By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

An impressive array of 2017 prospects from six states convened at Silver Cross Field in Joliet for the second-annual Prep Baseball Report Midwest ProCase on June 21. Although only time will tell if this year’s event will match the level of last year’s, when it had nine players eventually drafted, this class of rising seniors showed intriguing upside.

Throughout the week, we will roll out all reports from the event,.Today, we will examine the outfielders at the event. Here’s a look at the outfielders at the PBR Midwest ProCase, listed alphabetically:

Robert Archbold, OF, Warren HS, IL, 2017
Uncommitted prospect. Solidly built 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, shows pullside power potential. Aggressive, rotational approach, uses pronounced leg kick, shows looseness in the hands, uphill path with extension through contact. Registered 89-mph exit velocity. In game, went 1-for-2 with a single. Defensively profiles as a corner outfielder, clocked at 84 mph, tendency to work uphill. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60.

Jimmy Burnette, LHP/OF, St. Laurence HS, 2017
Recently de-committed from Austin Peay.. Athletically built 6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way prospect. Can very well be a position player and a pitcher at the next level, but hard to deny upside potential on the mound. Has only been pitching for a couple years. Loose, athletic, easy arm action, high-¾ slot,  fastball topped at 88, sitting 86-87 (have seen up to 90 in the past) with some arm-side run. More velocity likely to come.  Feel for changeup, 80 mph with arm-side sink; throws the pitch with confidence. Curveball has erratic shape in low-70s. Positionally, a left-handed hitter, balanced swing, athletic hands, uses leg lift trigger; when on time, makes hard contact. Registered 89 mph exit velocity. In game, singled up the middle, walked and popped out. Defensively, moves with confidence, takes aggressive routes, tracks well, athletic tendencies. Strong arm, throws carry on line, clocked at 91 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.00 laser-timed 60.

Brad Czerniejewski, OF, Lake Forest HS, IL, 2017
Texas Christian recruit. 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic build, proportional strength, defined forearms. Possesses high-level tools across the board: ran a 6.67 laser-timed 60, registered 99 mph exit velocity with wood and was clocked at 89 mph from the outfield. Offensively, features elite bat speed. Balanced, explosive lower half, uphill path, pullside approach, swings hard. Defensively, has arm strength and athleticism.

Nick Elsen, OF, Indian Trail HS, WI, 2017
Kent State recruit. 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame, lanky-athletic build, longer limbs. Right-handed hitting outfielder, solid tools across the board with athletic tendencies and upside. Hits from balanced setup, slightly open, aggressive lower half, maintains balance throughout. Bat speed present, some length in swing, stays through ball well with extension, gap power with potential for more as he physically develops. Registered 88 mph exit velocity with wood and ran a 7.00 laser-timed 60. Defensively, moves well in outfield, aggressive routes, plays through ball well, throws have carry at 89 mph.

Michael Gunnart, OF, Niles West HS, IL, 2017
Uncommitted prospect. 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, strong, athletic build, overall physically impressive in uniform. Possesses high-level tools with raw ability; upside potential.  Has shown vast improvements offensively. Turned in one of the most impressive rounds of BP at the PBR Midwest ProCase. Although inconsistent in results, when his swing was on time, the ball jumps off the barrel. Tanked two balls out to left in BP with wood, one that was the best ball of the day. Hits from an athletic setup, high back elbow, generates plus bat speed, longer, inconsistent path, uses pronounced leg lift back, aggressive lower half, tendency to dive to the front side. Registered 93 mph exit velocity with wood. Defensively, moves athletically and has a strong arm, clocked at 91 mph. Ran a 7.03 laser-timed 60.

Keegan Watson, OF/RHP, New Palestine HS, IN, 2017
Nebraska recruit. Athletically built 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, proportional strength, longer limbs, plenty of room for continued physical development. Legitimate two-way prospect; shows significant upside on the mound and as a right-handed hitting outfielder. Currently listed as a primary outfielder, but athleticism and arm strength translates well on the mound. … Right-handed pitcher, works downhill well, high-3/4 slot, quick, athletic, uninterrupted arm action. Fastball topped at 88 mph, sitting 86-87, steep angle when down in zone, mostly straight. Slider shows potential of being go-to swing-and-miss pitch; sharp, late two-plane break at 73-75 mph. Also flashed 78-80 changeup. With more polish and repetition, Watson should see more velocity and consistency in the future. … Currently more advanced as a position player. Overall excellent defensive outfielder, right-field arm strength, 90 mph with carry and on target. Moves fluidly and with confidence, fields the ball in rhythm, gets good reads, works downhill well. Delivered two impressive plays in game action: made a sliding catch in left field, and also gunned down a runner in right field. Offensively, hits from a tall setup, high hands, balanced, simple approach; bat speed and strength in swing, longer path with arm bar. When extended, ball jumps off barrel with backspin carry. Maintains balance throughout swing, gets extension through contact. Registered 91 mph exit velocity with wood and ran a 7.21 laser-timed 60. Singled sharply during game play.

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