By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Follow @PBRIllinois

The third annual Preseason I.D. - Gurnee Showcase at The Bat Speed Academy in Gurnee, IL took place Sunday, February 26, 2017. The event was open to all high school classes and featured just shy of 100 prospects from around the Chicagoland area.

Yesterday we began the analysis from the event with the catchers. Today we continue by looking at the outfielders in attendance.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Jeff Morton, OF/LHP, Mundelein, 2018
5-foot-11, 190-pound, athletic left-handed outfielder and pitcher. Defensively, works from a high ¾-to-over-the-top arm slot with a short, loose arm action, kept throws around the bag with carry. Plays through the ball athletically, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Clocked at 84 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced, crouching setup, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Pull hitter, has gap-to-gap ability, level barrel path. Recorded a 92 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.55 home to first. On the mound, works from a ¾ arm slot with short arm action. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, soft, closed landing, finishes athletically. Fastball clocked at 77-79 mph, topped out at 80 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, tight action, clocked at 69-70 mph. Changeup, fade action, clocked at 70-71 mph.

2. Nolan Unger, OF, Grant, 2018
5-foot-8, 150-pound, athletic right-handed outfielder. Defensively, plays through the ball, flashed soft hands, gains ground with his feet, clean on exchanges. Works from a ¾ arm slot with a short, quick arm action, showed accuracy and carry. Clocked at 87 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick stride, fluid rhythm, maintains balance throughout. Gap-to-gap hitter, uphill barrel path through the zone. Recorded an 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.68 home to first.

3. Nick Angel, OF, Libertyville, 2018
6-foot-4, 195-pound, strong, athletically built, right-handed outfielder. Defensively, works from a ¾ arm slot with short, quick arm action, kept throws around the bag. Plays through the ball, clean on exchanges. Clocked at 81 mph from the outfield. Offensively, crouching setup, bar load, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Gap-to-gap hitter, level barrel path through the zone. Recorded an 85 mph exit velocity. Ran a 4.22 home to first.

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Jack Anderson, OF, Glenbrook South, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, athletic right-handed outfielder. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action, kept throws around the bag with some carry. Clocked at 85 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball with quick footwork, clean on exchanges. Ran a 4.51 home to first. Offensively, crouching setup, wrap load, long stride, late rhythm, maintains balance throughout. Gap-to-gap hitter, level barrel path through the zone, recorded an 82 mph exit velocity off a tee.  

Justin Binz, OF/RHP, Mundelein, 2019
6-foot-4, 165-pound, lanky outfielder and right-handed pitcher. On the mound, works from an over-the-top arm slot with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, kept around the zone, clocked at 70-71 mph, topped out at 72 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, thrown with near fastball arm speed, controlled the zone, clocked at 58-62 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed, fade action, clocked at 68-70 mph. Defensively, works from an over-the-top arm slot, kept throws around the bag, played through the ball, clocked at 75 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, long barrel path through the zone, recorded a 77 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.54 home to first.

Mathew Birtman, OF/LHP, Deerfield, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound, left-handed outfielder and pitcher. On the mound, works from an over-the-top arm slot with short arm action and quick arm speed. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands slightly closed, finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, late run action, clocked at 75-76 mph, topped out at 78 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, has depth, thrown with fastball arm speed, controlled the zone, clocked at 65-67 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed, kept down in the zone, clocked at 65-68 mph. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with short arm action, kept throws around the bag. Clocked at 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively, closed setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short barrel path through the zone, recorded an 80 mph exit velocity. Ran a 4.07 home to first.

Sam Cibulka, OF, Benet, 2019
5-foot-11, 150-pound, lanky right-handed outfielder. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot, with short, firm arm action, kept throws around the bag. Clocked at 75 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, short, leg lift stride. Uphill barrel path through the zone. Recorded a 73 mph exit velocity. Ran a 4.65 home to first.

Austin Delgado, OF, Antioch Community, 2018
5-foot-8, 142-pound, right-handed outfielder. In the field, works from an over-the-top arm slot with long, firm arm action. Clocked at 78 mph from the outfield. Offensively, narrow, open setup, short stride, early rhythm. Flashed a level and uphill barrel path through the zone. Recorded a 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 4.57 home to first.

Peter Gross, OF/1B, Antioch, 2018
6-foot-2, 195-pound, right-handed outfielder and first baseman. Offensively, wide setup, smooth load, short stride, fluid rhythm, maintains balance throughout. Line drive hitter, level barrel path, generates bat speed. Recorded a 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively works from a high ¾ arm slot, kept throws around the bag. Clocked at 75 mph from the outfield and 73 mph across the infield. Ran a 4.61 home to first.

Keegan Henley, OF, Wauconda, 2019
5-foot-5, 126-pound, right-handed outfielder. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with short arm action, kept throws around the bag. Plays through the ball, flashed fluid footwork and clean on exchanges. Clocked at 78 mph from the outfield. Offensively, open setup, even stride, fluid rhythm, maintains balance. Uphill barrel path through the zone, generates bat speed. Recorded a 77 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran 4.36 home to first.

Brandon Houtz, OF, Warren, 2019
6-foot-1, 155-pound, lanky, athletic right-handed outfielder. Defensively, works from a ¾ arm slot with short arm action, kept throws around the bag. Plays through the ball, clean on exchanges, clocked at 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively, open setup, wrap load, long stride, early rhythm, maintains balance through swing. Pull hitter, uphill barrel path through the zone, recorded an 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.68 home to first.

Nate Jacobson, OF/INF, Crystal Lake South, 2018
6-foot, 155-pound, athletic right-handed multi-positional prospect. Ran a 4.13 home to first. Defensively, from the infield, fields his position athletically, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a short, loose arm action, kept throws around the bag with some carry. Flashed soft hands, fluid footwork, quick and clean on exchanges. Clocked at 78 mph across the infield.  From the outfield, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a short action. Plays through the ball, clocked at 84 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall, open setup, long stride, fluid rhythm, aggressive approach. Barrel takes an uphill path through the zone, recorded an 82 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Daniel Klein, C/OF, Jacobs, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player. Open setup, stride returns to even, balance through contact. Gap-to-gap approach, path stays level through the zone. Recorded an exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, behind the plate, clean exchange, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 72 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.25 - 2.35. In the outfield, similar arm action, tendency to field deep. Throws flashed accuracy and were 80 mph from the outfield. 4.43 home-to-first time.

Johnny Kubin, OF/RHP, Marist, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound, strong, athletic outfielder and right-handed pitcher. On the mound, works from a high ¾ arm slot with short, loose arm action and quick arm speed. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed, finishes upright. Fastball, clocked at 81-83 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, sharp break, thrown with near fastball arm speed, controlled the zone, clocked at 66-69 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed, fade action, clocked at 65-67. Defensively, works from between an over-the-top and high ¾ arm slot with long, quick arm action. Plays through the ball, clocked at 87 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, wrap load, short, leg kick stride, lower half works, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short, level barrel path through the zone. Recorded an 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.43 home to first.

Andrew Luehr, OF, Crystal Lake South, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed outfielder. Offensively, tall setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Barrel takes a long, uphill path through the zone. Recorded an 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, works from an over-the-top arm slot with a long arm action, kept throws around the bag. Played through the ball, clocked at 84 mph from the outfield. Ran a 5.51 home to first.

Joseph McKermitt, OF/LHP, Loyola, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound, left-handed outfielder and pitcher. Defensively, works from a ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action. Plays through the ball with soft hands and clean on exchanges. Clocked at 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short stride, fluid rhythm maintains balance throughout. Line drive hitter, level barrel path through the zone, generates bat speed. Recorded a 78 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.65 home to first. On the mound, works from a ¾ arm slot with long arm action. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, falls of mound to finish. Fastball, late run to it, clocked at 77-79 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, thrown with near fastball arm speed, early action, clocked at 66-68 mph. Changeup, sinking action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, clocked at 69-72 mph.

Noah Miller, OF, St. Rita, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a short, loose arm action, kept throws around the bag with carry. Plays through the ball, clocked at 80 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall setup, back load, leg kick stride, explosive lower half, fluid rhythm, maintains balance throughout. Pull hitter, occasionally gap-to-gap, good approach, barrel gets extension through the zone. Recorded an 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 4.40 home to first.

Jake Novak, OF/LHP, Loyola Academy, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound, left-handed outfielder and pitcher. Defensively, works from between a high ¾ and ¾ arm slot with a long, firm arm action, kept throws around the bag with some carry. Plays through the ball, gains ground on exchange, clocked at 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall, open setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, level barrel path through the zone, recorded an 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, works from a a ¾ arm slot with a long, firm arm action. Tall and fall delivery, lands closed. Fastball, late sink action, clocked at 74-76 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, early action, has depth, clocked at 58-59 mph. Changeup, sink action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, clocked at 65-68 mph. Ran a 4.58 home to first.

Matthew Papke, OF/RHP, Loyola Academy, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound, right-handed outfielder and pitcher. On the mound, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery, shoulders work uphill occasionally, lands closed, finishes athletically. Heavy fastball, sink and run action, controlled the zone, clocked at 78-80 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, gradual break, thrown with near fastball arm speed, clocked at 65-67 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed, clocked at 72-74 mph. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with long arm action, kept throws around the bag, clocked at 79 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Pull hitter, can go gap-to-gap, uphill barrel path through the zone, recorded an 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.69 home to first.

Michael Pastuovic, OF/LHP, York, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound, athletic left-handed outfielder and pitcher. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with long, fast arm action, kept throws around the bag with carry. Clocked at 87 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, flashed soft hands, clean on exchanges. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, fluid rhythm, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, has an approach, barrel path stays level and gets extension. Recorded a 90 mph exit velocity. On the mound, works from a ¾ arm slot with a long, firm arm action. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands toe open and finishes athletically. Fastball, late run, clocked at 78-79 mph, topped out at 80 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, early action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, clocked at 66-68 mph. Changeup, sinking movement, thrown with near fastball arm speed, clocked at 71-72 mph.

Sawyer Phillips, OF/RHP, Antioch, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, athletic right-handed outfielder and pitcher. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action, kept throws around the bag with carry. Fielded his position athletically with quick footwork and clean exchanges. Clocked at 90 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Level barrel path through the zone, generates bat speed, recorded an 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, works from a ¾ arm slot with a long arm action and quick arm speed. Drop and drive delivery, lands closed, falls off the mound to finish. Fastball, clocked at 82-84 mph, topped out at 85 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, gradual break, resembled a cutter, clocked at 73-76 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed, clocked at 80-81 mph. Ran a 4.50 home to first.

Noah Prebish, OF, Deerfield, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed outfielder. Defensively, over-the-top arm slot with a firm action, kept throws around the bag. Plays through the ball, clean on exchanges, clocked at 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall setup, leg kick stride, maintains balance throughout. Uphill barrel path through the zone, recorded an 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.16 home to first.

Nic Presutti, OF, Grayslake Central, 2019
5-foot-6, 170-pound, left-handed outfielder. Defensively, works from a ¾ arm slot with a short arm action, kept throws around the bag. Clocked at 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Slap hitter, short barrel path through the zone, recorded a 74 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.33 home to first.

Christian Ransom, OF/INF, T.F. North, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed outfielder and infielder. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with long, firm arm action. Clocked at 75 mph from the outfield and 71 mph across the infield. Offensively, open setup, short stride, back load. Short barrel path through the zone, recorded a 71 mph exit velocity. Ran a 4.26 home to first.

Michael Rooney, OF, Highland Park, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, right-handed outfielder. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action, kept throws around the bag. Plays through the ball, clocked at 78 mph from the outfield. Offensively, open setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short, level barrel path through the swing. Recorded an 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.36 home to first.

Noah Valin, OF/LHP, DeKalb, 2018
6-foot, 186-pound, athletic left-handed outfielder and pitcher. Defensively, works from a high ¾ arm slot with short arm action, kept throws around the bag. Plays through the ball, clean on exchanges. Clocked at 79 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, short, toe tap stride, maintains balance throughout. Line drive hitter, good approach, level barrel path. Recorded an 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Fastball, clocked at 76-77 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, late downward break, clocked at 68-71 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, clocked at 72-74 mph. Ran a 4.10 home to first.

Rob Zagorski, OF/RHP, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound, athletic right-handed outfielder and pitcher. On the mound, works from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action and quick arm speed. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes falling off. Fastball, run and sink to it, flashed late action, clocked at 79-82 mph, topped out at 83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, clocked at 59-62 mph. Changeup clocked at 59-63 mph. Defensively, works from a ¾ arm slot with long arm action. Clocked at 84 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall setup, bar load, long stride. Long barrel path through the zone, recorded an 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 4.69 home to first.

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