Prep Baseball Report

Senior Games: Outfield Analysis



By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The 2018 Senior Games took place Tuesday, August 8th at Triton JC in River Grove, IL. Over 100 uncommitted prospects from the class of 2018 participated in a pro-style workout and simulated games in front of the PBR Scouting Staff.

Today, we continue the analysis of the event with a look at the outfielders from the day.

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Nick Angel, OF, Libertyville, 2018
Committed to Dayton shortly after the event. 6-foot-4, 195-pound, highly-projectable, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. Started the day off running a 6.79 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, short stride gets back to event and good balance throughout. Simple, compact swing, creates bat speed and stays short to the ball. Fluid rhythm, consistent hard contact, line-drive approach and uses the middle of the field. Went 1-for-2 with a walk in game play. Defensively, plays through the baseball, steady hands and clean exchange. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 81 mph.  

2. Kevin Lapka, OF, Lane Tech, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Strong, athletic build, well-proportioned and room for continued physical development. Offensively, balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, wraps, slight leg-kick timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Loose, athletic swing, aggressive approach, creates bat speed, looks to pull and flashes power; 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural actions, ranges well to both sides, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, steady hands and a quick release. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, clocked at 78 mph. Ran a 7.04 laser-timed 60.

3. Nolan Unger, OF, Grant, 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Stood out throughout the day defensively. Natural, athletic, outfield actions, fluid footwork, soft hands and plays through the baseball. Arm works short, quick and over-the-top; throws carry and topped out at 86 mph. Made a number of impressive plays during game play. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Aggressive swing, long, uphill bat path and pull approach. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.50 runner in the 60.

4. Max Snowden, OF, Grayslake Central, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, athletically built, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran an event best laser-timed 60, 6.77. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load and heel-lift stride. Hands work well in swing, create whip and ball has a tendency to jump off the bat. Path stays short to the ball, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long, easy strides, plays through the baseball and reliable hands. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot, accurate arm and topped out at 82 mph.

5. Corey Hall, OF, Champaign Centennial, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. Flashed an impressive combination of tools; ran a 6.83 laser-timed 60, was clocked at 88 mph from the outfield and registered a 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, ranges well, plays through the baseball and gets rid of the ball in a hurry at times. Arm works short and quick from an over-the-top slot, accurate throws with carry. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, loads into backside and short stride. Bat stays level through the hitting zone, creates whip in his swing on occasion, line-drive approach. Follow 2018 outfielder.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Robert Bluntson, OF, Morgan Park, 2018
5-foot-9, 165-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Balanced, open setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Long bat path and pull approach at the plate. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, lets the ball get to him, steady hands and clean exchange. Short arm action, over-the-top arm action, 73 mph. 7.65 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Kendall Bonner, OF/INF, Morgan Park, 2018
6-foot, 190-pound, wide-shouldered, athletically built, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal pre-pitch movement, short leg-lift trigger and good balance throughout. Simple, strong swing, creates bat speed and leverage. Short bat path, gap-to-gap approach; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Average hands and pronounced crow hop in the outfield. Short, over-the-top arm action, clocked at 81 mph from the outfield and infield. 7.53 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Adam Budorick, OF, Glenbrook South, 2018
6-foot,170-pound, lean, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced slightly crouched setup, hands load, long stride and average balance through contact. Looseness in swing, flashed bat speed, uphill bat path, and pull approach; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 71 mph from the outfield. 7.36 laser-timed 60.

Austin Delgado, OF, Antioch, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60. Offensively, narrow, open setup, short stride and average balance. Long, level bat path through the zone and used the middle of the field. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, average hands, plays through the baseball and clean transfer. Arm works long out of a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws clocked at 76 mph.

Andrew DeMatteo, OF, Sandburg, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound, lean, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. 6.95 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Plenty of room for continued physical development. Offensively, balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load and leg-lift timing trigger. Loose hands, flashes bat speed, consistent hard contact, and gap-to-gap spray approach. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, rangy outfielder, fluid actions, attacks the baseball, plays through. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 73 mph.

Anthony Donahue, OF, Lockport, 2018
5-foot-6, 155-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. 7.20 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-kick trigger and average balance through contact. Stays on top of the baseball and looks to use the middle of the field. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flashed fluid footwork, plays through the baseball and clean transfer. Over-the-top arm action and throws clocked at 71 mph.

Gabriel Griffin, OF, Lockport, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, lanky, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. 7.27 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger and average balance through contact. Flashed loose hands, spray, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball at times, clean exchange, long arm action from an over-the-top slot, clocked at 76 mph.

Peter Gross, OF/INF, Antioch, 2018
6-foot-2, 195-pound, strong, durable build, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and average balance through contact. Long bat path and looks to pull; 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, in the outfield, clean exchange, gains ground on his transfer, short arm action, high ¾ slot, clocked at 74 mph. Also, worked out at first base, quick transfer, accurate arm clocked at 74 mph. Ran a 8.05 60.

Sean Hebreard, OF, Plainfield East, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound, lean, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively, fluid footwork, works behind the baseball, maintains body control, clean transfer and flashed soft hands. Long, loose arm from a high ¾ slot, accurate arm, clocked at 86 mph. Recorded an outfield assist during game play. Offensively, finished game play 1-for-2 with a triple and an RBI. Balanced, open setup, smooth load, short stride and fluid rhythm throughout. Uphill bat path and pull approach at the plate. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.26 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Elias Hernandez, OF, St. Patrick, 2018
5-foot-11, 195-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder with a solid lower half. Offensively, open, tall setup, slight load, short stride, fluid rhythm and hits off backside. Long bat path and flashed strength through contact. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, comes and gets the baseball, plays through, steady hands and clean transfer. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot and throws clocked at 75 mph. Also, 7.62 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Carson Holin, OF, Sun Prairie (WI), 2018
6-foot, 180-pound, strong, left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic build. Ran a 6.93 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and maintains good balance throughout. Short, level bat path, opposite field approach; 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, quick footwork and pays through the baseball at times. Arm works long and from a high ¾ slot; clocked at 80 mph.

Mason Hutson, OF, Huntley, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder with a lean, athletic frame. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Stays short to the ball, pull approach; 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, plays through the baseball at times, short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate throws, 77 mph. 7.72 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

William Jackson, OF, Loyola, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound, strong, well-proportioned outfielder. Right-handed hitter, narrow, open setup, long stride and maintains balance through contact at times. Fluid rhythm, long and level bat path and makes hard contact to the pull-side. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flashes athletic actions, soft hands, plays through the baseball with a clean transfer. Arm works long and from a high ¾; accurate throws with carry, clocked at 86 mph. 7.45 runner in the 60 laser-timed.  

Chad Johnson, OF, Westmont, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting outfielder. At the plate, balanced setup and long, leg-kick trigger. Long, level bat path through the zone and a pull approach; 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick feet at times, winds up on exchange, long arm from a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 69 mph. 7.50 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Evan Jordan, OF, Champaign Centennial, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a thick lower half and well-proportioned strength. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Aggressive swing, present bat speed, gap-to-gap approach and strength through contact; 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Finished the day 1-for-2. Defensively, reliable hands, long arm action, over-the-top slot, throws were accurate with carry, topping out at 85 mph. 7.40 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Ryan Knowlton, OF, Burlington Central, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong, right-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic build. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and simple, fluid swing. Quick hands, creates bat speed, opposite field approach at times. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, flashed natural outfield actions, plays through the baseball, clean exchange and reliable hands. Arm works out of a high ¾, accurate throws clocked at 83 mph. 7.34 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Drew Komendant, OF, St. Rita, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound, well-proportioned, athletically built, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, open, tall setup, relaxed in the box, smooth load, leg-lift trigger and finishes on backside. Fluid rhythm, hard contact, and sprayed balls to both gaps; went 2-for-2 during game play. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 7.28 laser-timed 60. Defensively, reliable hands, long arm action from a high ¾ slot and throws topped at 76 mph from the outfield.

Brendan O’Connor, OF, Lockport, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup, pre-pitch bat waggle, short stride and average balance through contact. Loose swing, flashes bat speed and uphill bat path; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, short, loose arm action, 78 mph from the outfield. 7.59 laser-timed 60.

Mason Smith, OF/RHP, Woodlawn, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound, lean, two-way prospect. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced setup, high back elbow and short stride. Short bat path, hands work on top of the baseball, pull approach. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, flashed quick footwork and fast transfer. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot, topped at 78 mph from the outfield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works from the stretch only. Slide-step with runners on base, short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, sinking action, 74-78 mph. Slider 10/4 shape, 65-68 mph. Changeup, 66-68 mph.  

Mark Williams Jr., OF, Mount Carmel, 2018
5-foot-9, 165-pound, athletically built, wiry, right-handed hitting outfielder. Ran a 7.19 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, slight loading action and short stride. Some quick twitch, stays short to the ball at times and pull approach; 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, clean exchange, short arm action, over-the-top slot, 73 mph from the outfield.

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