Josh
Polubinski

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 104 in the Illinois 2023 class. Physical frame, 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, broad shoulders with equally distributed strength. Started at third-base and hit out of the cleanup spot for Oswego East; barrelled up multiple balls throughout the day including a single, later coming around to score. The right-handed hitter uses a simple load, getting his foot down early to be on time; his hands work quickly to the ball with an uphill path, quick turn through the ball with some effort, easy bat-speed in-game. Physically right-handed bat to know in the 2023 class.

Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-3, 195-pounds. Lean, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, balanced setup, quiet load and short stride. Loose and quick hands. Level path through the zone, slightly uphill at times. Consistent hard contact.
Power: 101.1 max exit velocity, averaged 90.4 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Short arm circle into a high 3/4 slot. Some carry through the target.
Defense: Athletic actions, balanced footwork, aggressive routes, clean exchange.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60.

Here’s another physical right-handed-hitting outfielder on the rise this winter, OF Josh Polubinski (Oswego East). After showing well in early February, Polubinski backed it up with another loud offensive round, while improving all of his numbers in less than a month's time. He cut his 60 time to 7.13, down from a 7.44, and he topped 88 mph from the outfield also up from last year, and his peak exit velocity of 101.1 mph was additionally up a couple ticks. Polubinski is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound prospect with a broad-shouldered, physically impressive stature. He does not get cheated at the plate and he repeats his swing well despite the violence he flashes throughout.

Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-3, 191-pounds. Thick upper body. Broad shoulders. Athletic, Strength throughout frame.
Delivery: Low effort. Tall and fall type delivery. Works in line with target. Lands front toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short, easy arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T83.2, 80.8-82.6 mph. Plays most straight. Running action through the zone at times. T2182, 2114 average rpm.
CB: 67.8-69.0 mph. 11/5 shape. Tight spin. Depth. T2196, 2107 average rpm.
SL: 69.6-71.7 mph. 10/4 shape. Tight spin. Tilt. Able to locate for strikes. Feel for the bottom of the zone. Out pitch. T2246, 2179 average rpm.
CH: 75.9-77.1 mph. Plays straight. Maintains arm speed. T1967, 1951 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Compact, efficient load. Weight stacked over the back leg. Keeps hands back.  Explosive, athletic actions in the box. Tight, quick turn. Advanced bat speed. Ball jumps off the bat. Consistently on the barrel and with authority.
Power: 99.2 max exit velocity, averaged 94.5 mph. 351’ max distance. Top max and average exit velocity at event.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Arm speed and arm strength. Short, easy arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: An Athletic and aggressive outfielder. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

The Polubinski triplets, juniors from Oswego East – Josh (6-foot-3, 195-pound), Mike (6-foot-3, 185-pounds), and Zach (6-foot-2, 190-pounds) all made a strong impression at the event. Each has a physical, athletic frame and swung potent right-handed bats with intent to do damage. The trio landed in the top six in hard hit percentage (percentage of batted balls registering a 90 mph exit velocity or harder) from the event. All three registered a hard hit percentage of 40 percent or better, with Josh leading the event; eight of his 10 swings left the barrel at the 90 mph threshold or greater, and he also led the event in max exit velocity (99.2) and average exit velocity (94.5).

Defensively, Josh took efficient routes and showcased some life in the arm with his throws playing with carry at 85 mph. He also impressed on the mound, running his fastball up to 83 mph with ride through the zone and feel for two different breaking balls; a slider at 70-72 mph with slurvy 10/4 shape and a curveball at 68-69 with downer break and depth. 

Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Strong, athletic frame, still room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small leg lift, short stride. Short swing, works slightly uphill, works to inside of ball at times, flashed fluidity, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long action.
Defense: Aggressive routes, steady hands, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-foot-3, 165-pounds. Lanky, athletic, highly projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, tempoed pre-pitch movement in hands, smooth load, short stride.  Quick, loose hands, present bat speed, long through the zone, elevates the baseball, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Quick draw, threw accurately from multiple different arm slots.
Defense: Athletic fielding position, fluid footwork, stays low to the ground, plays out in front, steady hands, clean and confident funnels, plays through the baseball. Advanced defensive actions for age.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

5-foot-11, 135-pound, right-handed hitting utility player, high-waisted frame. At the plate, wide, balanced setup, back bar load, short stride, maintains balance. Long, uphill bat path, creates natural lift through swing, line drive abilities to the middle of the field, fluid rhythm involved. Repeatable contact, above average bat speed, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, quick exchange, loose arm, high ¾ slot,  throws topped 69 mph from the outfield and 62 mph from the infield. 7.81 runner in the 60. On the mound, works straight, closed landing, upright finish. Long, clean arm action, loose front side, high ¾ slot, regular effort involved. Fastball worked straight, 68-69 mph, topped 71 mph. Curveball flashed depth, 11/5 shape, 57-59 mph. Changeup had arm side run, 61-64 mph.