By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois

One guy stood out head and shoulders above the rest in the outfield group and that was Laren Eustace. Eustace ran an event best 6.68, and an event best 91 mph from the outfield. He also showed advanced bat speed posting an 88 mph exit velocity which was in the top five. Eustace clearly showed that he plays the game at another speed compared to his peers.

Here's a look at how the outfield group breaks down.

Top Outfielders

1. Laren Eustace, OF, Batavia, 2014
Dynamic athlete, smaller frame with a stronger build, 5-foot-9, 165-pound left handed outfielder. Advanced tools across the board. Shows plus foot speed, 6.68 runner. Defensively foot speed plays well on the field, attacks the baseball quickly with athleticism. Shows soft hands with the ball on the ground, quick and clean transfer with a quick release. Arm action is short and loose, over the top slot, excellent outfield arm action, demonstrates carry through his target, advanced arm strength, 91 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, flashes smooth load with short stride, highly athletic setup. Line drive hitter with a gap to gap approach, flashes occasional pull side pop. Advnaced hands at the plate, barrel awareness, advanced bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity. Eustace projects well at the next level as a top of the lineup type hitter who can defend the big part of the field.

2. Braden Mosley, OF, Moline, 2014
Highly athletic, strong build, wide shouldered, 6-foot-2, 190-pound outfielder. Defensively works through the ball well, attacks the baseball, aggressive crow hop, footwork is quick and fluid, 6.82 runner. Arm plays at 89 mph from the outfield, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, some accuracy, arm played with carry through his target, played well off the turf. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Active and aggressive lower half, solid balance. Excellent bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee, pull side approach with lift, power potential.

3. Cody Carroll, OF, Glenbrook South, 2014
Highly dynamic athlete, advanced physicality, 6-foot-2, 200-pound outfielder, advanced build and physical make up. High level foot speed, 6.78 runner. Defensively shows smooth footwork, fields the ball athletically, and plays through the baseball, smooth actions. Arm played at 89 mph from the outfield, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, showed accuracy and carry to his target. Offensively hits from a tall stance, short stride, solid balance. Quiet simple approach, above average bat speed, short path with extension, stays flat through the baseball, occasional pull side approach. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

4. Pat Crowley, OF, Vernon Hills, 2014
Left handed outfielder, frame shows athletic length, 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Defensively showed advanced defensive capabilities. Plays through the ball well, uses crow hop, stays behind the baseball, exchange is quick and clean. Feet work well in the outfield, 7.1 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the left side, tall setup, short stride. Path stays flat through the baseball, rhythmic hitter, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

5. Parker Sniatynski, OF, Marquette University (WI), 2014
Projectable frame, lanky build, 6-foot-2, 175-pound outfielder. Defensively worked online, showed athleticism, showed the ability to play through the baseball. Arm worked well, long arm action from a high ¾ slot, arm carried, 85 mph arm from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Shows excellent hands at the plate, above average bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity, hard contact, some power projection.

6. Brian Richard, OF, Oak Forest, 2014
Athletically built left handed outfielder with some length, 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, uses smooth load and short stride. Lower half is active, excellent balance throughout. Bat path stays flat through the hitting zone, short to the baseball, barrel head stays in the hitting zone. Advanced hand-eye, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively made accurate throws, 79 mph from the outfield, long arm action. 7.33 runner in the 60.

7. Joshua Kuntz, OF, Lyons Township, 2014
5-foot-10, 165-pound outfielder, athletic build. Defensively shows highly active feet in the outfield, above average athleticism, 6.89 runner. Plays through the ball well, efficient crow hop. Arm works loosely, over the top slot, with accuracy and carry, 82 mph. Offensively hit from a balanced setup, fluid load, short stride approach. Repeats swing mechanics well, consistent contact, knack for finding the barrel. Line drive, gap to gap guy, moderate power projection.

8. Austin Covers, OF/LHP, Prairie Ridge, 2014
Long lanky build, 6-foot-3, 170-pound two way player. Defensively arm showed accuracy, over the top slot, 82 mph from the outfield. Long strided, 7.28 runner. Offensively hits from a slightly taller, balanced stance, smooth load. Short bat path, high hand eye, barrel awareness, high contact hitter, spray hitter, uses the whole field. Front foot hitter, slight lunge, slight extension. On the mound delivery showed athleticism, some rhythm. Arm worked from a high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball touched 81 mph, sat at 79-80 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, early action, showed command, 66-67 mph. Slider had sweeping action, 69-71 mph. Change up worked at 68-70 mph. Covers showed upside on the mound, commanded breaking ball well, potential tough matchup for left handed hitters.

9. Eric Giltz, OF, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2015
Smaller build with athleticism, 5-foot-9, 160-pound outfielder. Defensively showed advanced actions, has natural instincts for the position, projects well as an outfielder. Advanced footwork, 6.94 runner, quick and fluid, plays through the baseball well, shows a tendency to work uphill out of his crow hop. Arm action is long, over the top slot, traditional outfield arm action, 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from an open stance, shows above average bat speed, 86 mpg exit velocity from the tee. Bat path is short with a line drive, gap to gap approach, good balance throughout.

10. Alex Rice, OF, Oak Park River Forest, 2014
Advanced frame, 6-foot-4, 180-pounds, frame shows strength. Defensively played through the baseball, clean exchange. Ran 7.13 in the 60. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, shows carry, 84 mph arm from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, above average bat speed, flat through the zone, 86 mph exit velocity.

11. Evan Sandmann, C/INF/OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2014
Athletic, 6-foot, 165-pound utility player. Sandmann showed a well-rounded game with the ability to perform at multiple positions. Behind the plate he showed a short, over the top arm action resulting in 1.94-2.01 pop times with arm strength of 81 mph from the crouch. On the infield he showed advanced arm strength at 86 mph with carry, longer arm action. He showed arm strength again in the outfield at 86 mph with carry. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly open stance. Flat bat path from load to finish, line drive guy, simple approach, works the middle of the field. 7.07 runner.

12. Tyler Hasper, RHP/OF, Waubonsie Valley, 2014
Average frame with strength, 6-foot, 190-pound right handed pitcher. Hasper is one of the strongest arms in the Class of 2014. Delivery shows rhythm, shoulders stay online, works towards target. Arm works from a high ¾ arm slot, long arm action, loose arm. Fastball climbed to 93 mph, sat at 87-90 mph flashing occasional run, power fastball with life. Curveball has 11/5 action, showed depth, big velocity split from fastball, 67-70 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm action, slight sink, 80-81 mph, thrown aggressively and down in the zone. Hasper is one of the top arms in the 2014 class, his power fastball and aggressive feel for his changeup will play well at the next level. Added velocity to his breaking ball could make a deadly three pitch arsenal. In the outfield his arm played at 89 mph, showing carry and accuracy. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Lower half works, shows bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.

13. Blake Thompson, OF/LHP, Rochester, 2014
Athletic frame, shows strength, 6-foot-1, 170-pound left handed outfielder. Defensively showed advanced outfield actions, sets up well behind the baseball, plays through and stays online. Arm plays well, showed accuracy, short over the top arm slot some carry, 84 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from the left side, athletic setup, short stride, lower half worked, good balance through contact. Showed excellent hands at the plate, consistent hard contact. Showed bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee, pull side approach, rhythm hitter. On the mound delivery shows tall and fall tendencies, opens slightly early. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, minimal effort. Fastball sat at 81 mph, touched 83 mph, showed occasional sink with control. Curveball thrown with fastball similar arm speed, 67-72 mph. Change up is mostly straight, showed control, fastball arm action, 74-76 mph.

14. Jeff Tucker, OF, Lyons Township HS, 2014
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Tucker graded out well across the board. Ran a 6.93 60, and showed natural outfield actions. Takes aggressive routes to the ball, moves athletically and works downhill well. His throws have excellent carry (86 mph), stay on-line and accurate. Offensively, demonstrated bat speed and rhythm with a line-drive approach.

15. Christian Lipscomb, OF, Morgan Park, 2014
Undersized left handed outfielder, 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Defensively shows good athleticism, fluid footwork in the outfield, soft hands, plays through the baseball well, efficient crow hop. Arm action shows length, over the top slot with accuracy, arm shows carry at 82 mph. Offensively hits from the left side out of a balanced setup, smooth load and short stride to the baseball. Line drive approach, bat path is level flashing extension, shows to be a spray hitter, stays flat through contact, good balance throughout.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nick Garcia, OF, Lincoln-Way North, 2014
Garcia is a smaller framed 5-foot-9, 160-pound left handed outfielder. Defensively uses a short arm action from an over the top slot, flashes accuracy to his target, 77 mph arm strength from the outfield. Offensively hits from an open stance. Hits off his front foot, line drive hitter with a pull side approach, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Justin Hoffman, RHP/OF, Carbondale HS, 2014
Athletically built 6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound, has a quick, athletic arm, mechanically raw. Typically works from high-3/4 slot, but drops down to lower-3/4 on occasion, and throws a 12/6 breaking ball from over the top. Fastball topped at 86 mph, sitting at 83; with his arm quickness and athleticism, he should throw harder in future. Short arm action, some deception in delivery, hides the ball well. Also throws a 12/6 breaking ball (67-68 mph) and slider (74). Positionally, arm works in the outfield, topping at 83 mph with carry and accuracy. Offensively, hits from open setup and showed some pullside pop. Also ran a 7.29 60.

Jack Holden, OF/LHP, Schaumburg, 2014
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound two-way player hits and throws from the left side. Holden showed some footwork defensively in the outfield, 7.07 runner in the 60, and threw 80 mph from the outfield.  At the plate, he sets up in a slightly closed stance with a short stride.  He has pull tendencies and recorded an 83 mph exit velocity.  On the mound, Holden throws from a ¾ arm slot.  His fastball sat 77-78 mph; curveball was 59-62 mph with 11/5 action; and changeup ranged 66-69 mph with occasional sink. 

Devon Jones, OF, Morgan Park, 2014
6-foot-1, 160-pound left handed outfielder. Showed advanced foot speed 6.87 runner. Defensively showed fluid footwork, arm plays at 79 mph, short over the top arm slot. Offensively hits from a wide setup, uses minimal lower half. Bat path is level, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Joshua Krueger, OF, Romeoville, 2014
6-foot-1, 175-pound outfielder. Defensively arm played at 81 mph, long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, occasional carry. 7.2 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a tall stance, short stride trigger. Pull side approach, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Maximilano Larsen, OF, Lyons Township, 2014
5-foot-8, 160-pound left handed outfielder, smaller frame. Defensively showed natural instincts in the outfield, above average actions, moves well. Arm action is long from an over the top slot, shows some accuracy, 78 mph out of the crow hop. Offensively hits from a slightly taller, open stance, short stride. Quiet approach, keeps things simple, line drive guy with bat speed. 7.37 runner in the 60.

Anthony Metz, OF, Downers Grove South, 2014
Average build, 5-foot-10, 175-pound left handed hitting outfielder. Defensively uses long over the top arm action, showed accuracy to his target at 80 mph. Showed footwork, fluid actions, 7.40 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the left side, open stance. Pull side approach, uphill bat path, 80 mph exit velocity.

Kristian Meyer, OF, Fenwick, 2014
5-foot-10, 155-pound outfielder. From the outfield Meyer throws from an over the top arm slot, works uphill, 70 mph arm strength. Offensively hits from an open stance, 85 mph exit velocity.

Kevin O’Keeffe, OF, Rock Island Alleman, 2014
6-foot, 170-pound outfielder, athletic build. Defensively arm played at 76 mph, short arm action from a high ¾ slot, worked uphill out of his exchange. 7.28 runner. Offensively hit from a balanced setup, longer stride. Front foot hitter, rigid path, 71 mph exit velocity.

Mike Plecki, OF/LHP, St. Thomas More, 2014
Athletically built, 6-foot, 160-pound left handed outfielder. Arm played at 80 mph from the outfield. Choppy actions defensively, slight hesitations. 7.37 runner in the 60. Offensively hit from a slightly tall and balanced stance, uses short stride approach. Flat path through the zone, solid balance throughout, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound worked from a high ¾ arm slot, with a longer arm action. Fastball was straight at 74-77 mph, mostly up. Curveball worked at 65-66 mph, gradual bend on 11/5 plane, slurve feel, showed control. Changeup lacked consistent action, occasional cut action, 67-70 mph.

Trevino Rodriguez, OF/RHP, De La Salle HS, 2014
Physically developed 6-foot-1, 210-pound two-way prospect with extremely strong lower half. Shows some arm strength from outfield (83 mph) and some power potential at the plate. Ran a 7.39 60 and had an 84-mph exit velocity. On the mound, works from an over the top slot with a fastball that sat at 83-84 mph. Also throws a 70-73 mph curveball and a 78 mph changeup.

Zac Taylor, RHP/OF, Downers Grove South, 2014
Athletic body, 6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound delivery showed regular effort, closed balance point. Arm works from a ¾ slot, long loose arm action. Fastball has slight run and sink, showed solid control, 83-85 mph, touched 86 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, slurve action, 69-70 mph. Change up has sink and fading action, 74-75 mph. Defensively worked uphill, 78 mph arm from the outfield, 6.7 runner. Offensively uses leg kick trigger, pull side approach, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.

More Illinois News

• IL Top Prospect Showcase: Corner Infield Analysis7.06.13
  Top five corner infielders, one already commits... >>
• IL Top Prospect Showcase: Middle Infielder Analysis7.05.13
  Joe Becht takes top honors in the middle infield group... >>