Prep Baseball Report

2018 Top Prospect Games: Outfield Analysis



By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Listed below we ranked the top three outfielders from the 2018 Top Prospect Games. Outfielders were led by Brooks Coetzee (Mahomet Seymour). Coetzee showed an advanced bat and a big arm from the outfield. Also, found barrel after barrel in game play. Clay Thompson (Andrean) stood out in game play, making plays in the outfield and putting together quality at-bats.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Brooks Coetzee, OF, Mahomet Seymour, 2018
Well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 180-pound projectable right-handed hitting outfielder. Stood out at the event with the combination of tools and overall athleticism he brings to the table. Offensively, he registered a 92 mph exit velocity, well-above average for his age and third highest at the 2018 Prospect Games. Polished hitter, looseness in swing, fast bat speed and sneaky juice. Quick, strong hands, plus balance and extension through contact. Smooth, calm load, gets a lot of separation with his hands pre-pitch. In game two of the event Coetzee smoked a two RBI double and in his next at-bat lined out hard to the third-basemen. Defensively, the right-handed outfielder continued to show off his tools. He was clocked at 89 mph with carry from the outfield. Quick, fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Throws from an over-the-top arm slot and long arm action. One of the top 2018 prospects in the state of Illinois.

2. Clay Thompson, OF, Andrean, 2018
Athletic 5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Turned in a big game at the plate and in the field during the final game of the 2018 Top Prospect Games. At the plate he went 1-2 with a deep drive to the gap that resulted in an RBI triple. Defensively, made the best play of the day, a highlight reel diving catch in the outfield. Offensively, Thompson has looseness throughout swing, athletic hands and a quick bat. Balanced setup, small leg-lift and good balance throughout contact. Slightly uphill bat path and pull approach during batting practice. Registered a 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, flashed smooth, athletic actions throughout the day. Throws from a ¾ slot, long-arm action, quick and fluid footwork. Clocked at 76 mph from the outfield.

3. Cameron Robinson, OF, Champaign Central, 2018
Long and lanky 6-foot-3, 165-pound projectable frame right-handed hitting outfielder. His frame alone will get your attention as he has plenty of room to fill out as he continues to mature. Offensively, the right-handed hitter flashed loose, whippy hands through the zone. Linear lower half and finishes off his backside. Balanced, tall setup, short stride, long swing path and maintains balance through contact. Registered an 85 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, the lanky right-handed outfielder had some bounce, moving around fluidly and on the balls of his feet. Athletic crow hop, plays through the baseball while fielding, short, over-the-top arm action. Clocked at 79 mph from the outfield.

3. Jordan Bailey, OF, Janesville Craig, 2018
Athletic 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder impressed with his defense and hitting abilities. Defensively, showcased plus actions in the outfield. Fluid feet, fielded the ball in rhythm and flashed soft hands. Throws from a high ¾ arm slot, accurate arm and was clocked at 81 mph from the outfield. Offensively, showcased a quick bat, short path to the ball and kept his hands on top of the baseball. Loose, quick hands with some pre-pitch rhythm. Starts from a balanced stance, short heel-lift stride. Registered a 79 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 4.51 home-to-first.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Pierce Blohowiak, C/OF, Xavier, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound catcher/outfielder, average lean build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, back side collapses, average balance. Path shows some length on uphill path, lower half can stay taller, lifting contact with topspin. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, 69 mph out of the crouch, 77 mph from the outfield. Can cut footwork down out of the chute, long strided, posted pop times at 2.09-2.21. Ran a 4.36 down the line.

Randon Dauman, RHP/OF, Columbus, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound athletic outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Impressed in game play going 2-4 with a stolen base, RBI and a walk. Offensively, hits from the right side, starts from a balanced, tall setup. Short stride, slight load with his hands and lower half. Handsy swing, stays level through contact. Line-drive hitter, registered an 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, moves well in the outfield, fluid feet.  Short, ¾ arm action with some accuracy was clocked at 82 mph from the outfield. On the mound the right-handed pitcher is a strike thrower with a clean, athletic delivery. Works from a high ¾ slot, quick and loose arm action. Smooth rhythm, online finish, square landing and athletic finish. Pounded the zone with the fastball which ranged between 79-82 mph and touched 83, with slight arm-side-run. Curveball was 74-76 mph, fastball arm speed, tight spin and sharp break. Changeup was 73 mph and thrown for a strike as well.

Austin Ehren, OF, Carmel Catholic, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound average build right-handed hitting outfielder. Impressed running one of the better home-to-first times of the event, 4.43. During game play Ehren went 1-3 with a triple and a walk. He was clocked at 4.5 on the turn. Offensively, fluid rhythm throughout swing. Starts from an open, slightly crouched stance and uses a leg kick trigger. Hands in a solid position pre-pitch, getting some separation. Short, level path into the hitting zone. Registered an 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, short quick footwork. Short-arm action, from an over-the-top slot with some accuracy. Clocked at 79 mph from the outfield.

Jim Frusciante, OF, Middleton, 2018
Projectable frame 6-foot, 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, stays loose and whippy throughout swing. Pre-pitch rhythm in hands and smooth load. Short stride, good balance and uphill swing path. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, the left-handed thrower plays with some bounce, fluid footwork and clean exchange. Throws were accurate, using the turf to lay the ball out nicely on one hop. Long, loose arm action, from a ¾ slot. Clocked at 80 mph from the outfield.

Dakota Kotowski, OF, Providence Catholic, 2018
Well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 180-pound strong right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, aggressive swing and does not get cheated at the plate. Fast bat speed, strength and violence in swing. Flashed some pull-side pop. Exit velocity registered 88 mph off of a tee. Lower half was explosive at times. Short and level bat path through the zone. Gap-to-gap type hitter. Defensively, showcased fluid and quick feet in the outfield. Plays through the baseball while fielding. Long-arm action, high ¾ slot with some accuracy and slight carry on throws. Clocked at 83 mph from the outfield.

Giuseppe Mattera, OF/LHP, Pleasant Plains, 2018
Athletic 5-foot-10, 148-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and left-handed pitcher. Offensively, has rhythm throughout contact, maintaining good balance. Flashed loose, quick hands. Smooth load, and looks to pull. Uphill swing path and registered an exit velocity of 76 mph. Defensively, Mattera showcased an athletic crow hop and quick, short arm action. High ¾ arm slot, and plays through the baseball while fielding. Clocked at 80 mph from the outfield. On the mound the undersized lefty operates from across his body, short arm action and regular effort in his delivery. His fastball ranged between 74-78 mph. Inconsistent action, cutting and running at times. Threw a curveball at 62-65 mph with 1/7 shape with some depth. Change-up was 70 mph, near fastball arm speed and for strikes.

Zach Verta, OF/RHP, St. Laurence, 2018
Big, strong bodied 6-foot-2, 185-pound right handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, registered one of the better exit velocities at the 2018 Top Prospect Games, 90 mph. Simple, short, level path into and through the hitting zone. Flashed some extension through contact. Incorporates lower half into the swing. Starts from a tall athletic stance, short stride, and balance throughout contact. In game play Verta went 1-3 and drew a walk. Defensively, short arm action and high ¾ slot, and a clean exchange from the outfield. Clocked at 78 mph. On the mound the physical right-hander threw three pitches from an over-the-top slot. Fastball ranged between 77-79 mph with slight arm-side-run. Curveball featured 11/5 shape, some depth, sitting 62-64 mph. Also, flashed a change-up for a strike, fastball arm speed at 69 mph.

RELATED CONTENT

----IL 9.27.15 Northern IL Open SLIDE - 9.27.15NorthernIL_SlideFINAL.jpg