Summer Preseason I.D.: Outfield Analysis

Continuing on our coverage of the Summer Preseason I.D., today we look at the outfielders.

Freshman left-handed hitter Luke Nowak (Menomonee Falls) ran the event-high 60-yard dash clocking in at 6.87.

Mitchell Alba (Franklin, 2020) is a lengthy sophomore who saw himself atop the outfield velocity leaderboard registering 87 mph to home and also earned a top-five finish in highest fastball velocity.

George Merkt (Marquette University, 2019) is a tall right-handed hitting outfielder who utilizes launch angle to lift balls with authority. Along with fellow junior outfielder Colin Kovnesky, Merkt registered the third best exit velocity at 88 mph off the tee.

Outfielders (Listed Alphabetically)

Mitchell Alba, OF/RHP, Franklin, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lanky, athletic frame. Offensively, balanced setup, small wrap load, short toe-tap trigger, maintains balance. Short, level bat path, compact swing, line drive abilities to the middle of the field. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball, quick footwork, jerky actions. Steady hands, long exchange, super loose arm, long arm swing, over the top slot. Throws topped 87 mph with carry from the outfield. 7.12 runner in the 60. On the mound, tilt and topple style, works directionally straight down the mound, high knee balance, hip lead to athletic finish. Loose arm action, long, slight wrap on back side, clean and quick out front, high ¾ slot, effort involved. Fastball showed run and tilt, sink when on arm side, ranged 80-82 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape with depth, some swing and miss, ranged 70-73 mph. Changeup worked straight, near fastball arm speed, played 75-77.

Xavier Deal, OF, Port Washington, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, proportional frame. At the plate, crouched, closed setup, back bar load, leg lift trigger. Long, uphill bat path, flashed some line drive abilities, favored pull side. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through, long transfer, short, loose arm action, over the top slot. Throws topped 76 mph from the outfield. 7.38 runner in the 60.

Garrett Kaminski, OF/RHP, Oak Creek, 2019
5-foot-8, 145-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, proportional frame. At the plate, balanced, open setup, back bar load, short stride. Long, level path, flashed line drive ability, exit velocity topped 76 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot. Throws topped 77 mph from the outfield. 7.36 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive style, utilizes a side-winding drop down delivery as well as a more natural high ¾ slot delivery, long, loose arm action.  Occasionally worked in line, closed toe landing, some recoil at finish. Fastball, flashed run, topped 76 mph, ranged 71-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 gradual break, 61-64 mph. Slider played 62-65 mph.

Colin Kovnesky, OF/LHP, Mukwonago, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, thin, athletic frame. 7.08 runner in the 60. At the plate, balanced, open setup, smooth load, leg kick trigger, maintains balance. Fluid, uphill bat path, long after extension, showed gap to gap abilities. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through the ball with agile footwork, soft hands, clean exchange. Short, loose arm action, over the top slot, true ball with accuracy, throws topped 83 mph from the outfield. On the mound, works down the mound, square landing, some athleticism in finish. Short, loose arm action, slight stab on back side, high front side, over the top slot, effort involved. Fastball showed run and tilt down in the zone, ranged 78-80 mph. Curveball had gradual 12/6 break, 63-66 mph.

George Merkt, OF, Marquette University, 2019
6-foot-5, 195-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, high elbowed wrap load, long leg kick trigger, some dive at the ball, rhythm involved. Long, steep, uphill bat path, power/pull type, looks to create lift through swing, definite effort involved. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively, deliberate actions, gets behind ball, hands work, long transfer/release. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Quick arm speed, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Luke Nowak, OF/LHP, Menomonee Falls, 2021
5-foot-10, 155-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, thin, wiry frame. 6.87 runner in the 60. At the plate, balanced, open setup, quick back load, short leg lift stride. Long, uphill bat path, flashed pull side pop with hard contact, some stiff at finish. Exit velocity topped 75 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through the ball, steady hands, clean exchange. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield with accuracy. On the mound, deliberate windup, speeds up at balance, closed leg/toe landing, athleticism in finish. Loose arm, some wrap on back side, clean out front, high ¾ slot, effort involved. Fastball ran, occasional cut, topped 79 mph, ranged 76-78 mph. Curveball, 2/8 gradual break, 65-68 mph. Changeup 67-68 mph.

Paul Vildberg, OF, Mukwonago, 2019
6-foot-1,173-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, strong, athletic frame. Offensively, tall, open setup, smooth, slight coil load, leg kick trigger. Long, level path, flashed natural uphill lift, utilized all fields, hard contact when timing synced up. Exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, steady hands, long transfer. Arm plays long, high ¾ slot, stiff at release, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. 7.33 runner in the 60.

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