Prep Baseball Report

O'Hare Preseason I.D.: Outfield Analysis


By Illinois Staff

On March 13, the PBR Illinois team hosted its first annual O’Hare Preseason I.D. at the new Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports Dome in Bensenville, Ill. The event featured 130 players from high school graduates in classes 2022-25, from across the Chicagoland area.

Our staff collaborated in the days that followed to highlight the biggest takeaways and highlights from Saturday’s showcase, and we've published them throughout the week with our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis. Previously, we also looked deeper into the pitch and batted-ball data, inside of this event's TrackMan Files and Blast Motion Board stories.

We began our position-by-position analysis on Monday, starting with the day’s catchers, and we’re onto the event’s outfielders today.

Junior Ryan Henschel's (Glenbrook North, 2022) work this preseason pushed him way up the ‘22 state rankings, right around the top-75 overall, and his performance at this event underscored his next-level skill set. Henschel has premium strength attached to his broad 5-foot-11 build, and he uses it well inside his right-handed swing, that generates a loud batted-ball profile. He added eight big ticks to his arm strength from the outfield from last summer to this March event (from an 86 mph high to 94), and he’s also an above-average runner.

Ryan Henschel (3/13/21)

The sophomore Andrew Garcia (DePaul College Prep, 2023) made his debut on the state’s loaded ‘23 class rankings recently, as one of the most athletic, tooled-up players in Illinois. Garcia ran a 6.50 here and reached a 91 mph high from the outfield, all while swinging a short, quick left-handed bat. He earned an invite to the Underclass Invitational following his performance here.

Read on below for a look at each of the outfielders who attended this event.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Ryan Henschel, Glenbrook North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 182-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, leg kick trigger, short stride, advanced, smooth pre-pitch actions. Fluid swing, path works efficiently uphill, advanced bat speed, consistent hard contact, pull-side tendencies, line drives.
Power: 99.19 max exit velocity, averaged 91.92 mph. 375’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 94 mph. Loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accuracy and carry to throws. Best velocity from the outfield at the event.
Defense: Steady hands, active feet, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

2. Andrew Garcia, DePaul (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, leg lift, short stride, smooth pre-pitch actions. Strong, short swing, path works uphill, stays inside the ball, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 89.19 max exit velocity, averaged 74.37 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 91 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Smooth feet, clean exchanges, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.50 runner in the 60. Plus runner, best time at event.

3. Connor Dickson, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, small leg lift, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short swing, max bat speed of 68.1 MPH, path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach, consistent hard contact.
Power: 91.22 max exit velocity, averaged 85.39 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 93 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: Advanced outfield actions, sure-handed, fluid feet, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

4. Khamaree Thomas, Kenwood (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Sets up in a balanced stance, short toe tap trigger, draws hands up and back into load.  Loose and athletic swing with fluid rhythm. Bat travels on a short path through the zone. Flashed plus bat speed for his age with a max bat speed of 70.4 MPH.
Power: 90.67 max exit velocity, averaged 84.41 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action, works from an over the top window.
Defense: Natural actions in the outfield. Soft hands, footwork is clean and fluid. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60. Plus runner for his age. 

T-5. Ethan Serrano, Von Steuben (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg kick, short stride, fluid pre-pitch actions. Fluid, long swing, path works uphill, line drive approach, consistent hard contact, peak hand speed of 22.6 MPH.
Power: 91.06 max exit velocity, averaged 87.58 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Clean outfield actions, steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

T-5. Owen Duffy, Marist (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, leg kick, short stride, barrel rhythm pre-pitch. Strong, aggressive swing, direct path, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 96.66 max exit velocity, averaged 90.73 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Easy outfield actions, fluid feet, steady hands, plays through the baseball, tall through release.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Trevor Addotta, Belvidere North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-8, 152-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall and open stance, short stride, smooth loading actions.  Short swing path through the zone, flashed quick bat speed.
Power: 88.1 max exit velocity, averaged 72.76 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. OF - 82 mph. Short and loose arm action from a high 3/4 window.
Defense: Solid actions in the outfield. Reliable hands, clean exchange. In the infield, his glove plays deep.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

Nicolas Altobelli, Andrew (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, leg kick, short stride. Fluid swing, path works uphill, drives the ball through the middle of field, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 88.91 max exit velocity, averaged 80.97 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Quick bouncy footwork, aggressive routes, sure-handed, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Leo Anderson, Lake Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Strong and muscular build.
Hit: RHH. Sets up in a wide and open stance, arm bars at load, barrel wraps during load.  Bat travels on an uphill plane through contact. Looks to drive the ball up the middle.
Power: 92.68 max exit velocity, averaged 83.13 mph. 330’ max distance. Has present bat strength, swings with intent.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long arm action from an over the top arm window. Arm played with some accuracy from the outfield.
Defense: Has solid range in the outfield. Sure handed with a clean exchange.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

Will Bartels, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, toe tap, short stride. Short, aggressive swing, max bat speed of 68.4 MPH, works inside the ball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83.47 max exit velocity, averaged 70.83 mph. 236’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchanges, works through baseball.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60. 

Gelyn Boling, St. Laurence (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 156-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open and balanced stance in the right side of the box. Short stride trigger, minimal loading actions.  Swing works on a short, uphill path through contact. Looks to drive the ball the other way.
Power: 85.89 max exit velocity, averaged 78.41 mph. 229’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 69 mph. Arm action is short and works from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Flashed reliable hands. Clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Lucas Bormann, York (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 130-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, toe tap, short stride. Direct swing, level path, peak hand speed of 21.7 MPH, line drive approach, ability to use entire field.
Power: 83.88 max exit velocity, averaged 75.95 mph. 224’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Active feet, aggressive routes, plays through the ball.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. 

Justin Butcher, Taft (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 220-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, toe tap, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, direct swing, stays inside the ball, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 92.38 max exit velocity, averaged 76.06 mph. 260’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Sets up behind the baseball, clean exchange, plays with proper direction.
Run: 7.96 runner in the 60. 

Jack Butera, Niles West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, toe-taps to square, long stride. Fluid, long swing, path works uphill, max bat speed of 69.9 MPH, looks to hit ball in the air.
Power: 87.3 max exit velocity, averaged 78.15 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Active feet, works around baseball, plays through it.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60. 

Tommy Clark, Fenwick (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slight knee-bend, small leg lift, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, direct swing, level path, works to the inside of the ball, opposite field approach, line drives.
Power: 77.83 max exit velocity, averaged 67.86 mph. 220’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchanges, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Will Gladden, Fenwick (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Long, athletic frame, room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short, fluid swing, direct path, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 88.55 max exit velocity, averaged 77.8 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Jaylon Harvey, IC Catholic Prep (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-2, 120-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Sets up in a balanced and open stance, slight leg lift, minimal loading actions. Short swing path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 85.13 max exit velocity, averaged 73.82 mph. 211’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 62 mph. OF - 67 mph. Arm action is short, releases from an over the top slot.
Defense: Flashed steady hands in both the infield and outfield. Has solid range in the infield, fields the ball deep.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Kaiden Herman, Warren (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-8, 130-pounds. Wiry build with a projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Left handed hitter with a tall and narrow stance, short stride trigger. Long and uphill bat path through contact. Showed gap-to-gap tendencies.
Power: 75.8 max exit velocity, averaged 69.92 mph. 252’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Arm plays with some accuracy from the outfield.
Defense: Feet remain active, glove plays the ball deep.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Chris Iannuzzi, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap, short stride. Strong swing, level path, max bat speed of 72.4 MPH, looks to make contact out front, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 96.85 max exit velocity, averaged 88.09 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Active feet at times, works around baseball, plays through it.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.

William Klumpp, Sycamore (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Lean frame with room with future maturity.
Hit: RHH. Tall and open setup, toe tap stride, arm slightly bars at load.  Long swing path that travels on an uphill plane through contact. Showed gap-to-gap ability at the plate.
Power: 91.6 max exit velocity, averaged 86.33 mph. 320’ max distance. Peak hand speed of 23.3 MPH helps generate bat speed.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Short arm action, releases from a high 3/4 arm window.
Defense: Fields the ball on the glove side of his body, clean exchange. Plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. Plus speed for his class, had the top time of all 2024 graduates.

Carter Laureys, Mundelein (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-7, 135-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, balanced setup, starts on ball of front foot, short stride. Short, direct swing, path works uphill, uses middle of field, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 80.4 max exit velocity, averaged 72.11 mph. 235’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash accuracy.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the ball with a big crowhop.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Carter Levine, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Path works uphill, peak hand speed of 21.8 MPH, looks to hit the ball in the air, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 71.67 mph. 245’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields off to the side, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Matthew McBrien, East Leyden (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, smooth load, short stride, easy pre pitch actions. Short swing, path works uphill, makes contact out front, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 83.57 max exit velocity, averaged 75.74 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Flashes natural outfield actions, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60. 

Matt Miglieri, Lyons Township (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Sets up in a tall and open stance with a long stride trigger.  Swing works on a short and uphill path through the zone. Showed quick hands, peak hand speed of 22.2 MPH.
Power: 85.45 max exit velocity, averaged 68.84 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Arm action is long from an over the top window.
Defense: Waits back on the ball, hands play deep on the glove side of his body.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

Lloyd Mills IV, Marian Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Right handed hitter that sets up in a wide and open stance. Toe tap trigger, draws hands back into load. Long and uphill swing path, flashed quick bat speed with a max bat speed of 70.9 MPH.
Power: 90.71 max exit velocity, averaged 73.93 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 window.
Defense: Showed solid actions in the outfield. Sure handed, packs on exchange. Plays through the baseball well.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Gregoire Monelle II, Taft (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced set up with a short toe tap stride.  Bat path is long and level through the zone. Line drive hitter with gap-to-gap tendencies.
Power: 89.85 max exit velocity, averaged 72.13 mph. 291’ max distance. Showed off solid bat strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action, works from a high 3/4 arm angle.
Defense: Showed off solid range in the outfield with rebliable actions. Steady hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Parcell, Maine West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds. Wiry build, body has projection.
Hit: LHH. Sets up in a balanced and open stance, short stride, smooth loading actions.  Short swing on a level plane through contact.
Power: 82.54 max exit velocity, averaged 78.34 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, works from a high 3/4 angle. Arm plays with accuracy from the outfield, throws have carry on them.
Defense: Moves well in the outfield with natural actions. Soft hands, footwork is fluid, clean exchange. Plays through the baseball well.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Thomas Plizga, Fremd (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced and open stance, short leg lift stride, draws hands back into load. Short swing, barrel travels on a slight uphill path through the zone.
Power: 89.83 max exit velocity, averaged 82.92 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 77 mph. Long and loose arm action, throws from an over the top angle.
Defense: Sure handed in the outfield, glove plays the ball deep, clean exchange.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Thomas Shaw, Metea Valley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-7, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, weight sits on backside, short stride. Short swing, path works uphill, peak hand speed of 25.0 MPH, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87.66 max exit velocity, averaged 78.82 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 80 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: Catcher: gives a low target when receiving, gains ground on throw downs, clean exchange. Outfield: steady hands, clean transfer, plays through ball.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

John Swiderek, Ridgewood (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/INF
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Sets up in a balanced stance, uses a short leg lift stride with smooth loading actions.  Barrel travels on an uphill path through contact.
Power: 92.08 max exit velocity, averaged 76.56 mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action from an over the top slot. Arm plays with some accuracy.
Defense: Reliable hands in both the outfield and infield. Showed off some range in the field. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60. 

Joey Ward, Maine South (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight crouch, leg lift, strong base, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, aggressive swing, direct to inside baseball, max bat speed of 68.7 MPH, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 89.44 max exit velocity, averaged 79.45 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sets up behind ball, active feet, plays through it.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Ben Wegrzyn, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide and open stance. Short leg kick, hands drop into load.  Bat travels on a short path with an uphill plane through contact. Flashed quick bat speed with a peak hand speed of 21.9 MPH.
Power: 84.29 max exit velocity, averaged 72.63 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, releases from a high 3/4 window.
Defense: Fields the ball deep on the glove side of his body. Flashed soft hands with a long exchange.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

Alec Wiersema, Mount Carmel (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Long and lanky frame with room for projection.
Hit: RHH. Wide and open setup, short stride, hands fall into load. Short and uphill swing path with fast bat speed. Gap-to-gap tendencies at the dish.
Power: 95.31 max exit velocity, averaged 88.24 mph. 315’ max distance. Quick bat speed through the zone. Max bat speed of 75.7 MPH was tied for best at the event.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active footwork, glove plays deep near the middle of his body.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Adrian Zavala, Stagg (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short swing, level path, works direct to ball, barrel control, peak hand speed of 21.3 MPH, line drives
Power: 84.3 max exit velocity, averaged 80.98 mph. 258’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Advanced outfield actions, active feet, efficient routes, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Aiden Zimmerman, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Lanky frame with projection for future physical maturity.
Hit: LHH. Tall and slightly open stance, leg kick trigger, draws hands back into an arm bar load. Barrel travels on a long path through the zone. Looks to pull the baseball
Power: 88.86 max exit velocity, averaged 75.87 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm action, throws from a high 3/4 window. Arm played with accuracy from the outfield.
Defense: Fields the ball with two hands in the middle of his body. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

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