Branden
Comia

After struggling last summer in the abbreviated Northwoods season (.200/.343/.288), Comia has picked up this spring where he left off last when he finished with a slash of .426/.526/.702 in 2020. Currently stroking .403 after a 7-for-13 weekend against the Huskers, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound shortstop has quick hands, a balanced approach and sees the ball well at the plate. At times during his college career, Comia has taken big swings and hooking hacks, chasing pitches out of the zone. But not this series. He was on-time and on-plane nearly every pass. He did pull off early on a couple of ground balls during Saturday’s action, but ran a 4.19 down the line both times, beating out the first for an infield single. With adequate hands and solid defensive actions, Comia is a more than capable defender. He reads hops well and has a good internal clock. His lateral quickness and good instincts allow him to have average-to-better fielding range at shortstop. Time will tell, but for now Comia is a polarizing talent. Scouts who have seen him scorching hot in each of the past two springs swear by him, while scouts who saw him this summer on the Struggle Bus will naturally push him down a bit on their draft list. With a July draft, Comia may need to prove his worth with wood in summer ball, and if he does that will likely land him in the top five rounds.

With plenty of instincts and intangibles, Comia also has the tools to be considered a mid-Day Two At 5-foot-10, 195 pounds there is ample strength and bat speed. He has quick hands, a balanced approach and sees the ball well. Yet, at times, Comia will take big swings and hooking hacks, chasing pitches out of the zone. He needs to take what the pitcher gives him, drawing some walks in the process. Overall, he simply just needs to iron out his consistency at the plate. With adequate hands and solid defensive actions, Comia is a more than capable defender. He reads hops well and has a good internal clock. His lateral quickness and good instincts allow him to have average-to-better fielding range at shortstop. Clocked at 4.65 on a turn, he’s an average runner underway, but below average down the line. Time will tell, but for now Comia is a polarizing talent. Scouts who see him hot at the plate swear by him, while scouts who see him struggle will naturally push him down their draft list for 2021.

With plenty of instincts and intangibles, Comia also has the tools to be considered a mid-Day Two prospect. His spectacular start to the shortened 2020 spring season included a .426/.526/.702 production slash in 13 games. At his best he is capable of consistent, hard contact and 4-for-4 nights. However, there are mixed evaluations from the scouting industry due to his inconsistency at the plate. Comia can be streaky and he is prone to strikeouts in bunches (27 in 63 at-bats with a .206 batting average this summer). At 5-foot-10, 195 pounds there is ample strength and bat speed. He has quick hands, a balanced approach and sees the ball well. Yet, at times, Comia will take big swings and hooking hacks. Overall, he simply just needs to iron out his consistency at the plate. With adequate hands and solid defensive actions, Comia is a more than capable defender. He reads hops well and has a good internal clock. His lateral quickness and good instincts allow him to have average to better fielding range at shortstop. He’s an average runner underway, but below average down the line, clocked at 4.65 on a turn. Time will tell, but for now Comia is a polarizing talent at the plate. Scouts who see him good swear by him, while scouts who see him struggle will naturally push him down their draft list for 2021.

9/20/18: Excellentcollege debut for the highly-touted recruit who was ranked No. 1 at his position and No. 4 in the state of Illinois during his senior season. The strong framed, switch-hitter recorded exit velocities of 98 and 100 mph during his two at-bats, one of which was a two-run triple off the wall in the 10th inning. Also displayed the same smooth actions, soft hands and left-side infield arm strength that he has always shown. Comia is an instinctual, all around performer who is quickly establishing himself as a key member of the Illinois lineup. (Seifert)

Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 4 in the Illinois’ 2018 class, No. 1 at position. 5-foot-11, 180-pound, switch-hitting infielder, well-proportioned frame, lower-half strength transfers to the field well. Defensively showed natural abilities, smooth actions, slick, soft hands, consistently clean transfer, athletically plays through the ball with agile footwork. Multi-angle arm slot, gets rid of it quick, present arm speed and comfortable around the bag. Made all six plays he was involved in with ease on the day. At the plate, delivered a line drive solo home run in the first frame that got help from the wind. Natural uphill path, feel for the barrel, gap-to-gap ability, confident hitter. Finished 1-for-3 with the HR and one RBI.

(Super 60) - Illinois recruit. 5-foot-11, 180-pound switch-hitting shortstop with well-proportioned strength. Solid all-around performer, instinctual athlete who moves with bounce and confidence. Ran a 6.77 laser-timed 60. High-level defender, ranges well to both sides, moves with fluidity, plays exceptionally well on the move, natural middle infield actions. Athletic arm, accurate from multiple angles, clocked at 87 mph with above-average carry across the infield; soft, reliable hands with quick and clean transfer. Offensively, is far more polished from his natural right side. Balanced, level swing, easy loose hands, line-drive approach. Generates above-average bat speed, rhythm and balance throughout; registered 100 mph exit velocity with wood off a tee. Handsier approach from the left-side, inconsistent lower half and not as balanced, but the hands are still loose and easy. Registered 90 mph exit velocity from the left side.

An Illinois recruit, is a natural right-handed hitter, but has been tinkering with switch-hitting as of late. He took his first three at-bats from the left side and went 1-for-3 with a lineout to the second baseman and a single to left-field. Comia has a simple, loose swing and looks to use the whole field from the left side. Defensively, he has athletic defensive actions and his arm carries across the diamond.

7.11.17 - Illinois recruit, currently ranked No. 102 overall, No. 4 in Illinois’ 2018 class. 5-foot-11, 176-pound switch-hitting shortstop. Continues to show improvements in his overall athleticism; turned heads at the Midwest ProCase by running a 6.65 laser-timed 60. Shows all the requisite skills to stick at shortstop. High-level defender, reliable, soft hands, moves with fluidity, fields the ball in rhythm, highly athletic arm, strong, accurate arm from multiple angles (87 mph), plays on the move exceptionally well. Plays with bounce and quiet confidence. Offensively, natural right-handed hitter who only began switch-hitting this year. Shows athletic, loose hands from both sides of the plate. Relaxed, athletic approach, excellent pre-pitch rhythm, loose, easy hands, generates bat easy bat speed; handsy, line-drive approach from right side. Registered 95 mph exit velocity from the right side with wood, 91 mph from the left side. 

5.13.17 - Illinois recruit. 5-foot-11, 176-pound shortstop. Currently ranked No. 4 in Illinois’ 2018 class, No. 101 overall. High-level baseball IQ, instinctual athlete with natural middle infield actions, carries himself with confidence, plays hard but with ease. Offensively, went  2-for-4 with three RBI and a stolen base. Laced a two-run triple in the right-field corner and barreled  an RBI double to centerfield in the first inning. Relaxed, athletic approach, advanced pre-pitch rhythm, simple and quiet, loose easy hands, generates premium bat speed without effort. High-level defender, athletic hands and arm, plenty of carry across the infield (88 mph at Preseason All-State event), ranges with ease to both sides, advanced internal clock.

4.13.17 - Illinois recruit. 5-foot-11, 176-pound shortstop. Currently ranked No. 4 in Illinois’ 2018 class, No. 101 overall. High-level baseball IQ, instinctual athlete with natural middle infield actions, carries himself with confidence, plays hard but with ease. High-level defender, athletic hands and arm, plenty of carry across the infield (88 mph at Preseason All-State event), ranges with ease to both sides, advanced internal clock. Turned an unassisted double play and made a running over-the-head catch in shallow left field look pedestrian. Offensively, has a relaxed, athletic approach. Advanced pre-pitch rhythm, simple and quiet, loose easy hands, generates premium bat speed without effort. Went 2-for-4 with a double down the third-base line. Gets out the box well, 4.22 and 4.30 run times down the line. Also flew out deep to center field. 

2.19.17 - Illinois commit. 5-foot-11, 176-pound shortstop,
solid frame and build with sneaky athleticism. 6.87 runner, highly athletic and ability to stick at shortstop. Defensively makes the difficult plays look easy, soft confident hands, plays well on the move and through the baseball, cuts down angles well, exchange is quick and clean. Arm action is athletic, short and quick release, accurate and athletic arm from anywhere on the field, 88 mph across the diamond. Offensively showed off a new switch-hitting approach. Natural right-hander, athletic quiet setup with balance. Short compact explosive bat, hands are loose and quick twitch, gap to gap type with occasional pop, barrel aware. Left-handed swing is athletic and repeats, slightly more careful, easy smooth and repeated contact mostly to pull side. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee, 90 mph exit velocity from the left side.

5.4.16 - Illinois commit. 5-foot-11, 185-pound middle infielder, solid squared body type with strength. High motor grinder type player. Aggressive hitter at the plate, advance bat speed, hand generated. Ball jumps off the bat, hard contact guy,  bat projects well. Defensively showed highly athletic actions, raw defensive abilities, advanced body control. Average arm, played accurately, showed above average range. Projects as a highly offensive second baseman at the next level.

2.12.16 - Verbally committed to the University of Illinois.

Five-foot-11, 185-pound infielder, thick build with strength, stocky frame. One of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2018 class, premium bat. Right-handed hitter, confident setup, hitterish in the box, smooth athletic loading action, leg lift stride, excellent balance through contact. Loose hands with easy bat speed, explosive bat, good hand eye, path gets extension, stays through the hitting zone. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has confident hands on the infield, natural defender, plays well on the move, knack to make the tough play. Arm action is short and loose, athletic arm action, strong arm to stick on the left side, 83 mph across the diamond. 7.27 runner in the 60. Comia is a high-follow 2018 who is still on the board, his premium bat is likely to stick at third or second base at the next level and bring an aggressive and high IQ game to the diamond.

Extremely high baseball IQ and feel for the game. Defensively, can play all three infield positions at a high level. Soft hands, good body control and his arm plays from the left side of the infield. Offensively, right-handed hitter reached base in three of his four at-bats. Flat path through the hitting zone. Disciplined approach at the plate. High follow in the 2018 class

Future Games 2015 - 5-foot-10, 172-pound right-handed hitting shortstop was one of the biggest risers for Team Illinois at the Future Games. Offensively, his bat stood out as one of the top 2018’s at the event. Advanced hitter, routinely found the barrel and drove balls with authority. Ball jumps off the bat, aggressive through the zone. Smooth load with good separation. Hands stay on top of the baseball and flashed explosiveness. In game, advanced pitch recognition, routinely taking tough pitches on the border of the zone. Seemed to get into good hitting counts every at-bat. Laced a double down the right field line in Game one. Defensively, smooth, athletic actions and soft hands in the infield. Balanced, under control and fluid feet. Over-the-top, short-arm action, has carry and clocked at 81 mph across the infield.

Looks to be one of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2018 class. Listed at 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, but has physically advanced lower half and overall strong build for age. Starting 3B and hits in No. 5 hole as a freshman for perennial powerhouse Sandburg. Defensively, demonstrates natural, fluid actions; comports himself with maturity and poise. Short, athletic arm action - well-suited for shortstop - with plenty of arm strength and easy carry (was clocked at 84 mph at winter camp). Moves laterally well, advanced footwork and body control for age, fields the ball with rhythm. In game, made a run-through play on a slow chopper look easy. Right-handed hitter, has relaxed, confident approach in box. Simple, quiet mechanics, creates rhythm in load, excellent balance. Looks as though he has spent a lot of time in the cages fine-tuning swing. In first at-bat, got down in count early, then appeared to make adjustment, shortening up with intent on going to right field to move runner over on second base. Fouled two balls off to the right side, then lofted ball to right field; the right fielder dropped it and the runner scored. The second at-bat he laid down a well-executed suicide squeeze down first-base line, 4.32 home-to-first. Finished 0-for-2 with RBI on day. With continued development, Comia should be a highly coveted prospect in the Midwest.

Top 2018 who impresses with his all-around play. Hits from an open stance, plus bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity, short, slightly uphill, compact path, drove line drives from gap-to-gap with feel for barrel. Threw 84 mph across the diamond from short, quick, athletic arm action. Ran a 7.22 60.