By Illinois Scouting Staff

Today we continue our roll out of the analysis from the Underclass Trials with the top outfield prospects. 2020 Isaiah Coupet took home the top spot showing off a fluid stroke at the plate and advanced arm strength from the outfield. 2021 OF/LHP Ryan Kraft is an incoming freshman to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Top Prospects

1. Isaiah Coupet, LHP/OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm and an uphill swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.41. Defensively has fluid, athletic actions with a clean exchange. Moves well in the outfield. Short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 85 mph. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with good tempo. Fastball flashed slight running action at 76-77 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with occasional depth at 63-64 mph for strikes. Changeup has sinking action at 66-67 mph. 

2. Nicolas Palermo, OF, St. Ignatius, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. Posted the second best 60 yard dash of the event at 6.80. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a low hand set. Deep leg kick stride with a collapse on the backside. Generates strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a long exchange. Threw 82 mph from the outfield.

3. Riggs Wilkinson, OF, Morton, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride and fair balance. Line drive hitter with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.42. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and soft hands. Threw 82 mph from the outfield.

4. Christopher Clarke, OF/1B, Lyons, 2020
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting OF/1B with a lanky, athletic frame. Ran the 60 yard dash at 6.92. At the plate hits from a closed, balanced setup with a short, leg lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield and 74 mph across the infield.

5. Ben Gerl, LHP/1B/OF, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
5-foot-11, 158-pound left-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick arm action. Tall and fall hybrid delivery with a closed landing. Fastball sat 77-78 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with occasional depth at 60-62 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 67-71 mph for strikes. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull, power approach with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 7.77. Took drills in both the infield and outfield. Loose arm action, throws show carry. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 75 mph across the infield and 77 mph from the outfield. 

6. Sam Mattecheck, OF/RHP, Alleman Catholic, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with an athletic frame. Offensively hits from a tall setup with a leg kick stride and fair balance. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.06. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a quick exchange. Threw 81 mph from the outfield. 

7. Andrew Pogue, RHP/OF, Dunlap, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick, loose arm action. Drop and drive, slow paced delivery with a closed toe landing. Fastball was straight at 80-82 topping out at 83 mph for strikes. Curveball has 12-6 shape with early breaking action at 68-70 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape at 74-75 mph. Interesting arm to follow, will continue to improve as he learns to repeat his delivery. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride and long swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.34. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange. Threw 85 mph from the outfield.

8. Jack Shields, OF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a leg lift stride and good balance. Line drive gap to gap hitter with a short, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.53. Defensively has a loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 78 mph.

9. Ethan Laria, LHP/OF, Burlington Central, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Open landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball was straight at 72-73 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with gradual action at 57-60 mph. Changeup has fading action at 65-67 mph. At the plate hits from a narrow, open setup with a short stride. Short, uphill swing path. Opposite field hitter. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.20. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

10. Cecil Archbold, OF, Homewood Flossmoor, 2020
6-foot, 174-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with a lanky, athletic frame. Ran the 60 yard dash at 6.92. At the plate hits from a crouched setup with a heel lift stride and early rhythm. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with a level swing path. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jonathan Berry, RHP/OF, Rock Island Alleman, 2019
5-foot-5, 165-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some effort. Smooth, uptempo delivery with good balance. Fastball has sinking action at 79-80 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape with sharp breaking action at 68-70 mph for strikes. Showed feel for changeup with sinking action at 74-77 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. Pull hitter with a short swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.01. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with slower actions. Threw 82 mph from the outfield.

Brandon Besch, OF, Huntley, 2020
5-foot-9, 140-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits form a narrow, slightly open setup. Short, even stride with average balance. Long, level swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.27. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 74 mph from the outfield.

Vince Borrelli, RHP/OF, Andrew, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a strong frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Closed landing with some rhythm. Fastball was straight at 79-81 topping out at 82 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 63-64 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 71-73 mph. At the plate hits from a closed setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull hitter with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29. Defensively has  along arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with quick footwork. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 84 mph. 

Luke Fisher, OF, Geneva, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate hits from an open, spread out stance. Short, even stride with fair balance. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.59. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

Michael Gattuso, OF, St. Charles North, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 6.95 60 yard dash. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and stiff rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from a low ¾ arm slot. Threw 71 mph from the outfield. 

Ryan Kraft, LHP/OF, Lincoln-Way Central, 2021
6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Smooth delivery working in line with home plate. Repeats well with good balance. Fastball has slight running action at 77-78 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape with sharp breaking action at 64-67 mph for strikes. Changeup has sinking action at 71-73 mph. High level arm to follow moving forward. At the plate this from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Short, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.11. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and soft hands. Accurate throws from the outfield at 73 mph.

Simon Lane, RHP/OF, Hinsdale Central, 2019
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Works in line with home plate. Square landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball has running action at 76-78 topping out at 79 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape at 64-69 mph for strikes. Changeup has sinking action at 68-72 mph for strikes. Offensively hits from a tall, open setup. Leg lift stride with a drop load and uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.45. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 80 mph from the outfield.

Anthony Lenza, OF, Andrew, 2020
5-foot-6, 130-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a heel lift stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with a long swing path. 67 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.81. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic actions with a clean exchange and soft hands. Accurate throws from the outfield at 74 mph.

Anthony Nalbono, OF, South Elgin, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride and long, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.61. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 68 mph from the outfield. 

Billy Pindozzo, OF, De La Salle, 2019
6-foot-1, 150-pound right-handed hitting left-handed throwing outfielder. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. Short, uphill swing path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.83. Defensively has a short arm action. Threw 61 mph from the outfield.

Rylee Porter, RHP/OF, Charleston, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball has running action at 68-69 topping out at 70 mph. Curveball sat 56-59 mph. Slows arm on changeup, eephus type action at 56-57 mph. At the plate hits from a tall setup with a leg kick stride. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.87.  Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 69 mph from the outfield.

Sammy Sabatello, OF, Barrington, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a high hand set. Pull hitter with a level swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.24. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Clean exchange, throws showed carry from the outfield at 81 mph.

Adam Snedden, OF, Princeville, 2019
5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran an event best 6.69 60 yard dash. At the plate hits from a tall, narrow setup. Opposite field hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Quick, clean exchange. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. 

Michael Vaca, SS/OF, Bartlett, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting SS/OF with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a stiff drop load and tow tap stride. Short, uphill swing path. Generates good bat speed. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.49. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Defensive tools play better in the outfield, fluid footwork with athletic actions. Threw 79 mph from the outfield and 80 mph across the infield.

Rob Zagorski, RHP/OF, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball has running action at 80-81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 57-60 mph. Changeup sat 64-67 mph. At the plate hits from a tall setup with an arm bar load and toe tap stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.68. Defensively has a long arm action with slow actions. Threw 74 mph from the outfield.

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