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Summer Preseason I.D.: Player Analysis

June 4, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

As we sit about two weeks into the summer high school season, we look at the top overall prospects from the Summer Preseason I.D. in May. Several players stood out and we take a look at our top ten overall prospect from the event and who to follow this summer.

Top Overall Prospects

1. Jonathan Stiever, RHP/OF, Cedarburg, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pound athletic, lanky, two way player with strong projection. On the mound he has a smooth, tall and fall delivery with solid direction, level shoulders and athletic finish. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, long and loose on the back side. Filled the zone up with his fastball, 83-87 mph with sink and run. Showed advanced feel for the changeup, throwing it for strikes with fastball arm speed, 71-73 mph with some back up action. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 71-73 mph for strikes. From the outfield he showed athletic movements to the ball, clean exchanges and strong arm. Arm works long and loose, 85-88 mph with strong accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.14 60. At the plate has a balanced stance with a short stride, maintains balance. Swing is short and level with gap-to-gap coverage of the zone, hitting the ball where it’s pitched with above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 86 mph off a tee. Steiver is one of the top 2015 prospects in the state and is a high follow.

2. Jack Kinzer, C, Port Washington, 2016
6-foot-1, 190-pound catcher with strong upside. At the plate he has an open stance, smooth load backward, short stride, strong balance through the swing. Has a short, fluid, line drive swing with solid extension. Drove balls gap-to-gap with aggressive contact and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee. Behind the dish he showed high quality blocking and receiving skills. Arm works short, over-the-top, 77 mph with accuracy and strong carry from the crouch. Pop times were in the 1.92-2.04 range. Ran a 7.82 60.

3. DJ Ellifson, OF, Oak Creek, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound left handed outfielder, highly athletic. Posted one of the best 60 times at the event, running a 7.0. From the outfield he shows quick twitch actions and a strong arm, feet work well and shows the ability to attack the baseball. Arm works long, 84 mph with strong accuracy and carry. Hitting from the left side he has an open stance, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Showed confidence standing in the box, swing is short and fluid, with advanced bat speed for his age, loose hands and aggressive approach. Exit velocity off the tee was 87 mph.

4. Zachary Biermann, 1B, West Bend East, 2015
6-foot-3, 235-pound big body, left handed, first baseman with power. At the plate he has an open stance, short stride, solid balance. Has a powerful swing with above average bat speed, makes consistently strong contact, looks to have advanced pull side power. Exit velocity was 87 mph off a tee. At first base, showed solid hands and feet. Arm works 71 mph across the diamond. Ran 7.69 60.

5. Alex Kermendy, SS/MIF, Waukesha, 2015
5-foot-8, 170-pound infielder. At the plate he has a balanced setup, toe tap load and launch sequence, maintains excellent balance through contact. Has a line drive swing and drives the ball gap-to-gap with above average bat speed. High level barrel awareness, made consistently hard contact back up the middle of the field, excellent timing and rhythm. Exit velocity off the tee was 77 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed solid hands, clean exchanges and body control. Arm works short, 76 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.25 60.

6. Eric Brown, MIF, Catholic Memorial, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound infielder with strong actions. Defensively showed soft hands, quality footwork, plays through balls athletically. Arm works short and loose, high ¾ slot, advanced arm strength at 82 mph with strong carry. Ran a 7.61 60. At the plate has a balanced setup, short stride, quality balance through contact. Has a line drive swing with advanced bat speed, middle approach. Exit velocity was 84 mph off the tee.

7. Cannon Cooley, SS/RHP, Waukesha South, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound two way player. On the infield displayed high quality actions, soft hands and athletic feet. Arm works short and loose, high ¾ slot, excellent arm strength, 80 mph across the diamond with carry and accuracy. Ran a 7.58 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with short stride, strong lower half involvement, solid balance. Has a fluid line drive swing that’s short and level with gap-to-gap approach, above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery uses regular effort, high ¾ slot with short and loose arm action. Fastball was consistently in the zone, 78-81 mph with flashes of some sinking action. Throws a straight changeup 74-76 mph for strikes. Curveball has 10/4 shape and sweeping action, 66-67 mph.

8. Jonathan Keane, RHP/3B, Brookfield Central, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound two way player with strong upside. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery, regular effort, smooth rhythm, level shoulders, clean lines, athletic finish. Arm works loose and athletic, high ¾ slot. Commanded the fastball well, throwing it 80-82 mph from the windup and 78-82 from the stretch. Showed feel for the changeup, throwing it for consistent strikes at 74-75 mph with sinking action. Throws a slider with 10/4 shape, sweeping action, 71-73 mph. At third base he showed soft hands, fluid feet, and plays through balls athletically. Arm works at 77 mph with accuracy and solid carry. Ran a 7.33 60. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth, backward loading action, short stride. Swing is short with standard bat speed, choppy rhythm and pull side approach. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee.

9. Michael Barnes, C/UTL, Sussex Hamilton, 2015
Big physical build, 6-foot-3, 205-pound catcher with a sturdy catcher’s frame. Received with solid hands. Arm works short and quick, 79 mph with strong accuracy and carry from the couch. Ran a 7.84 60. At the plate he hits with a wide stance, short stride, solid balance, some lower half involvement. Swing is level with flashes of power to the pull side. Exit velocity was 84 mph.

10. Pete Koscinski, 1B/RHP, Catholic Memorial, 2016
6-foot-5, 205-pound two-way player with upside. At the plate he hits from a tall and balanced stance, smooth backward loading action, quality balance through contact. Has a powerful, pull side swing and approach with a quick bat through the zone. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee. At first base showed solid hands and feet around the bag. Arm works short, 75 mph. On the mound the delivery works smooth with regular effort and strong direction. Arm works short, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed some life, 74-77 mph with cut and sink. Throws a curveball at 61-63 mph, lacks consistent identity still.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Bryce Brogni, C, South Milwaukee, 2016
5-foot-9, 145-pound lanky catcher. From behind the dish he showed standard actions. From the crouch, arm works short and over the top, 71 mph with solid carry. Pop times were in the 2.18-2.44 range. Ran a 7.26 60. Offensively, has an open stance, short stride, solid balance through contact. Has a line drive swing with choppy rhythm and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 73 mph.

Nick Egelhoff, MIF, Marquette University, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound infielder. At the plate has a balanced stance, short stride, fair balance through contact. Swing is long and level with stiff rhythm. Exit velocity was 76 mph. Defensively showed firm hands and a deep fielding position. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, 66 mph. Ran a 7.83 60.

Tanner Hill, OF, Waukesha South, 2014
6-foot-2, 167-pound left handed outfielder with lanky limbs. Showed fluid footwork and plays through the ball athletically. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot, 79 mph with standard carry. Ran a 7.57 60. At the plate has a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, quality balance through contact. Swing is level, with a pull side approach. Exit velocity was 71 mph off a tee.

Logan Kellogg, SS, Arrowhead, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound middle infielder with solid actions. Feet work well, showed body control on the move. Has an athletic arm action, short and loose, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.68 60. Offensively, has a balanced setup, short stride, quality balance through contact. Has a simple line drive swing, stays flat through the zone, repeats with ease. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee.

Joe Koscinski, 1B, Catholic Memorial, 2019
5-foot-5, 140-pound first baseman. Offensively, hits from an open stance with a smooth, backward loading action and solid lower half usage. Maintains quality balance. Has a short, line drive swing with fluid rhythm, creates consistent backspin line drives. Exit velocity was 73 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed solid hands at first base. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, 59 mph. Ran a 9.26 60. Youngest player at the event, showed the ability to hold his own with the bat in a group much older than him.

Michael Lockhart, C, Wauwatosa East, 2016
6-foot, 160-pound catcher. At the plate has a tall, open stance with solid balance through contact. Swing is uphill with standard bat speed, pull side approach. Exit velocity was 68 mph of a tee. Behind the plate showed standard actions. Arm works short, 68 mph from the crouch. Pop times were in the 2.35-2.55 range. Ran an 8.07 60.

Tyler Olson, RHP, Germantown, 2016
5-foot-6, 160-pound pitcher. Has a tall and fall delivery with some hip coil. Arm works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, sitting 73-74 mph for strikes. Throws a curveball with 11/5 shape, slurvy action, 61-63 mph. Changeup was 67-69 mph with flashes of quality sinking action.

Brad Parsons, MIF, Grafton, 2015
6-foot, 165-pound infielder with lanky limbs and an athletic swing. At the plate has a balanced stance and short stride to contact, solid balance. Has a gap-to-gap approach, creates some whip in the swing. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee. Defensively, Showed standard actions with solid hands. Arm works long, 75 mph across the diamond. Ran 7.41 60.

Zachary Skorik, MIF, Cedarburg, 2016
5-foot-7, 145-pound infielder who showed solid hands. Arm works short, 65 mph across the diamond with standard carry. Ran a 7.68 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth and backward loading action, short stride, above average balance. Swing is level and repeats, stays on top of the ball. Exit velocity was 68 mph.

Andrew Steikel, RHP, Catholic Memorial, 2017
5-ffot-10, 170-pound pitcher with intriguing projectability. Delivery has some rhythm, clean lines, regular effort. Arm works from over-the-top. Fastball was straight, sitting 75-78 mph, touching 80 mph once. Curveball flashed above average action, 12/6 shape, sharp bite, 60-63 mph for consistent strikes, curveball is advanced for age, high level potential. Lacks consistent feel for the changeup, throwing it 67-69 mph. Strong follow in the 2017 class.

Kabe Stucker, MIF, Catholic Memorial, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound infielder with fluid footwork and solid actions defensively. Arm works short, high ¾ slot, 77 mph with some carry and accuracy. Ran a 7.82 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, solid balance through contact. Swing is short and level with a gap-to-gap approach and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee.

Austin Sustacheck, SS/C, Oak Creek, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound multi-positional player. At the plate he uses a tall, open stance with smooth backward loading action, short stride and solid lower half usage. Swing is simple and repeatable, short and level with fluid rhythm. Exit velocity was 81 mph off the tee. On the infield he plays through balls athletically. Arm works short, high ¾ slot, 75 mph across the diamond. From behind the plate has same arm action, 72 mph with carry. Pop times were in the 2.19-2.39 range.

Mitchell Sutton, 3B/SS, Homestead, 2015
6-foot-5, 190-pound lanky limbed, athletically built infielder. On the infield he showed solid hands, plays through balls athletically. Arm works short, high ¾ slot, 69 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.83 60. At the dish he hits from an open stance, backward load and short stride, balanced through contact. Swing is fluid with above average bat speed, pull side approach. Exit velocity was 87 mph off a tee. Swing showed power potential.

Jacob Varick, SS/RHP, Kettle Moraine, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player with lanky limbs and some foot speed. Posted a 6.98 60 time. Offensively hits from an open stance with short stride, standard balance. Has a pull side approach with solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 79 mph. On the infield he fields balls athletically with solid hands. Arm works at 72 mph across the diamond. On the mound his delivery has smooth rhythm, landing closed and throwing across his body. Arm works from a high ¾ slot. Four seam fastball was straight, 77-78 mph. Throws a two seam fastball with sinking action at 72-76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup was 69 mph.

Trevor Wesline, SS, Sussex Hamilton, 2015
6-foot, 168-pound infielder with a lanky frame. On the infield showed solid hands and body control. Arm works long and loose, ¾ slot, some accuracy, 72 mph. Ran a 7.26 60. At the plate he has an open stance, smooth backward loading action, short stride, quality balance through contact. Has a line drive swing that is level with solid extension. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee.

Jackson Yundt, RHP/3B, Arrowhead, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm and easy effort. Moves down the mound with clean lines, level shoulders, and an athletic finish. Arm works from a high ¾ slot with solid arm speed. Commanded his fastball well, 76-78 mph with little movement. Throws a sinker with quality action, 74 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 61-65 mph. On the infield showed solid hands, short arm from over the top, 72 mph. Ran an 8.01 60. At the plate hits from a closed, crouched stance with a short stride, partial lower half and good balance. Swing has standard bat speed, stiff rhythm, opposite field approach. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee.

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