Central Illinois Open: Outfielder Analysis

On Aug. 7, PBR Illinois hosted the annual Central Illinois Open at the Corn Crib. Soon after the event we took a quick look at some of the statistical standouts from the day. Today, we continue the analysis with a breakdown of the outfielders, after covering the day’s catchers earlier this week.

At the top of the 10 best ranked below, you’ll find Tri-Valley’s Braden Zenor, who recently committed to Heartland CC. He’s able to repeat simple line-drive contact with his short, level approach and looks fluid and easy from the outfield, defensively. Keep an eye on Bloomington’s Adison Worthman, too. He’s a 2023 grad with a physically advanced build who uses it well at the plate, creating serious power potential for his ago. 

Continue below for reports on each of the outfields who made it to the event.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Braden Zenor, Tri-Valley, 2020 (Heartland CC)
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, short stride. Short, level bat path, hands work on top of the baseball, line-drive approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Loose arm action and over-the-top slot.
Defense: Fluid easy actions, soft hands, clean transfer and plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. Long, clean strides.

2. Adison Worthman, Bloomington, 2023
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 220-pounds. Extra-large, barrel-chested, physically-advanced frame for his age.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load and leg-hanging trigger. Strong wrists, quick bat, looks to lift and pull the baseball.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength for his age.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Loose arm and throws from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Steady defender, plays through the baseball, reliable hands.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. Advanced runner given his frame and age.

3. Bryce Bishop, Metamora, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-foot, 190-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, loads into backside, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Compact swing, loose, strong hands, present bat speed. Repeats swing, short, level bat path and consistent hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 76 mph. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot and accurate arm.
Defense: Worked out at first base and in the outfield. Steady around the first base bag, clean release and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

4. Quinn Willard, Cornerstone Christian Academy, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, closed setup and leg-kick timing trigger. Present bat strength, level bat path and creates pull-side leverage.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull-side power potential.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick feet, attacks the baseball.
Run: 6.8 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

5. Luke Lehnen, Glenwood, 2020
Positional Profile: /SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Muscular, athletically-built.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, minimal pre-pitch movement and short stride. Quick, strong hands, path stays level through the zone at times.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long, loose arm action from a high 3/4 to over-the-top release.
Defense: Charges the baseball, reliable hands, plays through in rhythm and clean release.
Run: 6.57 runner in the 60. Highly-advanced runner.

6. Douglas Burson, Yorkville, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Physically-advanced, strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open setup, leg-lift timing trigger. Simple, strong swing, flashed bat speed, pull approach with present bat strength.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

7. Jason Thompson, Mount Carmel, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 195-pounds. Strong, muscular frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright, open setup, leg-lift trigger. Twitchy hands, fast bat speed, short, uphill bat path and pull approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean, easy actions, receptive hands, works on-line, proper routes and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

8. Will Girardi, Deemack, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Present strength in frame.
Hit: SH. Open, narrow setup, pre-pitch load and long stride. Compact swing, repeatable, line-drive approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Long, clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, soft hands, clean release and plays through.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60. 

9. Justin Keuss, DeSmet Jesuit, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, balanced setup, bat tip, toe-tap stride. Short, uphill bat path, looks to lift and pull the baseball.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean outfield actions, steady hands.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60. 

10. Jake Petak, Lincoln-Way East, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Quick hands, flashed bat speed, short, uphill bat path and consistent hard contact.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Arm works long and from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Proper routes, steady hands.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nathan Beneke, Geneseo, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap stride.  Long bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Arm works long and out of an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Reliable hands.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Bosse, Crown Point, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Lean, wiry frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, loads into back leg, short leg-hang stride. Handsy swing, stays on top, short, level path and line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 90 mph. Long, quick arm action, throws were accurate with carry.
Defense: Natural outfield actions, quick footwork, plays through the baseball and quick, clean transfer.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. Clean, forward lean.

Payton Bradford, East Peoria, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short leg-lift trigger. Stays short to the ball at times and pull approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws flashed carry.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the baseball and clean release.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Sam Bushur, Teutopolis, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Starts balanced, short stride and maintains balance. Uphill bat path and uses the opposite field.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws were accurate and true with carry.
Defense: Natural in the outfield, quick feet, plays through the baseball and efficient transfer.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Davenport, University High, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Compact frame, strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Open, slightly crouched setup, pre-pitch rhythm and leg-kick trigger. Swings with intent, uphill path and pull approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Long arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady actions, proper routes, and clean transfer.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. Aggressive runner.

Grant Harvey, Mahomet-Seymour, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg-kick trigger. Loose hands, short, uphill bat path and fluid rhythm.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot and arm plays accurate.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, proper routes, fluid footwork, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Kinworthy, Windsor, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet, balanced, wide setup, early pre-pitch load and short stride. Uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.

Logan Korte, Massac County, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Athletic, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, smooth load, pre-pitch rhythm and toe-tap stride. Strong wrists, present bat speed, uphill bat path and pull approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Short, firm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, works through the baseball.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Erik Mitchell, St. Charles East, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Lean, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, pre-pitch load.  Level bat path, line-drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.

Eli Moore, St. Anthony, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Long, lean, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, smooth load, leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands, uphill bat path, fluid rhythm and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH.  INF - 74 mph. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out on the infield and outfield. Steady infield defender, loose actions, sure-handed and clean transfer.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Mitchell Murphy, Normal Community, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, toe-tap stride and maintains balance through contact. Quick bat, uphill bat path, looks to lift the baseball and fluid rhythm.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH.  INF - 77 mph. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Fluid footwork, ranges well on the infield and ability to play on the move.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Pals, Effingham, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-4, 165-pounds. Long and lean, plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Quiet, balanced setup, smooth loading action and short stride. Bat works long and level through the hitting zone.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Short, clean arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, hesitant actions at times and clean release.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. 

Rick Powell, McHenry West, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 157-pounds. Athletic, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, smooth load and short stride. Short, level bat path, middle of the field approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 window.
Defense: Quick first step, fluid footwork, reliable hand and clean release.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Christian Raddatz, Effingham, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Average, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal loading action, short stride. Bat works long and uphill through the zone at times.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Clean actions, attacks the baseball, plays through at times.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Jack Shields, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal stride and short stride. Easy, fast bat, pull approach and lift in swing.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Jumps off the barrel at times.
Arm: RH.  INF - 81 mph. OF - 88 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws have true four-seam carry.
Defense: Worked out in the outfield and at first base. Steady first base actions. In the outfield, steady hands, length through release.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

Sam Tallen, Bloomington Central Catholic, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Highly-athletic, well-proportioned frame
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, long stride and hits off front side. Aggressive swing, short, level bat path and pull approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Proper routes, plays through the baseball and quick release.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Logan Wirtz, McHenry West, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 140-pounds. Lean, wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup and short stride. Simple swing, level, long bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long, slinging arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, fluid footwork, clean transfer and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

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