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Chicagoland Open: Outfield Analysis

September 9, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Chicagoland Open took place on Sunday August 17th on the campus of Saint Xavier University and included prospects from the 2015-2018 classes.  Several impressed, and over the next few days we will roll out a position-by-position analysis and finally the top overall prospects from the event.  Today we’ll take a look at the outfielders led by Stevenson's Dylan Molek, an athletic, switch-hitting outfielder with 88 mph arm strength from the outfield. 

Let’s take a look at the top outfield prospects from this year’s Chicagoland Open.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Dylan Molek, OF, Stevenson, 2016
5-foot-8, 180-pound switch-hitting outfielder impressed with the top outfield arm strength at the Chicagoland Open, throwing 88 mph from the outfield from a long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy.  Switch-hitter impresses more from his natural right side hitting from a wide, balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, short bat path, strength through the zone hitting several line drives mostly to his pull side.  Left-side approach is similar, but a bit more rotational with a longer swing, but legitimately has a chance to keep switch-hitting.  Ran a 7.1 60 and 4.44 seconds from home to first.

2. Dylan Rusniak, Outfield, Brother Rice, 2016
5-foot-6, 150-pound left-handed hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder hits from an open setup, short stride, hands drop back smoothly, producing short, level bat path with 75 mph exit velocity and natural lift to swing.  Consistently hit line drives to the opposite field gap during batting practice.  Threw 83 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy.  Plays through the baseball, with solid outfield actions, aggressively crow hops.  Ran 7.37 60 and 4.60 seconds from home to first.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Michael Bengston, OF, Grant, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, balanced setup, utilizes a leg kick, hit line drives up the middle during batting practice with 85 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 81 mph from the outfield from over the top arm slot with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.36 60, and 4.61 from home to first.

Brian Heidbreder, OF, Lake Forest, 2017
5-foot-11, 150-pound outfielder, lanky frame. Offensively hits from the right side, tall setup, narrow stance. Loose swing, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a shorter arm action, high ¾ slot, arm plays at 71 mph from the outfield.

Jawaune Johnson, OF, Walther Christian, 2015
5-foot-8, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands drop during load, producing 55 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, threw 51 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot.  Ran a 7.03 60 and 4.66 seconds from home to first.

Theo Johnson, OF, T.F. South, 2015
6-foot-1, 177-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide base, closed stance, short stride, level bat path with 65 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 74 mph from the outfield from a short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy.  Ran a 7.46 60 and 4.72 seconds from home to first.

Andrew McKee, OF, Yorkville, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open setup, reverse toe tap stride, hands get away from body during swing producing 74 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 67 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot.  Ran an 8.14 60 and 5.36 seconds from home to first.

Jordan Rogers, OF/RHP, Brother Rice, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, athletic setup, slightly open stance, smooth loading action with short stride, maintains balance. Loose athletic swing, hits with rhythm, path is efficient. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively took it both in the outfield and infield, projects more in the outfield arm action is long and over the top, showed accuracy. 78 mph from the outfield and 74 mph across the infield. 7.97 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works easily, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 74-76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, sweep type action, 67-69 mph. Changeup sat 68-70 mph.

Daniel Sanchez, OF, Mount Carmel, 2015
5-foot-7, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with a strong lower half hits from a slightly closed stance, short stride, with opposite field tendencies and 78 mph exit velocity.  Threw 73 mph from the outfield from an over the top arm slot with extreme uphill shoulders during crow hop.  Ran a 7.28 60 and 5.12 seconds from home to first.

Noah Schrader, Outfield, Hampshire, 2017
5-foot-8, 135-pound left-handed hitting, left-handed throwing outfielder hits from a wide base, balanced setup, drops hands in load, barrel lags back/lays flat, short leg kick stride, produces long, uphill bat path with 75 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, threw 77 mph from the outfield from short, over the top arm action with carry and accuracy.  Impressed more in the outfield than at first base.  Ran a 7.69 60, 4.79 seconds from home to first.

Byron Van Leeve, OF, Yorkville, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced setup, lifts heel slightly before short stride, producing uphill bat path with 77 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 72 mph from the outfield from short, high-3/4 arm slot with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.49 60 and 4.80 seconds from home to first.

Juston Woodard, OF, Mount Carmel, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder, thick build with strength. Right handed hitter, slightly open stance, heel up, short stride. Line drive approach, longer path, level through the zone. 65 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played the outfield with a short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 71 mph arm strength. 7.02 runner in the 60.

Illinois Headlines

9.13.14 Capitol City Open Slide