By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The early signing period is less than a month away for this year’s senior class, and while the recruiting process in baseball has sped up significantly over the past few years, there are always quality players left on the board this time of year. This year is no different.

We recently updated our Class of 2016 rankings and have begun to take a look at the top ranked uncommitted seniors by position group. Today we take a look at some of the top uncommitted outfielders from the 2016 class.

Name: Jaren Shelby
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
High School: Tates Creek
State Ranking: 3
Scouting Report: At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Shelby is put together well with a strong and athletic frame. The younger brother to Javon Shelby, a junior infielder for Kentucky, he has quick hands and generates lift in his swing with good power. He runs well with good arm strength and likely projects as a corner outfielder at the next level. Shelby could draw significant draft interest. What he does in terms of commitment to a school remains to be seen.

Name: Tucker Greer
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200
High School: West Jessamine
State Ranking: 24
Scouting Report: (6/16/15) 6-foot-5, 200-pounds, athletic frame with room to get stronger, left-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, level swing path, line drive type hitter who likes to go the opposite way, uses speed well in his game from the left side, 79 mph exit velocity, 4.23 home to first but saw even better times at state tournament, went 3-for-4 in game play with a bunt single and infield hit. Athletic actions in the outfield, plays through the ball, high-3/4 release with plus arm strength, 89 mph with carry and accurate throws, good combination of size, speed and arm strength.

Name: Brett Slusher
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
High School: Beechwood
State Ranking: 37
Scouting Report: (6/17/15) 6-foot-2, 185-pound, athletic right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, good balance, line drive hitter with pull-side power, impressive round of BP, generates bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity,has good speed, 4.25 down the line, went 1-for-3 with an infield single and line out hard to left field. Athletic outfielder with quick feet, plays through the ball well, showed 80 mph velocity from a long high-3/4 release, most throws accurate to the bag, has room to fill out and continue to develop power in offensive game.

Name: Jackson Boggs
Height: 6-0
Weight: 160
High School: Lafayette
State Ranking: 42
Scouting Report: (6/16/15) 6-foot, 160-pounds, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, generates good bat speed, short swing path with extension through contact, line drive type hitter with gap to gap approach, good round of BP with consistent line drives, ran 4.37 down the line, improved 86 mph exit velocity, went 0-for-4 in game play. Defensively, plays through the ball well with quick/athletic feet, long high-3/4 release, 88 mph velocity with carry, very accurate throws to the bag, showed improved measurables across the board.

Name: Jaxson Blair
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
High School: Lexington Christian Academy
State Ranking: 50
Scouting Report: (7/23/14) 6-foot, 155-pound prospect shows good athleticism, ran 6.86 60-yard dash, 83 mph tee exit velocity.  Hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, maintains good balance, line drive type hitter, offensive game will improve with additional strength.  Defensively, showed well as both an outfielder and infielder, moves well in the outfield and plays through the baseball with athletic actions, accurate throws to the third base bag with online carry, 84 mph arm.  In the infield, good footwork and lateral movement, soft hands, accurate arm at 79 mph across the diamond, went 0-for-3 in game play, athletic prospect.

Name: John Millay
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
High School: Meade County
State Ranking: 60
Scouting Report: (8/2/15) 6-foot-1, 170-pound right handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, line drive type hitter with level swing path and gap to gap approach, 83 mph exit velocity off the tee (has been up to 88), ran a solid 7.13 60-yard dash. Displays athletic outfield actions, fluid footwork and plays through the ball well, good set up on fly balls, long high-3/4 release with good arm strength, 87 mph velocity with carry, continues to show a solid overall game.

Name: Seth Johnson
Height: 6-1
Weight: 160
High School: Franklin-Simpson
State Ranking: 72
Scouting Report: (2/14/15) 6-foot-1, 160-pound prospect, right-handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance, gets to square with a short stride, has a slight wrap in load, generates bat speed with some hand quickness, line drive type hitter with potential to develop gap to gap power, 87 mph exit velocity, ran a 7.16 60-yard dash. Defensively, plays through the ball well with athletic actions, good footwork, clean exchange, long high-3/4 arm action, good arm strength at 87 mph with carry, interesting prospect with athleticism and arm strength.
**It should be noted that Johnson’s performance at the Fall Prospect Games on Oct. 11, specifically as a RHP, will move him up significantly in the 2016 rankings**

Name: Alex Bibb
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230
High School: Central Hardin
State Ranking: 84
Scouting Report: (8/2/15) 6-foot-3,230-pound right-handed hitter showed some of the best power at the event, hits from a balanced stance, loads back with front foot and has an aggressive stride, swing creates some lift, launched a long home run to left-center in his round, 88 mph exit velocity off the tee, ran a 7.27 60-yard dash. Shows good athleticism for size, plays through the ball, has a short over the top release with quick/clean exchange, solid arm strength at 84 mph with good carry, has potential to be a power bat at the next level.

Name: Conner Kreeger
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
High School: Highlands
State Ranking: 90
Scouting Report: (8/2/15) 6-foot-1, 170-pound right handed hitter hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, maintains good balance, has a direct swing path and generates solid bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee, line drive type hitter with gap power potential, runs well, 6.86 60-yard dash. Athletic outfielder with good instincts, attacks the ball well on the ground, good set up on fly balls, long over the top release with carry to throws, accurate arm with 80 mph velocity. Solid overall player.

Name: Seth Richardson
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160
High School: Madison Central
State Ranking: 91
Scouting Report: (8/2/15) 5-foot-10, 160-pound right handed hitter hits from an open stance and gets to square with a short stride, short swing path, line drive type hitter, impressed in BP using all fields well, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee, ran an event best 6.83 60-yard dash. Shows good outfield instincts and plays though the ball well athleticism, good set up and catches fly balls moving towards target, accurate arm, 78 mph velocity with some carry.