Prep Baseball Report

Metro East Open: Outfield Analysis


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Metro East Open returned to the St. Louis area once again on Tuesday, June 25th. The showcase, which took place at GCS Ballpark, the home of the Gateway Grizzlies, was an open event that featured 50 players from all high school classes. Earlier in the summer we began the analysis of the event with a Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis

Today we continue the roll-out of the event with a look at the outfielders in attendance. 

Jacob Blomenkamp (Freeburg) is a 2021 right-handed hitter to follow moving forward. Blomenkamp has a 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame, swings the bat with intent and took one of the top rounds of BP on the day. 

Paul Gilmore (Sacred Heart-Griffin) and Landen Kitson (Holt, MO) are two other 2021 outfielders to keep an eye on. Gilmore is a 7.05 runner, flashes quick twitch in swing and continues to make strides in his game. Kitson has a simple swing, middle of the field approach and feel for the barrel. 

Unsigned senior Brock Bellaver (Hillsboro) is a high-ceiling, 6-foot-4, 180-pound, right-handed hitter who ran a 6.89 laser-timed 60. Bellaver flashed quick twitch in his swing and a gap-to-gap approach. 

OUTFIELD ANALYSIS (Listed Alphabetically)

Brock Bellaver, Hillsboro, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-4, 180-pounds. Highly-athletic, high-waisted, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly narrow setup, toe-tap trigger. Flashed loose, quick hands, long, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate and flashed carry.
Defense: Active, bouncy feet, plays through the baseball, clean transfer.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60. Clean, straight-line runner.Defense: Plays through the baseball at times, gains ground on transfer.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Blomenkamp, Freeburg, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, tall, open setup, minimal load and short stride. Aggressive swing, creates bat speed at times, short stride and line-drive approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Long, whippy arm action, over the top arm slot, throws are true and on line.
Defense: Strong defender in the outfield, fluid footwork, clean exchange, shows the ability to play through the ball.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Jed Coats, Belleville West, 2020
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Athletic frame, sloped shoulders and trim waist.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, open set up, short stride. Simple swing, level bat path.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, works on-line to target at times.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Hunter England, Woodlawn, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, crunch loading action, short stride. Long bat path, flashed quick-twitch and bat speed, line-drive approach.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot from outfield, arm shows some accuracy.
Defense: Plays with bounce on the balls of his feet at times, clean transfer.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Nolan Folks, Holt, 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 115-pounds. Lean, projectable, loose-bodied build.
Hit: LHH. Balance setup, smooth load, short stride, loose hands. Level bat path, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 69 mph. Long, loose arm action plays out of a ¾ slot. Throws played accurate.
Defense: Fluid, natural outfield actions, plays through the baseball, clean transfer and steady hands.
Run: 8.29 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Frerichs, Litchfield, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-7, 195-pounds. Compact, thick frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly crouched set up, sets hands low. Short stride, uphill bat path and opposite field approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, accurate.
Defense: Reliable hands.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. Runs well for size. 

Landon Geragosian, Breese Central, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. High-waisted, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balance setup, short leg-lift trigger, minimal wasted movement and level bat path.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot and flashed carry.
Defense: Plays through the baseball, quick release and directional routes.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Paul Gilmore, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly open setup, small leg lift trigger and lays off the bat. Uphill bat path, flashes quick twitch and made consistent hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot from outfield, accurate arm, playable arm strength.

Zachary Johnson, Webster Groves, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, leg-kick timing trigger and utilizes lower half. Stays on top of the baseball, short path, line-drive approach and loose hands.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 68 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick footwork, clean transfer.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Landen Kitson, Holt, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, relaxed setup, long stride and maintains balance through contact. Swings with intent, flashed bat speed, short, level bat path, middle of the field, line-drive approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

Ayalew Sisay, Timberland (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger.  Short path through the baseball, line drive, opposite field approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 82 mph. OF - 84 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws carry from the outfield.
Defense: 2.26- 2.32 pop times. Attacked the baseball in the outfield, quick arm, athletic in the field. Showed a clean exchange behind the plate.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Cade Smith, Freeburg, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet, narrow, balanced setup, minimal load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Long bat path, works mostly level through the zone, line drive approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot, plays accurate.
Defense: Fluid footwork, sure-handed, plays through the baseball, stays low, clean transfer.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

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