Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2015 Prospect Games: Outfield Analysis



ia-10-12-14

By Rob Allison
Iowa Scouting Director

The Class of 2015 Prospect Games brought almost 50 uncommitted prospects to showcase themselves to colleges in attendance in the one day event held at the University of Iowa. Over the next week we will unveil our analysis of the top players at their respective positions.

Our next group is the outfielders. A wide array of talented players were evaluated at this position. 2015 Luke Farley (Waterloo Columbus Catholic), took the top stop in this category.  Farley showed the most projectable bat, flashing hitting ability and developing power. Along with an above average skill set in the outfield.

TOP outfield PROSPECTS

1. Luke Farley, OF, Waterloo Columbus Catholic, 2015

6-foot-1, 190-pound outfielder.  Right handed hitter, high back elbow, loads with body, plus weight transfer through ball with good direction, line drive swing plane with lift and finish at end.  Athletic and aggressive swings.  84 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, moves well in outfield with good routes to balls.  Athletic on groundballs.  Very accurate throws from outfield- 82 mph velocity.  One of the more polished bats in state of Iowa.  Creates good bat speed.  Athletic and physical.  Interesting bat to follow heading into 2015 MLB draft.

2. Colin Kreiter, OF, North Scott, 2015

5-foot-11, 210-pound outfielder.  5.01 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, exit velocity off tee 90 mph.  Deep load, some length in swing, strong enough to compensate, short stride across body, very physical with plus power to pull side.  Loose powerful swing.  Defensively, hampered by pulled hamstring in outfield and running during event, athletic player with strength.  Arm plays average right now.  80 mph outfield throw from ¾ arm slot.  Overall high upside player that needs reps.  Could be surprise in 2015 class.

3. Trey Beckman, OF, Cedar Rapids Prairie, 2015

6-foot-1, 195-pound outfielder.  Athletic build- has strength.  4.47 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, balanced set-up, minimal load, easy stride, level swing plane, quiet head, solid barrel awareness, limited weight shift and use of lower half in swing.  75 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, moves very well in outfield, easy actions, tracks balls well, fields balls with athleticism and very sure handed, online throws, needs to use lower half more, throw from over top- high ¾ slot.  78 mph velocity from outfield.

4. Payton Raso, LHP/OF, Iowa City Regina, 2015

6-foot-2, 180-pound 2 way player.  Athletic lean body.  4.43 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, easy load with no stride approach, minimal rhythm in swing.  Level bat path through zone.  83 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, very athletic in outfield, one of the best outfielders in event with above average actions, accurate throws to base from mid ¾ slot.  78 mph from outfield.

5. Will Whiton, OF/LHP, Perry, 2015

5-foot-11, 175-pound 2 way player.  4.37 home to first time.  81 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, pre-set hands, closed stance, line drive swing plane, consistent solid contact to middle of field.  Defensively, light on his feet, good reads on balls, shows athleticism. 74 mph from outfield.

6. Chase Hager, OF, Davenport Assumption, 2015

5-foot-10, 200-pound outfielder.  4.38 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, aggressive load, strides slightly across body, some stiffness to swing, hits balls hard when front foot gets down on time.  85 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, aggressive routes in outfield, fields ball on side, athletic and strong, minimal front side causes ¾ slot and tail on throws.  Raw athletic player.  Very competitive.  Has upside if devotes more time to baseball.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Austin Almon, OF, Keokuk, 2015
6-foot-2, 170-pound outfielder.  4.59 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, crouched stance, minimal load, front heel pick up/turn trigger, uphill swing plane, top spins balls.  75 mph exit velocity off tee.  Average actions in outfield, ¾ arm slot, leads with elbow when throws, 76 mph velocity from outfield.

David Earhart, OF, Burlington Notre Dame, 2015
5-foot-10, 180-pound outfielder.  4.53 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, loads with shoulders, picks up front foot and back down to trigger swing.  Short swing with short finish.  Exit velocity off tee 66 mph.  Average actions in outfield.  Over the top slot with velocity from outfield 75 mph.

Mason Gibson, LHP/OF, Madrid, 2015
5-foot-8, 185-pound 2 way player.  4.71 home to first time.  Left handed hitter with an uphill swing plane.  No weight transfer in swing with lower half.  78 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, uses short arm action from over the top slot.  71 mph velocity from outfield.

Kelton Gourley, OF, Mediapolis, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound outfielder.  4.34 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, starts open and gets to square in the box, a lot of movement in hands to load but gets them set,  aggressive line drive swing plane.  Works the middle of field well.  77 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, aggressive routes to the ball, arm works from high ¾ slot, outfield velocity of 74 mph.  Accurate throws to bag.  Quick twitch athletic body.

Evan Jackson, OF, Clinton, 2015
6-foot-1, 165-pound outfielder.  4.33 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, lays better down to start, drags through zone, strides across body cutting swing off.  Pull side approach.  Has some looseness and quick twitch athleticism.  77 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, works to get behind fly balls in outfield.  Raw athleticism.  Lower half works well following throws.  High ¾ slot producing accurate 78 mph throws to bag.

Austin McCulloh, OF, Linn Mar, 2015
5-foot-8, 175-pound outfielder.  4.59 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, 75 mph exit velocity off tee.  Crouched stance, front heel turn trigger, pushes bat through zone.  Average pop off bat.  Defensively, good reads in outfield, fields well off the ground with athleticism.  Accurate throws to bases from high ¾ slot.  77 mph velocity from outfield.

Tucker Tenge, OF, New Hampton, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound outfielder.  5.0 home to first time.  81 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, pre-set hand load, uphill swing plane, leg kick to stride, rotational hitter.  Defensively, ok actions in outfield, uses lower half well in throws, follows throws, above average accuracy to base.  80 mph velocity from outfield. 

Matt Turcotte, C/IF/OF, Cedar Falls, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound utility player.  4.36 home to first time.  79 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, high back elbow with cocked wrists, restricted swing.  Has strength and good hand eye coordination.  Would benefit with refinement of set-up.  Defensively, has physical strength and tools to work with. Some versatility in outfield and infield, average actions and routes to balls.  Relies on arm strength to make plays.  Overall interesting athlete that needs refinement.

Cody Williams, OF, AGWSR, 2015
6-foot-1, 200-pound outfielder.  4.72 home to first time.  84 exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, inverted C load, double stride, strength in swing, rigid mechanics, uphill swing plane.  Defensively, stiff actions in outfield, minimal use of lower half fielding and throwing.  Uphill ¾ arm slot.  71 mph velocity from outfield.  Very physical player with raw mechanics.

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