Illinois commit. 5-foot-10, 145-pound, wiry, loose-bodied, left-handed hitting shortstop. Continues to reaffirm his status as one of the shortstops in the Midwest with every look. Highly-advanced bat-to-ball skills. Did not see a swing-and-miss throughout the weekend and almost every ball in play seemingly is on the barrel with line-drive flighted contact to the entire field. Stays within himself, hits the ball where it's pitched, lets it travel and finishes on balance. Despite the hanging leg-lift that Jefferson utilizes, takes are comfortable with a ready to swing mindset. Bounces all over the field, including on the bases. Defensively, all the tools and actions to play a high-level shortstop down the road. Seemingly plays best when on the move where he shows off advanced athleticism, body control and ability to throw from any arm angle. Advanced internal clock. One of the top 2023s in the state.

 

 

Jefferson, an Illinois recruit, has high-level athleticism that should provide for continued advancements in the future. Still very much maturing physically, the 5-foot-10, 145-pound wiry shortstop plays with bounce all over the field, and sports natural glove-to-hand abilities defensively. While he is still developing strength, the left-handed hitter is aggressive at the plate working uphill through the zone with an ability to spray line drives to all fields. He gains momentum through impact with a bigger leg kick, and there is present quickness to the hands although an inconsistent barrel path due to a present lack of strength. The upside is considerable, and he plays with energy at all times including looking to steal bases whenever he gets on. Stats: 4-for-13, 2B, RBI

 

 

Positional Profile: SS/2B One of the top middle infield prospects in the Midwest.
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Loose-bodied, wiry athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, athletic setup, comfortable and relaxed in the box. Smooth load, hanging leg-lift timing trigger. Loose, athletic hands, quick whippy bat speed. Bat stays through the zone a long time, covers both sides of the plate and sprays line drives to all fields. Highly-advanced bat-to-ball skills. Went 2-for-2 with two line-drives and a stolen base during game play.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Sneaky bat strength. Max exit velocity of 94.0 mph during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, plays athletic from multiple slots. Accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Bouncy defender, fluid footwork, easy range, advanced body control and playability on the move. Ranged both sides with extreme comfort and confidence. Made multiple sliding plays deep into the six-hole. Soft, confident hands, present internal clock, quick release. High-level middle infield defender.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Verbally committed to Illinois.

 

 

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Lanky, athletic, wiry frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, wide base, smooth load, high leg kick, drives lower half.  Loose fast hands, aggressive swing, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, comfortable from multiple angles. Accurate throws with carry.
Defense: Premium actions, confident defender, fields in rhythm, gets around the baseball, maintains body control. Soft hands, clean funnels, quick glove-to-hand release, plays through the baseball. Has all the tools to stick up the middle.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

 

 

Positional Profile: SS/2B 
Body: 5-foot-7, 127-pounds. 
Defense: Advanced hands and actions for age, active footwork, clean exchange, plays through baseball.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short 3/4 arm action, carries across the diamond.
Hit: LHH. Wide balanced set up, leg kick timing trigger. Fast bat, long uphill path, gap-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60.