Underclass Showcase: Outfielder Analysis

November 19, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

We began rolling out the Underclass Showcase analysis a couple of days ago, starting with the top catchers from the event. Today we take a look at the top outfielders that were in attendance. 2018 outfielder Scott Youngbrandt showed versatility throughout the day but may be best suited for the outfield where he flashed athletic actions and an 86 mph arm. Youngbrandt also had one of the top exit velocities of the event, 88 mph and took home the No. 1 outfield spot. Our Scouting staff got together and ranked the Top 5 outfielders listed below.

TOP OUTFIELDERS

1. Scott Youngbrandt, INF/OF/RHP, Andrew, 2018
Solid build 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder, outfielder and pitcher. Showed a good combination of tools at the event. One of the top exit velocities of the event, 88 mph. Offensively, simple and strong swing. Made a lot of hard contact during his round of batting practice. Smooth, fluid rhythm, and loose hands throughout swing. Advanced bat path for his age. Short to the ball and gets extension after contact. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and good balance. Defensively, played the infield and the outfield. Athletic actions, with a plus outfield arm and carry. Throws were accurate, online and clocked at 86 mph from the outfield. Reliable hands, quick, fluid footwork and plays through the baseball. On the infield, short, over-the-top arm action, with life across the diamond, clocked at 84 mph. Also, ran a 7.55 laser-timed 60. On the mound, regular effort, tall and fall delivery. Quick, loose arm from an over-the-top slot. Smooth rhythm, on-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Featured a four-pitch mix, thrown for strikes. Fastball, fairly straight and sat 83-84 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, 73-74 mph. Curveball, worked 12/6 and 11/5 at times with depth, 73 mph. Slider was much tighter than his curveball, worked 10/4 and sat 74-75 mph.

2. Myles Norman, OF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2018
Lean, projectable frame 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Impressive set of tools. Ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60, was 89 mph from the outfield, registered an exit velocity of 84 mph and was up to 84 mph with his fastball off the mound. Offensively, has a good feel for hitting. Creates easy bat speed with loose and whippy hands. Short path to the baseball and gets extension through contact at times. Balanced, open setup, smooth pre-pitch load and short toe-tap stride. Fluid rhythm, above-average balance and a quick bat. Defensively, athletic actions and attacks the baseball in the outfield. Quick, loose, long and athletic arm action. Throws had life and carry at times. On the mound, lightning quick arm from a high ¾ window. With his frame and arm action it would be easy to see his velocity climb in the near future. Drop and drive delivery with a lot of effort. Good command of his fastball and changeup. Fastball thrown for strikes, flashed life and sat 82-84 mph. Changeup, feel, thrown with fastball arm speed, ranged between 69-74 mph. Needs to sharpen up his curveball that worked 11/5 and sat 55-59 mph. Could benefit from learning a slider. Overall, athletic prospect that should be a high follow in the 2018 class.

3. Michael Bolton, OF, Brother Rice, 2019
Average build 5-foot-9, 140-pound athletic left-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 6.9 60, well-above average for his age. Offensively, compact swing with the ability to backspin the baseball. Quick bat with a short, level path through the hitting zone. Balanced, open setup, long stride and fluid rhythm through contact. Line-drive approach at the plate. Registered a 73 mph exit velocity. Defensively, accurate arm from the outfield. Athletic actions, fluid footwork and soft hands. Attacks and plays through the baseball. Clean exchange, over-the-top slot, carry on throws and clocked at 78 mph.

4. Kyle Salley, OF/LHP, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2018
Smaller framed 5-foot-7, 140-pound athletic left-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Defensively, showed off one of the strongest arms at the event from the outfield, 88 mph. Clean, quick arm action, throws had life, accuracy and carry. Athletic actions, soft hands and fluid footwork. Offensively, quick bat that stayed flat through the hitting zone at times. Line drive approach at the plate. Open setup, short stride and stays short to the ball. Registered an exit velocity of 73 mph. Also, ran a 7.21 laser-timed 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery and smooth rhythm throughout. Clean, loose arm action, high ¾ window and easy effort. High front side, in-line direction and athletic finish. Fastball, thrown for strikes, down in the zone and sat 77-79 mph. Curveball worked 1/7 and ranged between 61-64 mph. Changeup flashed some sink, worked the bottom of the zone, and sat 70-71 mph.

5. Steven Sanchez, LHP/OF, Mundelein, 2018
Massive bodied 6-foot-7, 217-pound left-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting outfielder. On the mound, quick, clean, loose and long arm action. Smooth rhythm, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Short stride and tendency to finish upright. Fastball sat 81-82 mph. Featured a knuckle curveball, worked 12/6, sharp action, depth and sat 67-68 mph. Changeup flashed some arm-side-run and ranged between 70-73 mph. Given his extra-large frame and clean, loose arm action, his velocity should continue to climb as he gets more in sync with his body and matures. Offensively, athletic setup in the box. Simple, compact swing with present strength through contact. Fast bat speed, short path through the hitting zone and fluid rhythm and good balance throughout. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, decent feet for his body type and size in the outfield. Plays through the baseball with a clean exchange. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy and carry clocked at 80 mph. Also, ran a 7.82 laser-timed 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Anthony Baumgart, OF, Carmel Catholic, 2017
Sloid build 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 7.24 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, closed setup. Short stride and minimal use of his lower half in his swing. Average balance through contact and short bat path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 72 mph. Defensively, reliable hands and flashed quick footwork in the outfield. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot and clocked at 75 mph.

Robert Bluntson, OF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2018
Solid build 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Offensively, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Average bat speed and short bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, clean exchange in the outfield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and some accuracy on throws, clocked at 72 mph. Also, ran a 7.38 laser-timed 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery. Short arm action out of a high ¾ window. On-line direction and athletic finish. Fastball sat 68-70 mph, touching 71. Curveball worked 11/5 and ranged between 68-70 mph. Slider was 65 mph. Also, threw a splitter, flashed some sink, 64-68 mph.

Wyatt Boyer, LHP/OF, Salt Fork, 2018
Slender build 5-foot-9, 130-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Offensively, short, level bat path through the hitting zone. Balanced, closed setup, short stride average balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 64 mph. Defensively, long arm action from a ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 67 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.67 laser-timed 60. On the mound, operated from a tall and fall delivery. Short, clean arm action out of a high ¾ window. Some rhythm in delivery, in-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball, slight run, ranged between 70-73 mph. Curveball, backed up at times, 1/7 shape, 61-65 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, sinking action and sat 64-66 mph.

Maximus Bullock, OF, Morgan Park, 2019
Smaller build 5-foot-4, 125-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, sprayed balls to all fields during his round of batting practice. Balanced setup, no pre-pitch load and short toe-tap stride. Average balance and level bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 72 mph. Defensively, moved well in the outfield and flashed some actions. Steady hands, clean exchange and played through the baseball. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, some accuracy and clocked at 61 mph. Also, ran a 8.11 laser-timed 60.

Evan Daly, RHP/OF, Palatine, 2018
Average build 5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. On the mound, regular effort, tall and fall delivery. Some rhythm, on-line, square landing and athletic finish. Short, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. 2-seam fastball sat 79-80 mph. Curveball worked 11/5, 66-67 mph. Changeup thrown with feel, fastball arm speed and located down in the zone. Flashed sink and arm-side-run at 73-75 mph. Offensively, flashed quick twitch and aggressiveness in swing. Strength through contact. Balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and average balance throughout. Level bat path through the hitting zone and gap-to-gap approach. Registered an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, flashed arm strength with carry on throws, clocked at 78 mph from the outfield. Reliable hands and clean exchange. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot.

Christian Dearman, OF, Marian Catholic, 2018
Projectable frame 6-foot, 145-pound room to fill out right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, worked the middle of the field during batting practice. Balanced, closed setup, pre-pitch load, and short leg-lift timing trigger. Average balance and level path through the hitting zone at times. Registered an exit velocity of 73 mph. Defensively, steady hands and plays through the baseball in the outfield. Fluid footwork and clean exchange. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 74 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.32 laser-timed 60.

William Jackson, OF/RHP, Loyola, 2018
Athletically built 5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Offensively, gap-to-gap approach, long and level path through the zone. Balanced setup, toe-tap stride and average balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, athletic actions and fluid footwork in the outfield. Clean exchange and plays through the baseball. Long arm action, high ¾ slot some accuracy and carry, clocked at 79 mph. Also, ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60. On the mound, throws all of his pitches with conviction and some effort. Repeats well, three pitches for strikes and had action on all of his offerings. Long arm action, high ¾ window and some rhythm. Fastball, thrown for strikes, down in the zone with arm-side-run and ranged between 77-80 mph. Feel for his curveball, sharp 11/5 action and depth, 67-69 mph. Changeup thrown aggressively, down in the zone and at times flashed plus action, 71-74 mph.

Nate Jacobson, OF/SS/RHP, Crystal Lake South, 2018
Lanky build 5-foot-10, 133-pound room to fill out right-handed hitting outfielder, infielder and pitcher. Offensively, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch load and short stride. Uphill bat path and at times gets extension through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 69 mph. Defensively, looked more natural playing the outfield than the infield. Fluid movements in the outfield and a good first step. Steady hands, clean exchange and plays through the baseball in the outfield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 72 mph from the outfield and the infield. On the mound, coiled leg-lift, tall and fall delivery. Short arm action, high ¾ window and some rhythm throughout. Fastball flashed slight run at times, sat 71-73 mph. Curveball worked 11/5, up in the zone, 55-56 mph. Changeup looked to be his best offering. Feel, thrown for strikes with plus sink and fade at times, 61-64 mph.

Isaac Kaufmann, LHP/1B/OF, Marian Central Catholic, 2018
Athletic build 6-foot-1, 165-pound room to fill out left-handed hitting infielder, outfielder and pitcher. On the mound, smooth rhythm and repeats his delivery well. Over-the-head windup, in-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Short, quick and loose arm action from a high ¾ window. Uses a four-pitch arsenal. Fastball, heavy action, arm-side-run, thrown for strikes and sat 76-79 mph, touching 80. Curveball thrown for strikes, worked 1/7, good depth, 66-69 mph. Also, featured a slider, sharp, tight spin worked mainly 1/7 and sat 67-70 mph. Changeup, spotted down in the zone, for strikes, sink and fade, ranged between 66-71 mph. Offensively, showed feel for hitting and worked the opposite-field gap at times during batting practice. Balanced, open setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, flashed some actions in the outfield and infield. Reliable hands and clean exchange. Athletic, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws were accurate and clocked at 73 mph across the infield and 80 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.89 laser-timed 60.

Josh Killeen, 1B/OF, Mount Carmel, 2018
Thicker build 5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Offensively, flashed a compact stroke at times. Balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger, and average balance throughout. Pull approach at the plate and an uphill bat path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 74 mph. Defensively, worked out in the infield and outfield. Quick and clean exchange. Attacks the baseball in the outfield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, clocked at 67 mph from the outfield and 71 mph across the infield. Also, ran an 8.00 laser-timed 60.

Tim La, OF, Fenwick, 2018
Average build 5-foot-7, 147-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced, open setup. No load, short stride, and average balance through contact. Short, uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 70 mph. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 71 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.92 laser-timed 60.

Carlos McFadden, SS/OF, Roberto Clemente, 2018
Average build 5-foot-7, 140-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Defensively, showed some of the best actions at the event in the outfield and infield. Attacks the baseball with quick and fluid footwork. Steady hands, clean, quick exchange, and athletic fielding position. Played through the baseball in the outfield. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, carry on throws, clocked at 83 mph from the outfield and 82 mph across the infield. Offensively, flat and level path through the zone at times. Balanced, open setup and toe-tap stride. Registered an exit velocity of 75 mph. Also, ran a 7.72 laser-timed 60.

Jack Oberli, SS/OF, Glenbard East, 2018
Solid build 5-foot-7, 155-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Offensively, balanced and closed setup. Slight leg-lift trigger and average bat speed. Uphill bat path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 74 mph. Defensively, in the outfield and infield, flashed a quick exchange. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Clocked at 68 mph from the outfield and 69 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60.

Brett Selke, OF/RHP, Brother Rice, 2018
Lean 6-foot, 160-pound room to fill out right-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Ran a 7.26 laser-timed 60. Offensively, athletic and balanced setup. Short stride and average balance through contact. Uphill bat path at times. Registered an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, steady hands, fluid footwork and a long clean exchange. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, some accuracy and clocked at 80 mph. On the mound, long arm action, tall and fall delivery. Some rhythm, in-line direction and athletic finish. Fastball sat 71-74 mph, touched 75. Curveball, sat 59-62 mph. Flashed some feel for his changeup, 67-68 mph.

Underclass Showcase: Outfielder Analysis

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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