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Class of 2015 Games: Outfield Analysis

September 1, 2014

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

The Kansas Class of 2015 Games took place on Wednesday, August 6th at Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kansas.  This first-ever event featured a number of the top uncommitted seniors from across the state.

There were several two-way players (pitcher + position player) at this event, but keep in mind that the evaluations below are based on the position player side only. 

Below are the scouting reports on the outfielders that participated in the event.  The talent level among the outfielders was as deep as we’ve seen in an event with a balanced mix of left- and right-handed hitters, players with high current skill levels as well as projectable athletes.  A very high percentage of this group is on track to play college baseball.

Many of the outfielders improved their stock with their performance at this event which will be reflected when we publish our next updated and expanded class of 2015 rankings later this month. 

Click on the player's headline link to be directed to their profile with video from their performance at this event.

Top prospects

1. Nate Crossman, OF, Derby, 2015
Crossman is a strong, very athletic 6-foot, 190-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  Athletic set-up and wide, inline stance at the plate.  No stride, minimal hand load, short swing, level bat path, strong hands, fast bat, explosive lower half, maintains balance throughout and finishes with extension.  Middle of the field approach.  Exit velocity 87 mph, 4.21 home to first base time – second best mark among right-hand hitters at the event.  Collected one hit in the game.  During outfield work showed quick, athletic footwork.  Clean exchanges, easy high three-quarters throwing motion, 79 mph outfield throwing velocity.  Impressive athlete and baseball prospect. 

2. Aaron Dees, OF, Burlington, 2015
Dees is a strong, athletic-framed 6-foot, 185-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  Balanced set up at the plate, slightly open stance, smooth backward hand load, inline stride, level bat path, upper half dominant swing, delivers barrel out in front with ease, maintains balance throughout, middle of field approach, easy swing with leverage and bat speed.  89 exit velocity, 4.25 home to first base from the left side.  Athletic footwork in the outfield, quick exchanges, easy high three-quarters arm action, arm works.  82 throwing velocity.  Impressive left-hand hitting outfield prospect that does everything on the field with athleticism and ease.

3. Austin Hoegerl, OF, Blue Valley Southwest, 2015
Hoegerl is a strong 5-foot-10, 180-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  In batting practice showed a tall set-up, wide inline stance, no stride, minimal hand load, short bat path, fast bat, hand strength, repeats swing and maintains balance throughout.  Advanced line drive, gap-to-gap approach.  88 exit velocity, 4.50 home to first base from the right side.  Hit a double and triple in the game, has understanding of the strike zone – lays off borderline pitches and attacking strikes.  Moved around well and showed quick hands in the outfield, quick, high three-quarters arm action, arm works, 85 throwing velocity.  One of the top right-handed hitters in the state in the 2015 class.

4. Chaz Burgess, OF, Olathe North, 2015
Burgess is a physical 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  Offensively showed an athletic set-up, inline stance, backward hand load, level path, aggressive swing with bat speed, slight pull approach with power.  One hit in the game.  Exit velocity 89 mph, third best mark in camp.  4.37 home to first base from the left side.  In the outfield has fluid footwork, attacks the ball, clean exchanges, short high three-quarters motion, plays through the ball, throws have carry, all strong accurate throws.  87 mph throwing velocity, top position velocity at the event.  Left-handed bat with power projection. 

5. Joel Spain, OF, Lawrence Free State, 2015
Spain is an athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  Tall set-up, inline stance, no stride, minimal hand load, level bat path, strong hands, lower half works, fast bat, line drive approach.  Simple, repeatable swing.  Exit velocity 87 mph, 4.22 home to first base from the right side – one of the fastest in camp.  Also ran two sub-4.30 home to first base times in the game.  In the outfield showed athletic footwork, quick exchanges, loose high three-quarters throwing motion. Throwing velocity 86 mph – one of the top marks in camp.  Athlete with impressive tools.

6. Nathan Reeder, OF, Shawnee Mission Northwest, 2015
Reeder is a strong 5-foot-10, 180-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  At the plate has an athletic set-up, open stance, smooth hand load, inline stride, level to slightly uphill bat path, lower half works, delivers barrel out in front with bat speed, extension through the baseball.  Line drive, gap-to-gap approach.  91 exit velocity – top mark of left-hand hitters at the event, ran a 4.29 home to first base.  In the outfield attacked the ball, quick feet, clean exchanges, quick high three-quarters arm action, arm works, worked through the baseball, all flat accurate throws, throwing velocity 83 mph. 

7. Ty Herrenbruck, OF/3B, Olathe East, 2015
Herrenbruck is a physical and athletic 6-foot, 205-pound outfielder/third baseman.  Balanced set up at the plate, inline stance, no stride, smooth backward hand load, level bat path, bat speed, extension through the baseball, maintains balance throughout.  Very simple, repeatable swing, gap-to-gap approach with some juice.  87 exit velocity, 4.43 home to first base time from the right side.  In the outfield showed athletic actions, made clean exchanges and worked through the ball.  Long, high three-quarter arm action, throwing velocity 82 mph.  At third base fielded everything cleanly and made all accurate throws, top throwing velocity 78 mph. 

8. Chase Redick, OF, Shawnee Mission North, 2015
Redick is a 6-foot, 155-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  Offensively has an athletic set-up, inline stance, smooth load, slight hand drop, level bat path, lower half works, maintained balance throughout.  Bat projects - lacks current strength but has a solid gap-to-gap approach built to hit for high average and power as he develops physically.  81 exit velocity, 4.28 from the right side – one of the best times in camp.  Collected a single and triple in the game.  In the outfield attacked the ball, used good angles, quick feet, quick exchanges, high three-quarters slot, arm works, worked through the ball well.  82 mph outfield throwing velocity. 

Best of the rest (listed alphabetically) 

Jake Bradbury, OF, Fort Scott, 2015
Bradbury is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  At the plate showed a balanced set-up, closed stance, slight crouch timing mechanism pre-stride, strides closed, fluid hand load, short middle-oppo line drive swing.  Exit velocity 73 mph, 4.50 home to first base from the left side, 2-for-4 in the game.  Athletic footwork in the outfield, clean exchanges, three-quarters arm slot, top outfield throw clocked at 73 mph. 

Thomas Elms, OF/SS, Blue Valley Northwest, 2015
Elms is a thin, athletic 6-foot, 150-pound right-hand hitting outfielder and shortstop.  At the plate showed an athletic set-up, slightly open stance, inline stride, no hand load, level swing, balance throughout with extension through the baseball.  Slight pull approach.  78 exit velocity, 4.25 home to first base from the right side – one of the top marks in camp.  Collect one hit in the game and stole a base.  In the outfield showed quick, athletic actions, arm works, high three-quarters arm action, 79 throwing velocity.  In the infield has athletic actions, sure-handed, high three-quarters arm action, 77 throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws.  Very athletic player with plenty of room to fill out.

Jonathan Felix, 1B/OF, Blue Valley Northwest HS, 2015
Felix is a 6-foot, 200-pound left-hand hitting first baseman/outfielder.  At the plate showed a tall set-up, slightly open stance, strides in line, easy line drive approach, loose hands, bat speed, maintains balance throughout.  Exit velocity 90 – third best mark in camp.  4.46 home to first base.  1-for-3 in the game.  In the outfield attacked the ball, clean exchanges, easy high-three quarters arm action, 79 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws.  At first base showed quick hands, easy high three-quarters arm action, 79 mph throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws. 

Casey Garner, OF, Bluestem, 2015
Garner is an athletic 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  At the plate has a balanced set-up, slightly open stance, leg kick, strides inline, drops hands in load, short bat path, oppo approach.  82 exit velocity.  Impressive strength for slender-framed athlete.  4.13 home to first base, fastest time at the event.  Showed quick feet and clean exchanges in the outfield.  Long, uphill throwing motion, three-quarters slot, throwing velocity 80 mph. 

Jesse Hutmacher, OF, Olathe Northwest, 2015
Hutmacher is a 5-foot-8, 160-pound left-hand hitting outfielder.  At the plate showed an athletic set-up, open stance, strides in line, smooth hand load, short bat path, easy swing, oppo approach.  83 exit velocity.  Collect one hit in the game.  In the outfield showed athletic footwork, clean exchanges, loose three-quarters throwing motion, arm works, 79 mph throwing velocity.

Kyle Klomfahs, OF, Olathe Northwest, 2015
Klomfahs is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  Tall set-up, open stance at the plate.  Pre-set inline stride and hand load.  Level bat path, bat speed, upper half dominant swing, slight pull approach, short finish.  Top exit velocity in camp at 93 mph, ran a 4.53 home to first base.  In the outfield showed loose high three-quarters arm action, throws had carry, throwing velocity clocked at 87 mph – highest of the outfield group at the event, mostly accurate throws.  Klomfahs has a projectable frame and tools to match. 

Michael Valdivia, OF, Bishop Miege, 2015
Valdivia is an athletic 5-foot-8, 160-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  Has a tall set-up at the plate, inline stance, strides slightly closed, smooth hand load, level bat path, strong hands, maintains balance throughout.  Line drive, gap-to-gap approach with surprising power.  79 exit velocity, 4.33 home to first base from the right side.  Quick hands and feet in the outfield.  Long high three-quarters throwing motion, all accurate throws.  Very athletic player.

Tripp Wright, OF, Lawrence Free State, 2015
Wright is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-hand hitting outfielder.  Tall set-up at the plate, inline stance, short inline stride, backward hand load, easy line drive swing, middle-oppo approach.  81 exit velocity, 4.36 home to first base from the right side.  In the outfield showed fluid footwork, clean exchanges, quick arm, high three-quarters throwing motion, 83 mph throwing velocity.

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