Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect Showcase: Outfield Analysis



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Illinois/Wisconsin

Continuing our analysis of the Top Prospect Showcase we take a look at the outfielders. David Craan who also stood out as one of the top catchers took the top spot in the outfield group. Craan’s plus speed looks to play well in the outfield and has the potential to be a plus defender. His arm strength is apparent by his 90 mph arm from the crowhop as well.

A pair of 2016 prospects were close behind in Jack Wassel and Alec Barger. Both show high level projection and advanced athleticism.

Here’s a look at the top outfield prospects.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. David Craan, C/OF, Whitney Young, 2015
Lean athletic build with strength, excellent body type, 5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher/outfielder. Craan is one of the more impressive athletes in the class, ran an event best 6.55 in the 60 and showed the strongest arm out of the crouch at 81 mph. Defensively posted several pop times under 2.0, best pop  time at 1.91, arm action has advanced carry, loose arm action and highly accurate. Receives well, athletic feet, moves out of the crouch well. In the outfield arm played at 90 mph, feet work quickly and athletically, plays through the baseball well. High level defender at either position. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, strong balance. Bat path is short, gets extension through the baseball, quick hands, excellent line drive hitter, loose swing, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Jack Wassel, OF/SS, Geneva, 2016
Long lanky frame, highly projectable left handed hitting athlete, 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, smooth loading action with slight bat wrap load, lower half works, strong balance throughout. Advanced bat speed, athletic hands, creates whip through the zone, 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Athletic hitter, hits with rhythm and looseness. Defensively showed a high level of athleticism to play multiple positions on the field, took it in the outfield and at shortstop. Arm plays with a short loose action, over the top slot, 86 mph from the outfield, 79 mph across the diamond, arm showed athleticism to play on the move on the infield. Showed the ability to play in stride and through the baseball in the outfield, showed body control on the infield. Likely to project at third base or a corner outfield spot.

3. Alec Barger, OF/RHP, Champaign Central, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher currently ranked No. 43 in Illinois’ class of 2016 impressed as one of the top all-around athletes at this year’s Top Prospect Showcase.  Ran 6.64 in the 60, threw 89 from the outfield, and up to 86 off the mound.  At the plate, hits from a tall-open setup with a short stride, quiet hands, and a short load producing a short, compact, level line-drive swing with exit velocity up to 88 mph.  Moves well side-to-side in the outfield playing through the baseball getting good carry on accurate throws from a high ¾ arm action.  On the mound worked between 83-86 with fastball from high ¾ arm action from a smooth delivery that stays in line with home plate.  Fastball sat at 83 from the stretch as he failed to get back over the rubber and load hips.  68-69 mph curveball showed occasional 12/6 action, and slowed arm on 70-72 mph changeup with arm side run that he consistently threw for strikes.  Easy delivery, clean arm action, and overall athleticism make it easy to project low 90’s fastball velocity in the upcoming years.

4. Joe Baier, OF, Bay Port (WI), 2015
Athletically built, 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder. Baier represented Wisconsin at the Future Games last year as a raw athlete who was on the verge of putting it all together. This year at the Top Prospect Showcase Baier showed off improved skill sets all over the field. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride and smooth loading action. Hands work well to the baseball, stays inside of it, line drive gap to gap approach. Posted 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.00 in the 60, athletic runner. Defensively showed improved arm strength, arm played at 89 mph from the outfield, showed carry from a long over the top slot, showed accuracy to and through his target. Hands and feet worked together well in the outfield, played through the baseball with clean exchanges.

5. Kyle Schulz, OF/LHP, Kenosha Bradford (WI), 2015
Athletically built, 5-foot-10, 150-pound outfielder. Offensively carries himself well, hits from a tall open stance from the right side, short stride, smooth repeatable loading action and swing, maintains excellent balance through contact. Bat path stays on top of the baseball, line drive gap to gap approach, short path, can get more out of back side. Athletic runner, smooth footwork, 6.72 60 yard dash. Defensively plays through the baseball, natural defender. Arm action is loose and athletic high ¾ slot, left handed thrower, showed accuracy with carry, 85 mph arm strength. On the mound worked from a high ¾ slot, loose arm action with arm speed. Minimal effort, tall and fall delivery, slightly across body. Fastball showed control of the zone, 80-81 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, near fastball arm speed, showed feel at 66-68 mph. Changeup flashed occasional sink, showed feel, 74-75 mph.

6. Eric Giltz, OF, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2015
5-foot-9, 170-pound outfielder, short athletic build. Good runner, 6.94 60. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, maintains good balance throughout, long high finish. Hands are loose and athletic at the plate, above average bat speed, fluid rhythm and timing. 86 mph exit velocity form the tee. Defensively showed advanced actions, longer arm action, over the top slot, showed accuracy with average arm strength (80 mph). Feet work well, plays through the baseball, occasionally worked uphill.

7. Dylan Gilbert, OF, St. Ignatius, 2016
Highly physical 6-foot, 205-pound outfielder, strong lower half. Offensively hits from a slightly closed stance, slight toe tap stride, minimal loading action. Well above average bat speed, quick hands, strong swing. Flashed pop to his pull side, easy swing, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball, showed a strong arm from the outfield (88 mph), played with carry, high ¾ slot, short arm action. Aggressive runner, 6.94 runner in the 60. Gilbert’s highly physical attributes should play well at the next level, his skill set is still raw but raw strength and power shows through in his game.

8. General McArthur, SS/OF, Crete-Monee, 2015
6-foot-1, 150-pound shortstop/outfielder impressed with one of the top outfield arms at the Top Prospect Showcase throwing 90 mph from a loose over the top arm action with accuracy.  Showed soft hands and fluid actions both in the outfield and the infield.  From the outfield, took a considerable amount of time to get rid of the baseball after fielding it, gearing up for his crow hop.  Threw 80 mph across the infield from a shorter ¾ whippy arm action with good feel in the middle of the diamond.  Hits from an open setup, with elbows coming together as part of a pre-pitch routine before loading.  Showed a fluid rhythm and a short level bat path producing line drives from gap-to-gap with 84 mph exit velocity.  Recoils after contact snapping bat back to starting position.  Ran a 6.99 60.

9. Ian Parentice, OF, Boylan Central Catholic, 2015
5-foot-9, 155-pound, left handed throwing, switch hitting outfielder. Natural outfield actions, moves well and smoothly, plays through the baseball without hesitation, plays in stride, advanced outfield actions. Arm action is clean, over the top slot, shows some carry, 86 mph from his crowhop. 7.26 runner. Offensively hits from both sides, open setup, slightly drops hands with arm bar load, looked more comfortable from the left side. Showed bat speed from both sides.

10. Nick Menken, OF, South Elgin, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound outfielder, strong lower half. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, smooth loading action. Repeats swing well, path stays on top of baseball, showed strong balance at contact. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively looked stronger in the outfield, showed a strong arm at 88 mph, played through the baseball, arm showed carry and shuffles through release. 6.94 runner in the 60.

11. Kian O’Brein, OF, Madison LaFollette, 2015
Strong, thick build, 5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, smooth loading action with slight bat wrap. Showed repeatability, finds the barrel well, two handed finish, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.09 60 yard dash. Defensively showed fluid actions in the outfield, played through the ball well, direct routes. Arm plays well, showed carry with accuracy to its target, short over the top arm action, topped at 85 mph from the outfield.

12. Jimmy Roche, OF/MIF, Sandburg, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound multi-positional player, athletic build. Showed athleticism in multiple facets of the game. Ran a 6.85 60. Defensively uses a short arm action through 85 mph from the outfield, 82 mph across the infield. Hands are athletic and can play at multiple positions, appears better suited in the outfield at the next level. Offensively hits from an open and tall setup, short stride. Line drive type hitter, occasionally gets uphill, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

13. Connor Mapes, OF, Champaign Central, 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder impressed with physicality and overall athleticism.  Ran 6.83 in the 60.  Hit from a crouched balanced setup, with a long stride and short level bat path producing line drives from gap-to-gap and exit velocity up to 81 mph.  Threw 88 mph from the outfield from long, loose, over the top arm slot with some carry.  Stayed deep in the outfield, not attacking the baseball. 

14. Ryan Fish, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound stocky,switch-hitting, outfielder impressed with balanced hitting approach from both sides of the plate.  Shows similar approach from both sides of the plate, hitting from a wide setup with minimal stride, and hands held low producing line drives from gap-to-gap.  Level bat path produces 89 mph exit velocity.  Threw 86 mph from the outfield from long, over the top arm action.  Ran 6.88 in the 60.

15. Nate Anderson, OF, Mukwonago (WI), 2015
Atletic frame, lanky build, 6-foot-1, 180-pound left handed outfielder. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Line drive hitter, high finish, occasional uphill path, some lift, bat speed present, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed a quick arm from the outfield (85 mph), high ¾ slot, loose arm action. Plays through the baseball, quick footwork, showed natural outfield actions. Ran the 60 at 7.23.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Daniel Budziak, LHP/OF, St. Rita, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound two way player, projects better on the mound. Delivery works slightly across body, closed shoulders, creates good angles. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball showed occasional cut action, 81-82 mph, showed control. Curveball showed action and feel, 11/5 tilt, 68-71 mph. Changeup has feel, 73-75 mph, near fastball arm action. Offensively hits from the left side, open setup, high hands setup, slight leg lift trigger, good balance through contact. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.12 runner. Defensively arm worked at 81 mph from the outfield, long arm action.

Sean Burnette, OF, St. Laurence, 2015
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hit from a wide balanced setup with minimal stride getting good extension, especially to his pull side, creating 84 mph exit velocity.  Threw 82 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm action with accuracy.  Ran 7.21 in the 60.

David Burnside, OF, Glenbrook North, 2015
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 180-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, lower half has some collapse, uphill path. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a longer arm action from the outfield, showed some accuracy, 79 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Thomas Cheshareck, RHP/OF, Morris, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way player, strong lower half, projectable build. Delivery shows some effort, slight paused at the top of balance point, open landing. Arm action is long and loose, quick arm. Fastball has run, 85-88 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 71-73 mph. Changeup showed sink, occasional arm side action, showed control, near fastball arm action, 74-76 mph. Offensively hits from the left side, tall setup, short stride, slightly dives, high back elbow. Showed bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength from the outfield, had carry, 87 mph. Long exchange, ran a 7.49 60, corner outfield defender.

Garrett Davis, OF/LHP, Geneva, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound left handed two-way player. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, worked across body. Arm action showed regular effort, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed sink, 76-78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 action, 69-71 mph, showed the ability to land for strikes, also showed a cutter at 72-75 mph. Defensively arm played at 79 mph from the outfield, over the top slot. Feet worked in the outfield, 6.88 runner, plays through the baseball. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride with smooth loading action. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Matt Diehl, OF, Providence, 2015
5-foot-9, 160-pound left handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, consistent loading action, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Adequate bat speed, line drive gap to gap approach, stays inside the baseball, occasional lift and back side collapse. Defensively showed a short over the top arm action, 85 mph from an aggressive crowhop. Plays through the baseball, natural actions, clean exchange. 7.15 runner in the 60.

Connor Hickey, OF, Benet Academy, 2015
5-foot-9, 150-pound left handed outfielder, smaller athletic frame. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly open stance, athletic setup, balanced, minimal loading action in hands, short stride. Projects as a contact type hitter, singles guy, middle to opposite field approach, short path to the baseball. Recorded 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively uses a short high ¾ arm action from the outfield, 70 mph arm strength. Showed the ability to play through the baseball, natural action, feet work well. 6.97 runner in the 60.

Jordan Jackson, OF/3B, Jones College Prep, 2015
6-foot-2, 160-pound lean and lanky third basemen/outfielder impressed with whippy swing producing exit velocity up to 86 mph.  Committed to Oakland University shortly after the Top Prospect Showcase.  Hits from an athletic, open setup, with a short stride, and fluid rhythm showing an opposite field, line drive approach.  Defensively, showed softer hands in the infield than in the outfield, throwing 77 mph across the diamond from an easy,  ¾ slinging arm action.  Stayed back on the ball in the outfield, throwing 81 mph with some carry.  Ran a 7.06 60.

Michael Piotrowski, OF, Prospect, 2015
5-foot-10, 195-pound right-handed hitting outfielder currently ranked No. 201 in Illinois’ 2015 class hits from a wide crouch with a short stride and long, level bat path producing 86 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 85 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm action with accuracy and carry.  Showed average hands and fluid actions, aggressively attacking the baseball.  Ran 7.49 in the 60.

Jake Reynolds, OF, New Trier, 2015
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder impressed during live batting practice round hitting from a tall open stance with hands held low around the letters and a smooth load and short stride producing exit velocity up to 85 mph.  Repeated short, simple swing hitting several line drives from gap-to-gap.  Defensively, attacked the baseball during outfield drills, with fluid actions.  Threw 82 mph from the outfield from a short, loose, over-the-top arm angle, with good carry and accuracy.  Ran 6.93 in the 60.

Josh Shaw, OF/3B, Morgan Park, 2016
6-foot-2, 175-pound lanky, athletic outfielder/third baseman currently ranked No. 35 in Illinois’ 2016 class, No. 147 overall.  Hits from a slightly open setup, with hands loading back smoothly.   Stride is short, bat path to the baseball is level and short producing 72 mph exit velocity.  Lacks physical strength but is projectable.  Defensively, impressed more in the infield at third, with soft hands and clean, fluid actions, throwing 78 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm action.  Showed infield actions in the outfield, and threw 80 mph from the same short arm action.  Ran a 7.21 60.

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