Bryce
Nevils

C/OF Bryce Nevils (Brother Rice, 2023) was another major winner from this event, committing to Western Kentucky a few days afterwards. At a strong, athletic 6-foot-1, 188-pounds, Nevils ran a 6.89 60-yard dash, reached a peak exit velocity of 97.8 mph, and topped at 87 mph from the outfield during Tuesday’s workout. That strength and athleticism translated seamlessly in-game for Nevils, who launched a no-doubt home run and short hopped the left field fence on day two. He also flew around the basepaths, taking extra-bases at will and serving as an offensive manufacturer for his squad throughout the event. Over the course of the two days, no one stood out on the bases more than Nevils. He is ultra-aggressive, runs better than his frame would indicate, showed tremendous feel gaining ground on his leadoffs, especially at second base and utilized a delayed steal numerous times without much recourse. Nevils all-around baseball abilities, to go along with his in-game at-bats, set him apart from most of his peers. 

Positional Profile: PF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Strong, athletic overall build, advanced strength in lower half.
Hits: RHH. Squared, balanced setup, deep load and leg-lift trigger. Creates easy, controlled bat speed. Was consistently on the barrel and works with authority to both gaps. Was one of the most impactful in-game performers of the event; finished 3-for-7, HR, 2B, 3 SB, BB, 2 RBI, 3 R.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 92.1 MPH. 354' max distance.
Arm: RH. OF-87 mph. Short quick arm action generates throws with life and carry from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Bouncy, athletic, multi-positional prospect. Clean outfield actions, plays light on his feet and in rhythm, soft hands and smooth release.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60.
Vizual Edge: 79.69 Edge Score

Continues to be one of the top uncommitted juniors in the state. Nevils had another two hit performance against Chicago Catholic League rival St. Rita. During the first at-bat, Nevils swung at the first pitch for a single past the third baseman. Nevils’ final at-bat came when the game was tied 4-4 in the sixth inning; gave Brother Rice a late lead with a two-run blast to the pull-side. Finished 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Uncommitted junior, ranked No. 30 in the state. 6-foot-1, 188-pound, athletic frame with advanced strength in his lower half. At the plate right-handed hitting catcher, setups in a slightly crouched stance with high active hands. Uses a toe tap load/stride to help stay on his back leg and adjust to pitches. Quick, athletic hands, compact swing with feel for the barrel. Showed the ability to hit for both contact and power while showing plate discipline and pitch recognition. Nevils finished 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, hustle double, three RBIs, stolen base and a run scored. 

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 188-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright stance. Loose and relaxed. Long leg-kick trigger. Strong hands, flat through the zone, creates backspin. Flashed easy pull-side power.
Power: 97.8 max exit velocity, averaged 90.8 mph. 354’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. OF - 87 mph. Short, clean arm circle, over-the-top slot, quick arm with carry through the target, accurate.
Defense: 2.07-2.13 pop times. OF: Athletic footwork, athletic body, confident hands, loose, athletic actions/ C: Clean exchange, quick feet, athletic actions.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 6-1, 188-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright stance. Loose and relaxed. Long leg-kick trigger. Strong hands, flat through the zone, creates backspin. Flashed easy pull-side power.
Power: 97.8 max exit velocity, averaged 90.8 mph. 354’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. OF - 87 mph. Short, clean arm circle, over-the-top slot, quick arm with carry through the target, accurate.
Defense: OF: Athletic footwork, athletic body, confident hands, loose, athletic actions/ C: Clean exchange, quick feet, athletic actions.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

Uncommitted, 6-foot-1, 188-pound, athletic frame with advanced strength in his lower half. Worked out behind the plate and in the outfield. Possesses some of the softest, receptive hands from behind the plate, in the class. Highly-advanced receiver with clean, athletic actions and plays directional out of the crouch. Arm played over the top from the crouch and topped at 74 mph with a low pop time of 1.95. Caught our attention with his round of outfield defense. Active, quick feet, proper routes, got behind the baseball and looked natural despite being fairly new to the position. Played through the baseball athletically and showed off a quicker, stronger arm than he did behind the plate. From the outfield, his arm played quick and quick while his throws played with true four-seam carry, were consistently on the target and topped at 86 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter has quick, strong hands and keeps the barrel flat and through the hitting zone a long time. Nevils was on the barrel with authority (65% sweet spot percentage) of his swings which was fourth-best of the event. Nevils averaged 82.7 mph off the bat and his furthest batted ball travelled 342 feet. One of the top uncommitted prospects in the Illinois’ 2023 class.

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 188-pounds. Strong, athletic build with thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, hands load, balanced throughout. Short swing, direct path, average bat speed of 69.7 MPH, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 92.42 max exit velocity, averaged 80.69 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop times. Advanced hands, fluid feet, clean exchanges, shows athleticism.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 176-pounds. Athletic frame with strength in lower half. Has added over 10 pounds of quality muscle since a February event.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, wide slightly crouched setup, smooth load and leg-kick timing trigger. Presence in the box, highly-repeatable swing. Compact swing, stays connected and on plane. Fast bat, level through the zone and extension through contact. Line-drive, middle of the field approach with fluid rhythm and balance throughout. One of the top BP rounds on the day.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 93.63 mph during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, over-the-top arm action.
Defense: 2.11-2.28 pop times. Wide, squared setup, soft hands, clean and fluid footwork out of the crouch.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot, 169-pounds. Long-levered, high-waisted, athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Square slightly-crouched setup, smooth load and leg-kick timing trigger. Repeatable swing, advanced approach, uses the entire field, stays within himself. Loose hands, easy bat speed, creates whip, consistent hard line drive contact and balanced finish.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Long draw out of the glove, plays true from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop times. Light on his feet, clean and directional out of the chute, agile block. Soft hands, quiet receiver.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Even more than his gifted tools, Nevils’ ability to make adjustments throughout the weekend stood out. The young backstop has a proportionally, naturally strong frame that is likely to develop much more strength in the future. What started off the weekend as a load with some segmentation at the plate quickly morphed into a more fluid approach. When timed up, the hands worked back in sync with a leg kick, and there was noticeable bat speed through the zone on a flat path. The bat-to-ball skills are solid as he is aggressive while still being in control. Behind the plate, Nevils worked to block balls, and showcases advanced receiving abilities for his age. His quick footwork and transfer along with a strong throwing arm allowed him to cut down the running game, and impressed between innings. Overall, Nevils’ all around game is likely to bring many coaches/scouts to games over the next four years.

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 147-pounds.
Defense: 2.25-2.44 pop times. Natural catchers actions, soft hands and fluid footwork with a clean exchange.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 74 mph.  Short and over the top arm action, showed accuracy and carry.
Hit: RHH. Balanced and slightly crouched, short stride. Long and loose bat path, line drive and gap to gap approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60.

(Junior Future Games) - 5-foot-7, 135-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, athleticism in frame. Defensively, behind the plate, smooth actions, receives in rhythm, quick transfer, sticks pitches naturally. Arm is short and loose, accurate throws on the bag, topped 66 mph and popped 2.34-2.55 from the crouch. Offensively, loose hands, fundamentals are sound, level path with bat speed, exit velocity topped 76 mph from a tee.

5-foot-7, 135-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, high-waisted frame. At the plate, balanced, open setup, back load, short stride, maintains balance. Utilizes lower half well, short, level bat path, line drive abilities, hits with smooth rhythm involved. Exit velocity topped 72 mph from a tee. Defensively showed athletic actions. Pop times ranged between 2.44-2.61. Agile blocker, fluid footwork, quick transfer and release, short, loose arm action, over the top slot. Throws topped 62 mph from the crouch. Similar actions from the infield, smooth, natural abilities. Throws topped 68 mph across the infield. 8.38 runner in the 60.