Class of 2015 Showcase: Outfielder Analysis

July 30, 2013

By Sean Duncan and Dan Duran

The Class of 2015 Showcase on July 17 at Oakton CC in Des Plaines unveiled several impressive outfielder prospects, many of whom were previously unknown to us.

Left-handed hitting Sam Anderson, a highly projectable 6-foot-4 athlete from Glenwood HS, earned the top outfield prospect, followed by Henry Davies from Whitefish Bay HS (WI).

Here’s a look at the outfielders at the Class of 2015 Showcase:

1. Sam Anderson, OF, Chatham Glenwood HS, 2015
Highly projectable 6-foot-4, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Features long limbs and athletic actions. Runs fluidly with long strides, 7.01 60. Moves well in outfield; takes confident routes to baseball, athletic arm, clocked at 78 mph from the outfield. Offensively, hits from an athletic position. Has the athleticism to hit with more consistency with some refinement and added strength. High-follow prospect in the 2015 class.

2. Henry Davies, OF, Whitefish Bay (WI), 2015
Athletically built 5-foot-9, 150-pound outfielder showed an above average arm playing at 81 mph. Davies fielded the position naturally with athletic actions and footwork with a quick, clean exchange. Athletic footwork translated to his 6.97 60. The line-drive hitter displayed bat speed through the zone. He hits from a balanced setup using a short stride, maintaining balance throughout the swing. Recorded a 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Davis is a player to watch as his frame fills out.

3. Jack Glosson, OF/C, McHenry, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound outfielder and catcher ran an even best 6.8 60. He was 81 mph from the outfield and 73 mph from the crouch with short, over-the-top arm action – recording pop-times between 2.1-2.15 with accuracy. He also showed some receiving abilities within the framework of his body. At the plate, Glosson showed some bat speed recording a 78 mph exit velocity off the tee.

4. Ronald Clark, OF, Chicago Christian HS, 2015
Long-limbed, projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound athlete with plenty of room to develop. Ran a 6.97 60, moves with long, fluid strides in outfield, clocked at 73 from position. Hits from balanced, tall setup, stays inside ball well, level economical bat path, line-drive approach.

5. Matt Diehl, OF/3B, Providence Catholic, 2015
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and third basemam. Long release and arm action but throws were made at 76 mph across the diamond. Flashed line-drive abilities with pull tendencies and some bat speed at the plate. Hits from a balanced setup with athletic rhythm – uses a short stride swinging on an uphill plane, maintaining some balance throughout. Diehl ran a 7.2 60 at the showcase.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Khamaree Burt, OF/SS, Plainfield South HS, 2015
5-foot-6, 140-pound versatile athlete. Ran a 7.38 60, plays with energy and purpose to ball in outfield, short arm action, clocked at 79 mph. In the infield, fields ball with rhythm, feet work well, reliable hands, 75 mph across the infield. Offensively, has balanced, line-drive approach, level bat path, makes consistent hard contact.

Alexander Dages, LHP/OF, Florida Air Academy, 2016
Dages is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player who hits and throws left-handed. On the mound, he delivers with some rhythm and effort from a high ¾ arm slot. He showed control for his fastball sitting 75-78 mph. Curveball had slight 11/5 action ranging 62-66 mph. His slider was at 69-71 mph with sweeping 10/4 action. Dages ran a 7.25 60 at the event. Has long, over-the-top arm action from the outfield at 75 mph with some accuracy. Sets up from a slightly open stance recording a 75 mph exit velocity off the tee.

Avondre Harris, OF, Marian (IN), 2015
5-foot-5, 135-pound switch-hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder who showed athleticism at the event. Harris displayed speed legging a 7.18 60 and athleticism in the outfield. He fielded the ball cleanly with fluid footwork – arm plays at 74 mph from the outfield using a natural crow-hop and getting on top of the ball well. Offensively Harris showed ability from both sides of the plate. His setup balanced using a short stride, swinging on a level path. Singles hitter recording a 73 mph exit velocity.

Brett Johnson, OF, Plano, 2015
Johnson is a 5-foot-11, 140-pound left-handed hitting outfielder who displayed athletic feet running a 7.04 60 and defensively at his position. His throws were 74 mph from the outfield. Offensively, Johnson hits from an open setup using a long stride and flashed line-drive capability. His exit velocity off the tee was 75 mph.

Alex Kaplan, OF, New Trier, 2015
5-foot-9, 150-pound outfielder showed arm strength from the outfield. His throws showed carry at 82 mph with accuracy. Offensively Kaplan has an approach at the plate, setting up with athletic rhythm in a balanced stance. He displayed some bat speed and line-drive abilities with a short, level path through the zone with extension. He recorded an 81 mph exit velocity off the tee and ran an 8.08 60 at the event.

Austin Knauer, OF, Carmel Catholic, 2015
Lanky 6-foot, 155-pound outfielder legged out a 7.19 60 at the showcase. Hit from a balanced setup at the plate with a short stride. Knauer gets extension through the baseball finishing his swing with balance. His exit velocity was 80 mph off the tee. He threw with long high ¾ arm action from the outfield at 73 mph.

Aaron Saper, LHP/OF, Stevenson, 2015
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting and throwing two-way player ran a 7.0 60 at the event. Hits from an open stance with a short stride – recorded a 79 mph exit velocity maintaining balance throughout his swing. Throws from the outfield were 76 mph. On the mound, Saper’s fastball sat 74-76 mph. His sweeping 11/5 curve showed early break at 64-66 mph. His changeup ranged 67-72 mph with slight cutting action.

Zachary Taylor, OF/1B, Homewood-Flossmoor HS, 2015
6-foot, 196-pound frame with strong lower half. Hits from balanced position, slight hand drop in load, pullside approach. Ran a 7.8 60 and was clocked at 68 mph from position.

Austin Warrem, LHP/OF, Mattoon, 2015
Warrem is a right-handed hitting, left-handed throwing two-way player who projects particularly well on the mound. The 6-foot, 170-pound left-handed utilizes a coil in his delivery at his balance point, throwing with loose and quick high ¾ arm action. He displayed feel for all three pitches. His downhill fastball sat 78-80 mph with control, topping at 81 mph. Had control of his 12/6 curveball ranging 66-70 mph. His changeup showed some sink and arm-side run sitting 68-71 mph. From the outfield, Warrem’s arm showed carry at 79 mph, fielding the position with athleticism in his footwork, exchanges, and crow-hop. At the plate he showed an uphill bat path with bat speed, recording an 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Warrem is a prospect to follow.