Gavin
Kilen

Cape Cod: Looks to be next in a long line of Louisville middle infielders who will impact the college game and become a top round draft pick. The 2025-eligible shortstop showed above average run and defensive tools with average arm strength and good instincts on the dirt. The left-handed batter also more than held his own at the plate with a .302 batting average and seven doubles in 96 at-bats.

Kilen, a Louisville recruit, more than solidified himself as one of the premier shortstops in the class, and reassured all that the Wisconsin shortstop pipeline is still alive and well. A consummate in-game performer, this was my first look at Kilen in a workout setting, and he did not disappoint. Athletic with some lean, compact strength on a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame, the left-handed hitter posted a 6.71 60-yard dash time to start the day before posting exit velocities up to 100.2 mph (93.2 avg.) including a 379 ft. max distance during a second round that provided a glimpse at what could be much more power on the way in coming years. The left-handed hitter looked even more fluid throughout the load, and seemed to move easier through impact, as his quick hands and strong wrists provided firm contact to the middle of the field with minimal effort. Equally as impressive in the defensive portion, the ball found the perfect spot on the glove with each ground ball no matter the hop, and the glove-to-hand ability showed as the best at the event with accurate throws from all angles. Much more than his straight away speed (and much more important), Kilen’s first step on the infield is both quick and crisp, and the side to side agility allows him to look even quicker on the infield. Already highly regarded in the class, Kilen’s strong performance left me an even bigger believer. – Shooter Hunt

Kilen did not strikeout at the event and went 3-for-11 with three walks, and showed well as one of the surest-handed infielders in the class. The left-handed hitter plays hard with a low pulse and is crisp in everything that he does. Balanced at the plate with minimal hand separation and stride, he shows the ability to barrel the ball consistently, spraying line drives to all fields. The 5-foot-11, 172-pounder possesses advanced glove-to-hand ability, and can likely stick at shortstop early on with the ability to play any spot on the dirt.

The No. 1-ranked prospect in the state’s 2022 class, Kilen, showed exactly why he’s clinging to that spot. The left-handed-hitting Louisville commit is looking closer and closer to comping to a former left-handed-hitting Wisconsin shortstop who’s currently in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

Positional Profile: SS/2B No. 1 ranked prospect in WI's 2022 class, ranked 34th nationally.
Body: 5-11, 176-pounds. Athletic frame with present strength and room for future maturity.
Hit: LHH. Balanced approach, short leg lift trigger, on time and in rhythm hands, loose and comfortable in the box with excellent balance. Path is repeatable and athletic, loose, free and easy hands, short to the baseball with a consistent gap to gap approach. Consistently on the barrel, high level hand eye.
Power: 96.36 max exit velocity, averaged 91.59 mph. 360’ max distance. Above average power bat.
Arm: RH. C -  mph. INF - 92 mph. OF -  mph. Plus arm with carry, quick release, short over the top slot, works from multiple angles on the move.
Defense: Athletic, high end defender, ranges well with excellent body control and actions, hands play soft and out front, quick funnelling action.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

Kilen, a Louisville recruit, had a much louder weekend than his statline tells, and was hands down the best player in the 17U division. The left-handed hitter impressively slows the game down at the plate, never rushed and always on time. He is balanced throughout the approach with a minimal stride, and his quick hands stand out both for the bat speed that they produce and the ability to cover the whole plate in any count. Utilizing the whole field, Kilen showed an ability to make pitch-to-pitch adjustments, and has a mature approach. At shortstop, he exhibits crisp attention to detail with polished actions including confident hands, and quick, athletic release. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder has lean strength throughout with more likely on the way. Kilen continues to produce against all levels of competition, and is already positioning himself as a high-follow for 2022.

Positional Profile: SS/2B Premium LHH middle infield prospect, likely 2022 draft follow.
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Long legged, lean strength and still developing.
Hit: LHH. Relaxed, tall setup, even weight distribution, short lift and replace stride. Advanced bat speed on short path, line drive gap to gap hitter, advanced approach, in rhythm easy swing.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Arm action plays athletic, works from multiple angles, natural high 3/4 slot, accurate across the diamond with carry.
Defense: Excellent hands, play quick and soft, easy actions, feet are fluid and light through the baseball.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

10/30/18 - Verbally committed to Louisville.

10/20/18 - Currently stands at 5-foot-10, 140 pounds with a lean, athletic frame. Came in for relief and showed athleticism with a quick arm, using exclusively the fastball that ranged from 78-81 mph, touching 82 with life.

4/26/17  - 5-foot-4, 115-pound, two-way prospect. Defensively, loose, athletic arm action, ¾ arm slot, 63 mph across the infield. Athletic fielder, soft hands, quick, fluid footwork, quick exchanges, maintains body control. Offensively, left-handed, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance through swing. Loose hands, line drive hitter, sprays the ball around the field, 73 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.01 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands toe-closed occasionally, finishes athletically. Fastball, commanded the zone, 68-70 mph. Changeup, sink action, 55-58 mph.