Underclass Trials: Outfield Analysis

In our next installment analyzing last month’s Underclass Trials, we’ll examine the outfielders in attendance. It was an athletic group, full of promise, starting with Niles West’s Jack Lochner.

Lochner, a 2020, earned the highest marks among his peers at the event for his smooth but powerful left-handed swing, in addition to his above-average speed that pairs well with his defensive actions. Kade Walker (De La Salle) and Douglas Burson (Yorkville) were two 2021s at the event who managed to earn their way onto the top-five rankings, despite their age. Both prospects had athletic and advanced frames and demonstrated natural skill with the bat.

To see where the aforementioned players landed – as well as who joined them on the list – continue reading on below. We also have full reports on each and every one of the outfielders who came out to perform at the showcase, too.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Jack Lochner, OF, Niles West, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder, well-proportioned, athletic frame. At the plate, relaxed, open setup, smooth back bar load, short leg lift trigger, maintains balance. Loose hands, controls the barrel in the zone, fluid, level path on line drives up the middle, can create uphill lift, flashed pull side pop ability with rhythm involved. Easy and quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Above average foot speed, 6.91 runner in the 60. Defensively, plays through the ball confidently with fluid footwork, clean actions, long, full arm swing with arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws carried at 82 mph to home.

2. Cameron Demos, RHP/OF, Downers Grove North, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, wiry, athletic frame. Offensively, balanced, closed toe setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance. Loose, athletic hands, uphill bat path, line drive hitter with pull side tendencies, smooth rhythm involved. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through with fluid footwork, hands work, clean exchange, full, loose arm swing, high ¾ slot, throws carried 84 mph from the outfield. 7.17 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, quick side step to a sturdy balance point, hip leads to extension down the mound, in line, square landing, athletic finish, easy effort. Short, loose arm action, clean high ¾ slot. Fastball, worked straight, 78-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 gradual break, slows arm, 63-64 mph. Changeup, faded in the zone, 66-69 mph.

3. Andrew Etter, OF, Mount Carmel, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, wiry, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, drop, top wrap load, short toe tap trigger. Loose hands, uphill bath with extension, flashed line drive ability to the pull side, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. Defensively,  naturally plays through, hands work, clean exchange, short, compact arm action, high ¾ slot, throws carried with accuracy at 87 mph from the outfield. 7.48 runner in the 60.

4. Kade Walker, LHP/OF, De La Salle, 2021
6-foot-1, 160-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, long-limbed, athletic, projectable, frame. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth back/drop load, leg kick trigger, maintains balance with rhythm involved. Confident hitter, loose hands, long, level bat path, attacks the baseball, sprayed line drives to the middle of the field, natural, present bat speed, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Defensively, moves well laterally, agile footwork, plays through, clean pre-throw actions, long, super loose arm action, ¾ slot, slings it, throws topped 77 mph from the outfield. 7.95 runner in the 60. Left-handed pitcher, deliberate pace to high knee balance point, short stride down the mound, works in line, high front side, closed toe landing, slight recoil/spin to third at finish. Short arm swing, super loose arm action, arm gets quick gradually after hand break, ¾ slot. Fastball, worked down with arm side run, 73-75 mph. Changeup maintains arm speed, faded with occasional cut 65-69 mph. Slider, gradual 2/8 break, 60-62 mph.

5. Douglas Burson, OF, Yorkville, 2021
6-foot-1, 178-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder, strong, athletic, durable frame. At the plate, wide open setup, smooth back load, short leg lift trigger, maintains balance. Loose, strong hands, natural uphill bat path, creates lift through swing, showed line drive ability to all fields, pull side pop potential, quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, clean exchanges, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph from the outfield. 7.37 runner in the 60.

Best of the rest (Listed alphabetically)

Cecil Archbold III, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, strong, athletic frame. Offensively, balanced setup, body wrap load, short heel lift stride. Strong hands translates to aggressive, level bat path, occasional hard line drive contact, fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Quick foot speed, 6.91 runner in the 60. Defensively, gets to the ball quick, long transfer, arm plays short, ¾ slot, throws topped 79 mph from the outfield.

Cal Bossard, OF, Downers Grove South, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, high-waisted frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short stride, easy effort. Short, level bat path, let ball get deep, flashed line drive ability to the middle of the field, rhythm involved. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. Defensively, long exchanges, full arm swing, high ¾ slot, throws topped 71 mph from the outfield. 7.63 runner in the 60.

Colin Bruce, OF, Benet, 2020
5-foot-11, 183-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic, durable frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back bar load, short heel lift trigger. Steep, uphill bat path, high finish, occasional line drives, opposite field approach, present bat speed, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Defensively, clean actions, plays through, clean, quick exchange, quick arm speed, long and loose, over the top slot, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield. 7.49 runner in the 60.

Sam Chapman, OF, Champaign Central, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, wide, crouched setup, back load, short stride. Loose hands, uphill bat path, gap to gap approach, occasional line drive contact, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. 7.26 runner in the 60.

Benjamin Collins, LHP/OF, Chesterton (IN), 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound,  two-way player, lanky, athletic frame, plenty of room for continued physical development. Left-handed pitcher, tall, relaxed heel lift balance point, keeps hands low, works in line, aggressive over the front side, athletic finish with some spin to third base. Super loose, full arm swing, gradual arm speed at hand break, quick and clean out front, high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight in the zone, some cut, 79-81 mph, topped 82 mph. Slider ⅔ gradual break, 66-69 mph. Changeup maintained arm speed, faded, 73-75 mph. Left-handed hitter, open setup, back bar load, short leg lift trigger. Short, uphill bat path, stays inside the ball, flashed line drive ability, present bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Defensively, agile footwork, naturally plays through, clean exchange, full arm swing, long and loose, ¾ slot, throws carried 82 mph from the outfield. 7.20 runner in the 60.

Jimmy Fairley, RHP/OF, Huntley, 2020
6-foot-2, 185-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, high-waisted frame. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, smooth drop load, short stride. Long, level bat path, occasionally uphill, simple middle of the field approach, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, plays through, clean exchange, long, whippy arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield. 7.71 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, coils at balance point, heel first, square landing, works mostly in line, can get rotational with a stiff finish, easy effort. Long loose arm action, full arm swing, present arm speed, ¾ slot. Fastball ran, occasional heavy sink, 80-82 mph, topped 83 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, flashed ability to spin it, 64-67 mph. Changeup, faded with arm speed, in the zone, 73-74 mph.

Quinn Flemming, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2021
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, high-waisted, lanky frame. At the plate, balanced, closed toe setup, drop load, long leg kick trigger. Long, level bat path, slightly uphill at times, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, quick transfer, short arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. 7.53 runner in the 60.

Brandon Frankel, LHP/OF, Stevenson, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, thin, athletic frame. At the plate, wide setup, back load, short toe lift stride. Long, level bat path, occasional line drive hitter, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Defensively, hands work, long exchange, full arm swing windup, over the top slot, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield. 7.55 runner in the 60. Left-handed pitcher, sturdy balance point, drops on back side, works in line, square landing, pops up at finish. Long arm on the back side, slight stab, quick and loose out front, over the top slot, effort involved. Fastball, occasional run, 75-78 mph, topped 80 mph. Curveball, minimal 1/7 break, 60-64 mph. Changeup played 66-68 mph.

Ian Gorken, OF, Crystal Lake South, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, athletic build. Offensively, open setup, back load, short toe tap trigger. Strong hands, long, level bat path, middle of the field approach, effort involved, exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through, clean exchange, long arm action, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, true ball, throws topped 82 mph from the outfield. 7.20 runner in the 60.

Drew Hnilo, RHP/OF, Lindbergh Senior (MO), 2020
5-foot-10, 140-pound, two-way player, wiry, athletic frame. Right-handed pitcher, sturdy balance point, speeds up delivery at hand break, works slightly closed, lands square, super athletic finish, occasional spin to first. Some arm wrap on back side, long and super loose throughout, quick arm speed, clean high ¾ slot, effort involved. Fastball, slight run, bottom of the strike zone, 79-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 power break with conviction, 67-70 mph. Slider, got on the side, some sweep, 71-74 mph. Changeup maintained  fastball arm speed with arm side run, sat 75 mph. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short leg lift stride. Level bat path, pull side tendencies, exit velocity topped 75 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through, clean exchange, winds up, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws carried in at 81 mph from the outfield. 7.51 runner in the 60.

Lucas Hwang, OF, Stevenson, 2021
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate, wide setup, back load, long leg kick trigger. Long, uphill bat path, high finish, occasional line drive contact, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, plays through the ball, clean exchange, short arm action, early release, ¾ slot, throws topped 70 mph from the outfield. 7.46 runner in the 60.

Tyler Jones, INF/OF, Streamwood, 2020
5-foot-9, 172-pound, right-handed hitting INF/OF, strong frame. Offensively, balanced setup, slight back load, heel up, long stride, dives over the plate. Long, uphill bat path, flashed hard contact to the pull side, with present effort involved. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. From the infield, clean transfers, arm plays short, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph across the diamond. Similar actions from the outfield, more effort involved, throws topped 75 mph to home. 7.62 runner in the 60.

Jake Lynch, LHP/OF, Wheaton North, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, high-waisted, durable frame. At the plate, open setup, top wrap load, short heel lift stride. Strong hands, level path, uphill at times, flashed line drive ability with lift to the pull side, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through with athleticism, quick feet, steady hands, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, effort involved, throws topped 81 mph from the outfield. 7.26 runner in the 60. Left-handed pitcher, easy effort and tempo, sturdy balance point, works in line down the mound, closed toe landing, athletic finish. Arm plays long and loose, clean, high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight, in the zone, 78-80 mph. Curveball, gradual 2/8 shape, early out of the hand, 63-67 mph. Changeup maintained arm speed, faded down for strikes, 74-75 mph.

Joshua Notriano, RHP/OF, Johnsburg, 2021
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, strong, athletic frame. At the plate, closed, crouched setup, minimal load, short toe tap trigger. Present pre-pitch movement, strong, loose hands, uphill bat path, can create lift to the pull side, quick twitch swing, plus bat speed through the zone, exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, arm plays long, speeds up out front, high ¾ slot, throws carried at 81 mph from the outfield. 7.50 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, rocker step delivery, simple heel lift balance point, works in line to a square landing, spins off to first at finish. Short arm swing, over the top slot, effort involved. Fastball had run, cut occasionally, 75-77 mph, topped 78 mph. Curveball 11/5 gradual break, 54-57 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sank, 65-70 mph.

Blake Oliver, OF, Bartlett, 2020
5-foot-11, 220-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, thick frame, strong lower half. At the plate, balanced setup, back, drop load, short stride. Strong hands, short, level bat path, gap to gap hitter, flashed pull side pop, present bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively,steady hands, long and loose arm action, over the top slot, throws carried with accuracy, topped 81 mph from the outfield. 7.60 runner in the 60.

Danny Orgler, OF, Stevenson, 2021
6-foot-1, 180-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, well-proportioned frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short leg lift stride. Long, level bat path, flashed line drive ability with pull side tendencies, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through, arm plays short, early release, low ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph from the outfield. 7.53 runner in the 60.

Joshua Paun, OF, Downers Grove South, 2020
5-foot-10, 125-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, long-limbed, lanky frame. At the plate, open setup, high hands to back bar load, quick leg lift stride, maintains balance. Long, level bat path, middle of the field approach, exit velocity topped 69 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays back and occasionally plays through, clean exchange, short, loose arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped 71 mph from the outfield. 8.28 runner in the 60.

Ben Radel, LHP/OF, St. Francis, 2020
5-foot-11, 162-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, well-proportioned, athletic frame. At the plate, relaxed, closed setup, wrap load, short leg lift stride, maintains balance. Short, level bat path, keeps it simple up the middle, flashed line drive ability, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 74 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, hands work, clean exchange, long, quick arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, topped 77 mph from the outfield. 7.20 runner in the 60. Left-handed pitcher, repeats deliberate pace, high knee, toe lift balance point,  works in line, open toe landing, recoils, cuts off at finish. Short, clean arm swing, present arm speed, recoils at release, high ¾ slot. Fastball had run, 72-73 mph. Curveball 1/7 break, can spin it, 63-65 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, faded, 67-68 mph.

Chris Rooney, OF/RHP, Mundelein, 2021
6-foot, 152-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lanky frame. Offensively, tall, open setup, wrap load, short toe tap trigger. Long, uphill bat path, gap to gap approach, flashed line drive ability, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, athletically plays through the ball, fluid transfer, clean, short, high ¾ slot, throws topped 74 mph from the outfield. 7.65 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, deliberate tempo, repeats delivery, knee up and down balance, then extends down mound in line, square, heel first landing, athletic pop up finish. Long arm on back side, speeds up out front, clean high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight in the zone, 71-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, breaks early,, 58-61 mph. Changeup maintained arm speed, faded in the zone, 64-65 mph.

Jason Thompson, OF, Mount Carmel, 2020
5-foot-11, 195-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, strong, thick, athletic build. Offensively, open setup, back, slight drop load, short leg lift trigger. Strong hands, long, uphill bat path, gap to gap approach with more pull side tendencies, rhythm involved. Above average bat speed, exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through, clean transfer/exchange, short arm action, over the top slot, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield. 7.78 runner in the 60.

Tanner Wagnon, LHP/OF, Plainfield Central, 2022
5-foot-9, 153-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short leg lift trigger, maintains balance. Short, level bat path, flashed line drive ability with extension through the zone, pull side tendencies, effort involved. Exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively, athletically plays through the ball, soft hands, clean exchange, short arm swing, ball comes out, high ¾ slot, throws carried 82 mph from the outfield. 7.63 runner in the 60. Left-handed pitcher, sturdy high knee, heel lift balance point, speeds up pace at hand break, works in line, open toe landing, athletic finish. Short arm swing, arms speeds significantly out front, high ¾ slot, effort involved.  Fastball ran, 74-77 mph, topped 78 mph. Changeup, maintained arm speed, slight fade, 69-71 mph. Knuckleball played 62-68.

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