Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Chicago: Position Player Analysis


By Illinois Staff

On June 16, the PBR Illinois hosted one of its summer staples in the Top Prospect - Chicago showcase. Annually one of the biggest events on the summer slate, this year’s Chicago-area showcase was similarly loaded with talent, as you’ll soon see for yourself. Today, we’re publishing the scouting reports written by our staff on each of the position players who participated at this event, and we’ve ranked the top-10 players below.

In case you missed any of our previous coverage of this showcase, you can view our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis at the aforementioned hyperlinks.

Keep an eye out tomorrow when we release the reports on the pitchers who took the mound at this showcase, too.

TOP POSITION PLAYER PROSPECTS

1. Cole Luckey, Glenbrook South (IL), 2021; Bradley commit
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds. Athletic frame, projectable length with room to fill out.
Defense: Plays through the baseball in stride, above average actions, athletic feet.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Arm carries, plays out of over the top slot, short loose arm action.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, leg kick stride, lands foot on time and stays balanced.  Loose quick swing, above average bat speed, creates line drive contact, stays connected throughout swing.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.64 runner in the 60. Plus runner.

2. Tristan Samuelian, Burlington Central (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Lean frame.
Defense: Smooth actions, fluid footwork, comfortable on the move, maintains body control, sure-handed, clean release.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Hit from a wide base, square, balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Compact swing, short and direct to the ball, flat through the zone and sprayed linie-drives to all fields.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

3. Daniel Contreras, Boylan Catholic (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Strong, compact, durable catchers build.
Defense: Pop times: 2.02-2.10; Athletic out of the crouch, moves well, clean quick exchange with soft hands. Advanced actions.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Arm carries from a short over the top slot, played accurate to the bag.
Hit: RHH. Slight open stance, reverse load trigger to short stride while hands drop into load. Short , level path, gap to gap approach with feel for the barrel, occasional pull tendency.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

4. Benji Ries, Stevenson (IL), 2021; Le Moyne College commit
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Solid build with strength, durable lower half.
Defense: Pop times: 2.07-2.19; Average hands, low exchange, feet flashed quickness out of the crouch.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short over the top arm action, some effort.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, maintains strong balance throughout. Short path with strong hands, above average bat speed, gap to gap contact with occasional hard pull side pop.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed above average pop for age.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

5. Max McCallum, Metea Valley (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Strong athletic build
Defense: Leftfield profile, glove hand plays out front and outside, showed ability to work through the baseball. Athletic abilities in the outfield
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action works out of high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open, crouched setup, intentful setup. Short stride minimal load action, maintains balance throughout. Spray approach, simple swing found the barrel, path played short and level, in rhythm.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

6. Maxwell Thompson, Warren (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 215-pounds. Strong, physical frame.
Defense: Fields out front, clean double play turns, steady hands.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, smooth pre-pitch loading action and short stride. Twitchy strong hands, above-average bat speed, uphill path and hard pull-side contact.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Averaged the top exit speed during BP at the event; 93.65 mph.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

7. Nicholas Shiu, Warren Township (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 215-pounds. Strong frame, durable lower half.
Defense: Steady hands, feel for the bag.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, ability to change slots and throw from multiple angles.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, strong base, quiet load and short stride.  Simple swing, strong hands, present bat speed, short, uphill path, and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Averaged the top exit speed off the bat at the event; 93.65 mph.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.

8. Jake Tapia, Belvidere North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic build.
Defense: Charges the baseball, plays through, steady hands, ability to play on the move with body control, clean glove-to-hand transfer.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot and arm played with carry at times.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and toe-tap stride. Athletic hands, flashed bat speed, level bat path and creates leverage to the pull-side with lift at times.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60.

9. Zachary Kim, Glenbrook North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic frame with well-proportioned strength.
Defense: Fundamentally sound, works around and through the baseball, fields out in front of his body, soft hands, natural double play turn and clean release.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws flashed carry across the infield.
Hit: RHH. Tall balanced slightly open setup, toe-tap timing trigger. Athletic hands, flashed bat speed, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

T-10. Noah Jouras, Lyons Township (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Advanced physicality, muscular build.
Defense: Pop times: 2.01-2.08; Plays on the balls of his feet. Steady hands, clean/quick release, minimal wasted movement.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, plays from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Narrow stance, slightly crouched, short stride, quiet loading action. Bat strength present with slight uphill path, gap to gap approach showed occasional hard topspin contact.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.81 runner in the 60. Well above average runner at his position.

T-10. Quinton Schwartz, Jacobs (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the baseball, exchange has length at times.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 to over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, minimal load and short stride. Swings with controlled aggression. Loose, whippy hands, present bat speed, stays on top of the baseball and flat through the zone. Consistent hard line-drive contact with the ability to backspin the baseball.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.72 runner in the 60. Advanced runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Jack Bruington, Plainfield South (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 220-pounds. Physical, thick build.
Defense: Fluid actions, plays with body control, soft hands and feel for the position.
Arm: LH. INF - 78 mph. Loose, clean arm action plays with carry.
Hit: LHH. Open, balanced setup, smooth load and controlled finish. Fluid rhythm, strong hands, short path with natural lift in swing and hard pull-side contact.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.19 runner in the 60. 

Rance Bryant, Bismarck Henning Rossville Alvin (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Wiry, athletic build.
Defense: Fluid footwork, easy range, soft hands, athletic double play turn. Ability to stick up the middle moving forward.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Loose arm action, plays quick and easy from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, minimal loading action and short stride. Simple, repeatable swing, short uphill path, consistently on the barrel and worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Averaged exit speed of 90.15 mph off the bat during BP.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Mario Ferri, Addison Trail (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds. Small, athletic build.
Defense: Plays light on his feet, bouncy defender, sure-handed and clean release with length at times. Tools to stick anywhere on the infield.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Arm plays long and from an over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, leg-lift timing trigger and fluid rhythm throughout. Loose hands, aggressive swings, length through the hitting zone, flat at times and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for age.

Nick Gehrke, Minooka (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Defense: Athletic defensive actions, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, soft hands.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly open and crouched setup; short stride. Loose hands, quick bat, uphill path, natural lift and made a lot of hard contact to the pull-side.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Will Girardi, Deemack  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds.
Defense: Corner outfield profile, feet play in rhythm through the baseball, crowhop exchange.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, arm played accurate and with occasional carry.
Hit: SH. Tall open stance, stride dives to even/closed, slight hand load back. Bat strength swing, path is level, slightly more uphill from the left side, showed ability to make line drive gap to gap contact from both sides.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Darryl Loyd III, Morgan Park (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-2, 210-pounds. Wide-shouldered, physical frame.
Defense: Nimble on his feet for size. Smooth actions, confident hands, clean transfer.
Arm: LH. INF - 81 mph. Arm plays short and from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: SH. Balanced, slightly open setup from both sides, quiet load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Showed better bat speed from the right-side of the plate but controls the barrel from both sides. Short path, strong hands, and present bat speed.
Power: L: 93  R: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Mack, Yorkville (IL), 2021; Southwestern CC commit
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Athletic, strong frame.
Defense: Fluid footwork, steady hands and clean transfer.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short, quick arm action, throws carry.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and short stirde. Long path, uphill tendencies and uses the middle of the field.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above-average bat strenth.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

Alex Milone, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 163-pounds. Compact build with strength in lower half.
Defense: Steady middle infield defender, fluid footwork, plays with body control, confident hands.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, firm arm action, works mostly out of a 3/4 slot with ability to change slot when needed.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, quiet load and short stride. Strong hands, short direct path, works uphill at times through the zone. Line-drive, pull-side contact.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Grant Palmer, Neuqua Valley  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Athletically-built with defined muscle.
Defense: Quick, active footwork, ranges well, plays fast with body control, steady hands and clean release.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot with ability to change arm angles.
Hit: RHH. Open, upright setup, minimal load and even stride. Simple quiet swing, short uphill bat path and worked the pull-side gap.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. 

Michael Rivera, Warren (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, upside frame.
Defense: Steady defender, smooth double play, advanced run through play. Sure-hands, clean release and athletic overall actions.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Lively arm plays with carry across the diamond. Long, quick arm plays from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched open setup and short stride. Athletic hands, short uphill bat path and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60.

Jacob Ross, Lake View  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Lean wiry frame.
Defense: Methodical actions, down tempo, showed ability to move through the baseball and exchange in stride.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. High 3/4 slot, arm path has length, plays loose.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, narrow stance slightly open, long stride to even, hands drop back into load. Path is uphill, opposite field contact.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Brant Singler, Providence Catholic (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Defense: Feel for the first base bag. Steady hands, clean double play turn and transfer.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm and leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands, aggressive swing, present bat speed and line-drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Nick Varon, Fremd (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds. Strong build.
Defense: Corner outfield profile, showed ability to play through the baseball in stride.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Short, loose arm action, works out of high 3/4 slot, flashed carry.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, tall, smooth loading action with short stride. Strong hands get barrel to the baseball, path is short, tends to hit off backside with slight uphill path.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

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