Prep Baseball Report

Preseason I.D - Illiana: Outfield Analysis


PBR Scouting Staff

Our first Preseason I.D. kicked off our winter season last week at Illiana and yesterday we began the the roll-out of our scouting reports and analysis from the event.

Today we take a look at the outfielder's in attendance, which was led by one of the top uncommitted outfielders in the Illinois' 2019 class, Pierce Jones.

Here’s a look at the top outfield prospects in attendance.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Pierce Jones, OF, Marian Catholic, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, muscular, athletically built, outfielder. Looked noticeably stronger since our last look. Ran an event-best laser-timed 60, 6.83. At the plate, hits from the right side, balanced, open setup, confident demeanor and pre-pitch rhythm. Leg lift timing trigger, aggressive swing, attacks the baseball, creates advanced bat speed, some effort while maintaining balance through contact. Path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach and 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, arm works long, throws carry, accurate at times and topped at 83 mph. One of the top uncommitted outfielders in the 2019 class.

2. Mason Hsieh-Bailey, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
5-foot-9, 148-pound, lean, athletic build, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 6.96 laser-timed 60. At the plate, relaxed, slightly open setup, long stride and maintains balance through contact.  Fluid rhythm, quick twitch in swing, bat stays level through the zone and line-drive approach. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, natural outfield actions, attacks the baseball, plays through with a quick, clean release. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws topped at 76 mph. Follow 2020 outfielder.

3. Parker Mathieson, INF/OF, Normal University, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound, multi-positional prospect with a well-proportioned, defined frame. Best tool looks to be his left-handed bat. Balanced setup, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance and fluid rhythm throughout. Quick twitch, present bat speed and natural lift in swing. Looks to pull the baseball at times and made a lot of hard contact; 94 mph exit velocity. Potential middle of the order bat. Ran a 7.06 laser-timed 60, has been as low as a 6.91 in the past. Defensively, worked out on the infield and outfield. Hands work steady on the infield, clean exchange and showed an athletic arm action; ability to throw from multiple slots. Throws topped at 83 mph across the infield and 85 mph from the outfield. Follow 2019 left-handed hitter.

4. Cameron Hill, OF, Kenwood, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound, athletically built, projectable, right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, gets separation, short stride and good balance through contact. Confident in the box, flashed present bat speed, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural outfield actions, plays through the baseball, steady hands. Long, firm, over-the-top arm action and throws topped at 79 mph. 7.53 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

5. Lawrence Noble, OF, Gwendolyn Brooks, 2019
6-foot-1, 165-pound, high-waisted, projectable, left-handed hitting outfielder. 7.15 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, tall setup, short stride and maintains good balance throughout. Flashed bat speed, bat stays flat through the hitting zone and has a line-drive approach. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long levers, easy actions at times and reliable hands. Throws clocked at 75 mph from the outfield.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Marc Babicz, OF/INF, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder/infielder. Ran a 7.17 laser-timed 60. At the plate, quiet, open setup, stride gets back to event and average balance. Long, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach and strength through contact; 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, looks more natural in the outfield. Quick first step, plays through the baseball, reliable hands. Arm works long, with some effort, throws clocked at 84 mph from the outfield, 80 mph across the infield.

Mathew Birtman, LHP/OF, Deerfield, 2020
5-foot-9, 145-pound, two-way prospect. Showed well as a left-handed pitcher. Pounded the strike zone with a three-pitch mix that has above-average action for age. Repeatable delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Arm works clean out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, located down in the zone, arm-side-run, 78-80 mph. Slider, thrown aggressively, feel, downer action, 69-70 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, sink and fade action, 70-72 mph. Ran a 6.99 laser-timed 60. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced, wide setup, loads hands, short stride and average balance throughout. Uses the whole field and registered and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, works through the baseball, crow hop exchange, short arm action and throws clocked at 77 mph.

Vince Borrelli, OF, Andrew, 2020
5-foot-11, 170-pound, outfielder with present strength. 7.08 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Bat stays level through the hitting zone, pull approach and 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands in the outfield. Long arm, high ¾ slot, long exchange, strong arm; topped at 87 mph.

Bryan Corrigan, OF/INF/RHP, Yorkville, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, lean, multi-positional prospect. 7.10 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced, narrow setup, slight pre-pitch wrap and long stride. Long, uphill bat path and 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. Fluid footwork in the outfield, clean exchange and long arm action. Throws topped at 73 mph from the outfield and 67 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, lands square with regular effort throughout. Arm works short and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight, thrown for strikes, 70-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, feel, 60-64 mph. Changeup, 59-62 mph.

Elijah Covington, INF/OF, Boone Grove (IN), 2020
5-foot-4, 130-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance at times. Long bat path and opposite field approach. 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out on the infield and in the outfield. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Throws topped at 81 mph from the outfield and 78 mph across the infield. 7.39 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Jason Daniels, OF/INF, Morton (IN), 2020
5-foot-7, 150-pound, switch-hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, looks slightly more comfortable from the right side of the plate. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Simple swing, minimal movement and line-drive approach. 82 mph exit velocity from the left side and 80 mph from the right. Defensively, worked out as an infielder and outfielder. On the infield, maintains body control on the move, steady hands and clean exchange. Arm works short and over-the-top, clocked at 67 mph across the infield and 73 mph from the outfield. 7.41 runner in the 60.

Myles Henry, INF/OF, Crete-Monee, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, athletically built, multi-positional prospect. 7.01 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, pre-pitch load and hanging leg lift. Flashed bat speed, long bat path and pull approach. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out on the infield and the outfield. Throws clocked at 78 mph from the outfield and 72 mph across the infield.

Adam Huekels, OF, Marian Catholic, 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound, well-proportioned, outfielder. Ran a 7.01 laser-timed 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load and average balance through contact. Long bat path, gap-to-gap approach and 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, moves well in the outfield, works through the baseball, reliable hands and clean transfer. Throws carry and clocked at 81 mph.

Justin Johnson, OF/LHP, Marian Catholic, 2021
5-foot-6, 145-pound, two-way prospect. Impressed on the mound. Left-handed pitcher, stretch-only delivery, repeats, stays on-line, lands square with smooth rhythm throughout. Fastball, works straight, thrown for strikes, 75-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 59-62 mph. Changeup, feel, sink and fade action, 62-65 mph. In the outfield, fluid footwork, reliable hands and quick release. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws topped at 76 mph. At the plate, left-handed hitter, open setup, pre-pitch rhythm, exaggerated load and toe-tap stride. Long, uphill bat path and 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.63 runner in the 60.

Jacob Keil, INF/OF/RHP, Prospect, 2019
5-foot-8, 150-pound, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load and minimal stride. Path works long and uphill; 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, worked out on the infield and the outfield. Arm works over-the-top with longer action in the outfield and throws flashed accuracy; clocked at 79 mph from the outfield and 73 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.69 laser-timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery with regular effort throughout. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, sat 74-75 mph, touching 76. Curveball, gradual action, 58-62 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm action, straight action, 62-67 mph.

Blake Neyhart, OF/INF, Lake Central (IN), 2021
5-foot-10, 160-pound, outfielder/infielder. At the plate, right-handed hitter, tall setup and leg-kick timing trigger. Loose hands at times, level path through the zone, stays on top of the baseball and line-drive approach. 72 mph exit velocity. On the infield, plays tall, clean release, loose arm, minimal effort and throws topped at 61 mph. From the outfield throws topped at 69 mph. 7.87 runner in the 60.

Justin Schassburger, OF/RHP, Andrean (IN), 2021
5-foot-9, 160-pound, strong lower half, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, open setup, slight bar loading action, stride gets back to even and inconsistent lower half. Looseness in swing at times, line-drive approach and 79 mph exit velocity. In the outfield, works through the baseball, steady hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 75 mph. 7.88 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, slow paced, methodical wind up and stays on-line. Arm action works primarily out of a ¾ slot, will raise arm slot on two-seam fastball. Four-seam fastball, arm-side-run, sat 75-76 mph, touched 77. Curveball, 11/5 shape, tight spin at times, thrown for strikes, 62-63 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade action, 65-66 mph.

Jeffrey Wright, OF/INF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2021
5-foot-6, 130-pound, lean, infielder/outfielder. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, long bat path, and registered an exit velocity of 69 mph from a tee. Worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped at 65 mph from the outfield and 60 mph across the infield. 7.72 runner in the 60.

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