Top Prospect - Chicago: Outfielder Analysis

July 18, 2017

By Illinois Scouting Staff

The Top Prospect - Chicago outfield group was led by left-handed hitting Christian Lucio (Mount Carmel). Also an infielder, Lucio brings a utility skill set that can play anywhere on the field, including the middle of t where his 6.88 speed plays well. Here’s a look at the top outfield prospects from the event.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Christian Lucio, SS/OF, Mount Carmel, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting SS/OF with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a heel lift stride and good balance. Short, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.88. Defensively in the outfield has fluid, athletic actions, takes good routes. Loose arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with carry throwing 86 mph from the outfield. On the infield plays thru the ball with good body control. Threw 81 mph across the infield.

2. Camden Nisenson, OF, Crystal Lake Central, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a tall, open setup. Arm bar load with a short stride and good balance. Long, uphill swing path, pull side approach. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.12. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic actions, plays thru the ball. Threw 81 mph from the outfield.

3. Steven Hamer, OF/LHP, St. Charles North, 2018
Committed to Miami (OH). 5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP with a small, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a low handset. Smooth load with a short stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.84. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 83 mph from the outfield. Three pitch feel on the mound. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Athletic finish with good balance and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 83-84 mph for strikes. Curveball has 12-6 shape with short breaking action at 73-77 mph. Maintains arm speed on changeup with running action at 74-77 mph for strikes.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Dalton Crowder, OF, Plainfield East, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a crouched, open setup with a short stride. Line drive hitter with a long, level swing path and a fast bat. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fast actions. Threw 83 mph from the outfield.

Austin Ehren, OF, Carmel Catholic, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from an open setup with a short, leg lift stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.70. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with a long exchange. Threw 81 mph from the outfield.

Sean Hebreard, OF, Plainfield East, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange. Threw 86 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup. Long, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.35.

Zach Verta, OF, St. Laurence, 2018
6-foot-2, 196-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a leg lift stride. Pull hitter with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.20. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 81 mph from the outfield.