Aurora Preseason I.D.: Statistical Analysis

Jacobs High is well-represented on these leaderboards, as sophomores OF Nicholas Gottfried (2023), 3B/RHP Kyler Kennen (2023), INF Nathan Jonas (2023), and C/INF Anthony Edge (2023) each found ways to earn places on these lists.

Gottfried was one of several players to make significant first impressions at Saturday’s showcase, including on both the 60-yard dash (7.12) and outfield velo leaderboards (86 mph).

Kennen attended a pair of 2020 events and he’s made big strides in the time since. The two-way sophomore climbed from 74 mph to 84 during his ‘pen on Saturday, and his long-levered 6-foot-5 stature suggests there’s even more development left for Kennen to get to. Even more substantially, Kennen’s max velocity across the infield a year ago was 68 mph and it also reached an 84 high last weekend.

Jonas’ max exit speed measured at Underclass Trials last June was 88.6 mph, and he improved upon it to reach a 94.8 high on Saturday, averaging a speed three ticks higher (83.3) than that aforementioned event in 2020.

As for Edge, his arm strength placed him atop the boards of both the catcher and infielder groups. He attended this same event in 2020, and here’s how he compared: Edge added 11 mph to his max velocity in the infield (85 mph) and 12 mph to his max exit speed (92.4).

Prairie Ridge C/INF Tyler Vasey (2023), like Gottfried, made a loud debut here. He comfortably clocked the top 60-yard dash time (6.97), and he generates some surprising strength for his wiry size, which helped him land spots on both the catcher velocity (79 mph) and max exit speed (96) leaderboards.

INF/RHP Christian Graves (Marengo, 2023) came away from this event as one of its best all-around performers in attendance, and it shows among the stat leaders. He recorded the day's highest fastball velocity (88 mph) as well as one of the top max exit speed marks (102) – and the arm strength translates to the infield as well, where he reached an 84 high.