FL Preseason All-State: Outfielder Analysis
February 7, 2019
The weekend of January 26th and 27th, PBR Florida held its 3rd annual Preseason All-State event at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., to evaluate close to 100 of the state’s top prospects. This invite only event was comprised of prospects from all classes. To view the whole roster, CLICK HERE.
We began our event coverage last week with a Statistical Analysis, highlighting the top statistical performers on leaderboards. Beginning last week and concluding earlier this week, we provided our first impressions from the event, broken down by team: Team White, Team Blue, Team Black, Team Red, Team Yellow, Team Gray
Today, we begin our position-by-position breakdown with the outfielders. First, we present the top-10 outfielders from the event, led by OF Dylan Crews (Lake Mary, 2020). Crews continues to solidify himself as the No. 1 prospect in Florida’s Class of 2020 and potentially the entire country. Following the top-10 prospects are the rest of the participating athletes in alphabetical order. (Two-way prospects will be presented on their own).
Top Prospects
1. Dylan Crews, OF, Lake Mary, 2020LSU recruit, the No 1 player in Florida reinforced that notion at the Preseason All State. If you were looking for a potential flaw in his game, it may have been his run tool, previously running a 7.2 at last year's event. This year, in very tough conditions, put up a 6.93, with added strength throughout the frame and the look of an above average runner. Defensively, he moves well in the outfield and looks like he could potentially stick in center. If not though, the bat continues to prove it can hold up anywhere. The added strength has translated to power. The swing is balanced and simple, efficiently using the strong lower half. Advanced approach, driving balls with power from gap to gap. Overall it is a true above average with plus potential hit tool and potential above average power. The bat has been consistent for a long time, but the added strength and athleticism will have him in contention as one of, if not the top players in the country in 2020.
2. Brandon Fields, OF, Dr. Phillips, 2020
South Carolina commit. Raw physicality to project on. Advanced athleticism and strength. Quick and powerful physical actions. Flashes a power-speed combo with natural ability to defend in center field or a plus right fielder, depending on how his bat ends up playing. Offensively, the swing has made significant strides. Even with the added strength, the swing has become more fluid and works through extension, staying in the zone longer. There is plus bat speed and present strength. Overall, one of the highest ceiling prospects in attendance.
3. AJ Shaver, OF, South Lake, 2020
Florida State commit, 6-foot-2, 197-pound, athletically-built, continues to add muscle to frame advanced hitter. Bat stays in zone for a long time and moves hands well. Hit and power combo, recorded a 98 mph exit velocity off a tee with wood. Showed easy power to the pull side. His swing should really work at all levels. Ran a 6.92 laser-timed 60. Can run well enough to play anywhere in the OF. Fields position athletically, arm action is clean and loose, 89 mph from the outfield. Exciting 2020 player.
4. Corey Robinson, OF, DeLand, 2021
Miami commit. Slender athletic build at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds, plenty of room to add strength. Balanced setup at the plate, short toe-tap stride, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap approach offensively, line drive hitter, barrel whips through the zone, 88 mph exit velocity off a tee. Above average runner, 6.80 laser-timed 60, speed translates defensively. Fields position athletically, runs through the ball, quick/fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Arm works loosely from a ¾ slot, 84 mph from the outfield.
5. Jordan Taylor, OF, St. Johns, 2022
Florida State commit. Lean, athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, should continue to see physical advancements. Raw athlete, ran a 7.03 laser-timed 60. Offensively, takes a balanced setup, short stride, hands load back and drop, maintains good balance. Barrel works uphill, looks to elevate the ball to the pull-side, developing power, 91 mph exit velocity. Defensively, plays through the ball with fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot, throws carry at 85 mph. High follow prospect.
6. Renzo Gonzalez, OF, Alonso, 2021
Miami recruit. A stocky 5-foot-10 180 pines. Present strength and athleticism. Defensively, the actions are solid and arm really works, topping at 90 mph. Offensively, he is a very advanced 2021 hitter. Handles the lower and inner parts of the zone very well for a classic left-handed offensive profile. Present pull power well above average for his class. Balanced and simple, he the strength plays efficiently and projects to have hit/power combo. While he didn't pitch, he is a true two way prospect and will be one to watch on the mound as well.
7. Jalen DeBose, OF, Seminole, 2020
Recently uncommitted, at 5-foot-11, 155 pounds, he looks longer and lean. The frame has a lot of quick twitch and a lot of projection. Ran a 6.97 60 yard dash in very tough conditions. Has a chance to be a plus defender in the outfield. Throws had carry and topped at 87 mph. Offensively, he has some steepness in the path, but the natural athleticism and feel keep him on the barrel more often than not. He has quick hands, and could see some big gains as he gets into the lower half and continues to add separation. Present bat speed, overall a lot of present tools with a high ceiling.
8. Corbin Grantham, OF, Buchholz, 2020
Athletically built at 5-foot-11, 181-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Really quick actions, ran a 6.98 60. At the plate he shows present strength and should add more. Drops hands into the hitting zone from the start giving him loft ability - may grow into some good power, 91 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively arm works from an over-the-top slot, with some looseness. Plays through the ball with fluid footwork, 77 mph from the outfield. Really interesting follow as he polishes his game.
9. Cameron Neal, OF, North Florida Christian, 2020
Uncommitted prospect, 6-foot, 185-pounds, strong, athletic build, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 6.97 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, throws flashed carry at 85 mph. Plays through the ball, footwork is fluid, clean on exchanges. Offensively, tall setup, long stride, hands load back minimally, maintains balance. Short barrel path, line drive type hitter, 88 mph exit velocity off a tee.
10. Lucas Serra, OF, Archbishop McCarthy, 2020
A lean, athletic 5-foot-11 he has present quick twitch and athleticism. Ran a 6.99 60 yard dash in tough conditions. Quality gait and overall appears to be an above average runner. Defensively, the athleticism plays in the outfield. Rangy, comes tigi the ball well and topped at 84 mph. Offensively, he stands tall and confident. Swing is simple, level and compact and shows present bat to ball skills with upside.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
David Baillio, OF, TNXL Academy, 2021
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, average build, athletic frame. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, pull-side tendency, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Long arm action, some stab, ¾ slot, 79 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.68 laser-timed 60.
Dylan Bowen, OF, TNXL Academy, 2022
6-foot-1, 167 pounds he has a lean, projectable frame with present athleticism. Moves through the ball well with athleticism in the outfield, arm will need to improve, but throws were accurate and on-line Offensively, he has a quiet, simple load. The path is level through the zone, generated consistent line drives. .All around upside with present athleticism and will continue to improves as he matures and adds strength.
Elijah Chun, OF, Clay, 2020
The stocky 5-foot-8, 175 pound outfielder has strength in the frame as well as some twitchy athleticism. Defensively, he comes through the ball well in the outfield and the throws were consistently accurate. Offensively, he uses the strong lower half well. Clears the back side, swing stays compact through the zone generating an exit velocity of 85 mph.
Konrad Ehmke, SS/OF, Pine Crest School, 2019
A lean 6-foot-1, 170 pounds he shows some present athleticism. Defensively, movies with athletic actions. Hands work, has some rhythm and a short arm action topping at 83 mph in the infield. Athleticism and arm play up in the outfield, where he topped at 88 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, hands load back, separate from body, maintains good balance. Line drive type hitter, barrel works mostly uphill, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.08 laser-timed 60.
Kade Frew, SS/OF, Fleming Island, 2022
5-foot-7, 155-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder, athletically built, lean frame. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride,hands load back, maintains balance. Line drive type hitter, barrel works mostly level, can be uphill at-times, 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.06 laser-timed 60. Defensively, arm action is long, over-the-top slot, 81 mph across the infield and 81 mph from the outfield. Fields both positions athletically, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges.
Drake Harman, OF, Bloomingdale, 2022
Stands at 5-foot-11, 150-pounds, left-handed hitting outfielder, lean, athletic build. Defensively, fields position athletically with fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot, 81 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, hands load back, maintains good balance. Line drive type hitter, barrel works level through the zone, 81 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.62 laser-timed 60.
Cal McCallum, OF/INF, Lawton Chiles Tallahassee, 2019
At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, McCallum has continued to fill out a stocky, strong frame with strength throughout. Defensively, he shows multi-position ability. Athletic through the ball in the outfield and throws had carry topping at 84 mph. In the infield, he showed sound actions, will need to get a quicker release, but hands worked well and worked under control. Offensively, the strength plays. He has a leg kick to balance, creates some leverage within his frame and is aggressive through the zone. Path is slightly uphill with present bat speed and gap-to-gap power producing an exit velocity of 87 mph. One of the top uncommitted seniors in attendance, should be a quality late add that can play multiple positions and has a chance to hit with gap power.
AJ Nessler, OF, Jesuit, 2022
5-foot-9, 186-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, hands start high, load back and cock, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, with added strength will consistently drive the ball, hands work athletically, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm action is long, over-the-top slot, 77 mph. Ran a 7.72 laser-timed 60.
Tyler Ostendorf, OF, Windermere, 2020
5-foot-11, 155 pounds he has a lean frame with sloped athletic shoulders. Showed a loose and easy arm action in the outfield, topping out at 82 mph. Offensively, he has a simple approach with a wide base and short simple load. The swing is level through the zone and stayed on the barrel consistently.
William Quinones, 1B/OF, University, 2020
Uncommitted junior, 6-foot, 210-pounds, strong, physical frame, right-handed hitting first baseman and outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, hands cock on load, maintains good balance. Power hitter with pull-side tendency, barrel path works uphill, 90 mph exit velocity. Good runner for size, 7.17 laser-timed 60 yard dash. Defensively, arm works long, circular on the back-side, high ¾ slot, 81 mph across the infield, 82 from the outfield. Displayed fluid footwork and clean exchanges at first base, more natural on the infield.