Prep Baseball Report

Peoria Preseason I.D.: Outfield Analysis


By Diego Solares and Drew Locascio
Illinois Staff

On Wednesday, February 26th, the PBR Illinois staff made its last stop on the high school winter showcase circuit for the third annual Peoria Preseason I.D. Approximately 70 prospects from the area and all high school classes made their way to the Louisville Slugger Dome in Peoria.

We began our positional breakdown with a look at the catchers in attendance. Today we continue the coverage of the event with a breakdown of the outfielders in attendance. At the top of the list is Sam Monroe (Moline, 2020). Monroe made a big statement at his first-ever PBR event and emerged as one of the top unsigned seniors in the state. The left-handed hitter took a polished round of BP, making consistent hard contact to both gaps with rhythm and balance throughout. 

Behind Monroe is 2021 Ryan Maul (Jacksonville). Maul ran a 6.87 60, showed quick, athletic hands at the plate and has a chance to play all three outfield spots.

Read on below for reports on all of the outfielders from the event.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Sam Monroe, Moline (IL), 2020
 Positional Profile: OF/2B. One of the top uncommitted seniors in the state.
Body: 5-foot-9, 175-pounds. Athletic, compact frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, high leg kick trigger, balanced through contact. Present bat speed, swings with intent, uphill path, knack for the barrel. Smooth rhythm throughout.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long and loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Accurate throws with carry.
Defense: Smooth, athletic actions, attacks the ball, feet field in rhythm, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Sam Monroe

2. Ryan Maul, Jacksonville (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet balanced setup, high-leg kick trigger, maintains balance at times.  Quick bat, short and level path, line drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long and loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Strong, accurate arm.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, fluid footwork, quick to release.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. 

3. Elijah Kjellberg, Parkway Central (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame. Projects.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, twitchy lower half, maintains balance through contact.  Loose hands, quick bat, level path, extension through contact. Line drive approach to all fields, consistent hard contact, fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws showed carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, feet field in rhythm, attacks, plays through the baseball, long release.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

4. Will Girardi, Deemack  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: SH. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load from the right side, short stride.  More natural from the right side, short and level path, line drive approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws showed carry.
Defense: Active feet, gets around and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

5. Jacob Lansaw, Greenfield (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-foot-10, 182-pounds. Strong, thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, slightly open setup, short stride.  Uphill path, some raw power, upright finish.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Short draw, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Works around the baseball, feet play in rhythm at times.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Chris Britvec, East Peoria (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 250-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with a short stride.  Short path.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 71 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Long to release.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Andrew Coats, Normal Community West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Strong, muscular frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet setup, minimal load and short stride. Strong hands, flashed bat speed, level path and worked the pull-side gap.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 78 mph. Behind the plate, arm plays short and over-the-top.
Defense: Worked out behind the plate and in the outfield. Proper routes and clean release in the outfield. Low flexible setup behind the plate. Clean release and feet work directionally.
Run: 7.93 runner in the 60. 

Porter Conn, LeRoy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, active pre-pitch movement in hands, toe-tap trigger.  Quick bat, aggressive swing, short path, stays inside the baseball.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Derek Durham, Normal West  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build. Projects.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back, short stride.  Short and uphill path.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, long strides cover ground.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Jackson Weber, Morton  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Lanky, long-levered frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, loads quick, short stride.  Short path, some raw bat strength.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. OF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out in the infield and outfield. Attacks the baseball in the outfield. Athletic feet, steady two-hand gather on the infield.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Sawyer Wilcox, Eureka (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: /OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 140-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: SH. Crouched setup, wide base, hands start up above head, quick leg kick trigger.  Long path, line drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, long to release at times.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Williams, Monticello  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Athletic, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride.   Simple swing, short and uphill path, line drive approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick feet, long to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Wudtke, Washington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 135-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame. Projectable.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, wide base, quick toe-tap. Long and level path.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball, steady hands, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.

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