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Unsigned Senior Showcase 1.12.14: Outfield Analysis

January 23, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois/Wisconsin

We continue to bring you positional analysis this week from the Unsigned Senior Showcase on Jan 12 at The Max. The event featured an impressive mix of prospects from Illinois and Wisconsin.

Today we take an in-depth look at the outfielders:

Cody Carroll stood out as the top prospect in attendance putting up an impressive line of numbers. Carroll ran a 6.70 60, 90 mph from the outfield and posted an 89 mph exit velocity. Jack Holden came in right behind Carroll with an equally impressive set of numbers: 6.78 60, 83 mph from the outfield and 91 mph exit velocity.

Here's a look at all the top performers.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Cody Carroll, OF, Glenbrook South HS, 2014
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Carroll has been earmarked as a higher-level prospect since his breakout performance at the PBR Top Prospect Showcase last June. Carroll once again confirmed his standing at the PBR Unsigned Senior Showcase when he posted eye-popping numbers: He ran an event-best 6.70 60; registered an event-best 90-mph from the outfield and delivered an 89-mph exit velocity. What’s even more impressive is Carroll, also a standout wide receiver, was just cleared to play after suffering a broken collarbone from a football injury suffered in October. Also a top-level student, Carroll has a stronger frame, but still has plenty of room to develop. Offensively, he has strong, athletic hands and has a balanced right-handed swing with burgeoning power.

2. Jack Holden, OF/LHP, Schaumburg HS, 2014
Athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with plenty of more room to develop. Highly athletic; ran a 6.78 60 and moves with fluidity and purpose in the outfield. Shows true outfield actions; fields ball with rhythm, clean, quick exchange, 83 mph with accuracy. Registered 91 mph exit velocity. Balanced offensive approach, short stride, bat speed present, level line-drive swing with opposite-field approach. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, sits 80-82 mph with arm-side run. Secondary stuff – curveball and changeup – need refinement.

3. Brendan Saak, OF/RHP, Belleville West, 2014
5-foot-9, 165-pound two-way player. Defensively he showed natural, athletic outfield actions, playing through the ball well with quick, clean exchanges. Arm works short, loose and quick from a high ¾ slot at 85 mph with strong carry and accuracy. At the plate he hits from a tall, slightly open stance and short stride. Swing is aggressive and balanced through contact with above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee. On the mound throws from high ¾ slot with a clean, quick arm action. The delivery has rhythm with clean lines, athletic finish, and high effort. Fastball was straight, 81-82 mph, flashing 84 mph. Throws a curveball with 11/5 tilt, gradual break, 67-70 mph. Throws the changeup with fastball arm speed, for strikes, 76-78 mph.

4. Michael Plecki, OF/LHP, St. Thomas More, 2014
6-foot, 160-pound lanky, left-handed, two-way player. On the mound he shows solid projection and three pitch feel. Arm works loose and clean from a high ¾ slot. Has a tall and fall delivery with quality rhythm, level shoulders, clean lines, easy effort and athletic finish. The four seam fastball was 78-80 mph. His two seam fastball showed advanced sink and run action at 76-77 mph for strikes. Showed excellent feel for his curveball, throwing it with fastball arm speed, 11/5 shape, and quality bite at 63-66 mph for strikes in the bottom half of the strike zone consistently. Had high quality feel for his changeup, throwing it with fastball arm speed with fading action at 72-73 mph. From the outfield he showed athletic footwork to the ball. Arm action is loose and short from the same arm slot at 82 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.08 60. Offensively, he hits from a balanced stance with smooth, backward loading action, short stride, and maintains excellent balance through contact. Has an athletic, opposite field swing with above average bat speed. Exit velocity off a tee was 83 mph.

5. Clark Brinkman, OF, Immaculate Conception HS, 2014
Athletically built 6-foot-3, 180-pound outfielder, proportional, projectable frame. Moves with athletic purpose and confidence in outfield, fields ball in rhythm, clocked at 81 mph from position; ran a 6.94 60. Offensively, hits from tall, slightly open setup, athletic hands, uphill path; leverage in swing, power potential.

5. Josh Piotrowski, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2014
6-foot, 170-pound outfielder with high quality foot speed. Ran a 6.76 60. Defensively, his foot speed plays well with clean footwork and athletic actions. Arm works from an over-the-top slot at 82 mph with solid accuracy and carry. At the plate he hits from a wide, balanced stance, smooth load, and heel lift stride. Has an opposite field swing with an advanced approach and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 86 mph off the tee.

Best of the Rest

Collin Barry, OF/MIF, Wilmot Union, 2014
Athletic build, 6-foot-2, 165-pound multipositional player. Defensively from the outfield arm played at 74 mph, long arm action, over the top slot. On the infield arm played similarly at 74 mph. Offensively hits out of a balanced stance, short stride, moderate bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Brad Borzick, OF, Lakes Community, 2014
5-foot-7, 150-pound outfielder. Posted a 7.04 60 time. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a long, stiff arm action at 72 mph with solid carry. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with smooth, backward loading action. Has a line drive swing, middle approach, and maintains balance through contact. Exit velocity was 83 mph off a tee.

Dan Cirone, OF, York, 2014
5-foot-10, 165-pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance. Swing is mechanically sound with solid bat speed and maintains balance through contact. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee. Defensively, showed solid actions. Throws from over-the-top at 76 mph with some accuracy and good carry. Ran a 7.22 60.

Grant Cooper, RHP/OF/INF, Lincoln, 2014
6-foot-2, 170-pound utility player. On the mound fastball sat 69-72 mph, touched 74 mph. Curveball has gradual 11/5 action, 57-59 mph. Defensively uses a long rigid arm action both on the infield and in the outfield, threw 73 mph from both positions. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, maintains some balance throughout. Bat path works slightly uphill, 76 mph exit velocity. 7.62 runner.

Nick Drawant, OF, St. Charles North, 2014
Strong build, 6-foot-1, 195-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. 81 mph exit velocity. Displayed foot speed In the outfield, 6.98 runner. Arm action is over the top, 79 mph from the outfield.

Jonathan Ernest, OF/C, Oak Park – River Forest, 2014
6-foot-1, 190 pound multi-positional player. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, slightly closed stance, short stride. Showed bat speed and barrel awareness, 89 mph exit velocity. Made consistent hard contact, line drive hitter. Defensively plays with a long arm action from the outfield at 81 mph, 68 mph from the crouch. 2.09-2.18 pop times. 7.01 runner in the 60.

Sean Green, OF, Limestone, 2014
5-foot-8, 155-pound, lanky, athletic outfielder. Ran a 7.09 60. Arm works long, from an over-the-top slot at 72 mph. Defensively, he showed quick twitch actions and fluid footwork. Offensively, he hits from a balanced, closed stance and maintains balance through contact. Showed above average bat speed with an exit velocity of 84 mph off a tee.

Robert Gutierrez, RHP, St. Laurence HS
The 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander has made a significant jump recently, and was clearly one of the top arms at the Unsigned Senior Showcase. Working from a 3/4 slot with a long, loose arm action, Gutierrez sat 86-87 mph with significant arm-side sink. His slider showed swing-and-miss potential, as it had sharp, sweeping break in the 77-78 range. He throws the pitch with conviction and for strikes. Gutierrez also commanded a 78-81 mph changeup. Gutierrez, who ran a 7.19 60, has an athletic arm and nothing he throws sits still. In the outfield Gutierrez showed an 85 mph arm and ran a 7.19 60.

Justin Hoffmann, RHP/OF, Carbondale, 2014
6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way player with above average foot speed. Ran a 6.94 60. Defensively, showed solid actions. Arm works from an over-the-top slot at 86 mph with carry and accuracy. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride. Uses the lower half well and maintains balance through contact. Showed solid bat speed and had an exit velocity of 80 mph off a tee. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery with some rhythm and regular effort. Arm works short, from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, sitting 81-83 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, loopy action, sitting 63-65 mph. Changeup showed arm side run, thrown with fastball arm speed at 72-76 mph.

Tucker Newling, OF, Willowbrook, 2014
5-foot-9, 180-pound outfielder. Defensively, showed solid actions. Arm works long, from over-the-top with accuracy and quality carry at 82 mph. Ran a 7.9 60. At the plate he hits from a wide, balanced setup. Swing has late rhythm with a long bat path. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee.

Greg Ploszaj, OF, Mount Carmel, 2014
5-foot-9, 160-pound left-handed outfielder with above average foot speed. Ran a 6.88 60. Defensively, he moves with athletic feet and takes strong angles to the ball. Throws from a high ¾ slot with accuracy at 78 mph. At the plate he hits from a tall, balanced stance, no loading action and a short stride. Maintains solid balance through contact with a strong approach. Has a line drive, inside out swing. Exit velocity was 77 mph off a tee.

Doug Van Dyke, RHP/OF, Bartlett HS
In three months time has seen velocity jump 3-5 mph; certainly opened eyes with his performance on the mound at Unsigned Senior Showcase. Solid 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame with stronger lower half. Fastball topped at 87 mph, sitting in 84-86 range. Athletic arm, good hand acceleration, drop and drive delivery. Flashed five-pitch arsenal: curveball (68-71), slider (74-76) changeup (73-75) and split (72-73). Changeup demonstrated late sinking action, thrown with good arm action. Curveball shows occasional sharp two-plane action. Offensively, shows balanced swing with bat speed; uphill path with some lift and carry.

Justin Vanorsby, MIF/OF, Marian Catholic, 2014
5-foot-9, 140-pound multi-positional player. From the outfield he moves with some athleticism and throws with a long arm from over-the-top at 75 mph. On the infield showed quality feet and hands. Throws with the same arm action as from the outfield at 73 mph. At the plate he hits from a balanced, closed stance with short stride to the ball. Swing is handsy with choppy rhythm and solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee.

Clayton Welker, OF, Williamsville, 2014
5-foot-9, 160-pound strong body outfielder. At ­­the plate he hits from a balanced setup, smooth loading action, and uses a leg-kick trigger with a short stride. Swing is quiet and balanced, uses the lower half well. Made consistently strong contact and sprayed balls to all fields. Exit velocity was 73 mph off a tee. In the outfield he showed athletic footwork. Throws from over-the-top with a long, stiff arm action at 73 mph with solid accuracy. Ran a 7.15 60.

­Brett Willis, OF, Walther Lutheran, 2014
Athletic, 6-foot-2, 175-pound outfielder. Showed well above average foot speed, 6.89 runner. Has quick twitch actions in the outfield. Arm action is long, 65 mph from the outfield. Offensively showed similar quick twitch abilities at the plate, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.

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