Prep Baseball Report

St. Louis Open: Infield Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

On Wednesday, June 16, the PBR Illinois & Missouri travelled to GCS BallPark in Sauget, IL to host the St. Louis Open. The event was open for players in high school grad classes 2022 through 2025 and will serve as an identifier to select, invite events throughout the summer and winter.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here

Today we take a look at the long list of infielders from the day. One of the top 2023 infielders in attendance was Evan Davis (Waterloo). Davis took an impressive round of BP, routinely barrelling baseballs into the pull-side gap with authority. Davis has a repeatable, simple swing with power potential. 

Recent Danville Area CC commit, INF Brock Bacus (Normal Community, 2022) was another infielder who had a standout performance. Bacus has a top-of-the-order look in the box; simple swing, flat through the zone, line-drive approach with feel for the barrel. He is also a confident defender with a quick first step, sure-hands and accurate arm. 

Two 2024s worth noting were Connor Mendell (Fort Zumwalt South, MO) and Jake Stedman (Belleville West). Mendell has an upside, loose-limbed frame, whippy right-handed swing and ran a 7.12 laser-timed 60 with long, easy strides. Stedman has a quick right-handed swing, was consistently on the barrel and steady infield actions. 

Two impressive 2025 infielders from Missouri who showed well were Bryce Daniel (Howell) and Wyatt Wathen (Lafayette). Daniel has a polished right-handed swing with upside and was selected to participate in the Junior Future Games for Team Missouri. Wathen is a switch hitter who shows barrel control and feel from both sides of the plate. Wathen is also a multi-positional prospect who showed equally as well behind the plate and on the infield.

Read on below for a look at the rest of the infielders. 

INFIELD PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Brock Bacus, Normal Community (IL), 2022: Danville Area CC commit.
 Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-5, 130-pounds.
Hit: R. Athletic, balanced setup, active hands, short stride. Stays inside the baseball, flashed bat speed, compact swing, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82.79 max exit velocity, averaged 74.09 mph. 251’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick footwork, fields through the baseball, soft hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Bates, Fort Zumwalt West (MO), 2022: Missouri S&T commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide, balanced stance, small weight transfer to the back leg, short leg stride. Aggressive, compact swing, working to the gaps.
Power: 92.31 max exit velocity, averaged 81.51 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Long arm angle, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, gets around the baseball, fields through the center of the body.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

Brendan Brunette, De Smet Jesuit (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 175-pounds.
Hit: L. Balance stance, high starting hands, quick toe tap stride. Has bat speed, pull side approach, short, uphill swing.
Power: 83.86 max exit velocity, averaged 73.02 mph. 283’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 68 mph. OF - 68 mph. Long, loose arm angle, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Outfield: Aggressive, chargers the baseball, clean exchange. Infield:
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Sam Cardwell, Desmet (MO), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-foot-2, 157-pounds.
Hit: R. Athletic look, balance, open stance, smooth, controlled load, toe tap stride. Barrel control, compact swing, hits the ball where it's pitched, line drive type hitter.
Power: 83.8 max exit velocity, averaged 78.67 mph. 302’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields to the side of the baseball, eyes get behind the ball, works low to high, soft hands, clean exchange, plus footwork.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Maguire Clark, Hamilton County (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-7, 160-pounds.
Hit: R. Tall, balanced setup, leg lift, short stride. Short swing, looks to stay inside the baseball, line drive approach.
Power: 79.84 max exit velocity, averaged 72.29 mph. 221’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 62 mph. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: quick exchange, flashes steady hands while receiving. Infield: fields with two hands in center, works with proper direction at times.
Run: 8.31 runner in the 60. 

Alex Connoyer, Quincy Notre Dame (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, slightly open, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short swing, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach, flashed ability to use middle of the field.
Power: 88.93 max exit velocity, averaged 80.53 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 73 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: quick feet, clean exchanges. Infield: fields from center with two hands, works through baseball, flashes ability to play on the move.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Bryce Daniel, Howell (MO), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 140-pounds.
Hit: R. Athletic look, balance stance, hands start high, smooth load, toe tap stride. Bat speed, long, level swing, hits the ball where it's pitched, line drive type hitter, fluid rhythm.
Power: 80.59 max exit velocity, averaged 75.05 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic feet, natural hands, gets around the baseball, clean exchange.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60. 

Evan Davis, Waterloo (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 186-pounds. Athletic frame, strong lower half
Hit: R. Tall, open stance, active hands, minimal load, small leg kick. Power to the pull side, compact swing, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 91.34 max exit velocity, averaged 83.33 mph. 348’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infielder, quick first step, fields low to high, feet work to the glove side, clean exchange, sure handed.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Grant Dotson, Jackson (MO), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide, closed stance, weight preset to the back leg, minimal load, small leg lift. Aggressive with bat speed, short, level swing, line drive hitter gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87.68 max exit velocity, averaged 80.23 mph. 257’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, clean exchange, developing soft hands.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60. 

Porter Fike, Columbia (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Upright, balance, open stance, drop load to the short stride. Long, uphill path, inside-out swing, opposite field approach.
Power: 79.97 max exit velocity, averaged 65.33 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 66 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Developing hands, clean exchange, works to the baseball.
Run: 8.47 runner in the 60. 

Aidan Gaither, St John Vianney (MO), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds.
Hit: S. Tall, open stance, hands rests on the shoulder, minimal load, short stride. Long, level swing, line drive type hitter, whole field approach.
Power: 82.85 max exit velocity, averaged 75.7 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, Low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays to the baseball, clean exchange.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Nick Hooper, Grain Valley (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide base, quick weight transfer, no stride.  Long, level swing path, catches the ball out in front, pull side approach.
Power: 89.57 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, side arm slot.
Defense: Plays to the baseball, works out in front, clean exchange.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Connor House, Roxana (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/C
Body: 6-foot-0, 220-pounds. Stong, physical body
Hit: R. Wide, balance stance, arm bar load, long stride. Level swing, line drive hitter, gap-to-gap approach, balance finish.
Power: 91.71 max exit velocity, averaged 84.39 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays to the baseball, fields low to the ground, quick exchanges to second, sure handed.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

Kaleb Julian, Glendale (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 150-pounds. Long limb, lean build.
Hit: R. Athletic look, balance, open setup, minimal pre-pitch load, quick toe tap stride. Short swing, quick hips, barrel control, line drive hitter.
Power: 84.26 max exit velocity, averaged 74.51 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, fields out in front and from the center, works low to high, clean exchange.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Kyle McConachie, Columbia (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 140-pounds.
Hit: R. Simple, balance stance, hands rested on the shoulder, minimal load, long stride.  Short swing, flashed bat speed, line drive hitter to the pull side.
Power: 85.13 max exit velocity, averaged 79.69 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Infield: Plays through the baseball, fields out in front, footwork plays up the middle, clean exchange. Outfield: Controlled charge through the baseball, quick, clean exchange.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

Connor Mendell, Fort Zumwalt South (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide stance, preloaded weight on the back leg, short, smooth stride. Flashes bat speed, short, level swing plane, hits the ball where it's pitched.
Power: 80.91 max exit velocity, averaged 74.68 mph. 245’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 70 mph. INF - 74 mph. Short arm angle, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Catcher: Athletic, balanced setup, quiet, soft hands receiving, plus blocking, throws are playing to the bag. Infield: quick first step, sure handed, clean exchange.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Riley Mohr, Pinckneyville (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 152-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide, open stance, minimal load, short stride. Long level swing, catches the ball out in front, pull side tendencies.
Power: 85.27 max exit velocity, averaged 72.87 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 69 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Developing footwork, works towards the baseball, fields low to the ground, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.93 runner in the 60.

Caynen Patterson, DeSmet (MO), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-7, 140-pounds.
Hit: R. Athletic, open stance, minimal load, short stride to even. Short, level swing, balanced throughout, gap-to-gap hitter.
Power: 84.85 max exit velocity, averaged 74.82 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 66 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick feet, works around the baseball, clean exchange.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60.  

Michael Politte, St. John Vianney (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 155-pounds. Athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: R. Tall, open stance, hands start high, minimal load, long stride. Long, level swing, flashed bat speed, weight finishes on the back leg, swing plays to pull.
Power: 89.63 max exit velocity, averaged 81.82 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic feet, works out in front, clean exchange, sure handed.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Colby Redman, Richland County (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Strong build, broad shoulders.
Hit: R. Tall, narrow stance, low hand placement, arm bar load to long stride. Compact swing, gets extension after contact, line drive to the gaps type hitter.
Power: 86.47 max exit velocity, averaged 82.72 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields low to the ground, plays through the baseball, natural hands, clean exchange, feet play up the middle.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

Jake Stedman, Belleville West (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide, balance stance, quick load to the back side, toe tap stride. Barrel control with bat speed, short swing, hits the ball where it's pitch, line drive type hitter.
Power: 87.7 max exit velocity, averaged 75.22 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 73 mph. Short, loose arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, fields the baseball low, feet play, quick exchange.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

Jack Stockmann, Lindbergh (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 135-pounds.
Hit: R. Wide stance, smooth, control load, long toe tap stride. Long, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 74.23 max exit velocity, averaged 65.38 mph. 219’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 76 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, developing hands and footwork.
Run: 7.99 runner in the 60. 

Wyatt Wathen, Lafayette (MO), 2025
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-foot-6, 130-pounds.
Hit: S. Crouch, balance stance, quick, short stride, arm bar load.  Short, uphill swing, whole field approach.
Power: 81.31 max exit velocity, averaged 75.68 mph. 256’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 70 mph. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: Deadens the baseball on blocks, flashes soft hands, quiet setup, clean exchange, accurate throws. Infield: Plays through the baseball, field in the center of the body, clean exchange.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Drake Wittenbrink, Columbia (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: R. Balance, open stance, arm bar load, short leg lift. Flashed bat speed, long, level barrel path, pull side approach.
Power: 90.04 max exit velocity, averaged 80.14 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 63 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields out in front, works low to high, clean exchange.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60. 

Shea Zbrozek, Normal Community (IL), 2022: Loras College commit.
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 145-pounds. Projectable frame, lean build.
Hit: R. Open, balance setup, slight load into the back leg, short leg lift. Consistently on the barrel, compact, in-and-out swing, whole field approach.
Power: 84.5 max exit velocity, averaged 80.2 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Athletic footwork, soft hands with a quick exchange, fields out front.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

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