Underclass Invitational: Corner Infield Analysis

February 11, 2015

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report’s Underclass Invitational for 2017 and 2018 prospects took place on Sunday January 18^th at the Max in McCook, IL. 98 underclass prospects completed a pro-style workout for the PBR Illinois Scouting Staff, several of whom were new to the PBR.

Click Here to view complete statistics from the event in PDF format.

Click Here to view Top Performers from the event based on standard scouting terminology in our “Top Tools Breakdown”.

Over the next few days we will rank the prospects by position, culminating in the Top Overall Prospects from the event. Today we’ll take a look at the Top Corner Infield Prospects, an extremely deep position with several power hitting prospects in attendance.

Wake Forest commit Bobby Seymour takes the top spot thanks to his unmatched power potential from the left-side. Seymour moves well around the bag despite his large frame, should be an above average defender at first base, and has seen time in the outfield as well.

McHenry West’s Bobby Miller may rank as the top prospect in attendance thanks to his impressive two-way ability, and stood out during live batting practice with his smooth left-handed swing.

Joliet Catholic’s KC Simonich has shown plate discipline in the past, and may be the best pure hitter in the 2017 class.

A pair of 2018 prospects impressed as well in Homewood-Flossmoor’s Zaid Walker and Dunlap’s Charlie Mangieri. Walker graded out as the best defensive third baseman at the event, and Mangieri is perhaps the most physically imposing prospect in the 2018 class.

Let’s take a look at the Top Corner Infield Prospects at this January’s Underclass Invitational:

Top Corner Infield Prospects

1. Bobby Seymour, 1B, Mount Carmel, 2017
6-foot-4, 225-pound strong, physically imposing left-handed hitting first baseman ranked No. 3 in Illinois’ 2017 class, committed to Wake Forest. Hits from an open setup, short stride, minimal movement in hands, simple, powerful approach, short path, barrel gets extension, hit line drives from gap-to-gap with power to his pull side, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands fielding, good feel around bag, moves well for size. Ran a 7.65 60. Seymour may have as much pure power at the plate than any prospect in the state of Illinois, regardless of graduating class. He’ll provide power in the lineup this spring at Mount Carmel.

2. Bobby Miller, RHP/1B, McHenry West, 2017
6-foot-4, 185-pound lanky, athletic, extremely projectable RHP/1B ranked No. 7 in Illinois, Louisville commit. Hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, slight leg kick trigger, hands load back smoothly, fluid rhythm, plus bat speed, short, level bat path, feel for barrel, gets extension, hit line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 90 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, a plus defender at first base, athleticism to play third as well. Threw 86 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands, could improve feel of feet around the bag. Ran a 7.46 60. On the mound, Miller sat 87-88 from the windup touching 90 mph from a long, loose, ¾ arm slot, heavy arm side run on fastball, late action. Tall/fall delivery, smooth rhythm throughout, to up at balance point, lands in line with home plate, slight recoil at finish. Fastball sat 86-88 mph from the stretch. 68-72 mph breaking ball is called a curve, has 10/4 slurvy shape, sharp, late action, thrown for strikes, down the road due to arm angle could have a lethal sinker/slider combination. Also showed feel for 76-78 mph changeup thrown aggressively with same heavy finish as fastball. Miller is committed to Louisville and shows legitimate two-way potential, although is ceiling on the mound may be higher thanks to his potential for two plus pitches.

3. KC Simonich, 3B, Joliet Catholic, 2017
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting third baseman currently ranked No. 11 in Illinois’ 2017 class, may be the top pure hitter in the class. Hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, hands load smoothly, loose wrists, bat whips through the zone, short, level bat path, fluid throughout, drove line drives from gap-to-gap, 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 79 mph across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry across the diamond. Athletically fields position, pats glove after fielding lengthening exchange, solid on body control ball. Ran a 7.26 60. Simonich is one of the top prospects in the 2017 class and has plenty of room for projection in his lanky frame.

4. Zaid Walker, 3B/SS, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic right-handed hitting 3B hits from a crouched, open setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, lower half is aggressive, advanced approach at the plate, short, powerful, slightly uphill bat path, gets extension, drove balls to left-centerfield with authority during batting practice, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 84 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy, soft hands fielding the baseball, stays back could attack the baseball more. Ran a 7.51 60. Walker will be a high follow prospect in the 2018 class thanks to his bat, arm strength, and quality infield actions.

5. Easton Bertrand, OF/3B, Manteno, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound strong and athletic right-handed hitting OF/3B hits from a balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, short, level bat path, barrel looks to stay level through the zone for a long time, 87 mph exit velocity with easy effort. Defensively, impresses both in the outfield and at third. Throws 84 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry, soft hands fielding the ball, fluid footwork. At third, shows plus carry, shortens up arm action a bit, may profile better at third base, but versatility will be an asset. Ran a 7.22 60. Bertrand is one of the most physical athletes in the 2017 class and will be a high follow prospect over the next three seasons.

6. Donivan Williams, 3B/OF, Morgan Park, 2017
5-foot-11, 176-pound athletic right-handed hitting 3B/OF ranked No. 27 in Illinois’ 2017 class, hits from a narrow, open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, loose wrists in swing, short, level bat path, impresses with feel for barrel, line drives with up the middle approach during batting practice, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 83 mph in the outfield from short, quick, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy. At third base, shows same arm strength, 81 mph across the diamond, middle infield actions at third base, soft hands, fields the ball out front, quick, athletic arm action, runs a 7.39 60. Williams’ infield actions could play in the middle of the diamond and his athleticism all over the field makes him a high follow prospect in the 2017 class.

7. Sam Fradin, 3B/RHP, Deerfield, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP hits from an open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, short, level bat path, occasionally gets extension, drove the ball to right-centerfield during batting practice, 83 mph exit velocity of the tee. Defensively, impressed with arm strength across the diamond, throwing 83 mph from third base from a short, high ¾ arm slot with carry, hands showed average fielding, fluid footwork, ran a 7.51 60. On the mound, Fradin sat 80-84 mph from a short, loose, high ¾ arm slot, toe up at balanced point, some rhythm to delivery, shoulders stay level throughout, tall/fall delivery, lands in line with home plate, athletic finish. Gets around 64-67 mph curveball, showed aggressive arm speed on 75-76 mph changeup.

8. Connor McCormick, C/3B, Manteno, 2017
5-foot-11, 140-pound lanky right-handed hitting C/3B hits from a tall setup, slightly open stance, short stride, hands load back, long, level path, line drives in batting practice, pull tendencies, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee, well above average for age. Defensively, impressed with arm strength at 3B and behind the plate. Threw 81 mph across the diamond, and 76 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged from 2.04-2.18 to second. Short, over-the-top slot, accurate arm both at 3^rd and behind the plate, quick footwork behind the plate, plus release, overthrew at times from third base. Ran a 7.48 60. McCormick is a prospect to follow over the next three seasons in the 2017 class.

9. Charlie Mangieri, RHP/1B, Dunlap, 2018
Hulking 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B hits from a crouched, open setup, wide base, leg kick stride, some stiffness but big time power potential, in short, slightly uphill bat path, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee, power to his pull side. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands fielding, fluid footwork around the bag, feel for turning the double play. Ran a 7.47 60. On the mound fastball sat 77-79 mph from short, quick, loose, high ¾ arm slot, tall/fall delivery, downhill shoulders, stride direction in line with home plate. 12/6 curveball sat 65-66 mph, also threw 67-68 mph changeup with fading action. Mangieri is perhaps the most physical 2018 prospect in Illinois, and should see significant recruiting interest in both baseball and football.

10. Shane Nolan, RHP/3B, Lake Zurich, 2017
6-foot-3, 225-pound wide shouldered right-handed hitting RHP/3B hits from balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, long, slightly uphill bat path, strength present in swing, 82 mph exit velocity, showed pull tendencies during batting practice. Defensively, threw 81 mph across the diamond from long, loose, high ¾ arm slight with accuracy and carry. Size could fit more at first base, but showed soft hands and good field fielding at third. Ran an 8.5 60. On the mound, fastball sat 83-85 mph from the windup, 80-82 from the stretch from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot. Smooth, easy tall/fall delivery, level shoulders throughout delivery, loads lower half over the rubber, stride direction in line with home plate, lands square. 11/5 curveball sat 65-68 mph from the wind, 63-65 from the stretch with more strikes. Showed feel for 69-73 mph changeup with arm side run. Also threw a 67-68 mph split with late tumble. Nolan has a plus frame and is one of the most projectable right-handers in the 2017 class.

10. Tyler Esplin, 3B/RHP, Lake Forest, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitting 3B/RHP hits from an open setup, dives slightly, short stride, short, uphill bat path, natural lift to swing, took an impressive round of batting practice with line drives from gap-to-gap, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 83 mph across the diamond from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy, average hands defensively. On the mound, fastball sat 81-83 mph from short, ¾ arm slot, loads knee over rubber at balance point, tall/fall delivery, slightly rushed at times, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lands square, struggled to throw strikes as shoulders work side-to-side/get sweepy at times. Threw a 60-64 mph curveball, and a 68-69 mph slider, slider works with arm slot better as he gets around curveball. 69-73 mph changeup pulled out of the zone. Esplin has plenty of arm strength and his left-handed bat makes him a high follow prospect in the 2017 class.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Josh Baker, 1B/RHP, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-2, 210 pound strong, wide shouldered 1B/RHP hits from a wide base, short stride, strides open slightly, some stiffness to slightly uphill swing, strength present at impact, above average 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, arm strength present across the diamond, 84 mph from short, over-the-top arm slot, soft hands fielding, clean exchanges, athletically fields his position. Ran a 7.44 60. On the mound, fastball sat 86-87 mph from long, high ¾ arm slot, regular effort, leans over slightly at balance point, drop/drive delivery, shoulders work downhill, lands hard at foot strike. 64-69 mph curveball struggled with consistent shape, also threw a 66-70 mph changeup. Baker has plenty of arm strength and is extremely physical. He could be a 90 mph arm within the next year.

Christian Burciaga, 1B, Rochelle, 2017
6-foot-1, 245-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from an open setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, above average bat speed, short, slightly uphill, fluid bat path, showed power to his pull side during batting practice, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot. Ran an 8.54 60.

Anthony Coticchio, C/3B, Belvidere, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher/third baseman, sturdy build. Defensively posted pop times at 2.29-2.36, arm played at 69 mph out of the crouch, arm plays from a ¾ slot, showed some arm side run. Average hands behind the plate and at third base, arm played at 68 mph from the crouch. Offensively hits from the right side, open stance, slight dives over the plate. Path has some length, uphill path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 8.18.

Ryan Hampe, C/3B, St. Laurence, 2018
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitting freshman catcher. Above average bat for age, balanced stance, reverse stride loading action, bat wrap load, level path , gets extension, gap to gap with more pull tendencies. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Good path, solid follow with the bat. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. Pop times at 2.19-2.26, deliberate footwork out of the crouch, solid glove work and hands. Similar actions at third base, hands played, heavier footwork. 8.48 runner in the 60.

Thomas Larson, OF/3B/RHP, Families of Faith Christian Academy, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting OF/3B/RHP hits from an open setup, hands move back to load, arm bars slightly, long, uphill bat path, plus bat speed for age with 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 76 mph from the outfield from long, over-the-top arm slot, head pull off, effort present during throws. Threw 79 mph across the diamond from third base, over throws at times, shorter arm arch in the infield, effort/head snap evident here as well. On the mound, fastball sat 74-76 mph from long, high ¾ slot, wraps slightly in back, toe up at balance point, drifts across body with stride direction, but lands slightly open. 61-64 mph curveball flashed gradual, 11/5 shape. Also threw a 68-71 mph changeup.

Michael Lehner, 3B/RHP, Muskego (WI), 2017
6-foot, 190-pound strong left-handed hitting 3B/RHP hits from a crouched, narrow setup, hands load back smoothly, long, slightly uphill bat path, impressed with several line drives back up the middle during batting practice, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 80 mph across the diamond from a short, over-the-top arm slot, with carry on throws, takes some time to get rid of the baseball. Ran a 7.5 60.

Jalen Lemons, 3B/RHP, Simeon, 2018
5-foot-7, 180-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from an open stance, balanced approach, short stride. BP round mostly worked the middle of the field, produced occasional line drives. 69 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.79 runner in the 60. Defensively showed some softer hands, showed strength, 78 mph arm strength across the diamond. On the mound arm works from a high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball showed slight cut action, 73-75 mph. Curveball has 11/5 action, showed some feel, dropped for strikes, 58-61 mph.

Brandon Mahoney, 1B, Brother Rice, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound physical right-handed hitting first baseman hits from a balanced setup, backwards toe-tap stride, drops hands to load, slightly uphill bat path, above average 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 68 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Ran a 7.95 60.

Pat Mayo, 3B, Brother Rice, 2017
5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed hitting 3B hits from an open setup, short stride, wide base, high back elbow setup, short, aggressive swing, 78 mph exit velocity off the tee, line drives with pull tendencies during batting practice. Defensively, threw 76 mph across the diamond from long, loose, ¾ arm slot. Displayed soft hands fielding the baseball, ran a 7.86 60.

William McManaman, LHP/1B, St. Ignatius, 2018
6-foot, 145-pound lanky left-handed hitting LHP/1B hits from a square stance, short stride, hands load back, long level bat path, pull tendencies during batting practice, 73 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 69 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot, average hands fielding. Ran an 8.49 60. On the mound, fastball sat 71-73 mph from long, loose, clean high ¾ arm slot, tall/fall delivery, regular effort, shoulders level throughout delivery, lands in line with home plate. 65-67 mph changeup flashed arm side run, did not throw a breaking ball.

Andrew Nelson, RHP/1B, Wheaton North, 2017
6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B hits from a narrow, closed setup, short stride, hands load back and up smoothly, short, slightly uphill path, drove the baseball to right center during batting practice, 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy, average hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.77 60. On the mound fastball sat 71-72 mph from short, high ¾ arm slot, toe up at balance point, high leg kick, short stride, lands in line with home plate, flies open early with lower half. Threw a 67-69 mph curveball with 10/4 shape, also threw a 66 mph slider, both pitches blended together. Also threw a sinking 64-67 mph changeup.

Joe Oswald, 1B, Andrew, 2017
6-foot-2, 220-pound strong, wide shouldered right-handed hitting 1B hits from a balanced setup, short stride, short, level bat path, strength to swing, above average 86 mph exit velocity off the tee, showed power, especially to his pull side. Defensively, threw 75 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot, average hands defensively, ran an 8.22 60.

Zach Spence, 3B, Marian Catholic, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound lanky left-handed hitting 3B hits from balanced setup, slight leg kick, hands held high, quiet load, long, uphill bat path, occasional extension, up the middle line drives during solid round of batting practice with 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot, average carry, average hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.48 60.

Jacob Young, RHP/3B, Benet Academy, 2018
5-foot-6, 140-pound freshman two-way player. On the mound pitches out of the stretch only, arm works from a high ¾ slot, short arm action. Fastball is mostly straight, sat 70-71 mph, topped out at 73 mph. Curveball showed gradual 11/5 action, 61-63 mph. Changeup played at 66-68 mph. Flashed a slider with similar action to curveball at 64 mph. Offensively hits from a closed stance, slightly narrow, short stride. Worked the middle of the field, showed a solid approach, path worked well for age. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, similar to that on the mound, played at 68 mph across the diamond. Average to above average hands for age. Ran the 60 at 8.71.