Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Senior Showcase: Infield Analysis


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Sunday, October 3, the PBR Illinois staff traveled back to The MAX Sports Complex in McCook, Illinois, to host the annual Unsigned Senior Showcase. This event was open to all uncommitted prospects in the state’s 2022 class that are still looking for a place to call home at the collegiate level.

Shortly after the event’s conclusion our staff rolled out several post-event content pieces, all of which can be found HERE.

We’ll begin rolling out the scouting reports from the day earlier this week, starting with the catching group and outfielders, now working our way around the diamond to the infielders. 

Read below for all the infield scouting reports from this event. 

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Carson Beal, Normal University (IL), 2022; Morton JC commit
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Strong, durable frame.
Hit: L. Balanced setup, loose and relaxed look. Fluid load, knee-knock stride. Hits with rhythm and balance throughout. Stays inside the baseball. Compact, uphill swing path. Pull side power. Consistently on the barrel. Above average bat speed.
Power: 91.87 max exit velocity, averaged 86.53 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high ¾ slot.
Defense: Natural infield actions. Soft hands and glovework, clean exchange. Plays with confidence.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

2. Michael Pustelnik, Andrew (IL), 2022; Lindenwood commit
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. Big, strong frame. Thick torso.
Hit: L. Open stance. Fluid pre-pitch load. short stride. Hits with rhythm. Compact, level swing. Highly repeatable. Uses the middle of the field. Present bat speed. Line drive hitter. Consistently on the barrel.
Power: 96.49 max exit velocity, averaged 85.92 mph. 344’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 79 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Quick feet. Fields in the center of body. Athletic position. Slightly off-balance at times.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

3. Shea Zbrozek, Normal Community (IL), 2022; Loras commit
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-1, 145-pounds. Projectable frame. Lean, proportioned build.
Hit: R. Open setup, smooth load into back leg, short leg lift. Head stays on the ball. Compact, level swing. Line drive hitter with feel for the barrel. Uses the whole field.
Power: 87.61 max exit velocity, averaged 81.57 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 79 mph. OF - 80 mph. Infield: Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Outfield: Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Infield: Athletic, quick footwork. Plays through the baseball. Ranges well both left and right. Soft hands and glovework. Clean exchange. Outfield: Athletic footwork. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

4. Zane Danielson, Glenwood (IL), 2022; Lincoln Land JC commit
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-7, 185-pounds. Tall, lanky build. Projectable frame.
Hit: L. Tall, balanced setup. Short leg lift/stride. Keeps hands back. Stays connected. Long, easy swing. Works uphill. Simple approach. No wasted movement. Quick hands. Uses the middle of the field.
Power: 89.44 max exit velocity, averaged 80.98 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Soft hands. Waits back on the ball. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

5. George Green, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-8, 175-pounds. Compact, short frame. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: R. Athletic, balanced setup. Hands start high and back. Short stride. Simple approach. Highly repeatable, compact swing. Uses the middle of the field.
Power: 83.21 max exit velocity, averaged 76.43 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, natural over-the-top with the ability to throw from multiple arm slots.
Defense: Active feet. Fields out front. Charges the ball well, steady hands. Range up the middle. Plays with body control on the move.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Julian Budziszewski, Morton West (IL), 2022; College of Dupage JC commit
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 165-pounds. Thick, strong lower-half.
Hit: R. Wide base. Closed front side. Hitch. Short leg lift. Level swing. Quick bat through the zone. Feel for the barrel. Right/Right-Center field approach.
Power: 86.85 max exit velocity, averaged 72.78 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 70 mph. INF - 67 mph. Catcher: Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot. Consistently around second base bag. Infield: Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: Receptive hands. Quick, direct footwork. Infield: Fluid, balanced footwork. Plays with rhythm and confidence. Ranges well both left and right. Body control on the move.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Frankie Carino, St. Edwards (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-9, 220-pounds. Stocky build.
Hit: R. Up on the plate. Closed front side. Toe tap stride. Bat is on-plane early and through the zone. Opposite-field approach. Lets the ball travel.
Power: 90.39 max exit velocity, averaged 80.84 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Waits back on the ball. Glove tap.
Run: 8.78 runner in the 60. 

Noah Chase, Illinois Valley Central (IL), 2022; Morton JC commit
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Well-built frame.
Hit: R. Loose and relaxed. Short stride. Tracks the ball to the bat. Swings with the hands. Showed strength.  Easy, level swing. Uphill at times. Line-drive, gap-to-gap approach. Ball jumps off the bat.
Power: 95.64 max exit velocity, averaged 89.26 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 80 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Agile. Stays down on the ball. Glove tap. Clean exchange. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60. 

Tommy Cheney, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2022; North Central College commit
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Athletic, lean build. High-waisted. Projectable frame.
Hit: R. Narrow, slightly open set up. Loose. Long stride. Easy, long and level swing. Uses the middle of the field.
Power: 89.02 max exit velocity, averaged 82.44 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball at times, fields in the center of his body.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Alexander Cortes, Warren (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-8, 145-pounds. Short, small frame. Thin, high-waisted.
Hit: R. Hands start low. Vertical bat with hands held out away from body. Loose and relaxed load. Leg lift, short stride. Long level bat path. Pull side approach.
Power: 85.58 max exit velocity, averaged 73.5 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 79 mph. Long arm action, natural over-the-top with the ability to throw from multiple arm slots.
Defense: Active feet. Long to release. Plays through the ball at times. Second base profile.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Owen Cutinello, South Elgin (IL), 2022; Elgin CC commit
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Strength throughout the upper body.
Hit: R. Open setup. Minimal load. Swings from the shoulders. Short stride. Long bat path to the zone. Out on front foot at times.
Power: 87.34 max exit velocity, averaged 79.15 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 75 mph. INF - 78 mph. Catcher: Low-effort, short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot. Flashed accuracy.  Infield: Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: Loose, easy, fluid actions. Clean transfer. Infield: Smooth actions. Soft hands. Glove tap on transfer.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Billy Frantzis, Glenbard West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-2, 235-pounds. Barrel-chested. Thick torso. Big, sturdy frame.
Hit: R. Tall, narrow stance. Back in the box. Hands start high. Pre-loaded back leg. Big stride. Powerful, uphill swing. No wasted movement. Highly repeatable. Easy power to all fields.
Power: 93.87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.71 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 68 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Low, quick two-handed gather out front. Watches the ball in.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Pearse Gorman, Fenwick (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Small, thin frame. Plenty of room to add strength throughout.
Hit: R. Open setup. Short, knee-knock stride. Simple approach. Compact, level swing. Long at times. Center/right-center field approach.
Power: 81.71 max exit velocity, averaged 75.67 mph. 227’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 68 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Smooth, fluid infield actions. Soft hands and glovework. Plays with body control on the move. Confident.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60.

Joseph Guzman, Morton (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-7, 170-pounds. Thick, strong lower-half. Solid upper body.
Hit: R. Wide set up. Small, quick leg lift. Long swing, works uphill. Natural lift. Uses the whole field.
Power: 77.38 max exit velocity, averaged 69.89 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 64 mph. INF - 69 mph. Catcher: Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Lacks arm strength. Infield: Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: Average hands. Clean exchange. Infield: Sure-handed.
Run: 8.30 runner in the 60.  

Carter Hall, Champaign Central (IL), 2022; Morton JC commit
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Sloped shoulders, thin-waisted.
Hit: R. Simple setup. Quiet in the box. Short stride. Short, level swing path. Natural pull side power. Uses the whole field.
Power: 86.4 max exit velocity, averaged 82.15 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 76 mph. INF - 73 mph. Catcher: Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot. Consistently around second base bag. Infield: Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: Sure handed. Feet work in line with second base bag. Infield: Natural infield actions. Balanced footwork. Plays with body control on the move.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Knapp, Plainfield South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 167-pounds. Lean, proportioned frame.
Hit: R. Wide base. Up in the front of the box. Long stride. Long, uphill swing. Gap-to-gap approach. Natural lift.
Power: 80.93 max exit velocity, averaged 62.65 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Quick lateral movements. Athletic footwork. Plays through the baseball. Ability to throw from multiple arm slots.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Ezekiel Lopez, Morton West (IL), 2022; Morton JC commit
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-7, 180-pounds. Short, stocky build.
Hit: R. Back in the box. Closed front side. Smooth pre-pitch load. Short Stride. Quick, strong hands drive a short, level swing through the zone. Center/left-center field approach.
Power: 91.15 max exit velocity, averaged 83.32 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Stop and go type fielder. Fields low to the ground. Waits back on ball.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Julian Melendez, Taft (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 135-pounds. Small, short frame.
Hit: R. Slightly open. Front toe turned in. Minimal load. Quick toe tap, short stride. Short, uphill swing. Pull-side approach. Hits the ball out front.
Power: 77.67 max exit velocity, averaged 65.42 mph. 204’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 70 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Pre-pitch bounce. Aggressive. Light on feet. Plays through the ball.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Hector Mendoza Jr., Morton West (IL), 2022; Morton JC commit
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. High-waisted. Lean build.
Hit: R. Wide set up. Slightly closed stance. Quiet in the box. Minimal load. Short stride.  Simple. Long, uphill swing. Pull-side approach.
Power: 86.94 max exit velocity, averaged 76.66 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Fields the ball out front. Sure-handed. Ranges well both left and right.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Miller, Crete Monee (IL), 2022; Carthage commit
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-3, 165-pounds. Tall, lanky build. Thin waist. Long-limbed, projectable frame.
Hit: L. Narrow base. Up on the plate. Hands held high and close to body. Head stays on the baseball. Long, level swing with advanced bat speed. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89.5 max exit velocity, averaged 73.89 mph. 7’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Stays down on the ball well. Soft hands. Fluid actions.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Phillips, Schaumburg (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 235-pounds. Big, powerful frame. Strength throughout.
Hit: R. Closed front side. Hands stay back. Creates separation. Present bat strength. Powerful, uphill swing path. Natural pull side power. Consistently on the barrel and with authority.
Power: 96.13 max exit velocity, averaged 90.5 mph. 367’ max distance. Highest average exit velocity from the event.
Arm: R. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Works to the right of the ball. Fields glove side. Clean transfer.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Michael Rago, Fenton (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Compact, lean frame. Room to add strength.
Hit: R. Open stance. Toe-tap stride. Slight arm bar. Drops back elbow down and in. Long, uphill swing. Pull side approach.
Power: 83.78 max exit velocity, averaged 75.61 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, natural high 3/4 with the ability to throw from multiple arm slots.
Defense: Loose. Active feet. Moves with intent. Quick first step at times. Showed ability with backhand.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Rogde, Burlington Central (IL), 2022; Dubuque commit
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Thin, compact frame.
Hit: R. Balanced setup. No wasted movement. Minimal load. Short stride. Compact/level swing. Bat is on plane early and through the zone. Above average rotational acceleration (21.3 g average). Opposite field approach.
Power: 86.52 max exit velocity, averaged 77.62 mph. 260’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Two-handed gather out front. Sure-handed. Natural infield actions.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Jack Taczy, Cary-Grove (IL), 2022; Evansville commit
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 165-pounds. Projectable frame. Tall, lanky build. Proportioned frame.
Hit: L. Tall. Loose and relaxed look. Keeps hands back. Stays balanced throughout. Long swing. Works uphill.
Power: 89.04 max exit velocity, averaged 78.15 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 79 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, clean exchange.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

CJ Weik, Mundelein (IL), 2022; Wisconsin-Eau Claire commit
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Broad shoulders. Durable, strong frame.
Hit: R. Upright, balanced setup. Long stride. Relaxed. Compact, level swing. Pull side approach.
Power: 89.19 max exit velocity, averaged 82.33 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Clean two-handed gather. Fields the ball out front.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

RELATED CONTENT