Kenosha Preseason I.D.: Outfielder Analysis
February 12, 2019
On Jan. 26, the PBR Wisconsin team held its first showcase of 2019, the Kenosha Preseason I.D., at Fielder’s Choice Training Academy, in Kenosha, Wis. For the past two years now, this event has been revealed to us some of the most talented prospects in the Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois areas, and this year might have yielded the showcase’s most talented crop yet.
Last week, we published both our Quick Hits story, as well as our Statistical Analysis from the Kenosha event. Today we’ll continue our position-by-position analysis, after covering the showcase’s catchers yesterday, with the outfielders up next.
Among the state’s toolsiest and top ranked outfielders without a commitment landed at the front of this group’s rankings: Jack Heiring (Christian Life). The two-way talent put together one of the day’s best rounds of batting practice, displaying hard gap-to-gap contact, complemented by a natural feel for defense.
Two uncommitted freshmen slotted back-to-back on the rankings below: Ethan Clark (Lakes Community, IL) and Remmi Sweet (Union Grove). Both presented us with high ceilings, especially in the batter’s box.
Lastly, there’s uncommitted junior Jacob Bimbi, from Crystal Lake South in Illinois. He likely turned the most heads with his performance. While he projected best on the mound for us on this day, he still offers a ton of value at the plate and on defense.
Continue on below for a look at the ranked prospects, as well as each and every outfielder who came out to Fielder’s Choice to participate in the first showcase of the year. Tomorrow, we’ll bring to you the reports on each of the event’s infielders.
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Jack Heiring, OF/LHP, Christian Life, 2020
6-foot-4, 180-pound outfielder, highly projectable frame, lean build, trim waist, loose live levers. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, crouched setup, short stride, solid balance through contact. Confident presence in the box, hitterish approach, path is short and quick to the baseball, gap to gap contact, hard off the bat. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Loose light footed defender, attacks the baseball and plays through in stride, natural actions. Arm is short and loose, over the top slot, 89 mph from the outfield. Delivery works slightly across his body, lands closed, athletic finish. Arm action is loose and over the top. Throws a four seam and two seam fastball, both ranged similar velocity, 78-82 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 67-70 mph.
2. Ethan Clark, OF/INF/RHP, Lakes Community (IL), 2022
6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player, high ceiling prospect with long slender frame, loose lively levers. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, wide setup, leg lift trigger. Creates leverage and bat speed, loose aggressive swing with intent, path has some length, extension through contact, gap to gap contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.51 runner down the line. Defensively showed best in the outfield, long rangy footwork played through the baseball in stride. Arm played 84 mph from the outfield and 80 mph across the infield, loose high ¾ slot. Arm works well on the mound, easy arm speed, short draw, loose out front. Fastball showed feel for the zone, topped at 79 mph, sat 77-78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 62-65 mph. Changeup sinks, 66-67 mph, thrown near fastball arm speed.
3. Remmi Sweet, OF, Union Grove, 2022
5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder, athletic build with strength, quick twitch athlete. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg lift stride, occasional lunge to front foot contact, solid balance throughout. Bat speed present on level path, line drive contact, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensive actions play quick, attacks the baseball and plays aggressively through it, fields out in front. 4.18 runner in the 60. Arm action is plays out of a high ¾ slot, 82 mph from the outfield.
4. Adam Pottinger, OF/LHP, Deerfield (IL), 2020
6-foot, 170-pound left/left two-way player, lean strength. Hits from a slightly open stance, loads hands back, strides back to even, good balance. Showed bat speed and athleticism, hard contact at times. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively attacks the baseball, plays through well with fluid footwork. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 89 mph from the outfield, showed carry. 4.19 runner home to first. On the mound arm plays long from a high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed run and sink, 78-80 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, occasionally sharp, 71-72 mph. Changeup sinks, near fastball arm speed, 72-75 mph.
5. Jacob Bimbi, LHP/OF, Crystal Lake South (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 148-pound two-way player, lean athletic frame. Showed best on the mound, full windup delivery, in rhythm, slightly across his body, showed best feel from the stretch. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run action, showed control, 85-87 mph, touched 88 mph. Slider showed best out of the stretch, 2/8 sweeping action, 73-76 mph. Changeup fades, near fastball arm speed, feel for the zone, 71-73 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, loads hands back, short stride, good balance through contact. Flashed bat speed, line drive middle-opposite field contact. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Plus arm for age from the outfield, 91 mph, long high ¾ slot, showed carry. Plays through the baseball, crowhop to release. 4.23 runner home to first.
6. Caden Davis, OF, Antioch (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 160-pound outfielder, wiry frame, wide shoulder, projectable build. Left-handed hitter, tall open setup, short stride, quiet setup. Confident approach, short level path, found consistent barrels, on top of the baseball. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is long, lower slot, ¾ window, 79 mph from the outfield. Clean exchange, works through the baseball. 4.44 runner in the 60.
7. Andrew Hrncar, OF, Westosha Central, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, solid build. Slightly closed setup, short stride, keeps it simple. Easy bat strength, pull side approach, hard contact to pull side. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long, high ¾ slot, 77 mph from the outfield. Actions play deep at times, clean exchange, works through to release. 4.26 runner home to first.
8. Jonathan Brau, OF, Burlington, 2021
6-foot-1, 168-pound outfielder, lean projectable frame. Right-handed hitter, closed stance, loads hands back, short stride, average balance. Whippy levers create loose bat speed, middle of the field approach. Line drive contact, flashed hard contact off the bat. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long out of a high ¾ slot, 81 mph from the outfield. Actions play through the baseball, clean exchange, fluid footwork. 4.61 home to first.
9. Tyler Chron, RHP/OF, Glenbrook North (IL), 2020
6-foot-3, 165-pound two-way player, lean build. On the mound delivery is deliberate, one piece, lands squared and on line, rotational finish. Arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed run to arm side, sat 82-83 mph. Curveball has gradual 11/5 shape, 61-64 mph. Straight changeup plays 70-74 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup with quick leg kick trigger. Slight pull side approach, level swing, front foot hitter at times. 95 mph exit velocity form the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, plays through the baseball, 84 mph arm from the outfield. 4.47 runner home to first.
10. Kaileb Lyon, OF/RHP, Tremper, 2021
6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, reverse toe tap stride, linear lower half. Long levers creates bat speed, slightly uphill with extension, front foot hitter at times. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.76 runner home to first. Defensive actions attack the baseball, aggressive through the baseball, quick actions. Arm action plays over the top, long and loose, 83 mph from the outfield. On the mound delivery has deception, straight back rocker, tucked balance position. Arm action plays over the top. Fastball played 77-78 mph, showed tilt working bottom of the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, occasional late action, 67-71 mph. Changeup played firm, 72-73 mph.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Sam Arnold, OF/RHP, Maine West (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound two-way player, proportional build, sloped shoulders. Right-handed hitter, open stance, long stride. Path flattens out and stays level, some length. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action plays long, over the top slot, 83 mph from the outfield. Step behind transfer, long level exchange. 4.55 runner in the 60. On the mound arm action is long and works over the top. Fastball is mostly straight, 77-78 mph , touched 79 mph. Slider worked 64-68 mph, downer shape. Changeup has slight sink, 69-71 mph.
Nathan Benske, OF/RHP, Geneseo (IL), 2021
6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, wide setup, toe tap stride, average balance. Flashed hard contact, path has some length and extension. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 79 mph from the outfield. Defensive actions play methodical through the baseball. 4.93 runner home to first. Tal and fall delivery, regular effort, closed toe landing. Arm action is long and firm, over the top slot. Fastball is straight, 73-75 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 64-66 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 68-73 mph.
Logan Foote, OF, Lakes Community (IL), 2021
6-foot-1, 150-pound outfielder, long lanky frame. Right-handed hitter, wide stance, short stride, minimal lower half. Path is long, works to lift the baseball, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot, 72 mph from the outfield. Actions played through the baseball, crowhop to release. 4.83 runner in the 60.
Kaleb Kinna, OF/LHP, Janesville Craig, 2020
6-foot-3, 195-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, strides to even. Path work with some length, pull side approach, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at a corner outfield spot, deliberate exchange into a long over the top arm action, 71 mph from the outfield. 4.58 runner home to first. On the mound delivery works slightly to open side, finishes third base side. Long arm action, over the top slot. Fastball is straight, 70-72 mph, touched 73 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 61-62 mph. Changeup sinks, near fastball arm speed, 64-66 mph.
Ben Massoglia, OF/RHP, Bradford, 2021
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player, lean build. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, short stride, loads hands back into arm bar. Path sweeps uphill, some length. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays long from the outfield, high ¾ slot, 79 mph. 4.61 runner home to first. On the mound works uptempo and on line. Arm plays similar, long and high ¾. Fastball topped at 79 mph, sat 77-78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 70-71 mph. Changeup showed fade, 73-76 mph, near fastball arm speed.
Kyle Mitchell, RHP/OF, Westosha Central, 2021
5-foot-9, 165-pound two-way player, average build. On the mound delivery is easy and low effort, tall and fall type, lands square, closed toe, in rhythm. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 78-81 mph, topped at 82 mph. Curveball has gradual 11/5 shape, 65-67 mph. Changeup sinks to arm side, 69-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short lifted stride, repeatable swing. Path is short and level through contact, line drive type. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long out of high ¾ slot, 85 mph from the outfield. Actions play through the baseball, fluid footwork, 4.58 runner home to first.
Johnny Pecora, OF, Barrington (IL), 2020
6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder, lanky projectable frame. Right-handed hitter, balance setup, loads hands back with toe tap stride. Path is level, showed bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensive actions setup deliberately to play through the baseball, shuffles through release, clean transfer. Arm played 83 mph from the outfield. 4.58 runner home to first.
Finn Pressl, OF, Deerfield (IL), 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound outfielder, strong stocky build, corner outfield profile. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, on the dish, short stride, loads hands back. Bat strength present, short level path. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced outfield arm, played at 86 mph, short over the top slot, crowhops through release. 4.50 runner in the 60.
Jack Seefeldt, OF, Kenosha Bradford, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound outfielder, strong build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, slightly crouched, loads hands back with leg lift trigger, good balance through contact. Path works slightly uphill, short level swing, occasional extension. Some pull side tendency and bat strength. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and over the top, 79 mph from the outfield. Plays through the baseball, clean exchange. 4.40 runner down the line.
Jeffery Stanish, OF/RHP, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2020
6-foot, 160-pound two-way player, lean build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Path has length, gets extension, slight pull side approach. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensive actions work with deliberate crohop through the baseball. Arm action is long and over the top, 78 mph from the outfield. 4.87 runner home to first. On the mound arm works long, high ¾ slot. Fastball played 77-78 mph, mostly straight. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 68-69 mph. Changeup played with fade and sink, 74 mph.