from a crouched position with a smooth left-handed swing.  He uses his strong lower half to drive through the baseball.  Wendling showed gap-to-gap power, creating good whip through the zone.  Additionally, Wendling ran a 4.51 home to first.

8. Joey Marciano, LHP, Clemente HS, Class of 2013
Marciano is a big-bodied 6-foot-3, 250-pound left-handed pitcher. Marciano, who operates from an over-the-top arm slot, topped at 83 mph with his fastball, sitting at 80-82.  He threw two breaking balls, each with similar shape; the curve checked in between 52-63, while the slider registered between 64-68. His changeup came in at 64-66 mph

9. Bryan Klendworth, OF, Prairie Ridge HS, Class of 2013
Klendworth is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder who impressed defensively with his arm and athletic ability.  Klendworth moved well in the outfield, taking good routes to the baseball with clean, quick footwork.  Klendworth showed an accurate arm with carry (84 mph).  Klendworth continued to showcase his athleticism by running a 4.25 home to first.

10. Brian Jestice, 1B/RHP, Fremd HS, Class of 2013
Jestice is a strong 6-foot-2, 220-pound two-way player who showed well at the plate, exhibiting some juice in his swing.  Jestice used a strong lower half to create good torque and maintained balance throughout contact.  Defensively, Jestice showed solid footwork around the bag; he was clocked at 81 mph from across the infield.  On the mound, Jestice has an over the top arm slot and throws four pitches.  He threw a heavy 81-84 mph fastball, a 59-61 mph curveball, a 64-65 mph changeup, and a 69-70 mph splitter.

11. Dylan Balogh, RHP, Barrington HS, Class of 2013
Balogh is a projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher who has a quick, loose arm action. Coming from a high 3/4 arm angle, his arm works with little effort. Balogh’s fastball topped at 81 mph, but with his length and arm quickness, he should see his velocity climb in the coming years. Balogh commanded the strike zone with three pitches, including a 66-68 mph curveball that has a sweeping action, and a 75-78 mph changeup that demonstrated sink down in the zone.

12. Carl Russell, MIF, Grayslake North HS, Class of 2013
Russell is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound middle infielder who performed well in all aspects of the game.  Russell proved to be a solid middle infielder with a strong, accurate arm (84 mph).  He moved well laterally and exhibited good hands.  At the plate, Russell showed a balanced approach.  He created whip through the zone and has a level, line drive swing.  Additionally, Russell ran a 4.26 home to first.

13. Colin Ash, RHP/OF, Naperville North HS, Class of 2013
Ash is a 5-foot10, 150-pound two-way player who impressed in the field with his ability to play through the baseball and get on top of his throws.  Ash took good routes and exhibited clean footwork; he was clocked at 82 mph with accuracy.  At the plate, Ash has an open setup and a level, line-drive swing.  Ash showed some barrel whip through the zone as he laced line drivesOn the mound, Ash has a quick, loose arm and showed good rhythm and tempo on the mound.  He showed feel for three pitches: an 80-82 mph fastball with late run that he kept down in the zone.  His best pitch looked to be his 12/6 breaking ball that flashed sharp, late break in the 67-68 mph range.  He also threw a 72-74 mph changeup.

14. Reginald Rogers, SS, Morgan Park HS, Class of 2013
Rogers is an athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound shortstop who ran a 4.21 home to first and showed good lateral movement with range up the middle.  Rogers was clocked at 75 mph from across the diamond with accurate throws.  Offensively, Rogers has a balanced setup with a smooth load.  He has a good approach at the plate and takes an economical approach to the baseball.  Rogers uses his strength to generate solid whip through the zone.

15. Cam Adams, C, Johnsburg HS, Class of 2013
Adams is a solidly built 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher who features a strong lower half. Adams impressed with his hitting prowess; he showed excellent balance and the ability to drive the ball with authority. He has a quiet overall approach, as he showcased raw power potential. Defensively, Adams showed well in the pens with his ability to stay low and block well.  He was clocked at 77 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.07.

16. David Cronin, MIF, Sandburg HS, Class of 2013
Cronin is a 5-foot-8, 150-pound middle infielder who showed well defensively. He played through the ball  with athletic feet, moving with fluidity and rhythm.  Cronin was clocked at 77 mph from across the diamond.  At the plate, Cronin has a fundamentally sound left-handed swing; he starts slightly open and maintains excellent balance throughout.  Cronin consistently squared up the baseball as he sprayed line drives to the opposite field.

17. Brock Boeselager, RHP/3B, Rockford Guilford HS, Class of 2013
Boeselager is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound two-way player who showed well defensively, playing the ball well on the run.  Boeselager had an accurate arm across the diamond that was clocked at 76 mph.  Offensively, he has a balanced setup and made hard contact throughout his round of bp.  On the mound, Boeselager throws from over the top and keeps the ball down in the zone.  Boeselager threw three pitches for strikes: a 77-79 mph fastball, a 61-64 mph slurve, and a 65 mph changeup that flashed some fade.

18. Matthew Vogt, C, Libertyville HS, Class of 2013
Vogt is a 6-foot-1, 170 pound catcher who impressed with his easy left-handed swing.  Vogt created good whip through the zone and used a solid lower half to create torque. Vogt exhibited excellent balance and rhythm throughout his swing.  Defensively, Vogt was clocked at 71 mph from the crouch with throws right around the bag, and had a best pop time of 2.12.  Additionally, Vogt ran a 4.39 home to first from the left side.

19. Michael Sechrist, OF, De La Salle HS, Class of 2013
Sechrist is a 5-foot-11, 205-pound outfielder who showed solid actions at his position and demonstrated the ability to get downhill on his throws.  He showed an accurate arm that displayed some carry (79 mph).  Offensively, Sechrist has a balanced setup and line drive swing;he uses his lower half well to create torque and some loft.  Additionally, Sechrist ran a 4.41 home to first.

20. Stewart Nelson, MIF, Lyons Township HS, Class of 2013
Nelson is a lanky 5-foot-9, 145-pound middle-infielder who showed solid actions in all facets of the game.  Defensively, Nelson looked smooth up the middle, as he moved fluidly through the ball.  At the plate, Nelson has a balanced setup with a line drive swing.  Additionally, Nelson ran a 4.14 home to first.

Best of the Rest (Alphabetically)

Carlos Aguayo, OF/3B, Lake Park HS, Class of 2013
Aguayo is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound multi-positional player who exhibited some whip in his swing.  He creates torque behind his strong lower half.  Defensively, Aguayo showed well at third base with solid defensive actions.  He was clocked at 74 mph from across the diamond and 76 mph from the outfield.  Additionally, Aguayo ran a 4.64 home to first.

Max Colter, RHP/1B, Lake Michigan Catholic HS (MI), Class of 2013
Colter is a 6-foot, 165-pound two-way player who features a balanced setup and strong lower half.  Colter consistently squared up the baseball with line drives to the opposite field.  Defensively, Colter had accurate throws across the diamond (72 mph) and solid footwork around the bag.  On the mound, Colter works from a high 3/4 arm slot and has three pitches.  He threw a 70-71 mph fastball, a 59-61 mph curveball, and a 65-67 mph changeup.

Dan Doherty, RHP/3B, Lincoln-Way Central HS, Class of 2013
Doherty is a strong-bodied 6-foot, 200-pound two-way player who showed well defensively.  Doherty has a very strong lower half and ran a 4.63 home to first.  He exhibited an accurate arm across the diamond, which was clocked at 72 mph.  On the mound, Doherty throws from over the top and exhibited a heavy 79-81 mph fastball. He also threw a 64-66 mph curveball, and a 67-68 mph changeup.

Charkael Eggleston, LHP/1B, Morgan Park HS, Class of 2013
Eggleston is an athletic 6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way player who moves well for his size, running a 4.44 home to first.  He showed good lateral movement and footwork around the bag with soft hands.  Eggleston was clocked at 71 mph from across the diamond.  On the mound, Eggleston threw three pitches: a 73-75 mph fastball, a 53-56 mph curveball, and 63-67 mph changeup.

Nick Garlick, RHP, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS, Class of 2012
Garlick is a 6-foot, 145-pound right-hander who has a quick, loose arm and throws from a high 3/4 slot.  Garlick threw three pitches: a 75-78 mph fastball with slight action, a 65-68 mph curveball that had a 11/5 break, and a 67-69 mph changeup.

Jason Gissendaner, LHP, Warren HS, Class of 2013
Gissendaner is a 5-foot-9, 175-pound left-handed pitcher who threw three pitches around the zone: a 73-75 mph fastball, a 62-64 mph curveball. His best pitch was a 68-70 mph changeup that had arm-side sink.

Thomas Gonsowski, C, Argo Community HS, Class of 2013
Gonsowski is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound catcher who ran a 4.46 home to first.  Defensively, Gonsowski was clocked at 66 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.46.

Cameron Grubisich, C, Joliet Catholic HS, Class of 2013
Grubisich is an athletic 5-foot-9, 180-pound catcher who has an easy swing that showed some power potential.  Grubisich consistently made hard contact in his round of BP.  Defensively, Grubisich was clocked at 70 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.16.

Tyler Gudat, C, Dunlap HS, Class of 2013
Gudat is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher who had a best pop time of 2.12 and was clocked at 75 mph from the crouch. 

Coty Gular, MIF, Tomah HS (WI), Class of 2013
Gular is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder with a left-handed swing that demonstrated some pull-side power potential.  Additionally, Gular ran one of the best home to first times at the event, 4.22.

Ian Gustafson, LHP, Naperville North HS, Class of 2013
Gustafson is a 6-foot-5, 185-pound left-handed pitcher filled the strike zone with three pitches.  He works from a 3/4 arm slot, with a fastball that topped at 76 mph. He also threw a 57-60 mph curveball, and a 66-67 mph changeup.

Larry Holman, OF, Joliet West HS, Class of 2013
Holman is an athletic 5-foot-8, 150-pound left-handed outfielder who showed athletic actions in the field.  Holman moved well laterally and took sound routes to the baseball; he was clocked at 70 mph.  At the plate, Holman has a balanced setup and a short stride to the baseball.  He has a level bat path and consistently found the barrel as he sprayed line drive to the opposite field.  Additionally, Holman ran a 4.45 home to first.

Justin Jackson, 1B, Joliet West HS, Class of 2013
Jackson is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound first baseman who has a balanced, compact swing.  Jackson takes an economical approach to the baseball and sprayed line drives to all fields.  Defensively, Jackson was clocked at 75 mph from across the diamond and ran a 4.64 home to first.

Michael Lally, SS/2B, Reavis HS, Class of 2013
Lally is a 5-foot-8, 170-pound middle infielder who impressed at the plate with his quick hands and level, line drive swing.  Lally consistently barreled up the baseball and used the entire field to his advantage.  Defensively, Lally was clocked at 71 mph from across the diamond.  Additionally, Lally ran a 4.4 home to first.

Jeff Lindberg, MIF, Wauconda HS, Class of 2013
Lindberg is a 5-foot-7, 145-pound switch-hitting middle infielder who showed actions up the middle.  Lindberg has quick, concise footwork and exhibited a clean transfer.  At the plate, Lindberg has a balanced setup and showed better from the left side of the plate.  He maintained good balance throughout contact and found the barrel often during his round of bp.  Additionally, Lindberg ran a 4.74 home to first.

Andrew Malikowski, OF, Lyons Township HS, Class of 2013
Malikowski is a 6-foot-170-pound outfielder who showed well defensively, playing through the baseball and taking aggressive routes to the ball.  Malikowski was clocked at 77 mph from the outfield.  At the plate, Malikowski stays tall in the box with a balanced setup and showcased a level, line drive swing. Additionally, he ran a 4.51 60.

Michael Miguel, OF, Jacobs HS, Class of 2013
Miguel is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder who showed well at the plate, as he used his strong lower half to drive through the baseball.  Miguel has a level bat path and generated solid whip through the zone.  Defensively, Miguel had accurate throws in the outfield and was clocked at 74 mph. 

Ryan Maziarka, RHP, Lake Zurich HS, Class of 2013
Maziarka is a 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher who works from a 3/4 arm slot.  He showcased four pitches: a 76-78 mph fastball, a 60-64 mph curveball, a 68-69 mph changeup, and a 69-71 mph slider.

Adam Naliwajko, C, St. Viator HS, Class of 2013
Naliwajko is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher who has an easy line-drive swing.  Naliwajko starts slightly open and stays through the ball well while maintaining balance and rhythm.  Behind the dish, Naliwajko was clocked at 75 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.11.

James Pavlik, OF, Lyons Township HS, Class of 2013
Pavlik is a wide-shouldered 6-foot-3, 195-pound outfielder who impressed at the plate with his level, line drive swing.  Pavlik creates some whip through the zone and maintains his balance through extension.  Defensively, Pavlik was clocked at 71 mph from the outfield and ran a 4.51 home to first.

Josh Rife, 1B, Peotone HS, Class of 2013
Rife is a 6-foot-3, 182-pound first baseman who has a level line drive swing.  Defensively, Rife showed well around the bag and was clocked at 77 mph from across the diamond.  Additionally, Rife ran a 4.7 home to first.

Greg Sidor, C/2B, Jacobs HS, Class of 2013
Sidor is a 5-foot-7, 175-pound catcher who showed fundamental footwork.  Sidor impressed during bullpens with his ability to handle all types of pitching and showing that he isn’t afraid to go after balls in the dirt.  Sidor was clocked at 73 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.1.  At the plate, Sidor continued to impress with an easy, loose swing.  Sidor demonstrated the ability to stay through the ball and used a solid lower half to get through the baseball.

Johnny Stevenson, C, Morgan Park HS, Class of 2013
Stevenson is a 6-1, 190-pound catcher who moved well, running a 4.38 home to first.  Stevenson had a best pop time of 2.18 and was clocked at 73 mph from the crouch.  At the plate, Stevenson had some pop in his bat and sprayed lines drives to all fields.

Brett Stogsdill, C, Lockport HS, Class of 2013
Stogsdill is a 5-foot-9, 170-poud catcher who showed well offensively, using his strong lower half to power through the baseball.  Stogsdill gets through the ball well and has good extension after contact.  He maintains balance throughout and barreled up the ball with consistency.  Behind the dish, Stogsdill has solid footwork and clocked a best pop time of 2.06.

Alex Vannucci, LHP, Lyons Township HS, Class of 2013
Vannucci is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed pitcher who showed quick arm action.  Vannucci throws from over the top and features three pitches.  He has a 79-81 mph fastball that flashed slight cut to it.  His off-speed pitches consist of a 63-65 mph curveball that had a sharp two-plane break.  He also had a 71-73 mph changeup with arm side run.

Jake Vojslavek, OF, Plainfield North HS, Class of 2013
Vojslavek is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder who stays tall and showed good actions at his position.  His throws from the outfield were clocked at 80 mph.  Offensively, Vojslavek has an open setup and a short stride to the ball.  He has a level bat path as he sprayed line drives to the opposite field.

Matt Walsh, MIF, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS, Class of 2013
Walsh is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound middle infielder who was clocked at 73 mph from across the diamond with accurate throws.  At the plate, Walsh has a balanced setup and a level line drive swing.  Walsh utilized his lower half well to get through the baseball.

Tad Wegner, C/3B, Waubonsie Valley HS, Class of 2013
Wegner is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound multi-positional player who showed well defensively.  Wegner moved well laterally at third base, in addition to showcasing reliable hands.  He was clocked at 62 mph from across the diamond.  At catcher, Wegner had a best pop time of 2.32 and was clocked at 65 mph from the crouch.  Offensively, Wegner swings from the left side and starts slightly open.  He consistently found barrel as he sprayed line drives to right field.

Joe White, OF, Dunlap HS, Class of 2013
White is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound outfielder who took aggressive routes to the baseball.  He showed an accurate arm that was clocked at 73 mph.  At the plate, White has a balanced setup with a short stride.  He has a level bat path and sprayed line drives to the opposite field.  Additionally, White ran a 4.44 home to first.

Rylee Winners, C/INF, Monmouth HS, Class of 2013
Winners is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound multi-positional player who exhibited some power in his swing.  The strong-bodied talent consistently barreled up the baseball to all fields.  Defensively, Winners showed solid actions at third base with good hands; he was clocked at 78 mph from across the diamond.

Chris Wunnenberg, MIF, United HS, Class of 2013
Wunnenberg is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound middle infielder who was clocked at 61 mph from across the diamond and ran a 4.83 home to first.

Kevin Zasada, 1B, Burlington Central HS, Class of 2012
Zasada is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound first baseman who showed good whip in his swing as he sprayed line drives to the opposite field.  Zasada starts from an athletic setup with a smooth load.  Defensively, Zasada was clocked at 72 mph from across the diamond and showed good footwork around the bag.  Additionally, Zasada ran a 4.72 home to first.

Class of 2014 and 2015 writeups from the event will follow soon.

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