Preseason All-State: Outfield Analysis

March 14, 2016

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Illinois/Wisconsin

The Preseason All-State Showcase outfield prospects were lead by TCU commit Brad Czerniejewski who is a toolsy prospect with high ceiling. This list of outfielders features several different profiles, but mostly corner type prospects with middle of the order type bats that should play well at the next level.

Here's a look at the top outfield prospects.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Brad Czerniejewski, OF, Lake Forest, 2017
Texas Christian commit. Strong athletic body type, 6-foot-1, 190-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, toe tap stride, rhythmic hitter, minimal loading action in hands. Explosive bat speed, loose hands, front foot hitter. 96 mph exit velocity from the. Advanced arm strength from the outfield, over the top slot, ball carries well and stays on line, 90 mph from the outfield. Plays aggressively to the baseball, footwork is quick. 6.80 runner in the 60, laser timed. Possible 2017 draft follow.

2. Jimmy Burnette, LHP/OF, St. Laurence, 2017
Austin Peay commit. 6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way player, average strong build, projects best on the mound. Delivery is clean and repeatable, front side stays closed, slightly across body, creates angle. Arm action is quick, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Showed god feel for his fastball, ability to command, 86-88 mph, touched 89 mph, arm side run. Curveball has 1/7 shape, sharp action with good depth, 69-72 mph. Changeup flashes sink, mostly down in the zone, fastball arm speed, 79-82 mph. Premium left-handed arm with feel for the zone. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance. Middle to opposite field approach, inside out type path, short to the baseball. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played well, 89 mph from the outfield, high ¾ slot, loose arm, flashed carry. Strong actions in the outfield, feet work well, 6.98 runner in the 60.

3. Donivan Williams, INF/OF, Morgan Park, 2018
6-foot, 191-pound infield/outfielder, solid build with strength. Defensively showed arm strength all over the diamond, 86 mph across the infield, 89 mph from the outfield, short quick arm action, quick release, gets carry. Shows soft hands on the infield, athletic defender, plays through the baseball. Looks most natural on the infield. Right-handed hitter, open stance, average stride. Gap to gap approach, fast bat, fluid hitter, looks for hard pull contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.16 runner in the 60.

4. Miles Simington, OF, Normal Community, 2017
5-foot-9, 185-pound outfielder, strong build, advanced strength for size. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance. Has bat strength, flashes some pop, has bat speed, made hard contact on inside pitches, gets the barrel there quickly. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short, over the top slot, 84 mph arm strength, quick release. Feet work, plays through the baseball, 7.31 runner in the 60.

5. Michael Gunartt, OF, Niles West, 2017
Projectable body, lean loose frame, 6-foot-2, 185-pound outfielder. Well above average outfield actions, plays through the baseball athletic defender, 6.94 runner. Arm action plays over the top, long arm action, arm carries well, topped at 93 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Shows bat speed, inside out path, high back elbow. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Good athlete with projectability.

6. Johnny LaMantia, OF, St. Ignatius, 2017
Lean muscled frame, 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from an open stance, leg kick stride. Bat path is level, some length, creates backspin, gap to gap approach. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball, average hands, corner outfield type. 6.99 runner in the 60. 80 mph arm from the outfield, over the top slot, some accuracy. Profiles as a potential middle of the lineup bat and average corner outfield defender.

7. Brett Bagus, OF, Brother Rice, 2017
Strong athletic shape, 5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder. Foot speed is best tool, projects as a centerfield prospect, 6.76 runner. In the outfield, foot speed translates, plays through the baseball well with quick footwork. Arm action is short and over the top, average arm strength, showed to be accurate, 84 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, minimal loading action, short stride, solid balance. Simple, static approach, path is short, shows bat strength, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

8. Robert Archbold, OF, Warren, 2017
6-foot-1, 205-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with strong build. Profiles as a corner outfielder with some left-handed pop. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, loads hands back, leg kick stride, lower half works, good balance. Showed bat speed, solid approach with bat strength, ability to backspin the baseball, loose hands and finds the barrel. Makes hard contact, occasionally jumps off bat, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with average actions, ability to play through the baseball. 7.37 runner. Arm carries well with accuracy, over the top slot, 84 mph, plays up, comes out of his hand well.

9. Wyell Woods, OF, Marian Catholic, 2017
Athletic, strong build, 6-foot, 175-pound outfielder. Defensively played through the baseball with athletic actions, clean exchange, fluid footwork. 7.16 runner in the 60. Arm action is short and over the top, arm played extremely accurate with slight carry, 82 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading action. Flashes bat speed with pull side pop, loose hands, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

10. Nickolas Strysik, C/OF, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher/outfielder, shows some physicality. Offensive minded catcher, strong bat. Hits from a tall open stance, longer stride. Aggressive swinger, hard contact guy, pull side power approach, longer path, strong bat, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively pop times posted 2.11-2.15, longer arm action, 77 mph out of the crouch. In the outfield profiles at a corner spot, 80 mph, moves well plays through the baseball. 7.12 runner. May profile best in the outfield at the next level, bat will play.

10. Thomas Larson, 3B/OF, Families of Faith Christian Academy, 2017
Physically strong 6-foot-1, 190-pound 3B/OF, quick twitch type player. 6.98 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced setup, leg kick stride. Strong hands, shows bat speed, path works around the baseball, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively took it at third base and in the outfield. Showed arm strength from both, 88 mph from the outfield, 85 mph across the infield, long over the top arm action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Todd Brown, RHP/OF, East Aurora, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player, average frame, lean build, projects best on the mound. Delivery works on line, high front side, occasionally rotational. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball showed slight arm side run, has control, 84-85 mph, touched 86 mph. Curveball has some depth, 11/5 shape, has feel, 69-71 mph. Straight change, has feel, kept down, 71-74 mph. Good feel for three pitches. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Path has length, average bat speed on uphill path. Defensively arm plays long, high ¾ slot, flashed carry, 83 mph. Shuffles through the baseball, deliberate actions, 7.03 runner in the 60.

Johnny Butler, OF, Minooka, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound outfielder, lanky athletic shape, long legs. Left-handed hitter, tall setup, minimal loading action, short stride, average balance. Simple approach, keeps things quiet. Path is short, opposite field contact, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 79 mph from the outfield. Deliberate approach to the baseball 7.04 runner in the 60.

Blake Carlson, LHP/OF, Ottawa, 2017
6-foot, 187-pound two-way player, athletic shape. Projects best on the mound, left-handed pitcher, easy arm, long and loose, slight wrap, high ¾ slot. Repeatable delivery, squared landing, smooth rhythm. Fastball has feel, slight arm side run, 81-83 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, gradual action, 69-71 mph. Changeup has slight fade, fastball arm speed, 73-75 mph. Switch hitter, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Left-handed swing showed more confidence, looseness. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, accurate to his target, has some run to it, 84 mph. Showed outfield actions, ability to play through the baseball. 7.29 runner in the 60.

Mason Coon, LHP/OF, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2017
Lanky athletic frame, loose and projectable, 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed two-way player. Drop and drive style delivery, little effort, works athletically, squared landing. Arm action is loose, quick arm, ¾ slot. Fastball showed easy action, good arm side run, fell for the zone, 81-82 mph, touched 83 mph. Curveball has 1/7 action, some depth, 70-71 mph. Changeup has feel, thrown with arm speed, 72-73 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly wide, longer stride. Path is flat, some length, hits with rhythm, on time, barrel aware and creates backspin. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.48 runner in the 60. Defensively plays through the baseball with two hands, occasionally deep, fluid actions. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot, 82 mph from the outfield.

Sean Cummins, OF, Lake Park, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder, lean strong upper body, wider shoulder, projectable frame. Defensively played through the baseball showed ability to attack the baseball. 7.21 runner in the 60. Arm played at 79 mph from the outfield, short over the top arm action. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, balanced stance, leg kick stride that slightly dives. Flashes bat speed, aggressive swing, gap to gap type contact. 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jeremy Davis, OF, Geneva, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, average build. Offensively hits from an open stance, leg lift stride, sets hands low, good balance. Smooth, spray hitter, barrel control. Average bat speed, path works slightly uphill. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball, long transfer. Arm action is long, over the top slot, 75 mph from the outfield. Ran the 60 at 7.24.

Trevor Davis, OF, Morton, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Balanced stance, leg lift stride. Linear lower half, gets off back side, path works uphill, lifts the baseball. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.02 runner. Defensively plays through the baseball, showed an ability to attack, showed outfield actions. Arm action is long, over the top slot, stays on line, 79 mph from the outfield.

DJ Donofrio, OF, Plainfield East, 2017
Physically strong build, muscular/firm build, 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, slight dive. Has bat strength, dive/pull approach. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.25 runner in the 60. Short over the top arm action, average arm strength, 82 mph from the outfield. Short quick footwork sets up to play through. 7.25 runner in the 60.

Marco Escobar, OF, Plainfield South, 2017
5-foot-10, 185-pound outfielder, squared build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Middle of the field approach, ability to spray the baseball, line drive type. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball, gets uphill at times, average hands. Arm action is long and over the top, 77 mph from the outfield. Ran the 60 at 7.16, laser timed.

Jack Farley, OF, Wheaton-Warrenville South, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, build carries some strength. Ran a 6.95 in the 60, laser timed. Arm action is long, ¾ slot, some accuracy with arm side run, 75 mph from the outfield. Fields the baseball off to the side, works through it with crowhop to release. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, stride slightly opens. Path is level, line drive type, mostly opposite field contact in BP. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Brian Heidbreder, OF, Lake Forest, 2017
Lean build, 6-foot-1, 175-pound outfielder. Arm action has length, over the top slot, accurate with some carry, 86 mph from the outfield. Hands work, exchange is long, excess footwork to release, shuffles through the baseball. 7.23 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading action. Line drive approach, creates backspin, gets to front side. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Elias Kuhns, OF, Jones College Prep, 2017
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, strong build. Hits from an open stance, short stride, average balance. Flat path, worked the middle of the field, line drive type, occasional back spin. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 79 mph. Ran a 7.27 in the 60. Deliberate actions through the baseball, average hands.

Ryan Poland, OF, Normal University, 2017
5-foot-8, 170-pound outfielder, average body, shows strength. Wide balance, loads hands back, leg lifting stride. Level path, some length, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, short arm action, plays accurately. Plays through the baseball, footwork and exchange works. 7.09 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works on line, tall and fall approach, regular effort. Over the top arm slot. Fastball is straight, 78-80 mph, touched 81 mph, showed control. Curveball had 11/5 action, 69-72 mph. Pulls changeup at times, stayed down, 71-74 mph.

Sean Robinson, OF, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound outfielder, small athletic frame, lean build. Left-handed hitter, taller open stance, slightly narrow, long stride. Average bat speed, path works slightly uphill, topspin contact. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has active feet in the outfield, solid actions, aggressive to the baseball. 7.19 runner in the 60. Arm action is over the top, average arm strength, accurate to his target, 78 mph from the outfield.

Charlie Rodriguez, OF, St. Rita, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, average build. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, slight dive, average balance. Middle to opposite field approach, line drive contact, level path, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed good actions, ability to play through the baseball with one hand, feet work. 7.40 runner. Arm action is short and over the top, occasional carry, 83 mph.

Noel Rodriguez, OF, Lincoln Park, 2017
5-foot-6, 125-pound outfielder, undersized, athletic shape, light footed. Well above average runner, 6.86 in the 60. Defensively played aggressive through the baseball, feet are quick and fluid, stays active, plays with bounce. Profiles as a centerfield type. Arm action is short and over the top, average arm strength, 76 mph, showed accuracy, gets rid of it efficiently. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open stance, leg lift stride, average balance. Path has some length, slight uphill path. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jackson Shepherd, OF, Minooka, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound outfielder, average build. Defensively arm played long from the outfield, over the top slot, arm carries, 82 mph arm strength. Plays through the baseball, clean exchange, quick footwork. 6.85 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open setup, short stride that slightly dives. Opposite field contact, flat bat path, average bat speed. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Korey Soetaert, RHP/OF, Wauconda, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player, carries lean strength. Projects best on the mound, delivery has some effort, tall and fall, works on line. High ¾ arm slot, short arm action. Fastball had heavy feel, slight run, 83-86 mph. Curveball had some lateral shape, 10/4 plane, 73-74 mph. Slider is 73-77 mph, lateral action. Changeup had feel, slight arm side run, 77-78. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Shows bat speed, slight uphill path. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays upright, 7.53 runner, shows ability to play through. Arm action is long, 81 mph from the outfield.

Zachary Spencer, OF, Unity, 2017
Large build, 6-foot-1, 215-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Profiles as a corner outfield type with above average left-handed bat. Hits from a wider stance, toe tap stride, slightly dives to hit. Shows some bat strength, pull side hitter, loose hands. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 78 mph, short and over the top, some accuracy. 8.09 runner, corner outfield type, plays through with two hands.

Connor Yukna, OF, Waubonsie Valley, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, lean strong build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even, loads hands back, slight arm bar. Lays bat off, flat level path, occasionally uphill. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action works over the top, showed carry, 86 mph from the outfield. 7.12 runner in the 60. Can play through the baseball with a crowhop, feet worked well, showed solid actions.