Underclass Showcase: Outfield Analysis

Continuing our analysis of the Underclass Showcase, we take a look at the top outfield prospects. 2021 Braden Sayles (Hononegah) landed on top of a strong outfield group. Sayles has a ton of upside and swings an easy left-handed bat that creates bat speed and jumps off the barrel. The rest of the crop of outfielders are intriguing athletes with projectable frames and some who are presently quick twitch athletes.

Here’s a look at our top 10 outfielders:

Top outfield Prospects

1. Braden Sayles, OF, Hononegah, 2021
6-foot, 150-pound left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder with a lanky, athletic frame. Offensively hits from an athletic, slightly open setup. Leg lift stride with good balance. Advanced approach at the plate. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm. Level path with good barrel control. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.16. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Aggressive routes, attacks the ball with soft hands. Threw 78 mph from the outfield.

2. Tre Hondras, 2B/OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2020
Highly athletic 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2B/OF. Ran an event best 6.80 60-yard dash. At the plate hits from a crouched, open setup, short stride with good balance. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. Short, uphill swing path. 93 mph exit velocity from a tee with wood. Defensively took drills in the both the infield and outfield. In the infield, fluid footwork with athletic actions and soft hands. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 78 mph across the infield. In the outfield plays thru the ball with solid footwork and hands, threw 83 mph.

3. Jacob Ferry, OF, Oswego East, 2020
Athletically built 6-foot-2, 160-pound left-handed hitting right-handed throwing outfielder. Ast the plate hits from a balanced setup, leg lift stride with good balance. Fluid rhythm with a level swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.06. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Average actions, plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Threw 79 mph from the outfield.

4. Tom Jurack, OF/3B, Hinsdale Central, 2020
6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitting OF/3B with a strong, athletic frame. Offensively, tall, open setup. Drop load with a short leg lift stride. Good balance. Short, uphill swing path. Pull hitter with fluid rhythm. 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.32. Defensively has a strong arm in both the infield and the outfield. Threw 87 mph from the outfield and 81 mph across the infield. Loose arm action working from an over the top slot. Actions more natural in the infield, plays tall with a clean exchange.  

5. Alan Brown, C/INF/OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
5-foot-6, 155-pound utility player, strong compact build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Spray type hitter, loose hands, presence in the box, some effort. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average athleticism and versatility, 6.97 runner in the 60. Profiled best behind the plate and in the outfield, arm played at 72 mph out of the crouch, 80 mph from the outfield, 73 mph across the infield, longer over the top slot. Pop times ranged, 2.19-2.32. Outfield actions play through the baseball on line, true to target.

6. Marc Babicz, OF, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with quick footwork and a clean exchange. Throws showed carry throwing 86 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a wide base with a knee to knee load and average balance. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm and a long, uphill swing path. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.11.

7. Ryan St. Ledger, OF/2B, Edwards County, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting OF/2B. Intriguing athleticism, ran the 60 at 7.05. At the plate plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Long, leg lift stride with average balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Took drills in both the infield and the outfield, projects best in the outfield. Long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with average arm strength, threw 79 mph from the outfield. Threw 72 mph across the infield.

8. Sam Buduris, OF/3B, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitting OF/3B with an athletic frame. Offensively hits from a open stance, hands load to backside, short even stride. Line drive hitter with a short, level swing path and fluid rhythm. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.53. Defensively took drills in both the infield and the outfield. Loose, athletic arm action. In the outfield fluid footwork, plays thru the ball with solid actions. Soft hands in the infield with quick footwork. Threw 79 mph from the outfield and 75 mph across the infield.

9. Abe Collins, OF, Morton, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed hitting right-handed throwing outfielder with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a wide base. Short leg lift stride with average balance. Line drive, pull hitter. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.02. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a quick exchange. Threw 83 mph from the outfield.

10. Tyler Cwik, OF, York, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions with quick, fluid footwork. Plus defensive actions. Clean exchange with soft hands. Threw 82 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Short stride with good balance. Simple approach with a long swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.47.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cord Babcock, LHP/OF, Grant, 2020
5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound throws from a ¾ arm angle as well as working from a submarine angle. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 70-75 mph. Curveball sat 60-63. Slider has sweeping action at 64-67 mph with sweeping action. Works better from the conventional ¾ arm slot. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Throws worked up uphill at 78 mph. Offensively hits from a tall, slightly open setup. 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.58.

Nathan Barney, OF, Loyola, 2020
6-foot, 135-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with a lanky, thin frame. At the plate hits from a wide base with a leg lift stride and long, uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.43. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 65 mph from the outfield.

Samuel Corbett, LHP/OF, Maine South, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball sat 75-77 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with gradual action at 61-67 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 62-65 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with quick footwork. Threw 71 mph from the outfield. At the plate narrow setup, short knee to knee stride. Pull hitter with a level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.94.

Charlie Evans, 3B, St. Rita, 2021
5-foot-10, 147-pound right-handed hitting 3B/OF. Balanced setup at the plate, short stride, with a long, level swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.99. Defensively took drills in both the infield and the outfield. Threw 62 mph across the infield and 64 mph from the outfield.

Bode Gebbink, OF/LHP, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2020
5-foot-8, 175-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits from an open setup with a short toe tap stride and good balance. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.95. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Aggressive routes to the ball with a clean exchange. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Falls towards third base after release. Fastball sat 69-71 topping out at 72 mph. Curveball has 2-8 shape at 56-60 mph. Changeup sat 62-65 mph.

John Gunartt, OF, Niles West, 2020
6-foot-1, 155-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from an open setup with a short heel turn stride. Fluid rhythm with a level swing path, sits on backside. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.52. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Fluid footwork and crow hop, linear actions with a clean exchange. Threw 73 mph from the outfield. Will continue to improve with added strength.

Jimmy Huizenger, LHP/OF, Downers Grove South, 2020
6-foot-3, 195-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF with a lanky, athletic frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery, closed landing with a recoil finish. Fastball sat 74-76 mph. Curveball sat 58-60 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup at 67-68 mph. Interesting upside on the mound needs to improve command. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, drop and bar load. Leg kick stride with fair balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.83. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Quick exchange, threw 72 mph from the outfield.

Tyler Jones, 2B/OF, Streamwood, 2020
5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2B/OF. Balanced setup at the plate. Long stride with a collapse on the backside. Mex effort, pull approach with a long, uphill swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.72. Defensively took drills in the both the infield and the outfield. Grades out better in the outfield, long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 78 mph from the outfield and 75 mph across the infield.

Eric Lopez, OF/RHP, Curie, 2021
5-foot-6, 132-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. Balanced, closed setup with a short heel lift stride and minimal lower half involvement. Long, level swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.88. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 67 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 53-56 topping out at 59 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 51-53 mph. Changeup sat 52-56 mph.

Pedro Martinez, RHP/OF, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-11, 143-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short leg lift, slightly closed landing. Fastball was mostly straight, flashing occasional cutting action at 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-67 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 67-71 mph. Offensively hits from a wide base, short toe tap stride with good balance. Line drive hitter with loose hands and a short, level swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.48. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from an over the top slot, Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

Mitchell Murphy, OF/3B, Normal Community, 2021
5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitting OF/3B. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Short leg lift stride with a linear lower half and fair balance. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.70. Defensively took drills in both the infield and the outfield. Threw both 72 mph from the outfield and across the infield.

Andrew Mysliwiec, OF, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-11, 138-pound left-handed hitting right-handed throwing outfielder. Offensively, balanced, slightly open setup with a short heel lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.57. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws from the outfield at 76 mph. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and average hands.

Colton Powell, OF/RHP, Plainfield North, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, armbar load with a short stride and average balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.02. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with average hands. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball was straight at 70-72 topping out at 74 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 61-65 mph. Changeup sat 64-67 mph.

Anthony Pullano, LHP/OF, Maine South, 2021
5-foot-11, 140-pound right-handed hitting LHP/OF. Offensively hits from a wide base, leg lift stride with a long uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.03. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws from the outfield, takes aggressive routes, with a quick, clean transfer. Threw 69 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball has sinking action at 68-69 topping out at 70 mph. Curveball has 2-8 shape with loose rotation at 57-61 mph. Also threw a knuckleball at 58-61 mph.

Owen Roesel, OF/RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, heel lift stride with average balance. Pull hitter with a slightly uphill swing path. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.42. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball has running action at 76-78 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape, comes out of a higher arm slot, at 63-66 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 64-67 mph.

Alex Rodriguez, RHP/OF, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky, wide shouldered, projectable frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Short stride with a square landing. Repeats well. Fastball sat 78-79 mph. Showed feel for his off speed offerings. Curveball has 11-5 shape with sharp breaking action at 66-71 mph. Changeup has running action at 72-73 mph. Offers intriguing upside on the mound. At the plate hits from an open setup, leg lift stride with fair balance. Pull hitter with a long swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.92. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Slower actions, threw 80 mph from the outfield.

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