Underclass Showcase: Outfielder Analysis
November 27, 2018
On Oct. 21 at The MAX, the PBR Illinois staff hosted its final showcase of the 2018 season, the Underclass Showcase. There were more than 80 prospects from the area in attendance, predominantly representing the 2021 class, with a handful of 2022 prospects in the mix. It’s clear that the state’s underclass talent is as bright as ever.
We’ll continue analyzing the prospects who made it to The MAX last month. Next up, the day’s outfielders.
The top outfielder in attendance was Kenwood sophomore Zamaurion Hatcher, who debuted in the top 25 of the first edition of the state’s Class of 2021 Rankings back in September. The quick-twitch, left-handed hitting Hatcher is athletic enough to roam center field and has the arm strength to fit in the right field corner, too.
Nicky Giamarusti (Notre Dame, 2021) earns a top-three spot among this group’s participants as well. He recorded the top 60-yard dash mark at the Underclass Showcase and showed us strong hands in the right-handed batter’s box, granting the Notre Dame sophomore plenty of upside moving forward.
Finally, there’s St. Rita’s Steve Sanderson (2021), a physically advanced outfielder, standing in at 6-foot-1, 186 pounds. His strength is on display off the barrel, where he made consistently hard contact and flashed power potential. Defensively, it remains to be seen where he will fit but his bat should be able to carry him.
We have the complete reports on the three aforementioned prospects below, as well as the write-ups on all 11 other outfielders who took reps at the showcase last month. We previously published the Statistical Analysis from the event, which you can find here, in addition to yesterday’s look at the catchers. Keep an eye out tomorrow when we examine the day’s infielders.
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Zamaurion Hatcher, OF, Kenwood, 2021
5-foot-10, 155-pound, left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder, live, athletic body type. Offensively, open setup, smooth hand load back, short toe lift stride, maintains control. Flashed quick twitch in swing, loose hands, uphill barrel path, gap to gap approach, fluid rhythm through contact, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively plays with bounce, gets behind and works through the baseball, fluid feet, soft hands, exchanges are quick and clean. Arm action is clean and loose, high ¾ slot, present arm speed, accurate throws topped 87 mph from the outfield. Run 7.20 runner in the 60.
2. Nicky Giamarusti, OF, Notre Dame, 2021
6-foot, 170-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, athletic, strong frame, projects. Fleet footed runner, claimed the event best 60-yard dash, 6.55 laser-timed. At the plate, sets up tall and slightly open, hands load back, short leg lift stride to even. Uphill bat path, strong hands, fluid rhythm through contact, gap to gap contact. Generated quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Defensively, athletic action, gets behind and plays through the baseball, fluid footwork, clean exchange, long to release. Arm action is short and loose, high ¾ slot, ball comes out firm, throws topped 81 mph from the outfield.
3. Steven Sanderson, OF, St. Rita, 2021
6-foot-1, 186-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, strong frame, advanced build for age. At the plate, balance setup, hands load back, short leg kick trigger. Strong hands, short bat path, direct to the baseball, hard contact, gap to gap approach with power potential, rhythm involved. Generates easy, fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through with quick footwork, steady hands, clean exchanges, long crow-hop. Short arm action, arm speeds through a high ¾ slot, throws topped 82 mph from the outfield. Present foot speed, 7.07 runner in the 60.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Dominic Coda, OF, Joliet Catholic, 2022
5-foot-9, 140-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, athletic build. Hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, leg kick trigger, maintains control through contact. Short, level barrel path, uphill at times, hit line drives to all fields, fluid rhythm throughout, repeats. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively, natural actions, plays through the ball with fluid footwork, hands work, long to release. Short arm action, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws topped 79 mph from the outfield. Present foot speed, 7.12 runner in the 60.
Brian Donlea, C/INF/OF, Barrington, 2021
6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong-bodied, multi-positional prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short leg-kick trigger and swings with intent and effort. Long path, powerful approach and registered an exit velocity of 84 mph from a tee. Defensively, worked out behind the plate, on the infield and in the outfield. Behind the plate, reliable hands, quick release, short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 75 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.20-2.26. From the outfield, throws topped at 84 mph and on the infield throws clocked at 73 mph. 7.51 runner in the 60.
Grant Fowler, INF/OF/RHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2021
6-foot-1, 157-pound, long and lean, multi-positional prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, pull approach and registered a 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out in the infield and in the outfield. On the infield, quick release, short arm action from a high ¾ to ¾ slot and throws clocked at 66 mph across the diamond. In the outfield, works through the baseball, clean transfer and throws topped at 71 mph. 7.91 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, slight tall and fall delivery, works online down the mound and lands slightly front toe closed. Short arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight, slight running action on occasion, sat 69-71 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-62 mph. Changeup, ranged between 56-62 mph.
Jacob Furmanek, OF/RHP, Thornton Fractional, 2021
5-foot-11, 140-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, lanky frame. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, hands load back, short stride. Long bat path, stays level, middle of the field approach, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively plays deep, exchanges are clean, loose arm action, full arm swing, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph from the outfield. 7.64 runner in the 60. On the mound, short side step to compact balance point, foot lands square to home, some recoil at release. Arm plays long, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball played straight, 70-71 mph, topped 73 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, early break with arm speed, 55-59 mph. Changeup, maintained arm speed, 66-67 mph. Slider played 56-59 mph.
Paul Gilmore, OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2021
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder. At the plate, tall, balanced setup, hands bar back, slight drop, short stride. Bat path is uphill, level at times, strong hands with occasional line drive pop, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively fields ball out front, long exchange, pats glove. Arm action is long, full swing, high ¾ slot, throws topped 73 mph from the outfield. 7.50 runner in the 60.
Bobby Guy, OF, Springfield Southeast, 2022
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder. At the plate, balance setup, minimal stride, long leg kick trigger. Short, level bat path, rhythm in swing, exit velocity topped 77 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, plays through the ball, steady hands, clean exchanges. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 70 mph from the outfield. 7.46 runner in the 60.
Nicholas Heerde, C/INF/OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2021
5-foot-6, 140-pound, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, line-drive approach and looks to control the barrel. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out behind the plate, on the infield and in the outfield. On the infield, steady defender, works through the baseball, reliable hands, loose, quick arm, clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. In the outfield, body control, plays through the baseball and throws topped at 76 mph. Behind the plate, quick transfer, short, over-the-top arm action, and throws clocked at 70 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.26-2.34. Ran a 7.95 60.
Eric Lopez, OF, Curie, 2021
5-foot-6, 128-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lanky frame. At the plate, balanced setup, hands start high and slightly load back, short toe tap trigger. Barrel path is level and long, works the middle of the field, exit velocity topped 72 mph from a tee. Defensively, long exchange with hand pack, long arm action, full swing, high ¾ slot, throws topped 66 mph from the outfield. 7.76 runner in the 60.
Max McCallum, OF, Metea Valley, 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, athletic frame. At the plate, athletic, crouched setup, quiet hands with slight load back, short stride, maintains control. Level barrel path with fluid rhythm through contact, uphill at times, line drive hitter, middle/pull approach, exit velocity topped 77 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, plays through the baseball with steady hands, clean exchange. Arm plays short and loose, clean, high ¾ slot, throws topped 74 mph from the outfield. 7.69 runner in the 60.
Matthew Peterson, OF/RHP, Mundelein, 2021
5-foot-11, 140-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, wiry frame. At the plate, tall setup, drop/bar load, leg kick trigger. Uphill path, hands are strong, gets inside the baseball, works middle of the field, exit velocity topped 77 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball, clean exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 74 mph from the outfield. 7.62 runner in the 60. On the mound, high knee lift balance, lands cross bodied, recoil at finish. Short arm action, hides on back side, high ¾ slot, some effort involved. Fastball, played up, 71-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 64-65 mph. Changeup played 67-69 mph.
Robert Hunter Woods, OF/LHP, Moline, 2021
5-foot-8, 125-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, high-waisted, lanky frame. Defensively plays through the ball with confidence, fields in rhythm, fluid footwork, soft hands, quick exchange. Clean, athletic arm action, pays loose out of a high ¾ slot, throws topped 71 mph from the outfield. At the plate, balanced setup, hands load down and back, short toe tap trigger. Long, uphill barrel path, occasional line drive contact, rhythm in swing, exit velocity topped 76 mph from a tee. 7.33 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall balance point, shoulders close, works slightly across body, some rhythm involved. Arm plays short, over the top slot, regular effort. Fastball, mostly straight, run at times, 69-70 mph, topped 71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 gradual break, 53-57 mph. Changeup, faded with arm speed, 62-64 mph. Slider played 57-61 mph.