By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin/Illinois

Continuing our coverage of the Milwaukee Preseason ID today we take a look at the corner infield group. Regardless of class our positional analysis will rank the top prospects at each position from this event. Later we will break down the event according to class and see how players stacked up against their respective class.

The corner infielders were led by Richmond Burton (IL) sophomore Joe Dittmar. Dittmar was impressive defensively with an 89 mph arm across the diamond as well as running a 4.18 down the line. Julian Alverio (Case, 2015) showed off a powerful left handed bat which stays flat through the zone, creating a 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Drake Daniels (Cedarburg, 2015) also showed a well-rounded game with a strong bat at the plate as well as a big arm across the diamond.

Several other prospects were close to making the list but here is how we ranked the top three.

Top Corner Infield Prospects

1. Joe Dittmar, 3B, Richmond Burton (IL), 2016
Athletic build with strength, solid lower half, 6-foot, 185-pound two-way player. Defensively Dittmar posted the strongest arm across the diamond at 89 mph. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot with accuracy and carry. Soft hands at third base, athletic defender, advanced actions, excellent back hand, makes it with ease, will be able to guard the line at a high level.  Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, good lower half and excellent balance through contact. Hands are quick, hands generate bat speed, stays on top of the baseball, recoil finish. Line drive gap to gap approach with occasional pull side tendency. Projects for more power in the future, 83 mph exit velocity. Dittmar is one of the top third baseman in the Illinois and is a high follow.

2. Julian Alverio, LHP/1B, Case, 2015
Big bodied left handed two-way player, 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. On the mound arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball has run, commanded the zone at 80-82 mph. Curveball works on 11/5 plane, near fastball arm speed, occasional bite, 71-73 mph, showed feel for the zone. Changeup has advance arm side action, advanced feel, 72-73 mph with fastball arm speed. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, smooth loading action with short stride. Bat path stays flat through the zone, gets excellent extension, pull side power hitter. 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has an advance arm from first base, 85 mph across the diamond. Hands are soft with natural actions around bag. 4.52 runner down the line.

3. Drake Daniels, 3B, Cedarburg, 2015
5-foot-11, 185-pound corner infielder, solid build with strength. Defensively showed off one of the best arms across the diamond (85 mph), high ¾ arm slot, with accuracy, showed carry across the diamond. Showed well above average defensive actions, showed soft hands, clean exchanges, shows some effort. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance with wider setup, short stride. Hits with loose hands, athletic swing, makes hard contact and stays on top of the baseball. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Daniels is also a 4.58 runner down the line.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Trevor Anderson, 3B/RHP, Richmond Burton, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound two-way player, strong lower half. Offensively bat path is slightly uphill, two piece swing. 68 mph exit velocity. Defensively arm played at 71 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball featured run, 71-72 mph. Curveball has loose action, 61 mph. Changeup has sink, 65-68 mph.

Zach Bailey, INF, Janesville Parker, 2015
Athletic build, 5-foot-11, 165-pound infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, bat is active in loading action. Quick hands, stays on top of the baseball, creates some whip. 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed above average actions on the infield, showed the ability to play through the baseball, showed body control, hands work. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, 83 mph across the diamond. 4.37 runner home to first.

Kevin Brandt, 1B, Janesville Craig, 2015
Strong 5-foot-10, 195-pound left handed hitting first baseman. Offensively hits from an open stance, slight leg kick trigger. Front foot hitter, pull side approach, slightly uphill path, well above average bat speed, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short high ¾ arm action, 73 mph across the diamond. Soft hands, above average backhand, natural actions around the bag. 4.50 runner down the line.

Hop Buran, 3B, Lake Country Lutheran, 2016
6-foot-3, 180-pound corner infielder, long projectable raw athlete. Hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Long arms create extension, occasional length in bat path, long high finish. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. High projection with the bat. Defensively is a corner type defender, long arm action from a high ¾ slot. 73 mph arm strength across the diamond. Hands are playable, plays tall on the infield.

Ben Dragani, LHP/1B, Catholic Memorial, 2017
Highly projectable frame, long limbed, lean build, 6-foot-3, 175-pound left handed two way player, prototypical pitchers frame. Projects better on the mound, delivery is smooth with a high rate of repeatability, works online with control of body, tall and fall delivery shows no effort. Arm action is long, free and easy, high ¾ slot. Showed advanced command of his fastball for his age, with run, 75-77 mph. Changeup has fading action, near fastball arm speed, shows feel, 67-69 mph. Breaking ball showed some slider action, 72-73 mph. Hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively plays with a long arm action across the diamond, 73 mph.

Austin Emanuel, C/3B, Mukwonago, 2016
5-foot-9, 165-pound catcher/third baseman. Offensively uses a short stride, good balance, hands work well. Bat path is short and stays through the zone, above average hands at the plate, produces some barrel whip. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed solid actions behind the plate, short arm action, over the top slot. Posted pop times at 2.11-2.19 at 74 mph out of the crouch.

Peter Koscinski, 1B/RHP, Catholic Memorial, 2016
Large frame, 6-foot-5, 205-pound two way player. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride that slightly dives. Creates well above average bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull power approach, shows the ability to make strong contact. Defensively plays with a long arm action around the bag, 75 mph across the infield. Average hands, shows some feel for the bag. On the mound fastball sits 74-78 mph occasional cut action. Curveball had sweeping action, slurve feel, 64-65 mph. Changeup displayed sink at 69-71 mph.

Dane Lamont, 3B, Marquette University, 2015
6-foot, 180-pound third baseman, athletic frame, lean build. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, strong balance throughout. Bat speed present, loose hands, high finish. Occasional line drive tendencies. 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively uses a long arm action, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond.

Jacob Lindemann, RHP/1B, Burlington, 2017
6-foot-3, 195-pound two way player, slender build on a long limbed frame, high projection. Projects better on the mound, tall and fall delivery works online with rhythm and balance, athletic finish. Arm action is quick and projects well, loose/live arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed hard arm side run with good finish through the zone, showed well above average control for his age, sat 80-81 mph touching 82 mph. Straight changeup has some feel, decelerated arm action, 68-69 mph, lacks conviction. Curveball is 65-68 mph, lacks action, side spin. Secondary pitches are underdeveloped but should improve with standard progression. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed a strong arm across the diamond, 83 mph across, shows some softness in his hands. Lindemann’s arm action projects well on the mound and has the potential to be a high level prospect.

Aaron Trattner, 3B, Nicolet, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound infielder. Defensively, showed solid hands. Arm works long, from a high ¾ slot at 77 mph with some carry. He ran a 4.4 home to first. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, zero load, and a short stride, maintaining balance through contact. Has a line drive swing with above average bat speed for his age. Exit velocity off the tee was 72 mph.

Ricky West, C/1B, Homestead, 2016
Athletic frame, 6-foot, 185-pounds, catcher/first baseman. Offensively hits from a wide stance, balanced setup, no stride approach. Flashes advanced bat speed, level path, occasional length, hard swinger. 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively behind the plate is long strided out of the crouch, 72 mph arm strength from the crouch. Posted 2.25-2.32 pop times. Across the infield arm played at 69 mph with a long arm action.

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