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Preseason All-State: Outfield Analysis

March 6, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin/Illinois

As we near the end of our positional analysis of the Preseason All-State we take a look at the outfield group.

The top outfielders provide multiple profiles at the next level, from power hitting corner guys to speedy defenders in the middle, this group is filled with strong prospects.

Louisville commit, Josh Stowers took the top spot with his rare combination of speed and strength. His 6.70 60 time combined with his strong bat is what has made him such a highly coveted recruit.

Here’s a look at the top outfielders from the Preseason All-State.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Josh Stowers, OF, Mount Carmel, 2015
Louisville commit. Developed build, strong lower half, 6-foot-1, 195-pound right handed outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, maintains excellent balance throughout. Hands are strong, creates advanced bat speed. Short path, contact point out in front. Creates lift, strong power hitter, 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively has a strong arm from the outfield, short over the top arm action, 86 mph from the crow hop, creates carry. Advanced foot speed, 6.70 runner in the 60. Stowers is one of the more physical athletes in the class. His powerful presence with the bat coupled with his dynamic foot speed is a rare combination of speed and power.

2. Ethan Skender, SS/OF, Metamora, 2015
Kansas State commit. 5-foot-11, 170-pound athlete, showed the ability to play both on the infield and outfield. Displayed quick twitch actions in multiple facets of the game, 6.95 runner in the 60. Defensively plays the game fast, feet work extremely well, plays through the baseball both in the outfield and on the infield. Strong arm with a quick arm action, 89 mph across the infield and 88 mph from the outfield. Arm action is athletic, short and loose from a high ¾ slot. On the infield played well on the move with well above average body control. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, longer stride. Quick athletic hands, gets through the baseball quickly, aggressive swing. Shows a high level of barrel awareness, advanced bat speed, shows pop in his bat. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Jack Yalowitz, OF/LHP, Loyola, 2015
Talented two-way athlete, 5-foot-10, 160-pound, outfielder/left handed pitcher. Defensively has loose outfield actions, athletic footwork in the outfield, natural actions. Traditional outfield arm action, long, loose and over the top, produced carry and accuracy at 88 mph. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, excellent balance throughout. Line drive type hitter, hits with rhythm and get extension. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.00 runner in the 60. On the mound, arm works loosely with length, high ¾ slot. Fastball has cut action, showed control of the zone, touched 84 mph while sitting 81-83 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, occasional sweep, some slurve, thrown with near fastball arm speed, 68-70 mph. Changeup has near fastball arm action, slight cut action, 74-75 mph.

4. Myles Zilinsky, OF/LHP, Bartlett, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound left handed two way player, athletic build. Defensively has active feet in the outfield, 6.95 runner in the 60. Plays through the baseball well, uses crowhop, natural actions in the outfield. Exchange is quick and clean, arm action is loose, over the top arm action, showed some carry and accuracy. 84 mph arm from the outfield. Offensively hits from an athletic setup - balanced stance, short stride, slightly dives across plate. Occasionally uphill path, gets extension, excellent bat speed and athletic hands. 98 mph exit velocity from the tee.  On the mound arm works from a high ¾ slot, loose arm action. Fastball has slight run, 78-80 mph. Curveball has 11/5 action, near fastball arm speed, 73-74 mph. Changeup is mostly down, 76-77 mph.

5. Ryan Fish, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic, strong framed, switch hitting outfielder, with well above average foot speed who projects well. Ran a 6.95 60. Defensively, showed solid hands and the ability to get to the ball in a hurry and move downhill. Arm works loose, from a high ¾ slot at 86 mph with excellent carry and strong accuracy. Offensively he swings it from both sides with similar swings and plenty of strength. From both sides he has a balanced stance, uses a short stride and maintains balance through contact. Creates plenty of separation in the swing, creating strong barrel whip and consistently hard contact. As a right handed hitter his exit velocity was 86 mph off a tee. As a left handed hitter his exit velocity was 91 mph off a tee.

6. Jimmy Perkins, OF/RHP, Cary-Grove, 2015
5-foot-11, 155-pound two way player, lean athletic build. Defensively has a long loose arm action from the outfield, one of the strongest arms at the event, 89 mph arm strength from the outfield, produces carry and accuracy. Feet work well, shows the ability to play through the baseball, natural outfield actions. Exceptional runner, advanced foot speed, 6.70 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from an athletic setup, slight arm bar load. Bat speed is above average, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound arm works quickly, athletic arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball has run, occasional hard action, showed control of the zone, 84-86 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, advanced hard action, thrown aggressively with arm speed, feel for the zone, 73-76 mph. Throws a straight changeup, 79-81 mph, near fastball arm speed, showed control of the zone.

7. Anthony Forte, OF/RHP, Conant, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way player, athletic frame with some length. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, good balance through contact. Made hard contact, 85 mph exit velocity, quick hands. In the outfield has a longer arm action, creates carry, 86 mph arm strength from the outfield. Excellent foot speed, 6.83 runner in the 60. On the mound works from the stretch only , high ¾ arm slot, quick arm action. Fastball has run, 84-85 mph. Curveball flashed 12/6 action, 71-73 mph. Changeup has sink at 78-80 mph.

8. Eric Giltz, OF, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2015
5-foot-9 170-pound athletic body outfielder with advanced foot speed. Ran a 6.95 60. Defensively, his quick feet translate well as he takes direct routes to the ball. Arm works from over the top at 77 mph with strong accuracy and solid carry. At the plate hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, and balanced through contact. Swing is fluid and explosive with quality extension, solid barrel whip, and creates some thump. Exit velocity off the tee was 78 mph.

9. Connor Mapes, OF, Champaign Central HS, 2015
Wiry 6-foot-1, 175-pound quick-twitch athlete. One of the biggest surprises at the Preseason All-State Showcase. Showed high-level athleticism in all facets. Ran a 6.70 60 and moves with fluidity in outfield. Fields the ball in rhythm, natural outfield actions, ball carries with accuracy, some effort in throw, clocked at 87 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, generates considerable bat speed and barrel whip through zone, effort in swing yet maintains balance throughout. Level bat path, short stride, swing has rhythm, bat stays flat through zone; 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Overall, Mapes’ natural athleticism makes him a high-follow prospect in Illinois’ 2015 class. 

10. Nicholas Wheeler, OF, Mount Carmel HS, 2015
Impressive physical specimen. 6-foot, 200-pound frame, remarkably strong lower half, developed shoulders; for as strong as he is, still possesses looseness and quick-twitch athleticism. Right-handed hitter, balanced aggressive approach. Does not get cheated in box. Creates excellent bat speed and barrel whip through zone, pullside approach; when timing is right, ball jumps off bat with backspin carry. Recorded 87 mph exit velocity off tee. From outfield, has shorter arm action, ball carries better than 82 mph would indicate; takes aggressive routes, moves well for size. Ran a 7.26 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Sam Anderson, OF, Glenwood HS, 2015
6-foot-5, 175-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Long limbs, wiry, athletic, projectable frame. Moves with long, fluid strides, highly athletic gait; ran a 7.21 60 (ran a 7.01 at previous event). Was clocked at 78 mph from the outfield, long loose arm action, some accuracy. Offensively, hits from slightly crouch, athletic position, rotational shoulder swing, longer path, pullside approach. Shows swing looseness; recorded 81 mph exit velocity.

Sage Bruhl, OF/INF, Glenbrook North, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound left handed hitting outfielder/infielder, long athletic frame. Defensively moved well both in the outfield and infield, outfield arm played at 77 mph out of his crowhop. On the infield arm worked better at 79 mph across, stays low through the baseball, quick clean exchange, excellent body control. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride, repeatable swing. Occasional pop in his bat, above average bat speed. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Also ran a 7.28 60.

Daniel Budziak, LHP/OF, St. Rita, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound left handed throwing and hitting two – way player. On the mound his delivery has rhythm and regular effort. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot. Fastball 79-81 mph with sink, sitting at the knees. Curveball has 11/5 shape with late action and quality depth, sitting 65-67 mph for strikes. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed at 73-77 mph with cutting action. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance and maintains balance through contact. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee. Defensively, moves to the ball athletically and plays through the ball aggressively. Arm works long and loose, from high ¾ at 83 mph with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.12 60.

Kevin Clifford, OF, Naperville Central, 2015
5-foot-7, 180-pound well sculpted, athletic outfielder. Defensively, he moves powerfully to the baseball and showed quality footwork. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot with accuracy and some carry at 76 mph. Ran a 7.15 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, maintains excellent balance through contact. Swing is short with advanced extension that creates backspin and carry with line drive tendencies. Exit velocity was 92 mph off a tee.

Eugeniy Fuss, OF, Normal West, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound outfielder. Defensively, he moves downhill with solid footwork. Athletic arm works short and loose from over the top at 82 mph with carry. Ran a 7.13 60. At the plate hits from a wide stance and zero stride. Swing has above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee.

Trenton Hicks, RHP/OF, Pickneyville, 2015
Thick build with strength, strong lower half, 6-foot, 190-pound two way player. Showed excellent feel for three pitches on the mound, projects well. Delivery is clean with direction, regular effort, athletic finish. Arm works quickly, high ¾ slot, short loose arm action. Fastball had well above average control of the zone, 82-85 mph with run. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, showed excellent feel for the zone, 70-71 mph consistent action, tight spin, showed the ability to command it. Changeup has advanced feel, thrown near fastball arm speed, consistent sinking action, command the pitch arm side, 72-74 mph. Offensively hits from a squared stance, short stride. Occasional lunge, front foot hitter, level path with some extension, strong swing. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield showed the ability to play through the baseball, arm played at 83 mph from the outfield.

Cory Krolikowski, OF, Bartlett, 2015
Smaller frame with strong build, 5-foot-9, 170-pound left handed hitting outfielder, advanced strength. Defensively looked highly athletic in the outfield, 6.97 runner in the 60. Well above average actions, athletic feet, shuffles through the baseball, quick release. Arm action is short over the top, 81 mph arm strength from the outfield. Offensively hits from the left side, tall setup, short stride. Longer path, strong swing, upper half dominates swing. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Joshua Krueger, RHP/OF, Romeoville, 2015
6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way player. Works exclusively from the stretch, arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball has occasional sink, 81-84 mph. Curveball showed 11/5 shape, 63-65 mph. Changeup is 69-71 mph, decelerated arm action. In the outfield, arm action is long, 79 mph from the outfield. 7.40 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, flat path, some length, upper half starts swing. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Jimmy Landgraf, OF, Sandburg HS, 2015
Highly athletic 6-foot-2, 175-pound outfielder, proportionally strong frame. At the Preseason All-State Showcase, which was loaded with athletes, Landgraf ran an event-best 6.58 60. Right-handed hitter, possesses advanced bat speed, hits from balanced setup, slight leg kick trigger; 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, moves athletically to ball; was clocked at 82 from outfield.

Mark Martin, OF, Evergreen Park, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder. At the plate he hits from a balance stance with smooth load and leg kick trigger. Swing is balanced with stiff rhythm. Opposite field approach. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee. In the outfield he throws from a high ¾ slot with stiff action on the backside. Throws showed some accuracy at 75 mph. Ran a 7.13 60.

Joe McNulty, OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2015
6-foot, 190-pound left handed outfielder, strong lower half. Offensively hits from the left side, squared stance, short stride, heel lift load. Long left handed swing with lift, pull side power approach, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a crow hop through the baseball, over the top slot, 76 mph arm strength from the outfield. Also ran a 7.40 in the 60.

Nick Menken, MIF/OF, South Elgin, 2015
5-foot-9, 160-pound multi positional player with a strong body. Defensively, his arm works short, from high ¾ slot. On the infield he showed sound actions and soft hands, throws it across the diamond at 74 mph. In the outfield he works athletically through the ball and throws it 85 mph with carry. Ran a 7.22 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup with a diving stride. Exit velocity off the tee was 77 mph.

Ian Parentice, OF/LHP, Boylan Central Catholic, 2015
5-foot-8, 150-pound switch hitting, left handed throwing two-way player. From the outfield he showed athletic actions. Arm works loose, from over the top, at 80 mph with some accuracy and carry. As a right handed hitter he hits from a balanced stance with and arm bars when he loads. Gets the barrel through the zone flat with quality whip and speed. Exit velocity was 80 mph. As a left handed hitter he hits from the same stance with very similar swing to the right side. Exit velocity off the tee was 79 mph. On the mound he uses a tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Arm works loose, from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was 77-79 mph with little movement. Throws a curveball with 11/5 shape at 67 mph. Also throws a slider with similar shape and action at 69-70 mph. His changeup was 71-73 mph.

Trystin Raikes, OF/INF, Marquette Academy, 2015
6-foot, 180-pound outfield/infield prospect. Defensively showed solid actions on the infield, above average backhand. Arm created slight carry to target, 83 mph across infield. Arm strength was the same in the outfield (83 mph). Offensively hits from the right side, even stance, short stride. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Level path through the baseball, showed a knack for finding the barrel. 6.95 runner in the 60.

Jake Reynolds, OF, New Trier, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic outfielder. Defensively, his arm works short, from ¾ slot at 79 mph with some carry and solid accuracy. Ran a 7.07 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a quiet load and short stride. Swing is short, keeps hands inside and consistently hits balls on a line. Exit velocity was 85 mph off the tee.

Jimmy Roche, OF/SS, Sandburg, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound outfield/shortstop, athletically built. Offensively hits from a solid setup, no stride, weight transfer trigger. Generates bat speed on a flat path, occasional length. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Displayed occasional pop and extension. Defensively showed athletic footwork on the infield, takes time getting rid of it, arm worked at 77 mph across the infield. In the outfield played through the baseball big crow hop, 80 mph arm strength. Also ran a 7.03 in the 60.

Matt Sekardi, OF, Glenwood, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound outfielder, lean build with some strength. Defensively had active feet in the outfield, quick to the baseball and played through it with crow hop. 6.83 runner in the 60. Arm played at 82 mph from the outfield, over the top slot with carry. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, heel lift load, high hand setup. Bat path is slightly uphill, produced 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound arm is long, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball is mostly straight, 79-80 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball has 12/6 tilt, 62-64 mph. Changeup has occasional sink, 60-62 mph. Cut fastball 73-75 mph, short action.

Keegan Tyrell, OF/RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2015
5-foot-10, 180-pound two way player, solid build with athleticism. Defensively plays through the baseball, arm has carry and accuracy, 85 mph from the outfield. Runs a 7.28 60. Takes efficient routes to the baseball and works well through it. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, short fluid load. Quiet through contact, repeats well, maintains excellent balance. Excellent bat speed, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound arm works with regular effort, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, showed control for the zone, 81-82 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, slurve feel, 68-70 mph. Changeup has fading action, 72-75 mph with feel.

Jake Wegner, OF, Normal, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound outfielder. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup with smooth load and short stride. Maintains balance through contact. Shows a solid approach with advanced bat speed and consistent, strong contact. Exit velocity off a tee was 81 mph. Defensively, showed high quality footwork, working to and through balls with fluidity. Arm works stiff, from a high ¾ slot at 76 mph. Ran a 7.16 60.

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