Sam
Antonacci

True Sophomore. Formerly ranked No. 25 in the Illinois 2021 class. Five-tool talent continues to show consistent in-game power. Recorded a .471 batting average last season with 21 doubles, 6 triples, 14 home runs, 64 RBIs, 90 runs scored, 33 walks and 19 stolen bases on 22 attempts. Uses all fields with authority, producing an event best 101.9 max exit velocity. Arm strength has improved since last fall; now solid-average with on-line carry. Fluid actions on the infield, soft hands with range to both sides of the glove. Reached up to 88 mph across the diamond. Also ran a 6.77 in the 60-yard dash. A top-five round 2023 MLB Draft follow. 

2022 MLB Draft League: An electric, high IQ defender at shortstop with the range, actions, hands and arm strength to remain there. Defensive potential anywhere on the diamond. Contact, high OBP offensive profile, albeit with an ideal frame for adding strength.

Heartland Scout Day: The top college prospect for the Hawks, the 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitter is not the flashiest, but he makes every play at SS showing athletic feet (6.81 laser timed 60), sure hands, good body control and an average pro-grade arm (87 mph across the infield). At the plate he showed some of the event’s best bat speed, producing an exit velocity of 100.6 mph with a max distance of 384’. With that bat speed comes the potential for extra base production, especially when considering his balanced setup and disciplined approach at the plate. Day Two draft follow for 2022.

Heartland commit, has been on the rise all summer long thanks to one of the better left-handed bats in the class. Advanced bat-to-ball skills, handles velocity, stays short and inside the baseball, uses the whole field. Flat path, line-drive approach with sneaky pull-side leverage at times. Defensively, can play all over the infield but was at shortstop for much of the weekend. Steady, sure-handed defender, handled the routine plays and made a few not so routine, showing improved athleticism and body control. Arm plays accurate across the diamond.
Stats: 4-for-10, 2B, 3 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R

Verbally committed to Heartland CC.

Uncommitted, 6-foot, 175-pound, athletically-built, infielder. One of the top uncommitted left-handed hitters in the state. Repeatable swing, consistently on time, stays short to the ball, uses all fields, routinely on time and on the barrel. Defensively, can stick up the middle, sound actions, steady hands and clean transfer. Follow 2021 left-handed hitter.

The left-handed-hitting middle infielder showed a solid all-around game with an average arm (85 mph across the diamond), a slightly below average run tool and a balanced, albeit somewhat stiff swing. There’s also some length to his swing. He attempts to use all fields. Most of his hard contact was to his pull-side with an exit velocity of 92 mph and a ProCase top five with 74 mph bat speed and a strong power kW mark of 4.72. After a laborious start and choppy stride throughout, he finished with a 7.01 sixty. Defensively, he can play tall at times on the dirt while showing fair actions and sure hands. Overall, the uncommitted Antonacci exited the ProCase with his prospect arrow pointing up.

2019 Future Games: 5-foot-11, 170-pound, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting infielder. Was one of the top statistical hitters for Team Illinois on the week. Finished 5-for-9 (.555 BA) with three runs scored, three RBIs and a walk. Starts from a balanced, relaxed. slightly open setup. Creates pre-pitch rhythm in hands, long stride and gets separation. Swings with intent, feel for the strike zone and the barrel. Rarely chases out of the zone. Stays on top of the baseball, uses the entire field and advanced bat-to-ball skills. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, ability to play all around the infield but may profile best as an offensive second baseman. Handles the run-through play with body control and ease. Steady defender, reliable hands, clean release and arm works long out of a ¾ to high ¾ slot. Throws topped at 83 mph. 7.14 runner in the 60, laser-timed. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth loading actions, short stride. Maintains balance through contact, swing has fluid rhythm. Bat gets extension through the zone, line drive hitter with some pull side tendencies.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Quick hands generate bat speed. Showed feel for the barrel.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, releases from a high 3/4 slot. Arm played accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Reliable and steady hands, quick and clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

5-foot-11, 170-pound, left-handed hitting middle-infielder, currently ranked No. 88 in the Illinois’ 2021 class. Started at second base and hit in the three-hole. Follow left-handed bat. Balanced, quiet setup, highly-repeatable swing, advanced hand/eye and barrel control. Hands work loose and bat gets extension through the zone. Line-drive approach, uses the whole field. Consistently drove pitches out over the plate to the left side of the diamond. Finished 1-for-3 with a run scored. Defensively, steady defender at second base. Sure-hands, clean release and accurate arm. Follow 2021 left-handed hitter.

5-foot-11, 170-pound, left-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced relaxed setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance. Simple swing, quick hands, initiates lower half, occasional bat speed, stays short to the ball and line-drive gap-to-gap approach; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean footwork, maintains body control on the move, sure-handed. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 81 mph. 7.42 runner in the 60, laser-timed. 

5-foot-10, 160-pound, well-proportioned, switch-hitting infielder. At the plate, left-handed swing is currently ahead of the right-handed swing. Balanced setup, quiet, smooth load, short stride. Easy, simple swing, stays short to the ball, line-drive, pull approach. Singled twice during game play. 78 mph exit velocity from the right side and 79 mph from the left. Defensively, comes and gets the baseball, steady hands, winds up on release at times, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm, flashed carry, clocked at 81 mph. 4.76 runner, home-to-first.

5-foot-8, 140-pound, well-proportioned, switch-hitting infielder. From the left side, balanced setup, smooth load, quiet hands, short stride, balanced finish. Level barrel path, fluid rhythm, exit velocity of 75-mph off the tee. From right side, balanced setup, quiet hands, strong top hand, long stride, engaged lower half, balanced finish. Line drive approach, level barrel path, exit velocity of 78-mph off the tee. Defensively, quick first step, soft hands, repeatable hand placement, plays through baseball. Long arm action, high ¾ release, accuracy on throws, threw 78-mph across infield. Ran 7.33 in the 60.