Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Showcase: Outfield Analysis



By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Underclass Showcase featured 89 prospects in the 2017 and 2018 classes on October 26th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. Over the next several days the PBR Scouting staff will roll out position-by-position rankings of the event, culminating with the Top Ten Overall Prospects from the showcase.

Click Here to view the article on top statistical performers from the event.

Today we’ll take a look at the top outfield prospects in attendance, led by Jacobs’ Mike Addante who may be the top defensive outfielder we’ve seen in the 2017 class. Addante moves extremely well side-to-side, and impressed this fall with his reads in centerfield.

Manteno’s Easton Bertrand was a close second, impressing with his lanky, projectable frame, and arm strength both in the outfield and at shortstop. Bertrand also ran the second fastest 60 of the even at 6.98 seconds.

Oswego East’s Dylan Jones has impressive power potential from the left side of the plate, and also shows premium arm strength touching 85 mph in the outfield and 87 mph off the mound.

Matea Valley’s Ashton Creal also runs well (7.05 60) and projects to be a premium athlete in the 2017 class.

Kenwood’s Taylor Jackson will be one of the top infield prospects at the event, but he also showed the ability to attack the baseball in the outfield. His event best 6.92 60-yard dash allows his speed to play up the middle, either at short or in center field.

Let’s take a look at the Top Outfield Prospects from this October’s Underclass Showcase.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Mike Addante, OF, Jacobs, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound athletic left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a balanced spread out stance, hands load back smoothly, short stride, fluid rhythm, slightly uphill bat path, gap-to-gap hitter, 77 mph exit velocity off the tee.. Defensively, threw 83 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ with carry and accuracy. Showcased soft hands, quick and fluid footwork, aggressively attacks the baseball with quick and clean exchanges, natural instincts. Ran a 7.00 60-yard dash. Addante looks to be the premier defensive outfielder in the 2017 class we’ve seen so far.

2. Easton Bertrand, OF/MIF, Manteno, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound lanky, athletic, projectable right-handed hitting outfielder/middle infielder hits from a square setup, short stride, balanced throughout swing, short, level bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 86 mph from the outfield from short, high ¾ to ¾ arm slot. Arm slot fits more in the infield. Impressed defensively at short, but may be a third baseman if he outgrows the middle of the diamond. Threw 85 mph from short across the diamond with soft hands, quick and fluid footwork, plays through the baseball. Ran a 6.98 60. Bertand is a high follow prospect in the class of 2017.

3. Dylan Jones, OF/RHP, Oswego East, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound muscular and athletic left-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, short, uphill bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap with pull side power, 83 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 85 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry. Plays through the baseball, soft hands, fielding, natural outfield fielding actions. Ran a 7.14 60. On the mound, fastball sat 82-84 mph, touching 87 mph with run from long, high ¾ slot with some effort. Lands closed at foot strike, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate. Curveball with 11/5 shape sat 69-72 mph. 72-75 mph changeup was thrown with good arm speed, mostly straight action. Jones is a high follow prospect in the class of 2017.

4. Ashton Creal, OF, Metea Valley, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound athletic right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide, balanced setup, hands load smoothly, starts with high back elbow setup, short stride, fluid rhythm throughout swing; short, level bat path produced several line drives during batting practice from gap-to-gap, 75 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 81 mph in the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot with carry. Soft hands fielding, plays through the baseball, aggressive with his crowhop. Ran a 7.05 60. Creal is a high follow 2017 outfield prospect with the potential for plus tools across the board.

5. Taylor Jackson, SS/OF, Kenwood, 2017
5-foot-7, 145-pound multi-positional player, lean athletic frame, thin build, projects really well. Quick twitch type athlete, fluid athleticism high upside. Ran an event best 60 at 6.92. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, maintains strong balance through contact. Bat speed is present, excellent path to the baseball, gets good extension, hands work extremely well. Line drive type hitter with gap to gap potential, hard contact hits off of firm front side, excellent barrel control. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played both outfield and middle infield, looks to project better as a middle infielder. Advanced athletic actions, moves quickly and attacks the baseball, highly athletic and plays through the baseball well. Natural defender on the infield, soft hands and excellent body control with athletic arm action, short loose, quick release from high ¾ slot. 79 mph from the outfield, 75 mph across the diamond.

6. Charlie Rodriguez, OF, St. Rita, 2017
5-foot-8, 150-pound outfielder, build carries strength. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, lower half works, good balance through contact. Bat path works, slight lift, good approach, line drive guy with gap to gap potential, fluid rhythm, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed natural actions in the outfield, played through the baseball well. Short loose arm action, high ¾ slot (78 mph). Project more as an offensive corner outfielder. Ran the 60 at a laser timed 7.28.

7. Donivan Williams, OF/3B, Morgan Park, 2017
6-foot, 176-pound athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/third baseman hits from a narrow, open setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, above average bat speed, slightly uphill path, hands and wrists work loosely in swing, hit several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively performed will in the outfield, but really impresses with soft hands and infield actions at third base. Threw 84 mph from the outfield, and 81 mph across the diamond from third from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry. Arm projects to be plus. Ran a 7.23 60.

8. Thomas Larson, OF/3B/RHP, Families of Faith Christian Academy, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound strong and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, shorts stride, barrel head gets out, long swing with extension, pull tendencies, produced 83 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, long arm action plays better in the outfield, throwing 83 mph with aggressive crow hop from long, over-the-top arm action with carry and some accuracy. Ran a 7.16 60. On the mound fastball sat 77-79 mph from long, over-the-top slot, fairly straight. Slows arm on 62-64 mph curveball with 11/5 shape. Minimal action on 66-68 mph slider with horizontal break.

9. Brian Heidbreder, OF, Lake Forest, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, open setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, slight leg lift, short level bat path with pull tendencies produced several line drives during batting practice with 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 76 mph in the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot, with some accuracy. Showed average hands fielding, quick and clean exchanges, plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.73 60.

10. Dillon McCarthy, OF/SS, Plainfield North, 2018
5-foot-9, 140-pound, multi-positional player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly crouched, short stride, loads hands back. Path has some length, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively projects better in the outfield, arm action is long, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy to target. 79 mph from the outfield, 77 mph across the infield. Well above average runner for age, 7.14, laser timed 60.

Best of the Rest (listed in alphabetical order)

Kyel Alexander, MIF/OF, Morgan Park, 2017
5-foot-6, 130-pound multi-positional player. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even. Path works to stay on top of the baseball, showed quick hands, down and hard contact, ground ball/line drive hitter, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played both outfield and middle infield, uses a long ¾ type arm action at both positions. 75 mph across the infield, 76 mph from the outfield. Showed good feet running the 60 in 7.16 seconds.

Ryan Antenore, OF/RHP, Mundelein, 2017
6-foot-2, 150-pound lanky right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a balanced, crouched setup, short stride, gets front foot down early, short, level bat path produced opposite field line drives during batting practice with 72 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 73 mph in the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot, showcased average hands fielding. Ran a 7.39 60. On the mound, fastball sat 74-76 mph touching 78 mph with run from high ¾ arm slot, tall-and-fall type delivery, toe up at balance point, level shoulders throughout, lower half stride direction in line with home plate, lands square. Slows arm on gradual breaking 49-55 mph curveball, lands for strikes. Also threw a 58-62 mph slider with gradual, horizontal break.

Joe Bagger, OF/RHP, Champaign Central, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall, open setup, hands load back smoothly, long, level bat path with fluid rhythm produced a solid batting practice round with several line drives back up the middle off the screen. 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 82 mph in the outfield from long ¾ arm slot, average hands fielding. Ran a 7.21 60. On the mound, fastball sat 76-79 mph from long, high ¾ arm slot, breaks hands high, drop-and-drive type delivery, level shoulders throughout delivery, throws slightly across his body, lands square. Curveball ranged from 63-68 mph, lacked true shape. Also threw 65-68 mph changeup.

Robert Bluntson, OF, Morgan Park, 2018
5-foot-6, 135-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a crouched, open setup, utilizes a leg kick stride, long, level bat path produced line drives during batting practice with opposite field tendencies. Defensively, threw 69 mph from the outfield from short, over-the-top arm slot, showcased soft hands fielding, plays through the baseball. Ran a 7.86 60.

Thomas Donnelly, OF/RHP, Notre Dame, 2018
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a slightly open setup, minimal load with hands, leg kick stride, long uphill bat path with pull tendencies produced 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 76 mph in the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with some carry. Ran a 7.52 60. On the mound, works from a short, high ¾ arm action, tall-and-fall type delivery, lower half works slightly across his body, lands closed, spins off on foot. Fastball sat 74-77 mph, slows arm on 56-58 mph curveball with gradual, 11/5 break, lands for strikes. 58-61 mph slider flashed more horizontal action than curveball.

Ryan Green, RHP/OF, Whale Branch (SC), 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a tall setup, hands move up and back to load, front foot starts turned in, short stride, long, level bat path shows some fluidity, 75 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 82 mph in the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot with average carry. On the mound, fastball sat 77-80 mph touching 81 mph, erratic up in the zone. Works from a long, high ¾ slot, tall-and-fall delivery, some rhythm, lower half swings open early in delivery, falls towards first base side with stride direction. Slurvy 58-62 mph breaking ball backed up at times, also threw a 69-71 mph changeup with sink.

Josh Kileen, OF/1B, Mount Carmel, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher/first baseman with a strong lower half hits from a balanced setup, utilizes a leg kick stride, short, slightly uphill bat path, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with pull tendencies. Defensively impressed more at first base, threw 70 mph from the outfield, 71 mph across the diamond from first base from short, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Ran a 7.95 60 yard dash.

Nicholas Kortemeier, OF, Winnebago, 2017
5-foot-8, 155-pound outfielder, medium build. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Path is flat through the zone, line drive type hitter. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively used a long rigid arm action from the outfield, 70 mph arm strength. 7.20 runner in the 60, laser timed. Played through the baseball with one hand, clean deliberate transfer.

Joshua Levy, OF, Morgan Park, 2017
6-foot, 172-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, balanced setup, short stride, doesn’t utilize lower half, short, level bat path produced 63 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 70 mph in the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.90 60.

JP Medick, OF, Hinsdale Central, 2017
6-foot, 150-pound athletic right-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open setup, hands load back, long stride, lean back at contact, slightly uphill bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 73 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.71 60.

Bryce Nolan, OF/LHP, Kewanee, 2017
6-foot, 150-pound lanky right-handed hitting outfielder/left-handed pitcher hits from a tall, balanced setup, hands drop to load, long, level bat path produced 70 mph exit velocity off the tee. On the mound, works from short, high ¾ arm slot, tall-and-fall type delivery, opens lower half early in delivery, lands square. Fastball sat 69-71 mph, changeup showed some movement to his arm side at 62-64 mph. Ran a 7.65 60.

Myles Norman, OF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2018
5-foot-9, 130-pound two-way player, lanky frame, long legs, frame should be able to carry plenty of additional strength. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading action. Loose hands, athletic hitter, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays the outfield with a long over the top arm action, 76 mph. Plays through the baseball, clean exchange, footwork played. 7.57 runner in the 60. On the mound, uses a drop and drive delivery, arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, flashed slight cut action, 73-75 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, ranged 52-57 mph, showed feel for the zone. Changeup has slight fade, 66-67 mph.

Nasir Ricks, OF, Harlan, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall setup, short stride, short, slightly uphill bat path produced 71 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 76 mph in the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Attacks the baseball, crow hops aggressively, quick footwork, average hands fielding. Ran a 7.72 60.

Sean Robinson, OF, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound left-handed outfielder. 7.51 runner in the 60. Left-handed hitter, tall open stance, slightly drops hands at load. Slight uphill path, fluid rhythm at the dish, loose hands, showed athleticism. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, showed occasional carry. Uses crowhop through the baseball, feet worked well playing through, natural actions in the outfield. 73 mph arm strength.

Juan Robles, OF, Lane Tech, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound strong, wide shouldered right-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open setup, hands drop to load, long, double toe-tap stride, long uphill bat path produced 64 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 68 mph in the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Ran an 8.41 60.

Brett Selke, OF/RHP, Brother Rice, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a balanced, open setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, foot gets down early; short, slightly uphill bat path, produced line drives in batting practice, right-center field approach, 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 77 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot with carry. Average hands fielding the baseball. Ran a 7.47 60. On the mound, fastball sat 71-73 mph, touched 75 mph with sink. 58-63 mph curveball exhibited gradual break, 11/5 shape, lands for strikes. Drops arm slot on 66-69 mph changeup thrown with solid arm speed. Works from long, loose, sweeping high ¾ arm slot, high leg kick, tall/fall type delivery, smooth rhythm, lands slightly across his body.

Bryan Truitt, RHP/OF, Rockford Christian, 2017
6-foot-1, 155-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, hands load back, short stride, long, slightly uphill bat path produced 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 80 mph in the outfield from long, over-the-top arm slot. Impressed more with projectability on the mound. Fastball sat 79-81 mph with downhill angle from long, loose, high ¾ slot, toe up at balance point, tall-and-fall type delivery, works slightly across his body, lands slightly closed, spins off heel, athletic finish, slide steps from the stretch occasionally. 11/5 curveball sat 70-73 mph with sharp break. 74-76 mph slider with 10/4 shape and true slider tilt is a plus pitch for age level.

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