By Illinois Scouting Staff

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The Preseason All-State brings a collection of the top 2018 prospects from across the state, previewing what to expect this spring from some of the more impactful juniors. Yesterday we kicked off our post event analysis with the top catching prospects.

Today we take a look at the top outfield prospects. A couple of power bats made the cut. Stay tuned the rest of this week for more event analysis from the Preseason All-State.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Alek Thomas, OF, Mount Carmel, 2018
Texas Christian commit. 5-foot-10, 174-pound, athletically built, left-handed hitting outfielder. High-upside athlete who continues to impress with his athleticism and advanced tools. Ran a personal best 6.63 laser-timed 60 at the event. Also, registered a exit velocity of 93 mph from a tee. Offensively, fluid rhythm, creates easy bat speed with loose, whippy hands through the zone. Legitimate pull-side power potential, ball jumps off the bat. Starts open and balanced, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger and maintains good balance through contact. Defensively, moves fluidly, with ease and body control in the outfield. Plays through the baseball, athletic, natural outfield actions and soft hands. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot; accurate throws clocked at 86 mph.

2. Dakota Kotowski, OF, Providence Catholic, 2018
Missouri State commit. 6-foot-4, 205-pound, wide-shouldered, physical, athletically built outfielder. Had one of the top exit velocities of the event and outfield arms; 99 mph exit velocity and clocked at 90 mph from the outfield. Offensively has middle of the order ability at the next level with present pull power. Aggressive swinger, creates bat speed, lift in swing and looks to pull the ball with authority. Open, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger and average balance through contact. In the outfield, aggressive routes, attacks, plays through the baseball with reliable hands. Loose, quick arm, throws carry and topped at 90 mph. Also, ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60.

3. Mason Sykes, OF/1B, Conant, 2018
6-foot-4, 230-pound, strong, extra-large, wide-shouldered, physically imposing multi-positional prospect. Profiles as a corner infield/outfield type. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tied for the top exit velocity of the event, 99 mph. Balanced, tall setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Flashed bat speed, gap-to-gap approach and ball jumps off bat at times. Defensively, reliable hands and plays through the baseball on the infield and outfield. Clean arm from an over-the-top, high ¾ slot clocked at 84 mph from the outfield and infield. Also, ran a 7.19 laser-timed 60.

4. Jack Rigoni, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a strong, athletic frame. Ran the best 60 time of the event, a 6.62 laser-timed. Offensively, compact swing with bat speed and strength through contact; 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Open, tall setup, short stride, low hands, path works uphill and gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, plays through the baseball, reliable hands and above-average arm strength from the outfield; throws carry and clocked at 88 mph.

5. Caden Monke, LHP/OF, Mount Olive, 2018
Arkansas commit. 6-foot-3, 160-pound, long, lean and highly projectable two-way prospect with plenty of room for continued physical development. On the mound, left-handed pitcher with an extremely high ceiling. Arm is long, loose and quick out of a high ¾ slot; highly athletic arm action, projects for continued velocity gains down the road. Smooth, fluid delivery, stays on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Fastball has late life, jumps out of his hand, life through the hitting zone and sat 88-90 mph, touched 91. Curveball, sharp spin, 1/7 shape, occasional late action, 71-73 mph. Changeup, maintains fastball arm speed, sinking action at times, 79-81 mph. Showed off his athleticism running a 6.82 laser-timed 60. Offensively, left-handed hitter, open setup, leg-lift timing trigger and incorporates lower half in swing. Loose hands, bat speed, long, uphill path, looks to lift the baseball; 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, big arm from the outfield; clocked at 91 mph. Fluid, easy outfield actions, plays through the baseball and soft hands. High ceiling left-handed pitcher in the 2018 class.

BEST OF THE REST (List Alphabetically)

Dominic DiLello, OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, tall, open setup, late hand load, short stride and average balance through contact. Natural lift in swing, pull approach and some looseness in hands. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, athletic crow hop, stays on line and strong, true ball with carry clocked at 87 mph. Arm is loose and out of an over-the-top slot. 7.13 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Austin Ehren, OF, Carmel Catholic, 2018
5-foot-11, 163-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 6.90 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance throughout. Line-drive type approach; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, clean transfer in the outfield. Long, over-the-top arm action and clocked at 81 mph.

Jack Ferraro, OF, Lyons Township, 2018
6-foot-1, 195-pound, athletically built, wide-shouldered outfielder. Ran a 7.09 laser-timed 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Long bat path and works the middle of the field. Registered an 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, arm works from a ¾ slot and throws clocked at 80 mph from the outfield.

Jack Grace, OF, Fenwick, 2018
6-foot-3, 205-pound, strong, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, open, tall setup, leg-kick timing trigger, and flashed strength through contact; registered a 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Path stays level through the zone and looks to pull. Defensively, efficient routes, plays through the baseball, clean transfer and short loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 80 mph from the outfield. 7.11 runner in the 60, laser-timed 60.

Corey Graham, OF, Crete-Monee, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound, lean, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 6.83 laser-timed 60. Defensively, fluid feet, attacks the baseball at times and steady hands in the outfield. Loose arm from an over-the-top slot, throws flashed carry and clocked at 85 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and maintains good balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, short bat path and line-drive approach. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Steven Hamer, OF/LHP, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, three-pitch feel and easy effort. Arm works short, loose and clean from a ¾ slot. Smooth delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Fastball, flashed life, arm-side-run and sat 83-84 mph. Changeup looks to be his best secondary offering; feel, sink, fade action and sat 76-79 mph. Curveball, short break, 71-75 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, tall, open setup, smooth load, drops his hands, toe-tap stride and good balance throughout. Repeatable, simple swing, short, level bat path, line-drive approach with the ability to backspin the baseball and uses the whole field. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball with steady hands. Over-the-top arm action, accurate throws with carry clocked at 86 mph. 7.01 runner in the 60.

Dawson Johns, OF, Mt. Zion, 2018
5-foot-9, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 6.87 laser-timed 60. Offensively, Balanced, open setup, deep pre-pitch load, leg-kick timing trigger and quick twitch in swing. Creates bat speed, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, arm works short from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws with carry and clocked at 87 mph from the outfield.

Jake Kapers, UTL, Mount Carmel, 2018
Valparaiso commit. 6-foot, 170-pound utility player, athletic shape. Projects best behind the plate. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, showed carry and accuracy 78 mph out of the crouch, 89 mph from the outfield, 87 mph across the infield. Soft hands receiving the baseball, quiet setup, exchange is quick and clean, 1.94-2.04 pop times, blocks well, athletic . Right-handed hitter, open stance with taller setup, drops hands in to load, leg lift stride back to square. Path is short, showed bat speed, line drive gap to gap approach. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Giuseppe Mattera, OF/LHP, Pleasant Plains, 2018
6-foot, 156-pound, lean, wiry two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, lands slightly closed. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 81-83 mph, touched 84. Curveball, thrown near fastball arm speed, 1/7 shape, 66-70 mph. Changeup, 74-78 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, tall, open setup, hip-turn, coiled load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Pull approach and maintains balance through contact. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, showed off a big arm that carries at 90 mph from the outfield.  Fluid feet, plays with bounce, plays through the baseball, athletic crow hop and clean exchange. Long arm action and out of a high ¾ slot.

Tommy Nelsen, OF, St. Charles North, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with a strong, athletic frame. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Short stride with good balance. Short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.92. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and average hands. Threw 88 mph from the outfield.

Myles Norman, RHP/OF, Morgan Park, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, lean, athletically built, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, raw arm strength. Delivery work with some rhythm, tucked front side at balance point, works across his body and lands closed with effort throughout. Loose, quick arm action. Fastball sat 83-87 mph. Slider, backed up at times, 73-77 mph. Changeup sat 72-74 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, relaxed, open setup, pre-pitch load and leg-kick timing trigger. Loose hands, fluid rhythm, long path and an exit velocity of 86 mph off a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, fluid feet and clean exchange. Quick arm, throws carried, occasional cut, clocked at 87 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 6.87 laser-timed 60.

Brandon Olion, OF, Champaign Centennial, 2018
6-foot-3, 165-pound, left/left outfielder with a long, lean, projectable frame. Offensively, balanced, slightly crouched setup, short leg-lift timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Path works uphill, occasional looseness and pull approach; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, attacks and plays through the baseball at times in the outfield. Steady hands and arm works from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 75 mph. 7.16 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Jaylen Patterson,RHP/OF, Kenwood, 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound, athletically built, well-proportioned two-way prospect. Highly projectable right-handed pitcher. Arm is extremely quick and loose out of a high ¾ window. Delivery works with smooth rhythm, repeats, stays on-line, lands square, finishes athletically and regular effort throughout. Fastball works downhill, thrown for strikes at the bottom of the zone and sat 84-85 mph, touched 86. Slider, works 11/5, short break, occasionally between curveball/slider type action, 71-74 mph. Changeup, sat 69-71 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open, tall setup, stride gets back to even and average balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, loose hands, flashed quick twitch and bat speed. Short to the ball, extension through contact and a gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, feet work fluidly in the outfield, plays through the baseball and throws flashed carry, clocked at 84 mph. 7.09 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Cameron Robinson, OF, Champaign Central, 2018
6-foot-4, 190-pound, long, lean, projectable two-way prospect with plenty of room for continued development. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and flashed bat speed at the plate; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Short path to the ball, gets extension through contact and line-drive approach. Defensively, steady hands and plays through the baseball in the outfield. Arm works short and loose from an over-the-top slot, clocked at 85 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall, hybrid delivery with some rhythm throughout. Works across his body and lands closed at times. Short, loose, quick arm from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, 80-82 mph. Slider, thrown for strikes, lateral 10/4 action, 67-69 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, sinking action, 72-73 mph.

Brett Selke, OF, Brother Rice, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, crouched, open setup, slight pre-pitch load and short stride. Long, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball at times, stays on-line and steady hands in the outfield. Arm is short and over-the-top, throws clocked at 81 mph. Also, 7.28 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Brandon Simon, OF, Gwendolyn Brooks, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound, defined, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, open setup, stride gets back to even, loads his hands and maintains balance throughout. Simple, compact swing, level path, flashes bat speed, uses the middle of the field and fluid rhythm. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball at times, clean exchange, long, loose arm out of a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 83 mph. 7.11 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Trey Torain, OF, Loyola, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletically built outfielder. Ran a 6.83 laser-timed 60. Right-handed hitter, tall, open setup, low hands and short stride. Uphill bat path, looks to lift the baseball, flashed strength through contact; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick, active feet in the outfield, plays through the baseball and arm works short and over-the-top. Throws clocked at 87 mph.

Zach Verta, OF, St. Laurence, 2018
6-foot-2, 196-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a solid lower half. Offensively, balanced, open setup, loads onto his backside, leg-lift timing trigger and average balance through contact. Flashed strength through contact and registered an 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, reliable hands, short arm action, ¾ slot and clocked at 84 mph from the outfield. 7.18 runner in the 60, laser-timed. 

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