Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Chicago: Infield Analysis


Illinois Staff

The Top Prospect - Chicago has perennially been one of the Midwest's biggest events of the summer for Prep Baseball Report. The events’ purpose is to bring a brighter light to those rising seniors heading into their final high school season. This years event was hosted on Tuesday, June 18 at DuPage Medical Group Field in Joliet, IL and just as in years past, high level talent was on full display showcasing their talents in front of collegiate and professional scouts. 

Throughout the week, we rolled out the first two positional groups (C, OF) and today we move onto the infielders. Stay tuned throughout the week as we will take a look at the Pitchers, concluding with a Top Overall to wrap up post-event coverage. 


James Harris (Brooks College Prep, 2020) was perhaps the biggest winner of the day. A physical framed infielder at 6-foot, 210-pounds, Harris looked locked in the entire day running a sub-7 60, back spinning balls to both gaps in BP, then showing athletic, agile actions on the infield dirt. Harris, a recent UIC commit, will be a multi-tool threat to watch moving into his final high school season. 

St. Charles East product Clay Conn has some of the more advanced defensive abilities in the entire 2020 class. The dynamic athlete steadily shows progression in one or more facets of his game every time seen and the switch-hitting spark plug has his arrow trending up.

A few physical right-handed bats see their names in the top ranks here, and rightfully so, in Bryan Broecker (Notre Dame), Lukas Broske (West Bend West), Thomas Otto (Appleton North), Cade Zalewski (Wheeling) and Joshua Kirnbauer (Andrew). All possess the power tool in the toolshed with capable defensive abilities.

A trio of slick defenders round out the top-10 ranks in Will Jaynes (Waubonsie Valley), Nicholas Serr (Minooka) and Sean McDevitt (St. Rita) and all three stood out on the infield dirt. Jaynes swings a more polished bat at the dish, while Serr and McDevitt served as two of the more savvy defenders in the 2020 class. 

Outside of the top 10, one name to keep an eye on is Carter Dawson (Pontiac). Dawson, who stands 6-foot-6, 205-pounds, is athletic for his size and has upside with the bat.


To see how the rest of the top rankings played out along with reports on all other infield prospects in attendance, continue on below. 

To look back at the statistical analysis from the event, click here


TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. James Harris, Brooks College Prep, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/3B Big winner on the day.
Body: 6-foot, 210-pounds. Durable, strong build, present lower half strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short leg lift stride. Calm and confident presence in the box. Short, fluid bat path, loose/strong hands create fast bat speed, repeated hard contact with gap-to-gap pop, extension through hitting zone, fluid rhythm throughout swing.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed ability to backspin baseballs, more to his pull side; present power in swing.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Long arm draw out of glove, works through a short, high 3/4 window, flashed accuracy and carry across the diamond.
Defense: Confident actions with body control, fluid footwork, reliable hands, clean exchange, pats glove to release, played well on the move, rhythm involved.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60. Powerful runner.

2. Clay Conn, St. Charles East, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/2B Advanced defensive actions, rhythm in all around game.
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Athleticism in frame.
Hit: SH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short, leg lift stride, maintains balance and rhythm throughout. Level, compact path path, loose hands, repeated barrelled contact to all fields, fluid rhythm through contact, Showed more polish from the left side.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, over the top slot, can drop slot, accurate throws across with carry.
Defense: Easy actions, fluid footwork, sure hands, quick and clean exchange to release, athletically plays through.
Run: 6.80 runner in the 60. Short, quick strider.

3. Bryan Broecker, Notre Dame, 2020
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Athletic build with well-proportioned strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced stance, smooth load, short toe tap trigger maintains control.  Short bat path works on an uphill plane, strong hands, repeated hard contact with lift to all fields.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Fast bat speed paired with present bat strength, upside power potential.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. INF - 84 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, athletic arm action on the infield, ball carried across.
Defense: Active and aggressive on the infield, showed body control, quick feet, quick and clean exchange to release, plays through the ball on the move.
Run: 6.83 runner in the 60. Present foot speed, above average for size.

4. Lukas Broske, West Bend West, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-4, 205-pounds. Well-proportioned and strong, athletic type, upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Open, relaxed setup, smooth load, short leg lift timing trigger. Fluid, uphill bat path, strong and loose hands creates quick bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, easy and fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Can lift the ball to all fields, present power type.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph.Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws had carry across the diamond.
Defense: Comfortable around the bag at first, fluid footwork,  reliable hands, clean exchange to release.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. Long strides.

5. Will Jaynes, Waubonsie Valley, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Lanky, long-limbed frame, athletic.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load, short leg kick stride, maintains control through contact. Short bat path, level through the zone, loose hands creates present bat speed, sprayed to all fields, easy and fluid rhythm throughout contact.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short and loose arm action, athletic high 3/4 slot, ball showed carry across the diamond.
Defense: Easy and athletic actions, fluid footwork, uses length, works to and through the baseball, clean and rhythmic exchanges.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

6. Thomas Otto, Appleton North, 2020
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. Strong, thick build.
Hit: RHH. Open, balanced stance, smooth load, leg lift timing trigger, maintains control. Direct bat path, works level to and through the zone, strong hands, gap-to-gap approach with rhythm involved.
Power: 105 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength and bat speed, easy pull side pop.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, over the top slot, present arm speed out front.
Defense: Athletic footwork around the bag at first, steady hands, clean exchange to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

7. Cade Zalewski, Wheeling, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/3B Power bat profile.
Body: 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Strong and athletic frame, carries strength well.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger.  Short pat path, strong hangs generate present bat speed, level through the hitting zone, fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat strength type, gap-to-gap power, big swing with lift.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, high draw from glove, clean exchange, long to release.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

8. Joshua Kirnbauer, Andrew, 2020
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Strong, well-proportionate build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, minimal load,short toe tap trigger, maintains balance throughout. Short bat path, loose hands generates a quick bat level through the hitting zone, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm in swing.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength, showed hard contact, lifted to his pull side.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot, accurate throws across with carry.
Defense: Steady hands, fields low, long to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. Long and strong strides.

9. Nicholas Serr, Minooka, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/2B Advanced actions defensively.
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Thin, yet athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Open, tall and relaxed setup, minimal load with a short stride. Short, level barrel path, line drive production to the middle of the field, overall simple swing with fluid rhythm through contact..
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, loose arm action, athletic and clean multi-angle slot, showed accuracy with carry across the diamond.
Defense: Smooth, natural actions with body control, fluid footwork with ranging ability, quick and clean exchange to release, pays through the athletically.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. 

10. Sean McDevitt, St. Rita, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/2B Effectively uses his length in his all around game, smooth defender.
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Lanky frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions.  Path works uphill with some length, line drive contact to the middle of the field, fluid rhythm through swing.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Arm plays short, loose and easy, clean, high 3/4 slot, accurate throws to first with carry across.
Defense: Confident and smooth actions, controls his body on the move, fluid footwork, reliable, sure hands, quick and clean exchange to release, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Carter Dawson, Pontiac, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-6, 205-pounds. Long and athletic build, strength in frame.
Hit: RHH. Closed setup, hands load back, leg lift stride with length. Short barrel path works on an uphill plane, aggressive swings, strong hands generates fast bat speed, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 100 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw power type, showed ability to lift.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Long draw out of glove, short, over the top slot, accurate throws flashed carry across.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange to release, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Cole Hernandez, Normal West, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 6-foot-3, 195-pounds. Athletic and strong, upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Open, relaxed setup, sits into load, long leg kick stride. Level bat path with some length, strong hands creates present bat speed, line drive abilities with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat strength type.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. OF - 82 mph. Long, muscled arm action, full arm swing, ¾ slot, showed accuracy on throws across the diamond.
Defense: Fluid footwork, moves well for size, steady hands, clean exchange, occasional glove pat at transfer, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Evan Hutson, Normal West, 2020
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. Strength in frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, bar load, short leg kick trigger. Path works uphill with some length, steep at times, showed a pull-side tendency, looks to lift the baseball.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Comfortable around the bag at first, steady hands, clean exchange, plays through.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Lucas Kozlowski, Barrington, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Lanky and athletic.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, tall stance, back/bar load, short stride. Short, uphill bat path, looks to stay inside the baseball, showed an all fields approach.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, clean exchanges, long to release, glove plays out in front.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. Quick strides.

Alec McGinnis, Normal West, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched setup, back/drop load, short leg lift stride. Long, uphill bat path, two-handed finish, middle of the field approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Clean arm action with occasional length, plays loose at release, high 3/4 slot, accurate throws across.
Defense: Quick footwork, steady hands, clean exchange to release, packs glove, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. 

Jayden Myren, Rochester, 2020
Positional Profile: 2B/SS Advanced defensive actions.
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: SH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short leg lift stride. Loose hands, path plays uphill with some length, looks to lift the baseball from both sides, rhythm involved. More consitency from the right side on this day.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, loose arm action, clean slot which varied, can drop down, accurate throws with carry across.
Defense: Fluid and athletic footwork, controls his body and works through the ball, soft hands play out in front, quick and clean exchanges to easy release. Quick turn on DP.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Sebastian Parchomenko, Dundee Crown, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, low hands load back, long toe-tap trigger.  Path plays long and uphill, aggressive swing, line drive production with pull tendencies.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, flashed carry.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, long to release, pats glove.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Luke Roman, Wheaton Academy, 2020
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, back load with barrel tilt, short stride to even. Path works uphill with some length, line drive production with fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, muscled at release, high 3/4 slot, ability drop slot, accurate throws across.
Defense: Active actions defensively, steady hands, played balls well to gloveside, quick and clean exchanges, plays athletically through the baseball.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. Quick and fluid strides.

Matthew Salomonson, Notre Dame, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP/SS Advanced arm.
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Athletic frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, hands load back with barrel tip, short stride. Strong hands, path plays level and long, present bat speed, pull side favoritism.
Power: 99 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short, loose arm action, clean, high 3/4 slot, ball comes out super easy with advanced carry across, accurate to the bag.
Defense: Controls his body, fluid footwork, fields wide at gather, steady hands, clean exchanges, play through the baseball.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60. Quick, long strides.

Gabriel Schmitt, Warren Township, 2020
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Strength in frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Strong hands, short bat path on a slight uphill plane, present bat speed, gap-to-gap contact, rhythm through swing.
Power: 97 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed present bat strength with lift to pull side.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, long draw from glove, high 3/4 slot, ball flashed carry.
Defense: Short, choppy footwork, steady hands, long to exchange, pats glove.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Robert Walker, Kenwood, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Lanky frame, athletic actions.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, smooth load, short leg lift timing trigger. Loose hands, path works slightly uphill with some length, line drive hitter, all fields approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. OF - 83 mph. Long arm action from the outfield, short from infield, over the top arm slot, playable arm strength.
Defense: Quick, fluid and under control footwork, clean exchange, plays through with rhythm to release. Arm plays long and loose, over the top slot. Actions played better on the outfield grass.
Run: 6.63 runner in the 60. Agile runner, light on his feet.

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