By Steve Nielsen
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Class of 2014 Showcase on October 21 at the Max turned out an extremely talented crop of outfield prospects. Among the variety of outfield talent, we saw a lot of raw ability, and physically imposing players. We also saw plenty of offensive threats as well as natural defenders. Foot speed and arm strength are also seen at the top of this list.

A look at the talented outfield crop at the Class of 2014 Showcase:

1. Mizraim Fuentes, Roberto Clemente HS, OF, Class of 2014
Fuentes showcased a highly impressive game. Physically, Fuentes has a plus body, standing 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, his body is ready for the next level. In the outfield, Fuentes showed true outfield actions with natural instincts, running precise routes to and through the baseball. His arm action is also that of a true outfielder, using a long over the top action, producing throws that stayed on line with life and accuracy at 90 mph. Fuentes’ feet work well, running a 7.08 60 and showing the ability to move side to side in the outfield with ease. Offensively, Fuentes displayed a solid presence in the box. He hit out of an athletic set up, using a smooth load and short stride. He has a quiet approach at the plate, eliminating a lot of moving parts. His bat speed is there as he flashed signs of power throughout his round. Overall, Fuentes swing is smooth and disciplined and should translate well at the next level. Fuentes will be one of the more sought-after outfielders in the Class of 2014.

2. Braden Mosley, Moline HS, OF, Class of 2014
Mosley proved to be one of the more athletic players at the event. Standing 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Mosley showed off a strong athletic frame. In the outfield, he showcased a strong arm, recording 88 mph throws that were on target using a true outfield arm action. He showed natural outfield actions while playing through the ball well displaying athletic footwork and clean hands. Mosley also posted one of the top 60 times at the event, running a 6.78. Offensively, Mosley swings an aggressive stick. He showed explosive bat speed on a level bat path, working to both gaps. Mosley shows a lot of power potential at the plate and looks to be one of the most promising outfield prospects in the Class of 2014.

3. Brian Richard, Oak Forest HS, OF/1B, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Richards is one of the top left-handed bats in the Class of 2014. He has an easy, balanced approach at the plate. He demonstrated swing looseness and a mechanically sound, repeatable swing. He is quick and quiet to the baseball, and remains flat through the zone, creating lag and barrel whip. He gets excellent extension after contact, staying balanced throughout. Defensively, Richard moves athletically and takes precise routes to the baseball. His ball stays on line with solid carry (82 mph). Richard also ran a 7.19 60.

4. Alex Rice, Oak Park-River Forest HS, OF, Class of 2014
Rice is a physically impressive 6-foot-4, 190-pound athlete who looks to be one of the most impressive right-handed hitters in the Class of 2014. Rice showcased a balanced approach with bat speed and considerable pull-side pop. The ball jumps of his bat with backspin and carry. He gets excellent extension after contact, and remains balanced and loose throughout. Rice also ran a 7.16 60, and showed athletic feet and fluid actions in the outfield. His throws were on line at 81 mph.

5. Joe Becht, Downers Grove South HS, OF/MIF, Class of 2014
Becht is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound multi-positional player. Becht showed true outfield actions, moving his feet quickly and aggressively. Becht has some quick twitch actions making a quick, clean exchange while playing through the ball well. His arm is loose and throws from an over the top slot with carry and accuracy at 85 mph. In the infield, Becht showed athletic feet and displayed arm strength of 76 mph. At the plate Becht hits from the left side out of a crouched setup. He uses a slight leg kick and works the ball to the opposite field well.

6. Kevin White, St. Laurence HS, OF/C, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound White is an explosive quick-twitch athlete. He ran a 6.88 60 and showed arm strength from both the outfield and catcher. From the outfield, White moves aggressively and fluidly to the baseball. His throws stayed on line with carry (85 mph). Behind the plate, White registered pop times between 2.11-2.18. Offensively, White has an aggressive approach and demonstrated bat speed through the zone.

7. Reed Hunnicutt, Burlington Central HS, OF, Class of 2014
Hunnicutt is a solid outfielder that showed off his foot speed running a 6.81 60. At 5-foot-8, 160-pounds, Hunnicutt showed some athletic defensive actions using fluid footwork; his arm action is loose and made accurate throws to his target at 78 mph. Offensively, he hits from a wide setup using a no stride approach producing exit speeds of 82 mph.

8. David Dobrinich, Mt. Carmel HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2014
Dobrinich is an athletic 5-foot-11, 155-pound two-way athlete. Dobrinich showed well in the outfield, exhibiting a loose, over the top arm that showed consistent accuracy to his target at 79 mph. He displayed fluid footwork to the baseball playing through the ball well. Offensively, Dobrinich hits from an open stance using a smooth load and diving back to the plate to get into his hitting position. He showed solid barrel awareness, hitting hard line drives to his pull side. Dobrinich also ran a 7.14 60. On the mound he showcased a 74-75 mph fastball, a breaking ball at 62-64 mph, and a change up at 69-70, all from a high ¾ arm slot.

9. David Gonzalez, Roberto Clemente HS, OF, Class of 2014
Gonzalez is an athletic outfielder at 5-foot-9, 158-pounds. Gonzalez showed accuracy from the outfield at 81 mph. Gonzalez also displayed soft hands and fluid footwork while playing through the baseball. Gonzalez also ran a 6.91 60. Offensively, he hits out of a wide stance using a no stride approach, showing the ability to be a solid contact hitter. Gonzalez showed bat speed from the left side while working an opposite field approach.

10. Jacob Voyles, Hononegah HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
Voyles is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. His defensive prowess in the outfield was excellent, showing clean efficient actions. His footwork was fluid in getting to the baseball and making his exchange. His arm worked well, displaying a true outfield arm action at 82 mph and on target. Offensively, Voyles hits from a balanced setup. His bat path is level and he shows solid balance throughout his swing. On the mound, Voyles showed a 77-78 mph fastball along with a 63-65 mph breaking ball showing some feel. He also displayed a change up at 72 mph.

Best of the rest (Listed alphabetically)

Joshua Bagg, Kenosha Christian, OF, Class of 2014
Bagg is a 5-foot-7, 145-pound outfielder. Defensively, Bagg was clocked at 68 mph from the outfield. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup using an inside out bat path consistently hitting balls to the opposite field. Bagg also ran a 7.25 60.

Matthew Barajas, Reavis HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
Barajas is a 5-foot-7, 160-pound two-way player. On the mound Barajas operates from a high ¾ arm slot throwing a 78-79 mph fastball. His curveball sat at 73 mph working on an 11/5 plane thrown with fastball arm speed. He also threw a change up at 71-74 mph. Offensively, Barajas hits out of a slightly open stance using a short stride and finding the barrel with regularity.

Mick Best, Peoria Notre Dame HS, OF/MIF, Class of 2014
Best is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound multi-positional player. He showed a long arm action with some accuracy at 82 mph from the outfield. His footwork is quick and choppy while his exchange is clean. Offensively, Best hits from a balanced setup with a closed front foot. He uses a slight leg kick with a short level bat path.

Christian Bland, Harlan HS, C/OF, Class of 2014
Bland is a quick-twitch, athletic multi-positional player. Bland recorded pop times of 2.11-2.25 showcasing quick feet out of the crouch. In the outfield, Bland’s arm worked well at 84 mph while playing through the ball well and showing off his quick feet. Bland also ran a 7.00 60. Offensively, he hits from an open stance using a short stride. His bat path is level and showed extension while working mainly to his pull side.

Vinny Clesceri, Prairie Ridge HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2014
Clesceri is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed two-way player. On the mound Clesceri showed an excellent curveball. Thrown for strikes at 70-72 mph, his curveball worked on an 11/5 plane showing powerful depth thrown with fastball arm speed. His fastball registered at 78-79 mph while also controlling it well. Clesceri also threw a change up for strikes at 73-75 mph. Defensively, Clesceri showed athletic actions in the outfield playing through the ball well with solid hands. His arm action was long and over the top, being clocked at 78 mph. At the plate he hits out of a balanced setup using a smooth load.

Ryan Dalton, Lockport HS, OF/3B, Class of 2014
Dalton is a lanky 6-foot-1, 175-pound multi-positional player. Dalton showcased a long, high ¾ arm action at 78 mph. He showed the ability to play through the ball well while on the move. Offensively, he hits out of an athletic, crouched stance using a level bat path.

Austin Johnson, Champaign Central HS, MIF/OF, Class of 2014
Johnson is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound multi-positional player. Johnson hits out of a wide stance using a flat bat path and displaying aggressive swings. Defensively, he recorded arm strength of 78 mph from the outfield. He also ran a 7.48 60.

Devon Jones, Morgan Park HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2014
Jones is a 5-foot-11, 150-pound outfielder. Jones showed athletic feet both in the outfield and running the 60, recording an event-best 6.69. Jones uses a short arm action from the outfield, showing some accuracy at 83 mph. At the plate he hits from the left side using a wide, balanced setup. He hits with a short, hands only swing, in which he uses his speed to his advantage, trying to slap the ball to the left side of the infield. Jones is an advanced athlete that will be interesting to watch as he continues to polish his game.

DJ Langston, Kentwood Academy HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
Langston showed a well-rounded game. Offensively, Langston showed an aggressive approach showing excellent bat speed and extension through contact. Defensively, Langston threw with a long over the top arm slot producing carry at 71 mph. Langston also ran a 7.27 60.

Kristian Meyer, Fenwick HS, OF/MIF, Class of 2014
Meyer is a 5-foot-11, 155-pound positional player. Offensively, Meyer hits from a slightly open stance using a short stride. He loads his hands in a low position and swings aggressively showing pull side tendencies. Defensively, Meyer uses a long over the top arm slot producing 74 mph throws from the outfield. Meyer also ran a 7.14 60.

David Simon, Glenbrook North HS, OF, Class of 2014
Simon is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound outfielder. Simon showed a solid outfield arm action using a long arm from a high ¾ arm slot showing some accuracy at 75 mph. Offensively, he hits from a tall, balanced set up. Simon showed the ability to consistently hit line drives. Simon also showed some foot speed by running a 7.03 60.

Sam Smith, Riverside-Brookfield HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2014
Smith is a 6-foot, 145-pound two-way player. On the mound, Smith showed a smooth, repeatable delivery with the ability to throw strikes, working slightly across his body. His fastball sat at 68-70 mph while his curveball worked on an 11/5 plane at 58-60 mph. His changeup showed cut actions at 64-65 mph with solid arm speed.

Isaiah Taylor, Princeton HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2014
Taylor is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound two-way player. Taylor operates out of a short, high ¾ arm action displaying slight run on his 75-78 mph fastball. His curve ball showed sharp action on an 11/5 plane at 60-62 mph. His change up sat at 69-73. Taylor showed above average foot speed running a 6.97 60. Offensively, Taylor hit from a tall, open stance using a short stride working to his pull side.

Eric Tucker, Lemont HS, OF/1B, Class of 2014
Tucker is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder. Tucker hits from an open stance using a slight leg lift, producing hard contact and achieving solid extension. In the outfield he throws with a long arm action showing some accuracy with a clean exchange resulting in 80 mph throws from the outfield. Tucker also ran a 7.60 60.

Ben Wylde, Normal Community HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Wylde ran a 7.10 60 and was clocked at 83 mph from the outfield. Offensively, he hits from a wide setup with no stride, yet showcased some barrel whip through the zone. On the mound he topped at 75 mph with his fastball.