Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Invitational: Outfield Analysis


Illinois Scouting Staff

At the Underclass Invitational showcase last month at The MAX in McCook, Illinois, the outfielders in attendance were particularly intriguing. The talent among the invitees made it difficult to limit our rankings to just the top-five prospects after conducting our careful analysis, so we separated the freshman and sophomore classes to fit more deserving names.

Two of the brightest standouts at the invite-only event were a pair of freshman, Isaiah Thompson (Sacred Heart-Griffin) and Zamaurion Hatcher (Kenwood Academy). Both encapsulated the type of lean frame with present athleticism and skill that make them interesting follows moving forward. The two profile as future top-of-the-order bats as well.

Of the sophomores, another wiry and projectable left/left prospect, Isaiah Coupet (Homewood-Flossmoor) showed natural outfield actions and demonstrated advanced bat speed.

To see how ranking these prospects shook out, check out our list below, in addition to the full reports we have on every one of the outfielders who made it out to the prestigious underclass showcase.

Top 2021 Outfield Prospects

1. Isaiah Thompson, OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound left/left outfielder, lean projectable frame, live body with smooth actions. Hits from an open stance, leg lift trigger, occasionally dives, athletic balance. Hands work well, loose and athletic, creates bat speed. Gap to gap approach, mostly opposite field contact in BP, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Smooth outfield actions, feet move easy and fluid playing through the baseball in stride. 7.10 runner in the 60. Arm played with occasional carry, loose high ¾ slot, 82 mph.

2. Zamaurion Hatcher, OF, Kenwood Academy, 2021
5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, lean wiry frame. Hits from an open stance, short stride to even, excellent balance. Uses loose athletic hands to create short path to the baseball, above average bat speed for age. Contact is consistently up the middle on a line, singles type hitter, quiet simple approach. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball, natural actions work well. 7.48 runner in the 60. Arm played short and over the top, 83 mph with occasional carry, accurate to target.

Top 2020 Outfield Prospects

1. Isaiah Coupet, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound left/left outfielder, lanky frame, wiry build, projects. Balanced stance, reverse toe tap stride, lacks repeat, good balance. Hands are loose and aggressive, athletic hitter, creates advanced bat speed, short path. Line drive type contact, works gap to gap. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.16 runner in the 60. Defensively arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, carries well to target, plus arm strength for age, 88 mph from the outfield. Feet are highly athletic, plays with bounce through the baseball, natural actions, premium defender, centerfield profile.

2. Mason Hsieh-Bailey, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
5-foot-9, 148-pound outfielder, wiry athletic build, frame is loose and live. Plus runner for age, 6.89 laser timed 60. Outfield actions play with bounce and fluid through the baseball. Feet crowhop through release, over the top arm action, 80 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter, open stance, stride to even, good balance. Simple middle of the field approach, path is level, hands work. Line drive gap to gap contact, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Connor Milton, OF, Champaign Central, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder, athletic shape with present strength, live body. Plus runner, 6.81 laser timed 60. Right-handed hitter, crouched setup, short stride, gets foot down early, good balance. Loose athletic hands, short and quick to the baseball, hand generated bat speed. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Outfield actions play through the baseball with quick athletic feet, average actions. Arm is short and over the top, occasional carry, 82 mph from the outfield.

4. Austin Greco, RHP/OF, Mundelein, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound two-way player, strong muscular build. On the mound delivery is simple and repeatable, balanced finish. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed ability to control the zone, late run to arm side at times, 83-85 mph. Curveball plays 11/5 shape, 70-73 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, near fastball arm speed, 74-78 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short lift stride, good balance. Strong quick twitch actions at the plate, compact simple swing, little effort, level path. Contact worked the middle of the field, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows plus arm strength for age, 90 mph from the outfield. 7.02 runner in the 60.

5. Jack Lochner, OF, Niles West, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, athletic shape. Hits from an open stance, loads hands back while stride dives to front foot, athletic balance. Hands are loose and creates bat speed, shows athleticism, front foot hitter, lunges at times. Gap to gap contact, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Right-handed thrower, arm action is long, over the top slot, carries, 81 mph from the outfield. Natural actions, plays through the baseball in stride. 6.96 runner in the 60, well above average.

5. Eddie Harvey, OF, New Trier, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound outfielder, proportional build on athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal loading action, short stride, lower half works. Bat strength present, path has slight length on uphill plane, gap to gap approach. Ball jumps off bat, lifted contact at times, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.11 in the 60. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 81 mph. Outfield actions are methodical at times, corner outfield projection.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Marc Babicz, OF, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound outfielder, carries present strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced wide setup, smooth loading action, short stride, solid balance. Simple approach, ability to spray the baseball, has bat strength, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, showed occasional carry, 85 mph from the outfield. Plays through the baseball with some effort, long exchange. 7.00 runner in the 60.

Alan Brown, C/INF/OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
5-foot-6, 155-pound, multi-positional prospect with a strong, compact build. Ran a 6.98 laser-timed 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, quiet, simple approach; short leg-lift stride and maintains balance through contact. Bat stays level through the zone, looks to control the barrel, line-drive approach; 85 mph exit velocity. Worked out behind the plate, on the infield and in the outfield. Natural catcher arm action; short and over-the-top. Quick, clean exchange behind the plate, feet work on-line. Throws clocked at 73 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.12-2.20. Moves well in the outfield and on the infield. Steady hands, short, over-the-top arm action, throws clocked at 81 mph from the outfield and 73 mph across the infield.

Sam Buduris, OF, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound outfielder, average lean frame. Defensively plays through the baseball in stride, goes and gets the baseball out in front. Shuffles through exchange into long high ¾ arm slot, 83 mph. Ran a 7.30 in the 60. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride to even, average balance. Path is level, inside out at times. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Casey Chignoli, OF, Joliet West, 2020
5-foot-5, 135-pound L/L outfielder. Hits from a balanced stance, short lifted stride, simple. Path is short, line drive opposite field contact, oppo singles type approach. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 8.06. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 64 mph from the outfield. Actions play deliberately through the baseball.

Christopher Clarke, OF, Lyons Township, 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound outfielder, lean athletic build. Right-handed hitter, crouched setup, short stride, pre pitch bat waggle. Path is long and uphill, has bat speed. Topspin contact, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced runner, ran the 60 at 6.91. Attacks the baseball in the outfield, playing through in stride with athletic footwork. Arm plays short from high ¾ slot, 82 mph from the outfield.

Abe Collins, OF, Morton, 2020
Long lean projectable frame, 6-foot-3, 178-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Above average runner, 6.96 in the 60. Plus arm strength for his age, played loose from a high ¾ slot, occasional carry, 88 mph from the outfield. Quick footwork plays through the baseball, leads to quick exchange. Hits from slightly open stance, short leg lift stride. Long level path, timing can improve, long levers create bat speed, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Noah DeLuga, LHP/OF, Lake Zurich, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound left/left-two way player, solid broad shouldered build, projects best on the mound. Stretch only delivery, simply lift to squared landing, minimal moving parts. Arm action draws long on backside, plays out of tight high ¾ window, loose out front with arm speed. Fastball runs late to arm side, showed ability to command, sat 85-86 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape with feel and flashed sharp action, 72-73 mph. Changeup also controls the zone, slight fading action, 74-78 mph. Showed similar arm strength defensively, 88 mph from the outfield. Aggressive through the baseball, feet and hands worked together. 7.00 runner in the 60. Hits from a balanced stance, short stride, solid balance. Bat path is short, some uphill plane, occasional late timing. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.  

Connor Gill, RHP/OF, Oswego East, 2020
6-foot, 150-pound two-way player, lean projectable frame, projects best on the mound. Tall and fall delivery, lifts to balance point loaded at top, works on line. Arm action is quick, long draw, plunges on back side, over the top slot. Fastball is straight, gets late life through the zone, sat 86-87 mph, touched 88 mph. Curveball plays 12/6, near fastball arm speed, 69-71 mph. Straight changeup occasionally cuts, showed feel, 75-77 mph. Left-handed hitter, slightly open setup, arm bar load, short stride. Path has slight lift, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and over the top, 89 mph from the outfield. Plays through with clean exchange.

Mason Graham, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound outfielder, slender frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short leg kick stride, average balance. Path has length, level through contact, ability to backspin the baseball, line drive pull type contact. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Outfield actions play through the baseball. Arm is short and over the top, 84 mph from the outfield. 7.32 runner in the 60.

Eben Heine, RHP/OF, Plainfield North, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player, athletic build, strong shoulders, lean waist. Premium pitching prospect in the 2020 class. Carries a ton of presence on the mound, exudes confidence throughout session. Side step rocker leads to athletic lift that keeps hands in rhythm, lands square, moves easy down the mound. Plus arm speed, clean regular arm circle, high ¾ slot, little effort. Fastball has easy life, showed ability to command, finishes hard through the zone at 85-87 mph, topped at 88 mph. Slider is sharp on 11/5 plane, occasional downer action showing depth, has feel, 71-73 mph. Straight changeup has feel, occasional fade, 71-76 mph. RIght-handed hitter, balanced stance with leg kick stride. Long path with bat speed, gap to gap approach. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength, 88 mph from the outfield. Actions play through with athleticism, 7.35 runner in the 60.

Shane McGaha, OF, Stevenson, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder, lean build. Right-handed hitter, balanced but wide base, shifts weight to back side for short lifted stride. Path works slightly uphill, strong and athletic, bat speed present. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows advanced arm strength, 87 mph from the outfield, short over the top slot, flashes carry. Actions play through the baseball, 7.33 runner in the 60.

Braden Sayles, OF, Hononegah, 2021
6-foot, 157-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, lean athletic frame. Hits from an open stance, narrow setup, leg lift stride gets squared, solid balance. Smooth swing, fluid and stays balanced, little effort. Contact was mostly opposite field, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action works from a high ¾ slot, 78 mph from the outfield. Footwork plays through the baseball, 7.00 runner in the 60.

Christopher Seropian, LHP/OF, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound left/left two-way player, lean slender build, profiles best on the mound. Delivery has some rhythm, hands work together with leg lift, loads balance position works directional to closed toe landing. Arm action is long, over the top slot. Fastball plays with slight arm side run, showed some feel around the zone, 76-77 mph, touched 78 mph. Curveball has feel, 12/6 action 63-65 mph. Slider is similar to curveball in action and velocity, 64-65 mph. Straight changeup has control, 72-74 mph. Hits from a wide setup, long stride. Path is long and fluid, opposite field contact. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, 79 mph from the outfield, actions played through the baseball at times. 7.53 runner in the 60.

Jack Shields, OF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound outfielder, strong build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger. Loose easy swing, long path at times, gap to gap approach. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot, 83 mph from the outfield. Actions showed ability to play through the baseball, corner outfield profile. Ran the 60 at 7.48.

Ryan Thiesse, OF, St. Charles North, 2020
5-foot-11, 182-pound outfielder, build shows present strength. Plus runner, 6.76 in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, long stride, maintains balance. Shows bat strength, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee, gap to gap approach. Defensively arm plays from a high ¾ slot, 84 mph from the outfield, actions play through the baseball deliberately.  

John Zimmermann, LHP/OF, Metea Valley, 2021
5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed throwing two-way player, strong lower half. Tall and fall type delivery with little effort and balanced finish. Arm action is loose and clean, short draw, high ¾ slot. Fastball runs on occasion, 75-76 mph, topped at 78 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 61-63 mph. Changeup fades, 71-73 mph. Right-handed hitter, open setup, leg kick trigger, short path, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm works at 79 mph from the outfield, high ¾. 7.61 runner in the 60, showed ability to play through the baseball.  

RELATED CONTENT