Prep Baseball Report

Preseason All-State: Outfielder Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

On Feb. 10, PBR Illinois hosted one of its biggest showcases on its annual calendar: Preseason All-State. This invite-only showcase brings together the state’s best talent in its 2020 class, and all that talent was certainly on display at The MAX last month. Well over 100 of Illinois’ best juniors made it to McCook on Sunday, many of whom remain uncommitted.

We’ll continue our position-by-position analysis by ranking and evaluating the outfielders invited out to last month’s high-profile showcase.

Versatility is synonymous with Tre Hondras’ (Homewood-Flossmoor; Michigan commit) game. The junior took reps in both the outfield and infield and proved he’s capable of doing both, and came away from The MAX as our top ranked outfielder in attendance. His advanced athleticism and 6.60 speed really works in the outfield and he’s continuing to fine-tune and polish his offensive game, too.

Two prospects from Champaign Central land on the top-five rankings below: Connor Milton (Illinois) and Isaiah Jackson (uncommitted). Milton is among the most athletic players in his class, and ran an event-best mark in the 60-yard dash (6.51) to help solidify that fact. Jackson is beaming with tools and is still putting it all together, but has some serious upside.

We published analysis on the showcase’s catchers earlier today. Stay tuned tomorrow when we move on to the infielders invited out to Preseason All-State.

For now, here’s all you need to know on the state’s top 2020 outfielders.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Tre Hondras, OF/INF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2020
Michigan commit. 6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing multi-positional player, advanced athletic frame. Has made major strides in his 60 time in the past year, ran a quick 6.60. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains control. Swing has polish, fluidity in hands, path is short and direct, barreled up the baseballs to all fields. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Natural actions at both positions, ranges all directions, soft, sure hands, quick and clean transfer to release, seems easy. Short, clean high ¾ slot, can drop slot, throws carried 86 mph from the outfield and 84 mph across the diamond. High follow. 2020.

2. Connor Milton, OF, Champaign Central, 2020
Illinois commit. 6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, uber athletic build and actions. Fleet footed, easy speed, 6.51 runner in the 60. At the plate, simple pre-pitch, balanced setup, short stride and load, maintains control. Confident at the plate, short, fluid bat path, controls the barrel, hard line drive type hitter. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 90 mph from a tee. Defensively plays with bounce, plays through with fluid footwork, soft hands, quick exchange. Short arm action, over the top slot, accurate throws topped 82 mph from the outfield. High follow 2020.

3. Jack Lochner, OF, Niles West, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, athletic, well put-together build. Moves well for size, quick, under control feet, 6.74 runner in the 60. At the plate, sets up balanced, hanging leg lift trigger, front foot ambush type, rhythm throughout. Confident hitter, attacks the baseball, short, fluid barrel path, line drive hitter. Generates quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. Calmly plays through the ball defensively, clean exchange to release. Long, full arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 83 mph from the outfield.

4. Isaiah Jackson, RHP/OF, Champaign Central, 2020
6-foot-5, 185-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, high-waisted upside frame, oozes athleticism. On the mound, works with tempo, hip leads down the mound, foot strikes in-line and heel first, pop up finish, smooth rhythm. Short, loose arm action, quick out front, high ¾ slot. Electric arm speed on fastball, flashed late run and tilt, 86-92 mph, topped 93 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, slows arm, 59-66 mph. Changeup slight fade, some arm speed, 69-72 mph. Gets to max speed easily, long strides, 6.63 60-yard dash. Defensively plays through the ball, clean exchange, pats glove. Arm is loose and quick, high ¾ slot, ball comes out firm, throws carried 92 mph from the outfield. At the plate, open, tall setup, slight wrap load, long stride. Looseness in hands, uphill path, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 95 mph from a tee.

5. Martin Sosna, OF, Fenwick, 2020
5-foot-10, 185-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, strong and athletic build. Fleet footed runner, 6.73 in the 60. Athletic actions in the outfield, fluid feet, clean exchange to release. Arm plays short and loose, clean over the top slot, true ball carried at 87 mph from the outfield. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains control. Path is fluid and uphill, strong hands, power potential, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Alan Brown, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
5-foot-8, 160-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, strength in build. Fleet footed, easy speed, 6.73 runner in the 60. At the plate, slight open setup, smooth load, short stride to even. Strong hands, path works uphill, some quick twitch, looks to lift the ball with a gap to gap approach. Exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Defensively, lets ball travel then attacks, fluid feet, clean to release. Short, over the top arm slot, throws topped 83 mph from the outfield.

Sam Buduris, OF, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, well-proportioned frame. At the plate, athletic, open setup, smooth load, short stride to even. Some rhythm in hands, uphill plane with length, extension through contact, line drive abilities. Exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Able runner, 7.05 runner in the 60. Confident defender, works through the ball with rhythm, soft hands, clean and quick to release. Arm plays long and loose, over the top slot, throws topped 85 mph from the outfield.

Abe Collins, OF, Morton, 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, well-proportioned, athletic frame. Can move well for size, 6.94 runner in the 60. At the plate, open setup, drop load, short leg lift stride, maintains balance. Short, compact bat path, line drive type hitter, all fields approach, some rhythm. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 90 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick and aggressive actions through the ball. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 79 mph from the outfield.

Cole Conn, C/OF, St. Charles East, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound switch hitting catcher/outfielder, athletic frame, loose and live. Defensively plays easy with bounce in his step, actions play smooth in the outfield working through the baseball. Soft hands out of the crouch, quick transfer, quiet receiver. 1.98-2.04 pop times. Arm played short and loose, carried well, played at 87 mph from the outfield, 78 mph out of the crouch. Switch hitter, sets up balanced, short stride and smooth loading action. Loose hands, creates bat speed, path stays on top of the baseball. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.05 runner in the 60.

Cameron Demos, OF, Downers Grove South, 2020
6-foot-2, 200-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, athletic build, present lower half strength. Has put on 15/20 pounds of muscle to frame since last seen. Offensively, wide setup, slight load, short leg lift stride. Loose hands, path works uphill, looks to lift, power potential. exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Defensively, easy, long strides, plays through the ball athletically, long to release. Full arm swing, over the top slot, present arm speed, throws topped 86 mph from the outfield. 7.07 runner in the 60.

Jacob Ferry, OF, Oswego East, 2020
6-foot-2, 185-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, well-proportioned, strong frame. Highly athletic runner, 6.84 runner in the 60. Hits form an open stance, slight load, long stride. Level bat path, has length, pull tendencies with power potential in swing. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 92 mph from a tee. Defensively, plays through the ball with steady hands, quick and clean transfer. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 83 mph from the outfield.

Mason Graham, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, lanky frame. Able runner, 7.06 runner in the 60. Deliberate actions on defense, two-handed gather, long to release. Arm plays loose and long, present arm speed, over the top slot, ball carried, topped 89 mph from the outfield. Offensively, open setup, leg lift stride to even. Path plays long and uphill, looseness in hands, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee.

Eddie Harvey, OF, New Trier, 2020
6-foot, 181-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, wide-shouldered, athletic frame. At the plate, open setup, hands pre-loaded back, short leg lift trigger. Fluid path works long and uphill, pull side tendencies, present bat speed, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick feet to a long gather, arm plays long, full swing, over the top slot, throws topped 84 mph from the outfield.7.12 runner in the 60.

Brendan Holloway, OF, Vernon Hills, 2020
5-foot-5, 150-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, compact frame, live actions. Light and quick on his feet, 6.83 runner in the 60. At the plate, balanced setup, short stride, controls body. Short to the ball, barrel stays level and on top, some twitch in hands, line drives to the middle of the field. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively, moves in rhythm, plays through the baseball aggressively. Short, over the top arm slot, throws topped 78 mph from the outfield.

Andy Nelson, OF, Wheaton North, 2020
Iowa commit. 6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing multi-positional player, athletic, durable build. Easy speed for size, 6.61 runner in the 60. Defensively in the outfield, quick feet, steady hands, clean to release, plays through. Loose arm action, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws topped 93 mph. Similar traits on the infield, quick actions, flashed multi-slot ability, accurate throws carried 91 mph across the diamond. At the plate, relaxed, open stance, short load and stride, maintains balance. Fluid path works uphill, barreled up baseballs, strongs hands create easy bat speed, exit velocity topped 97 mph from a tee.

Jackson Powell, RHP/OF, Normal University, 2020
6-foot-4, 200-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, athletic frame with upside. On the mound, methodical delivery, up-down-and-out, short stride in-line to home, lands square, abbreviated finish. Full arm swing, high ¾ slot. Fastball action varied, cut and run, has tilt, sat 82-83 mph, topped 84 mph, Curveball, 11/5 shape, flashed sharp at times, 68-71 mph. Changeup, some sink with arm speed, 78-79 mph. Defensively, plays through the ball with steady hands. Arm plays long and loose, high ¾ slot, throws topped 85 mph from the outfield. At the plate, open, tall setup, toe tap trigger. Path works long and uphill, looks to lift, some rhythm. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. 7.49 runner in the 60.

Caleb Pyrz, RHP/OF, Champaign Central, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, athleticism in frame. Simple delivery on the mound, sturdy balance, sit on back side, heel landing in-line to home, rhythm throughout. Arm plays loose, quick out front, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball, arm side run in the zone, sat 84 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, sharp at times with arm speed, 71-76 mph. Changeup, played straight and firm, 78-81 mph. Defensively plays through the ball, soft hands, tall at release. Short and loose arm action, clean high ¾ slot, throws carried 85 mph from the outfield. At the plate, even setup, short stride, balance maintained. Short bat path, throws his hands, line drives middle/opposite field, exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. 7.28 runner in the 60.

Carson Roberts, OF, Wheaton North, 2020
6-foot-2, 195-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, athletically built with strength in frame. At the plate, wide, crouched stance, bar load, long toe tap trigger. Strong hands, flat bat path with length, line drive ability, pull side tendencies. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 95 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, plays through the ball. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, ball comes out firm, throws topped 89 mph from the outfield. Very able runner, 7.01 runner in the 60.

Jack Shields, OF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, strong, durable build. Offensively, tall, open setup, loads back, long stride with weight transfer to front foot. Short barrel path, strong hands generates fast bat speed, pull tendencies, exit velocity topped 94 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick, choppy feet, clean transfer. Long arm, full swing, over the top slot, throws topped 86 mph from the outfield. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Ryan Sullivan, OF, Lyons Township, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, lean, right-handed hitting outfielder. 6.79 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced slightly open setup, short stride, level bat path, line-drive approach and 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball at times, steady hands, short arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws topped at 85 mph.

Ryan Thiesse, OF, St. Charles North, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, athletic build with strength in frame. Gets to max speed with ease, 6.65 runner in the 60. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, minimal load, short leg lift stride. Strong hands, short barrel path, high finish, line drive ability to all fields, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, ball gets deep. plays through after gather, long exchange. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 82 mph from the outfield.

Evan Tocmo, OF/INF, Huntley, 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing multi-positional player, well-proportioned build. Defensively, projects more in the outfield, plays aggressive to and through the ball, clean exchange, short and loose arm action, over the top slot, accurate throws carried 83 mph from the outfield. On the infield, quick feet, packs exchange, multi- slot, throws topped 82 mph across the diamond. At the plate, open setup, quick leg kick to even, maintains control. Loose hands, level path occasionally uphill, line drive ability, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. 7.14 runner in the 60.

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