The Underclass Trials took place on Wednesday, June 5 at Symonds-Puckett field on the campus of Triton College. This annual event provided those who attended an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the PBR Illinois staff. With over 65+ athletes in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 classes in attendance, the event itself was action-packed and full of young talent. 

Shortly after the events' conclusion, we published our statistical analysis and quick hits pieces from the showcase. This positional breakdown will highlight the infielders at the event (Click here for the catcher reports). Make sure to keep an eye out for all content coming from the Underclass Trials in the coming days. 

Holt Geltmaker made quite an impression in his first PBR event, so much so he took home the top spot. The 2021 Illinois Valley Central product claimed the events' best 60-yard-dash time by a land slide at 6.63, laser-timed, while showing off his line drive producing swing at the dish. Look for Geltmaker to make an immediate impact on the varsity roster next spring. 

Will Plattner (Glenwood, 2022) saw his name in the top catching prospects that went out a few days prior, and the athletic multi-positional prospect sees his name again here. He possesses a confident swing with easy bat speed and showed well at first base. Plattner has the athleticism to play the hot corner, but behind the dish may be his future home. 

Hunter Pudlo (Lakes, 2022) takes the third spot as the imposing 6-foot-4 right-handed masher has an advanced build and swing at the plate. He looks to damage the baseball to his pull side and as he continues to move through his high school career, the power potential should come nicely into fruition. 

Tyler Castro (2021) has sweet swing from the left side of the dish. The projectable framed Huntley product has loose hands with a fluid path and is a bat that should be followed as he continues to physically mature.

For all the infielder reports from the Underclass Trials, continue on below.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Holt Geltmaker, Illinois Valley Central, 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Even setup, weight shift load with an inverted toe tap stride. Short, level bat path, bat speed prevalent, line drive abilities with a gap to gap approach, consistent hard contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed ability to lift the baseball.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, accurate throws with carry.
Defense: Athletic defender, fields from the ground up, soft and reliable hands, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: Present foot speed, 6.63 runner in the 60, the event best.

2. Will Plattner, Glenwood, 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Athletic.
Hit: RHH. Balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, leg kick trigger, maintains balance throughout swing. Simple swing, confident, easy bat speed, loose hands, flat bat path, gets extension, gap-gap hitter, fluid rhythm.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, works from over-the-top, high 3/4 slot, throws consistently around the second base bag, flashed carry.
Defense: 2.08-2.14 pop times. Fluid, athletic footwork, quick, clean exchange, easy blocking ability, quick release, advanced receiver. At first base, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, athletic fielding position, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60.

3. Hunter Pudlo, Lakes, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 220-pounds. Large and strong frame, athletic actions.
Hit: RHH. Tall, relaxed setup, hands load back with barrel tip, hanging foot timing trigger to even. Fast hand, short barrel path on an uphill plane, ball jumps off the bat, looks to do damage to his pull side, rhythm involved.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present power potential.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Long, loose arm action, present arm speed, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, two-handed, clean gather to release, athletic actions for size.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.

3. Tyler Castro, Huntley, 2021 
Positional Profile: SS/2B. 
Body: 6-foot-1, 140-pounds. Lanky frame with projection, athletic type. 
Hit: LHH. Simple pre-pitch, balanced setup, smooth load, short toe tap trigger, maintains body control. Loose hands, fluid bat path on an uphill plane, direct path, repeated line drive contact with an all fields approach, rhythm throughout.
Power: Above average bat speed, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, steady hands, clean exchanges, showed ability to play through the baseball.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

John Ahler, Marian Central, 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 130-pounds. High-waisted and athletic.
Hit: RHH. Tall, relaxed setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, maintains body control. Loose hands, path plays short, barrel control type, line drive ability to the middle of the field, fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense:  Fluid footwork plays through the ball, soft hands, deadens the ball, clean exchange to release, confident actions.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60.

Peyton Burgh, Prospect, 2022
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load, short stride. Uphill bat path with some length, all fields approach, two-handed finish.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Quick footwork, clean two-handed gather to exchange, fields under center.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60.

Noah Campbell, East Peoria, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with athleticism.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, minimal load, high leg kick timing trigger. Strong hands generated present bat speed, short bat path on a level plane, line drive abilities, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork works through the ball, soft, reliable hands, clean exchange to a quick release.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.

Noah Chase, Illinois Valley Central, 2022
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open crouched setup, wide base, slight pre-set bar load, short stride. Long barrel path, level through the zone, high finish, gap-to-gap approach, rhythm involved. .
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed present bat speed.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, field out front, clean transfer, long to release.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60.

Jase Daley, Chatham-Glenwood, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-3, 195-pounds. Well-proportioned and athletic.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, long and inverted toe lifted stride. Strong hands, short and direct bat path, flashed line drive ability, middle of the field approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Deliberate actions, steady hands, two-hand gather, fields under center, long to release.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60.

Mikey Gentile, St. Laurence, 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Wiry build with athletic actions.
Hit: RHH. Slightly closed setup, bar load, long inverted toe-tap trigger. Quick hands, short path works on an uphill plane, all field approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, loose arm action, utilizes multi-angle arm slots.
Defense: Quick, fluid footwork, moves well laterally, reliable hands, clean exchange into a quick release, plays through the ball with rhythm.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.

Jonas Gulbrandsen, Oswego East, 2021
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Long and lean frame, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, crouched setup, minimal stride, high knee lift timing trigger, stays on back side. Loose hands, short, uphill barrel plane with present bat speed, line drive ability, rhythm involved.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, long to release at times, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.

Eli Hensley, Normal West, 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-6, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open setup, hands load back, inverted knee lift timing trigger. Loose hands, direct, fluid bat path on a slight uphill plane, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short muscled arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic and confident actions, advanced for age. Quick, fluid footwork, soft hands, deadens the ball, ranges with ease, clean exchange to release.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.

Evan Jones, Normal University, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/INF
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open, narrow setup, back/drop load, short toe lift stride. Short bat path works on an uphill plane, flashed line drive ability with occasional lift, middle of the field approach, some rhythm involved.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, accurate throws across.
Defense: Fluid footwork, light on his feet, reliable hands, clean exchange, long to release, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60.

Evan Kochel, Normal University, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 230-pounds. Durable frame, present lower half strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, slight back load, high elbow, long stride to even. Strong hands generate quick bat speed, short path on an uphill plane, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed ability to lift the baseball.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, ball carried.
Defense: Fields low, feet works through to release, steady hands, clean exchange with occasional glove pat.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60.

Evan May, Yorkville, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 135-pounds. Lanky frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, minimal pre-pitch actions, smooth load, short toe-tap stride, maintains balance. Loose, handsy hitter, short, level bat path, line drive ability, keeps it simple
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, whippy arm action, 3/4 arm slot, can drop slot, present arm speed.  
Defense: Plays confident, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchanges, plays through the baseball, rhythm involved.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60.

Dominic McKevitt, Saint Viator, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Lanky, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short leg kick trigger. Loose hands, path works uphill, flashed line drive ability with a gap-to-gap approach, rhythm in swing.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, two-handed gather with glove pat, clean exchange to release.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

George Nahabedian, Lincoln Park, 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open balanced setup, slight hand load back, short leg kick timing trigger. Short bat path, level through the zone, flashed an all field approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, clean exchange, longer to release with glove pat, some rhythm involved.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.

Declan Palmquist, Aurora Christian, 2021
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, hands drop at load, short toe-tap timing trigger. Uphill barrel path with some length, all fields approach, high finish.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot, showed ability to drop slot.
Defense: Long strides on the infield, plays quick, fields out front, clean exchange, gets rid of the ball.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.

Logan Petersen, LeRoy, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 179-pounds. Long and lean frame, wiry.
Hit: RHH. Tall, even setup, minimal hand load back, short stride, keeps it simple. Level path with length, flashed line drive ability, middle of the field approach, rhythm in swing.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, clean exchanges, feet get in position to throw.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60.

Mario Petrella, Stevenson, 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Athletic, lanky frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall balanced set up, minimal stride. Pull side approach, uphill path, line drive, pull side approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot, playable accuracy.
Defense: 2.12-2.26 pop times. Fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60.

Ben Plumley, Lane Tech, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned and athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth and quiet load, short stride, controlled throughout. Uphill path with some length, flashed bat speed, favors pull side, lift in swing.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, ball had carry across, canb drop slot.
Defense: Confident defender, works through the ball athletically, soft, reliable hands, quick and clean exchange to release.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60.

Frank Ryan, Joliet Catholic Academy, 2021
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, slightly open, quiet load with a short stride, toe lifted. Short, uphill bat path, high finish, present bat speed with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed ability to lift the baseball to all fields.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short, muscled arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, quick exchanges, plays through the ball aggressively.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60.

Brant Singler, Providence Catholic, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strength in frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short leg kick stride. Loose hands generates present bat speed, short bat path on an uphill plane, favors pull side.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed ability to lift ball to pull side.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, accurate throws.
Defense: Quick feet, steady hands, clean exchange, quick to release, plays fast at times.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.

Mason Telford, Streator, 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load, short, toe tap stride. Loose hands generates quick bat speed, short, direct path, line drive ability, fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed ability to lift the baseball.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, muscled arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense:, Quick feet, fields low, reliable hands funnels into waist, quick exchanges, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60.

Aidan Thaxton, St. Ignatius, 2023
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-foot-2, 106-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, hands load back, short stride, maintains balance. Short, compact bat path, line drive ability with pull side favoritism, rhythm through contact.
Power: 63 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, accuracy across.
Defense: Quick, fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange with glove pat, played through the baseball.
Run: 8.23 runner in the 60.

Aidan Trusky, Antioch, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Lanky frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load, short to lift stride. Path plays short and level through the zone, uphill finish, flashed line drive ability with an all fields approach.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short, muscled arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, clean exchange, longer to release, pats glove.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60.

Jermaine Young Jr, St. Patrick, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg kick stride. Long and uphill path to the ball.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. OF - 68 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot, showed accuracy.
Defense: Flashed steady hands, fluid footwork.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

Mason Weckler, Belvidere North, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, bar load, short toe lift stride. Uphill bat path, steep plane, all fields approach.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Narrow, two-handed gather, long to release, pats glove.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.

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