Class of 2017 Showcase: Outfield Analysis

November 10, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

We began rolling out the Class of 2017 Showcase analysis this week starting with catchers. Today we look at the outfield prospects from the event. Right-handed hitting Easton Bertrand from Manteno and Mike Addante from Jacobs flashed an impressive combination of tools at the event and headline the top outfielders. Left-handed hitting Addante looks to be a true center-field prospect while Bertrand has the ability to play the outfield, third base and the potential to be a middle of the order type bat that can run.

Look for many of the outfielders on this list to make an impact on the next update of 2017 state rankings.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Easton Bertrand, 3B/OF, Manteno, 2017
Projectable, well-proportioned 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Bertrand was one of the top performers at the event. Showed off a combination of plus tools across the board. Ran a 6.79 laser-timed 60, 86 mph across the infield, 90 mph from the outfield and a 91 mph exit velocity. Offensively, extremely easy bat speed. Fluid rhythm, explosive hands, strength through contact and the ball jumps off of the bat. Displayed pull power during his round of batting practice. Short, level bat path through the hitting zone. Balanced setup, short stride, god use of lower half and good balance through contact. Defensively, showed athletic actions in the infield and outfield. Comfortable at third base, good body control, soft hands and athletic arm action. Accurate throws with carry. In the outfield, easy arm with carry and true flight. Quick and fluid footwork, soft hands, athletic fielding position, playing through the baseball and accurate throws. Impressive athlete and one of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2017 Class. Should be a high follow moving forward.

2. Mike Addante, OF, Jacobs, 2017
Currently ranked No. 30 in the Illinois Class of 2017. 5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, with present strength. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Fluid, athletic actions with a clean exchange, while playing thru the ball. Reads hops well, with soft, sure hands. Showed off plus arm strength throwing 88 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a tall, slightly open stance with a high hand set away from the body. Explosiveness in the lower half with good balance and fluid rhythm. Line drive hitter with an advanced approach at the plate. Plus strength thru contact with 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. 6.84 runner in the 60.

3. Donivan Williams, 3B/OF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2017
6-foot, 187 athletically built right-handed hitting versatile prospect. Showed well in all areas of his game and on the mound. Offensively, short and compact stroke. Fast bat speed and strength through contact. Line-drive hitter, made a lot of hard contact at the plate. Balanced, wide setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and good balance throughout. Registered an exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, short arm action and over-the-top slot from the outfield and infield. Quick and fluid footwork and soft hands. Athletic fielding position, carry on throws, clocked at 87 mph from the outfield and 85 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.01 60. On the mound, featured a three pitch mix, with two different breaking balls featuring two distinct shapes. Quick arm action, some rhythm, on-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball, late life and ranged between 82-85 mph, touching 86. Ability to spin the baseball. Slider, worked 10/4, tight sweeping action, potential swing and miss pitch, 72-73 mph. Curveball, 12/6 with downer action and ranged between 67-72 mph.

4. Nickolas Strysik, C/OF, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, physical athletic frame, advanced physical make-up. Offensively hits from a tall open stance, longer stride back to even, lower half works, excellent pre pitch. Aggressive swinger, advanced bat speed with pop, hits with rhythm. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat will play well at the next level. Defensively showed in the outfield and behind the plate, arm action is long, 80 mph from the outfield, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times 2.19-2.33. Showed athleticism in the outfield. 7.26 runner in the 60.

5. Thomas Larson, OF, Families of Faith, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a strong, athletic frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm action. Slower actions with a long, clean exchange. Momentum thru throws with crow hop generating plus arm strength, throwing 89 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a wide base with a short leg lift stride. Slight wrap on load with a long, uphill swing path. Generates strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran an event best 6.72 60-yard dash.

6. Taylor Jackson, OF/2B, Kenwood, 2017
Lean, athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and infielder. Ran a 6.85 laser-timed 60. Offensively, short, simple swing and good balance through contact. Loose hands and stays on top of the baseball. Wide, athletic setup, pre-pitch load and a short, toe-tap stride. Line-drive approach at the plate. Exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, quick, active feet on the infield and outfield. Athletic, fluid actions and soft hands. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, flashing carry on throws, clocked at 83 from the outfield and 76 across the infield.

7. Dominic Connolly, 2B/OF/RHP, Lemont, 2017
Smaller build 5-foot-9, 150-pound right handed hitting infielder, outfielder and pitcher. Looks to be better suited as a position player. Offensively, balanced and athletic pre-pitch setup. Simple, compact swing and flashed bat speed. Short and level bat path through the hitting zone. Fluid rhythm, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and good balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, quick feet and athletic actions on the infield and outfield. Soft hands, athletic fielding position, short arm action and over-the-top slot with carry on throws. Clocked at 80 mph across the infield and 86 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.36 60. On the mound smooth rhythm throughout delivery. On-line direction, square landing, athletic finish and repeatable delivery. Over-the-top window, short arm action, quick arm and regular effort. Fastball, thrown for strikes and sat 77-79 mph. Curveball flashed action and worked 12/6, 65-69 mph, with feel. Changeup sat 68-69 mph, with sink.

8. Sean Robinson, OF, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
Small, athletic frame at 5-foot-7, 150-pounds. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot, accurate throws flashed carry. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. Fluid footwork with athletic actions while playing thru the ball. Takes good angles with long strides. Quick, clean exchange. Offensively hits from a tall, open stance. Drops and bars on load with a short stride back to even. Peppers middle away with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.35.

9. Daniel Nelson, RHP/OF, Oswego East, 2017
Athletically built at 6-foot, 170-pounds with present strength. Right-handed hitting two-way player. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a high leg kick. Online delivery with a toe closed landing. Fastball flashed sink at 78-80 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 66-69 mph. Slider flashed 10-4 shape at 69-72 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup at 71-74 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Short, linear stride. Line driver hitter with a short, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.27. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Throws showed carry with some accuracy, and slower actions. Threw 83 mph from the outfield.

10. Connor Yukna, OF, Waubonsie Valley, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Aggressive, athletic actions, while playing thru the ball. Threw 85 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a wide base with a flat bat that lays back pre-pitch. Short, leg lift stride with average balance. Long level swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.06.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kyel Alexander, 2B/OF, Morgan Park, 2017
Slender build 5-foot-7, 135-pound right-handed hitting second baseman and outfielder. Ran a 6.9 60. Offensively, present bat speed and creates whip in swing. Short, simple swing with fluid rhythm and good balance through contact. Balanced stance, slight pre-pitch load and short, leg-lift trigger. Registered a 68 mph exit velocity. Defensively, showed solid actions in the infield and outfield. Fluid footwork, quick and clean exchange. Plays through the baseball in the outfield. Overall short arm action, high ¾ slot some accuracy and clocked at 74 mph across the infield and 79 mph from the outfield.

Brady Andrae, OF/LHP, Orion, 2017
5-foot-10, 140-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Threw 71 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a tall, open stance, with a short leg lift stride. Short, level swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.75. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall uptempo delivery with an open landing and athletic finish. Threw fastball for strikes at 69-70 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with gradual action at 53-56 mph. Changeup for strikes at 55-59 mph.

Cole Aughenbaugh, OF/RHP, Oswego, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP. Ofensively hits from a balanced knee-to-knee setup with a low hand set. Smooth load to backside with a long stride. Gap to gap hitter with a short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.14. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Threw 79 mph form the outfield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery with regular effort. Open landing on a weak front knee. Fastball sat 76-78 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with rolling action at 63-65 mph. Changeup was straight at 69-70 mph.

Dylan Baer, SS/OF, Geneva, 2017
Average build 5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting shortstop and outfielder. Offensively, starts from a balanced setup, pre-pitch load of his hands and short, leg-lift trigger. Short, uphill bat path through the hitting zone and opposite field approach. Defensively, worked out on the infield and outfield. Short, quick arm action, ¾ slot from both positions. Reliable hands in the outfield, quick footwork and clean exchange. Clocked at 82 mph from the outfield and 78 mph from across the infield. Also, ran a 7.15 60.

Noah Crowe, OF, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. Ran the 60 at 6.92. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a high hand set. Heel lift stride with no load. Short direct path to the ball, hits off front foot. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Quick exchange and release. Threw 77 mph from the outfield.

Sean Cummins, OF, Lake Park, 2017
5-foot-11, 162-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a lanky, athletic frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws, flashed carry. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 76 mph form the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride. Flashed fast bat speed with a long, uphill swing path. Inconsistent barrel control presently. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.35 runner in the 60.

Bradley Demkovich, LHP/OF, Jacobs, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with good balance throughout. High leg kick with some stiffness on the front side. Some rhythm with a square landing. Threw fastball for strikes at 75-77 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape at 60-64 mph. Slows arm on changeup at 68-72 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced setup. Short leg lift stride. Long, uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.21. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with a clean exchange. Threw 81 mph from the outfield.

Bryant Diel, OF, South Elgin, 2017
6-foot-, 184-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Throws flashed carry at 80 mph from the outfield. Quick footwork with athletic actions and average hands. Offensively hits from a wide, slightly open stance. Short heel lift stride with a collapse on the backside. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.05.

Scott Garrow, OF, Lyons Township, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Solid runner running the 60 at 6.94. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Short stride with an uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Slower actions with fluid footwork while playing thru the ball. Threw 78 mph from the outfield.

Brandon Khan-Fagg, OF/RHP, McHenry, 2017
Lanky framed, 6-foot, 160-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP. At the plate hits form a crouched, slightly open stance. Handsy load to backside. Opposite field hitter with an inside out path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.69. Defensively has a long loose arm action from a low ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with slower actions. Threw 70 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Uptempo tall and fall delivery with a high leg kick. Two pitch mix working with just a cutter and a splitter. Cutter showed slight action at 69-72 mph. Splitter was mostly straight at 70-71 mph.

Danny Mazzei, OF, Hinsdale South, 2017
5-foot-8, 165-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a tall, slightly open stance. Short, smooth load to backside with a short stride back to even. Opposite field hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.09. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm angle. Fluid footwork with a clean exchange while playing thru the ball. Threw 74 mph from the outfield.

Nicholas Mitchell, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2017
5-foot-8, 140-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a tall setup with a high hand set. Short stride with average balance. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. Some present stiffness, but flashes good bat speed on occasion. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.39. Defensively has a short, stiff arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Quick footwork. Threw 70 mph form the outfield.

Jacob Pauley, LHP/OF, Geneseo, 2017
6-foot-2, 150-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall online delivery. Tall at balance point with a slight hesitation before heading to the plate. Square landing with some rhythm. Will improve with more drive off the backside. Hides fastball well with occasional cutting action at 76-77 topping out at 78 mph. Curveball showed inconsistent shape between 12-6 and 1-7 with early action at 67-70 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup with occasional fade at 65-69 mph. Offensively hits from a wide base with a balanced setup. Short, leg lift stride with fair balance. Line drive spray hitter with a long level swing path. Showed streng thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.48. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm angle. High crow hop, throws work uphill. Threw 81 mph from the outfield.

James Raffauf, RHP/3B/OF, Marian Central Catholic, 2017
Lean, room to fill out 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting infielder, outfielder and pitcher. Offensively, balanced and closed setup. Deep, pre-pitch early load and leg-kick timing trigger. Long, uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, in the outfield and infield, fluid footwork and clean exchange. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and quick release on the infield. Throws clocked at 76 mph from the outfield and 74 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.7 60. On the mound, featured a four pitch mix with decent feel for all. Over-the-top window, short and quick arm action. Some rhythm and effort in delivery. Fastball, flashed slight run and sat 78-80 mph, touching 81. Featured a curveball and slider. Curveball worked 12/6, thrown for strikes, 66-69 mph. Slider, firmer action, tighter spin, 11/5 shape and sat 70-71 mph. Changeup, mainly straight and sat 70-71 mph

Lukas Rife, OF, Oswego, 2017
6-foot-3, 155-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a lanky frame. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly closed stance with hands close to the body. Sinks into load with a short leg lift stride. Spray hitter with a short uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.52. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Quick footwork with a clean exchange. Threw 73 mph from the outfield.

Charlie Rodriguez, OF, St. Rita, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits form a balanced setup with a wide base. Short leg lift stride with good balance. Short level swing path with fluid rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.24. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a quick exchange. Threw 81 mph from the outfield.

Noel Rodriguez, OF, Lincoln Park, 2017
5-foot-7, 125-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively has athletic, fluid footwork with an aggressive approach, while playing thru the ball. Has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot with a quick, clean exchange. Threw 76 mph form the outfield. At the plate hits from a wide base with a deep load to the backside, with a short, leg kick stride. Pull hitter with a long swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.17.

Donald Thurman, 2B/OF, Oswego East, 2017
Athletic build 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Offensively, tall, closed setup, no pre-pitch load and short stride. Level bat path through the zone and average bat speed. Registered an exit velocity of 77 mph. Defensively, in the outfield and infield displayed a long arm action, ¾ slot. Clocked at 66 mph from the outfield and 62 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.96 laser-timed 60.

Joe Trezek, OF, St. Rita, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from balanced slightly open stance. Short stride back to even with a slight drop and arm bar load. Short, uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.32. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with a long, clean exchange. Threw 73 mph from the outfield.

Braulio Vasquez, OF, Clemente, 2017
5-foot-8, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a narrow, slightly closed setup. Short stride with average balance. Opposite field hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.85. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick, fluid footwork while playing thru the ball. Threw 75 mph from the outfield.

Roger Veome, OF, Nazareth, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly closed stance. Short stride with no load and collapse on the backside. Opposite field hitter with an inside out swing. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.25. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm angle. Showed a quick exchange. Threw 75 mph form the outfield.

Class of 2017 Showcase: Outfield Analysis

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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