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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Outfield Analysis

October 23, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior Showcase took place on Sunday October 12th at the MAX in McCook, IL in front of over forty collegiate programs and featured 98 prospects in the class of 2015 that are still uncommitted. Last year’s same event saw over 35 collegiate commitments reported to PBR, and we expect more of the same after witnessing this year’s impressive crop.

Over the next few days we will roll out position-by-position rankings of the showcase culminating with the Top Overall Prospects from the event.

CLICK HERE to see complete statistics from the event in PDF format.

Today we’ll take a close look at the outfielders. This year’s crop was deep in talent and numbers, so we went with a top ten. Morgan Park teammates Tyler Hill and Murrell Martin both showcased two of the top arms at the event, touching 90 mph and 89 mph respectively. Hill takes home top honors thanks to his explosive bat speed and athletic build. Kyle Schulz from Bradford (WI) was a close second thanks to his solid all-around play and fluid swing. McHenry West’s Jack Glosson runs well and produced 90 mph exit velocity off the tee. Waukesha West’s Chase Scharnek put on a show running the top 60 of the event (6.68 seconds) and also threw 92 mph from the outfield. If Scharnek’s bat can catch up to his plus-athletic ability, he could have a higher ceiling prospect wise than any player at the event.

Let’s take a look at the top outfield prospects at this October’s Unsigned Senior Showcase.

Top Outfield Prospects

1.Tyler Hill, OF, Morgan Park, 2015
6-foot-1, 185-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder was one of the most impressive prospects at the Unsigned Senior Showcase, showing off an outfield arm touching 90 mph from a long, high ¾ slot. Defensively, played through the baseball. Offensively, hits from a wide, crouched setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, explosive bat speed, hit several line drives with pull tendencies during batting practice. 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.18 60. Hill is a prospect to keep tabs on this spring and has a considerable ceiling thanks to his quick twitch athleticism.

2. Kyle Schulz, OF, Bradford, WI
5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder/left-handed pitcher, right handed hitter, left handed thrower, athletic build. Quick fluid footwork make Schulz one of the best outfield defenders in the class, lockdown centerfield defender. Posted one of the top 60 times at 6.71, besting his previous time of 6.72 that he ran at the Top Prospect Showcase in June. In the outfield runs accurate and fluid routes, feet work really well, high level athleticism, plays through the ball aggressively and fluidly. Soft hands, arm works from a high ¾ slot at 84 mph. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, maintains strong balance through contact. Hands work well in swing, bat control hitter, shows the ability to find the barrel, middle of the field approach. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Delivery is athletic, tall and fall approach, works slightly across body. Arm works clean, athletic and loose. Fastball has slight run, 79-81 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 64-66 mph, shows feel for the pitch. Changeup is mostly straight, showed control of the zone, 73-74 mph.

3. Jack Glosson, OF, McHenry West, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder, strong build, advanced body for age. Ran one of the best 60 times at the event, 6.77 runner. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, short stride, smooth loading action. Advanced bat speed, strong swing, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Works the middle of the field, gap to gap guy, line drive hitter. Defensively played through the baseball in the outfield, works in stride, shows athleticism. Arm carries, loose arm action with accuracy, 82 mph from the outfield.

4. Chase Scharnek, OF/RHP, Waukesha West, WI
Long projectable left handed hitting two-way player, 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, frame projects well. Displayed advanced tools at the Unsigned Senior Showcase. Posted event best 60-yard dash at 6.68 as well as event best arm strength from the outfield at 92 mph. Defensively showed the ability to play through the baseball, arm showed carry from an over the top slot, accurate to target. Left handed hitter, wide setup, drops hands at load, heel lift trigger, lower half showed some activity, good balance throughout. Found the barrel repeatedly in BP, bat speed present, slight uphill bat path. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Highly projectable left handed hitting outfielder. Works with a tall and fall style delivery, shows some effort. Arm action is short, over the top slot, quick arm. Fastball was mostly straight, occasionally heavy feel, 79-82 mph. Slider had downward action, showed some feel, showed more depth than lateral action, 72-75 mph, near fastball arm speed. Changeup is mostly straight, near fastball arm action, 71-72 mph.

5. Matt Fauth, OF, Conant, 2015
Medium build that carries good strength, 5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, crouched setup, short stride, good balance. Downhill path, stays on top of the baseball, line drive gap to gap approach, short path to the baseball, loose hands, excellent bat speed. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed the ability to impact the baseball well. Defensively uses a short arm action, over the top slot, arm carries, strong arm at 86 mph from the outfield. Showed the ability to play through the baseball, above average runner, 6.91 in the 60. Fauth has an aggressive approach to the game, looks to play with a high motor, attacks the baseball both at the dish and in the field.

6. Zach Abfall, OF, Bay Port, WI
Lanky frame, 6-foot, 155-pound left handed hitting outfielder, projectable build. Flashed quick twitch actions in his game. Ran one of the top 60’s at the Unsigned Senior Showcase posting a 6.72. Offensively hits from a tall setup, slightly open and narrow, long stride back to even, good balance throughout. Quick hands at the plate, posted 92 mph exit velocity from the tee, stays on top of the baseball, downhill path. In the outfield used short quick footwork to play through the baseball. Plays through with two hands, arm played on line and accurate, showed carry at 82 mph.

7. Murrell Martin, OF, Morgan Park, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound two-way player, athletic build, lean strength. Raw toolsy athlete, ran one of the top 60 times at 6.87. In the outfield showed off one of the strongest arms in attendance, 89 mph with carry, over the top slot. Fields through the baseball with two hands, quick footwork. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, short stride, quiet setup. Bat speed present, quick hands, hits off backside, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Delivery has little effort, loose arm action, works on line, high ¾ slot. Fastball has run, late action, two-seam showed excellent action at 80-82 mph, four-seam fastball topped at 83 mph. Slider has sat 71-73 mph.

8. Stephen Dudas, OF, Naperville North, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder, lanky frame, wide shoulders can carry additional weight, frame has some projection. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Flashed some bat speed, line drive approach, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average runner, 6.91 in the 60-yard dash. Defensively plays with a short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 79 mph from the outfield. Plays with quicker footwork, two hands through the baseball.

9. Matthew Wilson, OF, Nazareth, 2015
5-foot-11, 170-pound outfielder, medium frame and build. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly crouched, short stride, smooth loading action. Line drive, gap to gap approach, gets extension, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short over the top arm stroke, showed accuracy and carry, 82 mph from the outfield. Plays through the baseball with short quick steps, 7.44 runner in the 60.

10. Mike Finger, OF, St. Laurence, OF, 2015
6-foot-1, 195-pound strong, wide shouldered right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, short heel lift stride, produced 83 mph exit velocity and several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice. Defensively, threw 78 mph from the outfield from short, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy. Ran a 7.15 60. Finger flashed power during the spring for St. Laurence, and is one of the better long ball threats in the Catholic League.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Antonio Anaya, OF, Lockport, 2015
5-foot-10, 145-pound left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder hits from a wide, open setup, hands drop back during load, short stride, creating inside-out swing with opposite field tendencies and 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 82 mph from the outfield from short, over-the-top arm slot with some accuracy. Ran a 7.00 60 yard dash.

Robert Beard, OF, Oak Lawn, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide base, slight open setup, hands drop during load, creating uphill bat path, with up the middle approach during batting practice. Produced 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 78 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.44 60 yard dash.

Antonio, Danesi, OF, South Elgin, 2015
5-foot-10, 185-pound outfielder, medium frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, leg kick trigger, arm bar loading action. Uphill path, lifts the baseball, flashes pop, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action, over the top slot, lacked accuracy, 80 mph arm strength from the outfield. 7.46 runner in the 60 yard dash.

Mario Flores, OF, Roberto Clemente, 2015
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, hands start high, drop to load. Chokes up for barrel control, producing slightly uphill bat path producing line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 73 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 79 mph from the outfield from a long, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy. Ran a 7.16 60.

George Georgevich, OF, Niles West, 2015
5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitting third baseman hits from a tall, open setup, hands held high, load back smoothly, dives slightly during stride, creating short, level bat path producing line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 77 mph from the outfield. Ran an 8.09 60.

Alex Hochman, OF, Stevenson, 2015
5-foot-6, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, open setup with an up the middle to opposite field approach. 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Threw 82 mph from the outfield from a long, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.39 60.

Derek Kortemeier, LHP/OF, Freeport, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound left-handed two-way player. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, regular effort, works slightly across his body. Fastball has cut action, slight sink, 76-77 mph. Throws two breaking balls, slider/cutter is the better of the two, 72-74 mph, shorter action, thrown aggressively. Changeup has near fastball arm action, slight fade, 72-73 mph. Left-handed hitter, wide stance, backward loading action, heel lift and weight shifting loading action. Line drive approach, fluid hitter, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a loose arm action high ¾ slot, 77 mph from the outfield. 7.35 runner in the 60.

Austin Rochwick, OF, Barrington, 2015
6-foot-2, 240-pound large framed right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide, balanced setup, front toe turns in to load hips, producing long, uphill swing with power potential. Over swings at times, produced 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 82 mph from the outfield from a long, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Ran a 7.63 60.

Clayton Taylor, OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2015
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder hits from a spread out stance, hands drop back to load, heel lift/toe turn stride, producing uphill bat path with barrel whip and above average 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 78 mph from the outfield high ¾ arm slot, throwing slightly across his body during crow hop. Ran a 7.32 60.

Brett Thomas, OF/RHP, Richards, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way player. Left-handed hitter, tall setup, open stance, short stride. Flat path with some length, line drive pull side hitter, rotational. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long arm action from the outfield, ¾ slot, 77 mph arm strength. On the mound delivery has some rhythm, tall and fall approach, long arm action. Fastball sits 73-76 mph. Breaking ball is 65-67 mph. Changeup has slight arm side action, 70-71 mph.

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