The Underclass Invitational is one of Illinois’ most highly anticipated events on the PBR Illinois showcase calendar. The invitation-only event for the state’s top 2021 and 2022 prospects was held on Feb. 17, at The MAX in McCook, Ill. Over 115 of Illinois’ best freshman and sophomores represented themselves at the sold-out event last month.

Yesterday marked the start of our position-by-position analysis, beginning with the event’s robust crop of backstops. Today we take an inside look at the 17 outfielders in attendance, which was led by 2021 LHH Zamaurion Hatcher. Hatcher has loose, athletic hands at the plate and has the tools to play all three outfield spots.

Physical left-handed hitter, George Korompilas comes in right behind Hatcher. Korompilas has advanced strength in his bat and has middle-of-the-order potential with power to his pull side.

Check out the rest of the outfielders below:

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Zamarion Hatcher, OF, Kenwood, 2021
5-foot-11, 162-pound, athletically-built, wiry-strong, left-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate, balanced wide setup, smooth load, minimal stride and maintains balance through contact. Loose, easy, athletic hands, creates whip through the hitting zone at times, gap-to-gap approach and 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. In the outfield, confident defender, quick, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball and clean release. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 86  mph. 7.15 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

2. George Korompilas, OF/1B, Glenbrook South, 2021
5-foot-11, 202-pound, wide-shouldered, physical, left-handed hitting, multi-positional prospect. At the plate, balanced, quiet setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Highly-repeatable swing, stays short to the ball, natural lift in swing. Consistent hard contact, strong hands, fast bat and pull-power approach. 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively worked out in the outfield and at first base. In the outfield, steady actions, plays through the baseball, clean release. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 87 mph. At first base, natural around the bg, quick release and throws topped at 81 mph. 7.64 runner in the 60. High-follow 2021 left-handed bat.

3. Nicky Giamarusti, OF, Notre Dame, 2021
6-foot, 175-pound, strong, defined, right-handed hitting, outfielder. Arguably the fastest 2021 in the state; ran a 6.46 laser-timed 60. Offensively, quiet, open setup and leg-kick timing trigger. Quick, strong hands, creates bat speed, uphill path, looks to elevate and 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, steady hands, works through the baseball, long exchange, over-the-top arm action, throws topped at 84 mph.

4. Cameron Hill, OF, Kenwood, 2021
6-foot-3, 195-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder; athletic-build, highly-projectable with plenty of room for added strength. Continues to grow into his body. Offensively, balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Quick hands, fast bat, works level through the zone, gets extension at times, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 97 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural outfield actions, quick active feet, steady hands, works through the baseball, clean transfer. Long, firm over-the-top arm action and throws topped at 84 mph. 7.19 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

5. Gavin Baldwin, OF, Nashville, 2021
6-foot-3, 215-pound, physically-advanced, wide-shouldered, strong, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger and swings the bat with controlled aggression. Strong hands, present bat speed and bat strength, short, uphill bat path and power potential. 98 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short quick footwork, proper routes, works through the baseball and gains ground on transfer. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 86 mph. 7.34 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Dominic Coda, OF, Joliet Catholic, 2022
5-foot-10, 150-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting outfielder. 7.06 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced, tall setup, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger. Handsy swing, short bat path and line-drive approach; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, natural outfield actions, plays through the baseball, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 78 mph.

Antoine Harris, OF, Montini, 2021
5-foot-9, 175-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting outfielder. 6.91 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Tall, slightly open setup, long stride works back to square and hits off front side. Quick hands, creates bat speed, pull approach, 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, sure-handed, plays through the baseball and clean release. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 84 mph.

Lazaro Marquez, RHP/OF, Home School, 2021
6-foot, 185-pound, wide-shouldered, barrel-chested, two-way prospect. Made the event his coming our party on the mound. Features one of the strongest arms in the class. Right-handed pitcher, slow rocker-step delivery with effort throughout. Arm works long and loose, out of a high ¾ slot and ultra-quick arm speed out front. Fastball, jumps out of the hand, late, hard finish through the zone, sat 88-90 mph, touched 91. Offspeed lacks consistency. Curveball, maintains arm speed, 11/5 shape, occasional late bite, 66-70 mph. Changeup, thrown aggressively, arm-side-run, 78-81 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, big leg-lift timing trigger and swings with intent. Short, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm and 101 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball, steady hands, length in transfer and long, loose arm action; throws topped at 89 mph from the outfield. 7.11 runner in the 60, laser-timed. High-follow 2021 right-handed pitcher.

Mason McMurray, OF, Granite City, 2022
6-foot, 180-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate, athletic setup, quiet smooth load and short stride. Short, uphill bat path and line-drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action, high 3/ slot to over-the-top slot and throws topped at 77 mph. 7.42 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Ryan Orput, OF, Hinsdale Central, 2021
6-foot-4, 190-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder; highly-projectable, strong frame. Ran a 6.74 laser-timed 60. At the plate, wide setup, reverse toe-tap stride, occasional quick-twitch in swing, long, level bat path and line-drive approach; 96 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick, active footwork, works through the baseball. Long arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 81 mph.

William Pauling, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2021
5-foot-9, 155-pound, lean, live-bodied, right-handed hitting outfielder. One of the fastest 2021 prospects in the state; ran a 6.54 laser-timed 60. In the outfield, quick, active footwork, attacks the baseball, outfield actions, quick release and soft hands. Short, loose arm action and throws topped at 85 mph. At the plate, balanced setup, slight load, minimal stride and simple swing. Short, uphill bat path, strength in hands; 90 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Steven Sanderson, OF, St. Rita, 2021
6-foot-1, 195-pound, muscular, barrel-chested, right-handed hitting outfielder. Recorded one of the top exit velocities on the day; 102 mph from a tee. Balanced, quiet setup, leg-kick timing trigger and stays balanced through contact. Short and efficient bat path, strong, fast bat, quick-twitch at times and power potential. Defensively, profiles as a corner outfielder. Attacks the baseball and plays through. Short, over-the-top arm action and throws topped at 81 mph. 7.00 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Braden Sayles, OF, Hononegah, 2021
6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong, left-handed hitting outfielder. Has gained over 20 pounds of muscle since our last look. Ran a 6.91 laser-timed 60. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, tips barrel and short leg-lift timing trigger. Strong hands, pull approach and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, gets behind the baseball, soft hands, fields in rhythm and clean transfer. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 81 mph.

Alex Stanwich, RHP/OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong, athletically-built, two-way prospect. Right-handed pitcher with one of the strongest arms in the 2022 class. Slow, controlled tall and fall delivery, works on-line down the mound and lands front-toe closed. Long, full arm swing out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, gets downhill tilt at times, occasional boring action, sat 85-86 mph, touched 87. Curveball, thrown aggressively, 11/5 shape, sharp action, depth, swing-and-miss potential, 69-72 mph. Changeup, power pitch, down in the zone, fade action, 74-76 mph. 7.09 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, tall, open setup, long stride. Quick hands, fast bat and works on top of the baseball. Line-drive approach, fluid rhythm and 102 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, charges the baseball, steady hands, clean transfer and quick arm action. Throws carry and topped at 88 mph. One of the toolsiest 2022 prospects we have seen to date.

Isaiah Thompson, OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2021
6-foot, 170-pound, athletically-built, left/left, outfielder. 6.97 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, narrow, open setup, leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands, uphill path, looks to lift the baseball and pull approach; 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, easy, fluid actions, plays with a bounce in his step, maintains body control and works through the baseball. Loose arm action and throws topped at 85 mph.

Luke Trepanier, OF, Manteno, 2021
5-foot-11, 175-pound, well-proportioned, left/left, outfielder. 7.05 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced, quiet setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Simple, handsy swing, controls the barrel and line-drive approach; 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural outfield actions, fluid footwork, controls body on the move, works through the baseball and strong arm from an over-the-top slot; throws were accurate, with carry and clocked at 87 mph.

Dylan Warda, LHP/OF, Brother Rice, 2022
6-foot-2, 160-pound, long, lean, projectably-built, two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, stretch-only tilt and topple delivery. Works on-line, high front side and smooth rhythm. Clean arm from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, occasional arm-side-run and fastball sat 78-79 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 68-69 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, maintains arm speed, 72-74 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short leg-kick trigger and minimal lower half. Line-drive approach and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, aggressively attacks the baseball, sure-hands and gains ground on exchange. Arm works from a ¾ slot and throws topped at 82 mph. 7.22 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

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