Class of 2020 Showcase: Outfielder Analysis

On Oct. 14, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the fall’s Class of 2020 Showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill. There, more than 80 high school juniors came out to perform in a pro-style workout in front of our staff and a group of college coaches.

Today, we’ll continue rolling out our position-by-position breakdown of the event by evaluating the group of outfielders who made it out.

The two at the top, you’ll note, are both left-handed hitter's: Cameron Demos (Downers Grove North) and Abe Collins (Morton). Both batters put together some of the day’s best rounds of BP. Demos has an athletic build and flashed some pull-power in his round of BP. Collins has a projectable frame, ran a 6.85 and has looseness in his swing.

Caleb Pryz (Champaign Central) rounds out the top three. He repeated hard, line-drive contact from the right-handed batter’s box and has fluid outfield actions.

Check out the full reports below on the aforementioned outfielders, as well as each and every one of those who took reps at The MAX last month. We’ve already published the Statistical Analysis from this showcase, as well as the breakdown of the event’s catchers. Keep an eye out tomorrow when we evaluate the group of infielders from the showcase.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Cameron Demos, OF/RHP, Downers Grove North, 2020
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect with strength in athletic, lean frame. Offensively, balanced, closed-toe setup, smooth load back with leg lift into short stride. Loose, strong hands create bat speed, hits on an uphill bat path, fluid rhythm throughout. Consistent hard contact, especially to his pull side; 88 mph exit velo off the tee. On defense, profiles as a left field type, fluid footwork, throws with long arm action from a high ¾ slot, plays through the ball, throws topped at 86 mph home. Ran a 7.04 in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, quick side step into high knee at balance point, works on line, lands square. Pitches with some tempo, throws from high ¾ slot with loose arm action. Fastball, 79-84 mph, mostly straight. Curveball, had better feel out of the stretch, 11/5 shape with gradual break, 63-67 mph. Changeup, flashed some sink, slows arm, 69-73 mph.

2. Abe Collins, OF, Morton, 2020
6-foot-3, 185-pound pound outfielder with strength in lanky, projectable frame. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, drops hands into load, short leg lift stride. Fast bat on a short path produces regular hard contact, easy, fluid swings. Looks to work the middle of the field, finds the gaps, consistent barrels, 85 mph exit velo. Above-average runner; 6.85 in the 60. Defensively, aggressive to the ball, short, high ¾ throws, 80 mph to home.

3. Caleb Pyrz, OF/INF/RHP, Champaign Central, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short stride, maintains control. Quick twitch in swing, strong hands, short level bat path, repeated hard line drive contact to all fields, smooth rhythm through contact. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively from the outfield, quick, under control footwork, clean exchange, hands work. Arm plays loose, ¾ arm slot, ball comes out firm, throws topped 86 mph from the outfield. In the infield, lets ball get deep, steady hands, ranges well, packs at exchange. Loose arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws carried 81 mph across the infield. 7.26 runner in the 60. On the mound, repeats tempo, sturdy balance, works in-line, lands square, athletic finish. Arm plays loose and quick, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball, late run in the zone, 83-84 mph. Curveball, sharp 11/5 break, 70-73 mph. Changeup played 79-81 mph.

4. Brendan Holloway, OF, Vernon Hills, 2020
5-foot-5, 142-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, compact, athletic build. Fleet footed runner, 6.88 60-yard dash. At the plate, quiet pre-pitch actions, balanced setup, back/drop load, short stride, maintains control. Hands are strong and loose, short, level bat path, repeated hard line drive contact to the middle of the field, fluid rhythm throughout. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. Defensively overall athletic, easy actions. Plays through the ball with bounce, fluid footwork, soft hands, exchanges are clean and long. Arm plays short, high ¾ slot, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield.

5. Marc Babicz, OF, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, lean, athletic frame. Moves well down the line, 6.96 runner in the 60.  At the plate, balanced stance, hands wrap back at load, reverse toe tap trigger. Loose wrists, barrel path is long and level, can lift the ball with a gap to gap approach, flashed hard contact, rhythm throughout. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Aggressive defender, fields in stride and plays through with fluid footwork, clean exchanges, long to release. Arm plays short, over the top slot, true ball out of the hand, throws topped 85 mph from the outfield.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nathan Barbato, OF/RHP, Oak Forest, 2020
6-foot-4, 192-pound two-way prospect with athletic, strong frame. At the plate, right-handed, wide setup with some pre-pitch rhythm. Leg kick load into short stride, strength in hands creates bat speed off a slightly uphill plane, line-drive type contact, looking to pull; 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, profiles in left field, clean actions, hands work, plays through, short and stiff arm action from a high ¾ slot, 76 mph throws home. 7.34 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, stretch only, rocks into tall balance point, can work a little uphill. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, slight cut, 75-79 mph. Curveball, slows arm, gradual 10/4 shape, 63-66 mph. Changeup, slows arm, some fade, 58-63 mph.

Brandon Besch, OF, Huntley, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, lean and lanky frame. Present foot speed, 6.98 runner in the 60. At the plate, open setup, back load, short stride to even. Bat path is short and level, rotational some, occasional line drive contact, thinks midde, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through the baseball aggressively, quick footwork, clean exchanges. Short arm action, clean over the top slot, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield.

Nico Carpello, OF/LHP, Downers Grove South, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound, right-handed hitting, left-handed throwing two-way player, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, minimal load, short toe lift stride. Level, long bat path, occasional hard, line drive contact, pull side tendencies, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, footwork is short and quick, fields on side of body and plays through the ball. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield. 7.63 runner in the 60. On the mound, long slide step to crunched balance point, strides in-line and lands square, some recoil. Short arm action, hides on back side, ¾ to high ¾ slot, some effort. Fastball played straight, 75-77 mph, topped 78 mph. Curveball, gradual 2/8 break, 55-61 mph. Changeup early release, 58-60 mph.

Luke Chlystek, OF/LHP, Lake Forest, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, high-waisted, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced, open setup, smooth load, short toe tap trigger, maintains control. Short bat path, pull side approach, flashed hard line drive contact. Generates quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Defensively, athletic actions, attacks the baseball with fluid footwork, clean exchange, steady hands. Arm plays long, high ¾ slot, throws topped 78 mph from the outfield. 7.32 runner in the 60. On the mound, sturdy balance point, works in-line, lands square, shoulders open early. Long and loose arm action, ¾ slot, some effort. Fastball, early cut out of the hand, 73-74 mph, topped 75 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, 64-65 mph. Changeup played straight, some sink at times, 70-73 mph.

Tyler Cwik, OF, York, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lean and lanky frame. At the plate, balanced, open setup, bar/drop load, short stride, maintains balance. Short, uphill bat path, flashed hard contact, pull side tendencies, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Natural athletic actions in the outfield, centerfield type, feet work in rhythm and through the ball, soft hands, clean exchange. Arm plays long with present arm speed, over the top slot, throws topped 82 mph from the outfield. 7.17 runner in the 60.

Daniel DeCero, OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, strength in lower half. At the plate, balanced setup, hands bar back, reverse toe tap stride. Short, uphill bat path, occasional  hard line drive contact, all field approach, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively attacks the baseball, plays through release with quick footwork, clean exchange. Arm plays long, full swing, high ¾ slot, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield. 7.39 runner in the 60.

Joshua DeLeon, OF/RHP, Taft, 2020
5-foot-10, 140-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, thin, lanky frame. At the plate, wide setup, smooth load, long toe tap trigger, some dive. Short, level bat path, loose hands, line drive contact to all fields, keeps it simple, fluid rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Defensively gets behind the baseball, short fluid steps, clean exchange, hands work. Arm plays short and loose, present arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws topped 87 mph from the outfield. 7.46 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, wide toe lift balance, short stride to even, recoil finish with rhythm involved. Arm plays long and super loose, generates arm speed, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball played straight, 80-81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 gradual shape, 65-68 mph. Knuckleball, hard sinking action, 68-71 mph.

Cael Geijer, OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, strong build. At the plate, balanced, open setup, minimal load, short stride. Strong hands, long, level bat path, occasionally uphill, gap to gap approach, flashed line drive contact. Quick bat speed,  exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, quick feet, steady hands, clean exchange. Long, over the top arm slot, throws carried 84 mph from the outfield. 7.32 runner in the 60.

Mason Graham, OF/RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced, open setup, back load, toe lift stride. Strong hands, short, level bat path, high finish, line drive contact, fluid rhythm throughout. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, gets behind the ball and plays through, steady hands, long to release. Short, whippy arm action, over the top slot, throws carried 87 mph from the outfield. 7.28 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall and fall type, sturdy balance, works in-line and lands square, some recoil at finish. Arm action is loose and live, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball, flashedrun, 80-83 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 63-67 mph. Changeup, maintained arm speed, faded, 73-74 mph.

Jaden Lee, OF, Crete-Monee, 2020
5-foot-11, 171-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, thin and athletic frame. 7.17 runner in the 60. At the plate, balanced setup, hands slightly wrap back at load, short foot tap trigger. Short barrel path, direct to the baseball, strong hands, occasional line drive contact, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 74 mph from a tee. Confident defender, athletically plays through the ball, two handed gather, clean exchange. Short arm action, present arm speed, high ¾ slot, accurate throws topped 80 mph from the outfield.

Darren Mancke, C/OF, Oswego, 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound catcher/outfielder, long lean frame that projects. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, minimal loading action, maintains balance through contact. Simple approach, path works on level plane, occasional extension, fluid hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm actions is short and over the top, 72 mph from the crouch, 77 mph from the outfield. Hands showed soft actions, exchange has some length, 2.25-2.40 pop times. Outfield actions get behind the baseball, 7.31 runner in the 60.

Jack Martin, OF, Harrisburg, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound right/right outfielder. At the plate, tall, open setup, leg lift stride gets back even. Short, slightly uphill bat path, sprayed the ball to all fields with some bat strength, 96 mph exit velo off the tee. Defensively, long arm action from ¾ slot, plays through the ball, 76 mph throws home. 7.40 runner in the 60.

Cupertino Mejia, OF, Oak Forest, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder, strength in frame. At the plate, balanced stance, hands load back, short toe lift stride. Strong hands, level barrel path, short to the ball, all field approach, exit velocity topped 82 mph from a tee. Defensively attacked the baseball, plays through release, soft hands and fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Arm plays long, high ¾ to an over the top slot, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. 8.15 runner in the 60.

Max Myers, OF/RHP, Lee’s Summit (MO), 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, athletic, lanky frame. Present foot speed, 6.99 runner in the 60. At the plate, balanced, crouched setup, minimal load, short stride, occasional dive over plate. Long, uphill bat path, all field approach, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, steady hands, plays through. Short, over the top arm action, throws topped 73 mph from the outfield. On the mound, deliberate pace, short stride, toe lands square, spins to first at finish. Short arm action, over the top slot, early release. Fastball, slight run, 70-72 mph. Curveball, 11/5 gradual shape, 62-64 mph. Slider played 66-68 mph.

Anthony Nalbono, OF/INF, South Elgin, 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound right/right prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick stride, aggressive approach. Long, uphill bat path with average bat speed, 86 mph exit velo from the tee. In the outfield, long, over-the-top throws, 76 mph to home. A corner infield type, clean exchanges, similar long, over-the-top arm action, topped 76 across the diamond. 7.70 runner in the 60.

Luke Pell, OF, Providence Catholic, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound outfield prospect with some strength in build. Defensively, aggressive, attacks the ball, hands are soft, quick and clean exchanges, short, over-the-top throws, 83 mph to home. At the plate, right-handed, balanced, closed setup, slightly upright, pre-pitch load back into long toe-tap stride. Strong hands help create occasional hard, line-drive contact off level path; 81 mph exit velo from the tee. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Ricardo Pena, OF, Plainfield South, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate, crouched, closed setup, smooth load, short stride. Long, uphill bat path, looks to lift, pull side tendencies, exit velocity topped 77 mph from a tee. Defensively, clean exchange, long to release. Long arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped 68 mph from the outfield. 8.45 runner in the 60.

Mason Perri, OF, East Leyden, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, wiry, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced stance, hands load back, long toe lift stride. Short barrel path, level till contact, uphill finish, favored pull side, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, plays through release, fields in front. Long arm action, full swing, over the top slot, throws topped 70 mph from the outfield. 7.27 runner in the 60.

Patrick Quirk, OF/RHP, Glenbrook South, 2020
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, athletic build. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, leg kick trigger. Long, level bat path, occasional hard contact, all field approach, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball, clean exchange, hands work. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. 7.85 runner in the 60. On the mound,tilt and topple delivery, low hanging knee balance, works in-line, lands square. Short arm swing, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball, slight run, 70-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 gradual break, 62-63 mph. Changeup some cut, played 66-69 mph.

Jose Rivera, OF/INF, Whitney Young, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, well-proportioned, athletic frame. Fleet footed runner, 6.75 60-yard dash, laser-timed. At the plate, wide, open setup, back/drop load, long stride, occasional dive. Uphill bat path, occasional hard contact, ball gets deep, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively in the outfield, fluid footwork, fields it deep, long to release. Long arm action with arm speed, throws topped 81 mph from the outfield. In the infield, dedens the baseball, packs at exchange. Short arm action, ball comes out, throws topped 80 across the infield.

Daniel Walton, OF/INF, Glenbrook South, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound, switch hitting outfielder/infielder, lanky frame. Offensively similar setups from both sides, tall, open stance, more bar load from the right side, leg kick trigger. Short, uphill bat path, longer path from the left side, rhythm throughout, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively in the outfield, quick footwork, plays through, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. From the infield, plays through the baseball, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph across the infield. 7.24 runner in the 60.

Aidan Williams, OF, Marmion, 2020
5-foot-10, 175-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, lanky frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back/drop load, leg kick trigger, maintains balance. Long bat path, uphill some, able to lift the ball to the pull side, fluid rhythm through contact, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. Defensively, aggressive through the ball, steady hands. Short arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped 79 mph from the outfield. 7.32 runner in the 60.

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