All-State Games: Infield Analysis

On Tuesday, June 29, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the All-State Games at The MAX in LaGrange, IL. The invite-only event featured over 50 of the top 2023s from Illinois and Wisconsin, with several high-follow prospects emerging after strong showings from the day. 

Shortly after the event’s conclusion our staff rolled out multiple post-event content pieces, which you can find by clicking HERE.

We began rolling the position-by-position analysis from this event, starting with the catching group and the outfield crop. 

We’ll continue to work our way around the diamond today, rolling out all the infield reports below. 

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Jake Zitella, St. Charles East (IL), 2023; Illinois commit.
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 185-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, balanced stance, subtle load action, easy pre-pitch actions. Short, strong swing, with intent, repeatable, level path, ball jumps off barrel, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach with advanced ability to drive the baseball.
Power: 98.12 max exit velocity, averaged 91.55 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Third base type, easy infield actions, steady hands, athletic footwork, quick exchange, plays with proper direction, ability to change arm angle.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

2. Charalambos Nicoloudes, Naperville Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot, 188-pounds. Wide-shouldered frame with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Narrow set up, slightly open, short, quick leg lift. Strong hands, advanced bat speed, loose, quick swing, short path, slightly uphill, consistent hard contact, advanced ability to drive baseball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.85 max exit velocity, averaged 85.54 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, flashed athletic release.
Defense: Clean third base actions, steady hands, flashes athleticism, fluid feet, plays with proper direction and with ease throughout.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.

3. Riley Iffrig, Edwardsville (IL), 2023; Indiana State commit.
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 178-pounds. Strong-bodied frame.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open setup, short leg-lift trigger, gets separation in load. Strong, loose swing, short, level bat path, ball jumps off his bat, consistently on barrel with line drives, gap-to-gap approach with pull-side tendencies.
Power: 96.53 max exit velocity, averaged 91.4 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 81 mph. 3/4 arm slot, loose arm action.
Defense: Athletic actions,steady hands, clean exchanges, ability to change arm angles.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

4. Ryan Niedzwiedz, West Aurora (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Even setup, weight loaded on backside, leg kick trigger, short stride. Loose, repeatable swing, quick hands, short, level path, consistently on time/on barrel, advanced round of BP, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 96.34 max exit velocity, averaged 89.36 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 90 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, strong throws carry across infield, best infield velocity at the event.
Defense: Sure-handed, fields with two hands, funnels to center, plays with proper direction, flashed ability to change arm angles and play on the move.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

5. Adam Schilz, Warren (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Lean, athletic, upside frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic, balanced setup, quiet pre-pitch actions. Short, loose levered swing, creates easy bat speed, effortless pop, path works slightly uphill, looks to make contact out front, consistently on barrel, gap-to-gap line drives.
Power: 94.85 max exit velocity, averaged 89.06 mph. 360’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, quick exchange at times, plays through ball toward target.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

6. Christian Graves, Marengo (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. Physical build with advanced strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth comfortable load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Physicality plays in the box. Strong hands, advanced bat strength, uphill path and looks to lift the baseball with authority.
Power: 100.52 max exit velocity, averaged 91.39 mph. 369’ max distance. Present power in bat. Was consistently on the barrel with authority.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action, plays over-the-top.
Defense: Plays tall through release at times, easy effort.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

7. Justin Gorski, Rockford Christian (IL), 2023; Miami (OH) commit.
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Live-bodied frame.
Hit: LHH. Took a number of quality at-bats during the game play portion of the at-bat. Athletic, balanced, slightly open setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Quick, loose swing, short/direct to ball, repeatable, attacks inside of ball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86.67 max exit velocity, averaged 78.58 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short, loose arm action, quick arm and release, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Advanced, clean infield actions, shows athleticism, soft hands, fluid footwork, plays with proper direction.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

8. Bryer Arview, Civic Memorial (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Relaxed, comfortable setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions, maintains good balance throughout. Short, simple swing, rhythm throughout, level path, consistent hard line drives in a gap-to-gap approach, flashes pull-side pop.
Power: 96.82 max exit velocity, averaged 89.78 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, athletic release, loose arm action.
Defense: Rhythmic infield actions, reliable hands, smooth feet, clean exchange, plays with proper direction toward target.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

9. Eduardo Letamendi, Von Steuben (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Lean build, squared shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, no stride, slight weight shift load. Athletic hands, level bat path, simple, direct swing with intent, line drives, used opposite field.
Power: 90.99 max exit velocity, averaged 85.77 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, athletic release from multiple angles.
Defense: Smooth infield actions, soft hands, quick feet, plays with proper direction/rhythm.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

T10. Josh Wenz, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame, continues to tick up.
Hit: LHH. Tall, narrow setup, slightly open, subtle athletic load. Advanced bat speed for his age, looks to lift the baseball and swings with controlled aggression.
Power: 93.89 max exit velocity, averaged 82.69 mph. 333’ max distance. Flashes pull-side power with more to tap into down the road.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Arm plays athletically, natural high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays light on his feet, steady hands, comfortable and quick working to his glove side. Smooth, confident double play turn.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. 

T10. Ryan Quinlan, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: INF
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Athletic setup, slightly open, smooth leg-lift trigger, short stride. Loose, short swing, level path, looks to make contact out front, consistently on the barrel, line drives throughout, worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 93.58 max exit velocity, averaged 85.49 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Second base type, plays athletically on move, soft hands, quick feet, quick exchange.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ethan Brown, Waukesha West  (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup, toe-tap trigger, long stride. Bat speed present, loose, aggressive swing with intent, level path, ball jumps off bat, drove the ball gap-to-gap.
Power: 97.47 max exit velocity, averaged 89.23 mph. 359’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, loose arm action, over-the-top arm slot, carry at times.
Defense: Flashes natural infield actions, steady hands, advanced ability to throw on the run from multiple arm slots.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

Kevin Denty, Marian Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Broad-chested, wide-shouldered, strong build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, sits into backside and minimal wasted movement. Quiet, strong swing, looks to elevate the baseball and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 91.84 max exit velocity, averaged 85.54 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infield/outfield profile; glove plays from the ground up and out front.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Noah Dreier, Brookfield Central  (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Path works uphill, attacks inside of baseball, line drives, used opposite field.
Power: 88.39 max exit velocity, averaged 76.81 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short arm action, athletic and quick, flashed carry.
Defense: Easy infield actions, soft hands, quick feet, smooth exchange/release, athletically plays through baseball.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Patrick Keating, Andrew (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Long-limbed, loose-bodied frame with upside.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short leg lift stride, maintains balance. Fluid rhythm, loose hands, long path and works uphill at times.
Power: 82.9 max exit velocity, averaged 74.73 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. High 3/4 slot, long arm action with multi-angle release.
Defense: Steady overall defender; lean, efficient footwork, reliable hands and clean release.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Tyler O'Connor, Wheaton North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-foot, 168-pounds. Athletic frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Open set up, slightly narrow, short stride, minimal loading action. Hits in rhythm, loose hands, works uphill at times and uses the big part of the diamond.
Power: 87.06 max exit velocity, averaged 80.06 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, over the top slot, easy release, plays athletically from multiple platforms.
Defense: Athletic defender; plays light on his feet, easy fluid range, soft hands and plays with body control.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Olson, Saint Croix Falls  (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletic, long-limbed frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, long stride to even, reverse hand load. Efficient path, bat stays through the zone, natural lift, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88.03 max exit velocity, averaged 82.98 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Loose arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays on the balls of his feet and plays through the baseball. Sure-handed, lanky range and flashed a quick release.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Connor Olson, Arrowhead  (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, lift and hang loading action. Swings with intent, level path through contact, showed extension, line drive approach to the middle of the field.
Power: 97.57 max exit velocity, averaged 91.56 mph. 349’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. High 3/4 slot, with ability to play from multiple slots on the move.
Defense: Steady hands, plays into body at times and clean release. Smooth double play turn.
Run: 6.80 runner in the 60.

Troy Stukenberg, Lyons Township (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-6, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, smooth load, long stride. Hits off front foot at times, short bat path, quick hands, and was on the barrel into the pull-side gap.
Power: 90.36 max exit velocity, averaged 84.4 mph. 337’ max distance. Sneaky pull-side power, ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, quick release, plays athletically.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, showed well on the move, bouncy actions and soft hands.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.  

Troy Vosburgh, Oswego  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Athletic frame with well-proportioned strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, smooth load and short stride. Aggressive swing, quick bat, short path, looks to lift the baseball at times, uses the whole field.
Power: 89.65 max exit velocity, averaged 77.56 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, steady hands, winds up through exchange at times.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Jack Wade, Marist (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-foot-9, 185-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong build.
Hit: LHH. Quiet, comfortable setup, short stride, repeatable hand load. Compact repeatable swing, natural lift and uses the middle of the field. Bat stays on plane (84.3%) with above-average hand speed (23 mph average).
Power: 83.86 max exit velocity, averaged 71.97 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, out in front of body at times, steady hands.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Keith Williams, Catholic Memorial  (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 220-pounds. Durable, strong build, thick lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, athletic in the box, subtle loading actions. Violent, aggressive swing with high-level intent. Looks to lift the baseball and ball jumps off the barrel.
Power: 97.07 max exit velocity, averaged 85.38 mph. 370’ max distance. Power bat with potential to power to all fields.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, plays from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground at times, clean and quick glove-to-hand release.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

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