On Oct. 18, the PBR Illinois staff welcomed participating juniors to this open event in the Chicagoland area: the Class of 2022 Showcase. Over 130 players in the state’s 2022 class ventured to The MAX complex in McCook to perform in front of our staff, helping us gain a greater understanding of Illinois’ junior class, and nearly all of these players remain uncommitted.

We previously published analysis from the event in the days that followed, in the form of our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis posts. We’ll be rolling out our position-by-position scouting reports this week, which started with the day’s catchers on Monday. We’re onto the outfielders today.

A day after he was ranked as a top-three catcher at this event, Keegan Connors (Jacobs) earns the top spot amidst this competitive group. He’s a compact athlete with arm strength that plays up even greater in the outfield, and his sub-6.80 speed translates well on defense, too. He was also responsible for one of the day’s best rounds of batting practice while swinging a smooth, fluid left-handed bat.

Chase Adams (Normal University) is an intriguing two-way player who recorded an exciting bullpen later in the day, but not before putting together a smooth, loud, on-the-barrel round of BP in which he averaged an exit speed of 89.5 mph and a max distance of 354 feet. A follow left/left athlete in this exciting junior class.

A third left-handed hitter made a strong impression at this showcase: OF/2B Blake Edmonds (Hinsdale Central). He took one of the first rounds of BP at the event and it wound up making a long-lasting impact on our staff. Edmonds’ average batted-ball distance was actually tied for tops amongst this group, measured at 245 feet, alongside the two-way talent George Bilecki (Marist).

Lastly, a quick mention for an especially physical and athletic follow in the class: Nick Daugherty (Brother Rice). He’s a fluid runner in a broad and strong build who makes routine hard-hit contact while generating bat speed from the right side.

Continue on below for an in-depth look at the event’s outfielders.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Keegan Connors, Jacobs (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Compact, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, leg kick trigger, smooth pre-pitch actions. Fluid, good rhythm, advanced bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, showed athleticism in an advanced round of BP.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 94.8 mph in BP via TrackMan, max bat speed of 77.4 mph, via Blast.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. OF - 90 mph. Catcher: Short, compact arm action, intent to keep the ball down, 79 mph from the crouch. Outfield: Over-the-top arm slot, athletic action, carries, threw 90 mph from the outfield, tied for best at the event.
Defense: Catcher: athletic from crouch, works towards second base on throw downs, clean exchange and release. Outfield: moves quick, advanced feet, soft hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 6.75 runner in the 60. Athletic runner.

2. Chase Adams, Normal University (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 165-pounds. Athletic frame, room for physical development.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, athletic setup, short stride, quiet pre-pitch actions. Simple bat path, quiet, a lot of hard line-drive contact, used the middle of the field.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 96.04 mph during BP, Max distance of 355 feet, both via TrackMan. Max bat speed of 76.0 mph via Blast.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, short, loose action, had accuracy and carry to throws.
Defense: Athletic actions, moves naturally in the outfield, soft hands, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

3. Blake Edmonds, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Compact, muscular build.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, smooth load, leg lift, quiet pre-pitch actions. Short, compact swing, works slightly uphill, gap-to-gap approach, consistent solid contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 94.61 mph in BP and max distance of 340 feet in BP, both via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. OF - 86 mph. Over-the-top arm slot. Short, compact action while on infield.
Defense: Outfield: projects as a corner outfielder, quiet actions, works through the ball. Infield: quiet feet, steady hands, keeps body under control.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

4. Nick Daugherty, Brother Rice (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic, strong build; broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small stride, pre-pitch rhythm. Easy, compact swing, stays inside the baseball.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 91.24 mph during BP and max distance of 336 feet during BP, both via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long action, ball carries.
Defense: Athletic actions, natural outfielder, aggressive feet, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. Athletic, efficient gait.

5. Ryan Snell, Benet Academy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 194-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, balanced setup, leg-kick, short stride. Short, direct path, physical swing, flashed bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, lots of solid contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 95.70 mph during BP, max distance of 341 feet, both via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long action, advanced carry, one of the best outfield velocities at the event.
Defense: Aggressive routes, active feet, advanced outfield actions, moves athletically, steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

6. George Bilecki, Marist (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 178-pounds. Long, lean levers.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slight knee-bend, smooth load, short stride, quiet pre-pitch actions.  Confident, rhythmic swing, quick twitch hands, direct path to baseball, gap-to-gap approach, solid contact throughout BP.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 93.69 mph during BP and a max distance of 362 feet, both via TrackMan. Max bat speed of 75.20 mph via Blast.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, short, loose action.
Defense: Flashed natural outfield actions, quiet footwork, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60.

7. Joe Fiorenza, Jacobs (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, open setup, quiet load, long stride. Short path, works slightly uphill at times, aggressive swing, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long action, flashed carry.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the ball aggressively.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

8. Alexander Cherian, Niles West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Athletic frame, still room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, smooth load, small stride.  Pull-side approach, line drives at times.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. OF - 86 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short action, one of the stronger infield arms at the event, ball carries from outfield
Defense: Outfield: fluid feet, clean exchange, plays through the ball with crow hop. Infield: works around and through the ball at times, showed ability to change arm angle and plays with body control.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

9. Joey Little, Adlai E. Stevenson (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Physical, muscular build; compact strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load, small leg-kick, pre-pitch rhythm. Short, physical swing, attacks inside of ball, gap-to-gap approach producing a lot of hard contact.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 95.10 mph during BP and an average of 90.27 mph via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long action, shoulders work slightly uphill, flashed carry.
Defense: Works through the ball aggressively.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

T-10. Rick Powell, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Athletic, defined build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, closed setup, minimal load and short stride. Aggressive swing, strong hands, works on top of the baseball and line-drive, middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 94.81 mph max exit velocity and a max distance of 339' during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long arm action plays loose and from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Aggressive to the baseball, plays through in rhythm. Clean actions, reliable hands.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

T-10. Alexander Tagler, Lemont  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, athletic base, small stride. Short, compact swing, works to inside the ball, uses the middle of the field, line-drive approach.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 92.25 mph in BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. OF - 85 mph. Catcher: Short arm action, mostly kept the ball down. Outfield: Over-the-top arm slot, flashed carry.
Defense: Catcher: works from the bottom-up when receiving, works towards second on throw downs. Outfield: quiet feet, smooth actions, steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Leo Anderson, Lake Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open setup, slight knee-bend, leg-lift, short stride. Level bat path, aggressive intent, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 94.74 mph in BP, with a max distance of 340 feet via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 76 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action from the outfield.
Defense: Catcher: transfers out in front, footwork on throw downs works around the plate. Outfield: active feet, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

Aden Aukland, Plainfield East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, smooth load, small leg kick. Gets extension, flashed bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, solid contact throughout BP.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 92.46 mph during BP, and max distance of 337 feet, both via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short action.
Defense: Active feet at times, steady hands, works through the baseball, small crow hop at times.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Bass, Glenbrook North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 178-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly closed setup, short stride. Aggressive swing, bat stays in zone with present bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, and middle of the field tendencies.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 95.55 mph during BP via TrackMan, max bat speed of 76.40 mph via Blast
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Sets up behind the baseball, works through it.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Jake Bleeden, Lane Tech (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, hand load, short stride. Line-drive approach, mainly used middle and pull-side of the field in BP.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Zach Bormann, York  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced base, leg-kick, short stride, quick pre-pitch actions. Short path, aggressive swing, flashed bat speed and power potential, intent to pull baseball.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 90.46 mph during BP, via TrackMan, max bat speed of 73.80 mph via Blast.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, short action, carried at times.
Defense: Fields from the center off throwing foot, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Sam Bushur, Teutopolis  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small leg-kick, short stride, small hand-load. Path is slightly uphill, easy effort, gap-to-gap approach, flashed bat speed.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 90.45 mph in BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long, loose action, flashed carry.
Defense: Active feet, confident hands, aggressive at times through the baseball.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Nicholas Dunwoody, Hinsdale South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, slight crouch, smooth load, short stride. Short path, works to inside of the ball, slightly uphill, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 68 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short action.
Defense: Sets up behind the ball, works through it at times.
Run: 7.99 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Fernandez, Morton West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 198-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, weight somewhat shifted on back side, small leg-lift, short stride. Short path, gap-to-gap approach, works the middle of the field.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Fields out in front of him off glove-foot, plays through the ball.
Run: 8.25 runner in the 60. 

Jack Flagg, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, early leg-lift.  Aggressive swing at times, intent to use pull-side, lower half turns aggressively.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max distance of 335 feet during BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long action.
Defense: Steady hands, works through the ball.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Michael Gladden, St. Ignatius (), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, open setup, smooth load, leg lift. Easy, handsy swing, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach with solid contact on the barrel.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 91.97 mph during BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, short action.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, works through the ball at times.
Run: 6.70 runner in the 60. Tied for best at the event.

Bryce Goodwine, Hononegah Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: SH. Open setup, weight shifted on back leg, smooth load, small stride from both sides of the plate.  Simple, easy swing, showed ability to hit line drives/use the middle of the field from both sides of the plate.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action, flashed carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, fluid feet, confident hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 6.70 runner in the 60. Tied for best at the event.

Sam Gossard, New Trier (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 187-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start in front of face, smooth load, toe-tap. Short, direct bat path, line-drive approach, showed ability to use the whole field.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Active feet at times, sets up behind the ball, plays through in rhythm.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Aaron Griffin, Morgan Park (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-5, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, balanced, short stride. Short, level path, line drive approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 66 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Works through the ball at times.
Run: 8.02 runner in the 60. 

Luke Griffith, Harvest Christian (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, small leg-lift, short stride. Simple, level path, consistent line drives, ability to use middle of the field.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Works around the ball, fields off to the side, works through it.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Colin Gutsch, Andrew (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small/quick load, short stride. Short path, direct to inside of ball, line-drive tendencies.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 91.17 mph during BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Fields from the center at times, works through the ball.
Run: 8.14 runner in the 60. 

Jalen Headly, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds. Athletic frame, still room to fill out.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open setup, smooth load, small stride, pre-pitch rhythm. Handsy swing, works slightly uphill, intent to lift the ball.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velo of 91.30 mph during BP, max distance of 325 feet during BP, both via TrackMan.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short, loose action.
Defense: Athletic actions, confident outfielder, moves easy, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

Jaden Jackson, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 151-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, balanced setup, slight knee-bend, leg-kick into short stride. Short bat path, direct to inside of ball, gap-to-gap approach, ability to hit line drives.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 90.70 in BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short action.
Defense: Smooth actions, moves feet well, steady hands, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 6.79 runner in the 60. 

Jake Liskiewicz, Carl Sandburg (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, slightly closed, smooth load, short stride. Short path, aggressive swing, flashed quick hands, gap-to-gap approach, worked middle of the field at times.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, works through the baseball.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

Alex Matter, Belleville East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow start, slightly open, hand load, long stride.   Gap-to-gap approach, some pull-side tendencies.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 71 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long action.
Defense: Sets up behind the ball, fields from the center at times.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60. 

Ryan O'Farrell, Oak Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Line-drive, gap-to-gap approach, used middle of the field at times.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. OF - 84 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action from outfield. From catcher throw downs: kept the ball down.
Defense: Catcher: gains ground on throw downs, clean transfer. Outfield: steady hands, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

Max Petry, South Elgin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced set up, smooth load, short stride. Short to ball, makes contact out front, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, loose action.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Brian Preshlock, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Starts slightly closed, weight shifted on back leg, long stride.  Works slightly uphill, mainly using pull-side, line-drive approach.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long action.
Defense: Quiet feet, sets up behind the ball.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. 

Noah Riley, Cary Grove (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, small stride, showed fluidity pre-pitch. Simple swing, level path, line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 76 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short action.
Defense: Catcher: confident receiver, athletic out of crouch, works around plate on throw downs. Outfield: sets up behind the ball, works through it.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Jeb Vanatta, Charleston (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, leg-kick.  Short path, line drives/used middle of the field at times.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, short action.
Defense: Active feet, plays somewhat aggressively through the ball.
Run: 6.91 runner in the 60. 

Bryce Vorwald, Manteno (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small toe-tap, short stride. Aggressive swing, stays level through the zone at times, uses the middle, line-drive approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, long arm action.
Defense: Quiet feet, steady hands, plays through the ball, small crow hop.
Run: 6.79 runner in the 60. Athletic runner.

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