Top-10 Profiles of 2020: No. 3 Gavin Kilen
December 29, 2020
As the year starts to unwind, our staff will start to highlight the top-10 most viewed profiles from 2020 - starting at 10 and counting down.
Today we’ll shine some light on Janesville Craig’s Gavin Kilen, whose profile was quite popular this year earning the third most views in the entire state. Kilen recently debuted as the top ranked prospect in Wisconsin’s 2022 class after we updated our rankings and he made an impressive jump up to No. 59 overall on our national rankings, too.
A huge reason as to why Kilen rapidly ascended up our rankings was because of the impressive all-around summer he had. It seemed like he hit virtually everywhere and continued to play one of the smoothest shortstops you’ll see in the Midwest. Pair that glove with an advanced left-handed stroke that just flat out hits and it’s not hard to see why Kilen’s upside is so tantalizing.
Our last live look at Kilen came during our annual Midwest Fall Championships at Grand Park, where our Associate State Director Andy Sroka saw him several times throughout the tournament. Here is what he had to say about Kilen’s performance that weekend:
“Kilen, a Louisville recruit, had a much louder weekend than his statline tells, and was hands down the best player in the 17U division. The left-handed hitter impressively slows the game down at the plate, never rushed and always on time. He is balanced throughout the approach with a minimal stride, and his quick hands stand out both for the bat speed that they produce and the ability to cover the whole plate in any count. Utilizing the whole field, Kilen showed an ability to make pitch-to-pitch adjustments, and has a mature approach. At shortstop, he exhibits crisp attention to detail with polished actions including confident hands, and quick, athletic release. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder has lean strength throughout with more likely on the way. Kilen continues to produce against all levels of competition, and is already positioning himself as a high-follow for 2022.”
Kilen, like several other top prospects in Wisconsin’s 2022 class, is committed to Louisville, although it’s definitely uncertain if he’ll make his way to campus by the way he’s been playing. Professional teams will covet a left-handed hitter that plays a legitimate shortstop, so it’s definitely possible he garners some serious draft attention come next summer. Wisconsin has produced several up-the-middle draft prospects over the past few years and Kilen looks like he’s next in line.
TOP-10 PROFILES OF 2020: No. 3 GAVIN KILEN
Gavin Kilen
Class of 2022 / SS
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2022
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Primary Position: SSSecondary Position: 2B
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High School: MiltonState: WI
- Summer Team: Hitters
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Height: 5-11Weight: 180lbs
- Bat/Throw: L/R
Statistics
Swift
Videos
9/13/20
Player News
- Top 10 Stories of 2023: No. 5 Wisconsin Freshmen Leave Their Mark in First Year of College - Dec 26, 2023
- Top 10 Profiles of 2022: No. 2 Gavin Kilen - Dec 29, 2022
- Top 10 Stories of 2022: Milton Cruises to First-Ever D1 State Title - Dec 29, 2022
- Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 6 Milton - Mar 29, 2022
- Super 60: Statistical Analysis - Feb 10, 2022
- Shooter's Spotlight: Super 60 Position Players - Feb 9, 2022
- Super 60: Draft Perspective - Feb 9, 2022
- Best of 2021: Max Infield Velocity Leaders - Jan 19, 2022
- Super 60 Spotlight: Gavin Kilen - Jan 13, 2022
- Best of 2021: Max Exit Velocity Leaders - Jan 11, 2022
- Top-10 Profiles of 2021: No. 3, Gavin Kilen - Dec 30, 2021
- 2021 Area Code Games: Position Player Standouts - Aug 23, 2021
- MLB Draft Watch: 2022 Helium Potential - Jun 17, 2021
- South Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Quick Hits - Mar 10, 2021
- Top-10 Profiles of 2020: No. 3 Gavin Kilen - Dec 29, 2020
- Midwest Fall Championship: Position Player Prospects - Sep 16, 2020
- Area Code Underclass: Position Player Takeaways (2020) - Aug 13, 2020
- South Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Top Overall Prospects - Apr 10, 2020
- South Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Infielder Analysis - Apr 8, 2020
- South Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Quick Hits - Mar 2, 2020
- Wisconsin Class of 2022 Rankings Update - Dec 3, 2019
- Wisconsin Class of 2022 Rankings: Top-10 - Sep 11, 2019
- Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 3 Janesville Craig - Mar 26, 2019
- West Palm Beach Standouts: 2022/2023s - Oct 25, 2018
- Fox Cities Future Prospects: Scouting Reports - May 11, 2017
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Scouting Report
Kilen, a Louisville recruit, had a much louder weekend than his statline tells, and was hands down the best player in the 17U division. The left-handed hitter impressively slows the game down at the plate, never rushed and always on time. He is balanced throughout the approach with a minimal stride, and his quick hands stand out both for the bat speed that they produce and the ability to cover the whole plate in any count. Utilizing the whole field, Kilen showed an ability to make pitch-to-pitch adjustments, and has a mature approach. At shortstop, he exhibits crisp attention to detail with polished actions including confident hands, and quick, athletic release. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder has lean strength throughout with more likely on the way. Kilen continues to produce against all levels of competition, and is already positioning himself as a high-follow for 2022.
Positional Profile: SS/2B Premium LHH middle infield prospect, likely 2022 draft follow.
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Long legged, lean strength and still developing.
Hit: LHH. Relaxed, tall setup, even weight distribution, short lift and replace stride. Advanced bat speed on short path, line drive gap to gap hitter, advanced approach, in rhythm easy swing.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Arm action plays athletic, works from multiple angles, natural high 3/4 slot, accurate across the diamond with carry.
Defense: Excellent hands, play quick and soft, easy actions, feet are fluid and light through the baseball.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. Above average runner.
10/30/18 - Verbally committed to Louisville.
10/20/18 - Currently stands at 5-foot-10, 140 pounds with a lean, athletic frame. Came in for relief and showed athleticism with a quick arm, using exclusively the fastball that ranged from 78-81 mph, touching 82 with life.
4/26/17 - 5-foot-4, 115-pound, two-way prospect. Defensively, loose, athletic arm action, ¾ arm slot, 63 mph across the infield. Athletic fielder, soft hands, quick, fluid footwork, quick exchanges, maintains body control. Offensively, left-handed, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance through swing. Loose hands, line drive hitter, sprays the ball around the field, 73 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.01 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands toe-closed occasionally, finishes athletically. Fastball, commanded the zone, 68-70 mph. Changeup, sink action, 55-58 mph.