Preseason All-State (2018's): Outfield Analysis

March 3, 2017

By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

The 6th annual Preseason All-State took place on Sunday, February 19th at Grand Park in Westfield, IN. The invite-only event featured 88 players from Indiana's class of 2018.

We began the rollout of the event a couple of weeks ago taking a look at the Stat Story.

Today we continue the analysis with the outfielders in attendance.

Top 10

1. Nicholas Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS, 2018

Athletic, lean build at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Offensively, the left-handed hitter hits from an athletic setup, leg kick timing trigger. Swagger approach in the box, quick bat speed with a long path that regularly gets to extension. Showcased gap-to-gap power with homerun power potential. Registered a high exit velocity of 92 mph. Defensively, possesses athletic actions, plays through the baseball, quick feet. Plus arm in the OF, qick, loose arm action with carry at 95 mph. Ran a 6.81 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. Louisville commit.

2. Grant Richardson, OF/LHP, Bishop Dwenger HS, 2018

6-foot-2, 186 pound outfielder, athletic/strong frame. Offensively, the left-handed hitter hits from an athletic/crouch type setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger. Good use over his lower half with balance throughout the swing. Possesses quick hands to the baseball, gets to extension. Good swing plane. Line drive hitter with gap power. Showed lots of pop to his pull-side. Quick bat speed. Registered a high exit velocity of 88 mph. Defensively, possesses athletic actions with soft hands, fluid feet, quick/clean exchange. Long, high ¾ arm action with carry at 85 mph. Ran a 6.88 in the laser timed 60 yard dash. Indiana commit.

3. Michael Brewer, OF, Snider HS, 2018

6-foot-2, 180 pound outfielder, muscular/athletic build. Offensively the right-handed hitter hits from an athletic setup, leg trigger, loads back with a slight drop in hands. Good use of his lower half, maintains balance. Possesses quick bat speed with an uphill swing plane. Consistent hard contact with pull-side power. 1-handed finish. Registered a high exit velocity of 87 mph. Defensively, showcased carry on his throws at 90 mph. Quick/fluid feet, plays through the baseball with athleticism. Great feel for the position. Ran an event best 6.67 laser timed 60 yard dash.

4. Jake Armentrout, OF, Wheeler HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 180 pounds. Very aggressive round of BP with a good approach. Hits from an athletic/balanced setup. Small leg kick timing trigger. Strong lower half. Fluid rhythm. Explosive bat speed, level swing plane, gets to extension. Produced hard hit line drives with pull-side pop. Registered a high exit velocity of 89 mph. Defensively, fluid foot work with a clean exchange. Long, ¾ arm action. Throws topped at 79 mph. Ran a 6.81 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

5. Caleb Meeks, OF, Reitz Memorial HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 190 pound outfielder. Offensively, athletic setup, short stride, average lower half. Good approach, above average bat speed, short swing path. Consistent hard contact during his BP producing line drives. Fluid rhythm. Recorded a high exit velocity of 87 mph. Defensively, long, high ¾ arm action with carry at 88 mph. Showcased soft hands with a clean exchange. Moves well, plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.18 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

6. Clay Thompson, OF Andrean HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 165 pound outfielder. Left-handed hitter hits from an athletic setup. Back load, leg kick timing trigger. Good use of his lower half. Showcased quick bat speed. Long, uphill swing path that gets to extension. Shows athletic twitch and hand speed. Hard contact during his BP round, gap-to-gap type power. Registered a high exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, athletic actions with quick feet and a clean exchange. Long, high ¾ arm action with accuracy. Throws topped out at 83 mph. Ran a 7.44 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

7. Marcus Gholston, OF, Valparaiso HS, 2018

6-foot-3, 195 pound, athletic/lean frame. Offensively, the left-handed hitter hits from a balanced setup. Smooth load back. High leg kick timing trigger. Average lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing. Overall good approach in the box. Uphill swing plane, quick hand speed. Registered a high exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, short, high ¾ arm action with average strength. Average hands, fluid footwork. Solid defender. Throws topped out at 81 mph. Ran a 7.04 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

8. Justin Miller, LHP/OF, Homestead HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 175 pound outfielder hits from a balanced setup. Loads back, small leg trigger for timing. Maintains good balance throughout the swing. Above average hand speed with a level swing path, gets to extension. Fluid rhythm, line drive hitter. Consistently found the barrel during his BP round. Registered a high exit velocity of 81 mph. Defensively, throws from a long, high ¾ arm action. Throws topped out at 86 with accuracy. Hands are soft, quick/clean exchange. Plays through the baseball. Ran a 6.96 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

9. Griffin Scaggs, OF/SS, Castle HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 165 pound outfielder. Offensively, open setup, smooth load, short stride, average lower half. Maintains balance throughout the swing. Showcased an advanced approach. Gets good separation with barrel control. Level swing path, line drive approach. One of the better rounds at the event. Registered a high exit velocity of 81 mph. Defensively, short ¾ arm action with some accuracy. Throws topped out at 79 mph. Average hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.52 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

10. Damon Lux, OF, Shelbyville HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 185 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from an open, slight crouch setup. Smooth load, toe tap for timing. Average lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing. Short, simple approach. Above average bat speed, short swing plane, line drive type hitter. Fluid rhythm. Registered a high exit velocity of 86 mph. Defensively, long high ¾ arm action, average strength. Throws topped out at 77 mph. Showcased average hands, slow exchange. Fluid footwork. Ran a 6.72 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Best of the Rest (In alphabetical order)

Zyon Avery, C/3B/OF, Ben Davis HS, 2018

6-foot-2, 215 pound, big, strong frame. Offensively, hits from an open setup, smooth load, quick hands to the baseball. Takes aggressive swings with quick bat speed. Uphill swing plane, produces present power to his pull-side. Strong lower half, at times gets his backside through. Maintains balance throughout the swing. Good approach. Registered a high exit velocity of 95 mph. Defensively from the OF showcased good athleticism for his size. Average foot speed, fluid footwork, soft hands. Loose, high ¾ arm action. Throws topped at 90 mph with some carry. Ran a 7.13 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. Ohio commit.

Ty Bothwell, LHP/OF, Boone Grove HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 160 pounder. Offensively, the left-handed hitter hits from a balanced setup, leg trigger for timing, hands drop during the load. Uphill swing plane, average bat speed. Overall fair approach. Recorded a high exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, long, high ¾ arm action. Shows carry and accuracy, throws topped at 84 mph. Showcased average hands with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.52 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Riley Eberhart, LHP/OF, Lafayette Jeff HS, 2018

5-foot-9, 175 pound outfielder. At the plate hits from a slightly open crouch, toe tap for timing purposes, loads back. Hands get through the zone on a level plane, average bat speed. Registered a high exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, long ¾ arm action with accuracy, throws topped out at 79 mph. Average hands defensively. Ran a 7.70 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Mark Goudy, 2B/OF, Noblesville HS, 2018

5-foot-9, 160 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from an athletic setup. Loads back, long stride. Good use of the lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing. Possesses quick bat speed. Level to slightly uphill swing plane, gets to extension. Showcased to the ability to lift the baseball. Fluid rhythm. Consistent hard contact during his BP. Line drive hitter. Registered a high exit velocity of 86 mph. Defensively, showcased a short, high ¾ arm action with accuracy. Throws topped out at 86 from the OF. Average hands with fluid footwork, clean exchange. Plays through, big crow hop. Ran a 7.03 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Myles Griffith, OF, Western HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 180 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger. Average balance. Above average bat speed, line drive approach, level swing plane. Registered a high exit velocity of 86 mph. Defensively, long, high ¾ arm action with some accuracy. Throws topped out at 78 mph. Long exchange. Heavy footwork. Ran a 7.52 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Jacob Johnson, RHP/OF, Center Grove HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 175 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger. Average lower half, maintains balance. Showcased average bat speed with a level swing path. Shows fluid rhythm throughout the swing. Line drive approach. Registered a high exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, throws from a long, high ¾ arm action with accuracy and some carry. Throws topped at 86 mph. Possesses fluid footwork, quick exchange. Plays through the baseball. Ran a 6.99 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Grant Johnston, OF/RHP, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 170 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup. Loads back, short stride. Average use of his lower half, uphill swing plane, average bat speed. Registered a high exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, throws from a long, high ¾ arm action with average carry. Throws topped out at 85 mph. Plays through the baseball with a clean exchange. Ran a 7.30 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Richard King, OF, West Vigo HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 210 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from a wide, crouch setup. Short stride, smooth load. Long, uphill swing plane. Stiff lower half, struggles to get his backside through. Above average bat speed. Registered a high exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, plays through the baseball, long exchange. Long, high ¾ arm action. Throws topped out at 77 mph. Ran a 7.54 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Jonathon LaGuire, OF/RHP, Lafayette Harrison HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 200 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from a wide setup, loads back, leg kick timing trigger. Good balance throughout the swing. Average bat speed, level swing path, line drive approach. Lower half needs refined. Recorded a high exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, showcased plus arm strength from a long ,loose, ¾ arm action at 92 mph. Long exchange, sure hands, fluid feet. Ran a 7.13 in the laser timed 60 yard dash.

Cale Mattingly, SS/3B/OF, Castle HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 170 pounder. Offensively, hits from an athletic, open setup, smooth load, short stride. Average lower half, maintains balance throughout his swing. Above average bat speed, short path, line drive approach. Hard contact to his pull-side. Registered a high exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, short over-the-top arm action. Throws topped out at 76 from the OF. Possesses sure hands with a clean exchange. Ran a 7.67 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Cade McCoin, OF/2B, Mississinewa HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 175 pound outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, loads back, short stride. 2-part swing. Above average bat speed with a fair approach. Short, uphill swing path, choppy rhythm. Line drive approach. Registered a high exit velocity of 89 mph. Defensively, short, high ¾ arm action with average carry. Throws topped out at 84 mph from the OF. Average hands, packs during the exchange. Plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.14 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Austin Mitchell, OF, Decatur Central HS, 2018

5-foot-9, 145 pound outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, leg trigger for timing, short stride. Good use of the lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing. Average bat speed, short/compact swing plane. Fluid rhythm, line drive approach. Registered a high exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, plays through the baseball, fluid footwork, sure hands. High ¾ arm action, throws topped out at 78 mph. Ran a 7.20 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Mack Murphy, OF, Cathedral HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 170 pound outfielder. At the plate hits from an open, narrow setup. Long stride, small load back. Showcased a line drive approach with average bat speed, level swing plane. No negative movements throughout his swing. Registered a high exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, short high ¾ arm action. Throws topped out at 81 mph. Footwork is heavy, plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.13 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Tyler Owens, 2B/OF, Noblesville HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 155 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, loads back, small leg trigger, short stride. Average lower half, good balance. Average bat speed, level swing plane, line drive type hitter. Recorded a high exit velocity of 75 mph. Defensively, showcased sure hands with fluid footwork, clean exchange. Plays through the baseball with some athleticism. Long, loose, ¾ arm action with accuracy, above average arm strength. Throws from the OF topped at 87 mph. Ran a 6.98 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Will Richman, RHP/OF, Brebeuf HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 160 pound outfielder. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, loads back, short stride. Average use of the lower half, maintains balance throughout his swing. Keeps the barrel in the zone on a level plane, produces line drives. Overall fluid rhythm. Average bat speed. Registered a high exit velocity of 79 mph. Defensively, long, ¾ arm action with average strength. Throws topped out at 83 from the OF. Showcased average hands, fluid footwork, slow exchange. Ran a 6.91 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Alex Scherer, RHP/OF, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2018

6-foot-4, 180 pound, long, lean frame. Offensively, hits form an open setup. Loads back, small leg trigger for timing. Short stride. Hands drop a little during the load. Uphill swing plane, average bat speed. 1-handed finish. Average lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing. Registered a high exit velocity of 87 mph. Defensively, long, high ¾ to ¾ arm action. Throws topped out at 85 mph. Showcased sure hands, slow exchange. Ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Andrew Washburn, OF, South Bend St. Joseph HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 165 pound outfielder. Offensively, hits from an athletic/crouch type setup that is slightly open. Short stride from a leg trigger, hands drop during the load. Average lower half with good balance throughout the swing. Showcased average bat speed, short swing path, line drive approach. Registered a high exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, short, ¾ arm action. Throws topped at 83 mph. Feet are flat, but fluid actions. Plays through the baseball. Ran a 6.88 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.