Keaton
Ariano

OF Keaton Ariano (Geneseo) stands in an impressive 6-foot, 182-pound frame with strength throughout the frame as well as present athleticism. He showed well during the showcase portion of the event, staying on the ball to all fields during his round of batting practice, producing an average exit velocity of 88.1 mph (T92.7). A 7.07 runner, Ariano’s athleticism translates to the outfield where he’s shown an above-average arm on throws to home (T85 mph).

Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-0, 182-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide, crouched setup, toe-tap trigger with short stride. Direct, quick hands, mostly flat path, barrels the ball to all fields. 63.1 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 88.1 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. 3/4 slot, medium arc, some carry.
Defense: Athletic, one-hand gather off to side, meets hand with glove, works through throw.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.

Intriguing frame at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds with athleticism and upper-half strength. Ariano (Geneseo, 2027) showed well in multiple at-bats today, showing a simple left-handed swing with a direct path to the ball. Tallied one hit in the game, sending a well-hit ball back up the middle for a single. Continued to swing a hot bat on Saturday morning, delivering a home run over the centerfield wall. A name-to-follow in Illinois’ to-be sophomore class.

OF/3B Keaton Ariano (Geneseo, 2027) is an upside left-handed hitter to know from Wednesday’s event. There’s some upside in his 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame, and his swing looks to have some power potential as well. He stays on-plane with loose/whippy hands, looking to use the whole field with line-drives, explosive barrel through the zone. In the outfield, Ariano attacked the baseball with steady hands and fluid footwork, moving well laterally into an athletic crow hop, topping out at 83 mph. 7.13 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. High-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, gets foot down early with a short stride. Short, direct to the ball, quick hands, whole field approach with line-drives. 63.7 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long, over the top slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball, moves laterally with ease, crow hops into throws.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60.