Prep Baseball Report

Chicagoland Open: Infield Analysis


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Sunday, August 22, the PBR Illinois scouting staff hosted the ninth annual Chicagoland Open at Triton College in River Grove, IL. Roughly 80+ prospects attended and provided our staff with an up-to-date look at their particular skill-sets or, for some, a first glance at the talents they bring to the baseball field.

Shortly after the event our staff published several content-related pieces, including a quick analysis of the day's standouts, stat leaders, and a look at the advanced data we have at our disposal. You can find all of that information by clicking HERE.

We began rolling our individual player analysis from this event last week, starting with the catchers and outfielders. We’ll finish off the position players today by taking a look at the infielders, with a few standouts listed below: 

+ A 6-foot, 160-pound switch-hitter, MIF Tyler Bell (Lincoln-Way East, 2024) offers noteworthy upside on the diamond. Bell swung it well from both sides of the plate, working uphill to the baseball and controlling his body well through contact. His glove looked the part defensively, comfortably roaming around the infield with light feet and sure hands that play. He also topped at 80 mph across the diamond from a loose, clean arm capable of working from multiple angles and slots.

+ INF James Novakovic (New Trier, 2024) popped on our radar a few years ago when he represented Team Illinois at the PBR Junior Future Games. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound Novakovic took arguably the most polished BP round of the day, consistently controlling a smooth left-handed barrel while working to all fields. He offers present polish and plenty of offensive upside, especially as he continues to physically mature. Novakovic’s glove looked like an up-the-middle asset as well with rhythmic feet and smooth, savvy infield actions.

+ MIF Eliot Fulscher (Hinsdale South, 2022) is a quick-twitch up-the-middle defender that took an impressive round of infield defense. He’s active on the dirt with athletic feet that comfortably cover ground on the move. Fulscher’s glove plays low to the ground and his soft hands work out front, funneling inward cleanly with a smooth, accurate release to his target. He also topped at 84 mph across the diamond on his first throw of the day. Fulscher looked the part of an everyday up-the-middle asset at the next level.

+ CIF Parker Bozzi (Hinsdale South, 2022) brings an imposing 6-foot-5, 220-pound presence into the batter’s box and showed real impact potential inside his right-handed stroke. Bozzi clobbered several baseballs into the left-center gap, playing pepper with the left field warning track during his BP round. He regularly produced exit velocities north of 90 mph, breaching the 96 mph mark twice. Bozzi’s swing metrics ranked in a high percentile as well, with an average bat speed of 76.43 mph.

+ INF Owen Drummond (Jacobs, 2022) is a muscle-bound 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete with a strong showing at yesterday’s event. Drummond ran a 7.03 in the 60-yard dash and his athleticism played on the infield as well, working around the baseball in rhythm with nimble feet that move comfortably around the dirt. His loose right-handed stroke produced some loud contact to the pull-side in BP, attacking the inner-half with intent to work that way and barreling up multiple baseballs.

+ Another infielder to keep tabs on that landed just outside the top five was sophomore Dylan Phelps (Moline). Phelps has an upside right-handed bat that works with ease and fluidity through the zone, lifting a number of balls with authority into the left-center field gap.

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

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Tyler Bell, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2024; Pittsburgh commit
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame with plenty of room for physical projection
Hit: S. Athletic balanced setup, smooth load, short stride with controlled posture through finish.  Loose wrists, easy effort, fluid throughout. Bat stays through the hitting zone a long time, looks to create leverage out front and elevate. Steeper angle from the left side.
Power: 86.7 max exit velocity, averaged 74.7 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 80 mph. Shorter arm slot, tight window, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Nimble feet, comfortable bouncing around the infield and lower half works in rhythm. Soft sure-handed glove, clean transfer, efficient to release. Actions to stick up the middle in the long term.
Run: Did not run at the event.

2. James Novakovic, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 182-pounds. Wiry, high-waisted frame.
Hit: L. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride with an occasional toe-tap trigger.  Loose hands with bat speed, short and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and repeats.
Power: 86.9 max exit velocity, averaged 79.5 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Present pre-pitch bounce, nimble feet, smooth lower half that works in rhythm around the baseball, athletic on the move. Soft hands, ultra-quick hand transfer, savvy actions.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

3. Eliot Fulscher, Hinsdale South (IL), 2022; Millikin University commit
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: R. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, steady load, short stride.  Long path to contact, slightly uphill path, comfortable working the other way.
Power: 82.8 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 84 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active defender, consistently on the move, quick feet. Clear lower half rhythm, plays low to the ground, soft hands that work out front with a clean inward funnel. Potential up-the-middle defensive asset at the next level.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60.

4. Parker Bozzi, Hinsdale South (IL), 2022; North Central College commit
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-5, 220-pounds. Strong, ultra-physical stature.
Hit: R. Open setup, crouched lower half, bat rests on back shoulder, hands drift back at load, strides to close.  Long path to contact. Loud pull-side power throughout, middle-of-the-order bat strength.
Power: 96.4 max exit velocity, averaged 91.9 mph. 367’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands work out front of body, footwork feel around the bag.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60.

5. Owen Drummond, Jacobs (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Athletic frame with proportional strength
Hit: R. Starts quiet in the box, tall stance, smooth load, short stride.  Present bat speed, uphill bat path, looks to elevate the baseball and swings with intent. Above-average bat strength off the barrel.
Power: 94.4 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short/compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick feet, athletic lower half, works around the baseball in rhythm. Hands play out front, steady gather, clean transfer and plays through release.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Chase Austin, Marion  (IL), 2022; Centre College commit
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 205-pounds. Large, physical frame.
Hit: L. Wide base, slight crouch, vertical bat head at load, minimal stride.  Quick hands, averaged 23.7 mph of hand speed. Uphill path, pull-side approach with intent to elevate.
Power: 90.5 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, quick transfer to release. Corner infield profile.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Brendan Campbell, Bartlett (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Lean, lanky frame.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, lengthy hand load, leg kick trigger.  Level bat path through the zone, elevates to the pull-side and favors working that way.
Power: 87.3 max exit velocity, averaged 72.7 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 76 mph. Shorter arm circle, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, feet work in rhythm, steady hands that work out front, clean transfer with some length to release.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Josh Copher, Oak Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame that projects.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, slightly open base, simple hand load, quick toe-tap timing trigger.  Long and level bat path, occasionally topsins the baseball. Line drive approach.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 79.4 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 81 mph. Long arm swing on the backside, 3/4 finish.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, lower half occasionally worked around the baseball, two-hand gather out front.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Beckett Davidson, Neenah (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Strong, muscular frame.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, slight bat wrap, leg lift trigger, short stride.  Quick athletic wrists, simple swing, stays on plane and repeats. Line drive approach with juice off the barrel.
Power: 91.5 max exit velocity, averaged 84.4 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 77 mph. Compact stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Glove plays low to the ground, hands work out front and funnel inward, slight pack to release.
Run: 6.75 runner in the 60. 

Raul Garcia, Taft (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 190-pounds.
Hit: R. Open setup, crouched lower half, bat wraps, high leg kick trigger.  Uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84.3 max exit velocity, averaged 68.6 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, two-hand gather, footwork feel around the bag.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Theodore Greco, Lane Tech (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: R. Tall stance, narrow base, lead leg swings to front footstrike.  Long bat path.
Power: 83.4 max exit velocity, averaged 70.7 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active on the infield, athletic feet that work in rhythm, plays low to the ground and is comfortable on the move. Soft hands, quick transfer, clean to release.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Caden Herron, Glenbrook South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Long levers, high waist.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride.  Short direct path to contact, level plane, line drive approach.
Power: 88.6 max exit velocity, averaged 82.5 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic on the infield, comfortable on the move, ranges well. Some lower half rhythm, steady hands, secure exchange and clean to release.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. 

Jason Ivy, Marian Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, quick load, short stride.  Short flat path to contact.
Power: 87.4 max exit velocity, averaged 67.7 mph. 181’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, two-hand gather.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Johnson, Batavia (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 161-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, hands start back with minimal motion throughout, short stride, balanced posture.  Level bat path, some occasional length to contact, line drive approach.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 79 mph. OF - 86 mph. Some length on the backside, high 3/4 finish. More arm strength from the outfield.
Defense: Took reps in the infield and outfield. Active on the infield, plays low to the ground, comfortable on the move. Steady hands that work out front, secure transfer to release. Comfortable in the outfield as well, steady foot rhythm, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60. 

Brennan Johnson, Morris (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Lanky, high-waisted frame.
Hit: L. Starts crouched with a narrow base and weight stacked on the backside, hands coil at load, short stride.  Some hand speed, short uphill bat path, repeats.
Power: 86.9 max exit velocity, averaged 77.4 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, quick to release.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Cooper Jolin, Middleton (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, minimal load, short stride.  Long and level path, high two-hand finish.
Power: 76.6 max exit velocity, averaged 69.2 mph. 223’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 76 mph. INF - 76 mph. Shorter compact arm circle on the backside, high 3/4 finish.
Defense: Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. Feet work in line to target from the crouch, longer to release. Active feet on the infield, two-hand gather.
Run: 8.36 runner in the 60. 

Ayden Lasson, Joliet West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 159-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg lift trigger.  Flashed hand speed. Short and level bat path, works directly on top of the baseball.
Power: 86.8 max exit velocity, averaged 75.7 mph. 192’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with some pre-pitch bounce, attacks the baseball, quick feet that cover ground, plays low to the ground, steady hands and quick to release.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Jackson Lee, South Elgin (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 215-pounds.
Hit: L. Open setup, tall stance, hands coil over the backside, high leg kick to long and uphill bat path, pull-side approach and swings with intent.
Power: 91.5 max exit velocity, averaged 84 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 68 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, long to release.
Run: 8.33 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Martinez, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot, 195-pounds. Strong, sturdy stature.
Hit: L. Balanced in the box, smooth land controlled load, short stride to even.  Level path, creates leverage to the pull-side and looks to elevate that way, repeats and stays in rhythm throughout.
Power: 90.5 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 73 mph. Short arm stroke, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, steady glove hand, footwork feel around the bag.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Justin Parchomenko, Dundee Crown (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. Lean lanky levers, thin frame.
Hit: R. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, bat wraps at load, short stride. Simple swing, short bat path, line drive approach. Stays on the baseball and repeats.
Power: 85.7 max exit velocity, averaged 74.2 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick feet, comfortable on the move, hands work under midline, clean to release.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Brody Parten, Grayslake North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: L. Upright stance, narrow base, low hand load, long stride.   Quick hands, uphill path to contact, pull-side approach, repeats plane.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 67.8 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, two-hand gather, long to release
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

Malik Pedraza-Palominos, Jones College Prep (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-foot-10, 195-pounds.
Hit: L. Balanced setup, hands coil over the backside, leg lift timing trigger.  Short and level path, elevates to the pull-side.
Power: 89.9 max exit velocity, averaged 84.3 mph. 338’ max distance.
Arm: L. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, glove hand works out front, comfortable around the bag.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Phelps, Moline (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame
Hit: R. Quiet pre-pitch, tall stance, tempoed load, slight wrap, short stride.  Loose in the box, slightly uphill path, long barrel to contact. Leverage to the pull-side, favors that way, repeats.
Power: 90.2 max exit velocity, averaged 82.2 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Present pre-pitch bounce, lower half works around the baseball in rhythm, steady on the move. Defends out front, smooth hand transfer, clean release.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Jeffery Ripka, East Leyden (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 194-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, hands load back, short stride.  Quick wrists, simple swing, flat path to contact, line drive approach.
Power: 92.3 max exit velocity, averaged 81.2 mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 73 mph. Some arm length on the backside, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, two-hand gather, flashed feel around
Run: 8.18 runner in the 60. 

JP Sporleder, Woodberry Forest (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-5, 220-pounds. Large, physical frame with room for added strength.
Hit: R. Stands tall in the box, active hands throughout, bat coils at load, toe-tap trigger.  Averaged 22.7 mph of hand speed, per Blast Motion. Flat bat path, hard contact off the barrel. Middle-of-the-order size.
Power: 94.1 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 67 mph. Short arm window, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, glove plays out front.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60. 

John Tormey, Oak Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-foot, 150-pounds. Lean, lanky build.
Hit: R. Open setup, hands start high and load back, toe-tap trigger, long stride.  Long and level bat path, line drive approach, repeats.
Power: 89.4 max exit velocity, averaged 82.3 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic on the infield, fluid footwork, adept body control. Steady hands, quick transfer to release.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60. 

Luke Tsilis, Bradley Bourbonnais (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Lanky frame, projects.
Hit: R. Tall stance, high front shoulder, front arm bars, slight leg lift trigger.  Twitchy wrists, quick hands (23.9 mph avg.). Short and simple swing, works on top of the baseball, line drive approach.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 81.9 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: R. C - 72 mph. INF - 74 mph. Arm plays longer from behind the plate, shorter/compact window on the infield, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. Lower half works in line from the crouch, long transfer to release. Glove plays under center of body, two-hand gather.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60.

Mateo Velazquez, Lockport Township (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 170-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: R. Open setup, balanced lower half, hands load back, lead leg swings to footstrike.  Level path to contact.
Power: 84.8 max exit velocity, averaged 73.8 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 71 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, lower half occasionally worked around the baseball, two-hand gather, packs to release.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Aidan Wagner, Metea Valley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. Lean, lanky frame; long levers.
Hit: R. Balanced setup, smooth load, quick leg kick trigger. Simple swing, stays short and direct to the baseball, flat path.
Power: 89.3 max exit velocity, averaged 77.5 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 74 mph. Long arm circle that finishes out of a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Glove plays at midline, two-hand gather, secure exchange.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

George Weems, Geneva (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: R. Open setup, tall stance, front arm bars, short stride.  Level bat path, flat through the zone, stayed on plane throughout.
Power: 86.2 max exit velocity, averaged 79 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 76 mph. Long arm swing, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, glove works out front, two-hand gather.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Zay, Glenbard North  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 180-pounds.
Hit: L. Open setup, low hand start and drift back at load, leg kick trigger.  Level bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 81.2 max exit velocity, averaged 69.9 mph. 234’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 70 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, some lower half rhythm, two-hand gather with a slight glove pack to release.
Run: 8.23 runner in the 60.

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