The Underclass Trials took place on Wednesday, June 5 at Symonds-Puckett field on the campus of Triton College. This annual event provided those who attended an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the PBR Illinois staff. With over 65+ athletes in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 classes in attendance, the event itself was full of young talent.

Shortly after the events' conclusion, we published our statistical analysis and quick hits pieces from the showcase. This positional breakdown will highlight the outfielders at the event. Make sure to keep an eye out for all content coming from the Underclass Trials in the coming days.

A trio of 2021 outfielders to follow moving forward are Chris Rooney (Mundelein), Robert Woods (Moline) and Tommy Schaaf (Chicago Christian). Rooney took one of the better rounds of BP on the day, displaying present bat speed and making consistent hard contact to the middle of the field. Woods ran a sub-7.00 60 and swings a left-handed bat. Schaaf, has a 6-foot-1, 175-pound, strong, athletic frame, ran a 7.01 laser-timed 60 and takes an aggressive swing at the plate.

One of the more intriguing bats on the day was 2023 Alec Wiersema. Wiersama, still undecided on his high school, swings the bat, looks to lift the baseball and made a lot of hard contact to both gaps. He will be one to keep an eye on as he enters his freshman year this fall.

Two of the top runners at the event were 2021s Jaden Carr (Huntley) and Joey Robinson (Lyons Township). Carr, who ran a 6.88 60, has a strong, compact frame and has a simple, uphill swing at the plate. Robinson is a left/left outfielder that ran a 6.82 60 and has a short, uphill path at the plate.

OUTFIELD PROSPECTS (Listed Alphabetically)

Jason Akers, Schaumburg, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-6, 130-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Square balanced set up, toe tap timing mechanism, short stride, showcased balance throughout his swing. Some present bat speed, short level bat path, line drive approach, pull hitter, presented fluid rhythm.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action that works from a high 3/4 arm slot. Arms shows some accuracy, as well as life and carry. Playable arm.
Defense: Showcased soft hands from the outfield, plus footwork, quick fluid and active, attacks and takes good angles to the ball athletically, plays through balls well
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60.

Anthony Boule, Marmion Academy, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-7, 145-pounds. Athletic type.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open set up, leg kick trigger, short stride, shows balance through his swing. Loose hands, fast bat speed, level bat path, fluid rhythm.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive hitter, hard contact.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Long slow action, works 3/4 to low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the ball, crow hop, fields with two hands on the side.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60.

Michael Boyce, Naperville Central, 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 130-pounds. Lanky, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall set up, toe tap, long stride, leg kick at times, fair balance. Playable bat speed, level, uphill path.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Short arm action, over the top/ high 3/4 slot, playable accuracy and strength.
Defense: Reliable hands, clean exchange, plays through ball well, active actions.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60.

Jaden Carr, Huntley, 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Athletic frame, above average present strength.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, little to no load, short stride. Short, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach, quick twitch bat speed and strength, fluid rhythm throughout the swing.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Hard, top spin contact.
Arm: RH. OF - 70 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet stay active, shuffles through his exchange, glovework plays out in front of him, occasionally uses two hands.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

Drew Dykstra, Fulton, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds. Lanky and athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, short stride. Uphill path to the baseball, line drive hitter.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, showed accuracy.
Defense: Steady hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60.

Tom Egan, Mount Carmel, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride with a toe-tap.  Quick hands, short uphill path to the baseball, showed a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long and loose arm action, 3/4 slot, throws with carry.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60.

Gabe Flynn, Stevenson, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Lanky frame, lean build.
Hit: RHH. Tall and open setup, leg kick stride. Short and uphill path to the baseball, gap-to-gap hitter.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed fast bat speed for age.
Arm: RH. OF - 70 mph. Short draw, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, attacks and plays through the ball.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.

Ryan Kudia, Lyons Township, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, loads hands back, long stride. Long path to the ball, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm throughout the swing.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. Long, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60.  

Mark Lavizzo, Centennial, 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 132-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced set up, hand drop load, leg lift trigger, short stride, showed balanced through his swing. Some bat speed, short bat path, uphill, gets in/out of the zone.
Power: 62 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 62 mph. Long slow arm action, works over the top to high 3/4 slot, playable carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, pack exchange,  fields ball deep, plays through well.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60.

Matthew Nash, Wauwatosa West, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall and balanced setup, hands load back, barrel tip load, short stride. Gets swing started with quick twitch hands, level path to the ball.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 71 mph. Short arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: Feet stay active through the baseball, glove consistently plays outside his left foot.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60.

Joey Robinson, Lyons Township, 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open setup, leg kick trigger. Short, uphill path
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

Connor Rogers, Elk Grove, 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open set up, smooth load, short stride, showcased good balance through swing. Some bat speed, level bat path, line drive hitter, fluid rhythm.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Middle of the field, line drive type.
Arm: LH. OF - 67 mph. Long arm action, from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Crow hop, active feet, fields ball deep in his body, plays through well.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60.

Chris Rooney, Mundelein, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Lanky, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride with a slight toe-tap.  Fast hands, short and level path to the baseball, consistently hit line drives, fluid swing throughout.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid footwork, clean exchange to quick release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

Tommy Schaaf, Chicago Christian, 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Lanky, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, loads hands, short stride. Level path, flashed quick-twitch. Gap-to-gap, occasional opposite field tendencies.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Loose arm action, throws from a high 3/4 slot. Flashed carry on his throws.
Defense: Reliable hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60.

Harrison Scroggins, Lincoln-Way West, 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Strong athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced set up, leg kick trigger, short stride, balance through swing. Present bat speed, short bat path, extension through the ball, gap-to-gap, line drive approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above-average bat strength for age.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, over the top, high 3/4 arm slot, plays accurate.
Defense: 2.18-2.26 pop times. Quick release, willing blocker. From the outfield shows steady hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through baseball.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60.

Ryan Thrawl, Libertyville, 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: LHH. Open, tall setup, hands back load, strides to bring himself square. Quiet mechanics, calm presence. Level bat path, line drive and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed bat strength.
Arm: LH. OF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Flashed reliable hands.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.

Jake VanBooven, Conant, 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 150-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Open and narrow setup, long stride. Level path, line drive hitter.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action, over the top slot, showed accuracy.
Defense: Steady hands, attacks and plays through the ball.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60.

Alec Wiersema, N/A, 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 165-pounds. Lanky athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, wide base, short stride with a toe-tap.  Fast hands, level path with extension to the baseball, sprayed line drives and showed the ability to hit the ball into the gaps, fluid rhythm throughout swing.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 70 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean exchange leading to a quick release.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.

Robert Woods, Moline, 2021
Positional Profile: CF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 132-pounds. Lanky frame
Hit: LHH. Balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance. Stays inside the baseball, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 75 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Soft hands, fluid, active footwork, clean exchange, plays through ball.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60.

Jermaine Young Jr, St. Patrick, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg kick stride. Long and uphill path to the ball.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. OF - 68 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot, showed accuracy.
Defense: Flashed steady hands, fluid footwork.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

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