Senior Games: Infielder Analysis

The Senior Games returned to Triton JC in River Grove, Ill., on August 7. Over 60 of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in Illinois' class of 2019 participated in a pro-style workout and a simulated game. Six prospects, and counting, have since made commitments to play at the next level following their final prep seasons this spring.

Today, we’ll break down the day’s infielders who participated in the invite-only showcase.

The top-ranked third baseman in the state’s 2019 class, Nick Kosmetatos (St. Francis; Butler commit), joined us in River Grove last month and substantiated his ranking. The physical St. Francis star keeps it loose in the right-handed batter’s box and regularly barrels baseballs, evidenced by his big day at the play in the simulated game. Defensively, he’s as rock solid as anyone in the state – he recorded the highest infield velocity at the event.

Following Kosmetatos in the event’s infielder rankings is Michael Hoes (Downer’s Grove; uncommitted). The projectable infielder is probably best suited for the hot corner but he’s equipped with the bat for it. Hoes’ simple stroke comes with easy bat speed that makes for hard line-drive contact.

Patrick McCabe (Morris; Drury) rounds out the top three of this group. His arm keeps getting better which promotes some optimism that he’ll be able to stick to the left side of the infield. Either way, he’s a steady defender in any infield spot with a smooth, compact left-handed swing.

We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the event, as well as Catcher and Outfielder Analysis, which you can find hyperlinked. Tomorrow we’ll break down the day’s pitchers but before then, check out full reports below on each and every one of the infielders in attendance.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Nick Kosmetatos, INF, St. Francis, 2019
Recent Butler commit. 6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting infielder; strong, athletic-build, durable lower half. Offensively, quiet, balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride and maintains balance through contact. Loose, strong hands, creates easy bat speed, consistent hard contact. Level bat path, extension through contact and gap-to-gap approach; 87 mph exit velocity. Went 2-for-2 with a double to left-center field and scored a run. Defensively, one of the top defensive third baseman's in the class. Easy, athletic actions, ranges well to both sides, maintains body control. Soft, confident hands, clean transfer, loose strong arm action. Accurate arm, throws carry and topped at 88 mph. Ran a 7.25 laser-timed 60.

2. Michael Hoes, INF, Downers Grove South, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound, strong, athletically-built, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, slight loading action, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Simple swing, easy bat speed, short bat path, consistent hard contact and line-drive approach. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural infield actions, easy at times. Fluid footwork, ranges well, plays under control. Quick, clean exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 80 mph across the infield. 7.06 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

3. Patrick McCabe, INF, Morris, 2019
Recent Drury University commit. 5-foot-9, 149-pound, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, open, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, fluid rhythm and maintains balance through contact. Compact, repeatable swing, short, level path, controls the barrel and line-drive approach. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural infield actions, fluid footwork, plays well on the move, maintains body controls. Soft hands, clean release, short, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 77 mph. 7.43 laser-timed 60.

4. Patrick Keaty, INF, South Elgin, 2019
Lewis University commit. 5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting infielder with wiry strength. 6.97 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, hits from a balanced, wide base, minimal load and short stride. Stays on top of the baseball, flat through the zone at times, middle of the field, line-drive contact. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, has the tools to stick at shortstop. Maintains body control on the move, soft hands, quick release, can throw from multiple slots. Arm action is short and quick, throws carried across the diamond, topped at 85 mph.

5. Josh Ohl, INF, Edwardsville, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, athletically-built, infielder with plenty of room for continued physical development. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm, short stride and fluid rhythm. Compact swing, good balance, quick-twitch swing, bat stays short and level through the zone, consistent hard contact, line-drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, athletic infield actions, fundamentally sound, fluid footwork and maintains body control on the move. Soft, sure-hands, clean transfer, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws flash carry across the diamond at 79 mph. 7.17 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

6. Bobby Wisz, INF, Lemont, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound, live-bodied, athletically-built, left-handed hitting infielder. 7.03 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, quiet, slightly open setup, loads hands and short stride. Simple, handsy swing, bat speed at times, line-drive, gap-to-gap approach; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, sits back at times, soft, steady hands, clean transfer. Loose, quick arm action, ¾ slot, throws flashed carry, clocked at 82 mph.

7. Alexander Perez, INF, Hinsdale Central, 2019
5-foot-9, 153-pound, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. Natural middle infield defender. Easy actions, soft, relaxed hands, fluid footwork and clean transfer. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws flashed carry at 81 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Long bat path, line-drive approach and registered an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.13 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, full wind up, delivery works with rhythm, stays on-line, lands closed and finishes athletically. Short, quick arm action, comes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, works straight, finish through the zone, sa 82-83 mph, touched 84. Curveball, flashed sharp action, 11/5 plane, maintains arm speed, 74 mph. Saw one changeup, thrown for a strike, straight action, 78 mph.

8. LJ Waco, INF, Cary-Grove, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong, athletically-built, projectable, right-handed hitting infielder. Hit a bases clearing triple and also singled during game play. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Compact swing, fast bat, uphill path and gap-to-gap approach. 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, defends with rhythm and soft hands. Throws clocked at 81 mph across the diamond. 7.30 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

9. Myles Henry, INF/OF, Crete-Monee, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting, multi-positional player, athletic, wide-shouldered frame. Present food speed, swiped second base easily in game play, 6.99 runner in the 60. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, back load, short leg lift stride. Short bat path with rhythm through contact, mostly level through the zone, line drive hitter, fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee, effort involved. Singled to right field and drove in a run in game play. Plays with bounce in the outfield, quick feet, clean exchange, plays through release. Short arm action, gets rid of it, high ¾ slot, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield. Similar action in the infield, plays fast, clean transfer, quick release, multi-angle slot, throws topped 70 across the diamond.

10. Brody Macak, INF, Monticello, 2019
5-foot-10, 175-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, gets separation, short stride and average balance throughout. Loose hands, uphill path, gets long at times, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, soft, confident hands, ball gets deep at times. Clean exchange, loose arm action and throws clocked at 83 mph across the diamond. 7.64 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Zachary Carmignani, INF, Nazareth, 2019
5-foot-10, 205-pound, infielder with a strong, durable frame. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Bat stays level through the zone at times, line-drive approach and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, profiles as a third baseman. Steady hands, works through the baseball, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 84 mph across the diamond. 7.34 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Austin Collinson, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound, two-way prospect, athletic, defined build. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, threw a high-volume of strikes. Delivery works on-line, front-toe lands closed with regular effort throughout. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight, occasional arm-side-run, sat 81-83 mph, topped at 84. Curveball 12/6 shape, feel, 66-68 mph. Saw a changeup in warmups; maintains arm speed, sinking action, 78 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, long stride, level bat path, line-drive approach and present bat strength; 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady defender, reliable hands, funnels into exchange. Long, quick arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, carried across the diamond and topped at 85 mph.  Ran a 7.65 laser-timed 60.

Tommy Cronin, INF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
6-foot-5, 265-pound, extra-large, imposing, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, starts from a balanced setup position, minimal pre-pitch load and short stride. Aggressive swing, present bat strength, uphill path and looks to lift the baseball; 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, reliable hands, clean transfer, short arm action, low ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph across the infield. 8.03 runner in the 60.

Johnny DeConcilis, INF, Lake Park, 2019
Recent Triton JC commit. 5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, wiry strength. At the plate, balanced, quiet setup, minimal pre-pitch movement. Simple swing, fast bat, short, uphill bat path, looks to lift the baseball; 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean, steady defender. Reliable hands, clean transfer and short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 74 mph. 7.04 runner in the 60, laser-timed.  

Cody Harrison, RHP/1B, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot-3, 180-pound, two-way prospect, long-limbed, projectable-build. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, true three-pitch mix and threw a high-volume of strikes. Smooth, slow tempo delivery, works on-line, lands square. Loose arm action, comes out of a short, over-the-top window. Fastball works straight, downhill tilt at times, sat 79-82 mph. Curveball, occasional slurve action, 11/5 plane, feel, 67-69 mph. Changeup, thrown near fastball arm speed, mostly straight action, fade at times, 72-74 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, long stride and average balance through contact. Level bat path, pull approach and 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Singled to left-center field during game play. Defensively, at first base, comfortable around the bag, fluid feet, clean release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws carry across the diamond, topping at 81 mph. 7.59 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Jack Hines, INF, Willowbrook, 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound, infielder with an athletic, projectable build. Ran a 7.13 laser-timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance, gets minimal use out of his lower half. Simple swing, loose hands at times, flashed bat speed and the ball jumped off the barrel. Short bat path, uphill tendencies, gap-to-gap approach and registered an 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural infield actions, quick feet, maintained body control on the move. Steady hands, quick, clean release, short arm action, ability to throw from multiple angles and topped at 81 mph across the infield.

Ashton Holcomb, INF, Morton, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, slight load and leg-kick timing trigger. Fluid rhythm, long, level bat path, line-drive approach and 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.20 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

CJ Lewis, INF/OF, Normal West, 2019
6-foot-2, 178-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, well-proportioned, athletic build. At the plate, tall, open setup, smooth load, lower half coils to leg kick trigger. Loose, rhythmic hands, short and direct to the baseball, line drive ability to both gaps, ball came off hard, fluid rhythm involved. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. In the outfield, quick, fluid footwork, soft hands, exchanges are quick and clean, naturally plays through the baseball. Arm is short and loose, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, ball comes out firm, throws topped 87 mph from the outfield. Longer transfer and release in the infield, hands work, can range to glove side, showed arm strength, throws topped 85 mph across the infield. 7.37 runner in the 60.

Carlos Martinez, INF, Grant, 2019
5-foot-6, 145-pound, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup, short stride and maintains balance. Quick hands, stays short to the ball and line-drive approach. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Singled to right field and scored a run during game play. On the infield, strong arm that flashed carry and topped at 84 mph. Arm works short and quick. Steady hands, fluid footworks and clean transfer. 7.21 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works out of the stretch only, deliberate, repeatable delivery with effort at times. Short, quick arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball works mostly straight, occasional run, thrown for strikes, sat 79-81 mph, topped at 82. Flashed a sharp breaking slider, go-to putaway pitch, 10/4 plane and thrown for strikes at 71-73 mph.

Luke Menard, INF, Oswego, 2019
6-foot, 178-pound, athletically-built, infielder. Offensively, left-handed hitter, athletic, balanced setup, slight load of the hands, and short stride. Short bat path and exit velocity clocked at 87 mph from a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball, long arm action from a ¾ to low ¾ slot. Accurate throws clocked at 72 mph across the infield. 7.41 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Theron Morgan Jr, OF/INF, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, wiry, athletic frame. Defensively profiles as a center fielder, fleet footed, hands work, exchanges are quick and clean, athletically works through the baseball. Short, loose arm action, clean, high ¾ slot, accurate throws topped 78 mph from the outfield. Similar footwork in the infield, plays through, packs at exchange, short arm action, lower arm slot, throws topped 73 mph across the diamond. At the plate, balanced setup, minimal load, short stride. Loose hands, uphill bat path, works middle of the field with quick twitch tendencies, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. 7.24 runner in the 60.

Tyler Pransky, INF, Joliet West, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound, athletically-built infielder. Ran a 6.98 laser-timed 60. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. Short bat path, line-drive, pull approach. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Finished game play 2-for-2. Defensively, steady defender, clean footwork, reliable hands. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, clocked at 78 mph across the infield.    

Logan Riley, C, Sycamore, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, balanced, slightly crouched setup and short, leg-lift trigger. Bat works level through the hitting zone, line-drive approach. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Behind the plate, soft, receptive hands, quick release, traditional catcher arm action, works short and over-the-top; 74 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.10-2.19. On the infield, athletic actions, sure handed, active feet, plays through the baseball. Loose arm action and throws topped at 79 mph across the diamond. 7.57 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Bobby Rinaldi, INF, Maine South, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound, lean, left-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, narrow, tall setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Long bat path with lift in swing. Registered a 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Had an RBI single during game play. Defensively, steady hands, feet work through the baseball at times, clean release. Short arm action, ¾ to low ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph across the infield. 7.37 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Nate Sammer, RHP/3B, LeRoy, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound, two-way prospect, long-limbed, athletic build. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works out of the stretch only, tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands front-toe closed. Short arm action, works quick out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, running action, sat 83-85 mph, touched 86. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 61-66 mph. Only saw a changeup in warmups, maintained arm speed, slight fade action. Ran a 7.27 laser-timed 60. At the plate, right-handed hitter, wide balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride. Level bat path, pull approach and 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, maintained body control on the move, steady hands, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 78 mph across the diamond.

Matthew Scherrman, INF/RHP, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound, long, athletically-built, projectable two-way prospect; plenty of room for continued physical development. At the plate, quiet, balanced setup, short stride and fluid rhythm throughout. Flashed quick hands, bat speed, long bat path, middle of the field, line-drive approach. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, fluid footwork, moves under control, sure hands, clean transfer. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, and throws clocked at 83 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, featured a three-pitch repertoire and showed feel for pitching; mixed timings and looks with runners on base. Fluid delivery, works on-line, lands closed, finishes athletically with regular effort throughout. Arm works short and over-the-top. Fastball, straight action, sat 81-83 mph, touching 85 twice. Curveball, thrown for strikes, 12/6 action, 67-72 mph. Changeup, feel, maintains arm speed at times, 73-75 mph.

Wendell Smith, INF/RHP, Marist, 2019
6-foot-1, 160-pound, two-way prospect with a long, athletic, projectable build. Ran a 7.17 laser-timed 60. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Aggressive swing, creates bat speed, level bat path, pull-side approach and bat strength; 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flashed easy infield actions, reliable hands and a clean exchange. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws carried across the infield at 85 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, slight drop and drive delivery, works with rhythm. Long, clean arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, inconsistent action sat 76-78 mph, touched 80.

Nolan Wegener, INF/RHP, Somonauk, 2019
6-foot-3, 205-pound, wide-shouldered, strong, two-way prospect. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Long bat path, present bat speed, ball jumps off the barrel at times. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, steady hands, gets rid of the baseball quick and clean occasionally. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 83 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, delivery works on-line, lands square with some effort throughout. Long draw out of the glove, comes out of a short high ¾ window. Fastball, worked to both sides of the plate, flashed arm-side-run, sat 82-83 mph, touched 86. Slider, 10/4 shape, sat 77-78 mph.

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