McHenry Preseason I.D: Outfield Analysis

On Jan. 26, the PBR Illinois team made its way back to McHenry, Ill., to host its annual McHenry Preseason I.D. event. This was the fifth year the team has made the trip up to host the showcase at Pro Player Academy. Every year, we uncover more and more prospects from this event to add to our watch lists and the same can be said about this year, too.

At the end of January, we posted our rapid analysis on the event in our Quick Hits post and we broke down each of the measured statistics in our Statistical Analysis story.

Over 100 prospects made it out to Pro Player for this event and Monday we began the positional breakdown. Today we continue with the outfielders from the day. 

Ryan Bakes (Huntley, 2023) took home the top catcher’s spot and today, his twin brother Brayden, leads the 25-plus outfielders in attendance. Brayden ran a 3.94 home-to-first, has a projectable left-handed bat, with present strength and a strong arm from the outfield. 

Recent Eastern Illinois commit, OF/LHP Joey Hagen (Johnsburg, 2021), earned the No. 2 outfield spot from the day. Hagen is an athletic, left/left prospect with a quick, repeatable swing and natural outfield actions.

Physical left-handed hitter, Joshua Notriano, another Johnsburg 2021, rounds out the top three. Notriano has a fast bat, present pull power and made a lot of hard contact in his round of BP. There were a number of worthy candidates who just missed the Top-10.

For complete reports on each of the outfielders from last month, continue on below. On deck is the infielder analysis, so keep an eye out for that until then.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Brayden Bakes, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly crouched and quiet setup. Minimal load and short stride. Fast bat, repeatable, controls the barrel, a lot of hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength for age.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long arm action, plays quick out of a high 3/4 slot and throws carried.
Defense: Steady outfield actions, reliable hands and clean release.
Run: 3.94 runner home-to-first. Advanced run time for his age.

2. Joey Hagen, Johnsburg (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF. Eastern Illinois commit.
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Athletically-built, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, comfortable confident look in the box and stride works back to even. Loose, fast hands, present bat speed, natural lift in swing and stays through the zone.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps off the barrel.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Short arm action plays accurate and from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, attacks the baseball, fluid footwork, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 4.32 runner home-to-first. Above-average run time.

3. Joshua Notriano, Johnsburg (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 215-pounds. Muscular, physical build.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open, balanced, quiet setup, short stride.  Advanced bat speed, short, uphill path and swings with intent. Consistently on the barrel and flashed pull-side power.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws flashed carry.
Defense: Profiles as a corner outfielder. Steady hands, clean exchange and plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 4.44 runner home-to-first. 

4. Ryan Radek, Benet Academy (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Strong, muscular, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, balanced setup, smooth quiet load and short stride. Balanced, compact swing, repeatable, strong hands, quick bat, short to the ball with natural lift. Sprayed hard contact to all fields.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, hesitant at times, reliable hands.
Run: 4.37 runner home-to-first. 

5. Rick Powell, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Athletic build, strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced, quiet setup, minimal load and short stride.  Swings with controlled aggression, fast bat, level path and consistent hard contact with the ability to backspin the baseball.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Gets behind the baseball, proper routes, plays through the baseball, steady hands and gains ground on exchange.
Run: 4.62 runner home-to-first. 

6. Chris Rooney, Mundelein (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Wiry frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup and short leg-kick timing trigger. Quick, twitchy hands, swings with intent, long bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, throws played accurate.
Defense: Fluid footwork, works on-line, gains ground on crow hop.
Run: 4.15 runner home-to-first. Advanced run time.

7. Griffin Taylor, Richmond-Burton (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, exaggerated pre-pitch load and knee-knock stride. Aggressive swing, fast hands, stays short and level through the zone, line-drive approach and hits with rhythm.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Directional, plays through the baseball and clean release.
Run: 4.69 runner home-to-first. 

8. Jeffrey Hedlund, Palatine (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: SH. Similar setup from both sides of the plate; showed a faster bat and more intent from the right side. Balanced slightly open setup, smooth load and hits off front foot. Level path through the zone, line-drive approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 82 mph. Long, over-the-top arm action.
Defense: Fluid actions, gets behind the baseball, sound footwork, plays through the baseball and steady hands.
Run: 4.36 runner home-to-first. 

9. Michael Vitellaro, Huntley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 175-pounds. Strength in lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, smooth load and short stride. Loose, fast strong hands, creates present bat speed, a lot of hard contact, works gap-to-gap and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps off the barrel.
Arm: LH. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action, plays accurate from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Smooth actions, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, sure-handed.
Run: 4.83 runner home-to-first. 

10. A.J. Kutcher, Antioch (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Lean, upside frame with plenty of room for added strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and maintains balance throughout. Short bat path, direct to the baseball, repeatable, quick hands, flashed quick twitch, consistent hard contact and works on top of the baseball.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action plays easy from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, easy actions, plays through in rhythm, sure-handed.
Run: 4.25 runner home-to-first. Above-average runner.

10. Nathan Chapman, Jacobs (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Athletic, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet, balanced setup, minimal load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Strong hands, present bat speed, long uphill path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Profiles as a corner outfielder; attacks the baseball at times, steady hands.
Run: 4.5 runner home-to-first. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jaden Carr, Huntley (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Athletic, live body.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight loading action, short stride and minimal wasted movement throughout. Simple swing, strong wrists, flashed bat speed, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Plays fast, attacks the baseball, quick feet and plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.11 runner home-to-first. Advanced run time, home-to-first.

Tyler Deleskiewicz, Lake Geneva (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-5, 185-pounds. Extra-large, long-limbed, projectable frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, loads hands and short stride. Level long bat path, pull-side approach and occasional loud contact.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws carried with life.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 4.33 runner home-to-first. Long, easy strides.

Tyler Diedrich, Johnsburg (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Lean frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, long stride and minimal load.  Long bat path, pull-side approach at times.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 72 mph. Short, firm arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense:
Run: 4.76 runner home-to-first. 

Josh Dueringer, Lake Forest (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-7, 120-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Quiet swing, long bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 72 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, works through the baseball in rhythm at times.
Run: 4.72 runner home-to-first. 

Lucas Foley, Lake Zurich (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 
Body: 6-foot, 150-pounds. Lean, long-limbed, highly-projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, smooth load and quiet stride. Simple swing, short bat path and pull-side approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean outfield actions, steady hands and plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 4.37 runner home-to-first. Advanced run time for his age.

Brandon Helbig, Jacobs (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 180-pounds. Thickness and strength in frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Long bat path, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 69 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot and accurate arm.
Defense: Reliable hands and clean transfer.
Run: 5.22 runner home-to-first. 

Caden Monti, Jacobs (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, open balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Simple swing, low hands, direct to the baseball, natural lift and middle of the field approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot and accurate throws.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, fields out in front, steady hands, and plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.54 runner home-to-first. 

Collin Quandee, Huntley (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap stride.  Quiet swing, aggressive through the zone, uphill bat path and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball at times, steady hands, clean release.
Run: 4.58 runner home-to-first. 

Preston Sanders, Rockford Lutheran (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Athletic, live-bodied frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, fluid rhythm and short stride. Short, efficient bat path, flashed bat speed and line-drive approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean release and fluid footwork at times.
Run: 4.68 runner home-to-first. 

Jameson Sheehan, Cary Grove (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Long-limbed, projectable build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal loading action, short stride. Long, level bat path and works the middle of the diamond.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long arm action, plays out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean transfer with length at times.
Run: 4.58 runner home-to-first. 

Marius Skaathun, McHenry (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Frame carries strength.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride and pre-pitch rhythm. Level bat path, direct to the baseball, hands work on top and line-drive approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action plays from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, attacks the baseball, plays through with reliable hands.
Run: 4.61 runner home-to-first. 

Marcus Sperling, Wauconda (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open, balanced setup, toe-tap stride and maintains balance through contact.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Simple swing, hands stay on top and inside the baseball, line-drive approach and works the middle of the field.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, soft hands, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball.
Run: 4.37 runner home-to-first. 

Eddie Synek, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Long bat path, works uphill at times and middle of the field approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Proper routes at times, gains momentum through transfer.
Run: 4.44 runner home-to-first. 

Kiefer Tarnoki, Sycamore (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: SH. Balanced, athletic setup from the left side.  Smooth rhythm, level path, line-drive approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball with fluid footwork at times, clean release and proper routes.
Run: 4.51 runner home-to-first. 

Quinn Wesol, Dundee-Crown (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Lean, wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched open setup, stride gets back to square. Loose hands, long bat path, flat through the zone, pull approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, plays easy from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick, active feet, reliable hands and plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 4.39 runner home-to-first. Above-average run time for age.

Logan Wirtz, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, minimal load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Short, level bat path, line-drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long draw out of the glove plays out of a short high 3/4 window.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, aggressive crow hop and sure-handed.
Run: 4.36 runner home-to-first. Quick out of the box.

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