Aidan
Thaxton

Valparaiso commit. Currently ranked No. 129 in the state. 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame with some room still left for added strength. Impressive defender up the middle; boasts soft hands with fluid actions to make plays look easy. Plays with rhythm and tempo and is comfortable moving to either side of his glove. The right-handed hitter has some sneaky pop in his bat, coiling into his load before firing through with strong hands and a slightly uphill path. Clear feel to hit with a confidence about him in all aspects of his game. Finished the day 1-for-3 with a double, taking quality at-bats all game long. 

Valparaiso commit. Thaxton went 8-for-15 on the week with two triples, two doubles, three RBIs, and seven runs scored. Thaxton played shortstop throughout the week and was a big part in helping St. Ignatius win the Midwest Jesuit Classic.

Valparaiso commit. In their win over Lindblom, Thaxton hit a home run and a double with two RBIs and two runs scored. Thaxton went 2-for-3 with a triple, four RBIs and one run in a 11-0 win over Payton College Prep. In the Wolfpack's game against Amundsen, he tallied two hits, one being a double, and two runs scored. On the week he went 6-for-11 (.545 avg.) with a home run, triple, two doubles, six RBIs, and five runs scored.

MIF Aidan Thaxton (St. Ignatius, 2023) has advanced infield actions and throughout the three games, solidified himself as one of the better defensive infielders in attendance. In gameplay, Thaxton made multiple above-average plays at shortstop, including going up and getting a line-drive at its highest point. He also was comfortable on the move making a number of plays to both sides look relatively easy. Thaxton also was on the barrel throughout the two days finishing 3-for-5 with a double, walk and a run scored.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Wide-shouldered build with athleticism.
Hits: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, short stride. On time, athletic hands, stays on top and uses the middle of the field. Over the course of the three games, finished 3-for-5 with a double, walk and a run scored.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 82.3 MPH. 314' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-80 mph.Short, clean arm action, can play from any platform when needed.
Defense: Highly-athletic actions, plays light on his feet, soft hands, advanced feel on the move with a quick, clean release.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60.
Vizual Edge: 83.83 Edge Score

 Thaxton has highly-athletic actions at shortstop with advanced glove presentation and quick glove-to-hand release when he wants. He plays in control and naturally on the move with the ability to throw from multiple slots. His arm topped at 84 mph and ran a 6.87 60 which is down from a 7.15 from 2021. Offensively, he has an upright, relaxed setup in the right-handed batters box and works gap-to-gap with fluid rhythm and relaxed look. Follow 2023 middle infielder. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Evenly distributed weight.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly narrow setup, leg lift load. Loose, gap to gap approach, on the barrel consistently, fluid, line drive approach.
Power: 91.2 max exit velocity, averaged 83.6 mph. 332’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short out of the glove, quick arm into a high 3/4 release.
Defense: Soft quick hands, feel and rhythm, bounce to his step, great feel for the position with athletic actions.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. 

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 170 in the Illinois 2023 class. Athletically built, 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame. Started at shortstop and hit out of the lead-off spot for St. Ignatius. Impressed with the glove throughout the game; boasting soft/fluid hands with athletic feet through the ball, controlling his body well on plays to both sides and on the slow roller, arm plays with carry and from multiple angles. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed the ability to make adjustments mid at-bat, learning speed differentials and seeing spin while making hard contact in all four of his at-bats on the day. He starts with his feet in a narrow position and moves into a long stride, hangs foot; his hands start low and work upwards through the zone with easy bat-speed, looking to put the ball on a line and showing pop to the pull-side.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: R. Tall, narrow stance, hands held low, minimal load, short stride. Repeatable swing, level through the zone, line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 88.63 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 81 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic actions, controlled body movement, confident hands, quick exchange, fields out in front.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: INF 
Body: 5-foot-2, 106-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, hands load back, short stride, maintains balance. Short, compact bat path, line drive ability with pull side favoritism, rhythm through contact.
Power: 63 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, accuracy across.
Defense: Quick, fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange with glove pat, played through the baseball.
Run: 8.23 runner in the 60.