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Gurnee Preseason I.D. Showcase: Outfield Analysis

March 17, 2015

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report’s Gurnee Preseason I.D. Showcase took place on Sunday February 22nd at Bat Speed Academy in Gurnee, IL. The showcase featured 105 prospects from the 2015-2018 classes who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff.

CLICK HERE to view the Top Statistical Performers

CLICK HERE to view the Top Tools Breakdown

Over the next several days we will breakdown the top prospects from the event by position, culminating in the Top Overall Prospects.

Today we’ll take a look at the top outfield prospects, split up by class. Michael Bengston was the top overall outfielder at the event impressing with a vast array of tools, 90 outfield arm, 91 mph exit velocity, and running ability (4.18 from home to first). 

Zion Benton’s Tavarus Collins oozes potential despite not having played high school baseball. He ran the event’s top home to first time at 4.10.

Warren’s Jack McCullough has a lanky 6-foot-3 frame, showed arm strength from the outfield (84 mph), and should get stronger as he continues to fill out. He was the top 2017 outfield prospect thanks to his fluid, left-handed swing.

Let’s take a look at the top outfield prospects from this February’s Gurnee Preseason I.D.

Top 2016 Prospects

1. Michael Bengston, OF, Grant, 2016
5-foot-11, 185-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic build. In the field has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Average hands with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Threw 90 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup with a smooth load and a short, leg lift stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.18.

2. Tavarus Collins, OF, Zion Benton,  2016
5-foot-9, 163-pound short, muscular, fast-twitch left-handed hitting outfielder was one of the surprises of the Gurnee Preseason I.D. Collins hasn’t played baseball in high school, focusing on football and track, but has obvious tools. Ranked No. 210 in Illinois’ 2016 class. Impresses with running ability and bat speed. Ran 4.10 from home to first, plus runner, lowest time to first at the event. Produced 86 mph exit velocity off the tee from short bat path, gets occasional extension. Hits from a closed setup, hands start forward, load back smoothly, short, level bat path, cuts swing off a bit, but makes solid contact, line drives up the middle. Threw 78 mph in the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy, good carry on throws, athletic arm action, fields the baseball cleanly, plays through it, fluid actions. Collins may be raw, but has the necessary tools to play baseball at the next level.

3. Austin Cerny, OF, Hinsdale Central, 2016
5-foot-8, 150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide base, short toe tap stride, short, level bat path, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 80 mph from the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands, quick footwork, gets underneath throws at times. Ran a well above average 4.11 seconds from home to first.

Top 2017 Prospects

1. Jack McCullough, LHP/OF, Warren, 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting LHP/OF impressed with arm strength from the outfield, 84 mph, from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Soft hands fielding the baseball, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball.  Hits from a tall setup, short stride, hands start high, load down slightly, uphill bat path, some fluidity to swing, 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran 4.43 from home to first. On the mound, fastball sat 71-74 mph in the windup, 76-77 mph from the stretch as he got loose during pen possibly. Breaking ball has slider shape, late action, 67-69 mph, 2/8 shape. Changeup was thrown from 71-72 mph. McCullough is a lanky athlete to follow closely over the next three years.

2. Jack Arnstein, OF, Highland Park, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound, left-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky, athletic build. Athletic fielding actions with quick footwork. Long arm action from an over the top arm slot with life and carry on throws. Throws uphill. Threw 80 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from an open, spread out stance with a low hand set. Back load with a short stride, and good balance. Athletic, loose, line drive gap to gap hitter with a level swing. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first in 4.56.

3. Stephen Mogged, OF, Lakes Community, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. In the field has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with life and carry. Soft hands with quick, fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Athletic fielder who plays thru the ball. Threw 84 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path and fluid rhythm. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.32. Will continue to improve with maturity.

3. Robert Archbold, OF, Warren, 2017
6-foot, 195-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open setup, hands load back smoothly, short, leg kick stride, long, uphill bat path, loose and fluid swing, showed power to his pull side, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 84 mph in the outfield from long, loose, over-the-top arm slot, shoulders work uphill, accurate arm. Impressed with soft hands, fluid footwork. Ran 4.71 from home to first. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cole Aughenbaugh, OF/RHP, Oswego, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP hits from an open setup, short stride, slight leg lift, hands held high, load back, short, slightly uphill bat path, occasional extension, 71 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 77 mph in the outfield from long, over-the-top arm slot, average hands fielding. Ran 4.69 from home to first. On the mound, works from long, high ¾ arm slot, toe up at balance point, lands open at foot strike, stride direction in line with home plate, fastball sat 69-72 mph. 56-60 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape. Changeup flashed sink, 59-62 mph occasionally cuts it.

Joel Basara, OF, Carmel Catholic, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Average arm strength with some accuracy. Average hands with slower footwork. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced, open stance with a long stride and average balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path and extension. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.79. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Ike Bertels, MIF/OF, Edwardsville, 2017
5-foot-9, 135-pound lanky right-handed hitting MIF/OF hits from a tall, open setup, long stride, long, uphill bat path, opposite field tendencies, barrel whips through the zone, average bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 62 mph across the infield, 68 mph from the outfield, both from a short arm action. Inconsistent release point/slot, anywhere from ¾ in infield to high ¾ in outfield.  Ran 4.70 from home to first.

Johnny Buckner, OF/IF/RHP, Mundelein, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound lanky and athletic OF/IF/RHP currently impresses most on the mound, fastballs at 82-84 mph from short, quick, high ¾ arm slot, level shoulders throughout delivery, stride direction is in line with home plate, lands slightly closed, spins off heel. Curveball was thrown 61-64 mph, up in the zone, erratic for strikes. Better feel for strike zone with 70-72 mph changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, occasional sinking action. Hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, above average bat speed, 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, profiles more as an outfielder, but shows arm strength all over the diamond: 83 mph in the infield, 86 mph from the outfield. Would like to see Buckner just pitch at an event so he doesn’t wear himself out throughout the day, expect more velocity on the mound in his future. Ran 5.01 from home to first.

Anthony Campeau, OF, Libertyville, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. In the field has a long arm action and works from a high ¾ to over the top arm slot with slower actions. Threw 68 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup with a short load and a heel lift stride. Average bat speed with a level swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.54.

Patrick Carpenter, OF, Loyola, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, wide base, short stride, very little pre-pitch movement in hands, short, level bat path, occasional extension, pull tendencies, 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 74 mph in the outfield from short, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy. Average hands fielding the baseball, ran 4.64 from home to first.

Connor Crawley, OF, Stevenson, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open stance, hands load back, leg kick stride, dives slightly, long, uphill bat path, pull tendencies, strength to swing, 74 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 72 mph from the outfield from short, over-the-top arm slot, some accuracy. Ran 4.30 from home to first.

Matt Croisant, OF/RHP, Lake Forest, 2018
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky and athletic OF/RHP impressed with arm strength from the outfield, 84 mph from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot. Soft hands fielding the baseball, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Arm strength currently doesn’t transfer to the mound, slows tempo in delivery, fastball sat 76-77 mph from tall/fall delivery, lands closed at foot strike. Slowed arm on 58-61 mph curveball with 10/4 shape. Also threw a 71-76 mph changeup. At the plate, hits from a balanced setup, hands load back, short, leg lift stride, loose swing, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran 4.51 from home to first.

Patrick Day, OF, Antioch, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. In the field has a long, stiff arm action from a low ¾ arm slot. Hesitant actions with a slow exchange. Threw 68 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Short swing path with an inside out swing, and a rotational upper half. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.81.

Thomas Donnelly, RHP/OF, Notre Dame College Prep, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky build. In the field has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Some accuracy with carry on throws and average hands. Threw 82 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from an open stance with a leg kick stride and a linear lower half. Inside out swing with early rhythm. Showed some strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.42. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball showed slight run and sat 75-77 mph. Curveball and slider blended together showing sweeping action at 61-63 mph. Changeup sat 68-71 mph.

Austin Ehren, OF/MIF, Carmel Catholic, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting utility player. In the infield has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Average hands with good body control. Threw 67mph across the infield. In the outfield has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Threw 74 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a crouched, open stance with a short stride and average balance. Average batspeed with an uphill swing path and extension. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.43. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Regular effort with a drop and drive delivery. Lands closed and falls off to the first base side. Straight fastball sat 71-72 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape and sat 63-64 mph. Changeup flashed cut and sink at 64-65 mph.

Shane Layshock, 1B/OF, Cary Grove, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting 1B/OF, with a lanky build. In the outfield has a long, stiff arm action. Threw 73 mph from the outfield. In the infield has slower actions with a long arm action. Threw 72 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Average bat speed with an uphill swing path. Will improve at the plate with more lower half involvement. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 5.01.

Ryan Lee, OF, Lake Forest, 2018
5-foot-10, 140-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a small, lanky frame. In the field has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Soft hands with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Plays thru the ball, solid defensive tools. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup. Leg kick trigger with a short stride and a linear lower half. Opposite field, line drive hitter with extension and average bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.26.

Ryan Lee, OF/RHP, Warren, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, with slow actions. Threw 70 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup, with a leg lift trigger and a linear lower half. Average balance with a level swing path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.82. On the mound works from an over the top arm slot with a short arm action. Regular effort with a tall and fall online delivery and a closed landing. Fastball 69-70 topping out at 71 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape 61-63 mph. Straight changeup sat 65-66 mph.

Jake Lenti, OF, Mount Carmel, 2016
 5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic build and a strong lower half. In the field has a long, loose arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with some carry. Plays thru the ball with slower footwork and average hands. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance with a short stride, loads to backside with a slight arm bar. Up the middle, line drive approach with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.18.

Porter Olson, RHP/OF, Cary Grove, 2018
5-foot-11, 145-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/OF. In the field has a long, sweepy arm action from a low ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with soft hands. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a wide, balanced setup with a back, arm bar load. Short stride with a long, level swing path and some fluid rhythm. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.75. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Slow paced, drop and dive delivery. Fastball sat 69-72 mph. Curveball showed 10-4 shape with late action that sat 59-62 mph.

John O’Reilly, OF, Carmel Catholic, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting OF hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, slightly uphill path, line drives during batting practice, 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 79 mph in the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot, infielders arm action, soft hands fielding the baseball. Ran 4.93 from home to first. 

James Owens, RHP/OF, Cary Grove, 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky, athletic build. In the field has a short, loose arm action from an over the top arm slot. Flashed fluid footwork with a clean exchange. Threw 80 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short, heel lift stride and average balance. Hard line drive contact with extension. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.32. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action. Level shoulders with an online delivery and an open landing. Fastball sat 75 mph. Hard curveball showed 12-6 shape at 66-67 mph. Threw changeup for strikes at 66-68 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity. 

Andy Quandt, OF, Grayslake Central, 2016
5-foot-10, 158-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. In the field has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot with slow actions. Threw 69 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced open stance with a smooth load and a short stride. Average batspeed with a long, uphill swing path. Opposite field hitter with a solid swing path and repeatable mechanics. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.62.

Evan Rapp, OF, Warren, 2018
5-foot-7, 150-pound muscularly developed right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, narrow setup, leg kick stride, front foot loads back, long stride, long, slightly uphill path, average bat speed for age, 75 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph from the outfield from short, over-the-top slot, accurate throws. Average hands fielding the baseball, quick footwork, attacks the baseball. Well above average runner for age, ran 4.18 from home to first.

Cam Redding, C/OF, New Trier, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting C/OF with an athletic build. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Raises out of crouch early to receive throws. Popped 2.19-2.37 and threw 68 mph from the crouch. In the outfield has a loose arm action with a quick exchange. Threw 71 mph from the outfield. At the plate has a loose, athletic swing. Tall balanced setup with hands close to the body. Short stride with good balance and a fast bat. Confident approach, gap to gap hitter who looks to pull occasionally. Uphill swing path with good extension and fluid rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.88. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Sean Robinson, OF, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, long leg kick stride, dives at times, long, uphill bat path, pull tendencies, 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 77 mph in the outfield from long, loose, over-the-top arm slot, uphill shoulders, impressed playing through the baseball aggressively. Ran 4.34 from home to first.

Addison Ruot, OF, Pleasant Plains, 2018
5-foot-8, 168-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open setup, hands load back smoothly, short, leg kick stride, good rhythm, fluid swing, short, level bat path, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee, drove the baseball from gap-to-gap, solid round. Defensively, threw 73 mph from the outfield from long, loose, over-the-top arm slot with some accuracy. Infield type actions in the outfield. Ran 4.76 seconds from home to first.

Aaron Simon, OF/1B, St. Charles North, 2016
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting OF/1B hits from a balanced setup, short stride, loose wrists, contact orientated approach, short, slightly uphill bat path, pull approach, strength at contact, 88 mph exit velocity. Defensively, impressed more with arm strength form the outfield, 80 mph from long, ¾ slot with carry. Threw 76 mph across the diamond from first base. Ran 4.69 from home to first.

Tanner Spinks, OF/MIF, St. Francis, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting OF/MIF. In the outfield has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot with average hands. Threw 68 mph from the outfield. In the infield has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot with slower actions. Threw 62 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a closed stance arm bars on load. Up the middle, line drive approach with a long swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.61.

Max Walter, OF/RHP, McHenry West, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound, left-handed hitting OF/RHP. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Some accuracy with average hands. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a narrow slightly open stance. Short, double toe tap stride with average balance. Line drive gap-to-gap hitter with an uphill swing path and stiff rhythm. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.64.

Trist Wehrheim, LHP/OF, Carmel Catholic, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting LHP/OF hits from a balanced setup, short stride, minimal movement in hands pre pitch, 72 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 68 mph in the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Quick, clean exchanges fielding the baseball. On the mound, sat 58-61 mph from long, high ¾ arm slot, doesn’t use front glove side, chicken wings glove hand. Tall/fall delivery, toe down at balance point, lands closed. Also threw a 56-62 mph breaking ball and a 56-59 mph changeup that was thrown for strikes from the stretch. Ran 4.68 from home to first.

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