Metro East Open: Outfield Analysis

August 2, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The annual Metro East Open took place on June 28th at Blazier Field in O'Fallon, IL. About 100 uncommitted prospects from the St. Louis area convened for the open showcase. We began the roll out of the analysis from the event yesterday, starting with the catchers.

Today we take a look at the outfielders in attendance. 2018 Evan Martin from Parkway South HS (MO) stood out among the rest. The left/left athlete has a loose swing with fluid rhythm and the ball jumps off his bat. In the outfield he flashed athletic actions and a strong arm. Martin looks to be a high-end 2018 prospect.

Another standout was 2018 Nick Boone from O'Fallon HS. Boone has a projectable frame, ran a 6.80 60 and offensively his bat stays flat through the zone.

Here’s a look at the outfielders at the Metro East Open.

OUTFIELDERS (Listed Alphabetically)

Griffin Bianco, OF, Staunton, 2019
5-foot-11, 160 pound, lanky, outfielder. Offensively, level bat path with a line drive approach. Balanced setup, long stride; exit velocity clocked at 79 mph. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ to low ¾ arm slot. Clocked at 79 mph from the outfield.

Nick Boone, OF, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound lanky prospect. Was one of the top runner’s at the event, 6.80 laser timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, maintained balanced throughout swing. Level swing path, extension through the zone, fluid rhythm, gap-to-gap approach; 84 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, quick and clean exchanges, attacks the baseball, plays through the baseball, aggressive mentality. Arm action is short, clean, and loose, comes from a high ¾ slot, accurate throws to the plate with carry, clocked at 80 mph from the outfield.

Nicholas Braddock, RHP/OF, O’Fallon, 2019
6-foot-0, 165 pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right handed pitcher, feel for three pitches. Easy effort delivery, smooth rhythm, stays in line, lands slightly closed, finishes upright. Short, loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed run, thrown for strikes, sat 72-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes, 57-59 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, flashed arm side run, thrown for strikes, 65-67 mph. Offensively, right handed hitter with a pull approach. Balanced setup, short stride, solid contact; exit velocity clocked at 77 mph. Defensively, quick exchange, long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot; clocked at 72 mph in the outfield.

Ryan Brink, OF/INF, Nashville, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound athletic, multi positional prospect. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, leg lift timing trigger, maintains balance throughout swing. Has bat speed, quick twitched, finds barrel, level bat path, line drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Also, ran a 7.45 laser timed 60. Defensively, took reps in the infield and outfield. In the infield, has active feet, plays through the baseball, quick exchange. Throws from a high ¾ arm slot, short arm action, showed some feel; throws registered at 77 mph across the diamond. In the outfield, clocked throws at 81 mph.

Wesley Collins, OF, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-10, 180-pound strong bodied outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, closed stance, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance through the zone. Short, slightly uphill bat path; exit velocity registered 82 mph. Defensively, plays through the baseball, clean exchanges on throws from the outfield. Over the top slot, long arm action, accurate throws to the plate; clocked at 74 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.54 60.

Cody Crowder, OF, O’Fallon, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall, slightly open stance, strides to square. Uphill bat path, pull side approach; exit velocity clocked at 83 mph. Defensively, fluid foot work, works through the baseball, quick and clean exchanges, looked natural in the outfield. Arm works from a ¾ slot, short arm action, accurate throws to the plate registered at 79 mph. Also, ran a 7.11 laser timed 60.

Evan Gray, OF/RHP, Belleville East, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound lanky, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, upright, narrow, slightly open stance, large leg kick. Bat speed, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach; 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively, athletic fielding position, works through the baseball. Arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot; recorded throws at 83 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.53 laser timed 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, flashed tempo, stays in line with the catcher, lands square, back leg swings, finishes glove side. High ¾ slot, long arm action, regular effort. Fastball, slight run, sat 81-83. Curveball, at its best, 11/5 shape, some depth, erratic at times, registered between 67-71 mph. Changeup, similar fastball arm speed, fade, clocked between 70-74 mph. Interesting follow on the mound.

Hayden Heggemeier, OF, Nashville, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter balanced setup, no stride. Level bat path, line drive swing, spray hitter; exit velocity recorded at 80 mph. Defensively, clean exchanges on throws to the plate. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, long arm action with some carry; throws recorded at 77 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.3 laser timed 60.

Taylor Heil, OF/RHP, Carterville, 2017
6-foot-6, 175-pound lanky, two-way prospect. Ran a 7.22 laser timed 60. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal stride. Uphill bat path, pull side approach; 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, clean exchanges; throws to the plate registered at 76 mph. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, stays in line with target, lands square. High ¾ slot, short arm action. Fastball, registered between 73-75 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, similar fastball arm speed, ranged from 59-62 mph. Changeup, 61-64 mph. Slider, 68-69 mph.

John Hilpert, OF, Freeburg, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound strong bodied outfielder. Showed athleticism running a 6.77 laser timed 60. Offensively, left-handed hitter, wide, balanced setup, short stride, simple approach. Level bat path, pull side approach, showed barrel; exit velocity recorded at 86 mph off of a tee. Defensively, athletic fielding position, clean exchange. Throws from a long arm action from a high ¾ slot, plays behind the baseball; clocked at 73 mph from the outfield.

Nathan Kellerman, OF/RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound two-way prospect. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced, narrow stance, leg kick timing mechanism. Line drive approach; registered a 74 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clean exchanges on throws from the outfield. Arm worked from a ¾ slot, long arm action registering throws at 77 mph. Also, ran a 7.76 60. On the mound, stayed in line with the plate, landed square, flashed rhythm, tall and fall delivery style. Comes from a high ¾ slot, short arm action, easy effort. Fastball ranged from 73-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, flashed feel, sat 62-63 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade and sink, controlled in the zone, clocked at 68-69 mph.

Christian Koechner, OF, O’Fallon, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound strong bodied outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter balanced setup, toe tap timing trigger, maintains balance throughout swing. Short striking path, fast bat speed, stays through the baseball; exit velocity clocked at 81 mph. Defensively, played through the baseball. Arm works from an over the top slot, long arm action, accurate throws to the plate registering at 76 mph. Also, ran a 7.47 laser timed 60.

Quinn Lowery, OF, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound outfielder. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick timing mechanism. Exit velocity recorded at 80 mph. Defensively, short arm action coming from a high ¾ slot. Clocked at 76 mph. Also, ran a 7.34 laser timed 60.

Evan Martin, OF, Parkway South (MO), 2018
6-foot, 150-pound athletic outfielder. Offensively, left-handed hitter, compact swing, fluid rhythm, loose, easy, bat speed. Bat stays flat through the zone, present bat speed and ball jumps off the bat. Put a ball off the scoreboard in right-center field during batting practice. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity. Balanced, tall setup, short stride, smooth load and good balance. Defensively, athletic actions in the outfield. Soft hands, fluid footwork, moves well side-to-side, clean and quick exchange. Athletic fielding position, plays through the baseball. Arm is short and quick, comes from a high ¾ slot, throws flashed carry; clocked at 84 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.03 laser timed 60. High level 2018 prospect.

Trevor Meier, OF, Nashville, 2017
5-foot-9, 190-pound outfielder. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, leg kick timing mechanism, minimal stride. Uphill bat path, line drive approach; exit velocity 82 mph. Defensively, plays through the baseball, quick exchanges on throws to the plate. High ¾ arm slot, long arm action, flashed carry; clocked at 72 mph from the outfield.

Theron Morgan, OF, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-6, 130-pound wiry outfielder. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, maintained balanced throughout swing. Fluid rhythm, pull side approach, level swing path, flashed looseness in swing; clocked at 76 mph off of a tee. Defensively, attacks, plays through the baseball, clean exchanges. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, short arm action, quick release; registered at 68 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.86 laser timed 60.

Garrett Natvig, OF, O’Fallon, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound left handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, wide, balanced stance, short stride. Uphill bat path, showcased pull side pop with a homerun to right center during BP; 82 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, attacks, plays through the baseball. Loose arm action, lower ¾ slot; registered 76 mph throws from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.25 laser timed 60.

Simon Nguyen, OF/LHP, Alton, 2018
5-foot-11, 160- pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Ran a 7.14 laser timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing mechanism, back side load, balance throughout contact. Uphill bat path, gap to gap approach; exit velocity recorded at 74 mph. Defensively, had clean exchanges coming from a high ¾ arm slot; 71 mph from the outfield. On the mound, short arm action from an over the top slot. Tall and fall delivery, stays in line with target, lands square. Fastball, slight run, ranged from 66-68 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, sat 52-55 mph. Straight changeup, similar fastball arm speed, sat 58-60 mph.

Jared Niemeyer, OF/RHP, Meter Dei Catholic, 2017
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky, two-way prospect. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchanges on throws, plays through the baseball. Over the top arm slot, long, loose arm action, accurate throws to the plate clocked at 79 mph. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, long stride. Uphill bat path, fluid rhythm, line drive approach; exit velocity clocked at 78 mph. Also, ran a 7.57 laser timed 60. On the mound, flashed rhythm, tall and fall delivery, lands square, athletic finish. Over the top arm slot, short arm action. Fastball, ranged between 73-75 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, clocked between 62-67 mph. Changeup, similar fastball arm speed, slight fade, clocked in at 70-71 mph.

Ryan Rice, OF/LHP, United Township, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way prospect. Defensively, athletic fielding position, plays through the baseball, clean exchange on throws to the plate. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, short, loose arm action; clocked at 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, maintained balance throughout contact; exit velocity registered 71 mph off of a tee. Also, ran a 7.53 60. On the mound, the south paw threw from an over the top arm slot. Long arm action with minimal effort. Tall and fall delivery, stayed in line with the plate, landed square, finished in an athletic position. Fastball, ranged 77-79, topped 80. Slider, 2/8 shape, sat 70-71. Changeup, clocked between 67-70 mph. Curveball, sat 65-69 mph.

Brandon Rutherford, OF, Mount Vernon, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound outfielder. Ran a 7.03 laser timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open stance, strides long and square. Level bat path, line drive approach; 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot, some accurate throws to the plate; recorded at 78 mph.

James Shaw, OF/INF, Canton, 2018
5-foot-9, 170-pound two-way prospect. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. From the outfield, played through the baseball with clean exchanges. Arm worked well, long, loose, whippy arm action from a high ¾ slot, throws showed carry; 83 mph from the outfield. From the infield, registered at 75 mph across the diamond. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, simple stance. Uphill swing path, pull side approach, strong hands; exit velocity clocked at 81 mph. Also, ran a 7.53 60.

Caleb Shelton, OF, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-8, 170-pound outfielder with athleticism. Ran an event best 6.68 laser timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, crouched, open setup, short stride to square. Uphill swing path, pull side approach, flashed barrel at the back end of the BP round; exit velocity clocked at 79 mph. Defensively, quick feet, clean exchanges, athletic fielding position. Arm works over the top with accurate throws to the plate; registered at 75 mph from the outfield.

Ty Shylanski, OF/1B, Belleville West, 2017
6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect. Offensively, right handed hitter, slightly open setup, long stride, lands square, maintains balance throughout swing. Uphill bat path, power approach, fluid rhythm, has bat speed; exit velocity clocked at 88 mph. Defensively, took reps in the outfield and at first base. From the outfield, plays through the baseball, showed clean exchanges on throws. Short, loose arm action, over the top slot, flashed accurate throws; 81 mph from the outfield. In the infield, clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.54 laser timed 60.

Jacob Tindall, OF, O’Fallon, 2019
6-foot-3, 180-pound athletic frame. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short, leg lift timing mechanism, maintains balance throughout the zone. Short, level bat path; exit velocity 72 mph. Defensively, high ¾ slot, short arm action; 66 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.71 laser timed 60.

Kaleb Vaughn, OF/RHP, Carterville, 2017
6-foot-3, 185-pound, two-way prospect. Defensively, played through the baseball. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, long action, throws flashed carry; 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced stance, short, minimal stride. Uphill bat path, pull side approach; exit velocity registered at 82 mph. Also, ran a 7.55 laser timed 60. On the mound, showed the same high ¾ slot seen in the field, long arm action. Tall and fall delivery style, smooth rhythm, stays in line, lands square. Fastball, late run, pounded the zone, sat 79-80, topped 81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 break, fastball arm speed, some depth, registered between 61-65 mph. Split, sink, tumble, 67-71 mph.