By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

Continuing our coverage of the Milwaukee Preseason I.D. the outfield analysis is led by freshman Louisville commit Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West, 2018). As just a freshman Kelenic put up some of the best numbers at the event and will continue to progress. Junior T.D. Walker (Milwaukee Lutheran, 2016) came in next, his arm and bat both showed improvements since last seeing him and Walker looks to be a high follow this year. Illinois commit Cyrillo Watson (South Milwaukee, 2016) followed up the top two, still rehabbing a non-throwing arm injury Watson did not take part in the offensive evaluations and still proved to be one of the top prospects.

Here’s a look at the top 10 outfield prospects.

Scouting reports by Steve Nielsen and Matt Huck

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West, 2018
Verbally committed to Louisville. 6-foot, 165-pound left-handed outfielder, athletic frame already shows lean strength, advanced build for his age. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, lower half works, excellent balance through contact. Athletic setup, looks “hitterish” in the box, has a presence. Easy bat speed, stays on top of the baseball, explosive bat speed for age, gets extension, gap to gap approach. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed natural actions in the outfield. Proper footwork, plays through the baseball well, hands are soft, exchange is clean, high level defender. 6.90 runner in the 60, laser timed. Plus arm strength for age, 88 mph from the outfield, high ¾ arm slot, showed carry. Kelenic is a high follow in the 2018 and continues to be amongst the top prospects in the state.

2. T.D. Walker, OF, Milwaukee Lutheran, 2016
6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder, long lanky projectable frame, lean build, loose athlete. Defensively showed advanced arm strength (89 mph), arm played even better than velo, stayed online and carried well, high accurate, over the top slot, quick arm and release. Attacks the ball well, advanced actions playing through the baseball, quick clean exchange, feet work well, gets through the ball quickly. 7.28 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, very balanced, mechanically sound. Good approach, has a presence in the box, excellent bat speed, some pull side tendencies with occasional pop, loose hands work well. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Like his upside, easy athlete with projectable frame.

3. Cyrillo Watson, OF/RHP, South Milwaukee, 2016
Illinois commit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound,  right-handed hitting utility player. In the outfield showed a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Life and carry from the outfield. Played thru the ball with quick, fluid footwork. Athletic actions and soft hands. Threw 92 mph from the outfield. At 3B showed a loose arm action with compact actions. Quick release and ok hands. Threw 85 mph across the infield. Ran the 60 at 7.18. Did not participate in hitting drills coming off a broken wrist. On the mound worked from a high ¾ arm angle, showed a quick, loose arm with regular effort. Drop and drive delivery with some rhythm. Online, balanced delivery with an athletic finish. Straight fastball with occasional run that sat 84-86 topping out at 87 mph. Power curveball with 11/5 shape that sat 70-76 mph. Changeup with fade that sat 75-76 mph.

4. Aaron Goecks, OF/3B, Brookfield Academy, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound corner outfield/third baseman, showed upper body strength. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride, slight arm bar load, good balance. Strong swing, explosive bat speed, pull side power approach, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength at multiple positions, longer arm action, over the top slot, 87 mph from the outfield, 86 mph across the diamond. Projects better in the outfield, plays through the baseball, exchange is clean, 7.27 runner in the 60. Projects as a left handed bat with pop in a corner outfield spot, strong follow.

5. Zach Campbell, OF/LHP, Burlington, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed outfielder, lean build, medium frame. Left-handed hitter, open stance, longer stride, slightly dives, lower half works, good balance through contact. Athletic hitter, hands are loose, throws the bat head, line drive hitter, occasionally hits off front foot, some pull side tendencies. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played through the ball, mechanically sound footwork, natural outfield actions. Arm played at 84 mph from the outfield, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, good crowhop and arm action. On the mound delivery showed balance, worked on line, squared landing. Fastball has slight sinking action, 74-76 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 67-70 mph, backup action. Changeup sat 70-72 mph.

6. DJ Ellifson, OF/LHP, Oak Creek, 2016
5-foot-9, 157-pound left-handed two-way player, athletic build. Defensively plays through the baseball with a step behind, hands worked, showed athleticism. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, showed some carry, worked through the baseball uphill. Arm played at 84 mph from the outfield. Left-handed hitter, open stance, smooth, longer loading action, good balance. Hands are quick, whippy swing, good bat speed, path has some length, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, minimal effort, smooth delivery, squared landing. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed cut action, slight sink, 80-82 mph, touched 83 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 68-71 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 68-71 mph.

7. Jordan Bailey, OF, Janesville Parker, 2018
Lanky athletic frame, lean build, projects well, 5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed outfielder. Defensively played through the ball well, long athletic actions, clean exchange, athletic hands. Arm played at 79 mph from the outfield, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate to his target. Arm works well enough to possibly project on the mound. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, quick loading action, no stride approach, late loading action. Loose hands with bat speed, projects some, rhythm and timing can improve. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Length and athleticism make him a strong follow in the 2018 class.

8. Zachary Nogalski, OF, Marquette University, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. In the field, showed a long arm action with some stiffness, over the top arm slot with some accuracy and carry. Average hands, with slight hesitation before release, threw 87 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, with simple leg-lift load, and excellent balance. Fast bat with a long, downward swing path. Strong thru contact with 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Slower start running, but solid once underway ran the 60 at 7.17.

9. Sam Wojs, OF, Cudahy, 2016
5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed outfielder, average frame. Offensively hits from the left side, wider setup, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Contact approach, spray singles hitter, stays on top of the baseball. Path works downhill, line drive approach with opposite field tendencies. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball, sound footwork, hands played softly, showed proper footwork on crowhop. Good outfield actions. Arm plays long and loose, high ¾ arm slot, 81 mph arm from the outfield.

10. Troy Hickey, LHP/OF, Wilmot, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound left-handed throwing two-way player, medium frame, solid build. Tall and fall delivery, slight effort, in rhythm, finishes to third base side. Arm action is clean, short/loose, high ¾ slot, deceptive out of hand, hides it some. Fastball showed occasional boring action, sat at 83 mph, touched 85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, occasionally steeper action, 68-72 mph, flashed good action and command. Changeup flashed slight arm side run, 72-73 mph. Projects well on the mound. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, simple setup, lets hands work. Good path, short to the ball with extension, line drive gap to gap approach. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength from the outfield, 85 mph, over the top slot and accurate, showed carry, kept on line, arm played well. Showed the ability to play through the baseball, ran a 7.23 in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alhabetically)

Nathan Aide, OF, Franklin, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting, outfielder. Lanky build. Short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Athletic fielder, quick footwork, ok actions, full crowhop. Threw 81 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, good balance. Gap to gap hitter with an advanced approach, fast bat. Fluid rhythm, short, level swing with extension, creates backspin. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.39. Will continue to improve with maturity.   

Jalen Bilty, OF, Waukesha West, 2015
6-foot-1, 160-pound outfielder, long limbed, thin build, projectable body. In the outfield arm works short and quick, over the top slot, stayed on line (77 mph). Played through the baseball, hands played for the outfield, clean exchange, efficient release. Fluid footwork, 7.04 runner in the 60, laser timed. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride, good balance through contact, can get more out of lower half. Stayed on top of the baseball, short path, line dive type hitter, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Dylan Brown, OF, Milton, 2016
6-foot-1, 180-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm angle. Some accuracy with average arm strength. Attacks the ball, two handed fielder with online throws. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup with a short leg kick stride. Linear lower hald with good balance. Average bat speed, with a level swing path. 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Good runner underway, ran the 60 at 7.01

Lukas Campbell, OF/MIF, Horlick, 2017
5-foot-2, 120-pound multi-positional player, small frame with solid build. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, maintains good balance. Compact swing, inside out path, spray line drive hitter, gap to gap guy. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield showed solid actions, played with a crowhop through the baseball, natural actions. On the infield arm action played long, looks to project more in the outfield. Arm action is over the top and online, accurate arm that played through his target. 82 mph arm from the outfield, 75 mph across the infield. 7.52 runner in the 60.

Bradley Hansen, OF, Union Grove, 2017
5-foot-8, 150-pound left-handed outfielder. Defensively played through the ball well, natural outfield actions, hands played. Loose arm action, athletic, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy, arm worked well at 79 mph from the outfield. Arm action works well enough to possibly project on the mound. Offensively hits from the left side, slight open stance, short stride, good balance. Contact type hitter, sprayed to all fields, repeats swing well. Swing showed some effort, line drive approach, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Carson Kimple, OF, Whitefish Bay, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound, left-handed hitting, outfielder. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, with some accuracy. Threw 71 mph from the outfield with average hands and fluid footwork. At the plate hit from a preloaded stance, hitchy load, and average balance. Flashed some bat speed, with an uphill path, showed present strength thru contact with 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.39.

Jacob Lindemann, RHP/OF, Burlington, 2017
6-foor-2, 195-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP. Lanky, athletic build. In the field has a short, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Ok footwork, clean exchange with average hands, tall release. Threw 86 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup. Short leg lift load, linear lower half, with good balance. Athletic loose hands, fast bat, pull hitter. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.35. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle, with a short arm circle in back, quick, loose arm. Regular effort, tall and fall delivery, short stride to the plate. Balanced, online delivery, upright finish. Fastball with occasional run that sat 84-85 topping out at 86 mph. Short, late breaking curveball with 12-6 shape sat 72-75 mph. Commanded changeup with sink action that sat 77-79 mph.  

Kyle Murphy, OF/RHP, Cedarburg, 2016
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting, OF/RHP. In the field has a long arm action with some stiffness, from an over the top arm slot, with some accuracy. Plays thru the ball with average hands, threw 80 mph from the outfield and 79 mph from the infield. At the plate hits from a wide crouched base with a short stride. Line drive hitter with average bat speed, 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.50. On the mound used a full delivery, over the top arm angle, long arm action. Fastball sat 74-77, 11-5 shape on curveball that sat 65-66, Slider at 67-68. Best pitch was the changeup that sat 62-65.

Derrick Oleson, OF/RHP, West Allis Hale, 2015
6-foot-6, 195-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP. Long, lanky build. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm angle with some accuracy and average arm strength. Average hands, threw 80 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a crouched setup, short load, wraps, average balance. Pull hitter with a fast bat and occasional pop. 87 mph exit velocity form a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.31. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle, long arm action, stab in back, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery with some rhythm. Straight fastball that sat 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Threw fastball for strikes. Curveball sat 70-72. Straight changeup that sat 72-73 mph.

Ryan Olsen, OF, East Troy, 2016
5-foot-10, 190-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Strong build. In the field has a long arm action from a low ¾ arm angle. Attacks the ball, quick release, threw 79 mph from the outfield. At the plate has a balanced, closed setup, short stride, backside collapse. Average bat speed, with a long, uphill path. Showed strength through contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.39.

Jonathan Osman, OF/RHP, Brookfield Central, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting, OF/RHP. In the outfield, showed a long arm action, from a high ¾ arm slot, with some accuracy, throwing 71 mph. At the plate has a balanced setup, smooth load, and a short stride. He has average bat speed, an uphill path, with strength, 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.52. On the mound works from and over the top arm angle, with a short arm action, and a tall and fall delivery, while landing open. Throws a straight fastball at 66-67 topping out at 68 mph. He throws a curveball with 1-7 shape at 58-59 mph. Featured a changeup that sat 61-64 mph.

Spencer Pierce, OF, Waukesha West, 2016
5-foot-8, 150-pound, right-handed hitting, outfielder. Defensively showed a long stiff arm action from an over the top slot, with some accuracy and average arm strength. Showed average hands with a slower exchange, throwing 71 mph from the outfield. Offensively has a balanced setup, arm bar load, with a short stride. He showed average bat speed with some stiffness mechanically. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.39.

J.T. Reed, OF/MIF, Whitnall, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound, switch-hitting, OF/MIF. In outfield drills showed a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, with average arm strength and accuracy. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. From the right side showed a balanced setup, with a short toe tap stride. From the left side profiles as a pull hitter with a balanced setup and a short stride. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Showed his athleticism running the 60 at 6.79.

Tristan Schaefer, OF, South Milwaukee, 2018
5-foot-11, 173-pound outfielder, left-handed thrower, right-handed hitter, lanky frame, wider shoulders. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short quick stride, later loading action. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 7.78. In the outfield uses a longer, rigid arm action, 65 mph arm strength.

Aaron Schauer, OF, St. Catherine’s, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting, outfielder. Defensively has a short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, with some accuracy. Shows some firmness in the hands. Threw 72 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a heel lift stride. Opposite field hitter, average bat speed, long uphill swing path, with some whip. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.91.

Daniel Schiff, OF/LHP, Nicolet, 2017
5-foot-7, 138-pound, right-handed hitting OF/LHP.  Defensively in the outfield showed a long arm action from an over the top arm slot, with a good crowhop, throwing 76 mph. At the plate hit from an open stance, with a short toe tap stride. Showed average bat speed, with a long, uphill path, 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.62. On the mound worked from a high ¾ angle with a loose arm. Showed a smooth, online delivery featuring a fastball that sat 71-73 topping out at 74 mph to go along with a curveball that sat between 64-68 mph. Showed some projection on the mound.

Jonathan Thompson, OF/MIF, Hamilton Sussex, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting, OF/MIF. In the field has a long arm action, from an over the top slot, with some accuracy. He has average hands, deliberate footwork, and a clean exchange. Threw 70 mph in the infield, and 73 mph from the outfield. Offensively has a balanced open stance, with a short stride and good balance. Has a long swing with some drag, 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.35.

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