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Central Illinois Open: Outfield Analysis

August 22, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Central Illinois Open took place on Wednesday, August 6th on the campus of Normal West HS.  The open showcase featured prospects from the 2015-2018 classes in Illinois.  The Central Illinois Open is a long standing event in the PBR schedule and has unveiled several high end prospect over the years including such names as Cole Daily (Sacred Heart Griffin, 2015, Notre Dame), Cole Bellair (Lockport, 2015, Illinois) and Connor Manous (Munster, 2016, Miami).  Several players impressed at this year’s event, and may see similar success over the next two years.  Over the next week we will reveal the top players at each position, and then finish with the top overall prospects from the event. 

CLICK HERE for the article on top statistical performers from the Central Illinois Open.

Today we will take a look at the top performers in the outfield.  Normal's Addison Fugitt impressed running the event's top 60 at 6.78, and also possesses a balanced swing from the left side.  Tri-Valley's Jack Butler has an athletic frame with bat speed (89 mph exit velocity) and arm strength (82 mph from the OF). 

Let’s take a look at the top outfielders at this year’s Central Illinois Open.

Top Outfielders

1. Addison Fugitt, OF, Normal, 2016
5-foot-11, 160-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced, wide setup, short stride, picks up foot puts it back down, holds hands high, smooth loading action, producing short, level swing with 83 mph exit velocity.  Impressed as one of the top defensive outfielders with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, fielding the baseball in stride.  Threw 80 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry.  Ran a 6.78 60, and 4.29 seconds from home to first.

2. Jack Butler, OF/LHP, Tri-Valley, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder/left-handed pitcher impressed with explosive bat speed registering 89 mph exit velocity, tops at the Central Illinois Open.  Hits from a wide, open setup, utilizes a leg kick, gets extension with a high finish and line drives from gap-to-gap.  Defensively, threw 82 mph from long, loose, high ¾ to over-the-top arm slot with carry.  Showed average hands playing through the baseball and aggressively crow hops.  Ran a 7.05 60 and 4.50 seconds from home to first.  On the mound, fastball sat 78-81 mph from the same arm slot as in the outfield, with arm side run and above average arm speed.  Utilizes tall and fall delivery, uphill shoulders with front glove side elevated, stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square with smooth rhythm throughout, glide steps from the stretch.  63-65 mph curveball backed up at times, shows feel for 65-69 mph changeup thrown for strikes with arm side run.  Butler is a prospect to follow closely over the next two years thanks to his athletic all-around game.

3. Dan Bolt, OF, Morton, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, balanced setup, short stride, drops hands slightly loading, crouches slightly after stride producing slightly uphill bat path with line drives to all fields and 82 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 76 mph from the outfield from long, loose, over the top arm slot with accuracy.  Showed average hands fielding, clean exchanges, playing through the baseball.  Ran a 7.20 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kyle Blunt, LHP/OF, Honenegah, 2016
6-foot-3, 185-pound athletic, strong, plus framed left-handed hitting outfielder/left-handed pitcher hit from a wide, crouched setup, backwards toe-tap load, hands move down and back in load, producing short bat path with pull tendencies and 71 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 81 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy.  On the mound, long, loose, high ¾ arm action delivered fastballs between 77-79 mph touching 81 once with arm side run.  Utilizes drop and drive delivery, collapsing on back leg, with regular effort, shoulders work slightly uphill, lower half stride direction opens up slightly towards third base side.  62-64 mph breaking ball showed 2/8 sweeping shape.  Underneath 65-67 mph changeup at times, with occasional cutting action. 

Kyle Comincioli, OF/RHP, Pontiac, 2016
6-foot-3, 180-pound lanky, right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, narrow, open setup, long stride, long, uphill bat path hitting several line drives up the middle with pop to his pull side.  76 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, throws 77 mph from the outfield from a short, over the top arm slot, playing through the baseball with an aggressive crow hop when fielding.  Ran a 7.53 60, 5.22 seconds from home to first.  On the mound, loose, over the top arm slot creates downhill plane on 77-79 mph fastball thrown for strikes.  Easy effort from tall and fall type delivery, with a slight pause at balance point when getting over the rubber, shoulders stay level throughout, lower-half stride direction is in line with home plate, lands slightly closed at times.  69-72 mph changeup cuts at times with downward action.

Cole Dillon, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, lower half opens up early, leading to short, level bat path, hitting several line drives in batting practice with pull tendencies and 83 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 75 mph from the outfield from long, over the top arm slot with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.40 60, 4.69 from home to first.  On the mound, fastball sat 73-76 mph, regular effort, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lands slightly open, arm action is the same as in the outfield.  Slide steps from the stretch.  Slows arm and body on 58-60 mph curveball with 12/6 shape.  Curveball was more consistent from the stretch.  62-63 mph changeup flashed sinking action.

Mason Durdel, OF, East Peoria, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide, balanced setup, short stride, producing flat, level bat path with 73 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 76 mph from the outfield from long, over-the-top arm slot.  Ran a 7.22 60-yard dash and 5.26 seconds from home to first.

Nathan Earl, LHP/OF, Sherrad, 2016
6-foot-1, 150-pound lanky left-handed hitting outfielder/left-handed pitcher hit from a wide, balanced setup, front foot starts closed, utilizes short leg kick, high back elbow producing short, level bat path with 71 mph exit velocity.  Defensively in the outfield, threw 79 mph from long, loose, high ¾, to ¾ arm slot with accuracy.  Played through the baseball with soft hands and athletic actions.  On the mound, utilizes same arm slot as in the outfield, with a slight wrap/hook in the back of arm swing.  Delivery shows rhythm, tall-and-fall type, landing slightly close at front foot strike.    Fastball sat 72-75 mph touching 77.  Threw strikes with 62-64 mph sweeping slider.  Missed arm side and up with 68-70 mph changeup with arm side run and arm action similar to fastball.  Earl should have more in the tank with his fastball in the future, especially considering how athletically he throws the baseball from the outfield.  He could end up being an 84-85 mph lefty with a plus changeup.

Rylee Goodwin, RHP/OF, Georgetown, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hit from a wide base, closed stance, hands drop during load, short stride, with short, level bat path with line drive and pull tendencies.  80 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, threw 82 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm action, shoulders work uphill with carry and some accuracy.  Ran a 7.15 60, 4.54 seconds from home to first.  On the mound, works from same arm slot, slight stab in back of arm, utilizes drop and drive delivery with some effort, lands closed throwing slightly across his body.  Slide steps from the stretch.  Fastball sat between 80-82 mph, touch 83 once.  Shortens arm action and really gets on top of 62-64 mph breaking ball with 11/5 shape that was inconsistent for strikes.  Showed better feel for his 68-70 mph changeup with occasional sink.

Jack Henry, OF, Bloomington, 2018
5-foot-6, 125-pound outfielder. Right handed hitter, no stride approach, heel lift trigger, drops hands at load with bat wrap. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action in the outfield, ¾ slot, two handed approach, 68 mph from the outfield. Laser timed 8.13 runner in the 60.

Tyler Joaquin, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2018
5-foot-6, 150-pound two-way player. On the mound works from a high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball is mostly straight, 67-68 mph. Curveball has gradual action, 12/6 shape, 55-57 mph. Showed a splitter at 59-62 mph with sink. Right handed hitter, wide stance, crouched setup, lower half collapsed, leg kick trigger. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action, high ¾ slot from the outfield, 69 mph arm strength from the outfield.

Andrew Kurdys, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2017
5-foot-10, 140-pound two way player. Defensively in the outfield uses a long ¾ arm action, some accuracy, 74 mph arm strength from the outfield. Right handed hitter, open stance, crouched setup, short stride. Bat path works uphill, slight pull side approach. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.82 laser timed 60. On the mound arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball pitches at 71-72 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 59-60 mph. Flashed a changeup at 64-66 mph.

Patrick Lipka, OF, Normal West, 2017
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, hands start back and stay back during load, short stride producing long, level bat path with pull tendencies and 77 mph exit velocity.  Defensively in the outfield, threw 76 mph from long, over the top arm slot with average carry and some accuracy.  Ran a 7.91 60 and 5.36 seconds from home to first.

Dentler Loschen, OF/RHP, Armstrong Township, 2015
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, closed setup, short stride, slight leg kick, drops hands producing long, level bat path with up the middle tendencies and 73 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, threw 80 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy.  Fields position athletically, runs a 7.23 60, 4.83 from home to first.

Cody Rogers, OF, Normal, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder. Well above average runner, 6.97 laser timed 60. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short over the top arm slot from the outfield, 73 mph from an exaggerated crow hop.

Noah Schrader, OF, Hampshire, 2017
5-foot-8, 135-pound left handed outfielder. Defensively plays with a short over the top arm action, 78 mph from the outfield. Left handed hitter, balanced stance, stide closes off, hands drop at load. Uphill path lifts baseball, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.45 runner in the 60.

Ryan Shoemaker, OF, Pontiac, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder. Right handed hitter, wide stance, partial lower half, short stride. Path works uphill, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively in the outfield uses a short arm action from a high ¾ slot, 71 mph. 7.52 runner in the 60, laser timed.

Brandon Sparks, OF, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2015
5-foot-9, 160-pound outfielder. Defensively plays with a short over the top arm action, with accuracy, 80 mph from the outfield. Played through the baseball with outfield actions, softer hands. Left handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Showed feel for his barrel, pull side approach, lifts the baseball, top spins it. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.07 runner in the 60, laser timed.

Maximilian Strek, OF, Lane Tech, 2015
Thick build with advanced strength, 5-foot-8, 190-pound outfielder. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, lower half works. Compact swing, strong swing, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, over the top slot, showed carry, 81 mph form the outfield. Projects as a corner outfield type with a strong bat. 7.62 runner in the 60, laser timed.

Rory Thayer, OF/RHP, Hauser (IN), 2015
5-foot-9, 160-pound two-way player. 7.13 laser time in the 60 yard dash. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, no stride approach, heel lift trigger. Uphill path, pull side approach, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short arm action, high ¾ slot, 82 mph from the outfield. On the mound, delivery has high leg kick, works from high ¾ slot. Fastball sits at 72-75 mph, touches 77 mph. Slider works at 64-69 mph. Changeup ranges from 51-63 mph.

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