Summer Preseason I.D.: Infield Analysis

Our infield analysis is headlined by 2020 Zach Storbakken (Sussex Hamilton). Storbakken projects as a big bat corner infielder at the next level along with 2019 Jacoby Endreas (Sheboygan Falls) who showed flashes of serious pop. 

Here's a look at the top infielders.

Top Infield Prospects

1. Zach Storbakken, INF, Sussex Hamilton, 2020
6-foot-1, 195-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, strong sturdy build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift and hang trigger, hands load later, foot down and maintains balance. Hands generate above average bat speed at his age, loose and short to the baseball. Contact is hard, finds the barrel and works middle of the field. Exit velocity topped 86 from a tee. Defensively profiles at third base, exchange is clean, hands play with cushion, soft on backhand, plays through the baseball. Arm carries, short over the top arm, accurate across at 84 mph. 7.30 runner in the 60.

2. Jacoby Endreas, INF, Sheboygan Falls, 2019
6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, strong physical presence. Right-handed hitter, open setup smooth load, short toe tap stride back to square, excellent balance through contact. Easy bat speed and strength, contact jumps off the bat, simple approach stays quiet and balanced while generating pop. 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Profiles at third base defensively, hands show softness, footwork is fluid, wide base while cushioning the baseball. Arm plays accurate, flashed carry, over the top slot, 79 mph across the infield. 7.53 runner in the 60.

3. Kyle Ristow, INF, Wisconsin Lutheran, 2019
6-foot-3, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, long lanky frame, slender build projects for additional strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced yet wide base, short lifted stride, showed ability to maintain balance. Loose hands and long levers create bat speed, barrel showed whip through the zone generating hard contact at times. Exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Lower half played with pre pitch bounce on the infield, average hands, third base projection. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed ability to release on the move, topped 80 mph across the infield. 6.94 runner in the 60.

4. Payton Foltz, 2B, Watertown, 2020
5-foot-11, 155 pound lanky second baseman. Offensively, balance closed stance, smooth load, short stride, solid balance throughout. Fast bat speed and hands through zone, exit velocity 82 mph off the tee,  short path, finds barrell, line drive & gap-gap approach. Defensively, loose arm action, over the top slot, accuracy on throws, carry on ball, multiple angles, throws 77 mph across infield. Soft hands, clean exchange, fluid footwork, plays through baseball, solid fielding position. Ran 7.53 in 60 yard dash.

5. Drew Stippich, INF/RHP, Kettle Moraine, 2021
5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, loads hands back, leg lift stride, showed balance. Showed loose hands and above average bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee, occasional hard contact. Defensively arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, athletic arm action, 78 mph across the diamond. Hands work, showed above average actions for age. 7.48 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery is athletic, quick through foot strike, arm is quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, 78-81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, near fastball arm speed, 65 mph. Changeup is near fastball arm speed, straight change type, showed feel, 67-68 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Charlie Barton, INF, Franklin, 2021
5-foot-6, 130-pound, right handed hitting infielder. Offensively, displays a balanced open stance, short leg kick. Level swing path, consistent barrell path through the zone, uphill finish, consistent bat speed, exit velocity of 80 mph from a tee. Ran a 7.43, 60 yard dash. Repeatable footwork on the infield, consistent first step instincts, footwork follows his throws, plays through the baseball. Long ¾ arm slot, loose arm action, clean exchange from glove to hand, 73 mph across the infield.

Noah Bauer, INF, Sussex Hamilton, 2021
5-foot-7, 140-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, short heel lift stride. Static simple approach, hands work, aggressive uphill path, above average bat speed for age. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action works long and loose, ¾ slot, average arm strength, 72 mph across the diamond. Exchange is clean, long and gets upright at times, average hands, shows some ease through actions. 7.13 runner in the 60.

Charle Brockman, INF/RHP, Marquette University, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, balanced crouched setup, short leg kick, drop hands into load, slight barrell wrap. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 87 from a tee, long bat path, gap-gap power. Repeatable footwork on the infield helps to carry throws, clean exchange, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. topped 84 mph 7.82 runner in the 60. On the mound, fastball showed plus run at times for his age, lower quadrants of zone, ranged 80-82 mph. Curveball 11/5 shape, gradual action, feel for pitch, dropped for strikes, ranged 68-69 mph. Changeup repeatable arm action, slight cut, ranged 72-76 mph.

Will Brust, INF/RHP, Greendale, 2021
6-foot-3, 185-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lean upside frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, quick loading action, late at times, leg lift stride. Path created some opposite field contact, 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, at 74 mph across the infield. Plays tall, hands work out front in stationary position, 7.35 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works with low effort, long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball worked down, straight action, 73-75 mph. Curveball played well out of the stretch, 11/5 shape, 63 mph. Changeup fades, 69-70 mph.

Brody Cypert, INF/RHP, Waukesha South, 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound, switch hitting two-way player, large frame and build. At the plate showed similar abilities from both sides, tall open setup, leg lift stride back to square. Showed more bat strength from the right side, path is loose from both sides, showed more natural feel for the barrel from the right side. Exit velocity topped 82 mph from the left side and 89 mph from the right side. Defensively profiles as a corner infielder, plays tall at times, 7.87 runner in the 60. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 79 mph across the diamond. On the mound delivery is repeatable, tucks balance point, hands work with rhythm. Arm plays out of high ¾ slot, regular full circle, clean out front, low effort. Fastball runs late to arm side, 78-82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 58-60 mph, gradual action. Changeup thrown with arm speed, 64-68 mph, straight change.

Nathan Faust , INF, Muskego, 2020
5-foot-7, 140-pound lanky, right handed hitting infielder. Offensively,balanced closed stance, quiet hands, short stride. 77 exit velocity off the tee. High ¾ arm action, long exchange. Displayed a 72 mph velocity from the infield, running 7.62 60 time.  

Christian Flannick, INF, Sussex Hamilton, 2020.
5-foot-10, 157-pound, right handed hitting infielder, projectable body. Offensively, balanced athletic set up, toe tap stride. Short path through the zone, level barrell in hitting zone, extension through the baseball, flashed bat speed, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. High ¾ arm action, 79 mph across the infield. Clean exchange, plays through the baseball, consistent fielding position, fluid footwork. Ran a 7.25 60 time.

Evan Grbich, SS, Kettle Moraine, 2020
5-foot-10, 165 pound, solid build. Right handed hitting shortstop,balanced tall stance reverse toe tap, smooth back load. Fast explosive bat speed, exit velocity of 80 mph off the tee, level bat path, extension, gap to gap approach, uphill finish. Defensively, high ¾ arm slot, loose arm action. Fields in athletic position, fields ball in front, rhythm throughout, fluid footwork, longer exchange, velocity of 76 mph from shortstop. Ran 7.86 60-time.

James Lane, INF, Waukesha West, 2020
5-foot-10, 140 pound, lanky right handed hitting infielder. Offensively, crouched balanced stance, reverse toe tap load, short stride.Level path swing, finds barrell, uphill finish, with 71 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, long arm action, throws 66 mph from across the infield, over the top. Demonstrates quick footwork, quick clean exchange, consistent with his fielding position. Ran 7.45 60 time.

Sean Menzel, INF/RHP, Cedarburg, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, crouched open stance, smooth load, short stride, average balance. Above average bat speed for his age, exit velocity topped 88 from a tee, long barrell path, flashed power. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ release, kept throws around bag, throws topped 74 mph across the infield. Repeatable footwork, average hand placement, clean exchange. 8.44 runner in the 60. On the mound, 2-seam fastball had natural sink and run, in the zone, topped 75 mph, ranged 73-74. Changeup sank, consistent arm action, ranged 65-69 mph. Curveball sat between 60-64 mph.

Josh Meulemans, SS, Sussex Hamilton, 2020
5-foot-9, 170 pounds, right handed hitting shortstop. Short leg kick with coil, balanced stance, consistent fluid rhythm. Average bat speed, level bat path, uphill finish, exit velocity of 83 mph off the tee. Runs a 7.08 60-time. Defensively, short loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot with carry. Quick consistent footwork, fluid exchange, plays through baseball, squares up the baseball. Exit velocity of 83 mph from shortstop.

Jake Morchinek, 1B/LHP, Cudahy, 2020
5-foot-11, 230-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, large build, strong. Balanced crouched stance, short stride. Above average bat speed, short level bat path, exit velocity topped 87 from a tee. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, accuracy, topped 76 mph across the infield. 8.00 runner in the 60. On mound, fastball ranged 76-79, topping at 80 mph, slight run. Curveball 10/4 action, sat between 58-66 mph, middle part of zone. Changeup ranged 66-70 mph.

Cade Neuber, INF, Slinger, 2021
5-foot-8, 155-pound infielder, thin wiry build. Defensively plays with bounce, loose actions, sets up feet to play through the baseball. Arm action is loose, flashed carry to target, 79 mph across the diamond. 8.04 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, narrow stance, smooth load, slight leg lift stride. Hands are loose, sprayed to all fields, level swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jake Orthober, SS/RHP, Marquette University, 2020
5-foot-11, 158 pound, lanky. Offensively, open balanced setup, smooth back load, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Above average bat speed, exit velocity of 85 mph off the tee, consistent barrell path, level throughout, extends through baseball. Defensively, High ¾ arm slot, long arm action, above average carry on baseball, 79 mph velocity from infield. Average hands in infield, average posture on ground balls, runs 7.82 60 time. On the mound, smooth delivery, stays tall, athletic finish, long arm action, repeatable. 4 seam fastball sits between 75-77 mph, straight, low in zone. 2 seam fastball sits between 74-76, tail, low in zone. Curveball sits 62-64, 11/5 action, depth to pitch.   

Zach Peterson, INF/RHP, Oak Creek, 2021
5-foot-9, 150-pound two-way player, athletic build, shows some strength and quick twitch. 7.14 runner in the 60. Defensively showed easy actions, soft hands, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball with above average body control and confidence. Arm is accurate from a high ¾ slot, 81 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg kick trigger, average balance. Path is level, line drive contact, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound arm plays out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball up to 81 mph, sat 78-79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, near fastball arm action, 63-67 mph. Changeup is straight, ability to keep down, 68-72 mph.

Joseph Pettit, SS/ RHP, Marquette, 2020
5-foot-10, 185 pound, athletic. Offensively, open tall stance, short reverse toe tap, average balance. Flashes bat speed,exit velocity 83 mph off the tee, long level bat path, line drive, gap-gap approach. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, throwing 79 mph across the infield, follows target on throws. Average hand placement, longer exchange from glove to hand. Ran 7.47 60-time. On the mound, high leg kick, finishes in fielding position, extension. Fastball sits between 80-82 mph. Curveball sits 66-69, with a 11/5 shape to it, hard action, thrown for strikes,command. Changeup between 68-70 mph, slows arm action, straight movement.

Sklyer Stark, INF, Grafton, 2021
5-foot-7, 160 pound right handed hitting infielder. Offensively, tall balanced setup, short toe tap stride, flashes lower body explosion. Short bat path, uphill finish, extension through the zone, exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, over the top arm action. Velocity of 70 mph across the infield while running a 7.90 -60 time.     

Cody Williams, C/INF/RHP, Mukwonago, 2021
6-foot-1, 155-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, lanky frame. Behind the plate, pop times ranged from 2.33-2.43. Quick feet, gains ground to second. Steady hands, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 73 mph from the crouch. Similar actions from first base, longer actions, plays through the ball, throws topped 73 mph across. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, back wrap load, high, deliberate leg kick trigger. Loose hands, short, uphill bat path, high finish, favored the opposite field. Exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. 7.44 runner in the 60. On the mound, works in line and down the mound, square landing, athleticism in finish. Long, loose arm action, clean high ¾ slot, some effort and rhythm throughout. Fastball flashed run, some tilt, ranged 76-77 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, loopy, 54-60 mph. Changeup played 71-72 mph.

Nicklas Williams, INF, Union Grove, 2021
5-foot-10, 172-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, solid build. Right-handed hitting infielder, balanced stance, solid wide base, short stride. Compact swing, line drive gap to gap type approach. Exit velocity topped 83 from a tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, 76 mph across the infield. Pats glove to release, some length in transfer, showed above average body control for age. 7.29 runner in the 60.

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