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2.16 KC Preseason All-State: Outfield Analysis

March 16, 2015

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

The 2015 Prep Baseball Report Preseason All-State Showcase took place Monday, February 16th at 68’s Inside Sports in Overland Park, KS. Several of the top class of 2016 prospects from Kansas an Missouri gathered to display the fruits of their hard winter labor in front of the PBR scouting staff and area college coaches.

Click here to view the Instant Analysis article reviewing the top performers from the event in the various stat areas. 

Over the last week we’ve been releasing position-by-position analysis articles with scouting reports on each player and identifying the top prospects. Two-way players will appear in a position article as well as the pitching analysis feature. We will also be updating the Kansas and Missouri class of 2016 player rankings over the next few weeks.

Today we take a look at the outfielders that participated in the event. Once again, the talent level in this event was deep, including the outfield group, with many ranked and soon to be ranked prospects.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Nolan Beets, OF/IF, Gardner Edgerton HS, KS (2016)
Beets is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder and infielder that attends Gardner Edgerton HS in Gardner, KS. Class of 2016. Right-hand hitter, balanced set-up, smooth load, short path to ball, fast bat, extension through the ball. Hands really work. Simple and repeats. Hard and flat middle of the field contact in batting practice round. Exit velocity clocked at 92, ran a 4.16 home-to-first. Attacks the ball in the outfield, quick exchanges, quick high three-quarters arm action, 88 mph throwing velocity, accurate. Fielded the ball cleanly at shortstop, three-quarters arm action, 80 mph throwing velocity. Strong accurate throws. Quick-twitch athlete that has a chance to hit. 

2. Jacob Katzfey, OF/1B, Lee’s Summit West HS, MO (2016)
Katzfey is a left-hand hitting outfielder and first baseman with a strong 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. Attends Lee’s Summit HS in Lee’s Summit, MO. Class of 2016. Tall set-up at the plate, minimal load, strides inline, short bat path, extension through the baseball, maintains balance. Aggressive swing with bat speed, repeats. Showed some pull side juice. 93 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.19 home-to-first. Quick hands and exchanges in the outfield, low three-quarters slot, 80 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws. Katzfey has matured physically and made across the board improvement since the summer.

3. Nathaniel Vossman, OF/3B, Blue Valley Northwest HS, KS (2016)
Vossman is a strong 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-hand hitting outfielder. Attends Blue Valley Northwest HS in Overland Park, KS. Class of 2016. Tall set-up at the plate, narrow stance, strides inline. Fast bat, lower half works, path with some lift, aggressive swing, finishes with extension. Hard middle to pull side contact during batting practice. Recorded an 89 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.28 home-to-first. Throws right, fielded the ball cleanly during outfield work, over-the-top arm action, 82 mph throwing velocity. In the infield showed clean exchanges, quick high three-quarters arm action, 78 mph top throwing velocity. Physically impressive left-hand hitting corner outfielder/infielder.

Best of the rest (listed alphabetically) 

Ross Cappo, OF, Blue Valley West HS, KS (2016)
Cappo is a right-hand hitting outfielder that attends Blue Valley West HS in Stilwell, KS. Class of 2016. 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. At the plate has a balanced set-up, smooth load, knee-to-knee then controlled stride, slightly uphill path, fast hands, looseness in hands, lower half works, maintains balance, finishes with extension. During batting practice round barreled the ball middle to pull side repeatedly. Recorded an 87 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.22 home-to-first, strong runner. Athletic actions in the outfield, soft hands. Quick, clean exchanges. Quick high three-quarters arm action, strong accurate throws, 82 mph throwing velocity. Athletic class of 2016 outfielder that can run and has shown across the board improvement in the last year.

Seth Davis, LHP/OF, Maize South HS, KS (2016)
Davis is a class of 2016 left-handed pitcher and outfielder that attends Maize South HS in Maize, KS. 5-foot-9, 145-pound frame. Bats right, athletic set-up, strides closed, no load, keeps hands inside ball, loose hands, worked middle-oppo in batting practice round. Simple swing. 82 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.38 home-to-first. Quick, athletic footwork in the outfield, fielded ball cleanly, high three-quarters arm action, 78 mph throwing velocity. On the mound showed simple rocker step to knee lift, under control, tucks knee at balance, hides ball, high three-quarters slot, finishes square. Body control and repeats. Fastball runs and cuts, nothing straight, 76-77 mph. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, 65-67 mph. Change-up with sinking action, 69-70 mph.

Cole Dunham, OF/RHP, Lee’s Summit West HS, MO (2016)
Dunham is an outfielder and right-handed pitcher in the class of 2016. Athletic 5-foot-9, 165-pound frame. Attends Lee’s Summit West HS in Lee’s Summit, MO. Right-hand hitter, open set-up, wide base, leg kick, short bat path, some bat speed, finishes with extension. In the outfield aggressive to the ball. Quick hands and feet. Three-quarters arm slot, arm works, top throw clocked at 83. Ran a 4.29 home-to-first. Simple delivery, with up-tempo pace on the mound, three-quarters slot, athletic finish. Works fast. Showed cutting fastball and one with arm side run, 80-82 mph, 83 tops. Two breaking balls, slider and 12/6 breaker. Both controllable pitches, 68-72.

Dillon Engelland, RHP/OF, Buhler HS, KS (2016)
Engelland is a strong, athletic 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder. Attends Buhler HS in Buhler, KS. Class of 2017. Switch-hitter. Right-handed showed a balanced set-up, reverse toe tap stride, raises hands in load. Short, compact swing, 81 mph exit velocity. Left-handed has a wider stance, reverse toe tap, controlled stride, level path, line drive approach, 80 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.00 home-to-first, strong runner. In the outfield showed easy, athletic actions, over-the-top throwing motion, 80 mph velocity, mostly accurate. On the mound, deliberate pace early, little wasted movement, turns at balance, high three-quarters slot, finishes square. Simple delivery. Fastball command both sides of plate, glove side squared up catcher on black, arm side fastball runs, 79-80 mph, 81 tops. Breaking ball with gradual 12/6 break, 66-69 mph, threw it for strikes. Change-up sinks arm side, 68-71 mph. 

Jared Gillen, OF, The Barstow School, MO (2016)
Gillen is a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound class of 2016 outfielder that attends the Barstow School in Kansas City, MO. Right-hand hitter, athletic set-up, rolls weight back pre-stride to create rhythm, smooth load, lower half works, bat speed, compact swing with some lift, extension through the baseball. Middle to slight pull line drives during batting practice round. Exit velocity 91 mph, ran a 4.46 home-to-first. Attacks the ball in the outfield, high three-quarters arm slot, plays through, 83 mph throwing velocity. 

Andrew Halverson, LHP/OF, Gardner Edgerton HS, KS (2016)
Halverson is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound outfielder and left-handed pitcher. Class of 2016, attends Gardner-Edgerton HS in Gardner, KS. Bats left, tall set-up. Shifts weight back with load and mini leg kick, loose hands, level path out front, bat speed, extension through the baseball, maintains balance. Worked middle to slight pull during batting practice. Has some strength. Recorded a 90 mph exit velocity and ran a 4.33 home-to-first. In the outfield attacked the ball, clean exchanges, high three-quarters arm action, plays through, 81 mph throwing velocity, accurate arm. On the mound under control from pivot to tall balance point, tucks at balance, three-quarters arm action. Showed running fastball and a glove side fastball with cut, 80-81 mph, topped out at 82. Slider at 72-74 mph. Fastball arm speed on 78-79 mph change-up.

Dylan Hamilton, RHP/OF, Berean Academy, KS (2016)            
Hamilton is a right-hand hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher in the class of 2016. Attends Remington HS in Remington, KS. Class of 2016. Open set-up at the plate, knee turn then strides closed, smooth load, keeps head on ball, works gap-to-gap. 84 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.50 home-to-first. In the outfield fielded the ball cleanly, high three-quarters arm action, 80 mph throwing velocity. On the mound deliberate pace, from pivot to balance point. Lifts hands and vertical knee lift for rhythm. Strides inline, high three-quarters slot, finishes square. Easy, under control delivery with body control. Most fastballs with cutting action glove side, 80-82 mph, high percentage of strikes. Controllable 12/6 curveball, 66-68 mph. Change-up, 71-73. 

Jared Haynes, OF, Hays HS, KS (2016)
Haynes is an athletic-framed 6-foot-2, 185-pound outfielder from Hays HS in Hays, KS. Class of 2016. Bats right, tall set-up. Early load and stride. Hands and lower half in sync. Fast hands. Works gaps, some pull side lift. 87 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.41 home-to-first. In the outfield showed athletic footwork, clean exchanges, high three-quarters arm action, 75 mph throwing velocity. Shown improvement physically and at the plate since the summer. Projectable right-hand hitting outfield prospect.

Hans Hodes, OF, Rockhurst HS, MO (2016)
Hodes is a left-hand hitting outfielder that attends Rockhurst HS in Kansas City, MO. Class of 2016, athletic 6-foot, 165-pound frame. At the plate showed a balanced set-up, inline stride. Short line drive swing, hands work, made hard middle-oppo contact during batting practice round. 80 mph exit velocity, 4.26 home-to-first time. Quick, athletic footwork in the outfield, attacked the ball, quick exchanges. Right-handed thrower, high three-quarters arm action, 85 mph throwing velocity, very accurate arm. Athletic left-hand hitting outfielder that has shown across the board improvement in the last year. 

Sam Huesgen, RHP/OF, Timberland HS, MO (2016)
Huesgen is a 6-foot-, 165-pound right-hand hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Attends Timberland HS in Missouri. Class of 2016. Balanced set-up at the plate, slightly closed stance, reverse toe tap stride, slight coil in load, compact line drive swing. Middle to slight pull contact during hitting evaluations. Exit velocity clocked at 89 mph, ran a 4.46 home-to-first. Athletic footwork in the outfield, soft hands, short high three-quarters arm action, 84 mph throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws. In the infield fielded the ball cleanly, quick exchanges, short high three-quarters arm action, 77 mph throwing velocity, all accurate throws. On the mound showed a simple pivot, vertical knee lift, high three quarters slot, finishes square and under control. Delivery has easy rhythm and flow. Fastball clocked at 80-82 mph. Controllable breaking ball with 12/6 shape, 66-67 mph. Change-up with dying sinking movement below the knees, 68-69 mph, good pitch.

Gavin Huke, RHP/OF, Carthage HS, MO (2016)
Huke is a 6-foot-2, 145-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder that attends Carthage HS in Carthage, MO. Class of 2016. Right-hand hitter, balanced set-up, knee-to-knee then short stride, line drive approach, 74 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.48 home-to-first. In the outfield fielded the ball cleanly, high three-quarters to over-the-top throwing motion, 82 mph throwing velocity, some accuracy. On the mound works under control to a tall balance point. Tall and fall delivery with three-quarters arm slot. Consistent arm side run on fastball, 80-81 mph. Controllable 11/5 breaking ball, 66-67 mph. Command of change-up at 68-69 mph. 

Daonte Lowery, LHP/OF, Lawrence HS, KS (2016)
Lowery is a class of 2016 outfielder and left-handed pitcher. Attends Lawrence HS in Lawrence, KS. Athletic 5-foot-11,165-pound frame. Bats left, balanced set-up, minimal hand load, strides in place, short path, lower half in sync with hands, compact line-drive swing. Worked middle of the field in batting practice round. Recorded an 81 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.38 home-to-first. Athletic actions in the outfield, soft hands, uses crow hop, over-the-top throwing motion, arm works, 76 mph throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws. On the mound showed a balanced delivery with rhythm and flow, high three-quarters arm action, athletic finish. Fastball runs and cuts, works bottom of zone, 77-78 mph, 80 tops. Breaking ball with 1/7 shape, 71-72 mph. Feel for 71-74 change-up, strikes, good pitch. Solid all around player, has picked up velocity on the mound.

Dylan MacKay, OF, Blue Springs HS, MO (2016)              
MacKay is a left-hand hitting outfielder that attends Blue Springs HS in Blue Springs, MO. Wiry, athletic 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. Class of 2016. Balanced set-up at the plate, minimal hand load, short stride, short path to ball, aggressive swing, bat speed. Compact swing, middle of the field line drives in batting practice. Good round. Ran a 4.12 home-to-first from the left side. Athletic actions in the outfield, soft hands, clean exchanges, quick high three-quarters arm action, 74 mph throwing velocity.

Aaron Meers, OF/3B, Lee’s Summit North HS, MO (2016)
Meers is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hand hitting outfielder and third baseman. Attends Lee’s Summit North HS in Lee’s Summit, MO. Class of 2016. At the plate showed a tall set-up, reverse toe tap then stride, slight coil in load, fast hands, level path out front, aggressive, simple. Sprayed line drives in the gaps during batting practice round. 88 exit velocity, 4.41 home-to-first. Attacked the ball in the outfield, clean exchanges, quick over-the-top arm action, plays through, 86 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws. Strong, athletic frame and solid tools.

Brady Michel, OF/2B, Great Bend HS, KS (2016)
Michel is a right-hand hitting outfielder that attends Great Bend HS in Great Bend, KS. 6-foot, 175-pound frame. Class of 2016. Bats right, tall set-up, open stance, short inline stiride, minimal load. Compact aggressive swing with some bat speed and extension through the ball. Good round of batting practice with middle-oppo line drives. Recorded an 86 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.41 home-to-first. In the outfield showed soft hands, short high three-quarters arm action, 78 mph throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws. In the infield fielded the ball cleanly, soft hands, short high three-quarters arm action, 77 mph throwing velocity, all accurate throws.

Kyle Spriggs, RHP/OF, Blue Valley HS, KS (2016)
Spriggs is 6-foot, 185-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Attends Blue Valley HS in Stilwell, KS. Class of 2016. Right-hand hitter, balanced set-up, short stride. Creates rhythm in load. Slight pull approach. Hard pull side contact in batting practice. 81 mph exit velocity, ran a 4.54 home-to-first. In the outfield showed clean exchanges, over-the-top throwing motion, 79 mph throwing velocity. Simple and compact delivery on the mound, pitches from the stretch exclusively, three-quarters arm action, athletic finish, repeats well. Sound delivery. Fastball with arm side run, works knees and lower, 77-79 mph, touched 80. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, gradual action, 63-64 mph. Change up sinks and dies, bottom of the strikes zone, 71-73 mph, good pitch.

Craig Straws, OF/SS, Liberty HS, MO (2016)
Straws is a left-hand hitting outfielder that attends Liberty HS in Liberty, MO. Athletic 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame. Class of 2016. Balanced set-up at the plate, knee-to-knee reverse toe tap, then light stride, short path to the ball, hands really work, bat speed, line drive approach, finishes with extension. 85 mph exit velocity, 4.18 home-to-first from the left side. Athletic footwork in the outfield, quick exchanges, high three-quarters arm action, 78 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws.

Hunter Swift, LHP/OF, Staley HS, MO (2016)
Swift is a 5-foot-7, 180-pound class of 2016 left-handed pitcher and outfielder. Attends Staley HS, in Kansas City, MO. Bats left, tall set-up, high hands, mini leg kick, fast hands, some lift, finishes with extension. Very aggressive swing, takes an absolute hack. Hard pull side contact. Exit velocity clocked at 86 mph, ran a 4.22 home-to-first from the left side. In the outfield aggressive to the ball, quick high three-quarters arm action, 89 mph throwing velocity. Fielded the ball cleanly at first base, short snap throws, accurate arm. On the mound has a deliberate pace from pivot to high knee lift, up-tempo move to plate, low three-quarters slot, finishes square. Repeats delivery well. Fastball cuts and sinks, works down, 81-84 mph. Breaking ball with tight 1/7 spin, controls it, 70-71 mph. Change up with downer sinking action, 75-76 mph, fastball arm speed, good pitch. Attacks the strike zone with all three pitches. Solid across the board tools and skills. Aggressive player.

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