By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Today we continue the Class of 2019 event analysis with the top outfield prospects. Last year Brian Fuentes (Crystal Lake South, 2017) burst onto the PBR scene, after moving to the states from Venezuela, with a stand out performance at a number of events in the summer. This year it was his younger brothers turn to do the same. Beiker Fuentes was the top outfielder at the event showing natural, fluid actions and a strong arm throwing 90 mph from the outfield.

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Beiker Fuentes, OF/SS, Crystal Lake South, 2019
Recently came to the states from Venezuela. 5-foot-10, 178-pound switch-handed hitting OF/SS with an athletic frame. Stood out for his defensive work in the outfield. Has natural, fluid actions. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and soft hands. Arms works from an over the top slot with a long, loose arm action. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 90 mph. In the infield has soft, sure hands with a clean transfer and fluid footwork. Throws showed carry across the diamond at 86 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short leg kick stride. Short, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. Loose hands with a line drive approach. 81 mph exit velocity left handed and 84 mph exit velocity right-handed. Ran the 60 at 7.00.

2. Kyle Hetherington, OF, Crystal Lake South, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup. Smooth load with a long stride and collapse on the backside. Long, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.17. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws showed carry at 81 mph from the outfield. Aggressive routes working thru the baseball with quick footwork and a clean exchange.

3. Elias Flowers, OF/2B, Yorkville, 2019
5-foot-7, 135-pound left-handed hitting, ambidextrous OF/2B with a small, athletic frame. Posted one of the top 60 yard dash times running a 6.69. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance.  Line drive hitter, loose hands, with a middle of the field approach. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield has a long, loose arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and fluid footwork. Threw 78 pmh left-handed from the outfield. In the infield has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 71 mph across the diamond throwing right-handed.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Julio Cajigas, C/OF/INF, Romeoville, 2019
5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher, strong physical build. Switch-hitter, path works with length on uphill plane, pull side approach. 86 mph exit velocity from the right side, 88 mph exit velocity from the left side. Shows arm strength on the diamond, 77 mph out of the crouch, 84 mph from the outfield, 85 mph across the diamond. Pop times ranged 1.94-2.07. 6.95 runner in the 60. Defensively profiles best in the outfield.

Jason Cihak, OF/2B/RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2019
5-foot-4, 125-pound left-handed hitting utility player. At the plate hits from a narrow setup with a leg kick stride and average balance. Opposite field hitter with an uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.26. Defensively in the outfield has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. Also took drills in the infield and threw 72 mph across the diamond. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Square landing, working in line with home plate. Fastball has running action at 72-74 topping out at 75 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 53-55 mph for strikes. Changeup has fading action at 62-64 mph.  

Matt Clevenger, OF, Chatham, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting right-handed throwing outfielder. At the plate hits from a balanced, upright setup with a short stride and average balance. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.94. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

Nate Curtis, RHP/OF, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a strong frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and smooth rhythm. Fastball was straight with heavy action at 84-86 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 63-66 mph. Changeup shows sinking action at 73-74 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride and short, uphill swing path. 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.41. Defensively threw 75 mph from the outfield.

Michael D’Angelo, OF/RHP/2B, Stevenson, 2019
6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting utility player with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup with a short stride and average balance. Long swing path with some looseness. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.08. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Long strides in the outfield, playing thru the ball with a long exchange. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. Also took drills in the infield throwing 76 mph across the diamond. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball has slight running action at 77-80 mph. Changeup has running action, thrown with fastball arm speed at 73-75 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 60-62 mph.

Peter Fusek, OF/RHP, Homeschool, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. Ast the plate hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path and fast bat. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Plus runner running the 60 at 6.83. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a long exchange. Showed raw arm strength from the outfield throwing 83 mph. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed toe landing, works in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 81-83 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-68 mph. Splitter sat 73-74 mph.

Nathan Garard, RHP/3B/OF, Gibson City, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing and some effort. Fastball was straight at 78-81 mph. Curveball sat 70-74 mph. Changeup was straight at 71-74 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup with a short stride and fair balance. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.23. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 81 mph from the outfield and 80 mph across the infield.

Matthew Hill, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting left-handed throwing outfielder. Wide, slightly closed setup at the plate. Short stride with an armbar load. Long, uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.56. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 75 mph from the outfield.

Brandon Johnson, OF, Rochelle, 2019
5-foot-10, 225-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path, showed strength thru contact in batting practice. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Moves well for size running the 60 at 6.87. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm angle. Fields the ball deep. Showed raw arm strength throwing 81 mph from the outfield.

Mason Kasprisin, OF/RHP, Joliet West, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup with a smooth load and short stride. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path and fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.97. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort working in line with home plate. Fastball has hard cutting action at 81-83 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 65-69 mph. Slider has minimal action at 72-75 mph.Changeup was straight at 69-73 mph.  

Lucas Kolovitz, OF, Fenwick, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitting right-handed throwing outfielder with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a long leg lift stride. Showed off raw power during batting practice. Pull side approach with an uphill path and fast bat. 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

Cole Manley, LHP/1B/OF, Notre Dame, 2019
6-foot-3, 195-pound left-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action and wrap on the backside. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball has running action at 72-75 mph. Curveball sat 57-79 mph. Changeup has fading action at 66-67 mph. At the plate hits from a crouched setup with a leg lift stride and good balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.16. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 75 mph from the outfield and 71 mph across the infield.

Joseph Miller, C/INF/OF, Oswego, 2019
6-foot, 167-pound catcher, lean athletic frame, loose long-limbed. Ran a 6.87 in the 60. Versatile defender, speed and athleticism play at multiple positions. Arm action is loose and athletic, flashed carry, short and over the top, 81 mph across the infield, 83 mph from the outfield, 75 mph out of the crouch. Out of the crouch exchange is quick and clean, footwork is athletic, 1.93-2.07 pop times. Hands are soft and confident all over the field, shows body control and actions on the infield. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short leg lift stride, solid balance, athletic in the box. Hits off front foot at times, occasional line drive contact. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Ryan Miller, OF, Stevenson, 2019
5-foot-7, 150-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Ast the plate hits from a balanced setup with a high hand set. Short heel lift stride with average balance. Pull approach. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.00. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Two handed fielder. Threw 70 mph from the outfield.

Mitch Nieweglowski, OF/RHP, Marmion, 2019
5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short heel lift stride. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.24. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball worked up in the zone at 77-80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 60-66 mph. Changeup sat 63-64 mph.

Elijah Paplanus, RHP/3B/OF, Huntley, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from a ¾ arm a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with some rhythm. Fastball flashed running action at 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-66 mph. Changeup sat 70-73 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, closed setup with a long stride. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.23. Defensively took drills in both the infield and the outfield. Threw 81 mph across the infield and 79 mph from the outfield.  

Payton Thorne, OF, Naperville Central, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with a lanky, athletic frame with room to add more strength. Ast the plate hits from a wide base with a heel lift stride and average balance. Pull hitter, looks to lift with an uphill swing path and fast bat. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.12. Did not participate in the defensive workout.

Kevin Walsh, RHP/OF, Sandburg, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action and wrap on the backside. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing. Fastball was straight at 73-75 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball has loose rotation at 60-65 mph. Changeup sat 66-69 mph. At the plate hits from a closed setup with a leg lift stride. Long, uphill swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.64. Defensively threw 74 mph from the outfield.

Matthew Yanke, OF, Joliet Catholic, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Above average runner, ran the 60 at 6.89. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride and average balance. Short swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Quick footwork, plays thru the ball. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

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