On Jan. 31, the PBR Illinois team hosted its first event of 2021, the McHenry Preseason I.D., at Pro Player Academy in McHenry, Ill. For the past five years, this event has provided our staff with an opportunity to evaluate high school-aged prospects from Northern Illinois, primarily. The McHenry event has historically revealed to us some of the area’s top talent, and this year was no different.

If you missed us in McHenry, check out our showcase page to see when we’re in the neighborhood next.

In the week following the event, our staff collaborated to highlight the biggest takeaways from the showcase, and we published them within this Quick Hits piece. We also published our traditional statistics inside of this Statistical Analysis post, as well as data taken from our Blast Motion and TrackMan partners, which you can find here and here. On Monday, we began rolling out scouting reports position by position, beginning with the catchers. Today, we’re publishing reports on the day’s outfielders.

OF Brayden Bakes (Huntley, 2023; uncommitted) did not participate in the defensive portion of this event, so he is not included in the top-five rankings below. However, Bakes is a physical left-handed hitter who was responsible for one of the top rounds of BP at this showcase, regardless of class. Bakes was on the barrel with authority, driving balls to both gaps, recording a max exit velocity of 97.1 mph off the bat. The Huntley sophomore outfielder looks like one of the top uncommitted players in Illinois’ 2023 class.

Brayden Bakes (1/31/21)

For Bakes’ full scouting report, and all other outfielders, continue on below.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Beau McBride, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Large frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, advanced pre-pitch actions. Advanced fluidity in swing, uphill path, gets extension, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.66 max exit velocity, averaged 86.58 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long, loose arm action, throws carry.
Defense: Projects as a corner outfielder, natural outfield actions, plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.41 runner in the 60. 

2. Rick Powell, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg lift, short stride, smooth pre-pitch actions. Aggressive swing with fluidity, short, level path, drives ball through extension, consistent hard line-drives, 72 MPH max bat speed.
Power: 95.62 max exit velocity, averaged 86.55 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 89 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, loose action, carry to throws.
Defense: Projects as a corner outfielder. steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.47 runner in the 60. 

3. Dylan Sayles, Hononegah (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Lean athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced stance, short stride and smooth loading action, maintains strong balance through contact. Hits in rhythm with gap to gap approach, showed extension through contact with above average bat speed.
Power: 88.87 max exit velocity, averaged 81.4 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. OF - 85 mph. Natural over the top slot, short out of the crouch, gets length from the outfield, flashed carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, above average footwork both out of the crouch and in the outfield. Tall setup receiving the baseball, hands work.
Run: 4.44 runner in the 60. 

4. Dylan Bass, Glenbrook North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly closed, small load, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, compact bat path, fluid, repeatable swing, drives baseball through extension, advanced bat speed with a max of 74.2 MPH.
Power: 95.05 max exit velocity, averaged 73.25 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Efficient routes, sure-handed, occasionally plays through the ball.
Run: 4.45 runner in the 60. 

T-5. Kiefer Tarnoki, Sycamore (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Solid frame.
Hit: SH. Balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short path, works slightly uphill, fluid, repeatable swing, flashed bat speed with a max bat speed of 70.3 MPH, similar from both sides of plate, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 93.41 max exit velocity, averaged 79.3 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Long, easy arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, active feet, efficient routes, clean exchange, plays through ball.
Run: 4.43 runner in the 60. 

T-5. Liam Arnold, Palatine (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, toe tap, short stride. Short, level path, aggressive, repeatable swing, consistent hard contact through extension, line drive approach.
Power: 83.93 max exit velocity, averaged 62.01 mph. 235’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot, advanced arm strength for his age.
Defense: Projects as a corner outfielder, sure-handed, plays through the ball with athleticism.
Run: 4.62 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Brayden Bakes, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 178-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, slight knee bend, toe-tap, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, fluid swing, advanced bat path, drives the baseball getting extension, flashed bat speed with 72.7 MPH bat speed, gap-to-gap approach finding consistent hard contact.
Power: 97.08 max exit velocity, averaged 90.5 mph. 275’ max distance.
Run: 4.30 runner in the 60.

Ian Boal, Johnsburg (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, smooth load, toe tap, short stride. Loose, easy swing, short path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86.91 max exit velocity, averaged 70.33 mph. 239’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 89 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, advanced arm strength.
Defense: Athletic actions, reliable hands, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.65 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Boelkens, McHenry  (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg kick, short stride. Easy swing, flashed a short path, works inside the baseball, gap-to-gap approach with consistent line drives.
Power: 86.91 max exit velocity, averaged 71.94 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Aggressive routes, plays through the ball with a crowhop.
Run: 4.58 runner in the 60. 

Colin Christensen, Wauconda (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly crouched and open setup, subtle leg lift to even, smooth load. Short path, level, bat stays coneected and showed ability to keep on plane. Ability to use the whole field with some line drive tendency.
Power: 80.8 max exit velocity, averaged 69.48 mph. 220’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Showed best behind the plate, feel for receiving the baseball, willingness to block, showed occasional bounce and direction out of the crouch. Outfield actions run throgu the baseball, attacks in a direct line, crowhop through release.
Run: 4.65 runner in the 60. 

Chris Danko, York (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, short stride. Short, direct path, works inside the baseball consistently, uses opposite field, max hand speed of 22.5 MPH.
Power: 89.52 max exit velocity, averaged 85.95 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, active feet, steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.83 runner in the 60. 

Lucas Foley, Lake Zurich (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Level path, line drive approach, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 93.45 max exit velocity, averaged 85.23 mph. 104’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, works around the ball at times.
Run: 4.17 runner in the 60. 

Austin Gomez, Libertyville  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 159-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open setup, smooth load, toe tap, short stride. Athletic swing, short path, works slightly uphill, ability to hit line drives, max hand speed ofm22.3 MPH.
Power: 85.32 max exit velocity, averaged 75.51 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Advanced outfield actions, fluid footwork with proper direction, clean exchange/transfer, plays through baseball.
Run: 4.44 runner in the 60. 

Lleyton Grubich, McHenry  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, toe tap, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short, level path, aggressive swing, max bat speed of 73.3 MPH line drives in a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.75 max exit velocity, averaged 73.29 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 88 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Aggressive routes, flashes athleticism.
Run: 4.40 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Harer, St. Viator (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 6-foot, 168-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: SH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Fluid swing, bat in zone a long time, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.11 max exit velocity, averaged 74.26 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. OF - 80 mph. Short arm action on infield, longer from the outfield, over the top arm slot, throws flash carry from outfield.
Defense: Infield: steady hands, funnels to center, plays low. Outfield: Fluid footwork, plays through the ball, small crowhop.
Run: 3.97 runner in the 60. One of the only sub-4 runners at the event.

Andrew Herman III, Bolingbrook  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall balanced setup, short stride. Short, aggressive swing, flashes bat speed with a max bat speed of 71.6 MPH, 24.4 MPH max hand speed, ability to drive ball through extension, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.59 max exit velocity, averaged 79.48 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Over the top arm slot, long action.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, aggressive routes through the ball.
Run: 4.44 runner in the 60. 

Alex Kennamann, Lakes Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Long, athletic frame, plenty of room for physical development.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Fluid swing, short, level path, works inside the ball, line-drive approach.
Power: 89.78 max exit velocity, averaged 79.65 mph. 242’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: Active feet, occasionally plays through the ball.
Run: 4.40 runner in the 60. 

Mason Mckim, Prairie Ridge  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, weight sits on back leg, short stride. Short, direct path, flashed quick hands with a peak hand speed of 23.9 MPH.
Power: 91.01 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Outfield: flashes active feet, clean exchange. Infield: steady hands, works with proper direction, showed off a bare-hand on slow roller.
Run: 4.27 runner in the 60. 

Jake Metze, Johnsburg (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 165-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Athletic, balanced setup, leg kick. Slightly uphill path, flashed the quickest peak hand speed from an OF at the event with 25.2 MPH, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81.87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.63 mph. 103’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Over the top arm slot, short, strong arm action, throws carry.
Defense: Aggressive routes, active feet, plays through ball with a crow hop.
Run: 3.90 runner in the 60. One of the only sub-4 runners at the event.

Caden Monti, Woodstock (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, advanced pre-pitch actions. Loose, easy swing, level bat path, gets extension through ball, quick hands with a max hand speed of 22.6 MPH, consistent hard line drives, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89.04 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, fluid footwork, plays aggressively through the ball.
Run: 4.44 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Parkman, Grant Community (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small, smooth load, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, level path, simple swing, line drive approach.
Power: 88.4 max exit velocity, averaged 80.87 mph. 210’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Short, loose arm action, over the top arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Active feet, sure-handed, plays through the ball with a crowhop.
Run: 4.37 runner in the 60. 

Preston Sanders, Rockford Lutheran (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, leg lift, short stride. Short, level path, works inside the baseball, used the opposite field.
Power: 83.83 max exit velocity, averaged 77.81 mph. 191’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, active feet, efficient routes, clean transfer/exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.52 runner in the 60. 

Joey Scaravalle, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small leg kick, short stride. Short, slightly uphill path, found the barrel consistently, intent to hit ball in the air, max bat speed of 71.4 MPH, max hand speed of 24.7 MPH.
Power: 95.35 max exit velocity, averaged 77.31 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, quick exchange, occasionally works around the ball.
Run: 4.28 runner in the 60. 

Justin Scaravalle, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 132-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride, balance in lower half. Level path, occasional pull-side line drives.
Power: 81.68 max exit velocity, averaged 66.32 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long arm action.
Defense: Steady hands, quick transfer/exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.62 runner in the 60. 

Payton Sensabaugh, Marian Central Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 133-pounds. Lean, wiry frame that projects.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, smooth bat coil into load, leg kick trigger, athletic balance through contact.  Short and level bat path through the zone, extends through contact. Line drive feel offensively and showed comfort going the other way. Fluid rhythm throughout, looks the part in the box with upside.
Power: 84.83 max exit velocity, averaged 78.28 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. OF - 76 mph. Short and loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Took reps behind the plate and as an outfielder. Narrow stance from the crouch, feet shuffle in line to to the bag, long to release at times. Active feet in the outfield, fields low to the ground and around the baseball, plays through release at times.
Run: 4.50 runner in the 60. 

Jack Stecker, McHenry (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe tap, short stride. Slightly uphill bat path, intent to pull the baseball, ability to control the barrel.
Power: 80.26 max exit velocity, averaged 76.5 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Short arm action, over the top arm slot, carry to throws.
Defense: Advanced outfield actions, fluid feet, aggressive routes, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.51 runner in the 60. 

Jake Swanson, Grant (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg lift, short stride. Short swing, slightly uphill path, occasional line drives.
Power: 93.65 max exit velocity, averaged 74.21 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 90 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot, advanced arm strength, best velocity from the outfield at the event.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, fluid feet, clean exchange, plays through the ball, shows athleticism.
Run: 4.28 runner in the 60. 

Eddie Synek, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short path, ability to control the barrel, consistent line drives, max hand speed of 23.1 MPH.
Power: 87.19 max exit velocity, averaged 81.35 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fluid feet, clean exchange, plays through ball.
Run: 4.36 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Thrawl, Libertyville  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, hand load, leg lift into long stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short, simple swing, flashed bat speed, gap-to-gap approach with consistent solid contact in BP.
Power: 87.54 max exit velocity, averaged 82.54 mph. 201’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 70 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short arm action.
Defense: Reliable hands, clean exchange, works through the baseball.
Run: 4.44 runner in the 60. 

Michael Vitellaro, Huntley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, open setup, toe-tap, short stride, fluid pre-pitch actions. Short path, max bat speed of 71.1 MPH, max hand speed of 23.3 MPH, drives the ball through extension, pull-side approach.
Power: 96.17 max exit velocity, averaged 89.88 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Athletic outfield actions, active feet, sets up behind baseball and plays through it.
Run: 4.55 runner in the 60. 

Jeremy Walton, Warren (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-3, 225-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg-lift, short stride. Advanced strength for his age, flashed a max bat speed of 71.1 MPH, short path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 94.87 max exit velocity, averaged 67.21 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Projects as a corner outfielder, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.37 runner in the 60. 

Michael Wanhala, Huntley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Proportionally strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, subtle hand load backward, quick leg kick timing trigger.  Short and uphill bat path, flashed gap-to-gap feel.
Power: 83.04 max exit velocity, averaged 73.23 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. OF - 77 mph. Arm plays short from behind the plate and finishes from an over-the-top slot with accuracy to the bag. Works longer with a high 3/4 finish from the outfield.
Defense: Worked out behind the plate and in the outfield. Quiet and controlled actions behind the dish, works quick from the crouch, clean exchange and transfer to release. Plays with some pre-pitch rhythm in the outfield, works around the baseball, smooth transfer and plays through release.
Run: 4.36 runner in the 60. 

Quinn Wesol, Dundee-Crown (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, smooth load, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Fluid, repeatable swing, short, direct path, works inside the ball, consistent hard line drives, uses opposite field.
Power: 79.39 max exit velocity, averaged 75.27 mph. 211’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Short arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Athletic actions, fluid feet, plays through baseball.
Run: 4.32 runner in the 60. 

Logan Wirtz, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, quick leg kick, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Level bat path, simple swing, line-drive approach, ability to use middle of the field, max bat speed of 72.6 MPH.
Power: 91.47 max exit velocity, averaged 84.82 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: Easy outfield actions, clean exchange, plays through the ball.
Run: 4.26 runner in the 60.

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