Prep Baseball Report

Preseason All-State: Infield Analysis


Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

PLANO, TX - Preseason All-State Infield Analysis

INFIELD ANALYSIS

 

Top Performers

Ismael “Izzy” Lopez, SS, Arlington Heights HS, 2019
Texas A&M recruit. Lopez stands 5-foot-11 and has all the makings of an elite defender in the middle of the field. He has smooth footwork, easy actions, and the ability to throw from different slots. Great tempo and rhythm through the ball, quick exchange, quick release, accurate arm across the diamond. Really soft hands and elite glove actions. Offensively, the right handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance with rhythm in his hands. Smooth load back with a low-hanging leg kick as he pinches his knees together. Lands athletic, fires his hips forward to transfer his weight through the ball. Short top hand punch with the barrel working slightly uphill through contact with a loose finish and exit velocity of 86 mph.

Chandler Freeman, 3B/RHP, Liberty Hill HS, 2019
DBU commit. Freeman once again showed off why he is one of the top players in Texas. His last swing of batting practice was a mamo-tank bomb to left field. The right-handed hitter has easy rhythm, and strong pull side pop. He starts from a tall, open stance with his hands up above his back shoulder. Early smooth load back, triggers his hands down, cocking the bat head over his head, then strides out, landing soft. Short path to ball, generates easy gap power (96 exit velo) with more to come. Uphill plane with a loose finish creates lift and carry, ball jumps off his bat. On the infield, he threw 89 across the diamond with plus carry. Soft hands, quick footwork, can play on the run.

Gage Boehm, 1B/RHP, Hutto HS, 2020
Boehm is a Texas recruit with an advanced frame at 6-foot-4, 240-pounds. A two-way prospect and right-handed hitter, Boehm has high-end bat speed (97 mph) and crushed balls to the pull side during batting practice, including launching two home runs to left field. Simple strength at the plate, smooth load, short stride, easy weight transfer, quick hands with natural lift creates leverage and power to the gaps with more to come. Showed great glove action with soft hands at first base during the position player workout where he picked numerous balls in the dirt. His arm works well from a ¾ slot, making accurate throws to third and second. Good overall feel for the position with good footwork around the bag.

Ryan Thompson, SS, Legacy Christian Academy, 2019   
Thompson has a long-limbed projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. The junior showed smooth actions on the infield with athletic footwork and can throw from different arm slots with a max velocity of 84 mph across the diamond. At the plate, his barrel stays in the zone a long time and he has strong hands with an exit velocity of 90 mph. Starting from a wide stance, he loads back with a big leg kick before landing square. Hands trigger down and back into a front arm bar, then work on an uphill plane, creating leverage and carry from gap to gap. At shortstop, Thompson has quick footwork and rhythm through the ball with soft hands and midline exchange. Throws with a loose arm swing and carry across the diamond with a top velocity of 84 mph. Projectable left side of the infield player.

Jacob Speaker, SS/RHP, All-Saints Episcopal, 2019  
Speaker has a sturdy, projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. A two-way player and primary shortstop, the right-handed hitter starts from an open stance before using a reverse leg lift with a slight toe-tap to load and trigger his hands back and down. Lands balanced, sitting down into his legs as he fires his hips to transfer his weight through contact. Has really good feel for the barrel and knows how to throw the head. Quick hands, hard contact with leverage, laced balls from gap to gap during batting practice. Loose finish with an exit velocity of 90 mph with more to come in the future. At shortstop, Speaker has soft hand and an easy exchange in the midline of his body. Arm works well from different slots, accurate thrower with carry across the infield at 77 mph.

Carlos Abello, 3B/C, Kinkaid HS, 2019   
At 6-foot, 190-pounds, Abello has the look of a strong corner bat at the next level, with the ability to play two premium positions. The left-handed hitter starts from a neutral stance before he loads back. Short lift of his front leg to stride forward as he separates and walks away from his hands. Balanced swing, loose hands, barrel gets on plane and stay in the zone with good extension through contact. Ball jumps off the barrel in the middle of the field with a top exit velocity of 91 mph off the tee. On the infield, Abello does a nice job of funneling the ball to the midline of his body as he shuffles his feet to create linear momentum. Accurate arm across the diamond at 77 mph.

Nate White, SS, Arlington HS, 2019   
White has a lean, athletic, quick-twitch frame at 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. After running a 6.92-second 60-yard dash, the right-handed hitter took a solid round of batting practice, showcasing a smooth hack with gap power and an exit velocity of 88 mph. Starting from an open stance, White has a simple load back as he triggers his hands, landing square with good separation and balance. Barrel stays in the zone a long time with a flat path and slightly uphill finish. Good barrel awareness with loose-quick hands. At shortstop, White has a quick first step, soft hands and an easy exchange. He can throw on the run and does a nice job on the transition with the one-handed glove play. Accurate thrower from different slot with a top velocity of 79 mph across the diamond.

Wyatt Bell, 2B, Denton Ryan, 2018  
The uncommitted infielder is going to be a nice sign for a college program that is still looking for a middle infielder. Bell stands 5-foot-8, 160-pounds, with a strong frame for his size. The shortstop gets better every time we see him, and works through the ball with rhythm, soft hands, and fundamental footwork that should transition well to the next level. Accurate arm with a loose arm stroke and top velocity of 79 mph. The right-handed hitter also showed a loose hack and was on the barrel, driving the ball from gap to gap with an exit velocity of 84 mph. Ran a 6.96 60-yard dash.

Makel Butler, SS/3B, Poteet HS, 2020
Butler has an athletic, projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. Long stride runner, posted a 7.2-second 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, slightly open stance with his hands sitting away from his body. Triggers his hands down and back early as he points the barrel toward the pitcher. Short leg lift, lands square and balanced. Flat path, quick hands, short finish as he throws the head of the barrel through contact. On the infield, Butler has quick footwork, soft hands, clean exchange, flashy actions, and throws from a ¾ slot with a top velocity of 76 mph across the diamond.

Malik Butler, 2B/1B, Poteet HS, 2020
Butler has an athletic, projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, relaxed, slightly open stance. Smooth load back as he triggers his hands before striding closed. Flat path with line drive power and middle of the field approach with an exit velocity of 82 mph. On the infield, Butler has quick footwork, soft hands, moves easy through the catch, and throws from a low slot with a top velocity of 72 mph across the infield.  

Haeven Cichocki, SS/2B, Prosper HS, 2020
Cichocki has an athletic frame at 5-foot-9, 157-pounds. The right-handed hitter showed quick, twitchy hands and good barrel awareness during batting practice. Starting from a wide, stacked stance, he loads back smooth with a slight toe-tap, short stride, quick bat through the zone on a slightly uphill plane. Rotates lower half to contact, drove the ball through the middle of the field making hard contact with an exit velocity of 87 mph. On the infield, Cichocki shows smooth footwork and soft hands as he plays through the ball with rhythm. Strong, accurate arm across the diamond from a high-¾ slot with a top velocity of 81 mph.

Jaeger Self, SS/OF, Aubrey HS, 2020
Self has a high-waisted, projectable frame at 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a relaxed, tall, slightly open, narrow stance. Smooth load with a leg kick, loose-quick hands, lands balanced, simple weight transfer with a loose finish. Drove the ball well during batting practice, hard contact with a gap approach and exit velocity of 85 mph. On the infield, Self has soft hands and a clean, midline exchange. Plays through the catch with quick footwork, creating momentum into a loose, accurate arm swing from a ¾ slot and a top velocity of 77 mph across the diamond.

Ian Collier, C/3B, Trinity Christian Academy, 2021
5-foot-11, 160-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide stance, then pushes back into a leg kick as his hands trigger back and down. Loose hands, inside-out path, good barrel lag through the zone with an exit velocity of 88 mph. On the infield, he has quickish footwork, soft hands, and does a nice job of playing out in front. Clean exchange to the midline, accurate arm with a clean arm swing from a ¾ slot at 73 mph. Behind the plate, Collier has good lower half mobility with easy footwork. Throws with high end accuracy to second with a 70 mph velocity from the crouch and pop times of 2.22-2.38.

Bo Willis, C/OF, Magnolia HS, 2019    
Standing 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, the Texas Tech recruit has a strong frame with a well defined lower half, broad shoulders and strong forearms. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a short path with real strength at contact and a loose finish of the barrel with an exit velocity of 91 mph off the tee. On the infield, he has soft hands and an accurate arm at 83 mph across the diamond. A primary catcher, Willis has a strong arm from the crouch at 80 mph and threw strikes down to second base with pop time ranging from 1.97-2.12.

Best of the Rest (Alphabetical)

Drew Acosta, 3B/SS, Scurry-Rosser HS, 2019
Acosta has a strong, muscular frame at 6-foot, 190-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance, before loading with a short leg lift as he triggers his hands back and down, into a front arm bar. Hands work on a slightly uphill plane, creating lift to the middle of the field with an exit velocity of 82 mph. On the infield, Acosta has quick footwork to the ball, long exchange, and throws from an over the top slot with effort and a top velocity of 75 mph.

Cole Antonelli, 2B/SS, Flower Mound HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound frame. Started the day by posting a 6.98-second 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance with tilted shoulders. Simple load, short stride, lands square, quick hands, flat path with a high finish creates leverage to the pull side with an exit velocity of 84 mph. On the infield, Antonelli plays low through the catch with soft hands out front. Directional footwork through the ball with a quick, fluid exchange into his throwing motion. Accurate arm across the infield with a top velocity of 75 mph.

Braxton Boyle, 2B, Dallas Jesuit, 2020
5-foot-9, 165-pounds. The right-handed hitter has a strong bat with a top exit velocity of 90 mph. Starting from an open stance with his shoulders tilted forward, Boyle uses leg kick to load and turn inward, landing square with his hands back. Quick-strong hands through the zone, powerful weight transfer through contact, line drive approach, drove the ball from gap to gap. On the infield, Boyle plays through the ball with rhythm and soft hands. Fluid exchange into a clean, long arm stroke with carry across the diamond at 78 mph.

Connor Chavez, 2B/OF, Dallas Jesuit, 2021
Chavez has a strong frame for his class at 5-foot-7, 140-pounds. Started the day with an outstanding 60-yard dash time for his class, 7.1. The right-handed hitter uses a big leg lift to load back as he triggers his hands, while his front foot hits the ground. Hit a ton of line drives to the back side of the field and the opposite gap. Flat path, strong hands, good barrel awareness with an exit velocity of 80 mph. On the infield, Chavez plays through the ball with rhythm, directional footwork, and smooth exchange into accurate throws across the diamond with a top velocity of 74 mph.

Cameron Coffee, SS/RHP, Richland HS, 2020
5-foot-9, 160-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed hitter, Coffee uses quick-strong hands at the plate to generate bat head speed with a flat path, line drive power and an exit velocity of 85 mph. Starts from a neutral stance with his hands sitting in a relaxed position away from his body. Uses a toe tap load to time up the pitcher before striding forward. At shortstop, he has a quick first step with smooth footwork and actions. Soft hands, the ball sticks in his glove, clean exchange into a strong arm across the diamond with a top velocity of 79 mph.

Braden Davis, RHP/OF, Westlake HS, 2021
Davis has a strong, projectable frame at 6-foot-1, 179-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide base, then loads back as he engages his hands and takes an aggressive hack. Short stride, quick-strong hands, rotational lower upper body, with a slightly uphill path. Gap approach with an exit velocity of 82 mph. On the infield, he has a quick first step, soft hands out front, and midline exchange as he plays through the ball with rhythm. Loose, quick arm from a ¾ slot with a top velocity of 78 mph.

Tate Dibler, SS/2B, Trinity HS, 2018
Dibler stands 5-foot-9, 165-pounds, and is a long stride runner with good knee drive and a 7.12 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open, stacked stance with good flex in his lower half. Simple load back with a reverse leg lift as he pinches his knees together before striding forward. Strong hands at contact with a 90 mph exit velocity, flat path through the zone with a high finish creates leverage and carry to the pull side. On the infield, Dibler plays low with soft hands out front and quickish footwork. Clean exchange into a low-¾ slot with a top velocity of 73 mph across the diamond.

Jack Hattrup, LHP/1B, Plano West HS, 2019
The 6-foot-4, 184-pound uncommitted junior is a two-way player and left-handed hitter. Hattrup has good barrel awareness with a short stroke and line drive power (83 exit velo). He hits in the middle of the order for Plano West and shows feel for handling spin and velocity. Does a nice job around the bag at first base. During the infield workout, Hattrup showed soft hands and good glove action, making numerous picks on short-hops. Accurate arm across the infield with solid arm strength (82 mph).

Jaggar Hebeisen, C/3B, Colleyville Heritage HS, 2021
Hebeisen is a switch hitter with a strong, projectable frame for a freshman at 6-foot-3, 210-pounds. From the right side he uses a toe-tap load to create a lot of leverage in his lower half with powerful weight transfer, loose-strong hands, and gap power with an exit velocity of 91 mph. Drive the ball really well to deep centerfield. From the left side, he creates lift from the middle to opposite field gap with a strong bottom hand and uphill path. On the infield, Hebeisen has soft hands, quickish footwork and threw 74 mph across the infield.

Alexander Jackson, OF/SS, Venus HS, 2019
Jackson has a lean, strong frame at 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance with relaxed hands. Shows good rhythm with a leg kick to load, before striding forward as he triggers his hands back. Flat path, balanced weight transfer, short, top hand punch to contact, line drive power with an exit velocity of 84 mph. In the outfield, he plays through the ball with soft hands, clean exchange, and throws from a high slot with a long arm stroke and top velocity of 79 mph. On the infield, Jackson has a quickish footwork, soft hands, clean exchange and 74 mph across the diamond. 

Cole Ketzner, C/SS, Magnolia HS, 2020
6-foot, 195-pound, strong, sturdy frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, relaxed stance. Smooth load back into a short stride. Lands balanced, loose hands, slight from arm bar, flat path, good extension through contact with strong hands, gap power with more to come, and an exit velocity of 92 mph. On the infield, Ketzner has soft hands, quickish footwork, and throws from a short arm stroke with accuracy at 74 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, Ketzner has directional footwork, a quick exchange, throws with a short arm stroke from a high slot, and pop times of 2.11-2.26 with a velocity from the crouch of 76 mph.

Will McGuire, 1B/3B, Marcus HS, 2020
McGuire has a strong, broad shouldered frame at 6-foot, 195-pounds. The right-handed hitter uses a smooth leg kick to load back, then strides forward, walking away from his hands, and landing in an athletic, strong launch position. Opposite field approach during batting practice, strong hands at contact with an exit velocity of 90 mph. On the infield, McGuire plays through the ball with rhythm, plays out front with soft hands, makes accurate throws from different slots, and threw with a top velocity of 77 mph across the diamond.

Jackson Newkham, RHP/OF, A&M Consolidated HS, 2019
Newkham has a high-waisted, long-limbed frame at 6-foot-1, 150-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance, then uses a toe-tap load as he pushes back, triggering his hands back before striding forward, walking away from his hands, creating good separation. Loose hands, smooth path, line drive power with an exit velocity of 79 mph. In the outfield, Newkham plays aggressively through the ball with quick footwork, athletic strides, clean exchange, and throws from a high-¾ slot with a top velocity of 81 mph.

Reece Parrott, SS/RHP, Newman Smith HS, 2021
5-foot-11, 155-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed hitter, Parrott starts from a wide base with a slightly crouched stance. Athletic load back with a reverse leg lift, maintains balance throughout as he triggers his hands back syncing up with his lower half. His swing works well as his loose hands create good bat lag and keep his barrel in the zone on a flat plane. Line drive approach during batting practice with a 79 mph exit velocity and loose finish as he transfers his weight through the ball. On the infield, Parrott has soft hands, quickish footwork, and fluid actions for his class. He throws from a low-¾ slot across the infield with a top velocity of 76 mph. The ball sticks in his glove and he plays under control to both his right and left.

Canyon Rollins, SS/3B, Grapevine HS, 2020
6-foot-3, 165-pound, long-limbed frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide stance, then triggers his hands back and down, slotting the barrel early in the zone as he takes a short stride. Flat path through the zone with an exit velocity of 86 mph. On the infield, Rollins has smooth footwork through the ball, with soft hands and a long, clean arm swing with a top velocity of 78 mph.

Angel Suarez, SS/2B, Trinity HS, 2018
Vernon JC commit. 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, narrow stance before he uses a smooth leg kick to engage his hands, landing square and balanced. Loose, quick, strong hands through the zone with excellent lag in the barrel. Good weight transfer as the barrel works through the zone on an uphill plane. Even though his exit velocity was only 84 mph, Suarez drives the ball with gap power and more to come in the future. Strong, projectable hitter at the next level. On the infield, he plays through the ball with rhythm, quick footwork, soft hands and has an accurate arm at 78 mph across the diamond.

Joshua Tate, 3B/OF, Prestonwood Christian, 2021
5-foot-8, 155-pounds. The right-handed hitters starts from a tall stance, then loads back with a toe-tap before striding forward, landing into an athletic launch position, sitting into his legs, creating good separation with his hands shifting back. Good bat lag through the zone with quick-strong hands for his class. Uphill path and loose finish of the barrel creates leverage to the gaps with an exit velocity of 80 mph. On the infield, Tate has fundamental footwork, a longer exchange, and accurate arm across the diamond with a top velocity of 71 mph.

Jack Walton, SS, Prestonwood Christian, 2020
Walton has a wiry, long-limbed frame at 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. The left-handed hitter starts from a balanced, slightly open stance. Simple load back as he triggers his hands down and back before taking a short stride forward, landing square. Barrel stays in the zone a long time, working on a slightly uphill plane with an exit velocity of 79 mph. On the infield, Walton has a clean exchange into a short arm swing with a top velocity of 76 mph. Ran a 7.83 60-yard dash.

 

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