SoCal ProCase Spotlight: OF Austin Overn

San Juan Capistrano, Calif - With the 2021 high school baseball season coming to an end, Austin Overn was coming out looking to make a statement. Overn is one of those players looking to come back in 2022 and repeat the same success that he saw in his junior campaign. The 2nd ranked outfielder in the state slashed .419/.486/.645 while also racking up 26 stolen bases in 28 games. Overn was a menace on the base paths this past season and it doesn’t seem like he plans on slowing down any time soon after posting a blazing 6.17 60-yard dash on a laser time. The USC commit put all of his tools out on display at the recent SoCal Procase invitational and it is evident as to why he continues to rise up the national and state rankings considering that the kid can simply do whatever you ask of him. Overn has some freakish abilities and is sure to be catching many more eyes during his senior year. 

The Report: 

Body: 6 foot, 170 pounds. Lean athletic frame, with some present strength with room to continue to get bigger and stronger 

Hit: LHH- In the box, Austin has a very relaxed setup. With his hands and bat calmly resting on his shoulder, he starts his load with a simple and repeatable toe tap, and once he has shifted his weight back onto his back leg, his hands gain separation and explode to the baseball. His bat path is very short, direct, and level. Overn's bat speed is already next level averaging 73.85 mph via Blast, when at the major league level we’re seeing an average of 70.3 in the entire 2019 season. 

Power: With Overn's above average bat speed and the natural lift that he creates with his hand path, the pullside power is present during his batting practice. Typically this has not been his strongest tool, but last year in the lead off spot he still hit a respectable three longballs. However, Overn’s max exit velocity on the day was 98.23, nearly mph higher than the 93.51 he posted just before his junior season. Hopefully we can see that trend continue for him as he tries to carry that into his senior campaign. 

Field: Overn’s actions in the outfield can be described as nothing but natural. All of his motions and footwork are quick yet fluid. When fielding the ball he approaches calmly and under control and has a clean funnel from glove to hand. The range in center field is next level and the athleticism really comes out to play when he is going and getting fly balls out there. 

Arm: Getting as high as 87 mph from the outfield, Overn has a very quick and compact arm action that has shown to be consistently accurate. He is very good at getting behind the baseball and working through it in order to get the most out of each of his throws. 

Run: Overn shined during the 60-yard dash blowing everyone out of the water when he posted a 6.17 laser-time. He explodes out of his stance and instantly shifts into a gear that not many others possess. His arm action is slightly cross body, which should only get scouts more excited about the base stealing potential once his technique gets cleaned up. 

Summary: Overn is simply the kind of athlete that any coach would dream to have setting the table for your lineup and roaming out in center field. The future Trojan is dripping with tools that can impact a game at any level, and the speed alone is game changing. Due to his next level speed and range, there is no doubt that he can stick in centerfield when he makes the transition to college ball, but was more than willing to take reps in left field so another player could get their own reps in center, where he looked every bit as comfortable as he did in center. It seems Overn is taking strides in terms of packing on strength and if that trend continues then this is a ballplayer that you're going to want to keep an eye on going into the 2022 season.