Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Milwaukee: Outfielder Analysis


By Wisconsin Scouting Staff

On July 24, we visited The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin, Wis., to host one of the state’s most important events on the summer showcase circuit: Top Prospect – Milwaukee. Nearly 80 of the area’s brightest 2019 graduates attended and, since the event, eight prospects on this event’s roster have committed, so far, to play ball the next level.

Today, we’ll break down the outfielders who made it out to The Rock.

This doesn’t happen too often: Marcus Cline (Fall Creek; Wisconsin-Milwaukee) seizes the top spot on both the infielder and outfielder rankings from the showcase. We discussed his versatility in yesterday’s Infielder Analysis and how that has made him both a unique and desirable prospect. Since the event, Cline earned an offer to UWM where he’ll be headed in a year. His sound set of tools across the board could help him become an impact at the next level from the start.

Uncommitted outfielders Chance Larson (Elkhorn) and John Nett (Kimberly) are the next two on the board and both have developed a reputation for their advanced strength and athleticism. Larson stands in at 6-foot-2 and managed a sub-7.00 60-yard mark. He also demonstrated one of the top offensive profiles at The Rock: an aggressive gap-to-gap hitter with bat speed from the right side.

As for Nett, he ran the event-best 60 at 6.69, and he incorporates it well into his defense in center. He takes efficient routes to fly balls with his clean footwork. In the right-handed batter’s box, Nett’s more of a line-drive type hitter who can work the gaps with his compact stroke.

Check out who joined these three on on the top 10 in the rankings below, as well as reports on each of the outfielders who participated in the Top Prospect event. For a look at the previously published Catcher and Infielder Analysis from the showcase, in addition to a Statistical Analysis, click the hyperlinks.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Marcus Cline, 2B/OF, Fall Creek, 2019
Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit. 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting, lanky two-way prospect. Defensively, arm works loosely on both the infield and from the outfield. Utilizes a short arm action with quick arm speed on the infield, able to use multiple slots, 84 mph, longer arm action from the outfield, high ¾ slot, 86 mph. Plays through the ball athletically with easy effort, hands play softly, clean on exchanges. Ran a 6.97 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains good balance. Line drive approach, flashed gap-to-gap, uphill barrel path, 83 mph exit velocity.

2. Chance Larson, OF, Elkhorn, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, strong, athletic build. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, hands load back, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains good balance through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter, loose, athletic hands, swings with aggressive intent, short barrel path, gains extension through the zone, fluid rhythm, present bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 6.92 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws on target with carry, 81 mph from the outfield. Fields position athletically, soft glove-hand, quick, fluid footwork, quick, clean exchanges.

3. John Nett, OF, Kimberly, 2019
5-foot-10, 185-pound outfielder, strong muscle bound build. Plus-plus runner, 6.69 runner in the 60, laser timed. Defensively feet play quick and through the baseball, above average routes and can track balls to gaps, centerfield profile. Arm plays long, high ¾ slot, accurate at 83 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back. Compact swing, short path, line drive type hitter that can work gap to gap. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

4. Tanner Hurley, OF, Kenosha Bradford, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound, lanky, athletic, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, long, loose arm action, quick arm speed, kept throws on target with carry, 87 mph from the outfield. Fields position athletically with soft hands, attacks the ball, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, long stride, maintains balance. Line drive hitter, pull-side tendency, level barrel path, gets extension through the zone, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.09 laser-timed 60.

5. Garret Cook, OF, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, strong, athletically-built left-handed hitting outfielder. Quick-footed, ran a 6.74 laser-timed 60. Defensively, right-handed, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on target, 84 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, smooth actions, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. At the plate, slightly open setup, short stride, maintains good balance through contact. Long barrel ptha through the zone, loose hands, line drive contact, pull-side tendency, 89 mph exit velocity off a tee.

6. Nick Rockweiler, OF, Elkhorn, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound left/left outfielder, athletic build. Open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance through contact. Shot path, hard line drive contact, bat speed present, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Actions play through the baseball with a crowhop, stays behind the baseball, feet are athletic. 7.12 runner in the 60. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, played accurate at 79 mph.

7. Luke Blaha, OF/RHP, Mukwonago, 2019
Recent UW-Stevens Point commit. 6-foot-1, 185-pound, two-way prospect, strength throughout frame. Defensively, long arm action, quick arm speed, over-the-top slot, kept throws on target with carry, 84 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, wide setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Line drive hitter, middle approach, repeats, level barrel path through zone, 88 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Drop and drive delivery, simple 90-degree leg kick up and down, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, slight cut at-times, sat 80-82, touched 83. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, keeps down in the zone, 71-72.

8. Conner Fonger, OF, Superior, 2019
5-foot-9, 170-pound outfielder, shorter frame with strength, athletic body. Well above average runner, 6.86 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short quick stride, good balance. Repeatable swing, stays balanced, short path and line drive contact, worked gap to gap, front foot hitter. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is long from a high ¾ slot, accurate arm, 78 mph from the outfield. Raw actions play through the baseball, profiles as a left or centerfielder.

9. Max Bruff, C/OF, Indian Trail, 2019
5-foot-9, 190-pound catcher/outfielder, strong stocky build. Right-handed hitter with pop, open setup, slightly leg lift stride. Aggressive swing with strong hands, generates hard back spin contact, mostly to pull side with intent. 99 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, 77 mph out of the crouch and 82 mph from the outfield, accurate arm flashed carry out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.04-2.12. 6.98 runner in the 60.

10. Jack Fentress, OF/C, Eau Claire Memorial, 2019
6-foot-4, 200-pound outfielder/catcher, large frame with strength. 6.89 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick trigger, average balance. Path works uphill with pull side power, aggressive swing looks to do damage. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot, 80 mph from the outfield, 77 mph out of the crouch. Profiles best as a middle of the lineup corner outfielder. Pop times range from 2.11-2.15, hands worked behind the dish.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Elijah Berndt, OF, Winneconne, 2019
Recent Upper Iowa commit. 6-foot, 173-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, lanky frame. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 76 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Ran a 7.01 laser-timed 60. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance. Made line drive contact, long barrel path through zone, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Jared Heinzen, OF, Tremper, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lanky, projectable frame, right-handed outfielder. Quick-footed, ran a 6.82 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel path works uphill, level at-times, fluid rhythm, 93 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, moves well, long arm action, low ¾ slot, kept throws around target. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, quick and clean on exchanges, 80 mph from the outfield.

Ryan Herbst, OF, Janesville Craig, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound outfielder, long lean frame, projects. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, slightly open, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Simple spray hitter approach, path is level and creates line drive contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays long from a high ¾ slot, 78 mph from the outfield. Actions play through the baseball, methodical actions. 8.04 runner in the 60.

Collin Kovnesky, OF, Mukwonago, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound, athletically-built left-handed outfielder. Quick-footed, ran a 6.91 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on target, 80 mph from the outfield. Fields position athletically, plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, balanced setup, heel lift stride, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, level barrel path 84 mph exit velocity.

George Merkt, OF, Marquette, 2019
6-foot-5, 200-pound outfielder, long lanky frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg kick stride. Violent aggressive swing on uphill path, pull lift approach, loose hands. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Corner outfield profile, gangly actions, some range, showed ability to work through in stride. 7.54 runner. Arm is long and over the top, 79 mph from the outfield.

Isaac Rios, OF/RHP, Superior, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed two-way prospect. On the mound, over-the-top slot, short arm action. Hybrid side-step delivery, tilt and topple, leads with hips, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, works downhill, flashed cut, sat 84-86. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 67-70. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, mostly straight, 77 mph. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, plays through the ball with fluid footwork and clean exchanges, 85 mph. Ran a 6.96 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance. Pull hitter, long, uphill barrel path through zone, 83 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Paul Vildberg, OF, Mukwonago, 2019
6-foot, 173-pound, athletically-built right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, knee-knock stride, maintains good balance. Line drive hitter, flashed loose hands, long barrel path through zone, 86 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.03 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws around target. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 80 mph from the outfield.

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