On Oct. 20, the PBR Illinois hosted its final event of 2019, the Underclass Showcase, featuring over 110 of the state’s 2022 and 2023 prospects, as well as a handful of seventh- and eighth-grade players, at The MAX in McCook.

Last month, we shared our rapid analysis for this event inside our Quick Hits post, and took a statistical look at the day’s top performers inside our Stats Story. Monday marked the start of our position-by-position analysis, beginning with the day’s catchers.

Today we take a look at a strong crop of outfielders. The 2022 group was especially strong with Angelo Luna (St. Laurence), Josh Outlaw (Maine West) and Evan Baptiste (Barrington) emerging as high-follow sophomores in the state.

When it comes to the 2023 outfielders, Tommy Townsend (Sycamore) is a physical left/left prospect with athletic hands and feel for the barrel. 

Another left-handed hitter to follow in the future is 2024 Samuel Chapman (Woodstock). Chapman has a fluid, loose swing that projects and is natural in the outfield.

For reports on each of the outfielders who made it out to this event, continue on below.

TOP 2022 OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Angelo Luna, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Athletically-built.
Hit: RHH. Wide, athletic setup, stays quiet, minimal load, short stride and maintains balance through contact.  Simple swing, easy effort, loose athletic hands. Fast bat, long through the zone, hard contact and sprayed balls to all fields.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long, quick arm action from an over-the-top slot; throws carry, played true and were accurate.
Defense: Fluid outfield actions, light on his feet, body control, plays through the baseball in rhythm.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

2. Josh Outlaw, Maine West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF 
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, confident look, smooth load, short stride and balanced through contact. Loose, athletic hands, repeatable swing, present bat speed, natural lift in swing and consistent hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Long, loose arm action work quick and from an over-the-top slot; Throws were accurate and carried.
Defense: Athletic outfield actions, quick active feet, soft hands, plays through the baseball on-line and clean quick release.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

3. Evan Baptiste, Barrington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Athletic, live body.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic look in the box, smooth load, short stride and stays balanced through contact. Quiet swing, athletic hands, present bat speed, lift in swing, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long, loose, quick arm action works from a high 3/4 slot. Throws played accurate and with carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, active feet, plays with bounce and gains ground through transfer.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. Long strided.

4. Myles Supurgeci, Mount Carmel (IN), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-5, 120-pounds. Small, live-body.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, closed setup, minimal load and short stride. Short, uphill bat path, occasional hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Short, over-the-top arm action. Throws flashed carry and were accurate.
Defense: Quick, active footwork, attacks the baseball, steady hands and plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.67 runner in the 60. 

5. Alexander Cherian, Niles West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic build with room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Strong hands, work loose at times,level bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long arm action, works quick, 3/4 slot and flashed carry.
Defense: Charges the baseball, proper routes, sure-handed, plays through the baseball, clean transfer.
Run: 7.5 runner in the 60. 

TOP 2023 OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Tommy Townsend, Sycamore (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 190-pounds. Durable frame, strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open set-up, smooth hand load, controlled leg kick into long stride. Level bat path, extension through the zone, natural lift, bat speed present,  fluid rhythm.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 77 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot, accurate, carries from the outfield.
Defense: Smooth actions, plays through the baseball with tempo, glove plays soft and out front, clean exchange.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

2. Owen Duffy, Marist (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lanky, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open set-up, hands load back and down, short stride.  Short, level bat path with extension through the baseball, loose hands, gap to gap approach, pop to the pull-side.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action, over the top release.
Defense: Quick and clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.6 runner in the 60. 

3. Mikey Murphy, Minooka (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Starts wide, balanced, quiet load and short leg-kick timing trigger. Simple swing, strong quick hands, uphill bat path and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, plays from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Aggressive to the baseball, clean release, gets tall at times.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60. Clean, straight line runner.

4. Lucas Smith, Nazareth Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, open set-up, quiet hand load, controlled leg kick into short stride.  Short bat path, uphill plane, gap to gap approach, stays inside the baseball, fluid rhythm
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Solid actions, plays through the baseball with tempo, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

5. Breyan Brooks, Homewood Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Durable, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Athletic, open set-up, barrel tilt load, long stride, aggressive lower half.  Direct bat path, slightly uphill plane, extension through the baseball, power approach to the gaps.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot, accurate, carries from the outfield.
Defense: Clean actions, soft hands, plays through the baseball, fluid exchange.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Michael Boyce, Naperville Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open set-up, barrel tilt load, leg kick into short stride. Short pat bath on an uphill plane, extension through the baseball, ball jumps off barrel.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean exchange, uses a pro-step gather.
Run: 7.93 runner in the 60. 

Samuel Chapman, Woodstock (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 135-pounds. Wiry, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open set-up, smooth hand load, quick toe tap into long stride.  Direct bat path, extension through the baseball, power approach to the gaps, ball jumps off barrel.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, carries from the outfield.
Defense: Fluid gather, athletic crow hop, plays through the baseball with some rhythm.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Quinn Duffy, Marist (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Athletic frame, proportional.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, balanced stance, smooth loading action with hands back, short stride. Level path, line drive contact, hands work athletically in swing, middle of the field approach with occasional backspin contact.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 73 mph. Arm plays over the top, shows more length working from the outfield, shorter release out of the crouch.
Defense: 2.25-2.40 pop times. Footwork works to open side, leaves crouch early and showed above average hands. Outfield actions worked with quick exchange.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Declan Emery, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF 
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Strong, athletically-built.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, slightly open setup and leg-kick timing trigger. Flashed strong hands, quick twitch in swing, long bat path, works uphill through the zone.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action works from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Steady hands, gathers through exchange.
Run: 6.91 runner in the 60. Advanced runner for his age.

Ezra Essex, Highland (IN), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot, 111-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced set-up, quiet hand load, short stride, repeatable actions. Short, level bat path, line drive approach to opposite field, stays inside the baseball.
Power: 62 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 64 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields off left foot, clean exchange to pro-step gather.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Gomez, Providence Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 165-pounds. Durable frame, strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced set-up, smooth hand load, leg kick into long stride. Short bat path on an uphill plane, extension through the baseball, aggressive power approach to the gaps, fluid rhythm.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 to low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball with tempo, fluid footwork.
Run: 8.21 runner in the 60. 

Malachi Gonzalez, Lakeview (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-5, 125-pounds. Compact build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched set-up, quiet hand load, short stride.  Short, level bat path, stays inside the baseball, line drive approach to the gaps.
Power: 66 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Glove works out front, plays through the baseball with tempo, good pursuit.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60. 

Logan Gregorio, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open and crouched setup, smooth loading action, loads hands back with short stride, lower half works, solid balance through contact. Simple swing that plays loose at times, slight uphill plane, fluid swing, creates top spin contact at times.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 76 mph. Plays out of over the top slot, short arm action.
Defense: 2.26-2.31 pop times. Long footwork exchange, works with effort, sturdy blocking skills. In the outfield plays through the baseball in stride at times.
Run: 8.45 runner in the 60. 

Bobby Guy, Springfield Southeast (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Well-proportioned, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Quiet, balanced setup, long stride. Swings with intent, long uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, steady hands, works through the baseball and clean release.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Jaidyn Harrell, Brooks (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 157-pounds. Tall, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic set-up, quiet hand load, short stride. Short, level bat path, line drive approach, stays inside the baseball.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long and loose arm action, over the top release.
Defense: Glove works out front, fields off left foot, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

Jalen Headly, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 140-pounds. Lean, high-waisted, projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, quiet setup, smooth load and short stride. Simple, handsy swing, looks to control the barrel, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 69 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. Long, clean arm action, over-the-top slot and throws were consistently on target.
Defense: Proper routes, plays through the baseball and clean transfer.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Ashton Izzi, Oswego East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 145-pounds. Long, lean, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, loads into backside with rhythm, leg-kick timing trigger. Long, uphill bat path and loose hands at times.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws flashed carry.
Defense: Long, fluid, easy strides, plays through the baseball, reliable hands.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Jeremy Jaehnig, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 110-pounds. Thin, wiry build.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open set-up, barrel tilt load, quick toe-tap into long stride. Short level bat path, line drive approach to the gaps, balanced finish.
Power: 67 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 70 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, clean exchange.
Run: 8.29 runner in the 60. 

Max Petry, South Elgin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Aggressive swing, short quick swing.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 74 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Smooth outfield actions, fluid footwork and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Schuitema, Oswego East (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride, minimal load. Stays short to the ball, looks to control the barrel.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 71 mph. Short arm action, plays from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, directional transfer.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Terrence Stewart Jr., Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 140-pounds. Lanky, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic set-up, quiet hand load, short stride.  Short, direct bat path on a level plane. Line drive approach to the gaps.
Power: 68 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields off left foot, clean exchange.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Wright, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open set-up, leg kick into long stride. Level bat path, accelerates barrel through hitting zone, loose hands, present bat speed.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60.

RELATED CONTENT