By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

Our top infield prospects at the Southwest Suburban Prospect ID were led by Jason Sullivan (St. Francis, 2015). Sullivan showed advanced bat speed at the plate and proved to be one of the top overall hitters at the showcase. Sullivan also showed a feel for the infield with excellent actions and a strong arm across the diamond.

Here’s a look at the top infield prospects at the Southwest Suburban Prospect ID.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Jason Sullivan, MIF, St. Francis, 2015
5-foot-10, 182-pound infielder. Showcased his foot speed by posting one of the top 60 times with a 7.14. At the plate he hits from a balanced, even stance, solid lower half. Swing is strong and aggressive, produces line drives with hard contact, quality extension and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was one of the best at the event, 89 mph off a tee. Defensively showed solid actions, natural instincts, soft hands, quick feet, clean exchanges, and athletic movements through the ball. Arm works at 81 mph across the diamond with carry and accuracy.

2. Austin Kline, 3B, Montini, 2014
5-foot-11, 190-pound, switch hitting third baseman. At the plate he has similar swing from both sides. Hits from balanced setup, short stride, small leg kick trigger, maintains balance through contact. Bat path is flat, swing is short. Showed better pop from the right hand side. Exit velocity was 83 mph from both sides. Defensively he showed solid hands. Arm works long, high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.21 60.

3. Jake Milosch, MIF, St. Charles East, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, short stride. Showed balance and active lower half, 84 mph exit velocity. Short path, line drive hitter, advanced approach with bat speed. Defensively showed soft hands, well above average actions. Arm plays with occasional carry, 77 mph arm strength across the diamond. 7.44 runner in the 60.

4. Cameron Hupe, RHP/3B, Mt. Carmel, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletic two way player with very strong projectability already. On the mound he works from a tall and fall delivery with easy effort, smooth rhythm, and clean direction. His arm works from a high ¾ slot, with high speed acceleration, and does a great job getting on top and throwing on two planes. His fastball sits at 82 mph out of the wind, touching 84 once. From the stretch it’s 80-82 mph. Showed above average feel already for his changeup, throwing it with fastball arm speed that creates quality arm side action, 63-68 mph. Threw his curveball with 10/4 shape, gradual break, 61-64 mph, for strikes. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, solid lower half, maintains excellent balance through contact. Swing rhythm is slightly choppy, uphill bat path, high quality extension, generates line drives with backspin and lift with consistently hard contact. Exit velocity off the tee was above average for his age at 73 mph. On the infield, his athleticism showed well, using soft hands, nimble feet, and playing through balls athletically. HIs arm works above average for his age, throwing it 78 mph across the diamond with strong carry and accuracy. He ran an 8.06 60.

5. Michael Ruffolo, MIF, Notre Dame College Prep, 2016
5-foot-7, 135-pound, infielder with solid tool set across the board. Defensively he showed high quality actions, soft hands, quick feet, clean exchanges, and plays through the ball athletically. Arm works loose and easy, 75 mph across the infield, with accuracy. Ran a 7.38 60. At the plate he hits with a balanced, open stance, coils some when loading, minimal stride, maintains excellence balance through the swing. Bat path is flat, gets to solid extension, ability to hit spray it to all fields, line drive singles type hitter. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee.

5. Brandon Knox, MIF/OF/RHP, Plainfield North, 2016
5-foot-11, 140-pound lanky frame, two-way player with solid projectability. At the plate he hits from a slightly crouched, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, quality balance through contact. Bat path is short and level, solid extension, high quality plate coverage, above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. On the infield he works in rhythm, sound actions, quality feet. Arm action is long, over-the-top, 72 mph, accurate, above average carry. His rhythm and actions play well in the outfield, throwing with the same arm action, 74 mph. Ran a 7.35 60. On the mound has a tall and fall delivery he repeats with ease. Throws downhill with a long arm, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight arm side run, sitting 73-74 mph from wind and stretch, for strikes. Curveball has 11/5 shape, rolling break, 58-60 mph. Throws a knuckleball 57-58 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Anthony Agne, MIF, Plainfield North, 2016
5-foot-6, 130-pound infielder. Showed solid foot speed, running a 7.06 60. Defensively moves well for his age, throws from a ¾ slot, medium length arm action, some carry, 69 mph across the diamond. At the plate he hits with a balanced, slightly closed stance, backward loading action, short stride, and maintains balance through contact. Lower half works well in the swing, bat path is flat with solid extension. Exit velocity was 77 mph off a tee.

Noah Anderson, MIF/OF, Oswego East, 2015
5-foot-10, 135-pound multi-positional player. On the infield he works in rhythm with quality footwork. Arm works long, high ¾ slot, quality accuracy and some carry, 74 mph. From the outfield arm works at 68 mph, some accuracy. Ran a 7.5 60. At the plate hits from a narrow, even stance, solid use of the lower half, sound balance through contact. Has quiet swing, fluid rhythm, solid extension and quality bat path, consistently hard, line drive contact. Exit velocity was 71 mph off a tee.

Parker Bogdan, RHP/SS, Lincoln Way East, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound two way player. On the mound he throws across his body with a deceptive delivery. His arm works loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball was 70-72 mph with cutting action. Showed feel for his curveball throwing it 64-66 mph, slurve tilt and action. Changeup was 67-68 mph with similar action as his breaking ball. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Swing is athletic, solid extension. Exit velocity off a tee was 71 mph. On the infield throws with same arm action as on the mound, 63 mph across the diamond with accuracy. Ran a 7.81 60.

Matt Canty, SS, Waubonise Valley, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound infielder. Offensively he hits from a balanced, even stance, short stride. Swing is rotational, pull side approach. Exit velocity off the tee was 67 mph. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, 54 mph across the diamond, some accuracy. Ran a 7.84 60.

Nicholas Cozzone, 1B/OF, Plainfield North, 2015
5-foot-8, 150-pound multi-positional player. At the plate he hits from a balanced, open stance, short stride. Swing has choppy rhythm, uphill path. Exit velocity off a tee was 68 mph. From the outfield he showed quality actions and athletic feet. Arm works at 62 mph with some accuracy. On the infield his arm works at 62 mph. Ran a 7.63 60.

Aaron Cusimano, C/RHP/INF, Harlem, 2016
5-foot-9, 145-pound two way player. Offensively, hits from a narrow stance, smooth backward loading action. Hands work well in the swing, long bat path, choppy rhythm. Exit velocity off a tee was 73 mph. From behind the plate his arm works long, high ¾ slot, 67 mph from a crouch, some accuracy. Pop times were 2.41-2.51. On the infield showed standard actions, similar arm action as behind the plate, 68 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.77 60. On the mound the delivery works with some rhythm, and above average effort. Arm works long, high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, 69-71 mph. Breaking ball has one plane action, 65-67 mph. Throws his changeup from a different arm slot, straight, 64-68 mph.

Nick Dabrowski, OF/3B, Oswego East, 2014
6-foot, 220-pound multi-positional player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, bat wrap load. Occasional extension, strong hitter, repeatable swing. 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively arm played at 79 mph from the outfield, long over the top arm action. Arm played at 76 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.71 60.

Dylan Diorio, 1B/RHP, Plainfield North, 2017
5-foot-9, 175-pound two-way player with strong legs. At the plate he hits from an even, balanced stance, no stride, fair balance through contact. Has a sit and spin style swing, solid bat speed, some barrel whip, and showed power to the pull side. Exit velocity was 70 mph off a tee. On the infield he showed solid hands. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, 68 mph across the infield. Ran an 8.56 60. On the mound his arm works short, high ¾ slot, throws across his body. Fastball was straight, sitting 70-72 mph, touching 74 mph one time. Curveball has 12/6 shape, rolling break, 51-53 mph. Changeup showed flashes of sink, 58-60 mph.

Michael Fuscaldo, OF/1B/LHP, Marist, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound, left handed hitting two-way player with solid potential. Offensively he hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, solid lower half involvement, and quality balance throughout the swing. Swing has fluid rhythm, is quiet and repeatable, hands work well. Exit velocity was 70 mph off a tee. From the outfield he showed solid actions, arm works from a ¾ slot, 69 mph. On the infield arm works at 64 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.43 60. On the mound his delivery works in rhythm, regular effort, hides the ball well. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, sitting 65-66 mph for strikes. Curveball has 10/4 shape, rolling break, 56-59 mph with some feel. Changeup was 60-63 mph.

Tyler Garrity, LHP/1B, Plainfield North, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound athletic body, right handed hitting, left handed throwing, two-way player with high projectability on the mound and at the plate. On the mound he has a strong drop and drive delivery, solid rhythm, clean lines, regular effort. Arm works long, loose, from a ¾ slot. Fastball sits 74 mph, touched 77 mph once, solid late running action, consistent strikes. Throws a sweeping breaking ball, with aggressive arm speed, 63-64 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 62-66 mph with flashes of quality sink. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, no loading action, short stride, strong lower half, quality balance through contact. Has fluid, line drive swing, flat bat path, make consistently strong contact. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. At first base he shows quality feel around the bag, throws with a long arm, 70 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.76 60.

Jake Garvey, MIF, Neuqua Valley, 2017
5-foot-10, 125-pound lanky infielder. Defensively he showed solid hands, quality exchanges. Arm works at 65 mph across the infield with some accuracy. Ran a 7.97 60. At the plate hits from a balanced stance, backward loading action, short stride, solid balance through contact, hits off the front foot. Exit velocity was 60 mph off a tee.

Garrett Hiles, 3B/RHP, Marmion, 2015
5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player. Ran one of the best 60 times at 7.21. On the mound uses a drop and drive delivery, some rhythm. Arm works from over-the-top, short action on the backside. Filled the zone up with his fastball, sitting 72-73 mph, occasional running action. Curveball was 63-66 mph with soft, slurve action. Had feel for his changeup, throwing it 65-66 mph with arm side run and sink. At the plate he hits from an even stance and short stride. Swing has choppy rhythm, some extension, solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 69 mph off a tee. On the infield arm works at 68 mph across the diamond.

Jonathan Hodo, MIF, T.F. South, 2015
5-foot-9, 140-pound infielder. On the infield he works with firm hands, throws it 65 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.69 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced, even stance, and maintains some balance through contact. Has a sit and spin style swing, choppy rhythm, his hands work well in the swing. Exit velocity was 70 mph off a tee.

Jared Jones, MIF/RHP, Joliet Catholic Academy, 2016
6-foot-1, 150-pound, lanky, two-way player. At the plate he hits from a balanced, even stance, smooth loading action, short stride, strong lower half. Swing has a flat bat path, solid extension, quality barrel whip, middle to pull side approach. Exit velocity off the tee was 73 mph. On the infield he showed solid actions, quality hands and feet. Arm works at 72 mph across the diamond with strong accuracy. Ran an 8.0 60. On the mound he works out of the stretch only, easy effort. His arm works short and clean from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 77-78 mph, slight running action, for strikes. Curveball has 10/4 shape, quality breaking action at 63-65 mph. Throws a straight changeup 64-67 mph. Throws a slider at 65-66 mph.

Jimmy Layne, RHP/3B, Plainfield Central, 2016
5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player. On the mound he fills the zone up. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, long and loose action on the backside. Fastball sat 73-75 mph from the windup and stretch, flashing cut and sink, for strikes. Had feel for a changeup, throwing it 67-69 mph, some cutting action, for strikes. Breaking ball has 10/4 shape, gradual break, 62-64 mph. Throws a knuckle ball 63-64 mph. At the plate he hits from an even, balanced setup, uses the lower half well. Bat path is slightly uphill, producing line drives with backspin. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. On the infield he showed standard actions, arm works from a ¾ slot, with accuracy, 71 mph across the diamond with accuracy. ran a 7.93 60.

Jared Littlefield, SS, Hazelwood West (MO), 2015
6-foot-1, 170-pound infielder with solid foot speed. Posted one of the top 60 times at the event, running a 7.08 60. At the plate he hits from an even, balanced stance,smooth loading action, short stride, explosive lower half, maintains balance through contact. The swing is short and aggressive, fluid rhythm, solid bat path, gets to high quality extension. Exit velocity off the tee was 75 mph. On the infield he showed off above average hands and quality movements. Arm works long, from a ¾ slot, 72 mph across the diamond with accuracy.

Garry Maynard, SS/RHP, Middle School, 2019
5-foot-3, 135-pound two way player. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance, diving stride to contact. Swing is repeatable. Exit velocity off a tee was 66 mph. On the infield throws with a short arm, some accuracy, 61 mph. Ran an 8.77 60. On the mound has tall and fall delivery, easy effort. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, stabbing action on the backside. Fastball was straight, 58-60 mph, for strikes. Curveball had 11/5 shape, rolling break, 50-51 mph. Changeup was straight, 51-53 mph.

Danny Miller, LHP/OF/1B, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound left handed two way player. On the mound worked from a high ¾ slot, short arm action, some effort. Fastball had occasional late arm side run, 75-76 mph. Breaking ball has slurve action, 64-66 mph. Changeup sat 67-68 mph. Offensively hits from a slightly taller setup. Occasional lift, long path, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm worked at 74 mph from the outfield and 68 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.96 60.

Tyler Mulligan, MIF/OF/RHP, Newark, 2016
5-foot-9, 130-pound lanky, multi-positional player. From the outfield he showed the ability to work downhill with quality footwork. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, 70 mph. On the infield he showed the same quality footwork, arm works at 66 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.55 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, quality balance through contact. Showed ability to repeat swing mechanics, solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 77 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery is repeatable, regular effort, across his body.. Arm works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, for strikes, 65-67 mph. Throws a splitter with a stiff wrist, 52-54 mph, slight downward action. Knuckleball was 52-53 mph, consistent knuckling action.

Evan Myers, MIF/OF, Guilford, 2014
5-foot-7, 160-pound multi-positional player. On the infield his arm works from an over-the-top slot, long arm action, 72 mph with some accuracy. Throws with same arm action from the outfield, 75 mph, with flashes of carry. Ran a 7.75 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance, gets extension at times. Swing is clean and easy, repeats, hands work, solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee.

Nicholas Pratt, LHP/1B, Plainfield Central, 2016
5-foot-9, 130-pound left handed hitting two-way player. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance. Keeps hands inside the ball, slight uphill bat path, pull side approach. Exit velocity off the tee was 67 mph. On the mound he repeats his delivery with rhythm. Arm works long, from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 69-70 mph with flashes of arm side run, for strikes. Breaking ball has slurve tilt, rolling break, 53-55 mph. Changeup was 56-57 mph, some sink. At first base he showed sound actions around the bag. Arm works from a ¾ slot at 65 mph. Ran a 7.75 60.

Brady Roberts, C/3B, Marmion, 2014
5-foot-10, 185-pound multi positional player. Behind the dish he receives with a wide setup. Arm works with rapid acceleration, 81 mph from a crouch with accuracy. Showed high quality catch and release skills, posting pop times in the 2.05-2.13 range. On the infield he throws it 74 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.59 60. Offensively he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, smooth loading action. Hands work well in the swing, gets to quality extension, creates aggressive barrel whip. Exit velocity off the tee was 81 mph.

Vince Schwartz, OF/1B, Oswego East, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound lanky frame, athletic body, multi-positional player. At the plate he hits from a wide, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, above average lower half, excellent balance through contact. Swing works in fluid rhythm, sound bat path, showed advanced approach and drives from gap-to-gap with regular consistency. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee. From the outfield he worked downhill through the baseball. Arm works long, from over-the-top, 66 mph with some accuracy. Showed feel around the bag at first base, throws 67 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.52 60.

Timothy Sullivan, MIF, St. Francis, 2017
5-foot-3, 120-pound infielder who showed solid actions. Defensively showed soft hands, quick, fluid footwork, clean, quick exchanges. Arm works at 66 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.95 60. At the plate hits from an even, balanced stance. Swing has rhythm, level bat path, quality extension, creates barrel whip and solid pop. Exit velocity was 65 mph off a tee.

Chase Taylor, OF/1B/LHP, Harlem, 2016
Slighty lanky build, 5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a closed stance, longer bat path, 62 mph exit velocity. Defensively throws out of a high ¾ arm slot, aggressive actions toward the baseball, arm played at 71 mph from the outfield, 68 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball was mostly straight, 71-72 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 63-64 mph. Changeup has occasional arm side run, showed some control, 68-69 mph.

Nicholas Tortorici, C/3B/RHP, Lincoln Way East, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound multi positional player with solid potential. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, no stride, solid lower half, quality balance through the swing. Swing has fluid rhythm, keeps hands inside, solid bat speed for age. Exit velocity was 64 mph off a tee. Behind the dish he receives well from a solid setup. Arm works short, 68 mph from a crouch, pop times were 2.20-2.28. On the infield throws from high ¾ slot, 69 mph with accuracy. Ran an 8.37 60. On the mound his arm works from a high ¾ slot, short action. Fastball was 70-72 mph with cutting action. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, slurve breaking action, 60-63 mph, near fastball arm speed. Changeup showed sinking action, sitting 61 mph, touching 63 mph.