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Preseason Identification Showcase 3.3.13: Outfield Analysis

March 12, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin

As we continue our analysis of the Preseason Identification Showcase we look at the outfielders today. The outfield group was highlighted by the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2014, Jeren Kendall. Kendall stood out as the top outfielder, showing an 89 mph arm and running a 3.8 down the line from the left side. His left handed stick stands out as a highly repeatable swing making consistent contact and excellent bat path. Jacob Perez also caught our eye as the 6-foot-4, 205-pound outfielder has an advanced frame and showed a strong arm and an aggressive swing at the plate. Here’s our look at the top 10 outfielders at the Preseason Identification Showcase.

Top Outfielders

1. Jeren Kendall, Holmen HS, OF, Class of 2014
Athletic frame and build, shows strength, 5-foot-10, 175-pound left handed outfielder. Kendall is one of the top rated outfielders in the region, Vanderbilt recruit, No.1 prospect in the Wisconsin Class of 2014. Shows highly athletic actions defensively, true outfield actions, natural outfielder. Feet work athletically and fluidly, 3.8 runner home to first, plays through the baseball well, efficient crow hop. His arm works loosely from an over the top arm slot, he showed accuracy and carry at 89 mph from the outfield. Hits from the left side, tall stance, slightly open, short stride. Bat path is highly efficient, simple approach, keeps it quiet. Advanced hands at the plate, advanced hand eye, barrel awareness, works the middle of the field, hard contact. Easy swing, flat through the zone, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Jacob Perez, West Bend  East HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2013
Advanced frame, athletic build, above average body, 6-foot-4, 205-pound two way player. Perez showed excellent defensive action coupled with a strong arm. He plays through the baseball athletically, fluid footwork, 4.28 runner home to first. Traditional outfield arm action, loose arm, long over the top slot, shows accuracy and carry, 88 mph. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth load, short stride, solid balance throughout. Gap to gap hitter with pop, well above average bat speed, 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Aggressive approach, hits with rhythm, athletic hitter. Fastball shows run and sink, 82-83 mph, touching 84 mph, thrown for strikes. Curveball has 11/5 tilt, 71-72 mph. Changeup has sink, excellent arm action, thrown with fastball arm speed, stayed down in the zone, 76-78 mph. Wayne State recruit.

3. Ryan Curran, Sun Prairie HS, OF, Class of 2014
Athletic build, shows strength, 6-foot, 175-pound outfielder. Defensively takes aggressive routes to the baseball, attacks the ball well, plays through the baseball with athletic footwork. Arm works loosely, over the top arm slot, shows accuracy and carry (82 mph). At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth load, no stride, heel lift trigger. Bat speed is present, short path, creates extension, fluid rhythm. Line drive, gap to gap hitter, hard contact, aggressive swing, hard line drives, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

4. Zack Henderson, Greendale HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2014
Athletic build, 6-foot-3, 210-pound two way player. Shows arm strength all over the field, shows well both on the mound and in the field. Tall and fall delivery, some effort, up tempo delivery. Arm works from a high ¾ arm slot, quick arm action. Fastball is mostly straight, occasional run, sat consistently at 88 mph. Changeup has near fastball arm action, heavy sink, good depth, has feel, 74-76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 72-73 mph, early break. Offensively, hits from a balance setup, wider stance. Makes hard contact, aggressive swinger, barrel awareness, excellent whip through the zone. Advanced bat speed, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Aggressive hitter with power potential. Strong arm from the outfield, 88 mph exit velocity, showed accuracy, lacked outfield actions.

5. Logan Rupard, Arrowhead Union HS, OF/1B, Class of 2014
Excellent physical make up, strong build, large frame, 6-foot-4, 215-pounds. Offensively brings a powerful presence. Hits from a balanced stance, slight leg lift, high back elbow, excellent balance. Bat path gets extension, excellent bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity, hard contact, lacks repeatability. Gap to gap hitter with power. Defensively shows a long arm action, high ¾ slot, 80 mph from the outfield, 77 mph across the infield. Shows solid hands on the infield, more natural at first base, shows footwork and awareness around the bag.

6. JJ Johnson, Edgewood HS, OF, Class of 2015
Athletic make up, above average build,  6-foot, 180-pound outfielder. Defensively shows a plus potential arm from the outfield, 89 mph as a sophomore. Arm works from an over the top slot, shows accuracy, ball stays on line with carry. Plays through the baseball well, hands work, footwork is fluid. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth load, short stride, good balance throughout. Shows bat speed, path shows uphill tendencies, drops back elbow, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.

7. Bryant Jordan, Home School, RHP/OF, Class of 2015
Athletic body, 6-foot-1, 170-pound two way player. Projects more on the mound, live young arm, one of the top arms in the Class of 2015. On the mound delivery shows some effort, dynamic delivery, shows acceleration with rhythm and balance. Arm action is quick, loose and free arm action, over the top arm slot. Fastball is mostly straight, occasional sink, late darting action through the zone, showed the ability to command the baseball. Changeup has plus potential, thrown with aggressive fastball arm speed, fading action, showed command (76-77 mph). Slider has downward action 70-74 mph, thrown aggressively, needs to stay behind it longer. Offensively hits from an open stance, longer leg lift stride. Works the middle of the field, consistent contact, finds the barrel. 86 mph exit velocity. Arm works well from the outfield, 87 mph, shows carry, uses crow hop.

8. Conner Funnell, Sun Prairie HS, OF, Class of 2014
Average build, 5-foot-11, 170-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, arm bar load. Hard contact, repeats well, barrel awareness, shows extension. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee, bat speed present. Defensively plays through the baseball well, athletic actions defensively, hands work softly. Arm works from an over the top arm slot, long loose arm action, shows carry, 80 mph from the outfield.

9. Cole Hernikl, Menomonee Falls HS, OF/INF, Class of 2013
Strong build, shorter stature, 5-foot-9, 175-pound multi-positional player. Offensively showed excellent bat speed at the plate. Hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, excellent balance throughout. Bat path is short, excellent barrel awareness, repeatable swing makes consistently hard contact, works the middle of the field. Bat speed is advanced, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee, line drive gap to gap hitter. Excellent runner, 4.00 home to first. Defensively in the outfield showed raw actions, foot speed is apparent. Outfield arm is long, high ¾ arm slot, shows accuracy. On the infield displayed solid hands and a 77 mph arm across the diamond.

10. Vincent Hubli, Kenosha Bradford HS, OF/INF, Class of 2015
Strong build, shows athleticism, 5-foot-10, 179-pound multi-positional player. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, slightly wider stance, smooth load, short stride, excellent balance throughout. Bat speed is present, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap hitter, bat path shows extension, hard contact, barrel creates whip through the zone. Some uphill tendencies, fluid rhythm, solid barrel awareness. Defensively shows athletic feet in the outfield, hands work in the infield. Arm works at 76 mph from the outfield and 74 mph from the infield, occasional carry.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cole Blodgett, Cedarburg HS, OF, Class of 2014
Athletic build, shows overall strength, 5-foot-8, 158-pounds. Showed excellent foot speed, 3.97 runner home to first. Defensively showed some athleticism in his feet, uses crow hop, solid outfield actions. Arm clocked at 80 mph from the outfield, some carry. Offensively, hits from a wide balanced setup, short stride, long finish. 67 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Colton Burt, Wautoma HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2016
Smaller build, 5-foot-8, 145-pound two way player. Defensively shows the ability to play through the baseball, uses crow hop. Arm action is long, 74 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, toe tap trigger. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jordan Farner, Milwaukee Pius XI HS, OF, Class of 2014
Strong build, 5-foot-11, 180-pound outfielder. Showed foot speed, 4.08 runner home to first. Arm works at 75 mph from the outfield, stiff arm action. Offensively recorded 87 mph exit velocities from the tee. Front foot hitter, lower half lacks involvement, lunges, all upper body.

Cal Giese, Stevens Point HS, LHP/OF/1B, Class of 2014
Athletic frame, 5-foot-11, 190-pound two way player. Projects as a left handed pitcher, arm is clean and easy. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, repeats delivery well, excellent balance throughout. Arm works cleanly, easy arm action, loose arm, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball has slight run, showed the ability to command the fastball, sat 81-82 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, showed control, 68-70 mph. Changeup is thrown with near fastball arm speed, showed command, 73-75 mph. Defensively showed a playable arm, 83 mph from the outfield with carry. Offensively hits from a wider stance, slight lunge, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Justin Kendall, Holmen HS, OF, Class of 2016
Smaller build, 5-foot-8, 125-pound switch hitting outfielder. Shows athletic feet defensively, takes long strides to the baseball, moves fluidly, 4.46 runner home to first. Well above average outfield actions for his age. Arm works at 71 mph from the outfield, uses crow hop well, over the top arm slot. Offensively hits from both sides, shows the ability to swing the bat athletically from both sides. Hits with an open stance, smooth load, short stride, quiet approach, excellent balance throughout. Bat path is short, slightly longer from the left side, repeatable swing from both sides, lacks overall strength. Shows good barrel awareness and will only get better with added strength.

Evan Ketterhagen, Wilmot HS, INF/OF, Class of 2014
Lanky frame, slender build, 6-foot, 140-pound multi-positional payer. Defensively on the infield showed a quick exchange, playable arm, and body control when on the move. From the outfield he gets on top of the baseball, from a long over the top arm slot (80mph). Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. Athletic swing, short path, gap to gap approach, fluid rhythm. Lacks overall strength. 4.19 runner home to first.

Keaton Knueppel, Verona Area HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2016
Athletic frame, has some length, 5-foot-10, 144-pound left handed two way player. On the mound young left hander shows a high projection. Delivery is repeatable, solid balance throughout, effortless delivery, throws slightly across body, hides the ball well. Arm action is easy, high ¾ arm slot, clean arm action, works well. Fastball has cut action, showed control, 75-77 mph. Curveball had occasional 11/5 action, still needs refinement, left up in the zone. Changeup flashed fading action 63-66 mph. High follow on the mound, arm action is clean and shows the ability to gain velocity. Offensively hits from an open stance, slightly dives to the plate. Uphill tendencies in bat path, some extension, slight stiffness in hands. Defensively arm worked at 79 mph from the outfield, loose arm action. Plays through the baseball well, feet work athletically.

Ben Marhworth, Onalaska HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
5-foot-9, 160-pound two way player. Defensively showed athletic feet, 4.02 runner home to first, showed quicker footwork defensively, natural outfield actions. Arm player at 78 mph from the outfield, short loose arm action, over the top slot, occasional carry. Offensively hit from a balanced setup, short stride. Line drive approach, occasional rhythm, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound fastball was mostly straight, 74-76 mph. Curveball has 12/6 tendencies, rolling action, thrown for strikes (66-67 mph). Changeup sits at 68-69 mph.

Aaron Mutter, Burlington HS, RHP/OF/INF, Class of 2016
Advanced frame, 6-foot-3, 195-pound two way player, projectable frame, young prospect to follow. Projects more on the mound. Delivery shows rhythm and balance, regular effort. Arm action is short, over the top slot. Fastball is straight, lacked action, 75-77 mph, touched 78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, found the strike zone, 68-70 mph. Changeup has occasional fading action, near fastball arm action, 68-70 mph.

Justin Scoville, Freedom HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2015
Stocky build, 5-foot-9, 185-pound two way player. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride. Bat path is level, occasional extension, moderate bat speed, 76 mph exit velocity. On the mound, has a tall and fall approach, slow tempo, stays on line and directional. Arm works over the top. Fastball is straight, thrown for strikes, 71-72 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, near fastball arm speed, 56-60 mph. Changeup has sink, thrown with command, 65 mph.

Isiah Siemers, Monroe HS, OF/MIF, Class of 2014
Smaller frame, 5-foot-8, 148-pound outfielder. Defensively uses a short arm action from the outfield, high ¾ arm slot, 71 mph from the outfield, no crow hop. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, slightly dives, loads hands deep. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.28 runner home to first.

Alex Slowey, Monroe HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Athletic frame, shows strength, 6-foot, 180-pound two way player. On the mound, delivery lacks balance, on heels, choppy delivery. Arm action is short and over the top, arm shows regular effort. Fastball is straight, showed occasional control, up in the zone, 81-83 mph. Curveball flashes 12/6 action, occasional biting action, lacked overall control, 64-67 mph. Changeup is mostly straight, 72-76 mph. Defensively shows average infield actions, some body control. Arm action is short and over the top, 77 mph across the diamond. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open stance, short stride. Bat path is occasionally short, rotational. Shows solid tools, athletic, with strength, lacks polish.

Payton Sterkowitz, Reedsburg HS, OF, Class of 2014
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder. Defensively arm strength is 71 mph from the outfield. Hits from a slight crouch, slight leg kick trigger. Lower half collapses, uphill bat path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Additionally ran a 4.32 home to first.

Alex Teal, Lake Mills HS, OF, Class of 2014
Average frame and build, 5-foot-10, 155-pound outfielder. Defensively arm plays at 72 mph from the outfield, works uphill, lacks carry. Offensively has a balanced setup, arm bar load, short stride, solid balance throughout. Bat path is flat through the zone, hits off front foot, lunges. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jesse Turner, Lake County Lutheran HS, RHP/OF/INF, Class of 2015
6-foot-3, 180-pound two way player, lanky frame, some projectability. Projects more on the mound, tall and fall style delivery, regular effort with some rhythm. Arm works from a high ¾ arm slot, quick arm action, loose arm. Fastball is mostly straight, 81-83 mph, touching 84 mph. Breaking ball lacked feel, 68-71 mph, needs true action. Changeup showed occasional sink, 72-73 mph. Offensively this from a wide stance, smooth load, drops hands, no stride. Lower half lacks involvement, rotational hitter, pull side approach, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed solid arm strength from the outfield (84 mph) and infield (81 mph).

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