By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Metro East Open took place on Tuesday, June 27th at Blazier Field in O'Fallon, Illinois. The event had over 55 prospects from Illinois and Missouri participate in a pro style workout in front of the PBR Scouting Staff. Today we continue the analysis with a look at the outfielders from the event. 

Nick Boone turned heads by running an event best 6.40 laser-timed 60. Boone also has natural outfield actions and registered a 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Nick Boone, OF, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, long arm action, arm slot varied between over-the-top and high ¾, accurate throws with carry. Plays through the ball athletically, fluid footwork, quick and clean on exchanges, 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, crouch setup, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, level barrel path, fluid rhythm, 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 6.40 laser-timed 60.

2. Quinn Lowery, OF, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short leg kick stride. Line drive hitter, level barrel path, sprayed the ball, fluid rhythm, 77 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.07 laser-timed 60. Defensively, right-handed, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around the plate. Plays through the ball athletically, quick and fluid footwork, quick and clean exchanges, 80 mph from the outfield.

3. Jared Viele, OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate with some carry. Plays through the ball with quick, fluid footwork, quick, clean transfers, 85 mph from the outfield. Offensively, crouching setup, smooth load, short leg-kick timing trigger. Line drive hitter, short barrel path, fluid rhythm, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.35 laser-timed 60.

4. Cole Hampton, OF/3B, Edwardsville, 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound, lanky, athletic, right-handed hitting outfielder and third baseman Defensively, short, loose arm action, arm slot varied between high ¾ and over-the-top, accurate. Plays through the ball, moves well in the infield and outfield, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, 86 mph from the outfield, 84 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick stride, maintains good balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short, level barrel path, generates bat speed, fluid rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.33 laser-timed 60.

5. Theron Morgan Jr., OF, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-6, 130-pound, athletic right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, short stride, twitchy hands, maintains balance through swing. Line drive hitter, short, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot,. Plays through the ball, quick and fluid footwork, 72 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.05 laser-timed 60.

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Noah Davis, OF/LHP, Robinson, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, kept throws around the plate, 75 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall setup, short stride, maintains some balance through swing, short barrel path, pull hitter, 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.16 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, slight run, 71-74 mph, topped out at 77. Curveball, 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, 61-64 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, cut action, commanded, 69-70 mph.  

Nathan Kellermann, OF/RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot to over-the-top slot, accurate on the throws with some carry. Plays through the ball athletically, fluid footwork, quick, clean exchanges, 81 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, leg-kick timing trigger, maintains balance through swing, long, level barrel path, 79 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.51 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands open, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, commanded, 78-79 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual action, 62-64 mph. Changeup, arm side run and fade, 64-67 mph.

Nicholas Stiebler, OF, Ladue Horton Watkins (MO), 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, some accuracy, 73 mph from the outfield. Offensively, crouching, open setup, wrap load, even stride, 78 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Nathan Walker, OF, Carrollton, 2019
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced, crouching setup, toe-tap stride. Pull hitter, short, uphill barrel path, generates bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity. Ran a 6.98 laser-timed 60. Defensively, left-handed, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, arm side run action. Plays through the ball some, clean exchanges, 78 mph from the outfield.

Camden Wempe, OF, Breese Central, 2019
6-foot-3, 165-pound, athletic, lanky, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, tall setup, short stride, maintains balance through swing, line drive hitter, can spray the ball some, 77 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.37 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ arm slot. Moves athletically, handles the ball well, clean on transfers, 72 mph from the outfield.

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