Prep Baseball Report

Illinois Underclass Trials: Outfielder Analysis


By Illinois Staff

On June 10, the PBR Illinois team hosted one of its first showcases of the summer, the Underclass Trials. This event helped us learn of some high-follow talent to know ahead of the summer inside the state’s 2022, 2023, and 2024 classes. We began our showcase analysis on Monday when we published the scouting reports on the day’s catchers. Today, we’re assessing this group of outfielders, a talented list of names that goes beyond the six ranked below.

Hinsdale Central’s Blake Edmonds (2022) projects well and his left-handed bat looks like it’ll be his carrying tool. He offers some quick twitch off an uphill plane with strength that should help him produce some power down the road. Myles Supurgeci (Mount Carmel, 2022) is totally different than Edmonds, as someone who primarily relies on his excellent footspeed and short, quick bat that helps him project as a lead-off type. Sycamore’s Tommy Townsend is looking more and more like a 2023 prospect to know in the state, wielding some big power potential from the left side.

Keep on reading below for more on these three, as well as the rest of the outfielders who took reps at this underclass event.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Blake Edmonds, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Projection in frame; notable strength in levers.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced base. Very subtle load back, arm bars slightly, front foot pivots, some twitchy bat speed to contact. Bat path is short and uphill, with one-handed finish.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Creates some hard-hit lifted contact.
Arm: INF - 74 mph. OF - 80 mph. Reps on both the infield and outfield featured long arm action from a high 3/4 slot; above-average arm strength.
Defense: Footwork in both positions was controlled, fluid. Active feet helps him find the right position to funnel the ball consistently.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

2. Myles Supurgeci, Mount Carmel (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-6, 130-pounds. Small, live-bodied frame. Present strength for size.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched setup, minimal load and short stride. Short uphill bat path, controls the barrel, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Athlete and quick first step, soft hands, quick and clean exchange.
Run: 6.71 runner in the 60. Advanced runner for his age. Top 60 time of the event.

3. Tommy Townsend, Sycamore (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds. Strong, physically-advanced frame.
Hit: LHH. Balance and open setup, long stride. Strong uphill swing, pull approach, bat speed.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Smooth long and loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

4. Kyan Gibbs, Loyola Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-7, 168-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic wide and even setup, leg lift. Strong hands, long and uphill bat path, pull approach, flashed bat speed.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 83 mph exit velocity on pitches middle up during BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Short arm action, H 3/4 slot, throws plays accurate.
Defense: Average hands, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.91 runner in the 60. Advanced runner for his age.

T-5. Jake VanBooven, Conant (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Crouch setup, long stride.  Aggressive level swing, gap-to-gap approach, bat speed.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 91 mph exit velocity on pitches middle in during BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Arm plays to truth, long arm action, H 3/4 slot
Defense: Quick first step, average hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

T-5. Gabriel Lynch, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Simple and balanced setup, leg kick.  Strong, uphill bat path, bat speed.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 90 mph exit velocity on pitches down and way during BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, H 3/4 slot, throws play with some carry.
Defense: Quick first step, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Colin Flynn, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-7, 121-pounds. Lean frame and build.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, short stride. Long bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 68 mph. Slow arm action, H 3/4 slot
Defense: Clean first step, plays through the baseball.
Run: 8.30 runner in the 60. 

Andrew Garcia, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Small frame, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balance setup, smooth load, long leg kick. Uphill bat path, pull approach, flashed bat speed.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 86 mph exit velocity on pitches down and in during BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Long and loose arm action, H 3/4 slot, flashed some accuracy.
Defense: Quick and fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Austin Gomez, Libertyville  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-9, 153-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balance setup, smooth load, short stride, balanced throughout. uphill swing path, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 89 mph exit velocity on pitches middle up during BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action, H 3/4 slot.
Defense: average hands, quick exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Clay Schrader, Naperville Central  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Athletic frame, lean build.
Hit: RHH. Strong balance setup, short leg lift.  Aggressive gap-to-gap approach, bat speed, fluid rhythm.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above 87 mph exit velocity on pitches up and away during BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Short arm action, H 3/4 slot, throws flashed accuracy and carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, average hands.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Kiefer Tarnocki, Sycamore (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds.
Hit: SH. Tall and open setup, toe tap. Short level bat path, gap-to-gap approach, bat speed.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 75 mph. Short arm action, H 3/4 slot, throws played with some carry.
Defense: Fluid and quick footwork, soft hands.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

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