Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2020 Showcase: Outfielder Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

Lee Pfund Stadium at Wheaton College played host for us and the Class of 2020 Showcase on July 18, a high-profile event for the state’s incoming juniors.

We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the event as well as Monday’s detailed look at the day’s catchers, but today we’ll move on and dissect the group of outfielders who attended the 2020 event.

In particular, two outfielders flaunted serious next-level potential: Mason Hsieh-Bailey (Oak Park-River Forest) and Eddie Harvey (New Trier). Neither are committed and both are top-75 prospects within the freshly updated 2020 class rankings. The two possess the potential to be center fielders at the next level, too – as evidenced by two sub-6.90 60-yard marks – which should make them hot commodities within their class as recruits.

Hsieh-Bailey has long owned the premium defensive skill set that could help him garner a role for himself following his prep career, but his compact bat may yet be showing signs of helping him raise his ceiling even higher.

As for Harvey, he needs no help offensively. The New Trier product wields a quick bat, one that landed him among the top exit velo marks on the day. He’s also got the footwork and the athleticism to be an above-average defender wherever he lands.

A third name among this group to keep an eye on is Hersey’s Daniel Clawson. The 6-foot-2 outfielder recorded the top exit velocity at the 2020 showcase and proved he had some of the best power potential at the event.

Full reports on these three prospects, as well as all of the outfielders who made it out to Wheaton College last month, continue reading on below. Tomorrow, we’ll examine the infielders who participated in the 2020-only showcase, with a pitchers analysis coming on Thursday.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Mason Hsieh-Bailey, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, lanky, athletically-built right-handed outfielder. Advanced defensively, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on target. Plays through the ball athletically with soft hands, quick, fluid footwork, quick and clean on exchanges, 82 mph from the outfield. Ran a 6.77 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains good balance. Compact swing, line drive approach, short barrel path through zone, fluid rhythm, 79 mph exit velocity off a tee.

2. Eddie Harvey, OF, New Trier, 2020
6-foot, 181-pound strong, athletically-built right-handed outfielder. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short leg kick timing-trigger, maintains good balance through contact. Loose quick-twitch hands, hard contact, fluid rhythm, 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 6.86 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on target, played the long hop in. Plays through the ball, soft hands, quick feet, clean on exchanges, 83 mph from the outfield.

3. Daniel Clawson, OF, Hersey, 2020
6-foot-2, 205-pound, athletically-built, wide shoulders, strength throughout frame, right-handed outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, bar load, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains good balance through contact. Power approach, pull tendency, long, uphill barrel path, gains extension, fluid rhythm, 94 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 82 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, moves well for size, fluid footwork. Ran a 7.08 laser-timed 60.

4. Cole Conn, C/OF, St. Charles East, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, switch-hitting catcher and outfielder, athletic frame. Defensively, plays with a short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate from behind the plate as well as in the outfield, throws carry, 77 mph out of the crouch, 83 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, receives and fields with soft hands, attacks with quick footwork, quick on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.08-2.18. Offensively, similar from both-sides, balanced setup, smooth load, low leg kick stride, maintains balance. Loose hands, generates line drive contact, long, uphill barrel path from left-side, 84 mph exit velocity, short, level barrel path from the right-side, 87 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.20 laser-timed 60.

5. Andrew Etter, OF/RHP, Mount Carmel, 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lean, athletic two-way prospect. Defensively, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, throws carried at 88 mph. Plays through the ball, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance. Pull approach, easy effort, uphill barrel path, gains extension, fluid rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Athletic tall and fall delivery, balanced throughout, smooth rhythm, works directionally towards home, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, two-seam run action, commanded, sat 83-84, touched 85. Slider, 11/5 shape, 69-77. Changeup, maintains near fastball arm speed, sink action, 72-75.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Caleb Berry, OF/LHP, Lane Tech, 2020
6-foot, 168-pound, left-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target with some carry, 84 mph from the outfield. Plays through ball, fluid footwork, quick exchanges. Offensively, open setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Pull approach, long, uphill barrel path through zone, 73 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.30 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, closed shoulders, lands towards first, finishes athletically. Fastball, creates some angles, sat 74-76, touched 77. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 60-62. Changeup, some fade, 63-67.

Carson Blatchford, OF, Belvidere North, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed outfielder, strong build. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate throws with carry, 82 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball with soft hands, clean on exchanges. Offensively, takes a simple approach, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance. Pull approach, natural lift, barrel path long through zone, fluid rhythm, 77 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60.

Coyne Burns, OF, Wheaton North, 2020
5-foot-7, 155-pound, left-handed outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, slight load back, short stride, maintains balance. Short, level barrel path, opposite field approach, 77 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot. Plays through the ball, clean on exchanges, 67 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.75 laser-timed 60.

Nick DiBenedetto, OF/RHP, Crystal Lake South, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound, athletically-built two-way prospect. Defensively, short, loose arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws on target, with carry, 81 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball with fluid, easy actions, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, short tap stride, maintains balance. Line drive approach, level barrel path, gains extension at-times, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, short arm action, ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, lands toe-open, finishes crossing over towards first. Fastball, run action, located armside, sat 74-78, touched 79. Curveball, slurve-like, 66-68. Changeup, armside-run, 69-71.

Eddie Dlatt, LHP/OF, Lake Zurich, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound, left-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws on target, 78 mph from the outfield. Attacks the ball, playing through with fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short toe-tap stride. Line drive, middle approach, short, level barrel path through zone, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, stretch-only, firm arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort, lands toe-closed, finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 73-74, touched 75. Curveball, 1/7 shape, feel for, 61-63. Changeup, sinking action, 63-65.

Evan Echlin, OF/RHP, Dundee-Crown, 2020
6-foot-1, 155-pound, lanky, athletic, right-handed two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced, open setup, hands load back, leg lift stride, maintains balance. Loose hands, line drive approach, long, level barrel path, 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork with long strides, clean on exchanges, 80 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.64 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe-closed, falling off towards first. Fastball, running action, sat 75, touched 76 once. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-67. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sink and fade action, 70-72.  

Jake Fulton, OF, Crystal Lake South, 2020
5-foot-9, 157-pound, left-handed outfielder. Defensively, short arm action, slot varies between high ¾ and ¾. Plays through the ball, attacks with fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 75 mph from the outfield. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, drops and loads hands back, maintains balance through contact. Pull approach, long, uphill barrel path, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.74 laser-timed 60.

Andrew Harris, OF, Guilford, 2020
6-foot, 197-pound, strong, athletic left-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 79 mph from the outfield. Attack the ball, playing through with fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Offensively, open setup, hands drop on load, maintains balance. Power approach, pull tendency, long, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 79 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.71 laser-timed 60.

Brendan Holloway, OF, Vernon Hills, 2020
5-foot-5, 142-pound, athletic, small frame, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, slight drop of hands on load, short stride, maintains balance. Line drive approach, pull-side tendency, long, level barrel path through zone, 84 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.00 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on target, 75 mph. Plays through the ball with soft hands, quick, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges.

Andrew Knowlton, OF/RHP, Burlington Central, 2020
5-foot-9, 150-pound, lean, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, no load, presets hands back, short toe-tap stride, maintains good balance. Pull approach, uphill barrel path, 85 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.03 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target. Plays through the ball at times, clean on exchanges, 77 mph from the outfield. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, maintains good balance on leg lift. Tall and fall delivery, some rhythm. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 71-73, touched 75. Curveball, 11/5 shape, located armside, 52-56. Changeup, sinking action, 59-62.  

Luc Melnick, RHP/OF, Joliet Catholic, 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound, right-handed two-way prospect. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, even stride, maintains balance. Pull approach, line drive contact, long barrel path through zone, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 78 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, quick and clean on exchanges. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, cross-body action, strides towards third base, lands foot square, finishes upright. Fastball, mostly straight, cut at-times, sat 79-81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, slurve-like, 62-65. Changeup, armside-run, 71-73.

Tyson Morris, OF, Guilford, 2020
6-foot-3, 215-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder, lanky, projectable frame. Defensively, right-handed thrower, long arm action, low ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 78 mph from the outfield. Attacks the ball, playing through with fluid footwork. Rn a 7.58 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, hands load back and drop, short stride, maintains balance. Short, level barrel path, line drive contact, 75 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Connor Morrison, LHP/OF, Lake Forest, 2020
5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic left-handed two-way prospect. On the mound, long, loose arm action out of a ¾ slot, gets out front quickly with easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishing in an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, comes in hard, creates angles, commanded, sat 83-84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-71. Changeup, fastball arm speed out of slightly higher slot, sinking action, 78-80. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap approach, short barrel path, 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 81 mph. Ran a 7.21 laser-timed 60.  

Graham Padgitt, OF, St. Charles North, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed outfielder. Defensively, long arm action, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot. Plays through the ball, clean on exchanges, 77 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.04 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, crouching setup, short stride, maintains balance. Middle, line drive approach, level barrel path, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee.   

Alex Paul, OF, Buffalo Grove, 2020
5-foot-8, 160-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, long, athletic arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on target. Plays through ball, fields on glove-side, clean on exchanges, 82 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.10 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Line drive approach, level barrel through the zone, fluid rhythm throughout, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Jackson Powell, RHP/OF, Normal University, 2020
6-foot-4, 185-pound lanky, athletically-built right-handed two-way prospect. On the mound, long loose arm action, slow draw on the back-side, quick to get out front, tall at balance point, lower half coil, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, lands square, finishes crossing over towards first. Fastball, running action, located armside, sat 83-84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 66-69. Changeup, maintains arm speed, running action, feel for, 78-80. Defensively, long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws on target with carry, 86 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, closed setup, hands load back and drop, short stride, maintains balance. Pull hitter, long, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.54 laser-timed 60.

Jasper Serences, OF, Glenbard North, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound, athletically-built two-way prospect. Defensively, long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws on target, 83 mph from the outfield. Fields with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, plays through the ball. Ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. Offensively, left-handed, wide setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Simple, middle of the field line drive approach, short barrel path, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Christopher Seropian, OF/LHP, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed two-way prospect. On the mound, long, loose arm action, slot varies between high ¾ and over-the-top, regular effort throughout. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands toe-closed, finishes crossing over towards third. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 81-82. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, feel for, commanded, 64-68. Changeup, mostly straight, 74-75. Cutter, slider-like, later and sharper break than curveball, downward action, 63-67. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws on target. Athletic defender, plays through the ball with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 81 mph from the outfield. Offensively, left-handed, balanced setup, long leg lift stride, maintains good balance. Line drive approach, long barrel path through zone, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.26 laser-timed 60.

Charlie Towns, 1B/OF/LHP, Fremd, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound, lanky left-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, in the outfield, long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws on target, 79 mph. On the infield, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on bag, 75 mph across. Plays through the ball, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, open setup, loads back, short stride, maintains balance. Line drive approach, pull tendency, long, level barrel path, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, hops on push, works on-line, lands toe-closed, finishes walking down mound. Fastball, armside run at-times, sat 75-77, touched 80. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, 57-62. Changeup, sinking action, 62-67.  

Chip Valentine, OF/RHP, St. Ignatius, 2020
6-foot-1, 155-pound, lanky, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed, balanced setup, hands load back, reverse toe-tap stride, maintains good balance. Short barrel path, uphill at-times, line drive contact, fluid rhythm, 75 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, plays through the ball, 72 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.83 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long, firm arm action, over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 70-71, touched 72. Curveball, 12/6 shape, feel for, some depth at-times, 59 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, near fastball arm speed, 63-65.

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