On Oct. 2, PBR Illinois hosted the fall’s Unsigned Senior Showcase, as it does each and every fall, at The MAX complex in McCook, Ill., where nearly 70 prospects participated. These Class of 2023 athletes remain uncommitted headed into the final offseason of their prep careers, and this group that performed at The MAX last weekend underscored the unsigned talent still remaining in Illinois.

Today, we are breaking down the infielders that were in attendance, starting with a few players that stood out to our scouting staff, below. 

INF Taylor Voorhees (St. Joseph-Ogden) put together one of the most polished and impressive BP rounds on the day, and he did so with an injured knee. The injury prevented him from running or doing defense at the event but his round of BP deserves a strong follow moving forward. Voorhees stays simple and quiet at the plate, repeating a strong swing that was all over the barrel for loud contact into each gap. Voorhees had the second highest average exit velocity of the event at 90.0 mph and a sweet spot percentage of 80%. 

Another right-handed bat to note was RHP/1B James Traficanti (East Leyden). Traficanti has a 6-foot-3, 230-pound, broad-shouldered frame, stays short to the ball and creates some easy jump off the barrel at times in BP.  

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS 

1. Jeremy Yanow, Deerfield (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched setup, short/simple stride, toe-taps.  Quick/strong hands, works level through the zone with a line-drive approach, stays up the middle.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 88.9 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Athletic arm, can throw from multiple platforms.
Defense: Athletic actions, presents the glove, plays quick and with tempo and body control. Natural infield actions.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

2. Dillon Putty, Huntley (IL), 2023; McHenry JC commit
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-1, 215-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, open front foot, long stride works back to even.  Creates hand separation at footstrike, easy bat strength, intent to do damage to the pullside.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 332’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Clean arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady actions around the bag, showed body control and feel.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60. 

3. Luke Bafia, Benet Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, simple setup, short stride.  Athletic, easy, strong hands that work level through the zone.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.2 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. OF - 90 mph. Long arm swing, 3/4 slot.
Defense: OF: Light on his feet, gains ground through release, steady hands. INF: Smooth actions, plays with fluidity and body control.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60. 

4. Kyrent Cole, Leo (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, balanced, quiet load with a medium stride.  Easy swing, loose hands, flashed bat speed, fluid rhythm and uphill path. Was on the barrel throughout and used the middle of the field.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 76.5 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Athletic arm, plays loose and from multiple platforms.
Defense: Bouncy, light on his feet, plays with ease and confident soft hands. Clean glove--to-hand release with advanced overall feel.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

5. Alejandro Munoz, Evergreen Park (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, weight starts on back foot slightly, toe-taps into a medium stride.  Short path to the ball, swing works level through the zone.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.6 mph. 276’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Loose, easy arm, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Clean and easy actions, maintains body control on the move, steady hands.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Braden Alexander, Bloomington (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched setup, knee-knocks into a long stride.  Direct to the ball, level path with a line-drive approach, loose arms with extension through contact.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 79 mph. 276’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays quick, attacks the ball and clean release.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

Emmet Barry, Agricultural Science (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, fluid load with a quiet stride.  Long swing, stays level through the zone, works gap-to-gap.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 69 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, clean hands.
Run: 8.11 runner in the 60. 

Calvin Bredlau, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright setup, long stride with a fluid load.  Loose limbs, creates extension through contact, swing works uphill.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 73.7 mph. 245’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top.
Defense: Clean actions, ability to turn over the double play and change arm angle.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Michael Carlson, Mundelein (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-8, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, leg-kick trigger. Short path, uphill stroke, middle of the field approach.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 76.4 mph. 247’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, clean glove-to-hand transfer, steady hands.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Patrick Collins, Kaneland (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, front shoulder down, quiet load and stride. Simple direct swing, strong hands, repeats, uses the middle of the field.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. INF - 67 mph. Short to the ear into an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.14-2.22 pop times. 1B: Clean hands and actions at first base. Secures into the body, clean release. C: Steady, confident hands, quick/clean transfer, takes momentum into throws, directional footwork out of the crouch. Athletic blocker, moves well side-to-side.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

James Escamilla, Reavis (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-6, 125-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Narrow setup, balanced with weight evenly distributed, knee-knocks into a long stride.  Handsy, easy swing, long path, sits into backside at times.
Power: 78 max exit velocity, averaged 69.8 mph. 230’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Stays square, looks to secure the baseball, clean transfer.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Garcia, Providence Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright setup, hangs foot into a medium stride. Quick hands, works uphill through the zone, coils and unloads through the zone .
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 81.2 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean actions and footwork around the bag, plays with pace at times.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Brandon Juska, St Laurence (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, minimal wasted movement, balanced finish. Repeatable swing, short to the baseball,
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 78.2 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, clean and quick release; sure-handed, sound double play turn.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Joseph Merrick, Hammond Central (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, high leg-kick into a medium stride.  Quick/short path, flat to the ball with a line-drive approach.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 80.3 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Loose, easy arm. plays from a 3/4 slot with feel.
Defense: Clean actions, steady hands, quick release and maintains body control on the move.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Korey Mulling, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, smooth load into a medium stride. Flat path, stays through the zone at times, on the barrel, occasional back-spin and pull-side tendencies.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 89.7 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot with the ability to change angles.
Defense: Comes and gets the baseball, plays low, clean through release with some length.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Allen Negron, Thornridge (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-11, 235-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, high leg-lift into a long stride.  Hands work uphill through the zone, intent to lift the baseball.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 75 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 63 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Strong, sure-hands, picks it out front, confident. Plays with tempo and pace, active around the bag.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60. 

Brooks Neuhoff, Morton (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, long stride.  Hands start low, works level through the zone, works out front.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 88.2 mph. 365’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Light on his feet, clean actions, body control on the move and steady hands.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

Julian Rodriguez, Pritzker College Prep (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 153-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, knee-knock stride. Short path, pull-side contact and stays flat through the zone at times.
Power: 72 max exit velocity, averaged 59.1 mph. 82’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 53 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands play low to the ground, secures it into his body.
Run: 8.22 runner in the 60. 

Peyton Simmons, Garrett (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, balanced, medium stride. Feel for the barrel, sprayed hard contact to all fields, finishes on back side.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 79.7 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands play low to the ground, secures in the center of his body.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

James Traficanti, East Leyden (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 230-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open setup, knee-knocks into a long stride.  Easy, hands work flat to the ball with extension through contact, some pop off the bat.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.2 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, moves well around the bag for size.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Joey Vandermeir, Schaumburg Christian (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, slight load and short stride. Sits on backside at times, uphill path.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, shows body control on the move, clean release.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

Kaiden Wesley, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, long stride, hangs foot. Easy, quick hands, on the barrel up the middle.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Easy arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft hands, plays tall through release, clean glove-to-hand transfer.
Run: 8.25 runner in the 60. 

Tommy Wichgers, Muskego (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, weight on back leg, short/quick stride.  Quiet, repeatable swing, finishes on balance. Controlled the barrel and used the middle of the field.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 80.8 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Clean arm action, ability to throw from multiple slot.s
Defense: Plays low to the ground, clean release, plays quick, sure-hands.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Windy, Bloomington (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, long stride.  Simple swing, flat through the zone with a line-drive approach.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 73.4 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean release, secures the baseball, made a couple of sliding plays.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60.

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