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Prospect Identification Showcase: Outfield Analysis

March 19, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

The Prospect I.D. Showcase on February 17 unveiled many new names to the PBR scouting staff this year and as we continue our positional analysis from this event we take a look at the outfielders.

Left handed hitting Garrett Davis took the top spot with the best overall game. His left handed bat played well showing the ability to square the baseball up with regularity. Davis also has athleticism in the outfield, running a 7.1 60 and throwing 79 mph from the outfield.

Here’s a look at the top outfielders.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Garrett Davis, LHP/OF, Geneva, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound lefty two way player. In the outfield he moves naturally and athletically with quick feet and sound hands. Arm works long, from over the top at 79 mph with carry. At the plate he hits from a tall, open stance with smooth load, short stride, and excellent balance through contact. Has a fluid, gap-to-gap swing that is short with quality extension and solid bat speed. Exit velocity off the tee was 84 mph. On the mound his delivery has smooth rhythm, clean lines, and regular effort. Arm works from a high ¾ slot. His fastball was straight, sitting 73-75 mph, for strikes. His breaking ball was 64-67 mph with 11/5 shape and flashes of sharp, late bite. Changeup was straight, sitting 69-71 mph.

2. Danny Brandon, OF, Plainfield Central, 2015
Lean athletic frame, 6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder. Showed the ability to move well in the outfield, 7.00 runner in the 60. Plays with a shuffle through the baseball, arm plays at 80 mph from the outfield, longer arm action, over the top slot. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride. Lower half is active, maintains balance, above average bat speed. Short path to the baseball, quick hands, stays on top of the baseball. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Sam Sergent, OF, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2016
5-foot-10, 185-pound outfielder with strength. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Strong hitter, made hard contact, line drive type approach, works to pull side. 76 mph exit velocity. Well above average foot speed, 6.82 runner in the 60. Feet worked well in the outfield, showed the ability to play through the baseball. Arm action is short, over the top slot with accuracy and carry. 84 mph from the outfield.

4. Ryan Stanicek, OF/LHP, Boylan Catholic, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound left handed hitting two way player with advanced foot speed. Ran a 6.83 60. In the outfield his quick feet move well and work fluidly as he plays through the ball athletically. Arm works long and loose from over the top at 79 mph with some carry. At the plate he hits with an open stance, short stride and maintains balance. Swing is short and level with solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee. On the mound he pitches from the stretch only, using a tall and fall delivery with smooth rhythm and some effort. Arm works long and from a high ¾ slot. Had feel for his fastball, throwing it 75-78 mph with occasional arm side action. Curveball was 58-60 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual break. Changeup was 68-71 mph with sinking action.

5. Jack Feeley, OF/RHP, Metea Valley, 2016
6-foot-1, 153-pound lanky two way player. At the plate he hits from a wide stance with short stride to contact and solid balance. Has a line drive swing that is short and level. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee. From the outfield he showed solid hands and clean catch and release skills. Arm works long, from a high ¾ slot at 73 mph with some accuracy. On the mound he has a wide base setup, and uses a traditional up, down, and out delivery with level shoulders and square finish. Arm works long from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was consistently in the zone, sitting 66-68 mph, flashing 70 mph, with occasional run. Changeup was also consistently in the zone, sitting 63-64 mph with sink and run. Curveball was 58-60 mph with 11/5 shape and rolling break.

5. TJ Geritano, OF, Willowbrook, 2016
5-foot-8, 155-pound left handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a tall setup, slightly open stance, short stride, smooth loading action, maintains good balance throughout. Bat path has a slightly uphill plane, loose hands, some whip, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has a long arm action from the outfield, showed the ability to play through the baseball, 67 mph arm strength from the outfield. 7.19 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Aaron Braun, OF/LHP, McHenry West, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound two way player who hits right handed, throws left handed. From the outfield he showcased clean exchanges and a strong crow hop. Arm works long and stiff at 81 mph with solid carry. Ran a 7.57 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a short stride and quality balance through contact. Swing is short and level with solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 74 mph off the tee. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery with some rhythm and regular effort. His arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, sitting 76-78 mph for consistent strikes. Curveball was thrown with fastball arm speed, has 11/5 shape and rolling action at 63-64 mph. Showed feel for his changeup, throwing it 65-67 mph with sinking action.

Austin Cerny, OF, Hinsdale Central, 2016
Left handed outfielder, 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Bat path has some length, swing has some lift, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short an over the top, 72 mph arm strength from the outfield, can play through the baseball more aggressively. 7.53 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Mario Flores, OF, Clemente, 2015
5-foot-7, 170-pound outfielder. Defensively played through the baseball with a crow hop, long over the top arm action, 79 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, toe tap stride, partial lower half involvement, solid balance. Path is level, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.28 runner in the 60.

Jacob Foy, C/OF, Rockridge, 2015
Solid build, 6-foot-3, 200-pound catcher/outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, can get moer out of lower half. Made hard contact, produced line drives, above average bat speed. 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively posted 2.25-2.33 pop times out of the crouch, arm played at 74 mph, loose over the top slot. 7.86 runner in the 60. Arm played at 82 mph from the outfield.

George Georgevich, OF, Niles West, 2015
5-foot-9, 170-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, no stride approach, partial lower half involvement. Path has length, 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, some accuracy, 76 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Ryan Grant, OF, West Chicago, 2016
5-foot-9, 190-pound outfielder with a strong body and solid foot speed. Ran a 7.0 60. At the plate he hits from an athletic, balanced stance with a short stride. Swing is short, with solid bat speed. Consistently made hard contact. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. Defensively, made clean exchanges. Arm works long, from high ¾ slot with some accuracy and solid carry, at 80 mph.

Tre Hendon, OF, Richwoods, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound player with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and solid balance. Swing is long with above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 77 mph. Defensively, showed solid hands. Arm works short and stiff from over-the-top at 72 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.64 60.

Jamie Johnson, OF, Andrean (IN), 2015
5-foot-8, 165-pound outfielder. Plus foot speed for his age, 6.68 runner in the 60. Hits from the right side, balanced stance, short stride. Hands have some quickness, longer path with bat speed, occasional lift. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, 80 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Andrew Loberg, MIF/OF, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
5-foot-4, 115-pound utility player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, leg kick trigger, average balance throughout. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a loose over the top arm action, 69 mph from the outfield, 71 mph across the diamond. Showed some actions on the infield, 8.28 runner in the 60.

Kyle MacFarlane, OF, Plainfield Central, 2016
5-foot-9, 140-pound outfielder, lanky frame. Offensively hits from a wider stance, short stride. Path has some length, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball with a crow hop. Arm action is long, 77 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Cole McDonald, 1B/OF, Morton, 2014
Physically advanced, 6-foot-2, 215-pound outfielder, plus build. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, subtle leg lift. Pull side power approach, rigid swing, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively from the outfield uses a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Around first base showed occasional awareness, solid hands. 76 mph across the diamond. 7.19 runner in the 60.

Ryne Melnik, OF, Oak Lawn, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound strong body outfielder. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and quality use of the lower half. Swing has choppy rhythm and an uphill path. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee. Defensively his arm works stiff, from a high ¾ slot at 73 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.37 60.

Sam Osisek, OF, Mundelein, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound outfielder, stronger lower half. Offensively hits from a wide setup, short stride. Path has some length, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has a long over the top arm action, shows occasional carry, 80 mph from the outfield. Active feet, 7.44 runner in the 60.

Jaron Robinson, SS/OF, Mendota, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound lanky, multi-positional player who moves athletically. On the infield he showed soft hands, fluid footwork, clean and quick exchanges, and plays through the ball athletically. Arm action is loose and athletic from a high ¾ slot at 81 mph with carry and accuracy. From the outfield his arm works long and loose from the same slot, at 85 mph with strong carry and accuracy. Ran a 7.4 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap load and launch sequence. Swing is slightly uphill with solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee.

Adrian Ruiz, OF, Morton West, 2016
6-foot, 145-pound outfielder. Defensively, had clean exchanges as he played through the ball. Arm works loose from a ¾ slot at 74 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.50 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load, short stride and some lower half usage. Swing is long and uphill. Exit velocity off the tee was 75 mph.

Mitchell Spencer, C/OF, Stagg, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound left handed hitting multi-positional player. At the plate he hits from a balanced, open stance with short stride, and quality balance through contact. Swing is simple and repeatable. Exit velocity off the tee was 77 mph. From the outfield he shows solid footwork. Arm works loose, from an over the top slot at 77 mph. From behind the dish he shows a solid setup and clean catch and release skills. Arm works from the same over the top slot at 70 mph with some carry from the crouch. Pop times were in the 2.26-2.32 range. Ran a 7.21 60.

Anthony Stopoulos, LHP/OF, United Township, 2014
5-foot-11, 160-pound right handed hitting, left handed throwing two way player. Defensively showed solid hands, clean exchanges, and plays through the ball athletically. Arm works long from a high ¾ slot at 76 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.11 60. At the plate he hits from a wide, balanced stance. Swing is short and uphill with choppy rhythm. Exit velocity off the tee was 78 mph. On the mound he uses a tall and fall delivery with some effort. His fastball 70-73 mph with flashes of cutting action. Throws a side-spinning breaking ball with gradual, sweeping action at 56-60 mph. Throws a straight changeup at 67-69 mph.

Matthew Wilson, OF/RHP, Nazareth, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound athletic, two-way player. From the outfield he plays through the ball well with quick, clean exchanges. Arm works loose, from over-the-top at 83 mph with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.06 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and maintains quality balance through the swing. Swing is short, with rhythm, quality extension and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery has rhythm and uses regular effort. Arm is loose and quick, from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was 75-78 mph with flashes of late run, for strikes. Changeup was 67-70 mph with run and sink. Curveball was 67-69 mph with 11/5 shape and erratic action.

Matt Witkowski, LHP/OF, Oak Lawn, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound left handed throwing, two-way player. On the mound he uses a tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Arm works long and stiff, from over-the-top. His fastball sat 75-77 mph with sink. Curveball had 11/5 shape, sharp bite, sitting 65-66 mph, for strikes. Changeup was 66-68 mph with sinking action, for strikes. From the outfield he showed solid hands and movements. Arm works long, from over-the-top with solid accuracy and carry at 77 mph. Ran an 8.04 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and solid balance through the swing. Has a long, swing, with a pull side approach and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 74 mph off a tee.

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