Unsigned Senior Games: Infielder Analysis

September 1, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

After rolling out the catcher rankings yesterday we move on today to the infielders from the Unsigned Senior Games that took place on August 7^th and 8^th at Plunkett Park in Elmhurst, IL. Andrew Garcia flashed athletic actions at shortstop and a loose left-handed swing to set the pace for the infielders at the the event. The No. 2 spot was locked down by Sean Cary a shortstop who possesses an athletic, projectable body. Smooth hands, good body control on the infield and his arm will play from the left-side of the infield at the next level.

Below is a list of the top five infielders from the Unsigned Senior Games.

Top Infielders

1. Andrew Garcia, SS, Lincoln-Way East, 2016
6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitting shortstop carries an athletic quick twitch frame. Projects well as a middle infielder at the next level. Defensively consistently showed solid fluid actions during the workout which translated well into game play. Threw 81 mph across the diamond with a short quick arm action. Flashed well above average range at SS and had solid over the shoulder catch down left field line during game play. Hits from the left side of the plate, slightly open stance, loose in the box with rhythm and a whippy bat. Exit velocity was clocked at 78mph with a wood bat. Showed good feel at the plate and barrel awareness going 1-2 with a double and two walks in game play. Ran a 4.44 from home to first and 7.23 in the 60.

2. Sean Cary, SS, Centralia, 2016
Long lean projectable frame, 6-foot-3, 170-pound shortstop, big upside defensively. Showed to be arguably the best defensive infielder at the event. Soft hands, plays through the baseball, longer strided, rangy athlete, can play well on the move, showed advanced body control for his size. 7.08 runner, laser timed 60. Arm action is athletic and can play from multiple slots, loose with carry, 80 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, drops hands at load, short stride. Average bat speed, loose hands, uphill plane. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Scott Cappis, 3B, St. Ignatius, 2016
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitting infielder boasts a physical frame with soft hands and quick feet in the infield. In game play, Cappis made countless plays, showcasing his range with a variety of opportunities from backhands to slow rollers. Light on his feet with a quick release, threw 79mph from across the diamond and made every play throughout the weekend. Hits from a closed, balanced set up, hands above the ear, short stride. Showed advanced bat speed with a 91 mph exit velocity. In game swung the bat with authority, and showed patience going 1-3 with a walk. Flashed the quick twitch with back to back stolen bases in game play. Ran a 7.83 60. Projects well as high level defensive third baseman, glove and arm will play.

4. Nick Kirk, MIF, Cary Grove, 2016
5-foot-11, 155-pound infielder, average lean frame. Defensively showed playable actions on the infield, played through the baseball with a clean exchange. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, average arm strength, 81 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from the right side, open setup, leg lift trigger, good balance throughout contact. Loose hands, path is level, stays compact at times, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

5. Maclain Neal, SS, Hinsdale Central, 2016
5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitting infielder, solid build. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, maintains balance. Showed a quick bat, path is short, pull side contact. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed proper infield actions, played through the baseball with soft hands. Arm action is loose, can play on the move, high ¾ slot stayed on line, 80 mph across the diamond. 7.28 runner.

5. Dali Durazo, 3B/RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
5-foot-11, 200-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride. Path is fairly level, can get more out of lower half, balanced approach, showed feel for the barrel. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed some actions at third base, arm played loosely and on the move, high ¾ slot. Hands showed softness. 75 mph across the diamond. 7.96 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery repeats, slide step from the stretch. Over the top arm slot with length. Fastball is mostly straight, good control of the zone, 78-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 68-72 mph. Flashed a changeup at 75 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Casey Becker, 1B/RHP, Wheaton North, 2016
6-foot 1, 215-pound, left handed hitting two-way player. Defensively shows average hands with long exchange. Works from a high3/4 arm angle, with long arm action. 77 mph across the diamond. Hits from a tall open stance with good balance. Short stride, uphill tendencies with pull side/ power approach. Registered 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Went 1-3 with a walk, and a single. Was 4.86 home to first and ran an 8.37 60. On the mound Becker works from a ¾ arm angle, with a long arm action. Shows some rhythm in delivery stays in line and lands square. Fastball sat 74-78 touching 79 with arm side run. Curveball was 63 mph with 11/5 action. Flashed a sharp slider at 69 mph. Changeup was 73 mph.

Joshua Caceres, OF/SS, Simeon, 2016
5-foot-8, 150-pound left-handed hitting two way player. Hits from a balanced setup, starts with a flat bat, short stride with uphill bat path with pull side tendencies. In game play, Caceres went 1 for 3 showing pop with a right center triple. Ran a 4.80 from home to first and 7.25 60. Threw 78mph across the diamond with some carry and accuracy. Showed average hands, quick feet with a clean exchange. One the mound Caceres comes over the top with a high ¾ are angle, good rhythm, with 76-79 mph, falls off to first base side. Curveball flashes 11/5 action at 66mph. Changeup was 64-68.

Damon Czarnecki, 2B,Oak Forest, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively flashed feel with the glove at second base making a backhand play on a well struck ball up the middle during game play. Showed soft hands, fluid footwork partnered with a clean exchange and accurate throws. Threw 77 mph across the infield. Hits from a balanced setup, good rhythm pre pitch with hands, short stride along with an inside out approach. Registered 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.61 60 and 4.84 home to first in game play.

Spencer Garnett, 2B, Hinsdale Central, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively has short arm action, firm hands, with accuracy and average carry. Threw 78mph across the diamond. Hits from a tall balanced setup, with high leg kick. In game play Garnett went 1-3 with a sharp single through the first and second baseman. Ran a 7.53 60 and was 4.72 home to first in game play.

Michael Jahnke, 3B/1B, T.F. South, 2016
Body carries strength 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, starts from an open, balanced stance. Loads by dropping his hands, short stride, and average balance throughout swing. Uphill bat path through the hitting zone with a pull approach. Exit velocity registered 82 mph. Defensively, long-arm action, over-the-top slot, with some accuracy, clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.73 60 yard dash.

Adam Locke, 1B/RHP, T.F. South, 2016
5-foot 10, 186-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. Hits from a tall balanced setup, short stride with short bat path. Registered 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. In game went 1-2 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base, and one run scored. Was 4.83 home to first and ran a 7.31 60. Defensively works from high ¾ arm angle in the infield, with accuracy on throws. On the mound Locke works from a ¾ arm angle, long arm action, stays in line. Fastball sat 74-76 mph touching 78mph. Curveball was 57-62 mph. Threw two innings allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out one.

Max Maney, 2B/RHP, Boylan Central Catholic, 2016
5-foot 9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. Defensively works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action, 81 mph across the infield. Showed average hands with fluid footwork and clean exchange. In game Maney flashed athleticism with a backhand play. Hits from an open stance, short stride, good lower half, whippy bat, with middle to pull side tendencies. Was 4.86 home to first and ran a 7.70 60. On the mound, Maney works from a high ¾ arm angle. Rhythm in delivery, level at balance point with drop and drive towards the plate. Fastball sat 78-80 mph. Curveball showed 12/6 action at 67-69 mph. Change up was 72 mph. Threw two innings, allowed four hits, two runs, with one walk.

Ryan Muehlfelt, MIF, Wheaton North, 2016
Shorter build 5-foot-7, 150-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, simple swing, balanced stance, slight pre-pitch load and leg-lift trigger. Long, uphill bat path. 78 mph exit velocity. In game one Muehlfelt went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a hard line-out to the first baseman. Defensively, projects more as a second baseman. Reliable hands with a quick exchange. Short-arm action, over-the-top slot, clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.35 60 yard dash.

Tyler Mulligan, 2B, Newark, 2016
5-foot 9, 135-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman. Defensively works from high ¾ arm action in the infield with a long exchange. Threw 70 mph from across the infield. Hits from a crouched, balanced setup. Short stride with level bat path. Registered 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. In game Mulligan went 2-3 with a single, a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Ran a 7.68 60 and was 4.69 home to first.

Connor Nelson, 1B/3B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
6-foot, 210-pound, right-handed hitting corner infielder. Hits from a tall narrow setup, slight wrap, with leg kick. Uphill bat path, with pull side tendencies. Went 1-4 in game play with a single and two stolen bases. Registered 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 74 mph across the diamond, and showed light on his feet. Ran a 4.89 from home to first and 7.44 60.

Reilly O’Hara, 3B, St. Ignatius, 2016
6-foot 1, 190-pound, left-handed hitting third baseman. Hits from a wide stance, hands load back, short stride with a level bat path. Registered 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively works from a high ¾ arm slot with short arm action. Showed average hands with quick, clean exchange. Threw 73 mph from across the diamond. Ran a 7.92 60 and was 4.75 home to first.

Trevor Ranallo, 2B/SS, Huntley, 2016
Put together, strong 5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Stood out during game play at the plate. Had three hits in two games, a double and two stolen bases. Offensively, flashed the ability to stay on top and backspin baseballs. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm in hands and a slight, smooth load. Slight leg-lift trigger. Level bat path through the zone, gap-to-gap approach, exit velocity of 81 mph. Defensively, clean exchange, long-arm action, ¾ slot, with some accuracy on throws. Clocked at 73 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.53 60 yard dash.

Louis Reynolds, MIF, T.F. South, 2016
Undersized 5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-kick trigger. Long, uphill bat path. In game one went 1-for-3 with a line drive single to right-center field. Registered an exit velocity of 74 mph off of a tee. Defensively, loose arm action, ¾ slot with a clean exchange. Clocked at 75 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.55 60 yard dash.

Dan Rizzo, RHP/3B, Lemont, 2016
6-foot-1, 220-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/3B. On the mound works from a n over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a toe closed landing and upright finish. Showed a feel for three pitches for strikes in game. Fastball sat 75-78 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 64-68 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup with armside run at 72-74 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Average hands with slower actions. Threw 76 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, deep load to backside with a short stride. Uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.45.

Vince Schwartz, 1B, Oswego East, 2016
6-foot-2, 190-pound first baseman, big strong frame. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, tall setup, short stride. Showed advanced bat speed, hard contact, loose hands finds the barrel, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 76 mph across the diamond, long arm action, high ¾ slot. 7.60 runner in the 60, laser timed.

Connor Sharp, RHP/1B, Mercer, 2016
6-foot 3, 180-pound, right-handed hitting, two-way player. Physical frame. Hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, bat wrap on load with uphill bat path. Registered exit velocity of 86 mph off the tee. Defensively works from a ¾ arm angle, with a long arm action. Showed soft hands, fluid, clean exchange with accurate throws. Threw 77 mph from across the diamond. On the mound Sharp works from a ¾ arm angle with a long loose arm action. Slow pace delivery, tall at balance point, stays in line and lands square. Fastball sat 78-80 mph. Slider was 70-72 with late life. Change was 72-73. Slider and changeup were best pitches. Threw two innings allowing one walk while striking out four. Two strikeouts came via the slider.

Aaron Simon, 1B, St. Charles North, 2016
Long, strong bodied 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, flashed an above-average exit velocity, 89 mph. Level bat path through the hitting zone. Balanced setup, slight, early pre-pitch load and short, toe-tap stride. Defensively, steady hands, a short-arm action, ¾ slot, with some accuracy, clocked at 75 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.82 60 yard dash.

Zachary Zarifian, 3B/OF, Zion Benton, 2016
Strong build 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Offensively, aggressive swing with fast bat speed. 88 mph exit velocity. Starts from an open, wide stance, slight pre-pitch load to his backside and a short stride. Uphill bat path through the zone and opposite-field approach in batting practice. Defensively, showcased on the infield and outfield. Threw 85 mph from the outfield. Over-the-top slot, short-arm action and some carry. On the infield flashed quick feet with a quick exchange. Clocked at 81 mph from across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.41 60 yard dash.

Unsigned Senior Games: Infielder Analysis

Top Infielders

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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