Kyle
Hartmann

Western Kentucky commit and currently ranked No. 48 in the state, the future Hilltopper showed advanced actions behind the dish. A noticeably stronger 5-foot-10, 173-pounds since we last saw him, Hartmann was solid behind the plate all game. He has an athletic look about him in the crouch, showing the ability to move laterally with ease and get to every pitch. He also stole some strikes for his pitching staff throughout the game with his framing, presenting pitches well in various locations. Offensively, he was 1-for-1 with a walk and two RBI, with one of those RBI coming late in the game on a deep sac fly that helped give the Spartans insurance. Hartmann shows a rhythmic load in the box before showcasing an athletic, level bat path that stays on the barrel.

C Kyle Hartmann (2024) was one of the Spartans top offensive threats in 2023, hitting to a .382 average with seven home runs, 36 RBIs and nine doubles. One of the leader’s on the team as a senior now, it’s easy to assume Hartmann is poised for another successful season, just like last year. He’s one of the top backstops in the state’s senior class, and our scouts have continually seen him find success throughout the summer and fall circuit in 2023. An advanced defender, Hartmann will likely be a vocal leader on the field, spending most of his time behind the dish defensively where we’ve seen him record a pop time as low as 1.90, and record his best bullet down to second at 84 mph. After making a trip to state in 2023, Hartmann knows what it takes to get to Joliet, and he will look to lead the Spartans on another trip to the 3A State Tournament.

Verbally committed to Western Kentucky.

+ All C Kyle Hartmann (Sycamore, 2024) has done over the last six months or so is solidify himself as a high-end backstop in the state’s soon-to-be senior group. Hartmann, who committed to Western Kentucky shortly after the event, showed off one of the strongest arms from behind the plate of the entire event, peaking at 84 mph during the workout day while popping at 1.90-2.00. That level of arm strength translated to the gameplay portion of the event, as Hartmann showed carry and accuracy to the bag in between innings. His fast, athletic, and strong right-handed swing generated hard contact on average (89.1 mph) and at peak (95.6 mph) in BP, while also flashing in-game, including a rocketed ground-rule double on the event’s first day.

Uncommitted. Ranked No. 40 in Illinois’ class of 2024. Stands at an athletic 5-foot-10, 175-pounds with clear upper-body strength. Started behind the plate and batted cleanup for the Spartans in their Super-Sectional matchup. A right-handed hitter, hitterish at the plate with pop in the bat, made consistent contact with the ball throughout the game. Recorded two hits in the game - a double and an RBI single. His first at-bat was a well-hit fastball to deep left field, but produced a flyout. Defensively, natural leadership tendencies, controls the game. Quick transfer and strong arm on throws to second (1.94-2.03 in-event pop times), receives the ball with strong hands, moves athletically behind the plate, soft blocker. Uncommitted junior that has continued to show well this spring for our staff.

Uncommitted. Hartmann stands at an athletic 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, with room to add strength. Right-handed hitter, stock setup with an open stance, high leg lift, big stride, hands load back to create separation, all fields approach. Hands are quick and direct with a slightly uphill swing, above-average bat speed and whip; barrels the baseball when contact is made. Worked the count in at-bats, mature approach at the plate, hard out. Finished 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Behind the plate he showed athleticism with soft hands. Recorded a 2.00 pop time in between innings. 

Uncommitted. Hartmann stood out in their 15-0 win over Harlem where he went 3-for-3 with three home runs and six RBIs. On the week he went 5-for-6 with three home runs and seven RBIs.

C Kyle Hartmann (Sycamore) put together one of the top breakout performances from the event. Despite his 5-foot-10, 175-pound, athletic, wiry stature, Hartmann creates all kinds of bat speed and bat strength in his swing. Hartmann has violence and intent in the box, while staying flat, long through the zone and on the barrel with loud, lifted, hard contact. The right-handed hitter led the event with a 96.7 mph average exit velocity, peak of 101.1 mph and a 100% hard-hit percentage. He also stood out behind the plate playing quick out of the crouch with a plus arm that topped at 84 mph (up 4 mph) with a low pop-time of 1.94 seconds. 

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Athletic build, wiry strength.
Hit: RHH. Narrow balanced setup, long stride Aggressive swing, loose, fast hands, present bat speed, on the barrel with natural lift throughout and length through the zone.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 96.7 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 84 mph. Loose, strong arm, plays short and from an over-the-top slot; throws flash carry and life.
Defense: 1.94-2.03 pop times. Flexible, athletic receiver, presents a low target, sets up on one knee at times.  Soft hands, clean and directional out of the crouch with a quick glove-to-hand release.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

C Kyle Hartmann (Sycamore) put together one of the top breakout performances from the event. Despite his 5-foot-10, 175-pound, athletic, wiry stature, Hartmann creates all kinds of bat speed and bat strength in his swing. Hartmann has violence and intent in the box, while staying flat, long through the zone and on the barrel with loud, lifted, hard contact. The right-handed hitter led the event with a 96.7 mph average exit velocity, peak of 101.1 mph and a 100% hard-hit percentage. He also stood out behind the plate playing quick out of the crouch with a plus arm that topped at 84 mph (up 4 mph) with a low pop-time of 1.94 seconds.

Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Athletic base. Short stride. Aggressive, intentful swing, stays flat and long through the hitting zone. Ball jumps off the barrel at times. Backspun hard contact to all fields.
Power: 94.3 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Loose arm action. Works from a 3/4 arm slot. Quick exchange. Carry and accuracy on throws.
Defense: 1.96-2.09 pop times. Steady hands. Feet work in line with the second base bag. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60.  

Hartmann, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound catcher, was one of the first hitters of the event and made a statement right out of the gate. The right-handed hitter swings with serious intent, aggression and looks to elevate the balls into both gaps with authority. With that said, Hartmann stays flat and long through the zone with the ability to create backspin to the pull-side gap. Hartmann’s hardest barrel came off the bat at 94.3 mph with his furthest batted ball traveling 334 feet. Hartmann also tied the event-high to second base (80 mph), with a low pop time of 1.96. Follow 2024 catcher with a potent right-handed bat.

Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg kick, long stride. Aggressive swing, average bat speed of 69.5 MPH, path works uphill.
Power: 88.63 max exit velocity, averaged 78.76 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.21 pop times. Steady receiver, low, athletic setup, clean exchanges, advanced block.
Run: 8.19 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8, 135-pounds. Wiry, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load and leg-kick timing trigger. Aggressive swing, looks to drive the baseball, short level bat path that gets extension through contact. Fluid rhythm and pull-side tendencies.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 27.50g max rotational acceleration; third best of the event, according to Blast.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 73 mph. Arm played short and over-the-top from the crouch.
Defense: 2.18-2.26 pop times. Worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Natural catcher actions. Soft hands, athletic out of the crouch, flexible hips and plays light on his feet. Quick, clean release.
Run: 8.44 runner in the 60. 

5-foot-6, 115-pound 2B/C/RHP; athletic build. Had an overall strong performance as he impressed behind and at the plate for ESP Black against 6 Tool. He threw out two runners in the same inning with a strong arm and quick feet; popped a 2.44 in between innings. He received the ball well and controlled the flow of the game as a vocal leader. Right-handed hitter, low crouch stance, found the barrel often while showing some strength through contact. On the mound, sat 71-73 mph while mixing in a slow curveball at 56 mph.

Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-6, 115-pounds. Athletic frame.
Defense: 2.25-2.37 pop times. Behind the plate; soft hands, fluid footwork, quick exchanges and plays athletic. On the infield; Soft hands, fluid footwork and clean transfers.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 72 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate with carry.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, smooth, back load, long stride. Aggressive swings, fast hands, long, level bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Run: 5.13 runner, home-to-first.