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Underclass Showcase: Corner Infield Analysis

November 18, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Underclass Showcase featured 89 prospects in the 2017 and 2018 classes on October 26th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. Over the next several days the PBR Scouting staff will roll out position-by-position rankings of the event, culminating with the Top Ten Overall Prospects from the showcase.

Yesterday we took a look at the top outfield prospects from the showcase. Today we’ll take a look at the top corner infield prospects led by St. Laurence first baseman Thomas Farrell. Farrell is highly athletic for a first baseman, and impressed with above average 87 mph exit velocity for his age.

Morgan Park’s Donvian Williams was a close second, and possesses the best infield actions of any prospect on this list. His hands play like a middle infielder’s at third base, and he projects to have at least an above average arm.

Harlan’s Trevon Sutton has great feet and a plus sized power hitting frame. He posted the top exit velocity of the event at 88 mph, and also showed power potential at the plate throughout the fall.

PJ Maloney (Mount Carmel) showcased a loose, athletic arm action at the hot corner, and Thomas Larson (Families of Faith Christian Academy), who also impressed in the outfield with his arm strength, rounds out our top five.

Let’s take a look at the top corner infield prospects

Top Corner Infield Prospects

1. Thomas Farrell, 1B/LHP, St. Laurence, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting first baseman/left-handed pitcher hits from a spread out, open stance, hands load back smoothly, starts with a high back elbow, explosive bat speed, short path, fluid rhythm, hit several line drives from gap-to-gap, power to pull side, loud on contact, 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, impresses at first base with athleticism and range. 7.06 60 runner so could athleticism fits in the outfield as well. Threw 78 mph across the diamond from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, showed soft hands fielding, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball. On the mound, sat 79-82 mph with sink from same arm slot, works exclusively from the stretch, toe down at balance point, shoulders stay level in delivery, lower half stays in line with lower half, lands square, athletic finish. 68-69 mph sluvy breaking ball had late action, gets on the side of it at times missing arm side, but potential to be above average. 71-73 mph changeup flashed arm side run. Farrell is a high follow prospect over the next few years in the class of 2017.

2. Donivan Williams, OF/3B, Morgan Park, 2017
6-foot, 176-pound athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/third baseman hits from a narrow, open setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, above average bat speed, slightly uphill path, hands and wrists work loosely in swing, hit several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively performed will in the outfield, but really impresses with soft hands and infield actions at third base. Threw 84 mph from the outfield, and 81 mph across the diamond from third from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry. Arm projects to be plus. Ran a 7.23 60.

3. Trevon Sutton, RHP/3B, Harlan, 2017
6-foot, 225-pound strong right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a balanced setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, gets foot down early, short slightly uphill efficient bat path hit several line drives from gap-to-gap, recorded the top exit velocity of the Underclass Showcase at 88  mph. Defensively, profiles at first base due to size, but showed good feet and hands at third base. Threw 77 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Soft hands fielding, fluid footwork, carry and accuracy on throws. Ran an 8.55 60. On the mound, fastball sat 78-80 mph from short, loose, quick, high ¾ arm slot, tall-and-fall delivery, regular effort, toe up at balance point, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands slightly open. 12/6 breaking ball sat between 65-68 mph, no separation velocity wise with slider also thrown 65-68 mph. 70-71 mph changeup flashed sinking action. Sutton is a legitimate power threat to watch over the next several years.

4. PJ Maloney, 3B, Mount Carmel, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound third baseman, carries some strength, projects for strong build. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. Showed good bat speed, strong swing, occasionally opens early. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively displayed soft hands for his age at third base, moved well to his glove side, showed some body control. Arm action is loose, showed arm strength, some carry, 80 mph across the diamond, athletic arm action can release on the move. 7.91 runner in the 60.

5. Thomas Larson, OF/3B/RHP, Families of Faith Christian Academy, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound strong and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, shorts stride, barrel head gets out, long swing with extension, pull tendencies, produced 83 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, long arm action plays better in the outfield, throwing 83 mph with aggressive crow hop from long, over-the-top arm action with carry and some accuracy. Ran a 7.16 60. On the mound fastball sat 77-79 mph from long, over-the-top slot, fairly straight. Slows arm on 62-64 mph curveball with 11/5 shape. Minimal action on 66-68 mph slider with horizontal break.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cristian Corona, 1B/LHP, St. Laurence, 2018
6-foot, 220-pound strong left-handed hitting first baseman/left-handed pitcher hits from a narrow setup, hands drop to load, short stride, short, uphill path, could use lower half more effectively, 68 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 61 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran an 8.40 60. On the mound, fastball sat 65-70 mph from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot, toe up at balance point, throws slightly across his body. 60-65 mph curveball showed gradual break, 11/5 shape. 60-62 mph changeup flashed arm side run.

Dylan Diorio, 3B/RHP, Plainfield North, 2017
5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from an open stance, leg kick stride, stride direction stays open, fast bat speed, long, uphill bat path with lift produced 72 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph across the diamond from long, ¾ arm slot. Ran an 8.03 60. On the mound, fastball sat 73-75 mph with arm side run and sink from long, ¾ arm slot with regular effort. Tall and fall type delivery, shoulders stay level, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate. 56-58 mph breaking ball flashed gradual 10/4 shape. 62-64 mph changeup flashed fading action, thrown for strikes.

Jordan Hursey, 1B, Peoria Richwoods, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from a balanced setup, hands move back to load, wraps barrel, long toe tap stride, long, uphill bat path, 73 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 69 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Ran a 7.90 60.

Floyd Kinds, 3B/RHP, Harlan, 2018
6-foot, 145-pound lanky right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, open setup, long stride, short path, producing 71 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 72 mph across the diamond short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Possesses athletic arm action, soft hands fielding, quick and clean exchanges. Ran a 7.76 60. On the mound, fastball sat 71-73 mph from short, over-the-top arm slot, toe up at balance point pauses at the top, level shoulders throughout delivery, drifts across his body with lower half stride direction. 61-65 mph curveball had gradual break, flashed 12/6 shape. 65-67 mph slider thrown harder with tighter spin, similar shape to curveball.

Jaylen Longino-Moore, RHP/1B, Harlan, 2017
6-foot-2, 145-pound lanky right-handed hitting first baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a balanced setup, short stride, long, uphill bat path produced 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 74 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot, showcased average hands fielding, feet work around the bag at first. Ran a 7.83 60. On the mound, fastball sat 72-73 mph with arm side run from long, loose, sweeping high ¾ arm slot, toe up at balance point, swings lead leg out and around, overhead windup, level shoulders throughout delivery, lands square with home plate. Threw strikes with all three pitches. 60-63 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape, 64-66 mph changeup flashed arm side run similar to movement on fastball.

Lane Marlow, 3B, Central, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound infielder, average build. Defensively projects more as a corner infield type, longer exchange. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot, showed accuracy, 69 mph across the diamond. 7.49 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from an open stance, reverse toe tap stride, slightly drops hands at load, minimal lower half. Pull side approach, lifts the baseball, path has some length, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Fabian Rentas, 1B, Roberto Clemente, 2018
6-foot-1, 250-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from a balanced, slightly closed setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, long, uphill bat path, strength in swing, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, threw 68 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran an 8.62 60.

Jake VanGlider, 1B, Oswego, 2017
6-foot, 205-pound right-handed hitter with a strong lower half, hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands drop down and back to load, short, level bat path produced 71 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 65 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran an 8.52 60.

Ryan Winkle, 1B/LHP, Brother Rice, 2017
6-foot, 150-pound left-handed hitting first baseman/left-handed pitcher hits from a balanced setup, slight leg kick (lunges at times), hands are quiet to load, short, level bat path with pull tendencies during batting practice with 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 70 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Natural first base actions, soft hands, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchanges, plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.88 60. On the mound, impressed with three-pitch mix for strikes from short, high ¾ arm slot from ear. Shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lower half stride direction is in line with home plate, lands square. Fastball sat 69-72 mph, touch 73 mph. 55-58 mph curveball with gradual action flashed 1/7 shape thrown for strikes. 61-63 mph changeup was also thrown for strikes with some sink.

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