By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

The Prospect I.D. Showcase on February 17 unveiled many new names to the PBR scouting staff this year and over the next week we will be releasing positional analysis from this event.

The corner infielders were tough to separate at the top but Bradley Snyder won out in the end with his bat and projectable frame. Two freshmen made the top five, Eric Mueller and Noah Konie. Both look to have the ability to project into power hitting corner guys in the future.

Here’s a look at our top corner infielders from the Prospect I.D. Showcase.

Top Corner Infielders

1. Bradley Snyder, 1B, O’Fallon, 2016
Long legs, slender build, 6-foot-2, 170-pound right handed first baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, maintained balance. Showed the ability to find the barrel regularly, solid contact, flashed above average bat speed. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed an accurate arm from first base, hands worked. Arm played at 68 mph across the diamond.

2. Percy Walters, 3B, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound third baseman, lanky frame, slender build. Defensively displayed loose athletic actions on the infield, hands are soft and plays the position with ease. Plays through the baseball, clean exchange, natural actions. Arm played at a high ¾ slot, some accuracy, loose arm 79 mph arm across the diamond, athletic arm action. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Loose hands, creates bat speed, bat path is short, occasional pull side tendencies. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.69 runner in the 60.

3. Erik Mueller, 3B, Wheaton North, 2017
Strong bodied freshman, 6-foot-2, 215-pound third baseman, physically advanced. Offensively showed advanced bat speed, short stride, above average balanced throughout. Athletic hands, gets through the zone quickly. Occasional pull tendencies, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played well for his age, 71 mph across the diamond, short over the top slot. Plays through the baseball, feet work, 7.16 runner in the 60.

4. Noah Konie, 1B/LHP, Huntley, 2017
6-foot, 200-pound left-handed hitting two-way player with a strong body. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a heel lift load and launch mechanism and maintains balance through the swing. Swing is short and sweet with above average bat speed and pull side approach, consistently making strong contact. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed soft hands and solid feel around the bag. Arm works short, from high ¾ slot at 72 mph with some accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.94 60. On the mound he uses a tall and fall delivery with clean lines, some rhythm, regular effort, a square landing and athletic finish. Arm works long, from a high ¾ slot. Threw his fastball for strikes, sitting 73-75 mph with flashes of run. Displayed feel for his changeup, throwing it 66-67 mph with sink, for strikes. Curveball was 59-61 mph with 12/6 shape and loose action.

5. Arno Curtis, 3B, Glenbard West, 2016
6-foot-1, 180-pound third baseman, solid build with strength. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, good balance throughout. Bat speed is present, short path stays on top of the baseball. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm showed some carry across the diamond, 77 mph. Hands have a soft feel, showed the ability to control his body. Also ran the 60 in 7.73.

6. Christian Kimble, 3B/RHP, Jersey, 2015
6-foot-2, 220-pound two way player. On the mound works from an over the top slot, shorter arm action. Fastball is mostly straight, 80-82 mph, Curveball has 12/6 shape, 61-64 mph, showed the ability to throw it for strikes. Has feel for a straight change, showed control of the zone, 73-75 mph. Defensively showed the ability to play through the baseball, arm played well across the diamond, stayed on line with carry and accuracy (74 mph).  Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride. Showed a pull side approach, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee, 7.25 runner in the 60.

7. Shane Donovan, LHP/1B, Bartlett, 2016
5-foot-9, 165-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a slightly wider stance, minimal stride, heel fit load, solid balance throughout. Bat path is short, gets occasional extension, line drive gap to gap approach. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed the ability to move around the bag with feel. Arm plays at 67 mph across the diamond. On the mound arm works from a 3/4 slot, short arm action. Fastball is mostly straight, 70-71 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, 54-58 mph. Changeup has sink, 60-62 mph.

8. Darick Hayes, 3B/RHP, Mount Vernon, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound athletic two-way player who projects well. Defensively he plays with soft hands, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchanges. Showed solid, side-to-side range as well. Arm works loose, from a ¾ slot at 81 mph with strong carry and solid accuracy. Ran a 7.38 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a smooth load, short stride and quality balance through contact. Swing is simple and quiet with an uphill path, quality extension, and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery has slow, smooth rhythm, clean lines, and easy effort. Arm works loose and quick, from a high ¾ slot. Showed strong feel for his fastball, sitting 80-81 mph, flashing 82 mph once, with sinking action. Had advanced feel for his changeup, sitting 68-71 mph with quality arm side run, for strikes. Throws a curveball with 11/5 shape, sitting 66-69 mph.

9. Jose Venegas, RHP/3B, Lyons Township, 2016
5-foot-10, 185-pound two-way player. Defensively, he showed solid range, soft hands, quick, fluid footwork and clean exchanges. Arm works short and loose from a high ¾ slot at 68 mph with accuracy. Ran an 8.45 60. At the plate he hits from a tall open stance with a short stride and quality balance. Has a line drive swing with short, level bat path and fluid rhythm. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery has smooth rhythm and tempo with clean lines and some effort. Arm works quick and loose from high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, sitting 77-80 mph. Throws his curveball with 11/5 shape and slurve action at 64-66 mph, for strikes. Changeup sits 69-71 mph with solid arm side run.

10. Jacob Frank, 1B, Loyola, 2015
5-foot-11, 205-pound first baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Shows occasional bat speed, hard contact to his pull side, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively feet show athleticism around the bag, 7.52 runner. Arm plays with accuracy, 72 mph across the diamond.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Ricky Allen, 1B, Grant, 2017
Thick build, 6-foot, 220-pound right handed first baseman with strength. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, slight leg lift stride. Made solid contact, showed occasional power, pull side approach. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays around the bag with average hands for his age, feet showed some feel for the bag. 8.51 runner in the 60.

Joe Curci, 1B/RHP, Chicago Lab, 2016
6-foot-2, 175-pound two way player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, slight arm bar load. Bat path has length, slightly uphill path. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 61 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball sits at 69-71 mph. Curveball has acts on 11/5 plane, 55-57 mph. Changeup has fade, 61-63 mph.

Joe Dodaro, 3B, Oak Lawn, 2015
Strong build, 5-foot-9, 205-pound third baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Strong grip, uphill path, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from an over the top arm slot, 67 mph arm across the diamond. Ran an 8.03 in the 60-yard dash.

Tommy Franczak, 1B, Westmont, 2014
6-foot-2, 220-pound first baseman. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, arm bar setup. Bat path has length, has some strength in swing, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively at first base left handed arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 68 mph across the diamond. Ran an 8.09 in the 60.

Cooper Hake, 3B/RHP, Lincoln Community, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player. At the plate he hits from an open stance, smooth load, leg kick stride, and maintains balance through contact. Swing is short and level, with a pull side approach. Exit velocity off the tee was 76 mph. Defensively, his arm works short, from a high ¾ slot, at 70 mph with some accuracy. Ran an 8.09 60. On the mound his delivery has some rhythm and above average effort. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot with some looseness. Had feel for his fastball, throwing it 74-77 mph for strikes. Also showed feel for his changeup, throwing it 65-68 mph with deceptive fading action. His curveball was 57-60 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual action.

Dillan Heffelfinger, 3B/1B, Newman Central Catholic, 2015
5-foot-10, 185-pound corner infielder with a strong frame. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly crouched stance with a short stride and fair balance. Has an opposite field approach and swing to match, with slightly uphill path. Exit velocity was 85 mph off a tee. Defensively he showed sound hands. Arm works long, from high ¾ slot at 75 mph with strong accuracy. Ran a 7.4 60.

Colin Jamison, 3B/RHP, Lake Park, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound two way player. Defensively, showed solid hands and fields the ball athletically. Arm works short and loose from over the top at 75 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.68 60. At the plate he hits from a wide stance, backward loading action, short stride, solid balance through the swing. Swing is long and uphill with stiff rhythm and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery has slow rhythm, regular effort, stays on clean lines. Fastball was straight, sitting 70-71 mph. Throws a breaking ball with 11/5 shape, slurve action, sitting 60-61 mph. His changeup was 65-67 mph with slight run and sink, for strikes.

Ryan Jones, 3B/RHP, Waubonsie Valley, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound two way player. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a smooth load and leg kick trigger. Maintains balance through contact. Has a short, line drive swing with quality extension and showed the ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap with fluid rhythm and quick bat speed. Exit velocity off the tee was 86 mph. On the infield he showed soft hands and fluid feet. Arm works stiff, from a high ¾ slot at 72 mph with accuracy and carry. On the mound he uses a tilt and topple style delivery with regular effort and some rhythm. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot. His fastball was straight, sitting 76-78 mph for strikes. His curveball was 59-63 mph with 11/5 shape. Had feel for his changeup, throwing it for strikes with flashes of sink at 71-74 mph.

Blake Kons, RHP/1B, Niles West, 2015
6-foot, 170-poundtwo way player. At the plate he hits from a balanced, crouched stance with a smooth loading action and a leg kick trigger mechanism, and maintains solid balance through contact. Has a line drive swing with a long path and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 74 mph off a tee. At first base he showed solid foot work around the bag. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot at 72 mph. Ran an 8.07 60. On the mound his delivery works with some rhythm and regular effort. Arm works from the same high ¾ slot with a long action on the backside. Fastball was straight, sitting 77-79 mph. Throws a slider with downer shape at 66-69 mph, for strikes. Changeup was 66-68 mph with arm side run.

Jake Kuykendall, 3B, Dekalb, 2015
5-foot-11, 225-pound third baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, excessive pre pitch movements. Showed some bat speed, slightly uphill path, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Runs the 60 in 7.94. Defensively arm plays from a high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 71 mph across the diamond.

Christian Kuzemka, 1B, St. Francis, 2014
6-foot-3, 180-pound, first baseman, solid build. Offensively hits from a tall open stance, short stride, solid balance. Bat path has length, flat path, slightly uphill, pull side approach. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed some natural footwork around the bag, hands worked. Coming off of elbow surgery, arm is yet to full strength. 7.82 runner in the 60.

Cole McDonald, 1B/OF, Morton, 2014
Physically advanced, 6-foot-2, 215-pound outfielder, plus build. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, subtle leg lift. Pull side power approach, rigid swing, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively from the outfield uses a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Around first base showed occasional awareness, solid hands. 76 mph across the diamond. 7.19 runner in the 60.

Hank Michalski, 1B, Neuqua Valley, 2015
Strong build, thick lower half, 6-foot-2, 225-pound right handed first baseman. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, toe tap stride. Showed the ability to make hard contact, gap to gap approach. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 67 mph across the diamond, showed some natural actions around the bag. Ran a 7.76 in the 60-yard dash.

Blake Nicolls, 3B/RHP, Metea Valley, 2016
5-foot-11, 170-pound two-way player. Defensively shows fluid feet, solid hands, and clean exchanges. Arm works loose from a high ¾ slot at 68 mph with strong accuracy. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a smooth loading action, short stride, and solid balance. Swing is long and level with an opposite field approach. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee. On the mound he showcased feel for three pitches. Has an up-down-out style delivery with clean lines. Arm works loose from a high ¾ slot. His fastball was straight, sitting 73-74 mph, flashing 77 mph once. His curveball was 63-65 mph with 11/5 shape, gradual break, and consistently in the zone. Changeup was 64-68 mph with fading action.

Billy Oliver, 3B, Naperville Central, 2015
5-foot-8, 180-pound corner infielder. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance with zero load and a long stride. Swing is long and level, with quality extension and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 77 mph off a tee. At third base he showed solid hands. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot at 67 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.33 60.

Diaz Saunderson, LHP/1B, Lincoln Park, 2016
6-foot, 177-pound left-handed hitting two way player with a lanky frame. Offensively, hits from a tall, balanced stance with a short stride. Swing is long and uphill with solid bat speed. Exit velocity off the tee was 82 mph. At first base he showed feel and quality footwork around the bag. Arm works long, from a high ¾ slot at 71 mph with strong accuracy. Ran an 8.4 60. On the mound his delivery has some rhythm with clean lines. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot. Showed the ability to command his fastball in the zone, throwing it 69-71 mph with sink. Had feel for his curveball, throwing it 59-61 mph with 11/5 shape, sweeping break, for strikes. Changeup was 65-68 mph with sink.

Steven Stachyra, 1B/RHP, Marquette Catholic (IN), 2015
6-foot-1, 170-pound athletic, lanky two way player. Defensively he showed solid actions and quality hands around the bag. Arm works short and over the top at 71 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.5 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with smooth, backward loading action and maintains balance through contact. Has a line drive swing with a short, level path and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee.

Trevor Wilcox, RHP/3B, Geneva, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound, two way player with an athletic build. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance, with a short stride to contact. Swing has choppy rhythm and a flat path. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee. On the infield he showed solid hands with quick, clean exchanges. Arm works short, from a ¾ slot with accuracy at 69 mph. Ran a 7.93 60. On the mound, he has an up, down, and out delivery with little effort. Arm works long, from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, sitting 67-68 mph. Throws a cutter at 59-63 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape and gradual break, sitting 55-62 mph.

Garet Zinke, 3B/RHP, Mendota, 2016
Solid lower half, 5-foot-8, 175-pound two-way player. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, 70 mph arm strength across the diamond. Hands work, some body control. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, lacks lower half involvement. Swing plays mostly with his hands, showed strong hands, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound, arm plays from a high 3/4 slot, regular effort. Fastball has slight sink, 77-79 mph. Curveball flashed 12/6 action, gradual action, 67-69 mph. Changeup flashes sink, 67-69 mph.

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