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Madison Preseason ID: Middle Infield Analysis

April 7, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Madison Preseason I.D. analysis is almost complete as we roll out the middle infielder analysis. Our middle infield group saw two of the top infield prospects in the 2015 class with Nebraska commit Alex Henwood, and Cade Bunnell. Both are ranked top 10 in the state and have similar profiles as left handed hitting middle infielders with advanced hands.

Bunnell showed vast physical improvements since last seeing him. Along with his shoulders filling out, his lower half is more developed and showed better foot speed than we’ve seen in the past.

Here’s a look at the top ten middle infielders.

Top Middle Infield Prospects

1. Alex Henwood, SS, Appleton North, 2015
Nebraska commit. Athletic left handed hitting shortstop, 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Highly ranked 2015 prospect. Advanced defensive action, highly athletic, plays fluidly through the baseball, feet work well. Showed advanced foot speed. 3.94 runner down the line. Arm is athletic and shows the ability to release well on the move, arm can play from multiple angles, 76 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance throughout. Middle of the field approach, line drive type hitter, fluid swing with bat speed. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Cade Bunnell, SS, Stoughton, 2015
Athletic build, showed improved strength, 5-foot-11, 170-pound left handed hitting shortstop. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, smooth loading action, short stride maintains excellent balance. Advanced hitter, consistent hard contact, path is short with extension, line drive, gap to gap approach. Defensively has a strong arm across the diamond, 82 mph across the diamond, athletic arm action. Hands are soft, plays through the baseball well, advanced actions, showed excellent body control, smooth defender. 4.19 runner down the line. Bunnell showed improved strength and foot speed, a high follow prospect in the Class of 2015.

3. Nathan Brown, RHP/SS, Arrowhead, 2016
Long lean athletic build, 6-foot-2, 175-pound high level two-way prospect. Free and easy delivery, athletic and stays directional, repeats delivery. Arm action is loose, highly athletic, quick arm action, high ¾ slot. Shows the ability to command his fastball with arm side run, 83-85 mph, touched 87 mph. Changeup is an advanced pitch, fastball arm action, has sink, 72-75 mph, excellent action and feel. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 69-70 mph, showed the ability to throw for strikes. Slider has flatter action, 72-74 mph. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, lower half works, strong balance through finish. Bat path is short, get good extension, line drive gap to gap guy, long high finish. Hands are loose and shows barrel awareness, quietly has gap pop. Best exit velocity at the event, 98 mph from the tee. Defensively shows the ability to play the infield at a high level, soft hands, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, can get rid of the baseball quickly. Excellent body control and athletic arm action. Arm plays at 75 mph across the diamond with carry. Brown is a high level two-way prospect, a rare athlete that shows feel for the mound and the bat.

4. Nathan Grzybowski, MIF, Hale, 2015
Athletically built, left handed hitting middle infielder, 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, shorter stride, good balance throughout. Line drive type hitter, opposite field tendencies, fluid swing with bat speed. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball with athletic footwork, well above average defensive actions, hands are soft, exchange is clean, natural infield defender. Arm action works loosely, accurate arm, 75 mph across the diamond. 4.33 runner down the line. Strong follow in Wisconsin’s 2015 class.

5. Ben Carew, SS, Kimberly, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound shortstop, athletic build with length. Offensively hits from an open stance, short leg lift trigger. Made consistent contact, repeats his swing, well above average bat speed. Path is short to the baseball, line drive gap to gap type hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed athleticism, moved well, arm action is loose, 74 mph across the diamond. Feet move well, got out of the box, 4.19 runner down the line. Carew is a high follow in the class of 2016 with solid projection.

6. Reece Frederick, MIF, Hortonville, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. Defensively shuffles through the baseball, exchange is clean, softer hands. Arm action is short from a high ¾ slot across the diamond, gets carry, strong arm, 80 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from the left side, open stance, short stride, maintains good balance through contact. Simple approach, shorter path to the baseball, throws hands well, contact type hitter. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.39 runner down the line. Strong follow in the 2015 class.

7. Jack Leszczynski, MIF, Brookfield Academy, 2016
5-foot-7, 150-pound infielder. Hits from an open stance, regular stride. Level path with two handed finish, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with an over the top arm slot, 79 mph across the diamond, glove pat prior to release. Showed excellent foot speed for his age, got down the line at 4.07 from the right side.

8. Nolan Tucker, MIF, Reedsburg, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound infielder, longer athletic build. Defensively showed softer hands, can play through the baseball better, worked well to his backhand, showed above average body control, athletic footwork. Arm action is short, over the top slot, arm played at 71 mph across the diamond. 4.25 runner down the line. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, lower half can get more involved. Line drive type hitter, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.

9. Garrett McGraw, RHP/MIF, Lodi, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound two-way player. Hits from the right side, balanced stance, short stride. Moderate bat speed, late bat waggle, some whip. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed infield actions, arm action is athletic, showed body control. Short arm action played at 71 mph across the diamond. On the mound, fastball is mostly straight, 76-78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 63-65 mph, above average action. Changeup showed some feel, 71-72 mph.

10. Rock Cates, SS/RHP, Madison West, 2015
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky, two-way player with quick twitch actions. On the infield he showed solid hands and quick exchanges. Arm works short, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Posted a 4.11 home to first time. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance with smooth load and leg kick trigger, solid balance through contact. Swing is short with extension and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 81 mph off the tee. On the mound his delivery has choppy rhythm and regular effort. Arm works short, from high ¾ slot. Fastball was 77-79 mph with slight sinking action. Curveball had 10/4 shape with slurve action, sitting 64-66 mph for strikes. Changeup was 70-73 mph with fading action. Throws a slider at 70-73 mph with light action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Bryce Cross, SS, Hortonville, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound middle infielder, average build. Offensively hits from a crouched stance, open setup, quick leg kick stride. Two-handed finish, shorter path, can get more extension, front foot type hitter. 65 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has a short high ¾ arm action, above average hands for his age, showed body control. Arm played at 73 mph across the diamond. 4.36 runner down the line.

Harley Deeth, MIF, Central, 2017
5-foot-8, 150-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a tall setup, narrow stance, stride opens up. Longer path on flat plane, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee, flashed line drive tendencies. Defensively lets the ball travel, arm plays at 64 mph across the diamond. 4.75 runner down the line.

Jack Dwyer, SS, Marquette University, 2016
Lanky frame, 6-foot-2, 165-pound infielder, slender build. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, good balance through contact. Loose hands, high projectable, bat speed present, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands played, projects as a corner infielder, showed body control. Arm played at 74 mph across the diamond, short arm action, high ¾ slot. 4.31 runner down the line. Projectable prospect to follow in the 2016 class.

Andrew Hansen, INF, La Crosse Central, 2016
5-foot-6, 120-pound infielder. Hits from a balanced stance, minimal loading action, short stride. Shows the ability to repeat his swing, simple approach. Path is level, has length, hands occasionally drop. 62 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long high ¾ arm slot, plays at 62 mph across the diamond. 4.69 runner home to first.

Logan Larson, SS, Oconomowoc, 2014
6-foot-3, 170-pound infielder. At the plate hits from a wide, open stance with a short stride, solid balance. Swing is steep with stiff rhythm, consistent contact. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball with clean exchanges. Arm works short and loose, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. Posted a 4.59 home to first time.

Alexander Lee, RHP/SS, Stevens Point, 2015
6-foot, 180-pound two-way player, strong lower half, solid build. Projects well on the mound, one of the top right handed pitchers in the Class of 2015, high follow. Delivery is smooth, little effort, works online, athletic finish. Arm action is long and loose, ¾ slot. Fastball has heavy feel, late action, 86-88 mph, feel for the zone. Curveball works on 11/5 plane, later action, hard breaking ball, 74-76 mph, advanced pitch. Changeup has fastball arm action, sinking action, feel for the pitch, 80-81 mph. Defensively has a strong arm across the diamond, 82 mph. Showed the ability to play through the baseball. Offensively hits from an open stance, toe tap stride. Front foot hitter, level bat path, 69 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Carson Manning, MIF, Franklin, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, no stride approach, minimal lower half involvement. Level path, moderate bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short arm action, high ¾ slot, 72 mph arm strength across the diamond.

Evan Ostertag, RHP/SS, Green Bay East, 2015
6-foot-1, 150-pound two-way player, lanky build. On the mound works from a high ¾ slot, longer arm action. Fastball is mostly straight, 73-75 mph. Curveball has gradual action, 58-62 mph. Changeup has sink, 64-65 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 67 mph across the diamond. Runs a 4.43 down the line.

Trevor Ranallo, MIF, Huntley, 2016
5-foot-8, 160-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, heel lift trigger, maintains balance. 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long arm action across the diamond, high ¾ slot, windups to release. Hands can play, two handed approach. 70 mph across the infield. 4.76 runner in the 60.

Drew Richard, MIF, Cuba City, 2014
5-foot-9, 160-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a closed stance, heel lift stride, upper body dominant. Path is level with length, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short, high ¾ arm action. Excess glove pat prior to release. 71 mph across the diamond. Gets down the line at 4.26 from the right side.

Casey Ryan, RHP/SS, Markesan, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound two-way player, average build. On the mound works with a short arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort, finish falls to first base side. Fastball is mostly straight, four seam action, 78-81 mph. Curveball is 64-67 mph, 11/5 plane, occasionally casts. Changeup sits at 71-73 mph, fastball similar arm action. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. Bat path is short, can gain more extension, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short arm action, accurate to his target, 73 mph across the diamond. Fielding position has a wider base, lets baseball get deep. 4.28 runner down the line.

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