Prep Baseball Report

Madison Preseason I.D.: 2021 Infielder Analysis


By Wisconsin Staff

On Sunday, March 15, the PBR Wisconsin team hosted its final showcase on its winter calendar, the Madison Preseason I.D., at GRB Academy in Windsor, Wis. In the days following the event, we published rapid analysis on the day’s top performers inside our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis posts.

This week already, we’ve broken down the event’s catchers and outfielders and we’re onto our first group of infielders today.

With 100-plus infielders participating at this event, we’re breaking our posts down by graduating class, starting with the 2021s in attendance.

At the top of the list is, by no surprise, Sun Prairie’s middle-infield motor Carson Shepard. At this point, Shepard has a claim to be one of the country’s top uncommitted middle infield prospects, and he’s only increased his chances at sticking to shortstop at the next level after a stellar showing in Madison back in March. Elkhorn’s Austin Bestul also looked excellent from both the right-handed batter’s box and on defense, and he’s another interesting unsigned junior to know in the state.

Greendale’s Joseph Toetz had a couple stand-out performances this winter, here included, and he parlayed them into a top-100 ranking on our recently updated state 2021 board.

We have reports on each of the 2021 infielders who took reps in Madison last March and you can find them all below.

TOP 2021 INFIELDERS

1. Carson Shepard, Sun Prairie (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B; One of the top uncommitted prospects in the Midwest.
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Small frame and build, quick twitch type.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet and repeatable pre pitch, short leg lift trigger, easy and confident actions in the box. Short path, compact swing with middle of the field approach, loose hands creates sneaky bat speed and pop, fluid hitter in the box.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short, loose, quick arm action from a high 3/4 slot; added arm strength while maintaining quick release and accuracy.
Defense: Quick feet, ranges well and in control; consistent soft hands with quick funnel work through exchange and release. Plays especially well on the move with natural actions all-around.
Run: 6.63 runner in the 60. Plus runner and has continued to improve.

2. Austin Bestul, Elkhorn (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/OF; A rising uncommitted junior prospect in the state.
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Smaller frame with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride and hand load, rhythmic pre pitch. Slight uphill bat plane, short to contact, showed hard pull side contact in BP, in rhythm hitter.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Short, loose from a high 3/4 slot; advanced arm strength, natural carry to target.
Defense: Easy, smooth actions; quick and fluid feet help gather ball in rhythm. Exchanges are clean, with glove pack, while working through the ball. Ranges well with shortstop traits at the next level.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. Well above average runner.

3. Joseph Toetz, Greendale (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Solid, durable build.
Hit: RHH. Wide stable setup, relaxed pre pitch, slight bat waggle rhythm, short leg lift stride. Path is short to the baseball, stays on top flat through contact, on plane, above average bat speed, creates line drive contact.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long, loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot; average arm strength.
Defense: Smooth footwork, defends out front; quick gather through exchange.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

4. Ryland Wall, Holmen (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Athletic frame, projectable high ceiling body type.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, smooth loading action and short stride, maintains strong balance. Path is uphill, short to the baseball, showed ability to find the barrel, projectable swing.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long, loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot; above-average arm strength.
Defense: Quick feet, gathers low to the ground despite size; hands play soft, clean gathers through exchange. Overall athletic actions.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

5. Nick Nowak, Waukesha South (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C/INF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Lean strength build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, athletic and quiet pre pitch, short stride, strong balance through contact. Loose hands, path is short to the baseball, slight uphill through finish, in rhythm hitter with above average bat speed.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 85 mph. Short, loose throws from an over-the-top slot; throws carry, with accuracy. On the infield, quick arm, loose throws from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick overall actions; athletic footwork. On the infield, defends with some bounce and athleticism; ranges well to both sides and fields in rhythm.
Run: 6.81 runner in the 60. Advanced runner, athletic gait.

6. Carter Stebane, Brillion (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall and open setup, hands load back with slight leg lift stride, maintains balance. Short firm path, bat strength swing, ability to create hard line drive.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; above-average arm strength.
Defense: Fluid footwork, helps defend with some rhythm, average hands; exchanges with consistent pack.
Run: 6.91 runner in the 60. 

7. Mason Kirchberg, DeForest (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 6-foot-0, 190-pounds. Strong athletic build, broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, moderate leg kick stride. Strong swing, gets to front side with above average bat speed.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; above-average arm strength, carry. Athletic arm action on the move.
Defense: Smooth actions, defends in rhythm; hands can play soft, feet are quick/fluid, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. 

8. Carter Wambach, Sun Prairie (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. Large frame, sturdy build.
Hit: LHH. Slight open stance, subtle load action and stride, short heel lift timing trigger. Path is short with well above average bat speed, power potential, hard contact off the bat.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power type bat from the left side.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; some carry.
Defense: Footwork is efficient, clean; leads to smooth gather through exchange.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

9. Thomas Ellisen, Kimberly (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Projectable frame, long and lean.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, slightly narrow with long stride. Loose hands create bat speed on level plane, path works with length.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Long, loose arm action from an over-the-top slot; advanced arm strength, carry.
Defense: Ranges well, especially for lanky frame; defends with some bounce, rhythm. Footwork is fluid, gather is low to the ground, smooth funnel to exchange. Hands play soft with athletic overall actions.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

10. Ridge Guyette, Hilbert (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 225-pounds. Wide shoulder, large frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly open, big leg kick trigger, hands load back, maintains strong balance through contact. Swings with intent, well above average bat speed, pull side power approach with bat strength.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Consistent hard contact throughout the round.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; some carry.
Defense: Fluid, if slow, footing; gathers low to the ground in center. Exchanges are clean.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Peyton Becker, Merrill (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Small frame, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Hits out of wide base, minimal stride action, shifts weight back into load. Path is level, some length in swing, showed above average bat speed.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Defends with some bounce; quick feet.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Evan Beyer, Monroe (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Comfortable setup, balanced with short stride. Easy swing, short to the baseball, slightly uphill path, opposite field tendency.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Controlled footwork; slow, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Borchert, New Berlin Eisenhower (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Large athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short leg lift stride, sets hands low. Swing looks to attack the baseball, ambushes it at times, path works slightly uphill.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; above-average arm strength.
Defense: Controlled, deliberate footwork; high gather, quick exchange.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Mason Coyle, Madison Lafollette (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot-0, 158-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, long stride, transfers weight to front side. Front foot hitter, short path to the baseball, pull side contact.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Long arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid feet, defends low to the ground, creates solid base for gather; clean exchanges.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

Mitchell Crawley, Muskego (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-0, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, narrow stance, arm bar load, short stride. Path has length, uphill plane, creates top spin contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long, loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gathers at center, two-hand funnel; quick, clean exchanges.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60. 

Derek Glesinger, Cambridge (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 168-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, weight is even, short stride and smooth loading action trigger the swing. Above average bat speed, swing is on time and in rhythm.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; average arm strength.
Defense: Controlled, fluid feet; shuffle through exchange, works through the ball.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60. 

Chase Hanselman, Neenah (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 6-foot-0, 165-pounds. Proportional build and frame.
Hit: RHH. Slight open stance, long leg kick stride. Path is slightly uphill, front foot hitter at times.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Footwork is fluid, above-average overall actions. Hands can play soft into smooth funnel through exchange.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

Wyatt Hinkens, Appleton North (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 230-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short back foot reverse stride starts timing, short stride, hands load back. Strong hands, showed bat speed, uphill plane, bat strength swing.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long, loose arm action from high 3/4 release.
Defense: Quick, fluid footwork to athletic gather; above-average actions. Hands can play soft through efficient exchange.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Lucey, Monona Grove (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, short stride gets to even, bat waggle load as hands drop into hitting position. Short  and uphill to the baseball, lifts topspin contact.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Long arm action from a low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Slow, controlled footwork; hands play average.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

James Mobry IV, Columbus (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds. Lean wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, short toe tap trigger, gets to even, hands load back with bat wrap. Easy swing, works on uphill plane, in rhythm.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footing to low gather; simple, clean exchange through release.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Modjeski, Port Washington (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 210-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, short stride, minimal lower half rotation, average balance. Slight uphill path, pull side approach, flashed hard contact.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, long shuffle through exchange and release.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Evan Nyhouse, Arrowhead  (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Thin, lean frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced/square setup, hands set high. Simple load back, leg lift stride to closed. Loose, flat/level bath path, flashed line drive contact in BP, hits in rhythm.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action from a low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Low to ground with two-hand gather; fluid funnel through exchange and release.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

Grant Peterson, Lake Geneva Badger (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 200-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, slightly closed, short leg lift stride. Path tends to work uphill, showed occasional pop.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Tall defender; controlled footwork enables some bag feel.
Run: 8.50 runner in the 60. 

Preston Piranio, Mukwonago  (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-7, 175-pounds. Compact build, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, leg kick stride, short subtle loading action. Compact swing, slight uphill plane, showed bat speed and rhythm.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short, loose arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet work fluid, defends with some rhythm; above-average hands, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Mason Pockat, New Berlin Eisenhower  (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 182-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Squared setup, slightly wider base, leg kick stride, hands load back. Level path with length, occasional hard contact to the middle of the field.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid, if slow, footwork with clean exchanges. Some feel for the base.
Run: 8.97 runner in the 60. 

Will Staviski, Brookfield East (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Lanky frame; long levers.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/squared setup, slightly open front foot. Subtle load back, leg lift stride, maintains balance. Short, simple path off a level plane; above-average quality of contact off barrel.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long, loose, quick arm action from high 3/4 slot; above-average arm strength, carry.
Defense: Low to ground at gather for size, controlled footwork. Big target at first base.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Terrill, Milton (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 140-pounds. Thin, wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, front foot open; Rhythmic, simple load back, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Repeats well. Short path with above-average bat speed; pull-side approach. Plane works off an incline.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Athletic arm action, accurate on the move. Typically long and loose, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the dirt, above-average overall actions. Fundamental footing, quick through funnel and release.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Ben Wilson, St. Mary Catholic (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 220-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slight open setup, moderate stride to even, hands load in rhythm. Loose hands, flashed pull side power, uphill bat path, ability to create hard lifted contact.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Footwork is heavy but fluid, with feel for his surroundings and the base. Gathers low to the ground.
Run: 8.08 runner in the 60.

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