Prep Baseball Report

McHenry Preseason ID: Outfield Analysis


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Feb. 12, the PBR Illinois team hosted its second Preseason ID event of the new year: the McHenry Preseason ID. For the past six 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.

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and pitch data compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. Yesterday we began our position-by-position player analysis with the catching crop and we’ll continue to do so today with the outfielders, which you can find below. 

Two outfielders worth a mention that landed just outside the Top-five were OF/C Payton Sensabaugh (Marian Central Catholic, 2024) and OF Dylan Harer (Saint Viator, 2023). Sensabaugh has a lean, upside frame and whippy right-handed bat that projects. Harer, a switch-hitter, has an athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame and showed one of the better left-handed swings in attendance. Harer is an upside 2023 to keep tabs on moving forward. 

Another upside 2023 to follow moving forward was OF Will Bartels (Carmel Catholic). Bartels has loose levers and a quick arm from the outfield. 

Read on below for a look at the top-five outfielders from the day and more. 

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Joey Garlin, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, open stance, knee-knocks into a long/gliding stride.  Hand separation at foot strike. Level bat path through the zone. Worked on the barrel. Line drive hitter.
Power: 90.6 max exit velocity, averaged 85.3 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Flashed arm speed.
Defense: Fields the ball in stride. Clean exchange.
Run: 4.08 runner home-to-first. 

2. Tyler Vasey, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/MIF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lanky build. Sloped shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Athletic base, hangs foot into a long stride.  Quick hands. Short, direct swing. Level bat path through the zone.
Power: 94.3 max exit velocity, averaged 84.6 mph. 244’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. OF - 84 mph. Firm arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: OF: Quick feet, efficient routes. IF: Plays through the baseball.
Run: 3.88 runner home-to-first. 

3. Kiefer Tarnoki, Sycamore (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: SH. LH: Athletic base, slightly open with toe-tap into a short stride. RH: Slightly open, short stride. LH: Loose and relaxed in the box. Strong hands. Short, direct swing. Works uphill. RH: Loose, compact swing. Present bat strength. Line drive hitter.
Power: 93.5 max exit velocity, averaged 85.4 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Athletic outfielder. Good first step.
Run: 4.51 runner home-to-first. 

4. Easton Stewart, Hononegah (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic setup, short stride while hovering foot.  Loose hands, works on an uphill path to the ball. Looks to lift.
Power: 81.9 max exit velocity, averaged 74.5 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, gets around the baseball, clean transfer.
Run: 4.72 runner home-to-first. 

5. Peter Mitchell, Jacobs (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. High upside frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic setup, slightly open, long/gliding stride.  Loose in the box. Hands stay close to the body. Level bat path through the zone. Line drive hitter.
Power: 92.9 max exit velocity, averaged 84.3 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Quick, compact arm action. Over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Athletic and aggressive outfielder. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.47 runner home-to-first. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Connor Anderson, Cary-Grove (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. High-waisted, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup with a short stride.  Creates separation at foot strike, drops hands slightly before moving into a level path.
Power: 85.5 max exit velocity, averaged 81.6 mph. 229’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Quick lateral movements. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.57 runner home-to-first. 

Liam Arnold, Palatine (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Muscular upper body. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, toe-taps into a long stride.  Creates separation at foot strike before moving into a flat bat path to the ball.
Power: 85.5 max exit velocity, averaged 79.8 mph. 232’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot
Defense: Pre-pitch hop. Active feet. Aggressive routes.
Run: 4.78 runner home-to-first. 

Landon Banaszynski, Johnsburg (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Thin frame. Length through the torso.
Hit: RHH. Athletic base. Long, knee-knock stride. Long, level bat path.
Power: 83.4 max exit velocity, averaged 80.4 mph. 223’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Clean exchange.
Run: 4.20 runner home-to-first. 

Will Bartels, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Sloped shoulders. Length through the toros. Plenty of room for continued growth.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open base, hangs foot into a long stride.  Creates separation at foot strike. Drops hands before moving into an uphill bat path.
Power: 90.1 max exit velocity, averaged 82.6 mph. 205’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Slingshot arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, gathers through exchange.
Run: 4.47 runner home-to-first. 

Kyle Boelkens, McHenry (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic build. Broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, lift and place type stride.  Loose and relaxed throughout swing. Long, level bat path to the ball.
Power: 90.9 max exit velocity, averaged 85.9 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Aggressive, steady hands and plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.15 runner home-to-first. 

Harrison Clarkson, Libertyville (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Sloped shoulders. Projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic setup, toe-taps into a short stride.  Drops hands at foot strike. Works uphill. Pull-side tendency
Power: 79.5 max exit velocity, averaged 73 mph. 215’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Long, stiff arm action. HIgh 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Extra step on transfer. Long to release
Run: 4.75 runner home-to-first. 

CJ Clements, McHenry (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds. High upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched with an open front foot, knee-knocks into a long stride.  Hands start low. Level bat path. Works slightly uphill at times.
Power: 79.3 max exit velocity, averaged 68.3 mph. 198’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 68 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed.
Run: 4.76 runner home-to-first. 

Evan Dahl, Lakes Community (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-4, 185-pounds. High upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, slightly open, moves back to neutral with a long/gliding stride.  Long/loose levers, mostly level path through the zone, maintains balance through contact.
Power: 82.5 max exit velocity, averaged 73.1 mph. 240’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Works downhill.
Defense: C: Flexible and mobile in the crouch. Efficient foot work. Works in line with the second base bag at times. OF: Fields the ball like an infielder.
Run: 4.69 runner home-to-first. 

Jacob Dorn, Barrington (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-8, 130-pounds. Lean, well-proportioned build.
Hit: LHH. Athletic setup, minimal stride.  Slight coil through upper half before transitioning into a level path.
Power: 76.5 max exit velocity, averaged 73.2 mph. 213’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sees ball into the glove.
Run: 4.75 runner home-to-first. 

Payton Edlen, Hampshire (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Closed front side. Short stride. Highly repeatable, compact swing. Gap-to-gap approach. Keeps hands back.
Power: 85.7 max exit velocity, averaged 78.1 mph. 167’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 68 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Active feet. Sets up behind the baseball.
Run: 4.41 runner home-to-first. 

Connor Gibour, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Athletic build. High upside frame.
Hit: LHH. Upright, open setup, long stride.  Short to the baseball. Works slightly uphill. Maintains balance throughout.
Power: 86.1 max exit velocity, averaged 80.2 mph. 232’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 72 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Waits back on the ball. Clean exchange.
Run: 4.40 runner home-to-first. 

Jayden Gumprecht, Crystal Lake South (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 190-pounds. Sturdy frame. Strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open setup, toe-drag into a long stride.  Fluid rhythm. Highly repeatable swing. Level bat path through the zone. Works uphill at times. Consistently on the barrel.
Power: 92.3 max exit velocity, averaged 86.1 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Sets up behind the baseball.
Run: 4.46 runner home-to-first. 

Dylan Harer, St. Viator (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Strength throughout. Broad shoulders.
Hit: SH. LH: Wide base, minimal stride, simple pre-pitch actions. RH: Wide, slightly open base, no stride.  LH: Loose in the box. Direct, level path through the zone. Works uphill at times. Used the whole field. RH: Simple swing, level path to the ball. Bat speed. Line drive hitter.
Power: 93.7 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Sets up behind the baseball. Clean exchange.
Run: 4.26 runner home-to-first. 

Kaiden Herman, Grayslake North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic setup, long stride.  Simple approach. Front hip coil. Quick, level swing through the zone.
Power: 77.5 max exit velocity, averaged 73 mph. 185’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Clean footwork. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 3.96 runner home-to-first. 

Carter Kelley, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Lean build. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, moves back to neutral with a long stride.  Hands start near head. Stays level through the zone. Line drive hitter.
Power: 79.3 max exit velocity, averaged 73.1 mph. 239’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Under control. Directional transfer.
Run: 4.62 runner home-to-first. 

Dylan Kester, Burlington Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds. Lean, upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic base, slightly open, lift-and-place type stride.  Short, level path to the baseball. Line drive hitter.
Power: 73.6 max exit velocity, averaged 63 mph. 173’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 68 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Loses momentum fielding the ball. Sure-handed.
Run: 4.95 runner home-to-first. 

Mason Mckim, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, high leg-kick, lift and place type stride.  Loose, quick hands, level bat path, maintains balance through contact.
Power: 78.7 max exit velocity, averaged 70.8 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Balanced Footwork.
Run: 4.25 runner home-to-first. 

Owen Micklinghoff, McHenry (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Strong physical build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic base, long stride.  Creates separation. Drops hands into a level bat path through the zone. Line drive approach.
Power: 89.8 max exit velocity, averaged 82.1 mph. 227’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball. Extra step on the exchange.
Run: 4.78 runner home-to-first. 

Caden Monti, Woodstock (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic, slightly open setup, short stride.  Bat speed. Level bat path through the zone. Used the middle of the field. Line drive hitter. Fluid rhythm.
Power: 89.4 max exit velocity, averaged 76.8 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Good first step. Plays with confidence.
Run: 4.32 runner home-to-first. 

Jackson Piggott, Lake Zurich (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. High upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup with an open front foot. Long stride. Short path to the ball. Level through the zone. Line drive hitter.
Power: 84.3 max exit velocity, averaged 81.2 mph. 239’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Off-balance at times. Sees ball into the glove.
Run: 4.57 runner home-to-first. 

Nolan Rotundo, McHenry (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds. Athletic, lean build with upside.
Hit: LHH. Wide, slightly open stance, hangs foot into a short stride.  Hands stay close to head at foot strike, drop slightly before transitioning into a level path, slightly uphill at times.
Power: 79.8 max exit velocity, averaged 70.2 mph. 199’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 74 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Aggressive routes. Long to release at times.
Run: 4.57 runner home-to-first. 

Preston Sanders, Rockford Lutheran (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Lean build. Length through torso.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, open setup, long stride.  Short path to the ball, level through the zone. Works uphill at times. Maintains balance throughout.
Power: 87.9 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Compact, quick arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Athletic and agile. Easy, natural actions on the outfield.
Run: 4.44 runner home-to-first. 

Payton Sensabaugh, Marian Central Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-8, 138-pounds. Short, compact frame. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Starts slightly open with a tall stance, toe-taps into a gliding stride. Loose, whippy bat head through the zone on a short and direct path to the ball.
Power: 87.7 max exit velocity, averaged 75.3 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, Over-the-top arm slot, throws run towards first base side of the field.
Defense: C: Upright and narrow receiving position. Blocks the ball out front. Feet work in line. OF: Fields the ball arm-side at times. Extra step on crow-hop. Long to release.
Run: 4.10 runner home-to-first. 

Jack Stecker, McHenry (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic base, toe-taps into a long stride. Short, level bat path to the baseball.
Power: 85.5 max exit velocity, averaged 78.7 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 72 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Athletic outfield actions. Quick, balanced footwork. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.20 runner home-to-first. 

David Synovic, Lakes Community (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-5, 175-pounds. High upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, short stride.  Starts with bat on shoulder. Creates separation at foot strike. Level bat path through the zone.
Power: 88.4 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 76 mph. Long, firm arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: OF: Sure-handed, clean exchange. IF: Balanced footwork, natural infield actions.
Run: 4.26 runner home-to-first. 

Patrick Weaver, Cary-Grove (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, long stride.  Drops hands into a level bath path. One-handed finish. Remains balanced throughout.
Power: 85.5 max exit velocity, averaged 83.3 mph. 130’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Waits back on the ball. Sure-handed. Off-balance at times.
Run: 4.78 runner home-to-first. 

Aiden Zimmerman, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Athletic, lean build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride, leg-kick timing trigger.  Loose swing, uphill bat path. Looks to lift.
Power: 87.4 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Long to release. Aggressive routes. Sees ball into glove.
Run: 4.51 runner home-to-first. 

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