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Unsigned Senior Games: Outfield Analysis

September 5, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

Outfield prospects were led by the lanky and highly projectable, Josh Mutter (Lincoln-Way North, 2015). Mutter is highly athletic in the outfield and his left handed bat carries good projection. Right on Mutters heels for the top spot was Steven Busby who is an above average runner that stood out in game action with his bat. Busby’s plate presence stood out and barreled several balls on a line and projects well at the next level.

Here’s a look at the top outfield prospects.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Josh Mutter, LHP/OF, Lincoln-Way North, 2015
6-foot-3, extremely lanky 155-pound left-handed hitting outfielder/left-handed pitcher impressed as one of the top two-way talents at this year’s Unsigned Senior Games.  Hits from an open stance, hand load back smoothly, long stride, dives at times, short, level bat path with fluid rhythm and 82 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Went 2-for-5 with two singles during game action.  Defensively, fields position well, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, plays through the ball athletically.  Threw 87 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with plus carry.  Athleticism and crow hop ability bodes well for future velocity gains on the mound, where he really impressed striking out five in two perfect, scoreless innings.  Ran a 7.23 60 and 4.50 from home to first.  Tall and fall delivery, same loose arm action as in the outfield, smooth rhythm, level shoulders, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square.  Fastball sat 79-81, touching 82 mph with sink.  Gets on hitters quickly thanks to effortless delivery and arm action.  Threw sweeping slider for strikes at 66-69 mph, buried it down in the zone with two strikes getting three swinging strikeouts.  Changeup was also thrown for strikes at 68-72 mph with sink.  Mutter has a plus feel for pitching and the projectable frame to envision upper 80’s velocity in his future once he adds weight.

2. Steven Busby, OF, Batavia, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder, strong athletic build, strong lower half. 6.9 runner in the 60. Athletic defender, natural outfield actions, moves quickly and fluidly, plays through the baseball well. Arm action is short, over the top slot, with carry, 83 mph arm from the outfield. Right handed hitter, wide stance, slightly open, short stride, smooth load with hands working back and up, maintains strong balance. Short bat path, attacks the baseball, stays on top, worked the middle of the field in BP. Took strong at bats in games, leadoff/two-hole type hitter, showed the ability to battle and foul off tough pitches. Three hits in game action, all three barreled up hard hit.

3. Dakota Johnson, OF, United Township, 2015
6-foot, 155-pound outfielder, lean athletic frame. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, loads hands back. Gap to gap approach, longer path, bat speed present, projectable hitter. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Excellent at bats in game action, showed pop to right center gap, two triples a double and two singles in eight at bats. Defensively uses a long arm action from the outfield, high ¾ slot, 77 mph arm strength. 7.00 runner in the 60.

4. Jaron Robinson, OF/MIF, Mendota, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound multi-positional player, athletic frame, thin build. Athletic defender, showed traditional actions in the outfield, played through with crowhop, long arm action, high ¾ slot. 84 mph from the outfield. On the infield played with athletic actions, athletic arm action, showed the ability to play on the move, 85 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from the right side, toe tap stride, slight open stance. Hits off back side, line drive approach. Two hard hit singles to the right side in game action.

5. Ryan Fish, OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder, strong athletic build. 7.08 runner, laser timed. Defensively showed advanced arm strength from the outfield, 88 mph, with accuracy. Plays through the baseball, aggressive to and through the ball. Switch hitter, balanced stance, slightly more open from right side, showed stringer abilities from the right side, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee, pull side approach right handed.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Dustin Armstrong, OF, Green Bay Southwest, 2015
6-foot, 164-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from closed setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, some barrel whip, slightly uphill bat path producing 71 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 74 mph from the outfield from long, ¾ arm slot with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.39 60 and 4.76 from home to first. 

Matt Diehl, OF, Providence, 2015
5-foot-9, 160-pound left handed hitting outfielder. Defensively showed natural action in the outfield, plays through the baseball, clean exchange. Arm plays from over the top slot, loose action, works uphill out of a crowhop. Left handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, strong balance through contact. Mechanically sound, repeats swing, athletic hands, contact hitter, short path with middle to opposite field approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.51 runner down the line.

Mike Finger, OF, St. Laurence, 2015
6-foot, 195-pound strong right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, minimal movement in hands during load, barrel gets extension, showing power especially to his pull side with 89 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Defensively, threw 79 mph from the outfield from short, over the top arm slot with some accuracy.  Ran a 7.42 60. 

Jon Foster, OF, Champaign Central, 2015
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open stance, short stride, hands load back smoothly, leg kick trigger, opposite field tendencies, with 79 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 82 mph from the outfield from long, over the top arm slot with some accuracy.  Showcased average hands fielding the baseball cleanly.  Ran a 7.13 60, 4.47 from home to first.  Went 1-for-3 in game one with a single.  Did not strike out in 6 plate appearances over two games.

Jacob Foy, OF/C, Rockridge, 2015
6-foot-3, 210-pound athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/catcher hits from a tall, open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, slightly uphill bat path with pull tendencies and 88 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 84 mph from the outfield from short, over the top arm slot with accuracy.  Behind the plate threw 72 mph from the crouch with pop times ranging between 2.18-2.33.  Ran an 8.09 60 and 5.23 seconds from home to first.  Went 2-for-6 with two singles during game play.

Nathan Given, OF, Naperville North, 2015
5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide, balanced setup, no stride, lifts heel to load lower half, hands held high, very little movement in load, with opposite field tendencies and 80 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 80 mph from the outfield from short, over the top arm slot.  Ran a 7.23 60, 4.51-4.55 seconds to first on two separate ground outs during game action.  Finished 1-for-5 with a hard hit single up the middle in very first at bat of game play.

Cameron Murer, RHP/OF, Willowbrook, 2015
5-foot-8, 140-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a wide, crouched setup, short stride, hands load smoothly, incorporates legs into swing, hit several line drives during batting practice with opposite field tendencies and 76 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 82 mph from the outfield from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy.  Showcased average hands fielding, clean exchanges playing through the ball.  Ran a 7.01 60 and 4.76 from home to first. On the mound, utilizes same arm slot, above average arm speed, fastball sat 80-82 mph in his first inning of work, 79-81 mph in the second.  Tall and fall delivery, foot stays below knee at balance point, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square, repeats delivery well with some rhythm. At times goes overhead in windup, but mixes it up.  Retired the side in order in the first with a swinging strikeout on a 66 mph curveball.  Curveball sat 64-67 mph with occasional 11/5 shape.  Also threw 72-73 mph changeup with fastball arm speed. 

Nick Pastuovic, OF, York, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a wide setup, no stride, utilizes a toe turn/heel lift stride, hands held high, producing short, level bat path with line drives during batting practice and 80 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 79 mph from the outfield from a short, high ¾ arm action with some effort.  Plays through the baseball, fielding it cleanly.  Ran a 7.40 60 and 5.11 from home to first.  Went 1-for-3 in second game with a single.

Sam Ray, MIF/OF, Dundee Crown, 2015
5-foot-8, 160-pound multi-positional player. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, minimal stride, heel lift trigger. Showed some bat speed, spray singles type hitter, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed foot speed, 7.18 runner in the 60, 4.29 down the line on a bunt attempt. Defensively uses a short arm action, 83 mph from the outfield, 74 mph across the diamond.

Jake Schultz, OF, East Troy (WI), 2015
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting outfielder hits from a tall, open setup; short, leg kick stride, rotational upper half producing 72 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, threw 73 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot.  Ran a 7.63 60 and 5.08 seconds from home to first.

Mike Singleton, OF, St. Joseph Academy (WI), 2015
5-foot-11, 195-pound outfielder, strong build, solid lower half. Right handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Gap to gap approach, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.69 runner down the line, 7.69 60. Defensively uses a short arm action from the outfield, 77 mph arm strength. Showed the ability to make high level plays in the outfield in game action.

Richard Smith, OF, Hillcrest, 2015
6-foot-2, 210-pound muscularly built right-handed hitting outfielder hits from an open setup, short stride, rotational bat path with pull tendencies and 74 mph exit velocity.  Threw 75 mph from the outfield from short, ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.44 60, and 4.69 seconds from home to first.

Christian Spitelli, OF, Schaumburg, 2015
Athletic frame, 6-foot, 170-pound outfielder. Defensively arm played strong from the outfield, over the top slot, short arm action, 88 mph from the outfield. Plays through the baseball with clean exchange, natural actions, showed the ability to go back on the ball. Right handed hitter, slight open stance, small leg lift trigger. Flat path with length, two-handed finish, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.01 runner in the 60. Had a hard hit RBI single in game action.

Tyler Stegich, OF/RHP, Niles West, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from the right side, crouched setup with open stance. Long, level path, opposite field contact, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays through the baseball in the outfield, long arm action, over the top slot, 80 mph arm strength from the outfield. On the mound, delivery shows direction, squared landing, hip coil. Over the top arm slot. Fastball is mostly straight, touched 81 mph, 77-80 mph, showed the ability to control the zone. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 63-67 mph. Struck out two in game action, worked a perfect second frame.

Zachary Taylor, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2015
6-foot-1, 200-pound outfielder, frame carries some present strength. Offensively hits from open stance, leg kick trigger, sets hands high and drops at load. Sprayed line drives in BP, swing has some looseness, gap to gap approach. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Recorded four hits in game action with an RBI. 7.57 runner in the 60. Defensively uses a long arm action from the outfield, ¾ slot, 80 mph from the outfield.

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