By Steve Nielsen and Sean Duncan

The Underclass Invitational brought a group of outfielders who showed athleticism and offensive prowess. The group featured standouts such as Will Corn, who displayed excellent bat speed topping out at 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. He also showed arm strength of 87 mph from the outfield.

Here’s how we broke down the outfield group from the Underclass Invitational on Jan. 20.

Top Underclass Invite Outfielders (2015 & 2016)

1. Will Corn, Hiawatha HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2015
Strong 6-foot, 200-pound two-way player who possesses power tools across the board. Offensively, has potential to be an elite left-handed power bat. When squares up the baseball, the ball explodes off his bat with backspin carry. Registered 91 mph exit velocity off tee. Hits from an open, tall setup with inconsistent bat path and swing mechanics. Showed impressive bat speed through hitting zone and has aggressive overall approach. From the outfield, registered an event-best 87 mph throws at the Illinois Underclass Invitational. Throws were on line with carry. Ran a 7.9 60. On the mound, right-hander topped at 86 mph from high 3/4 slot with effort. Curveball (73-76) and changeup (74-76) lacked consistency.

2. Sean Burnette, St. Laurence HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2015
Athletic build, 6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player. Excellent outfield insticts, advanced defensive actions, plays through the ball well, uses crow hop, transfers cleanly. Arm works well, high ¾ arm slot, arm shows accuracy, 78 mph arm strength. Hits out of open stance, smooth load, short stride, quiet approach, shows some bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity, swing shows extension through baseball, power potential. On the mound, delivery has rhythm, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sits 77-79, slight run, shows control. Curveball works 11/5 plane at 66-68 mph. Changeup stayed down, 68-72 mph, similar arm speed to fastball.

3. Eric Giltz, Wheaton Warrenville South HS, OF, Class of 2015
Athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound right handed outfielder. Defensively shows quick footwork (6.89 60), loose arm, over the top slot, 75 mph. Extremely efficient transfer from glove to release, aggressive attacking baseball, quick release, gets downhill. Offensively hits out of slightly open stance, athletic setup, smooth load, some rhythm, above-average bat speed, flashed occasional pop.

4. Mack Rosman, Fremd HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2015
6-foot, 190-pound two way player who projects well on the mound. Delivery shows rhythm, arm works quickly, high ¾ arm slot, delivery shows some effort, athletic finish. Fastball shows hard life, sits 86 mph. Slider sits 74-75 mph, inconsistent action, mostly 11/5 tilt, thrown aggressively, has feel. Changeup is best secondary pitch, out-pitch-type action, aggressive arm speed, arm side run, shows command, 76-77 mph. Shows advanced feel for all three pitches. Offensively hits from balanced setup, short stride, shows bat speed, 82 mph exit velocity, flashes pull side power, fluid rhythm. Defensively, loose arm action, quick arm, quick release, arm shows carry.

5. Jack Yalowitz, Loyola HS, OF, Class of 2015
5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed outfielder. Defensively shows athletic actions, soft hands, plays through the baseball, uses a shuffle at transfer, quick clean exchange. Arm plays well, shows accuracy, 81 mph. Hits from the left side, open stance, uses short stride, quiet setup and swing, high finish, line drive, gap to gap hitter, smooth swing.

6. Matt Ryan, St. Rita HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2015
Lanky, athletic build, 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Has projection on the mound, arm works cleanly, high ¾ arm slot, loose arm action, some quickness. Delivery exhibits smooth rhythm, excellent balance throughout, shoulders stay closed, on line direction, athletic finish, very repeatable delivery. Fastball sits 77-79 mph, slight running action, shows control. Breaking ball shows slurve action, 11/5 shape, some aggression in arm action, 66-69 mph. Changeup has arm side run, similar arm speed to fastball, 70-72 mph.

7. Daniel Budziak, St. Rita HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2015
Small frame, 5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed two-way player. Showed well on the mound, delivery was smooth, tall and fall approach, easy effort, excellent balance throughout. Arm works from high ¾ arm slot, long arm action, average arm speed. Fastball sits 79-81 mph, fastball flashed cut action, also showed command. Curveball showed 11/5 shape, plus depth, thrown for strikes, 65-69 mph, fastball similar arm speed. Changeup sits 71-74 mph. Offensively hits from narrow stance, smooth load, short stride. Defensively displays long over the top arm action from outfield, arm show accuracy (78 mph).

8. Thomas Kenny, Mahomet-Seymour HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed two way player. Defensively shows some outfield actions, long over the top arm action, 75 mph. Offensively hits from left side, balanced stance, short stride, slight leg lift trigger, stands tall at contact, some uphill bat path, lacks separation. On the mound uses long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot, moderate arm speed, tall and fall style delivery, some rhythm, stays on line, athletic finish. Fastball sits 75-76, touches 77, slight run, shows control. Curveball 55-56 mph, slow bender, curveball has pitchability, shows control, lacks aggressiveness, also shows changeup (64-65 mph). Shows good splits between pitches.

9. Garrett Davis, Geneva HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2015
6-foot, 160-pound two-way player. On the mound arm works cleanly from the left side, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball sits 70-72 mph, minimal action. Curveball has gradual 11/5 action at 60-63 mph. Changeup (66-68 mph) flashed occasional sink, arm decelerates. Defensively shows accurate arm (74 mph), over the top outfield arm, average outfield actions. Offensively hits from open stance, solid setup, short stride, excellent balance, active lower half, short path, easy swing.

10. Ben Dickey, St. Viator HS, OF, Class of 2015
Athletic 6-foot, 175-pound frame, shows strength. Outfield arm action is short, accurate arm (76 mph), athletic feet, 6.94 runner, plays through ball well. Hits from a balanced setup, open stance, short stride, lower half works, lacks extension, good balance throughout, needs more top hand.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Alec Barger, Champaign Central HS, OF, Class of 2016
5-foot-9, 140-pound right handed outfielder. Defensively shows average actions, two-handed outfield actions, shows some hesitation, arm works long through high ¾ slot (74 mph). Offensively hits from a balanced athletic setup, short stride, lower half works well, drops hands at load, excellent balance throughout, aggressive actions, flat through the zone.

Steven Busby, Batavia HS, OF/SS, Class of 2015
Average frame, 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Hits from wide stance, toe tap trigger, occasional barrel awareness, 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively shows long arm action, average hands, long release, good foot speed, runs 7.03 60.

Ronald Clark, Chicago Christian HS, OF, Class of 2015
Lanky, athletic frame, 6-foot-1, 160-pound outfielder. Hits from open stance, arm bar load, short stride, consistent contact, solid balance throughout, some stiffness in lower half. Defensively, showed accurate arm, 72 mph from outfield.

Mikyel Guyton, Brooks HS, OF, Class of 2016
Small frame, 5-foot-6, 132-pound outfielder. Shows occasional athleticism, some quickness in feet defensively, arm works long and shows stiff tendencies, over the top slot, 65 mph from outfield, throws uphill. Offensively, hits from narrow and open stance, short stride, lower half lacks involvement, good balance, handsy swing.

Mario Jenkins, Rich South HS, OF, Class of 2016
5-foot-6, 160-pound outfielder. Defensively showed excellent exchange, efficient transfer, athletic crow hop, gets through the baseball. Arm action is long and over the top (70 mph). Offensively, open stance, short stride, hands drop at load, short bat path, starts open and stays open, front side stays open, pull side.

Chris Mathieu, Warren HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2015
Average 6-foot, 165-pound frame. Defensively uses solid crow hop, some hesitant actions, moderate arm strength (77 mph). Runs 7.21 60. Hits from slightly open stance, short stride, minimal balance, late timing.

Adrian Morris, Yorkville HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2015
Average frame, 5-foot-10, 185-pound left handed two way player. Hits from balanced setup, short stride, good balance throughout, lacks top hand, high helicopter finish, makes hard contact, 82 mph exit velocity. On the mound uses high ¾ arm slot, long arm action, delivery shows some effort, drop and drive style, shows some rhythm. Fastball lacks action, sits 76-77, touches 78. Curveball works on 11/5 plane, gradual break, curveball lacks finish, 58-61 mph. Changeup sits 64 mph, arm action flashes deceleration.

Davis Purviance, Lockport HS, OF, Class of 2015
Athletic body, lean strong frame, 6-foot, 160-pound outfielder. Defensively plays through the baseball athletically, feet work well, 6.95 runner, arm action is short and stiff, high ¾ arm slot, 77 mph. Hits from wide setup, slight crouch, stride dives, moderate bat speed, late timing.

Marcus Reiser, McHenry HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2015
5-foot-10, 150-pound two way player. Showed more promise on the mound. Works from a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action, delivery shows effort, shoulders tend to work uphill, lacks direction, up tempo delivery. Fastball has slight run, shows control, 79-80 mph, touches 81 mph. Curveball shows 12/6 shape, above average depth, sits 64-67 mph, showed better action when 66-67 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, flashes slight arm side run, 72-74 mph. Hits from a slightly open stance, narrow stance, short stride, improved balance and timing will lead to better contact.

Dave Watson, Normal West HS, OF, Class of 2016
Extremely athletic 5-foot-9, 173-pound outfielder with strong legs and shoulders for age. As a freshman, ran a 6.89 60. Moves aggressively with athletic bounce in outfield. Clocked at 71 mph from the outfield. Offensively, shows advanced bat speed with uphill bat path. Hits from wide setup with no stride.

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