On March 27, the PBR Illinois team hosted its annual Underclass Invitational showcase, bringing together a collection of the state’s best freshmen and sophomores in one place, The MAX in McCook, Ill.

We began our post-event breakdown in the days that followed this event, detailing the prospects who exited the event with their prospect arrows pointed way up inside of this Quick Hits post, as well as the traditional stats leaders inside the Statistical Analysis.

Today, we’re continuing our position-by-position analysis by publishing the scouting reports on each of the outfielders who made it out to this event. We began our positional breakdowns on Tuesday, analyzing our catchers.

JCA sophomore Trey Swiderski (2023; Louisville commit) was the last player to take his round of batting practice, and it was also among the day’s most memorable. He crushed one of the day’s hardest and farthest hit balls, one that left the bat at 103.6 mph and traveled 380 feet, estimated. His right-handed swing is one of the class’ most impactful, but he can also range around the outfield with above-average actions and speed for his physical stature. He’s an arrow-up prospect who moved up both the state and national rankings in our most recent rankings updates.

Left/left athlete Kaden Griffitts (Williamsville, 2023; uncommitted) is a compact and strong outfielder who swings a short, repeatable bat that landed barrel after barrel at this event. He’s a steady defender, too, who came away from this event as one of its biggest winners.

From DePaul College Prep, Andrew Garcia (2023; uncommitted) is another left/left prospect and one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in this class. Garcia ran a 6.50 at this event after running a 6.49 at an earlier showcase, and his premium tools go beyond his legs, as he also recorded a 94 mph high from the outfield, and has been up to 82 mph on the mound, in front of our staff.

This group also featured several of the top freshmen we’ve seen to date, including Samuel Chapman (Woodstock, 2024; uncommitted) and Dennis Butler III (Simeon, 2023; Louisville). Both are left-handed hitters with line-drive profiles who are capable of using the whole field. Chapman was up to 91 mph from the outfield; Butler and fellow freshman Mason Phillips (Oak Park-River Forest, 2024; uncommitted) ran advanced times for their ages, at 6.81 and 6.67, respectively.

For full reports on this group, continue reading below.

TOP 2023 OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Trey Swiderski, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2023; Louisville commit.
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Physically advanced frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, small leg lift, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Explosive, aggressive swing, advanced bat speed with an average of 73.9 MPH, barrel control, gap-to-gap approach with intent to do damage, advanced round of BP.
Power: 103.55 max exit velocity, averaged 97.57 mph. 380’ max distance. Best max exit velocity among outfielders.
Arm: RH. OF - 93 mph. Long, quick arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry with advanced arm strength.
Defense: Aggressive routes, hands play through baseball, plays with proper direction.
Run: 6.80 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

2. Kaden Griffitts, Williamsville (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, whippy swing, strong, level bat path, barrel control, creates backspin, consistent hard contact, line drives, pull-side tendencies, advanced round of BP.
Power: 93.31 max exit velocity, averaged 86.84 mph. 336’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: Steady outfield actions, hands play out front, clean exchanges, plays through the ball with athleticism.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

3. Andrew Garcia, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg lift, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Loose, athletic swing, path works uphill, line drives, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86.56 max exit velocity, averaged 78.57 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 94 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry, best outfield velocity at the event.
Defense: Natural, athletic outfield actions, soft hands, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.49 runner in the 60. Plus runner, best time at event.

4. Frederick Ragsdale III, Lyons Township (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-6, 150-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slight crouch, smooth load, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Fluid, athletic swing, short, level bat path, works uphill, pull-side tendencies
Power: 78.55 max exit velocity, averaged 60.94 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 84 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Athletic outfield actions, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

5. Lucas Smith, Nazareth (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, toe-tap trigger, short stride, fluid pre-pitch actions. Short, direct swing to ball, path works uphill, average bat speed of 68.3 MPH, gap-to-gap approach, intent to drive the ball in the air.
Power: 89.91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.6 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot, throws have carry/accuracy.
Defense: Advanced outfield action, aggressive routes, fluid feet, clean exchange, plays through ball with athleticism.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

6. Mikey Murphy, Minooka (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: SH. Similar setup from both sides of plate, balanced, athletic, bigger leg kick on right side.   Strong swing with intent, especially from the right-side, average bat speed of 73.0 MPH. Path works uphill, ball jumps off barrel, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach, used middle of the field.
Power: 100.83 max exit velocity, averaged 89.46 mph. 384’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Aggressive routes, steady hands play out front, quick feet, plays through baseball.
Run: 6.55 runner in the 60. Plus runner.

7. Tommy Townsend, Sycamore (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, short stride, fluid pre pitch actions. Short, direct swing, fluid throughout, level path, advanced hands, looks to make contact out front, gap-to-gap approach, used middle of the field.
Power: 91.48 max exit velocity, averaged 83.12 mph. 340’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Advanced outfield footwork, natural actions, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

8. Brenden Stressler, New Trier (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, small leg lift, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, direct swing, level bat path, strength in swing, fluid throughout, gap-to-gap approach with intent to do damage.
Power: 92.74 max exit velocity, averaged 84.28 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Projects as a corner outfielder, steady hands play out front, plays through baseball.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

9. Nicholas Gottfried, Jacobs (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: SH. Very similar from both sides of the plate, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, athletic swing, fluid throughout, path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.71 max exit velocity, averaged 79.03 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 88 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Clean outfield actions, quick feet, clean exchanges, plays through the ball with athleticism.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

10. Clay Schrader, Naperville Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slow load into backside, leg lift, short stride. Fluid swing, average bat speed of 69.4 MPH, path works efficiently uphill, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.5 max exit velocity, averaged 81.63 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Loose, whippy arm action, over-the-top arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Clean exchanges, plays through the baseball with a shuffle.
Run: 6.86 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

TOP 2024 OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Samuel Chapman, Woodstock (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, simple swing, advanced level bat path, barrel control, line drives, used all fields.
Power: 88.98 max exit velocity, averaged 83.94 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 91 mph. Long, loose arm action, throws carry.
Defense: Advanced outfield actions, aggressive routes, quick/fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the ball athletically with crow hop.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

2. Dennis Butler III, Simeon (IL), 2024; Louisville commit.
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-7, 165-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, leg lift, short stride. Short swing, with intent, level bat path, quick bat, barrel control, line drives, used the entire field, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88.15 max exit velocity, averaged 79.41 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Advanced outfield footwork, sets up behind the baseball, plays through it, clean exchanges.
Run: 6.81 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

3. Mason Phillips, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight knee-bend, leg lift, short stride. Short, direct swing, path works efficiently uphill, line drives, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.05 max exit velocity, averaged 79.09 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Hands play out front, works through the baseball.
Run: 6.67 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Owen Duffy, Marist (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, leg kick, loose barrel tip in hand load. Short, simple swing, creates easy bat speed, average bat speed of 71.8 MPH, inside the ball at times, line drives, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92.79 max exit velocity, averaged 78.49 mph. 346’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long, clean arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Easy outfield actions, steady hands, clean exchanges, plays through the ball at times.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

Trevor Geis, Mascoutah (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Loose, whippy swing, average bat speed of 70.0 MPH, peak hand speed of 23.6 MPH, path works uphill, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.61 max exit velocity, averaged 84.49 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Shows athleticism, quick feet, plays through ball with crow hop.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Sam Gurgone, Marist (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, quiet swing, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 87.43 max exit velocity, averaged 73.56 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. Quick, loose arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Athletic outfield actions, active feet, clean exchanges, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Jalen House, Downers Grove South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds.
Hit: SH. Tall, open setup, leg kick trigger, short stride. Loose, simple swing, average bat speed of 69.1 MPH, level bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 89.24 max exit velocity, averaged 81.57 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Clean outfield actions, steady hands play out front, fluid feet.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

Beau McBride, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Average bat speed of 70.5 MPH, level bat path, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach with intent to hit for power.
Power: 92.44 max exit velocity, averaged 87.46 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 89 mph. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fluid feet, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Jackson McCarey, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap trigger, short stride. Short swing, direct to the ball, stays inside , line drive approach.
Power: 85.5 max exit velocity, averaged 73.47 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, small crow hop.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. 

Ty Pence, St Joseph Ogden (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-5, 198-pounds. Long, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide, crouched setup, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short swing, direct to ball, path works efficiently uphill, max bat speed of 71.8 MPH.
Power: 90.56 max exit velocity, averaged 71.55 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Long, easy strides, steady hands, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Braylon Singer, Williamsville (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open setup, leg lift, short stride. Short swing, average bat speed of 69.0 MPH, path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach, consistent line drives.
Power: 85.91 max exit velocity, averaged 75.28 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchange, plays through baseball.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60.

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