Southern Wisconsin Open: Infielder Analysis

On Oct. 21, at STiKS Academy in Waukesha, Wis., the PBR Wisconsin team held its final showcase of 2018, the Southern Wisconsin Open. Around 60 prospects in the area made it out to the event, primarily representing the 2020 and 2021 classes. The showcase gave the area’s prospects a platform to perform in front of our staff one last time before heading into the offseason.

We’ll continue breaking down the event, position by position, moving forward with the day’s infielders.

The top-two infielders at the showcase firmly placed themselves into the high-follow category within the class of 2021: SS Andrew Chapman (Waterford, 2021) and 1B/OF Jared Everson (La Crosse Aquinas, 2021). Chapman, in particular, had the most robust statistical performance from the STiKS-hosted event. He recorded a 6.87 mark in the 60-yard dash, topped 83 mph on his throws across the infield, and notched a top exit velocity of 94 mph. In his round of batting practice, Chapman might have taken the day’s loudest round, too, and filled up both gaps.

While Chapman landed a spot on the first edition of the state’s 2021 rankings, Everson did not. Though, after his performance last month, it’s crystal clear that the lean 6-foot-3 prospect will rocket up the Class of 2021 Rankings in the next update. The left-handed-hitting Everson uses loose hands to create bat speed and natural lift, generating above-average pop, especially for his age.

We have the complete reports on both Chapman and Everson below, as well as the write-ups on all 27 other infielders who took reps at the Southern Wisconsin Open last month. We previously published the Statistical Analysis from the event, which you can find here, in addition to yesterday’s look at the catchers in attendance. Keep an eye out tomorrow when we examine the day’s outfielders.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Andrew Chapman, SS, Waterford, 2021
5-foot-11, 190-pound shortstop, physical frame, advanced strength. Advanced foot speed, 6.87 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, into short stride, good balance through contact. Compact swing, level path through hitting zone, bat strength present. Gap to gap approach with hard contact, jumps off the bat, 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensive actions play athletically through the baseball, hands work out front. Glove pat to exchange, arm will carry, high ¾ slot, loose arm, 83 mph across the diamond.

2. Jared Everson, 1B/OF, La Crosse Aquinas, 2021
6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitting first baseman, lean projectable frame. Hits from a slightly open stance, small leg lift stride, excellent balance through contact, easy and balanced pre pitch. Hands are loose, short path, plus bat speed at age, gap to gap approach. Contact jumps off the bat, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.59 runner in the 60. Natural actions around the bag, shows feel for first base defensively, athletic feet and soft hands. 75 mph across the infield, 73 mph from the outfield, footwork plays in stride.

3. JP Gauthier, INF, De Pere, 2021
Projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, long and lean. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, smooth loading actions, leg kick trigger, good balance. Loose hands create bat speed, in rhythm hitter, pull side tendency with hard contact off the bat. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Natural actions on the infield, projects at third base, hands play soft and funnel to release. Arm carries, 83 mph across, high ¾ slot, athletic arm action. 7.84 runner in the 60.

4. Grant Ross, RHP/INF, Pewaukee, 2021
5-foot-9, 156-pound two-way player, smaller athletic frame with strength. Natural actions on the infield, hands showed softness, feet work through the baseball, quick hands to release. Arm is short and loose, with well above average arm strength, over the top slot showed carry, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.28 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg kick stride, good balance through contact. Hands are loose, repeats hard pull contact, fluid rhythm. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound works out of a crossfire delivery, slight drop and drive. Arm action is long and loose, ¾ slot. Fastball has feel for the zone, flashed hard arm side run, sat 82-85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, slurve type action, 67-69 mph. Changeup has hard arm side run, 73-76 mph.

5. Carl Cano, INF/RHP, Bay Port, 2021
6-foot-1, 165-pound switch hitting two-way player, lean projectable frame. Active feet on the infield, play quick and through the baseball, easy above average actions. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 78 mph across the diamond. Switch-hitter, balanced setup from both side, short toe tap stride. More natural abilities from the right side, path is level, hands are loose and quick. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.54 runner in the 60. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, upright finish, occasional recoil. Arm action is loose and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 78-80 mph. Slider played sharp with depth, 11/5 plane, 67-69 mph. Changeup showed above average action to arm side, 74-75 mph.

6. Emiliano Ramos, INF/RHP, Arrowhead, 2022
5-foot-11, 178-pound two-way player. Advanced right-handed bat for his age, balanced setup, quick leg kick trigger, stays balanced and athletic through contact. Aggressive swing with confidence, well above average bat speed, short path loose hands, gap to gap contact. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw actions on the infield, works through the baseball, fluid footwork, 7.60 runner in the 60. Arm action is long and high ¾, 73 mph across the diamond. Arm worked similar on the mound. Fastball runs to arm side, 75-78 mph. Works around the curveball, 10/4 type, occasional back up, 63-68 mph. Changeup flashed fade and feel for the zone, 68-71 mph.

7. Arthur Liebau, RHP/1B/OF, Homestead, 2020
6-foot-1, 200-pound two-way player, solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short toe tap stride. Short path, middle of the field approach, path stays on top. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average arm strength around the diamond, 82 mph across the diamond, 89 mph from the outfield, showed carry. Feel around the bag at first base and above average outfield actions. On the mound delivery is repeatable, arm is quick and loose, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, worked 82-85 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 71-74 mph. Straight change has slight sink action, 76-78 mph.

8. Jaicee Foster, INF, Southwest, 2022
5-foot-10, 165-pound infielder, solid athletic build. Projects well with the bat, tall narrow setup, long stride, average balance. Aggressive swing, loose hands, hits with intent, line drive contact, hits in rhythm. Defensively plays with mechanical actions, hands plays, feet get static at times, flashed body control, profiles at third base. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 72 mph across the diamond. 7.68 runner in the 60.

9. Benjamin Coons, INF, Kimberly, 2020
5-foot-8, 165-pound infielder, compact athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short reverse stride. Compact hitter, occasionally long through contact. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, accurate across, 66 mph. Plays light on his feet, works through the baseball with quick feet and average hands, profiles at second base. 7.25 runner in the 60.

10. Ryan Blanchard, INF, Kettle Moraine, 2021
5-foot-6, 135-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, reverse lift and hang stride, get squared at contact. Path has some length, uphill plane, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively actions work through the baseball, hands play, second base type profile. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy, 71 mph across the diamond. 8.00 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Noah Anzalone, INF, Elkhorn Area, 2021
6-foot, 165-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short toe tap stride, average balance. Low hands create flat level bat path, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 75 mph across the diamond, short high ¾ slot. Feet work to get into fielding position, deep under center, transfers to release. 7.43 runner in the 60.

Charlie Bogue, C/INF, Mount Horeb, 2021
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action into short stride, maintains good balance. Slight uphill path, works underneath the baseball, lifted contact in BP, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average defensive action out of the crouch, athletic and quick feet, works online, active and agile block. 2.15-2.29 pop times. Quick release, arm is short and over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch, 75 mph across the infield. Infield actions profile at a corner, hands work. 8.21 runner in the 60.

Kyle Breunig, C, Sauk Prairie, 2021
5-foot-7, 135-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth loading action and short stride. Path worked short to the baseball showing some feel for the barrel, 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, 69 mph out of the crouch, 70 mph across the diamond. Pop times ranged 2.37-2.44. Showed playable infield actions and may project best there, feet work quickly to the baseball, release is quick and efficient. 7.68 runner in the 60.

Sean Collar, INF/RHP, Pewaukee, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger, average balance. Path works short uphill, chokes up off the knob, abrupt finish. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm works at 64 mph across the diamond, ¾ slot. Corner infield profile, 7.78 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays from a low ¾ slot, loose arm action, regular effort. Fastball runs and sinks at 70-73 mph, topped at 76 mph. Curveball plays 63-67 mph. Changeup sinks, 67-72 mph.

Adam Diedrich, RHP/INF, Hilbert, 2020
6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player, long lanky frame. Switch hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance, tall through contact, front foot finish. Pull side approach from the left side, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm played at 75 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot.  Showed ability to funnel baseball underneath. 7.69 runner in the 60. Showed best on the mound, arm action is loose, ¾ slot, squared landing. Fastball runs to arm side, 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 67-71 mph. Changeup sinks, showed fell for zone, 71-72 mph.

Tyler Gall, INF/RHP, Oak Creek, 2021
5-foot-11, 170-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride gets square at foot strike. Path favors uphill plane, slight opposite field approach, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action plays long and over the top on the infield, 77 mph across the diamond. Flashed infield actions, worked through the baseball. 7.50 runner in the 60. Delivery is balanced and directional on the mound. Fastball is straight, played with some control, 77-79 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, plays with depth, 62-64 mph, can drop for strikes. Straight changeup has slight fade, 72-73 mph.

Ridge Guyette, INF/RHP, Hilbert, 2021
6-foot, 225-pound two way-player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open with leg kick trigger, good balance through contact. Simple approach, short path with bat speed, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top 74 mph across the diamond. Corner infield type, sits and fields routine grounders. 8.40 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball has occasional run, 75-77 mph. Curveball plays 11/5, 62-66 mph. Changeup fades, near fastball arm speed, 67-68 mph.

Wyatt Hinkens, INF, Appleton North, 2021
6-foot-1, 220-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short toe tap stride to even, maintains balance. Loose aggressive swing, hits off front foot, power approach with hard contact off the bat. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm played at 65 mph across the diamond, long high ¾ slot. Corner infield profile, 8.55 runner in the 60.

Keenan Kling, RHP/INF, Arrowhead, 2020
6-foot-2, 188-pound two-way player, present lean strength. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride gets to even, average balance. Gap to gap type approach, hits in rhythm, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at third base, hands played out front with occasional softness, showed some ability to play on the move. 7.86 runner in the 60. On the mound arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball is live, played with finish, 77-79 mph. Breaking ball has 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, 59-61 mph. Changeup flashed fade action, 66-68 mph.

Jacob Koski, INF/RHP, Home School, 2020
6-foot-3, 180-pound two-way player, trim proportional frame. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, hands load back from low setup, average balance. Path works slight uphill, average bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 69 mph across the diamond, long ¾ slot. 8.01 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays similar. Fastball is straight, 68-71 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 63-64 mph. Changeup fades, 63-68 mph.

Michael Maloney, C/INF, Pulaski, 2021
5-foot-7, 188-pound catcher/infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short leg lift trigger. Rotational hitter, path has some length, works level and low finish. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is long and over the top, 71 mph out of the couch, 68 across the diamond. Defensively profiles best at catcher, pop times posted at 2.43-2.54. 7.86 runner in the 60.

Jacob Melendez, INF/RHP, Little Chute, 2022
5-foot-6, 147-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg lift stride. Path works long and uphill, aggressive swing creates lifted contact, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long and high ¾, 76 mph across the infield, long exchange. Feet work to get to a spot, sits and funnel. 7.94 runner in the 60. Repeatable delivery on the mound, tall  and fall type, regular effort. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 74-75 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 62-65 mph. Changeup sinks, 69-71 mph.

Matthew Perry, INF, Bay Port, 2021
5-foot-7, 150-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, maintains balance. Path has length, uphill path, opposite field contact, hits in rhythm with lift. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensive actions play through the baseball, hands work, clean exchange with some effort at release. Arm action is loose high ¾ slot, 76 mph across the diamond. 7.58 runner in the 60.

Jared Rasmussen, INF/RHP, Rock Falls (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound two-way player, lean slender build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride to even. Average balance through contact. Flashed loose actions in the box, line drive contact to the middle of the field. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph across the diamond. Plays through the baseball at times, shuffle through with extended exchange, above average body control with ability to release on the move. 7.61 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays loose and long, high 3/4 slot. Fastball played 75-76 mph, topped at 77 mph. Curveball flashed sharp action, 61-64 mph, 11/5 plane. Changeup fades at times, 67-70 mph.

James Reese, RHP/INF, University School of Milwaukee, 2022
5-foot-9, 150-pound two-way player. Profiled best on the mound, slight drop and drive delivery, in rhythm with tempo. Arm action is loose, played quick, ¾ slot. Fastball showed sink action, 77-78 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball has 10/4 shape, 65-66 mph. Changeup has sink, 69-70 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, reverse lift load. Short path, hands played loose, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed actions on the infield, plays through the baseball. Arm plays low, showed athletic arm action, 77 mph across the diamond. 7.57 runner in the 60.

Kenny Schulz, LHP/1B, Stevens Point, 2021
6-foot, 190-pound two-way player, strong build. On the mound delivery works with some effort, aggressive delivery. Arm works out of high ¾ slot, full circle draw, loose action. Fastball flashed tilt, runs to arm side, 78-79 mph. Breaking ball has feel, 12/6 curveball, fastball arm speed, 70-71 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, fastball arm speed, feel for the zone, 73-75 mph. Left-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger. Opposite field contact, uphill path, some bat strength 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played 71 mph across the diamond, left-handed first baseman. 7.54 runner in the 60.

Nate Stewart, INF, Marinette, 2020
5-foot-9, 152-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, average balance. Path is long, works slightly uphill, opposite field contact. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively works with two-hands to funnel the baseball. Arm action plays out of high ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.43 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works tall and fall, methodical tempo. Arm action works over the top. Fastball is straight, 71-73 mph, topped at 74 mph. Curveball drops on 11/5 plane, 62-64 mph. Changeup played 63-68 mph.

Evan Weber, INF/OF, Muskego, 2021
5-foot-11, 145-pound infielder/outfielder, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, average balance. Short path, slight opposite field approach, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays 64 mph across the infield, 76 mph from the outfield, high ¾ slot. Actions play with two hands, long lever actions. 7.25 runner in the 60.   

Jake Williams, 1B, Sun Prairie, 2020
5-foot-9, 180-pound first-baseman. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, maintains good balance. Hits with conviction, compact swing, works line drive gap to gap , hard contact jumped off the bat at times. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 69 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot, worked with accuracy. 8.30 runner in the 60.

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