McHenry Preseason I.D.: Outfielder Analysis
February 12, 2019
On Jan. 27, the PBR Illinois team made its way back to McHenry, Ill., to host its annual McHenry Preseason I.D. event. This was the fourth year the team has made the trip up to host the showcase at Pro Player Academy. Every year, we uncover more and more prospects from this event to add to our watch lists and the same can be said about this year, too.
At the end of January, we posted our rapid analysis on the event in our Quick Hits post and we broke down each of the measured statistics in our Statistical Analysis story.
Over 100 prospects participated in the Pro Player event, 27 of whom took reps in the outfield. The highest ranked among them was a player we’ve seen plenty of over the past calendar year: Huntley’s Evan Tocmo (2020; uncommitted). In McHenry, Tocmo’s athleticism showed best during outfield evaluations, though he’s certainly capable of manning a spot on the infield, too. In the right-handed batter’s box, the Huntley junior showed a loose, compact swing with some gap-to-gap abilities.
The lone sophomore to earn a spot on the top five below was Johnsburg’s left/left prospect Joey Hagen (uncommitted). Hagen showed bat speed and routinely found the barrel during his time in the batting cage.
For complete reports on each of the outfielders who made it out to the showcase last month, continue on below. Yesterday, we covered the catchers in attendance, click here, in case you missed it. On deck for tomorrow is infielder analysis, so keep an eye out for that until then.
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Evan Tocmo, OF/INF, Huntey, 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing multi-positional player, athletic build. Sets up open at the plate, quick leg kick trigger, hands load back, maintains control. Compact swing, loose hands, path works uphill with a gap to gap approach, fluid rhythm through contact. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Easy, athletic actions in the outfield, plays through the ball with fluid footwork. Clean transfers, short, over the top slot, throws carried at 86 mph. Ranges well in the infield, hands work, pats glove at transfer, short, over the top arm action, can drop slot, throws topped 83 mph across. Ran a 4.37 home to first.
2. Nick DiBenedetto, RHP/OF, Crystal Lake South, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, lean frame with athletic actions. At the plate, balanced stance, simple pre-pitch actions, short stride, quiet hands to launch, maintains control. Rhythm in hands, path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach, line drive ability, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Home to first clocked at 4.35. Defensively, fluid footwork, plays through the ball, clean exchanges. Loose arm action with arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws carried 86 mph from the outfield. On the mound, compact at balance, foot lands square, slightly rotational, smooth rhythm, easy finish. Loose and quick arm action, aggressive out front, ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, 77-80 mph. Curveball, 10/4 sweeper, sharp at times with arm speed, 70-73 mph. Changeup played 73-75 mph.
3. Nicholas Gregory, OF, Dundee Crown, 2020
5-foot-11, 180-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, well-proportioned build. 4.25 runner, home to first. Offensively, open narrow setup, slight hand load back, short stride to even, maintains control. Loose hands, fluid bat path, short to the ball, line drive hitter, looks easy. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays aggressively through the baseball with with fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Short, clean arm action, over the top slot, throws carried and topped 81 mph from the outfield.
4. Joey Hagen, OF/LHP, Johnsburg, 2021
5-foot-9, 160-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, wide-shouldered, athletic build. Offensively, sets up even, hands bar back, short stride. Short to the ball, showed extension through contact, gap to gap approach, fluid rhythm throughout. Quick bat speed, produced hard contact, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through to release, quick feet, hands work, clean exchanges. Maintains body control, live and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, true ball topped 83 mph from the outfield. 4.38 runner, home to first. On the mound, athletic delivery, works in-line, lands square, athletic finish. Short, quick arm action, ¾ slot, rhythm throughout. Fastball, 2-seam action with run, 77-78 mph, topped 79 mph. Slider, 2/8 break, late at times, 64-67 mph. Changeup played 71-74 mph in the zone with arm speed.
5. Alex Paul, OF, Buffalo Grove, 2020
5-foot-8, 160-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lanky, athletic build. At the plate, even setup, hands load back, toe tap trigger. Fluidity in the hands, path works slightly uphill, line drive abilities, pull side pop potential. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Athletic runner, clocked at 4.39 home to first. Defensively, short, choppy footwork, two-handed gather, long arm action with some arm strength, high ¾ slot, throws topped 83 mph from the outfield.
Best of the Rest (Listed alphabetically)
Cord Babcock, OF/LHP, Grant, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting/left-handed throwing two-way player, thin high-waisted frame. Offensively, balanced setup, back hand load, short toe tap trigger. Path works long and uphill, ball gets deep, some rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. Defensively gets behind the ball and lets it travel, two-handed gather, plays through. Long to release, full arm swing, high ¾ slot, throws topped 80 mph from the outfield. 4.44 runner, home to first. On the mound, stretch only delivery, compact at balance, stride open, some rhythm involved. Long, full arm action, utilized two slots, high ¾ and a submarine slot, low effort. Fastball played straight, some run, 70-75 mph. Curveball, gradual break, 65-69 mph. Splitter flashed bite down, 64-73 mph.
Andrew Balkcom, OF/RHP, Jacobs, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, think build. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, leg kick trigger. Long bat path, works slightly uphill, favors pull side, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Defensively hands work, fluid strides, long to release, plays through. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.33 home to first. Simple, low effort delivery on the mound, foot strikes square and open, some rhythm throughout. Full arm swing, gradually speeds through a high ¾ window. Fastball, same plane run, 74-78 mph. Slider, gradual 10/4 shape, 67-68 mph. Changeup, some fade, 67-69 mph.
Wilken Benjamin III, OF/RHP, Mundelein, 2021
6-foot-3, 155-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, thin frame with room to physically fill out. At the plate, wide setup, hands load back, short stride. Long, uphill bat path, pull side pop potential in his swing, present bat speed with some twitch, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, deliberate actions, pats glove, long to release. Arm plays long and loose, speeds through a high ¾ slot, throws topped 78 mph from the outfield. 4.67 runner, home to first. On the mound, extends down the mound in-line, toe lands open, athletic finish with rhythm. Long and loose arm action with speed out front, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball played straight, 71-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, flashed depth, 60-63 mph. Changeup faded with arm speed, 67-71 mph.
Nathan Chapman, OF/RHP, Jacobs, 2022
6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, present strength and athleticism, advanced for age. At the plate, balanced, crouched setup, minimal load, short stride, maintains control. Fluid path works long and uphill with strong hands, hard gap to gap contact, power potential. Easy, fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee. Defensively long strides, squats to field, long to release. Short arm action, over the top slot, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. 4.75 runner, home to first. Stretch only on the mound, low hanging balance, strides in-line, toe lands closed, spins to third at release. Long arm action, shoulders open early, over the top slot. Fastball, 2-seam run down, 74-76 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, 66-68 mph. Changeup, occasional fade, 68-71 mph.
Brendan Duffy, OF/LHP, Marian Central, 2020
5-foot-9, 130-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, thin frame. At the plate, tall setup, hands load back, short stride. Short, level bat path, contact type hitter, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Ran a 4.36 home to first. Defensively deliberate actions, clean exchanges, long to release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort, throws topped 68 mph from the outfield. On the mound, clean delivery, minimal push off, toe lands closed, rhythm to release, repeats. Full, loose arm swing, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Three pitch feel for strikes. Fastball, plays straight, 69-71 mph. Can spin the curveball, 59-61 mph with 11/5 depth. Changeup faded, 64-65 mph.
Anthony Fitzpatrick, OF, St. Patrick, 2020
5-foot-8, 150-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, compact frame. Present foot speed, clocked at 4.08 home to first. Smooth actions from the outfield, quick, under control footwork, soft hands, plays through the ball clean. Long arm action with arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws topped 85 mph from the outfield. At the plate, crouched setup, back load, toe lift stride to even. Short, level bat path, contact type hitter, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee.
Ben Hurt-Haller, OF/RHP, Cary-Grove, 2022
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, athletic frame, advanced for age. At the plate, open setup, back, top-wrap load, short stride to even. Loose hands through contact, path works uphill, short in the zone, favors pull side with rhythm involved. Exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. Defensively, clean, two-handed exchanges, long to release. Long arm action, slight wrap, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.43 home to first. On the mound, narrow setup, tall and fall style, closed landing. Long arm action, early draw out of glove, high ¾ slot. Fastball played straight, 63-66 mph, topped 68 mph. Curveball, gradual 11/5 break, 52-54 mph. Changeup, 62-64 mph.
A.J. Kutcher, OF/LHP, Antioch, 2021
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting/left-handed throwing two-way player. At the plate, crouched, narrow-kneed setup, hands load back, short stride. Quick actions, some twitchiness in swing, short plane works uphill, flashed hard contact, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. Defensively plays quick and through to release, hands work, funnels transfer at chest. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield. 4.45 runner, home to first.On the mound, drop and drive style, flat foot balance, works in-line, toe lands open, some rhythm. Short, loose arm action, over the top slot, easy effort. Fastball played straight, in the zone, 71-73 mph, topped 74 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, can spin it, 57-58 mph. Changeup played 58-62 mph.
Joshua Notriano, OF/RHP, Johnsburg, 2021
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing two-way player, advanced size for age, strength in frame. At the plate, open, crouched setup, minimal load, quick leg kick trigger. Short, uphill bat plane, fast bat speed, pull side pop potential. Exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively gets behind ball and plays through, steady hands, clean exchange. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, effort involved, throws topped 85 mph from the outfield. 4.50 runner, home to first. On the mound, long gather step, tall and fall style, lands closed, recoil finish. Short, whippy arm action, speeds through an over the top slot. Fastball came out firm and straight, 80-81 mph, topped 82 mph. Slider, 11/5 spinner, 68-69 mph. Changeup, faded with arm speed, 74-76 mph.
Justin Obaldo, OF/LHP, Crystal Lake Central, 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, strong frame, present lower half strength. Offensively, open setup, knee to knee trigger, hands drift back. Bat path works uphill, strength in hands, pull side pop potential. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Defensively, passive actions, clean exchanges, upright at release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 82 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.57 home to first. On the mound, deliberate to hand break, works in-line, toe strikes closed, some rhythm. Arm plays long, speeds up out front, over the top slot. Fastball, straight with occasional tilt down, 76-78 mph, topped 79 mph. Curveball, 12/6 depth, flashed sharp bite, 65-68 mph. Changeup, sink at times, 68-70 mph.
Trent Ottaviano, OF/RHP, Huntley, 2021
6-foot-2, 190-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, wide-shoulders, strong and athletic build. At the plate, balanced, open setup, back load, toe tap timing trigger. Maintains control. Line drive contact with a gap to gap approach, long bat path, power potential, rhythm involved. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, aggressively plays through, exchanges are clean and long. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 78 mph from the outfield. 4.65 runner, home to first. On the mound, tall and fall style, flat foot balance, toe strikes square, slight cross-body landing, regular effort. Arm plays loose, full swing, over the top slot. Fastball played straight, 2-seam had run, 72-75 mph, topped 77 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-66 mph. Changeup flashed sink with arm speed, 69-71 mph.
Rick Powell, OF/RHP, McHenry West, 2022
5-foot-10, 157-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, athleticism in actions. Offensively, crouched, open setup, hands bar back, short stride. Level path through the zone, line drive type hitter to all fields, rhythm through hard contact. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, clean exchanges, long at transfer. Arm action is long and loose out front, high ¾ slot, throws topped 81 mph from the outfield. 5.05 runner, home to first. On the mound, simple pre-pitch, heel lift balance, strides in-line, regular effort. Arm action plays long and loose, slight wrap, high ¾ slot. Fastball slight run, 73-75 mph. Curveball, 10/4 gradual break, 64-66 mph. Changeup played straight with some fade, 66-68 mph.
Carson Roberts, OF, Wheaton North, 2020
6-foot-2, 195-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, wide-shoulders, strong and athletic frame. Quick foot speed, 3.94 runner home to first. Offensively, setups up even and wide, hands bar back, short, reverse toe tap trigger. Strong hands, short, level bat path, generates fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 90 mph from a tee. Defensively, short, choppy footwork, fields off to the side, clean exchanges, long to release. Short, firm arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 87 mph from the outfield.
Chris Rooney, OF, Mundelein, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lanky frame with athletic actions. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, leg kick trigger to even. Short, level bat path with above average bat speed, looseness in hands, line drive hitter, goes with pitch, fluid rhythm. Exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively plays aggressively through the ball, long strides, steady hands, clean transfers. Short arm action, over the top slot, throws topped 75 mph from the outfield. 4.48 runner. home to first.
Jameson Sheehan, RHP/OF, Cary-Grove, 2022
6-foot, 155-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, thin frame with plenty of upside to fill out. On the mound, methodical delivery, tall and fall style, low hanging balance, strides in-line, toe lands closed, stiff leg finish. Arm plays short and loose out front, speeds through an over the top slot, rhythm involved. Fastball comes out easy, some run, 78-79 mph. Curveball, slow but has depth, 12/6 shape, 58-60 mph. Changeup faded with feel, 65-68 mph. At the plate, closed setup, back load, short stride. Long, level bat path, flashed line drive ability, exit velocity topped 82 mph from a tee. Defensively, clean exchanges long to release. Arm plays long and loose out front, high ¾ slot, throws topped 78 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.82 home to first.
Marcus Sperling, OF, Wauconda, 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lanky frame with athletic actions. At the plate, quiet pre-pitch, balanced setup, smooth load, short toe tap trigger. Bat path works uphill with present bat speed, flashed line drive ability with a gap to gap approach, fluid rhythm. Exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. 4.29 runner, home to first. Defensively, gets behind and works through the ball aggressively, hands work, clean exchange. Arm plays long, wraps wrist, arm speeds through a high ¾ slot, throws topped 79 mph from the outfield.
Eddie Synek, OF/RHP, McHenry, 2022
5-foot-7, 135-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player. At the plate, wide, balanced setup, back/drop load, short stride, keeps it simple. Path works short and uphill, line drive type with pull side favoritism, fluid rhythm throughout. Exit velocity topped 74 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through the ball aggressively, long to release, pats glove. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield. 4.91 runner, home to first. Stretch only on the mound, tall and fall style, stride in-line, toe lands closed, some rhythm. Arm action is long out of a high ¾ window, regular effort. Fastball cut out of the hand, 67-68 mph, topped 69 mph. Curveball, early 11/5 break, 53-57 mph. Changeup mostly straight, some sink, 67-69 mph.
Griffin Taylor, OF, Richmond-Burton, 2021
6-foot-2, 175-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lanky build with athleticism in frame. Offensively, balanced setup, minimal load, leg kick trigger, maintains control. Loose hands, fluid path, repeated line drive contact up the middle, some rhythm through contact. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. 4.69 runner, home to first. Defensively attacks the ball, plays through with steady hands. Short arm action, over the top slot, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield.
Michael Vitellaro, OF, Huntley, 2022
5-foot-7, 150-pound, right-handed hitting/left-handed throwing outfielder. At the plate, open setup, minimal load, short leg lift stride. Short, level bat path with present bat speed, line drive hitter to the middle of the field, exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. Defensively, gets low to field, quick, choppy feet, exchanges are clean and long. Short arm action, whippy ¾ slot, throws topped 68 mph from the outfield. 4.76 runner, home to first.
Ryan Weaver, LHP/OF, Cary Grove, 2021
6-foot-1, 172-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, thin frame with room for continued physical growth. On the mound, works with tempo, heel lift balance, works in-line, toe lands closed, athletic finish, repeats. Arm plays long and loose, speeds up through a clean, high ¾ slot, easy effort. In the zone with all offerings. Fastball comes out easy, some run, 79-81 mph. Slider, 1/7 shape, flashed solid spin, 66-68 mph. Changeup, faded with arm speed, 65-66 mph. At the plate, open, tall setup, hands bar back, long stride. Short, level bat path, some rhythm in swing, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. 4.62 runner. home to first. Defensively, plays through with fluid feet, steady hands, long release. Short, loose arm action, speeds through high ¾ slot, firm throws topped 81 mph from the outfield.
Quinn Wesol, OF, Dundee-Crown, 2022
5-foot-9, 148-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder. Offensively sets up open, minimal load back, quick leg kick trigger, keeps it simple. Level bat path, early timing, favors pull side, occasional line drive contact, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively works through the ball, hands work, clean exchange, long to release. Short arm action, easy, over the top slot, firm at release, throws topped 76 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.83 home to first.
Logan Wirtz, OF, McHenry West, 2022
5-foot-9, 135-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder. Offensively, sets up balanced and open, back load, short stride. Level bat path, short in the zone, flashed line drive ability, exit velocity topped 77 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, crop hops at gather, long to release. Long arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.64 home to first.