Underclass Trials: Outfield Analysis

July 8, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Underclass Trials kicks off our summer season and is one of our favorite events because it always brings the most unseen talent to the forefront. Today we roll-out the top outfielders from the event. Two 2019's had impressive performances and found themselves in the top five. Kendal Ewell from Marist and Pierce Jones from Marian Catholic both flashed advanced right-handed bats and athletic actions in the outfield.

Lets take a look at the top guys at Underclass Trials.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Kendal Ewell, OF/RHP, Marist, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player, lean lanky frame with high upside. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, leg lift stride, solid easy balance. Above average bat speed, solid approach, efficient bat path, line drive gap to gap type, loose hands, projectable bat. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively moved athletically with confidence in the outfield, plays through the baseball, light feet and soft hands. Easy form runner, 7.70 in the 60. Arm played at 82 mph from the outfield, loose over the top slot, showed carry. On the mound delivery is repeatable and easy, showed athleticism and balance. Arm action is clean, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 77-80 mph, topped at 81 mph. Slider has loose action, ranged 65-72 mph. Changeup played at 66-67 mph.

2. Jaylen Patterson, OF/RHP, Kenwood Academy, 2018
Lanky athletic two-way prospect, 6-foot-1, 177-pounds. Right-handed hitter, athletic setup, open stance, smooth loading action, leg-lift stride. Loose, whippy hands, above average bat speed. Pull side contact, loose barrel, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Outfield arm carried, loose and long arm action, 82 mph from the outfield. Actions played through athletically, showed good feet. 7.13 runner in the 60. On the mound arm showed some life, athletic arm, high ¾ slot, loose action. Fastball showed some life, control at the top half, 80-82 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, flashed sharp action, 66-70 mph. Changeup worked at 73-76 mph.

3. Pierce Jones, OF, Marian Catholic, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder, lean athletic frame, projectable body type. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, gets to front side. Path is short, showed ability to backspin the baseball, line drive contact, easy above average bat speed. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.32 runner in the 60. Defensively showed above average actions in the outfield, showed feel and the ability to attack the baseball. Arm action is long, over the top arm slot, 75 mph on a crowhop. Strong follow in he 2019 class.

4. Cameron Robinson, OF, Champaign Central, 2018
6-foot-4, 185-pound outfielder, long slender frame with big upside. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even, average balance. Loose hands, showed bat speed, level path gap to gap type, high ceiling. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays loose and over the top, showed some accuracy, 83 mph from the outfield. Exchange is clean, occasionally exaggerated, corner outfield type. 7.67 runner in the 60.

5. Francois Castillo, 3B/OF, Roberto Clemente, 2018
Strong build, 5-foot-11, 205-pound corner defender. Defensively shows big arm strength for his age, 86 mph across the diamond, 89 mph from the outfield, plays from a high ¾ slot, some effort. Defensively profiles at a corner spot in the outfield or infield. Right-handed bat, open setup, reverse toe tap stride. Long path with bat speed, slight uphill plane, lifts the baseball, gap to gap contact. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.37 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cameron Bufford, OF, Marian Catholic, 2019
5-foot-11, 145-pound thin wiry frame. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, leg lift stride, average balance. Loose hands, average bat speed, added strength will help. 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed fluid action, deliberate exchange and average hands. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 65 mph arm across the diamond. 7.84 runner in the 60.

Kyle Caponi, OF, New Trier, 2018
5-foot-8, 145-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, quick leg kick stride, slightly open stance. Level path, line drive type hitter, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action from the outfield, high ¾ slot, 76 mph from the outfield. Showed an ability to play through the baseball, 7.34 runner in the 60.

Charlie Charpentier, OF, St. Charles East, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound left/left outfielder, frame has some slender length. Offensively hits out of a balanced setup, short lifting stride. Flashed hard contact up the middle, line drive type hitter. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long working from a ¾ slot. Fluid footwork with tendency to play the ball back on heels. Clocked at 76 mph from the outfield. 7.57 runner in the 60.

Christian Dearman, OF, Marian Catholic, 2018
Thin wiry frame, live body, 6-foot, 155-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, tall closed stance, lift and hang trigger, average balance. Loose hands, showed some quickness, middle of the field approach. Above average bat speed for age, line drive type hitter, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with some hesitation to the baseball. Arm action is long, over the top slot, 78 mph from the outfield. 7.33 runner in the 60.

Jaden Dellitt, OF, Mercer, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound outfielder, lean frame with length. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short lifting stride, solid balance. Showed loose hands, ability to barrel the baseball and spray to all fields. Gap to gap approach, slight uphill path, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.06 runner in the outfield. Arm played from a high ¾ slot, 68 mph out of a crow hop.

Dominic DiLello, OF/RHP, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed two-way player, strong build. In the outfield showed above average arm strength for his age, 82 mph from a crowhop. Arm action plays long and over the top. Showed an ability to play through the baseball with a crowhop, clean exchange with length, projects at a corner outfield spot. 7.61 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, average balance. High back elbow, occasional front foot hitter, path is steep to the baseball. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery worked on line, squared landing with tempo. Arm action is long and over the top. Fastball showed some tilt, sat 73-75 mph, topped at 78 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, thrown near fastball arm speed and showed feel at 59-63 mph. Changeup sat 65-67 mph.

Jack Donnelly, OF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2018
6-foot-2, 160-pound outfielder, lanky frame, slender build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slight leg lift stride. Handsy swing, short path, cuts it off at times, can add extension. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 74 mph from the outfield. Actions played through the ball, longer exchange 7.38 runner in the 60.

Luke Fisher, OF, Geneva, 2019
5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, solid build. Offensively hits from an open setup, short stride back to even. Showed some barrel control, loose and fluid, path has some length, mostly pull side contact in BP. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played from a high ¾ slot, 73 mph from the outfield. Clean transfer through the baseball. 7.92 runner in the 60.

Elias Flowers, OF/C, Marmion Academy, 2019
5-foot-6, 135-pound ambidextrous thrower and switch hitter. Small, athletic frame. Plays the outfield left-handed and catches right-handed. Defensively in the outfield showed some actions, a clean exchange and loose arm action. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. Behind the plate has a long arm action from a low ¾ slot. Popped 2.18-2.32 and threw 68 mph form the crouch. From the right side hits from a balanced setup with a high hand set. Short, uphill swing path. Form the left side hits from a tall setup with a leg kick stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.17.

Brennan Geers, OF/LHP, Providence Catholic, 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound two-way player, highly projectable frame, lean athletic shape, 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. In the outfield arm played from a high ¾ slot at 73 mph. 7.90 runner in the 60. Worked uphill and through the baseball defensively, average footwork. Left-handed bat, balanced stance, loads hands back, short stride. Path is long on uphill plane, lifts pull side contact, some bat strength. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery is tall and online, upright finish, slight recoil. High ¾ slot, short loose arm action. Fastball sat 74-75 mph. Curveball played with 2/8 type action, 61-63 mph. Changeup has arm side run, 64-69 mph.

Corey Graham, OF/INF/RHP, Crete Monee, 2018
6-foot, 155-pound multipositional player, average athletic shape. Right-handed hitter, tall setup with balanced feet, arm bar load, short stride. Athletic hands, loose swing. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively worked at multiple positions, arm played with length and loose, 82 mph from the outfield, 71 mph across the diamond. Above average runner for his age, 7.04 in the 60. Showed an ability to play through the baseball athletically and in stride. On the mound, fastball sat 68-72 mph. Curveball played on 11/5 plane, 55-63 mph. Changeup flashed sink, decelrated arm action, ranged 54-62 mph.

Brendan Johnson, RHP/OF, Frankfort Community, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pounds, solid build with strength for his age. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Pull side contact, path casts, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.83 runner in the 60. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, maintains level shoulders, slightly closed landing. Arm action is slightly shorter, over the top slot. Fastball sat 76-78 mph, topped at 79 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, 11/5 plane, 61-65 mph. Slider played at 63-66 mph, similar actions to curveball. Changeup ranged 64-71 mph.

Colin Mack, INF/OF, Morgan Township (IN), 2018
5-foot-10, 140-pound infielder/outfielder, lean athletic frame. Ran a 7.12 laser-timed 60. Right-handed hitter, closed stance, short stride. Simple approach, showed good hands, short path. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 80 mph from the outfield and 79 mph across the infield, short high ¾ arm action. Average hands, plays through the baseball.

Quinn McQuade, LHP/OF, Lakes, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed throwing two-way player. On the mound works from a high ¾ slot, showed some arm speed, regular effort. Fastball has arm side run, showed control of the zone, sat 71-72 mph, touched 75 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, above average feel for his age, 59-62 mph. Changeup sinks and showed ability to keep down, ranged 64-68 mph. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride, little effort, static pre-pitch. Flashed bat strength, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee, uphill path. Defensively made clean actions in the outfield, average hands. 7.40 runner in the 60.

Robert Morand, LHP/OF, Saint Ignatius, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player. On the mound delivery works to his open side, showed effort. Short arm action, over the top slot. Fastball showed slight sink, 72-75 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 60-61 mph, flashed tight spin. Changeup is 66-68 mph. In the outfield arm plays short from a high ¾ slot, 69 mph from the outfield. Plays through the baseball, lacked actions, direction played to glove side. 7.41 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, leg kick stride, lacked balance. Path showed length, average bat speed, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Nick Nelson, OF, Jones College Prep, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound outfielder, lanky frame with some upside. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, short stride, average balance through contact. Two-piece swing, flashed bat speed, long path slightly uphill, pull side approach with topspin contact. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, short arm action, 78 mph arm strength. Deliberate actions, showed an ability to play through the baseball. 7.30 runner in the 60.

Nicolas Palermo, OF, St. Ignatius, 2019
5-foot-10, 147-pound outfielder, lean build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action with leg lift, average balance. Path is level, average bat speed, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Fluid, easy runner, 7.29 in the 60. Feet worked in the outfield, moved well in stride. Arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot, 74 mph from the outfield.

Nico Piaskowy, C, St. Charles East, 2018
5-foot-7, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Slower footwork with a quick exchange. Popped. 2.16-2.28 and threw 64 mph from the crouch. Blocked well in bullpens. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short leg lift stride. Line drive, pull hitter with a long swing path. 67 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.90.

Matt Piento, OF/LHP, Lyons Township, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound left-handed two-way player, lanky frame with some projectability, best on the mound. On the mound arm action is short with some quickness, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall approach, regular effort, open toe landing, works slightly across body. Fastball showed arm side run and sinking action, 77-78 mph, topped at 79 mph. Curveball flashed bite on 12/6 plane, showed feel for the pitch, 68-70 mph. Changeup had well above average fading action, thrown with comparable arm speed, feel for the zone, 72-74 mph. Left-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, average balance. Showed ability to work the middle of the field, short path with rigid finish. 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed average actions, occasionally worked uphill through the baseball, short high ¾ arm action, 76 from the outfield. 7.47 runner in the 60.

Thomas Remijas, OF, Lyons Township, 2019
5-foot-9, 140-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Balanced stance, short stride. Simple contact approach, flat path 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 8.53. Defensively played through the baseball aggressively with clean transfers. Arm action is long from a high ¾ slot. 74 mph from the outfield.

Anthony Ruffalo, RHP/OF, Munster (IN), 2018
5-foot-10, 140-pound two-way player, thin build. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, works from a high ¾ slot with a full arm action, slight cupping action at the bottom of his draw. Fastball has slight sinking action, mixed two and four seamers, sat 71-74 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 63-64 mph. Changeup thrown near fastball arm speed, straight change, 64-68 mph. Slider showed better potential, 10/4 action, 66-67 mph. Defensively arm worked long from a high ¾ slot, 73 mph from the outfield. 8.36 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, open stance, average balance, showed some looseness in his hands. Long path, slight pull side tendencies, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Brandon Schulte, RHP/OF, Washington Community, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way player. Right-handed bat, open setup, strides back to square. Some effort, flashed bat speed, occasional hard contact. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played through the baseball above average outfield actions. Arm played with occasional carry, 79 mph from a crowhop, loose high ¾ action, played with accuracy. 7.32 runner in the 60. Drop and drive style delivery, works down the mound, some effort. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 76-78 mph, topped at 79 mph. Slider played at 69-72 mph, limited action. Curveball worked at 62-64 mph, 11/5 plane. Changeup sat 68-71 mph.

Jackson Schutzenhofer, OF/LHP, Schaumburg Christian, 2018
5-foot-8, 132-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly crouched, short stride, lacked balance. Path has length, 69 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, with effort, 67 mph from the outfield. 7.73 runner in the 60. On the mound uses a tall and fall delivery with some effort, over the top slot, short arm action. Fastball had light action, 63-66 mph, touched 67 mph. Overhand curveball thrown at 54-55 mph, loose action. Straight changeup is 59-61 mph.

Brett Selke, OF, Brother Rice, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder Slight open stance, tall setup, short lifted stride, solid balance. Hands showed looseness, gap to gap contact in BP, has rhythm and can repeat swing. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average actions, showed ability to play through the baseball with a crow hop and clean exchange. Arm showed carry, stayed true to target, 81 mph from the outfield. 7.40 runner in the 60.

Jelani Smith, OF, T.F. South, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder, lanky projectable frame, long levers. 7.34 runner in the 60. Balanced setup, short stride, good balance. Loose hands at the plate, athletic swing, flashed hard contact. Path has some length on uphill plane with above average bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw bat with upside. Defensively arm played over the top occasional carry, 79 mph from the outfield. Shows athleticism, ability to play through in stride.

Will Stenner, OF/INF, Lyons Township, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder, above average frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, short stride. Showed bat strength, hard contact on uphill path, slight pull side tendency. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays with a shorter action, over the top slot, showed accuracy, 73 mph from the outfield, 69 mph across the diamond. 7.35 runner in the 60.

Isaac Weber, OF/INF, Morton, 2018
5-foot-9, 143-pound outfielder/infielder. Balanced stance, minimal loading action, heel lift stride slightly closes off, solid balance. Pull side contact, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action, over the top slot, arm played at 71 mph. 7.37 runner in the 60 yard dash.

Danny Wizceb, RHP/1B/OF, Vernon Hills, 2019
6-foot-3, 170-pound corner two-way player, lean frame with length. Right-handed bat, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Flat path showed feel for the barrel at times, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action played long from an over the top slot, 67 mph across the infield, 73 mph from the outfield. 8.14 runner in the 60. On the mound worked uptempo, arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot, pie action. Fastball is mostly straight, flashed occasional action, showed feel for the zone, 72-74 mph, topped at 77 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, some feel with short action, occasional deceleration. Changeup showed slight feel, near fastball arm speed, ability to control, 64-68 mph.