Central Illinois Open: Outfielder Analysis
September 25, 2018
On Aug. 8, we hosted the Central Illinois Open in Normal, Ill., at The Corn Crib. There were over 70 prospects in attendance representing the middle of the state, one of whom has already committed to play at the next level, and there’s bound to be more from this group in the coming weeks and months.
Today, we’ll open our showcase analysis with a deeper look into the outfielders who attended the Normal event.
What’s interesting about this top three below is there are a pair of 2021 prospects who made the cut. Uncommitted OFs Luke Trepanier (Manteno) and MacCallan Conklin (Normal U-High) both put together two of the better days, especially for players their age. The left-handed Trepanier glided around the outfield and looks to be a natural defender. At the plate, the Manteno product uses a simple, quick stroke to create regular line-drive contact.
As for Conklin, he, too, looked the part in the outfield, equipped with a strong arm. In the batter's box, the 6-foot righty demonstrated some bat strength with his smooth and quiet swing.
We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the showcase, as well as a look at the day’s catchers, but keep an eye out tomorrow when we continue our analysis with an examination of the event’s infielders. For now, read reports on all 20 outfielders from the Central Illinois Open.
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Luke Trepanier, OF, Manteno, 2021
5-foot-10, 165-pound, well-proportioned, left/left, two-way prospect. At the plate, balanced, slightly open setup, minimal load and short stride. Simple swing, loose hands, flashed bat speed. Short to the ball, level bat path and consistent line-drive contact. Exit velocity topped at 85 mph from a tee. Defensively, natural outfield actions, fluid footwork, attacks the baseball, plays through, soft hands and clean transfer. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 81 mph. 7.26 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, smooth, deliberate delivery, lands front toe open. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, sat 75-76 mph, touched 78. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 66-68 mph. Changeup, sink and fade action, 65-67 mph.
2. Caleb Pyrz, RHP/INF/OF, Champaign Central, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound, athletically-built, multi-positional prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, crouched setup, short leg-lift trigger and maintained balance through contact. Compact swing, quick hands, occasional bat speed, level bat path, stays through the baseball, line-drive approach and consistent hard contact. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Reliable hands, plays through the baseball, long quick arm action; throws topped at 81 mph from the outfield and 76 mph across the infield. 7.38 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, clean, repeatable delivery, regular effort. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, sat 77-80 mph, touched 81. Curveball, tight spin at times, 11/5 plane, 67-70 mph. Changeup, straight action, 75-78 mph.
3. MacCallan Conklin, OF/RHP, Normal U-High, 2021
6-foot, 166-pound, lean, athletically-built, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall , linear, directional delivery, lands front toe open. Long arm action, comes out of a short, high ¾ window, quick out front. Fastball, works mostly straight, flashed run, sat 81-82 mph, touched 83. Changeup, maintains arm speed, feel, fade action, 70-73 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 68-70 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, quiet, balanced, wider setup, smooth load and long stride. Long and level bat path, line-drive approach and 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, in the outfield, plays through the baseball, clean release. Short, strong arm, carried from the outfield, topped at 85 mph. 7.42 runner in the 60. Follow 2021 prospect.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Tyler Ahrens, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2020
6-foot, 150-pound, long and lean, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup, leg-kick timing trigger and hits off his front side. Long bat path, exit velocity of 82 mph from a tee. In the outfield, plays through the baseball, steady hands, arm comes out of a short, over-the-top window and throws clocked at 75 mph. 7.37 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, full wind up, uptempo action following balance point. Short, over-the-top arm action. Fastball works mostly straight, sinking action at times, sat 76-78 mph, touched 79. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 58-59 mph. Also mixed in a cutter, slider action at times, 66-67 mph. Changeup, ranged between 67-72 mph.
Gabriel Anderson, OF, Morton Cicero, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound, lean, right-handed hitting outfielder. 7.04 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, tall, closed setup, leg-kick timing trigger, and maintains balance through contact at times. Aggressive swing, long, uphill bat path, looks to lift the baseball, 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, attacks the baseball at times, steady hands, plays through. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, topped at 77 mph from the outfield.
Carter Askew, OF/RHP, Kaneland, 2021
5-foot-8, 150-pound, two-way prospect. Defensively, in the outfield, plays through the baseball at times, clean transfer. Loose, clean arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 74 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride, long, level bat path and 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.82 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth delivery, sits into backside at balance point and lands front toe open. Loose arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball sinking action at times, sat 71-73 mph, touched 74. Curveball 11/5 plane, 61-64 mph. Changeup, sink, 66-68 mph.
Mitchel Hemmen, OF/RHP, Teutopolis, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound, strong, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, At the plate, right-handed hitter, side-step, compact, repeatable delivery, works on-line, lands front toe slightly closed with easy effort throughout. Clean, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot, projects. Velocity continued to climb throughout his bullpen. Fastball sat 75-79 mph early on and his last four fastballs sat 81-83 mph, touching 84; thrown for strikes, occasional arm-side-run. Curveball, slurvy action at times, 11/5 plane and sat 63-67 mph. Changeup, ranged between 66-70 mph. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load and long toe-tap stride. Level bat path, occasional hard contact to the pull-side and exit velocity clocked at 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, in the outfield, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, clean release. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, strong throws with carry, topped at 88 mph. 7.43 runner in the 60.
Cole Hernandez, OF/INF, Normal West, 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and long, uphill bat path and present bat strength; 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out on the infield and in the outfield. Steady hands and plays through the baseball in the outfield. Long, firm arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 78 mph from the outfield and 77 mph across the infield. 7.35 runner in the 60, laser-timed.
Nick Inness, OF, Abingdon-Avon, 2020
6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic, strong build. At the plate, crouched setup, minimal load and short stride. Long, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and registered a 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, reliable hands, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 77 mph from the outfield. 7.54 runner in the 60.
William Kafer, OF, Normal West, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, full wind up, smooth, deliberate delivery, works on-line, lands front foot closed and finishes upright. Long, clean arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, around the zone, sat 80-81 mph, touched 83. Curveball worked mostly 12/6, occasional depth, 63-69 mph. Changeup, fade action, 73-76 mph. 6.90 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, heel lift stride. Uphill bat path, consistent hard contact and 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, easy actions, works through the baseball, steady hands. Short clean arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm, flashed carry, 86 mph.
Drew Martin, OF/RHP, Mt. Pulaski, 2021
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal load and leg-kick timing trigger. Long bat path, line-drive approach and 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, in the outfield, charges the baseball aggressively and plays through. Loose, whippy arm action, high ¾ slot, throws carry at times, topped at 79 mph. 7.41 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery with regular effort throughout. Loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, 77-81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 65-67 mph. Changeup, worked down, sinking action, 74-77 mph.
Patrick Miller, OF, Plainfield North, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound, outfielder with an athletic, strong build. 7.15 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, quiet setup, minimal loading action and leg-lift timing trigger. Uphill bat path, looks to lift the baseball, gap-to-gap approach; 86 mph exit velocity. Defensively, attacks the baseball in the outfield. Quick feet, flashed steady, sure hands and clean release. Short arm action from an over-the-slot, throws carried and topped at 83 mph.
Jake Plangger, OF/LHP, Normal Community, 2021
5-foot-10, 140-pound, lean, left/left, two-way prospect. At the plate, open, tall setup, long bat path, pull approach and 63 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 65 mph from the outfield. 8.28 runner in the 60. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, delivery works online, lands square and finishes towards third base. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, running action, sat 64-65 mph, touched 66. Changeup, sink and fade, 54-59 mph.
Jackson Powell, OF/RHP, Normal U-High, 2020
6-foot-4, 185-pound, long-limbed, athletically-built, projectable, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm and regular effort throughout. Long, clean arm action, ¾ slot. Fastball, running action, around the zone, sat 80-81 mph. Curveball worked 11/5, slows arm at times, 66-69 mph. Changeup, sinking action, 76-79 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, fluid rhythm, tall setup, toe-tap stride, long, uphill bat path and pull approach. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, works through the baseball, steady hands and long, loose arm action from a ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 81 mph from the outfield. 7.64 runner in the 60, laser-timed.
Joseph Radloff, OF, Glenwood, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, lean, wiry, switch-hitting outfielder. At the plate, handles the bat similarly from both sides of the plate. Balanced, slightly wide setup, pre-pitch load, and short stride. Loose levers at times, long bat path, line-drive approach. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, fluid footwork, steady hands, plays through the baseball. Long arm action, ¾ to high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 71 mph. 7.53 runner in the 60, laser-timed.
Brandon Roth, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2019
6-foot-3, 195-pound, strong, athletically-built, two-way prospect. 7.29 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger, aggressive swing. Creates bat speed at times, long, level bat path and line-drive approach. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, works through the baseball, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, carry and topped at 84 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort throughout. Long arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, sat 78-80 mph, touched 81. Curveball 12/6 shape, 65-69 mph. Changeup, flashed sinking action, 71-75 mph.
Jordan Smith, OF, Urbana, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound, wiry, left/left, two-way prospect. Ran a 6.83 60, laser-timed. At the plate, left-handed hitter, open, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and toe-tap stride. Short bat path, line-drive approach and 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, fluid footwork, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 71 mph. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, long arm action, high ¾ slot with regular effort. Fastball, straight action, sat 67-68 mph, touched 69. Curveball, 1/7 to 12/6 shape, 57-59 mph. Changeup, ranged between 60-63 mph.
Garrett Swingler, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2020
6-foot-1, 150-pound, long, lean, two-way prospect with plenty of room for continued physical development. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, quiet setup, minimal load and short stride. Long levered swing, loose and level at times, 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, proper routes and works through the baseball in the outfield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 79 mph. 7.40 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, delivery works slightly across his body and lands square. Fastball sat 74-77 mph, touched 78. Curveball 12/6 to 11/5 shape, depth, 59-62 mph. Changeup ranged between 63-66 mph.
Matthew Timm, OF/LHP, Illinois Valley Central, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. 6.99 runner in the 60, laser-timed. In the outfield, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, clean exchange. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 80 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, closed setup, leg-kick trigger, level bat path and line-drive approach. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, slight drop and drive delivery, works on-line and lands square. Long arm action, comes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball works mostly straight, occasional running action, 76-77 mph, touched 78. Curveball, tight spin, 1/7 shape, 64-66 mph. Changeup thrown for strikes, straight action, 67-70 mph.
Joseph Trepachko, OF/INF, Plainfield North, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound, strong, well-proportioned, multi-positional prospect. 7.17 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, small leg-lift trigger. Short, uphill bat path and 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Reliable hands, plays through the baseball at times and clean transfer. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 70 mph from the outfield and 67 mph across the infield.