Kenosha Preseason I.D.: Outfield Analysis

Kenosha Preseason I.D. analysis continues with top outfielders. 6-foot-3, 160-pound sophomore Jack Heiring (Christian Life) took the top spot with his high ceiling frame and tools. Other notables included Alex Salerno (Westosha Central, 2019) who showed off plus arm strength from the outfield, and although not in our top five 2022 outfielder Tommy Specht (Dubuque Wahlert, IA) is a high follow in that class, and freshman Kale Dietz (Burlington) did not go unnoticed.

Here’s a look at our top five outfielders:

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Jack Heiring, LHP/OF, Christian Life, 2020
6-foot-3, 160-pound two-way prospect, with lean build and projectable frame. Left-handed thrower, tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, throws on line, downhill, lands closed. Over-the-top, loose arm action, quick arm speed. Fastball ranged between 78-80 mph with tilt. Curveball has 1/7 shape, flashed sharp, biting action, 61-63 mph. Two-seam fastball with occasional arm-side run, 78-80 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly crouched setup, short stride. Confident approach, above average bat speed with short path, gap-to-gap contact; 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, athletic footwork, soft hands with quick, clean exchange. Long, high ¾ arm action, arm carries; 87 mph from outfield. 4.51 home-to-first, as a runner.

2. Alex Salerno, OF/RHP, Westosha Central, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound, outfielder and right-handed pitcher with a lean, athletic build. 4.21 home-to-first. Defensively, quick and fluid footwork, clean exchange, athletic crowhop. Loose, athletic, high ¾ arm action, throws carry, 92 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, toe-tap stride. Line drive approach; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound, uptempo rhythm, drop and drive delivery. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, quick arm speed with some effort. Fastball, sinking action, ranged between 80-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sat 63-64 mph, topped 70 mph. Splitter, maintained arm speed, fading action, 71-74 mph.

3. Jared Heinzen, OF/INF, Tremper, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pounds, upside frame, athletic body type with lean present strength. Got down the line at 4.20 from a right-handed jailbreak swing. Defensively projects best in the outfield, possible third base profile. Fields out in front and pays through the baseball, long exchange, fluid feet. Arm action is long from a high ¾ slot, 82 mph across the infield, 83 mph from the outfield. Hits from a tall setup, leg kick trigger, lacks balance through finish. Middle to opposite field contact, well above average bat speed, timing will improve as lower half stays grounded. 96 mph exit velocity from the tee.

4. Dalton Damon, OF/RHP, Burlington, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound outfielder and pitcher, athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride. Simple, compact swing that flashed bat speed, short path, consistent hard, line drive contact; 86 mph exit velocity from tee. Defensively, fluid, athletic footwork, efficient exchange. Long arm action, ¾ slot; 83 mph from outfield. Right-handed thrower, tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, lands closed. Over-the-top arm slot, clean, repeatable action. Fastball, flashed run, ranged between 75-79 mph. Curveball, 12/6 action, occasionally sharp with depth, 66-70 mph. Changeup, some fade, 67-69 mph.

5. Jack Seefeldt, OF, Bradford, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder with a strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pronounced leg kick. Fluid rhythm, slight uphill plane, consistent hard contact; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid and simple footwork. Long, over-the-top arm action; 79 mph from the outfield. 4.68 home-to-first as a runner.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Taylor Brauer, OF/LHP, Union Grove, 2021
5-foot-8, 132-pound outfielder and pitcher. Right-handed hitter, sets up tall, toe-tap into short stride, slight uphill bat path; 69 exit velocity from a tee. Left-handed defensively, quick and fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through athletically. Short arm action, ¾ slot; 74 mph from the outfield. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, throws on line. ¾ arm angle, short arm action. Fastball, slight arm-side run, ranges between 68-70 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, 60-62 mph. Changeup, similar arm speed, fade, 61-64 mph.

Bozidar Boki Milatovic, OF, Von Steuben (IL), 2019
5-foot-10, 220-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride. Loose, uphill path, flashed pull-side power; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively projects for a corner outfield spot. Fields out in front, long, high ¾ arm action, topped 83 mph. 4.93 home-to-first.

Max DeMario, RHP/OF, Franklin, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way prospect. Right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, level shoulders, stays on line, lands square and maintains balance throughout. High ¾, long arm action. Fastball, flashed run and sink, ranges between 79-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape with feel, 72-73 mph. Changeup, flashed similar sink and fade, 76-79 mph. Right-handed hitter, open setup, leg kick stride. Uphill path, hard contact to pull side; 87 exit velocity from tee. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot; 85 mph from outfield. Ran 4.55 home-to-first.

Kale Dietz, OF/RHP, Burlington, 2021
5-foot-9, 155-pound two-way prospect, with a strong, athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, subtle leg lift and short stride. Consistent bat speed, long, uphill path, repeated power on contact; 87 mph exit velocity from tee. 4.50 home-to-first. Right-handed defender, athletic, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Long arm action from ¾ slot, accurate throws; topped 79 mph. On the mound, smooth, slow, tall and fall delivery, lands square. Throws from high ¾ arm angle, long and loose arm action. Fastball, slight run with control, ranged between 76-77 mph. Curveball, 11/5 bend, 63-65 mph. Changeup, sinking action, 63-65 mph.

Daniel Hernandez, OF, Case, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short leg lift stride. Short, level path, stays on top of the ball, pull-side approach; 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action from high ¾ slot; 70 mph from outfield. Ran 5.10 first-to-home.

Andrew Hrncar, OF, Westosha Central, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound, athletically built outfielder. Ran a 4.19 home-to-first. Left-handed hitter, sets up open, leg lift and short stride, balanced throughout. Fluid, compact swing, short to the ball; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball with long, over-the-top arm action; 76 mph from the outfield.

Kyle Huckstorf, OF, Waterford, 2019
5-foot-8, 156-pound, lean, athletic outfielder. Defensively, quick footwork, clean, crowhop exchange in outfield. Right-handed thrower, over-the-top, athletic arm action; 86 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pronounced pre-pitch load, long leg-lift stride. Flashed bat speed, level swing, fluid and aggressive throughout with consistent hard line-drive contact; topped 88 mph exit velocity off a tee. 4.36 home-to-first time.

John Huffman, LHP/OF, Catholic Central, 2020
6-foot-1, 145-pound, lean left-handed pitcher and outfielder with room to develop physically. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, throws on line, lands square and athletically. High ¾ arm slot with balance throughout. Fastball, straight, 72-75 mph, topped 77 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, flashed bite, 65-68 mph. Changeup, near fastball-like arm speed, fade, 71-73 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, abbreviated leg lift, short stride. Uphill bat path, harder pull-side contact; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid feet, clean exchange. Long, over-the-top arm action; 78 mph from the outfield. 4.45 home-to-first.

Jordan Kehl, OF, Tremper, 2019
5-foot-10, 148-pound, strong outfielder. Left-handed hitter, open setup, toe-tap stride, balanced throughout. Fluid rhythm, quick hands, present bat strength; 88 mph exit velocity from tee. Defensively, consistent, clean exchanges, over-the-top arm action; 80 mph throws home. Ran 4.30 home-to-first.

Kaileb Lyon, RHP/OF, Tremper, 2021
6-foot-1, 143-pounds with lanky, athletic frame, two-way prospect. Right-handed thrower, stretch only, drop and drive delivery, throws on line. Live arm, clean motion, high ¾ angle with loose action. Fastball, flashed run, ranged between 77-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, occasional sharp bite, 66-68 mph. Changeup, consistent sink and fade, 72-73 mph. Right-handed batter, balanced setup, leg lift. Short, level bat path with line drive, opposite field approach; 84 exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork with clean exchange. Short and quick arm action, ¾ arm slot; 80 mph from the outfield. 4.75 home-to-first.

Kyle McKinnon, RHP/OF, Bradford, 2019
5-foot-11, 165-pound, athletic two-way prospect with a projectable frame. Right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, level shoulders, works on line, lands square and finishes athletically. Long, over-the-top arm action. Fastball, flashes cut with tilt, ranges between 82-83 mph and maxed at 84 mph. Curveball, 12/6 action and feel, 67-68 mph. Changeup, fastball-like arm speed, 74-76 mph in the zone. In the outfield, athletic, light footwork, plays through the baseball. Short and quick arm action, over-the-top slot; topped 87 mph. 4.76 home-to-first. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, small leg-lift stride. Uphill path, flashed pull-side power; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Cristian Montano, OF, Racine Horlick, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride. Uphill bat path, flashed hard contact to the opposite field; 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long, over-the-top arm action, 79 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.53 home-to-first.

Alejandro Montoya, OF, Lake View (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound, athletically built outfielder. Defensively, fluid footwork, long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot; topped 81 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter, crouched, open setup and short stride. Short, level path and line-drive approach; 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.62 home-to-first.

Daniel Peterson, OF/RHP, Burlington, 2019
5-foot-9, 151-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher. In the outfield, played through the ball, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Long, high ¾ arm action, topped at 82 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, loads back with a leg kick stride. Level swing, 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.37 home-to-first. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, works on line, lands closed. Fastball, flashed cut action, 71-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 movement, 66-68 mph. Changeup, fastball-like arm action, cuts, 62-64 mph.

Michael Rozell, OF, Burlington, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound outfielder with athletic build; 4.15 home-to-first runner. Left-handed hitter, wide, crouched setup, smooth load. Flashed bat speed, compact swing on level path, line-drive approach, consistent square contact; 88 mph exit velocity from tee. Defensively, quick footwork, clean exchange, plays through ball athletically. Left-handed thrower, long, high ¾ arm action, topped at 78 mph.

Parker Schaefer, OF/RHP, Franklin, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, throws on line, lands square. Long, high ¾ arm action. Fastball flashed run, 75-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 66-69 mph. Changeup has occasional sink, 69-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, open setup, subtle leg lift. Slightly uphill path, flashed gap-to-gap approach; 87 exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Long arm action, ¾ slot; 82 mph from the outfield. 4.54 home-to-first.

Aiden Schaubel, OF/RHP, Tremper, 2021
6-foot, 138-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slight toe tap, long stride. Uphill bat path, flashed gap-to-gap approach; 72 exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean exchange and long, over-the-top arm action; 71 mph from the outfield. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, high ¾ arm angle. Fastball, straight, ranged between 67-71 mph. Curveball, 11/5 bend, averaged 60 mph. Changeup, straight, 59-63 mph. 4.58 home-to-first.

Will Sommers, OF/C, Prospect (IL), 2021
5-foot-6, 140-pound outfielder and catcher. Offensively, right-handed, open stance, leg-kick stride, maintains balance. Fluid, uphill swing produces regular line-drive contact; 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, long, over-the-top arm action. Crowhop exchange, plays through; 75 mph to home. Behind the plate, throws high ¾; 71 mph from the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.29-2.40. As a runner, 5.20 home-to-first.

Tommy Specht, OF, Dubuque Wahlert (IA), 2022
5-foot-7, 130-pound outfielder with a lanky frame that projects well through continued physical development. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and stride, maintains balance throughout. Line drive approach, slight uphill bat path, sprays contact to all fields; 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Right-handed thrower defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the ball with natural instincts. Athletic, loose, high ¾ arm action with accuracy and carry; 82 mph in the outfield. As a runner, 4.58 home-to-first. High upside 2022 prospect.

Jeffery Stanish, OF/RHP, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2020
6-foot, 155-pound two-way prospect with room to fill out. Right-handed hitter, open setup, stride gets to even. Long bat path, stays level through the zone at times, line drive approach; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean exchange, long, high ¾ arm action; 75 mph from the outfield. Right-handed pitcher, full windup, tall and fall delivery, works on line. Long arm action from high ¾ slot. Fastball, straight, ranged between 71-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape with occasional bite and feel, 64-66 mph. Changeup, flashed fade with fastball-like arm speed, 65-67 mph. As a runner, 4.79 home-to-first.