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Underclass Trials: Prospect Analysis

July 24, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

After the Underclass Trials several players in attendance received invites to the 2017 Top Prospect Games and the PBR Future Games. Jackson Hoang stood out as the top overall prospect at the event and will also be representing Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games next week.

Here’s a look at the top overall prospects from the event.

Top Overall Prospects

1. Jackson Hoang, OF, Pewaukee, 2016
Athletic, highly projectable frame, 6-foot-2, 175-pound outfielder. Highly advanced right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, lower half works aggressively, maintains strong balance, excellent setup. High level bat speed, showed advanced power, hard impact of the baseball, showed the ability to backspin it, short path to and through the baseball, creates extension. Gap to gap approach, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed athleticism plays through the baseball fluid footwork, softer hands. 7.15 runner. Arm works over the top, 75 mph arm strength.

2. Mitchell Buban, MIF, Tremper, 2017
Lanky build with projection, 5-foot-11, 155-pound middle infielder. Advanced defender, hands are soft, works well to his backhand, field out in front, plays through the baseball, long strided, advanced actions, natural defender. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed carry, highly accurate, arm plays. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, toe tap stride, solid balance through contact. Bat path stays on top of the baseball, showed the ability to impact the baseball, line drive hitter, high level of barrel awareness. Buban projects well as lanky middle infield defender with highly athletic hands both offensively and defensively. Advance hand eye coordination.

3. Keaton Rice, C, Geneseo, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound left handed hitting catcher, lanky athletic frame. Defensively showed sound mechanics receiving the baseball, blocks well, hands are soft. Arm played at 74 mph from the crouch, 2.05-2.11 pop times, smooth transfer, arm showed carry and accuracy. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly closed, short stride, strong balance through contact. Pull side approach, loose hands, strong contact, line drive approach. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.

4. Kyle Antos, C, Indian Trail, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher, solid build with strength, shows athleticism . Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, regular stride, loose athletic setup. Bat speed present, short path, pull side approach, flashed some pop. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed softer hands behind the plate, willing blocker, mechanically sound, agile feet. Posted pop times at 2.19-2.22. Arm played at 70 mph from the crouch, short over the top slot, above average arm strength.

5. Griffin Klein, MIF, Indian Trail, 2017
5-foot-6, 123-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed soft hands, well above average actions, showed the ability to play on the move, body control present, played through the baseball well. Arm action is typical for the middle infield, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond, projects as a second base type. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, solid balance throughout. Contact type hitter, singles guy, occasionally hits off front foot, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.07 runner in the 60.

6. Kyle Scoville, SS, Bradford, 2016
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder, projectable frame. Offensively hits from a tall balanced stance, short stride approach. Lower half works some and maintains strong balance. Showed bat speed, short path with some extension, line drive gap to gap approach, hits with rhythm. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm played at 73 mph across the diamond, shorter loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Proper infield mechanics, fields out in front, showed the ability to play through it. 7.31 runner in the 60.

7. Nicholas Elsen, OF, Indian Trail, 2017
Thin build, lanky frame, 6-foot, 152-pound outfielder, projectable frame. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, lower half works, hands drop some at load. Shorter path, showed improvements since last seeing him, gets extension, creates backspin, hits with rhythm, loose hands, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Shows projection at the plate, can add strength, path works and is loose. In the outfield, long high ¾ arm action, 70 mph arm strength. 7.66 runner in the 60.

8. Jacob Passow, RHP/3B, Germantown, 2017
Large frame for age, 6-foot-3, 180-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride. Path stays on top of the baseball, flashed occasional hard contact, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long arm action showed some accuracy. Third base type, longer exchange, solid hands. On the mound uses a long arm action from high ¾ slot. Fastball showed run, 73-74 mph, breaking ball works on 11/5 plane, 59-62 mph. Changeup has fastball arm speed, occasional sink, 66-68 mph.

9. Kabe Stucker, MIF, Catholic Memorial, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short minimal stride. Hands work offensively, made solid contact, showed some effort, lifts the baseball. Defensively plays with infield actions, showed the ability to play through the baseball, softer hands, some body control. Arm plays at 77 mph across the diamond, short high ¾ action. 8.04 runner in the 60.

10. Ryan Hoerter, RHP/SS, Indian Trail, 2017
Long projectable frame, slender build, some athleticism, 6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player. Defensively showed above average skills on the infield, soft hands with excellent footwork, takes precise angles, athletic actions, plays through the baseball. Arm action is short and loose, high ¾ arm slot, showed some carry, 71 mph arm strength. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, toe tap trigger. Showed bat speed, shorter path, occasionally hits off front foot. On the mound delivery works slightly across his body, regular effort. Fastball has sink, showed feel, 73-74 mph, touched 75 mph. Curveball has some lateral action, 64-65 mph. Changeup has fading arm action, 60-62 mph, some sink.

10. Cody Link, RHP/1B, Edgewood, 2016
Advanced body, big strong frame, extra-large build, 6-foot-5, 205-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from an open tall setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Pull side power approach, uphill path with lift, flashes power potential. Defensively shows feel for the bag, natural actions, solid footwork. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the infield. On the mound fastball is mostly straight, 76-77, showed feel for the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 66-68 mph. Changeup is firm, near fastball arm speed, 74-75 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Justin Anderson, MIF, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2017
5-foot-4, 140-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, drops hands at load, short stride. Lower half gets involved, path works uphill, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long ¾ arm action across the infield (63 mph). Runs the 60 at 8.01.

Mitchell Apple, LHP/OF, Bradford, 2016
Thin build, 6-foot, 135-pound left-handed two-way player. On the mound arm works from a high ¾ slot, long loose arm action. Fastball showed control, slight sink, 71-73 mph, touched 74 mph. Curveball flashed sweeping action, 61-62 mph. Changeup thrown near fastball arm speed, 63-64 mph, mostly down. Offensively hits from the right side, closed stance, short leg kick trigger. Level bat path, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball in the outfield, arm action is long, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy out of a crowhop, 72 mph.

Logan Bakkila, 1B, Zion Benton, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound first baseman, stronger build, sturdy lower half. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, toe tap stride, drops hands at load. Long lifting bat path, some strength in swing, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed natural actions around first base, showed a feel for the bag. Short over the top arm action, 69 mph across the diamond.

Colton Burt, OF/INF, Wautoma, 2016
5-foot-9, 170-pound multi-positional player. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, two-handed finish. Showed an ability to impact the baseball, pull side approach, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average arm strength, 78 mph from the infield and 80 mph from the outfield. Showed some athletic actions in the outfield, on the infield arm worked long out of his glove, shows the ability to play through the baseball. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Tanner Bykowski, MIF, Westosha Central, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Bat path is flat, some length, line drive approach, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short arm action on the infield, over the top slot, 69 mph across the diamond. 7.56 runner.

Jim Callahan, OF, Ashwaubenon, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short leg lift trigger, arm bar load. Pull side approach with an uphill path, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long high ¾ arm slot, 67 mph arm strength from the outfield. Runs a 7.61 60.

Luke Carey, OF, Eisenhower, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, wider setup, short stride approach. Short path, line drive approach, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long arm action from the outfield, high ¾ slot, 69 mph arm strength. 7.78 runner in the 60.

Noah Cresco, OF, Indian Trail, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder, lanky frame, slender build. Defensively showed athleticism in the outfield, feet worked quickly, played through the baseball, above average actions. Arm played over the top with some carry, accurate arm played well, 75 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a wider setup, short stride, solid balance. Repeats swing, shows some feel for the barrel. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.42 runner.

Bryce Edwards, MIF, Westosha Central, 2018
Slender build, 5-foot-11, 140-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed above average actions for his age, hands worked, showed the ability to play through the baseball, can play on the move, some body control. Arm played at 69 mph across the diamond, short over the top action. Offensively hits from a tall setup, stride dives, loading action creates length in path. Line drive type hitter, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Clayton Esch, RHP, Union Grove, 2017
Large build, 6-foot-1, 228-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery has some effort, works uphill. Arm action is shorter, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly four seam straight action, 71-73 mph. Curveball ranged 59-61 mph, near fastball arm speed. Straight change sat 62-64, good velocity split off of fastball.

Andrew Freiberg, OF/LHP, Tremper, 2017
6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player, longer thin frame. Left-handed hitter, slight open and crouched setup, shorter stride. Mid to opposite field approach, inside out path. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action from the outfield, high ¾ slot, 72 mph arm strength from the outfield. Plays through the baseball, 7.38 runner in the 60. On the mound arm works similar to that in the outfield, delivery works online and directional. Fastball has occasional run, showed control, 68 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 57-59 mph, some feel, soft action. Changeup has arm side run, 61-63 mph.

Michael Fossali, 1B/LHP, Batavia, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed two-way player. Offensively hits from the left side, tall setup, slightly open, longer stride. Pull side approach, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short high ¾ arm action, 68 mph across the diamond. Played through the baseball, flashed actions around the bag. On the mound pitches with a rotational delivery, shorter arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat70-73 mph, some control and sink. Curveball has some feel, 11/5 shape, 57-58 mph. Changeup has some sink, showed feel, tendency to get underneath, 56-58 mph.

Peyton Henry, SS/RHP, Columbus, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound two-way player, lean build. Offensively hits from a tall stance, showed balance. Showed the ability to make solid contact, uphill path. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a longer arm action on the infield, high ¾ slot. 7.47 runner. On the mound delivery works on line, simple delivery with repeatability. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, above average arm speed for age. Fastball has slight run, controlled the zone, 76-78 mph. Breaking ball has feel, 11/5 shape, showed feel, 62-64 mph. Firm changeup, near fastball arm speed, straight change, 70-74 mph.

Trent Jones, OF/MIF, Westosha Central, 2017
5-foot-8, 140-pound multi-positional player. In the outfield showed the ability to play through the baseball, showed some athleticism in the outfield. Arm action is short and over the top with accuracy, 74 mph from the outfield, 71 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short heel lift load. Handsy swing, slightly lunges. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee, 7.89 runner.

Jacob Last, OF, Watertown, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound outfielder, athletic build. Right handed hitter, wide setup, short stride, two handed finish. Path works, line drive approach, hits with rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, works from a crowhop, 74 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Spencer Pierce, OF, Waukesha West, 2016
5-foot-8, 145-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, short stride, arm bar load, slight drop of hands. Maintained balance with little movement in lower half. Bat path worked on uphill plane, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 69 mph from the outfield, high ¾ slot. Ran the 60 at 7.50.

Nathan Renner, RHP/3B, Tremper, 2017
5-foot-10, 185-pound two-way player. On the mound delivery stays in line, square landing. Arm action is short and over the top. Fastball is mostly straight, 70-72 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 action, 58-60 mph. Changeup flashed occasional sink, 65-66 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, two handed finish. Pull side approach with some lift. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short over the top arm action across the diamond, 69 mph.

Alex Rothweiler, C, Indian Trail, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher. Offensively hits from an open stance, toe tap trigger, crouches into loading position. Showed bat speed for age, pull side hitter, slight uphill bat path. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 69 mph down to second, pop times at 2.25-2.44. Ran the 60 at 7.92.

Mike Schmidt, MIF, Waterford Union, 2016
5-foot-9, 140-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, longer stride, slightly front foot hitter. Path is level, pull side approach, 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively arm played at 75 mph across the infield, high ¾ slot. Showed playable hands on the infield. Above average runner for his age, 7.34 in the 60, 4.47 down the line.

Hunter Weddel, MIF, Tremper, 2017
5-foot-7, 155-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a slightly closed stance, short stride, lower half works, maintains balance. Bat path was short to the baseball, showed the ability to work all fields, above average bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a longer arm action from a high ¾ slot, showed some accuracy at 76 mph. Feet showed the ability to play through the baseball, third base type. 7.70 runner in the 60.

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