Sean
Kempf

C Sean Kempf (Crystal Lake Central) is another catcher with an impactful right-handed swing. Kempf has a compact 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame and his swing is much the same. He stays short and direct to the ball, flat through the zone with above-average bat-to-ball skills and creates backspin contact to the gaps with a 96 mph peak exit velocity, 85.4 mph average. Kempf showed improvements from behind the plate since our last look, lowering his pop-time down to 2.00 seconds and adding three mph to his velocity out of the chute (now T78 mph).

C Sean Kempf (Crystal Lake Central) made us take notice of his offensive abilities at the Illinois State Games this past August and continued to show well with the bat at the McHenry Preseason ID. Kempf has a compact, loose, strong swing that was on the barrel throughout his round of BP. Kempf averaged 89.9 mph off the bat and wore out both gaps throughout his round. Defensively, Kempf topped at 75 mph with a low pop-time of 2.06 seconds. His throws played with backspin and were mostly on the bag, coming from an over-the-top slot. His transfer is quick and clean, working directionally out of the crouch in-line with second. 

Another impressive offensive showing for Team 2 came from C/2B Sean Kempf (Crystal Lake Central, 2024). Kempf has a strong, compact frame and his swing is much the same. Kempf stays short and repeatable with advanced bat strength and he was all over the barrel in BP. Kempf drove hard contact to all fields, registering a 100.2 mph max EV. Kempf also finished game play going 2-for-7 with two stolen bases, two walks, an RBI and a run scored.

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Strong, muscular build.
Hits: RHH. Tall setup, long stride. Flat path, creates backspin, strong hands. Swings with controlle intent, hard contact to all fields with jump off the barrel. In-game stats: 2-for-7, 2 SB, 2 RBI, 2 BB, R.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 91.8 MPH. 340' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-74 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.19 pop times. Squared setup, sure-hands, clean release, deadens blocks in front.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, slightly open base. Gets back to square with a short stride. Loose, easy actions. Present bat speed. Level path through the zone with balance throughout.
Power: 94.8 max exit velocity, averaged 90.4 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 76 mph. Above-average arm strength. C: Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. IF: Short arm action. Natural high 3/4 with the ability to throw from multiple arm slots.
Defense: 2.19 - 2.36 pop times. C: Stiff in the crouch, clean exchange. IF: Plays through the baseball. Body control on the move.
Run: 4.38 runner home-to-first. 

Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Short swing, level bat path, works inside the baseball, line drives at times.
Power: 87.85 max exit velocity, averaged 75.04 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.36 pop times. Easy receiving actions, clean exchanges, proper direction.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: C/INF
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Athletic frame with some wiry strength attached.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly open setup, smooth load as hands slot into a strong hitting position, toe-tap timing trigger.  Short and simple bat path, flashed line drive feel to the pull-side, easy effort throughout.
Power: 85.72 max exit velocity, averaged 80.82 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 73 mph. Arm plays short and comes out of an over-the-top window.
Defense: 2.28-2.38 pop times.  Worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Athletic setup from the crouch, flexible lower half, works direct to target, long to release. Active feet on the infield, glove hand works out front of body at times, controls body well on the move.
Run: 4.72 runner in the 60.  

Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-5, 130-pounds.
Defense: 2.47-2.60 pop times. Behind the plate; sure-handed and clean transfers. On the infield; fluid footwork and sure-handed.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate with carry.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Loose hands, long bat path, fluid rhythm with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Run: 5.05 runner, home-to-first. 

Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, level shoulders, works in-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T68, 64-68 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 55-57 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual movement.
CH: 59-63 mph. Arm side fade action.