South Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Outfield Analysis

On March 3 our PBR Wisconsin staff held its longest running event, South Milwaukee Preseason I.D. at the Hitters Baseball Academy in Caledonia, WI. This event has annually given us a spring preview of some of the top prospects across the state.

Today we continue our week long analysis of the event with the outfield prospects. We have previously posted our Statistical Analysis of the event and Quick Hits recap in the days following the event, which you can follow in the links above.

Freshman Louisville commit, Michael Lippe, takes the top spot in our list of outfield prospects. Lippe (Whitefish Bay) is a high end prospect across the board and a national ranked talent at that. Left-handed hitting sophomore Joshua Blount (West De Pere) takes out No. 2 spot. His bat makes the difference in this list of ranked outfielders, on top of being a plus runner for his age.

The top five is rounded out by a trio of 2022 prospects, a class that is shaping up to have lofty expectations already. Michael Mulhollon (Westosha Central), DJ Kojis (Whitefish Bay) and Keegan Knutson (Milton) all made lasting impressions on our staff with highly projectable ceilings.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Michael Lippe, Whitefish Bay, 2022 Louisville
Positional Profile: OF High follow 2022 prospect in the country.
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Advanced physical frame, broad shoulders, projects well.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. Plus for age, power type runner with some effort.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance through contact. Short to the baseball with extension through contact, barrel stays in the zone, line drive type contact, hits in rhythm.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average power, gap to gap power projection.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Arm carries, over the top slot, played accurate, short loose action.
Defense: Natural actions, fluid footwork, plays aggressively through the baseball. Projects in any outfield position.

2. Joshua Blount, West De Pere, 2021
Positional Profile: OF Advance speed and power combination profile, likely projects as a middle of the order CF/LF.
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Athletic build, advanced strength and speed.
Run: 6.83 runner in the 60. Plus for age, athletic.
Hit: LHH. Open stance, tall relaxed setup, short stride to even, athletic pre pitch and balanced through contact. Level path, stays flat through contact, showed ability to get extension.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Mostly line drive gap to gap contact but flashes above average pull pop.
Arm: LH. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Easy actions, smooth footwork through the baseball, crow hop to release, hands showed softness.

3. Michael Mulhollon, Westosha Central, 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Lean and projectable frame, high upside with loose actions.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. Plus run for age, loose easy runner.
Hit: RHH. Slight open stance, athletic setup, confident presence, smooth load with short stride and maintains balance. Loose hands, middle of the field contact, hard line drives with gap to gap approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed power potential.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Live arm, long and loose, caries and plays accurate.
Defense: Actions arm loose, athletic and aggressive, natural outfield with easy ball skills.

4. DJ Kojis, Whitefish Bay, 2022
Positional Profile: OF High upside prospect in WI 2022 class.
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Lanky projectable frame, high ceiling build.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. Long strider.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slightly wider setup, short stride, smooth loading action, maintains balance through contact. Loose hands, level path with extension, barrel gets through the baseball, above average approach and hits in rhythm.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat speed present with projectable pop.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long high 3/4 arm action, plays loose and accurate, showed carry.
Defense: Long, loose motions play through the baseball, showed ability to glove in stride, crow hop to release.

5. Keegan Knutson, Milton, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Athletic shape.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. Above average for age.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slight bat wrap load, leg kick trigger, good balance. Short path, above average bat speed, line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed bat strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. OF - 87 mph. Arm carries, plus for age, short over the top slot, plays athletically from multiple positions.
Defense: Athletic defender, softer hands and fluid footwork, showed above average INF and OF skills.

6. Gunnar Doyle, Oak Creek, 2020
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Sturdy build.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. Better underway.
Hit: LHH. Balanced stance, short stride, quiet and repeatable pre pitch. Path is short and on top of the baseball, above average bat speed.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashes to pull side.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Arm shows carry, long over the top slot.
Defense: Actions play through the baseball, clean exchange, feet work athletically.

7. Eric  Hughes, Janesville Craig , 2020
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Strong athletic build, sloped shoulders, trim waist.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. Above average, easy runner.
Hit: RHH. Slight open stance, smooth loading action in rhythm and on time, short stride, excellent balance through contact. Short path to the baseball, fluid hitter, showed feel for barrel, repeatable swing with projection.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Sneaky gap to gap power.
Arm: RH. OF - 89 mph. Easy carry at times, long action, high 3/4 slot, low effort arm.
Defense: Exchange gets long at times, crow hop through release, feet work through the baseball and gains ground.

8. Luke Nowak, Menomonee Falls, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean athletic frame, live body.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. Plus runner for age, quiet easy runner.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, narrow stance, short stride, loads hands back and up.  Hands stay on top of the baseball, short to it, line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Middle of the field contact in BP.
Arm: LH. OF - 83 mph. Short loose action, high 3/4 slot, showed carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, plays smooth and in stride, clean exchange. Centerfield profile.

9. Will Wendlick, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2020
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Athletic build, some strength, sloped shoulders.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. Long stride with effort.
Hit: LHH. Balanced stance, short stride. Short path, rotational at times, line drive contact, hits in rhythm. Middle of the field approach, hands work.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap hitter.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Over the top slot, long action, flashed carry.
Defense: Crowhop to release, feet play through the baseball.

10. Omar Wright, South Milwaukee, 2020
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 160-pounds. Strong athletic body type, quick twitch actions.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. Above average runner, light feet, quick first step.
Hit: RHH. Slight open stance, short stride,good balance through contact.  Path is short and level, hands works quick to generate bat speed.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Above average for age, over the top slot and plays on line.
Defense: Aggressive feet, attacks the baseball, plays through in stride and gains ground. Clean exchange, hands play.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matt Baumann, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Trim waist, athletic shape.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60.
Hit: LHH. Balanced stance, short stride, strong hands with bat speed. Line drive contact in BP, above average bat speed, path occasionally gets long.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Long over the top slot, played average.
Defense: Actions work through the baseball, in stride and rhythm. Potential center field defender.

Tyler Bittman, Arrowhead , 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Athletic build, sloped shoulders and trim waist. Lean strength.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. Above average runner.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, long leg kick stride. Level path to the baseball, line drive contact, varied timing, opposite field contact. Quick twitch bat speed.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw bat speed and strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. High 3/4 slot, short loose action.
Defense: Plays ball of feet, raw athletic actions.

Evan Chambers, Stevens Point, 2020
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Solid build with strength.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. Runs hard, effort runner.
Hit: RHH. Slight open stance, hands load back, short toe tap stride, timing varies. Uphill path, som length, hard top spin contact at times.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed bat strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long over the top slot, occasional carry.
Defense: Deliberate approach to baseball, one hand out front, corner outfield type defender.

Jonathan Kim, Brookfield Academy, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Strong build, developed shoulders.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. Above average for age, some quick twitch.
Hit: LHH. Open stance, tall setup, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Short path, stays on top of the baseball, line drive contact. Pull side approach at times.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average bat speed.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. High 3/4 slot, long action.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, average hands.

Timothy Krohn, Tremper, 2019
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Lean build.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, slight open stance and leg kick trigger. Path is level, on top of the baseball, hit in rhythm with occasional back spin contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long over the top action, average arm strength.
Defense: Showed ability to play through the baseball, average hands, clean exchange.

Josh Lewitzke, Muskego, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Compact, strong build.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. Quick first step.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, average balance through contact. Short path, line drive approach, hits in rhythm. Compact bat strength.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Long, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Short steps to set up, plays through the baseball.

Charlie Marion, Franklin, 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 135-pounds.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60.
Hit: LHH. Open stance, short stride to even, slight leg kick. Path is on level plane, works around the baseball, occasional line drive contact.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Actions show ability to play through the baseball.

Kyle Mitchell, Westosha Central, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Proportional frame.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, open stance, short stride to even, maintains balance through contact. Level path, line drive type hitter.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Plus arm strength for age, can get carry, long high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Shuffles through release, actions work through the baseball.

Kyle Panek, Warren (IL), 2020
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds.
Run: 8.17 runner in the 60.
Hit: RHH. Tall balanced setup, smooth loading action, short toe tap stride. Two piece rhythm, firm swing on slight uphill pane.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Long arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: Works with two hands, ball skills play deep.

Tyler Peck, Oak Creek, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Sturdy build, proportional.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, uses lower half. Path is short and level, raw athletic hitter with line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw bat speed/strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Plus arm for age, long action, high 3/4 slot, played with carry.
Defense: Actions play with two hands, deliberate, corner outfield type.

Angel Rades, Oak Creek, 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Compact body type, carries strength.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open and wider setup, short stride, on time. Path stays on top, rotational at times, short to the baseball with some effort. Gap to gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 84 mph. Over the top slot, short loose arm action, occasional carry.
Defense: Plays fast and through the baseball, quick clean footwork.

Robert Roguszka, Greenfield, 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Proportional shape.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. Above average run for age, better underway.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, smooth loafing action, short stride. Short path, slight uphill plane, in rhythm hitter.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long loose arm action, over the top slot, played accurate to target, carries well.
Defense: Feet play well through the baseball sets up and works through in stride.Aggressive through crow hop release.

Michael Rueth, Wauwatosa West, 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds. Long lanky frame, projectable.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, balanced setup, loads hands back, short stride. Swing projects some, slight uphill with length, occasional hard line drives.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Should develop with strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. High 3/4 slot, short loose action.
Defense: Palys through the baseball, longer exchange, average hands.

Max Semancik, Franklin, 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 162-pounds. Strong physical build. Compact athlete.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. Quick first step, power lower half.
Hit: LHH. Open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, occasionally stays open. Bat strength hitter, path is firm with some length.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Firm actions, sets up feet behind the baseball.

Ayden Spykstra, Cedarburg, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Average lean frame.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, slightly closed, arm bar load, reverse tap stride. Pull side approach, path works around it with some length.l
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 83 mph. Long action, high 3/4 slot, runs to arm side.
Defense: Corner outfield profile,field one hand off to side.

Jack  Stecker, Whitefish Bay, 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Proportional frame and build.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. Above average runner for age.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, gets into lower half, maintains balance. Compact swing with bat speed, hands work and showed ability to find barrels, occasional top spin contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Strong swing, some effort.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Long over the top arm slot, occasional carry and plays online.
Defense: Actions play through the baseball, in rhythm, feet play light, crow hop to release.

Jacob Wnuk, Brookfield Academy, 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, toe tap stride. Path works uphill, some length.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. High 3/4 slot, long arm action.
Defense: Showed ability to play in stride with glove work out front.

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