Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Senior Games: Infield Analysis



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

Our analysis of the Unsigned Senior Games continues this week with the top infield prospects. Several of the top prospects overall were infielders and a top heavy group with the following five prospects standing head and shoulders above the rest. Ben Carew took the top spot and is also one of the top overall prospects in the state with the ability to play the outfield as well. Here’s a look at our top infielders from the Unsigned Senior Games.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Ben Carew, OF/2B, Kimberly, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting OF/2B with an athletic frame. Currently ranked No. 27 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. Defensively in the outfield has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot with carry on throws. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and fluid footwork. Threw 86 mph from the outfield. In the infield showed off arm strength with athletic actions, throwing 86 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from an upright, slightly open stance with a smooth load and leg kick stride. Fluid rhythm with a short, level swing path and a fast bat. Went 1-2 in game with a single. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.33. One of the top uncommitted position players in the state.

2. Tanner Strommen, SS, Burlington, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a lanky, athletic frame. Defensively has a short loose arm action from an over the top arm slot with carry on throws. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and quick, fluid footwork. Clean exchange with soft hands. Threw 81 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Loose swing with a fast bat and a level path. Fluid rhythm at the plate. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.50.

3. Jake Hall, SS, Lake Country Lutheran, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound shortstop, smaller frame with lean strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short lift and replace stride, good balance through contact. Fast bat on a short path, athletic hands, contact type hitter, can spray to all fields. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, over the top slot, some effort across the diamond and plays accurate and efficient. Hands are soft, showed infield actions, fluid footwork that sets up and plays through the baseball out in front and left of center. Grinder type on the field, showed good baseball IQ in game play.

4. Lucas Maurina, SS, Altoona, 2016
5-foot-8, 155-pound, left-handed hitting shortstop. Currently ranked No. 43 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride and good balance. Lined rive hitter with fluid rhythm and a short uphill swing path. Went 1-2 in game with an RBI single and a run scored. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.44. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Athletic actions, plays thru the ball with soft, sure hands. Threw 77 mph across the infield. Committed to UW-La Crosse shortly after the event.

5. Jack Dwyer, SS/RHP, Marquette University, 2016
6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP with a lanky frame. Currently ranked No. 53 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot with carry on throws. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions while flashing soft hands. Threw 80 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Good approach at the plate. Short, level swing path with extension, creating whip. Flashed a fast bat with the ability to backspin balls. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.54. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some rhythm. Fastball sat 79-82 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 71-73 mph. Worked one inning allowing a hit.

Best of the Rest (Alphabetical Order)

David Ferguson, 3B, Plainfield North (IL), 2016
5-foot-11, 200-pound right-handed hitting third baseman, strong solid build. Hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Showed bat strength, minimal lower half, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 73 mph across the diamond, rigid arm action, high ¾ slot. Ran a 4.87 down the line.

Chris Fuller, INF, Dominican, 2016
6-foot, 190-pound infielder, solid frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride. Long path, pull side approach, flashed occasional pop. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, rigid action, over the top slot. 72 mph arm strength across the diamond. 5.07 runner down the line.

Alex Gerhardt, SS, Fox Valley Lutheran, 2016
5-foot-9, 170-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively hits form a tall, narrow, slightly open stance with a short stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. Hard contact in BP. Went 1-2 with a single in game. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.86. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with good body control. Threw 72 mph across the infield.

Christian Gerner, SS, Milwaukee Lutheran, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with an athletic frame. Defensively has smooth, athletic actions. Plays thru the ball with soft hands and a quick, clean exchange. Has a short, loose arm action from an over the top arm slot. Threw 75 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and leg kick stride. Short swing path with a good approach. In games went 1-3 with an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.54.

Ty Greco, 2B, Whitnall, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound, left-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively hits from an open stance with a deep load to backside with a leg kick stride. Loose swing with a level path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.70. Went 2-3 in game with a double, RBI, and a stolen base. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 74 mph across the infield.

Tyler Jeske, 2B, Cedarburg, 2016
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman with a lanky frame. Defensively has a long stiff arm action with average arm strength. Long exchange with average hands. Threw 74 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride and average balance. Uphill swing path.  Went 1-2 in games with a single. 75 mph exit velocity form a tee. Home to first at 4.65.

Gage Kamp, SS, Shiocton, 2016
5-foot-11, 145-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Defensively has a short arm action. Plays thru the ball with average hands. Threw 69 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a slightly closed stance with a back load and short leg lift stride. Line driver hitter with a long, level swing path. 72 mph exit velocity form a tee. Home to first at 4.44.

Ryan McEnroe, RHP/1B, Lakeland Union, 2016
Long lanky frame, 6-foot-3, 185-pound two-way player, projectable build. On the mound delivery works slightly rotationally, leg swing to landing. Arm works out of a ¾ slot, full swing, firm arm. Fastball played with slight sinking action, 78-80 mph. Curveball has 10/4 sweeping action, slurve type breaking ball, 64-66 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, leg kick trigger. Showed the ability to make hard contact with some bat strength, lacked repeatability, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph across the diamond. 4.81 runner down the line.

Nate Michek, RHP/3B, Highland, 2016
6-foot-1, 155-pound RHP/3B with a thin, lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a stiff arm action. Slow paced delivery with a short leg lift and a square landing. Fastball sat 70-72 topping out at 73 mph. Curveball sat 62-63 mph. Changeup flashed sink at 64-66 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull hitter with average bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.79. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 69 mph across the infield.

Joseph Morgan, 2B, Wauwatosa West, 2016
5-foot-8, 155-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman with a small frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride and average balance. Line drive pull hitter with a level swing path. 76 mph exit velocity off a tee. Home to first at 4.54. Had a big game at the plate going 2-2 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with good body control. Threw 73 mph across the infield.

Nick Santoro, SS, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
5-foot-11, 170-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short load to backside and short stride. Line drive, pull hitter with a fast bat. Looseness in the hands with strong, hard contact. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.58. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions. Clean exchange with a quick release. Threw 79 mph across the infield.

Mike Schmidt, SS, Waterford, 2016
5-foot-8, 150-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Defensively has a short loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot with accurate throws. Plays thru the ball with quick, clean exchange and fluid footwork. Threw 81 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a narrow, closed setup with a long stride. Long, level swing path with average bat speed. In game went 1-2 with a single. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.68.

Trevor Schwecke, SS, Marshfield, 2016
Sneaky strong build, 6-foot, 170-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even, can get more from lower half. Made hard contact in BP, bat strength, uphill path lifts the baseball with gap pop. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Went 1-for-3 with a single in game play. Defensively plays through the baseball, fluid footwork with softer hands, possibly profiles at third base. Over the top slot, average showed occasional carry, 77 mph across the diamond. 4.65 runner down the line. 

Matt Siecinski, 2B, Kettle Moraine, 2016
5-foot-11, 145-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively hits from a wide base with a balanced setup. Short stride with average balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. Worked a walk in three plate appearances. 68 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.51. Defensively has a long stiff arm action, plays the ball deep. Threw 70 mph across the infield.

Alec Tomkiewicz, 2B/RHP, Homestead, 2016
5-foot-6, 150-pound, right-handed hitting 2B/RHP. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Plays thru the ball with average hands. Threw 75 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a tall, narrow, slightly open stance. Arm bar on load with average balance. Spray hitter with an uphill swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.79. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall at balance point with a back turn to the catcher. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball sat 73-75 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 63-64 mph. Changeup at 70 mph.

Jake Weisgerber, SS, Xavier, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound infielder, average frame. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, reverse toe tap stride, average balance. Hit with rhythm, showed timing in BP, path has some length on slightly uphill plane. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays with length, high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. Average actions, ran a 5.01 down the line.

Ricky West, 1B, Homestead, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitting first baseman with a strong frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick clean exchange with good feel for the bag. Threw 74 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Pull hitter with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.77.

Hunter Yerke, 1B, Janesville Parker, 2016
6-foot-2, 180-pound, left-handed hitting first baseman. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Athletic fielder  with fluid footwork and good feel around the bag. Threw 74 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.69.

William Young, 2B/OF, Columbus Catholic, 2016
6-foot-3, 180-pound, right-handed hitting 2B/OF. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and collapse on the backside. Long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 5.14. Defensively has a long arm action with stiff actions. Threw 76 mph across the infield and 74 mph from the outfield.

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