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Preseason I.D. - Gurnee: Outfield Analysis

April 1, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Gurnee Preseason ID showcase took place on Sunday, February 21st at the Bat Speed Academy in Gurnee, IL. The event featured over 110 prospects mostly from the northern part of Illinois and a handful from Wisconsin. Yesterday we began the analysis from the event with the catchers. Today we take a look at the outfielders who participated at the event.

TOP OUTFIELDERS

1. Andrew Wiegman, OF/INF, Carmel Catholic HS, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound, athletic frame, projectable, multi-positional prospect. One of the best athletes we have seen in the 2019 class. Ran a 4.04 home-to-first, was clocked at 90 mph from the outfield and registered an 89 mph exit velocity. Also, projectable on the mound but did not pitch at the event. Offensively, flashed explosive bat speed for his age; hands are quick to the ball and routinely makes hard contact. Balanced setup, low hand set, gets off his backside at contact and a gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, could stick in the infield or the outfield; arm is well above-average and his hands are soft. Long, quick arm action clocked at 83 mph across the infield. Extremely projectable, high follow prospect in the 2019 class.

2. Luke Schmitt, OF, Warren HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound muscle-bound, squared shouldered, left-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 4.22 home-to-first. Offensively, fluid rhythm, loose swing with present bat speed; 92 mph exit velocity. Short bat path, some lift in swing and gets extension through contact at times. Crouched setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and excellent balance. Defensively, plays through the baseball with a clean exchange in the outfield. Long arm action, ¾ to high ¾ slot and clocked at 78 mph.

3. Ryan Lee, OF, Lake Forest HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound wiry right-handed hitting outfielder.  One of the best exit velocities of the event, 93 mph from a tee. Also, ran a 4.34 home-to-first. Offensively, a lot of hard contact, loose hands and present bat speed. Fluid rhythm, line-drive approach; level, long bat path and extension through contact. Defensively, steady hands and a clean exchange in the outfield. Long arm action, over-the-top slot and clocked at 81 mph.

4. Joshua Pawlowski, OF, Belvidere North HS, 2017
5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder. Offensively, loose hands, level bat path and gets extension through contact. Slightly open setup, short stride and average balance. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, plays through the baseball and flashed carry on throws from the outfield; 82 mph. Ran a 4.51 home-to-first.

5. Eddie Pietschmann, OF/RHP, Carmel Catholic HS, 2017
6-foot-4, 210-pound, imposing, physical specimen, two-way prospect. Exhibited impressive speed for his frame, 4.27 home-to-first. Offensively, made consistent loud contact during his round of batting practice; 90 mph exit velocity. Short, level bat path and gets extension through contact at times. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch movement, short stride and excellent balance. Defensively, short arm action from an over-the-top slot; accurate arm, some effort and clocked at 74 mph from the outfield. On the mound, stays on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Some rhythm and effort in his delivery. Fastball works straight and up in the zone at times, clocked at 75-77 mph, touching 79. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup flashed run and sink, pulls it at times, sat 72-74 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cole Aughenbaugh, OF/RHP, Oswego HS, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound athletically built two-way prospect. Ran a 4.30 home-to-first. Offensively, from the right-side of the plate, flashed a line-drive approach and a level bat path through the hitting zone. Balanced setup, hands load pre-pitch, normal stride and good balance. Defensively, clean exchange and plays through the baseball in the outfield. Long over-the-top arm action, accurate throws clocked at 82 mph. On the mound the right-hander features a slow tempo, repeatable, drop and drive delivery and throws from a high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight and clocked at 75-77 mph, touching 79. Curveball works 10/4 and sat 63-65 mph. Changeup ranged between 68-72 mph.

Brandon Banker, OF/RHP, Carmel Catholic HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way prospect. Ran an above-average home-to-first for his age, 4.25. Offensively, balanced slightly crouched setup position, average stride and some involvement from his lower half. Long bat path through the hitting zone; 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, loose arm from a ¾ slot, flashing carry from the outfield; 77 mph. On the mound, the right-hander repeats his delivery and lands slightly open. Long arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, strikes, slight arm-side-run and clocked at 72-74 mph. Curveball, tendency to guide it, 55-58 mph. Changeup sat 63-64 mph. Also, flashed a cutter that he got around at times, ranged between 60-63 mph.

Joel Basara, OF, Carmel Catholic HS, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound, strong, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, tall open setup position, minimal load, short stride and average balance. Level bat path through the hitting zone; 86 mph exit velocity. Defensively flashed some actions in the outfield; fluid footwork and plays through the baseball with steady hands. Long arm action, throws had carry and clocked at 85 mph. Also, ran a 4.58 home-to-first.

Matt Bordwine, OF, Warren HS, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound well-proportioned right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, tall setup, pre-pitch load, leg-kick timing trigger, uphill bat path and average balance; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from an over-the-top slot and some accuracy on his throws from the outfield; clocked at 76 mph. Also, ran a 4.55 home-to-first.

Charles Burr, OF, Grayslake North HS, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound muscle-bound right-handed hitting outfielder. Flashed an impressive combination of tools, 4.26 home-to-first, 93 mph exit velocity and was 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, open setup, coils during his load, short stride getting back to even; uphill bat path through the hitting zone and average balance. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot and flashed carry on throws. Attacks the baseball at times in the outfield.

Nick Corlett, OF, Maine South HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 167-pound wiry right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth deep pre-pitch load, toe tap stride and average balance. Bat stayed level through the hitting zone at times; 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.51 home-to-first. Defensively, short arm action from a ¾ to low ¾ slot; throws had some accuracy and were clocked at 74 mph.

Matthew Croisant, OF/RHP, Lake Forest HS, 2018
6-foot-4, 180-pound, lanky, projectable frame, two-way prospect. Offensively, hits from the right side of the plate. Balanced setup, deep leg-lift timing trigger and good balance. Bat stays level through the hitting zone; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, arm plays well in the outfield; loose, whippy, easy arm action, short arm circle from a ¾ slot and clocked at 86 mph. On the mound, some rhythm and effort in his delivery. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed slight run, clocked at 78-81 mph. Curveball works 11/5 shape and ranged between 69-72 mph. Changeup, missed arm side, sat 73-74 mph.

William Davis, OF, Lake Forest HS, 2019
5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran an above average home-to-first for his age, 4.47. Offensively, starts from a balanced position; no load, short stride, uphill bat path and finishes on his backside. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, attacks the baseball at times, playing through the baseball with steady hands. Arm plays loose and from a ¾ slot; 77 mph from the outfield.

Patrick Day, OF, Antioch HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound well-proportioned right handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, simple approach and flashed bat speed. Balanced setup, no load, short stride and balance through contact; 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, steady hands in the outfield. Long arm action from a ¾ slot and throws clocked at 73 mph. Also, ran a 4.83 home-to-first.

Kyle Duenas, OF/LHP, Warren HS, 2019
5-foot-7, 135-pound two-way prospect. On the mound, the left-handed pitcher operates with some rhythm and regular effort in his delivery; stays on-line, square landing and athletic finish. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball was heavy, flashing run and sink, clocked at 73-75 mph, touching 76. Slider is ahead of his curveball. Slider has sharper action, works 1/7 and ranged between 66-69 mph. Curveball, 12/6 action, 65-68 mph. Changeup, maintains fastball arm speed, sink at times, 63-67 mph. Defensively, in the outfield, athletic crow hop and his arm plays up; clocked at 79 mph working long and loose. Fluid footwork and clean exchange. Offensively, hits right-handed, pre-pitch hand movement and long bat path through the hitting zone; 76 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 5.08 home-to-first.

Tanner Dyer, OF, Warren HS, 2017
5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Flashed a good combination of tools running a 4.34 home-to-first and registering a 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Offensively, some fluid pre-pitch movement; tall, open setup position, smooth load, short slight leg-lift trigger and average balance through contact. Defensively, steady hands and a quick clean exchange in the outfield; short arm action, over-the-top slot, clocked at 79 mph from the outfield.

Chase Hacker, LHP/OF, Normal West HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound two-way prospect. On the mound, the left-hander displayed some rhythm and stays on-line; short stride, upright finish and falls off towards third base at times. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball clocked at 71-72 mph, touching 74. Curveball sat 55-57 mph. Changeup was 60-61 mph. Offensively, hits right-handed. Balanced setup, no load, short stride and average balance; long and level bat path through the hitting zone. 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively, in the outfield, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 73 mph. Also, ran a 4.72 home-to-first.

Ryan Kordik, RHP/OF, Johnsburg HS, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound, athletic build, two-way prospect. Offensively, hits from the left-side of the plate. Crouched setup, early load, small stride and hits from a wide base. Made hard contact during his round of batting practice; 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, in the outfield, short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws flashed carry and were clocked at 81 mph. On the mound, some rhythm, stays on-line, square landing and regular effort in his delivery. Fastball, thrown for strikes, flashed slight run at times and clocked at 75-78 mph. Curveball, had feel, worked 12/6 and 11/5, ranged between 62-65 mph. Changeup, maintains good arm speed, works mostly straight, 68-70 mph.

Carter Kukla, OF, Carmel Catholic HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound long-limbed right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced wide setup position, no load and short leg-lift stride. Registered a 71 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot in the outfield. Throws clocked at 64 mph. Also, ran a 4.76 home-to-first.

Luke Kulton, OF/RHP, Hoffman Estates HS, 2016
6-foot-1, 188-pound, strong build, two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, no load, slight leg-lift stride and takes aggressive swings; 88 mph exit velocity. Long bat path and a pull approach. Defensively, short arm action from an over-the-top slot in the outfield. Throws clocked at 78 mph. Ran a 4.69 home-to-first. On the mound, threw with the same arm action and from the same slot as in the outfield. Big rocker step delivery with a coil at balance point; lands closed and slightly across body at times. Fastball clocked at 78-79 mph. Curveball ranged between 58-61 mph. Changeup worked 68-71 mph.

Ryan Lee, OF, Warren HS, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound, broad-shouldered, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and a short closed stride. Uphill bat path through the hitting zone; 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, attacks and plays through the baseball in the outfield. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot and clocked at 71 mph. Also, ran a 4.51 home-to-first.

Cameron Mitchell, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2017
5-foot-11, 210-pound, strong, wide-shouldered, right-handed hitting outfielder. Showed excellent speed running a 3.94 home-to-first from the right side. Offensively, flashed bat speed; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Simple swing, early deep pre-pitch load, small toe-tap stride and average balance through contact. Defensively, plays through the baseball, fields out front and trusts his hands in the outfield; quick exchange, short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws clocked at 75 mph.

Logan Mueller, OF/RHP, Lakes HS, 2019
5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way prospect. Offensively, hits from the right side. Pre-pitch rhythm and movement. Balanced setup, hands drop during his load and leg-lift timing trigger. Uphill bat path through the hitting zone; 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, in the outfield, long and quick arm action; clocked at 77 mph. Flashes soft hands, attacks and plays through the baseball. Ran a 4.72 home-to-first. On the mound, displayed a quick arm out of high ¾ window and some effort in his delivery. Fastball was clocked at 77-78 mph, touching 79. Curveball, thrown near fastball arm speed, slurvy shape, works 10/4 and sat 67-69 mph. Also, features a knuckleball, clocked at 62-65 mph.

Dylan Niedzwiecki, OF, Lake Zurich HS, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound, projectable frame, multi-positional prospect. Ran a 4.30 home-to-first. Offensively, hits from the left-side. Starts from an open balanced setup, leg-lift timing trigger and average balance. Loose hands create some whip in the swing; 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively, worked out in the infield and outfield. Arm played well from both positions but looks more natural on the infield. On the infield steady hands and tendency to play tall. Accurate, true throws; 83 mph from the outfield and 80 mph across the infield.

Brandon Olion, OF, Champaign Centennial, 2018
6-foot-3, 145-pound, plenty of room for continued physical development, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, fluid rhythm, some looseness in the swing and made hard contact. Starts from a closed balanced setup position, smooth pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, quick exchange and steady hands. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 73 mph. Also, ran a 4.50 home-to-first.

Evan Rapp, OF, Warren HS, 2018
5-foot-6, 156-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Started out the day running a 4.36 home-to-first. Offensively, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. Simple approach and aggressive swings; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, quick footwork, attacks and plays through the baseball and a clean exchange. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws uphill and clocked at 74 mph from the outfield.

Nolan Unger, OF, Grant HS, 2018
5-foot-8, 140-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, flashed athletic actions in the outfield and true throws with carry; clocked at 86 mph from the outfield. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot. Reliable hands, fluid footwork, quick clean exchange and plays through the baseball. Offensively, crouched, hunched setup position, short stride and long uphill bat path through the hitting zone; 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.70 home-to-first.

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