Kane County Open: Position Player Analysis
November 16, 2020
On Sept. 20, the PBR Illinois team hosted its first-ever Kane County Open event at Northwestern Medicine Field, home of the Kane County Cougars. Over 30 high school-aged players were in attendance, and most of whom were making their PBR showcase debuts. We previously opened our event coverage in the days that followed the event, inside of our Statistical Analysis. We’re continuing our post-event coverage today, rolling out our position player scouting reports.
Uncommitted senior INF Ethan Mayer (Geneva, 2021) made a strong first impression at his debut PBR event, generating bat speed and strength from the right side while also showing off some middle infield actions. Junior 1B Jacob Buysse (Mundelein, 2022) was producing some especially loud batted-ball contact, with substantial exit speeds.
Sophomore OF Tommy Finley (Downers Grove North, 2023) has an athletic right-handed swing and he produced some serious power potential to follow, as a member of the state’s ‘23 class. In batting practice, he topped a max exit speed of 93.9 mph.
Bennett Summers (Bloomington Central Catholic, 2024) is a young two-way prospect to watch. As a position player he showed a polished approach, feel for the barrel and the feet, hands and actions to stick on the infield.
And even though he just missed the top-five below, check in on uncommitted senior C Cole McManus (Naperville North, 2021). He swings an easy left-handed bat, and he's a solid receiver who was also the most efficient catch-and-throw at this event.
For complete scouting reports on these three players, as well as the rest of the position players who participated in the Kane County Open, continue reading below.
TOP POSITION PLAYERS
1. Bennett Summers, Central Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Athletic build, lean strength.
Defense: Plays athletically, quick fluid footwork, average hands, quick clean exchange.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot; throws play with carry, flash accuracy.
Hit: RHH. Athletic in the box, slightly open balance setup, smooth load, short stride, balanced finish. Quick hands, fluid rhythm, short level swing, gets extension after contact.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.
2. Tommy Finley, Downers Grove North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Strong, athletic, compact build.
Defense: Athletic position, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot; throws play accurate with carry.
Hit: RHH. Athletic/balance setup, pre-pitch rhythm. Fluid load, simple stride. Fast and strong hands, quick hip rotation, short level swing, get extension after contact, power/pull approach. Projectable, athletic swing.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Recorded an average exit speed of 81.7 mph and a max exit speed of 93.9 in batting practice. Max distance recorded 324 feet.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60.
3. Jaden Carr, Huntley (IL), 2021; College of Lake County JC commit.
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Strong athletic build.
Defense: Smooth active feet, clean transfer, fielding athletically.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot, throws plays with some accuracy and with carry.
Hit: RHH. Balance crouch setup, wide base. Hands drop into load, short stride. Smooth fluid rhythm, short level swing, gets uphill extension through contact, pull-side approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Natural loft in swing helped him produce a max distance of 336 feet at an average exit speed of 81.2 mph.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60. Athletic, efficient gait.
4. Joseph Forte, Conant (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Lean, lanky frame.
Defense: Athletic footwork on approach, some length through transfer. Plays through.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; flashed both accuracy and carry at times.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, slight pigeon toed base. Fluid load back, soft stride back even. Short, simple bat path; leaned-back posture in finish. Line-drive contact profile.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Uphill plane through impact creates consistent lofted contact; average distance 274 feet, max exit speed of 90.7 mph, per TrackMan.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60.
T-5. Ethan Mayer, Geneva (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Defense: Athletic footwork, defends low to the ground at gather. Fluid transfers, pack at exchange.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short, loose throws from a 3/4 slot; displayed accuracy.
Hit: RHH. Tall/open setup, hands set high. Fluid load, long stride to even. Generates hand and bat speed off a long path, extension through contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed bat strength; max exit speed of 94.3 mph, max distance of 335 feet, all per TrackMan.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. Above-average runner.
T-5. Jacob Buysse, Mundelein (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-2, 210-pounds. Sturdy, strong lower half.
Defense: Tall at gather, one-hand gather leads to some length in exchange. Slow, controlled rhythm.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Long loose arm action, over-the-top slot, arm plays true.
Hit: RHH. Athletic balance setup, smooth weight-shift load back, short stride into a slightly closed position. Strong hands, short level swing, gets extension after contact, line drive gap-to-gap approach, smooth fluid rhythm. Generates above-average bat speed, measured at 72.9 mph on average, per Blast Motion.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line-drive contact at an average exit speed of 86.4 mph, per TrackMan.
Run: 8.25 runner in the 60.
BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Jacob Aseltine, Batavia (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Lean, lanky frame.
Defense: Average feet and hands; consistent clean exchanges. Demonstrates some body control on the move.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Tall balance setup, smooth load, short stride. Short path to the zone, uphill path through it. Simple movements helps him repeat the swing well, with balance.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.
Owen Cutinello, South Elgin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Defense: 2.43-2.50 pop times. Simple actions, fluid/controlled pace from the crouch. On the infield, tall at gather, pack on transfer.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot, showed an ability to be accurate. On the infield, short arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Tall/open setup, back load trigger, short stride, remains open. Subtle load back, slight arm bar, long path to and through the zone.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60.
Tyler Doonan, Hampshire (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/INF
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Long levers, lean frame; athletic.
Defense: Defends low to the ground, fluid funnels at gather, especially for his size. Length in transfer through arm action. Footwork is efficient, fluid.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot; throws play with carry.
Hit: RHH. Open/balance setup, smooth and fluid load back, hands drop into load. Short stride to an open, toe-open landing. Athletic hands help produce hand/eye skills with barrel feel. Short path to the zone, long through it, uphill plane on impact.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. Projectable athleticism in gait.
Austin Ernst, Hampshire (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/INF
Body: 6-1, 140-pounds. Lean frame that projects some.
Defense: Fluid footwork, sets fielding position well; tendency to get tall at gather. Feel for the bag.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot; throws play with carry, flash accuracy
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, pre-pitch motion. Loads hands back in bar, short stride forward, even. Short, level swing; simple to zone. Level bat path through impact, line-drive batted-ball profile. Projectable swing; simple, fluid with rhythm.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.
Jake Glynn, Glenbard West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Lean frame with athleticism.
Defense: 2.20-2.25 pop times; Athletic on approach; static at gather. At catcher, flexibility in receiving, hands flash quiet. Works on target, efficient catch-and-throw.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 69 mph. On the infield, short throws from a low 3/4 slot. Behind the plate, short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, back loading trigger, short leg stride. Long, steep path to the zone; leaned-back posture in finish.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.
Larry Han, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. High-waisted, lanky levers.
Defense: Average hands, clean transfer, plays through the baseball.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play accurate with carry.
Hit: RHH. Tall/open setup, hands set low. Hands raise in load back, toe-tap stride to even. Short level swing, flattens barrel, gets on top of the ball at impact. Generates some strength on impact for age.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. Efficient runner.
Ryan Huskey, Geneva (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Defense: Active feet, quick first step, average hands.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, flashes accuracy.
Hit: LHH. Wide balance setup, smooth load onto back leg, high leg kick to a closed landing. Simple, short path to the zone. Easy extension through contact, fluid finish. Flashed hand speed, line-drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60.
Yamil Javariz, Hampshire (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/INF
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Defense: Active footwork; high at gather. Some length through transfer and exchange.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Tall narrow setup, low short stride, high hand placement. Smooth load back, hands bar slightly, short stride. Simple bat path, level through contact, creates some bat speed.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.16 runner in the 60.
Mason Lechowicz, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-1, 178-pounds. Proportional strength in upside frame.
Defense: Careful gather, demonstrated some body control.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Wide/balanced base, hands set out. Subtle load back into deep arm bar. Bat path is long to the zone, long and level through the zone. Generates above-average bat speed, average of 72.4 mph, per Blast.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above-average bat strength for age; max exit speed of 91.2 mph, max distance of 334 feet.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.
Anthony Mangano, Marian Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds.
Defense: Active footwork helps create a fluid foundation at gather.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, narrow setup; toe tap stride. Smooth fluid rhythm, long uphill swing.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.32 runner in the 60.
Nicolas Mangano, Marian Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds. Compact build, strength in frame.
Defense: Shows some bounce in approach; static at gather. Efficient transfers.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short throws from a low 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Bat waggle pre-pitch; balanced/open setup. Simple load, stride to even. Simple, fluid hands, short level swing, line-drive approach with a rhythmic finish.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. Efficient gait.
Cole McManus, Naperville North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Strength in long levers; athletic build.
Defense: 2.14-2.19 pop times; Soft hands, quiet feeting working in line, clean exchange.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play accurate with some carry.
Hit: LHH. Athletic, balanced setup; pre-pitch rhythm into weight-shift load, short stride closed. Efficient, powerful movement generates above-average bat and hand speed. Swing projects as he continues to add strength.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit speed of 86.6 mph in batting practice.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60.
Dayton Murphy, Crystal Lake South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-7, 125-pounds. Thin, athletic frame.
Defense: Plays athletically, quick fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Athletic in the box, slightly open balance setup, toe tap. Athletic, simple swing; fluid hands help it project as he develops. Smooth load, short stride, short bat path, long through the zone.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60.
Eric Newberry, Batavia (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds.
Defense: Athletic approach, smooth quick footwork, soft hands with a two-hand gather; clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot; showed accuracy.
Hit: RHH. Hands set high, balanced setup, wide base, pre-pitch motion. Fluid rhythm, long level swing, gets extension after contact.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.
Dylan Reilly, Dundee Crown (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Lean lanky body.
Defense: Athletic position, active feet.
Arm: LH. INF - 77 mph. Long loose arm action, H 3/4 slot, throws play with carry.
Hit: LHH. Tall balance setup, collapse backside load, short leg lift. Short uphill swing, line drive pull approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 89 mph exit velo on pitches low and in during BP, per Trackman.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60.
Julian Roman-Johnson, DeKalb (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-7, 149-pounds. Strength in athletic build.
Defense: 2.44-2.54 pop times; Length in extension, gains ground on transfer. Works on line to target.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Athletic in the box, slightly open balance setup, toe tap. Long path to and through the zone. Extension through contact.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60.
Alex Tinio, South Elgin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Defense: Fluid, athletic feet helps create smooth gather. Clean exchanges.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot; accurate throws.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced base; hands set high, in a rhythm. Brief load. Long uphill swing, gets extension after contact; line-drive, pull approach.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.
Caleb Vergona, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds.
Defense: Fluid feet, sets position well. Defends low to the ground.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short throws from an over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Open balance setup, back load trigger, toe tap. Long bat path, level through the zone; low line-drive profile.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60.
Carter White, DeeMack (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 140-pounds. Lean, lanky frame.
Defense: Fluid footwork, soft hands, clean transfers; athletic overall actions.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Long, loose throws from a high 3/4 slot. Throws feature accuracy.
Hit: LHH. Tall/open setup, minimal load, long stride, slightly closed. Athletic, fast hands; projectable swing. Fluid swing, short to the zone, extension through impact.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit speed of 89.3 mph in batting practice; projectable power potential.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60.
Noah Zaccanti, Geneva Community (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Defense: 2.15-2.30 pop times; Flashes soft hands, work in line, clean exchange.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Wide/crouched setup, smooth load to small leg lift. Minimal lower half; long, uphill bat path through contact, extension. Creates raw bat and hand speed; average bat speed of 74.8 mph.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit speed of 90.1 mph; max distance of 337 feet, per TrackMan.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60.