Prep Baseball Report

Super 60: Statistical Analysis


By Andy Sroka
Illinois and Wisconsin Assistant Director

On Feb. 7, Prep Baseball Report hosted its 19th edition of the Super 60 Pro Showcase on the outskirts of Milwaukee, Wis., at the brand-new Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital Performance Center – or the MOSH Center, for short. Since the event’s inception in 2003, more than 300 players have been selected in the MLB Draft, including 22 first-round picks and 25 second-rounders.

And this year’s event proved to be an exciting first stop on 2021’s road to the MLB Draft, as we were treated to some explosive record-breaking performances amidst what was, arguably, the most impressive roster assembled in the showcase’s nearly 20 years of history.

Today, our first step in the Super 60’s post-event breakdown will come in the form of a statistical analysis. We’re taking a look at the measured data collected, assessing the traditional stats and the leaders among them. We’ll have additional podcasts, video, and scouting reports published in the coming days and weeks, so keep an eye out for that content on Draft HQ, as well as the state’s individual landing pages.

Here’s a look at the leaderboards and the top performers among the traditional stats measured:

MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY (TRACKMAN)

Rank Name State School Class Pos Velocity (max)
1 Victor Quinn MO Liberty-Wentzville 2021 RHP 96.5 mph
2 Gavin Bruni OH Alliance 2021 LHP 95.5 mph
3 Garrett Harker IN Lebanon 2021 RHP 95.4 mph
4 Luke Hayden IN Edgewood 2021 RHP 95.2 mph
5 Gray Thomas OK Heritage Hall 2021 RHP 95.1 mph
6 Brandon Clarke VA Independence 2021 LHP 94.8 mph
7 Nicholas Moten MO Westminster 2021 RHP 94.7 mph
8 Roman Kimball SC P27 Academy 2021 RHP 94.5 mph
9 Dominic Hambley BC Belmont 2021 RHP 94.5 mph
10 Janzen Keisel UT Gunnison Valley 2021 RHP 94.5 mph
11 Jose Pena FL Tampa Prep 2021 RHP 94.5 mph
12 Cameron Day UT Layton 2021 RHP 94.3 mph
13 George Eisenhardt OR Lakeridge 2021 RHP 94.3 mph
14 Gage Ziehl NY Penfield 2021 RHP 94.1 mph
15 Ryan Schiefer AZ Campo Verde 2021 RHP 94.1 mph

With the help of our TrackMan units on site, we were able to accurately measure the day’s firmest fastballs. Again, we’ll be taking a more detailed dive into the collected TrackMan metrics later this week, but here’s a peek at the fastballs that are making headlines in the meantime.

Nine players at this year’s Super 60 reached a 95 mph high, or better.

One of the storied Super 60 records matched or broken on Sunday was the event’s max fastball velocity, a 97 mph high previously reached by Ryan Cusick (CT; Wake Forest) back in 2018, that Victor Quinn (Liberty-Wentzville, MO; Oregon State commit) matched with his 96.5 mph max, per TrackMan. Quinn is still attempting to fully harness his premium arm strength, but it’s evident how diligently he’s been working, having added considerable strength to his 6-foot-1, 200-pound physique since we saw him last summer.

A pair of lefties exploded into the day’s ‘winners’ column, having reached 95-96 mph highs with their best pitch: Gavin Bruni (Alliance HS, OH; Ohio State) and Brandon Clarke (Independence HS, VA; Alabama). Bruni’s an athletic lefty with a strong 6-foot-3, 205-pound build, and he backed up his big fastball with improved breaking ball spin and feel which should rightfully enhance his stock this spring.

Clarke won over our staff for more than just his impressive velocity, sitting virtually 93-95 mph. The Alabama recruit has a sturdy 6-foot-4 stature, with athleticism, and he demonstrated the feel to mix in a biting breaking ball and changeup to complete a highly competitive three-pitch mix that will keep scouts occupied in the lead up to the draft.

The state of Indiana was well-represented at the Super 60, and RHP Garrett Harker (Lebanon HS; Cincinnati) stole some attention during his bullpen, in which he reached an “easy” 95.4 mph high that carried through the zone, corroborated by the fastball’s TrackMan metrics. Harker also utilized a swing-and-miss breaking ball and feel change to round out a mix that could pry him away from his commitment to Cincy, ultimately.

Fellow Indiana native, RHP Luke Hayden (Edgewood HS; Indiana), is a competitive type of pitcher who gets to premium velocity with high effort, and he reached a 95.2 mph high on Sunday.

Listed at a long-levered 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, RHP Gray Thomas (Heritage Hall HS, OK; TCU) is surely an uncomfortable at-bat. With uber quick arm speed, Thomas stays closed down mound and unleashes 92-94 mph velocity from a near-sidearm slot – and he reached a 95.1 mph max on his final pitch of the day.

There are so many more arms worthy of more praise, and our TrackMan analysis later in the week should help highlight additional standouts, but fellow righties Roman Kimball (P27 Academy HS, SC; Notre Dame) and Janzen Keisel (Gunnison Valley, UT; BYU) are a pair more mentions here.

Kimball, a New York native, spins his fastball at a premium rate helping produce swing-and-miss traits at the top of the zone, compounded by the fact that he was able to reach a 94.5 mph max, among the best in attendance. As for Keisel, he’s a raw arm with enormous potential, as a lean 6-foot-4 prospect who generates live arm speed and huge spin rates, touching a 94.5 mph high, too.

TOP 60-YARD DASH

Rank Name State School Class Pos 60-yard
1 Matthew Polk CA Orange Lutheran 2021 SS 6.45
2 Ty Hodge TX A&M Consolidated 2021 SS 6.52
3 Chandler Reber UT Desert Hills 2021 OF 6.53
^ John Rogers IN Carmel 2021 OF 6.53
4 Chase Jans KS Blue Valley 2021 OF 6.55
5 Josh Pearson LA West Monroe 2021 OF 6.58
6 Anthony Migliaccio MI Detroit Country Day 2021 C 6.64
7 Saborn Campbell MI Detroit Country Day 2021 OF 6.66
^ Noah Smith IL Marist 2021 SS 6.66
8 Ryan Gilbert OH Kenston 2021 OF 6.68
9 Connor Simon LA St. Paul's School 2021 SS 6.69
10 Cameron Butler CA Big Valley Christian 2021 SS 6.70
11 Q Phillips WI Brookfield East 2021 OF 6.73
12 Elijah Lambros VA Fredericksburg Christian 2021 OF 6.75
13 Cameron Clayton OR Lakeridge 2021 SS 6.77
14 Carlos Pena CT Salisbury 2021 OF 6.79

Even on soft, new turf, there were still some staggering 60-yard dash times turned in on Sunday morning, led by California’s SS Matthew Polk (Orange Lutheran HS; Vanderbilt), who raced to a 6.45 mark. Back to participate in his second straight Super 60, SS Ty Hodge (A&M Consolidated HS, TX; Texas A&M) was once again plastered near the top of most of the categories he participated in, including this one, after running a 6.52.

There were four other sub-6.60 times produced on Sunday: Chandler Reber (6.53; Desert Hills HS, UT; BYU), John Rogers (6.53; Carmel HS, IN; Vanderbilt), Chase Jans (6.55; Blue Valley HS, KS; Kansas), and Josh Pearson (6.58; West Monroe HS, LA; LSU).

An additional noteworthy 60 time came from the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Ohio product, Ryan Gilbert (Kenston HS; Indiana), whose physicality is nearly unmatched from the batter’s box, so it’s especially interesting to see a player his stature record a 6.68 time in the dash. This won’t be the last you hear of Gilbert within this piece, either.

MAX EXIT VELOCITY (TRACKMAN)

Rank Name State School Class Pos Exit Velocity (max)
1 Ryan Gilbert OH Kenston 2021 OF 112.2 mph
2 John Rogers IN Carmel 2021 OF 105.3 mph
3 Vytas Valincius TN Baylor 2021 3B 104.8 mph
4 Carter Jensen MO Park Hill 2021 C 104.0 mph
5 Will Rogers MN Mounds View 2021 C 103.5 mph
6 Chandler Reber UT Desert Hills 2021 OF 102.9 mph
7 Josh Pearson LA West Monroe 2021 OF 102.6 mph
8 William Cook OH Miamisburg 2021 3B 102.6 mph
9 Cameron Butler CA Big Valley Christian 2021 SS 102.5 mph
10 Max Soliz Jr. AL Bob Jones 2021 C 102.1 mph

So, speaking of Ryan Gilbert, it was natural to see him atop this list as well, measured by our TrackMan unit during live batting practice. As you can see, his 112.2 mph max led all batters by a hefty seven ticks, and he was the lone batter to average an exit speed of over 100 mph. And since we’ve been able to measure exit speeds during BP, Gilbert’s 112-plus mph high would be considered the hardest-hit ball in Super 60 history. Our TrackMan analysis coming later in the week will assess Gilbert’s performance more thoroughly.

John Rogers earned a nod inside the 60-yard dash section earlier, and his loud tools helped him showcase as a power-speed threat. After running a 6.53, Rogers stepped into the left-handed batter’s box and barreled baseballs impressively, including one that was struck at 105.3 mph. Rogers also produced one of the hardest throws home from the outfield, to generate an dynamic, well-rounded profile exiting the Super 60.

It was also natural to see 3B Vytas Valincius (Baylor School, TN; South Carolina) right near the top of this chart, where he recorded a 104.8 mph best. Valincius has earned his reputation as one of the best power bats in the entire class, and he did well to maintain that status on Sunday, even in a leaner, trimmed-up physique.

Catchers Carter Jensen (Park Hill HS, MO; LSU) and Will Rogers (Mounds View HS, MN; Arizona State) were a pair more big winners on Sunday who also wielded some of the best bat strength in attendance. Jensen’s left-handed round of batting practice earned praise, substantiated by the ease in which he’s able to produce that top-scale exit velocity, measured at 104.0 mph. Few prospects landed balls on the barrel with as much frequency and ferocity as Rogers, who recorded a 103.5 mph high while averaging the furthest average estimated batted distance on Sunday, which we’ll get into later in the week.

MAX EXIT VELOCITY (STATION)

Rank Name State School Class Pos Exit Velo
1 Vytas Valincius TN Baylor 2021 3B 110
2 Ryan Gilbert OH Kenston 2021 OF 107
3 Will Rogers MN Mounds View 2021 C 104
4 Grant Hussey WV Parkersburg South 2021 1B 103
^ Ian Moller IA Dubuque Wahlert 2021 C 103
5 John Rogers IN Carmel 2021 OF 101
^ Carter Jensen MO Park Hill 2021 C 101
^ Joey Spence WI West Bend East 2021 C 101
6 Braden Montgomery MS Madison Central 2021 OF 100
^ Chase Jans KS Blue Valley 2021 OF 100
^ Cameron Butler CA Big Valley Christian 2021 SS 100

The expected aforementioned suspects are naturally atop the exit velocity tee station, measured in the warm-up as the players prepared for live BP, but it’s worth mentioning another backstop who made a mark both here and in batting practice: Ian Moller (Wahlert Catholic HS, IA), who’s yet another LSU recruit to earn a reference on this list. Moller’s round of live BP was squarely among the day’s best and most efficient, and he showed that he’s able to generate easy, loose power potential, too.

A West Virginia recruit and native, 1B Grant Hussey (Parkersburg South HS), also registered a 103 mph max at this station. And this is also where the Braden Montgomery (Madison Central HS, MS; Stanford) show began, topping 100 mph both here and during live BP, where he swiftly became one the day’s most prominent topics of discussion.

MAX INFIELD VELOCITY

Rank Name State School Class Pos INF Velo
1 Ty Hodge TX A&M Consolidated 2021 SS 94
2 Chase Valentine AZ Sandra Day O'Connor 2021 SS 93
3 William Cook OH Miamisburg 2021 3B 90
^ Noah Smith IL Marist 2021 SS 90
^ Connor Simon LA St. Paul's School 2021 SS 90
^ Kelly Crumpton MS Oxford High School 2021 SS 90
4 Vytas Valincius TN Baylor 2021 3B 89
^ Cameron Clayton OR Lakeridge 2021 SS 89
^ Luke Leto MI Portage Central 2021 SS 89
^ Jackson Nicklaus KS Blue Valley 2021 SS 89

It was here where Ty Hodge was featured again. His athleticism makes for one loud toolset, leading to event-best arm strength across, measured at a 94 mph high. That mark was just a tick better than Arizona’s Chase Valentine (Sandra Day O’Connor HS), who’s actually a fellow Texas A&M recruit. Valentine earned high praise last summer, following his performance at the Area Code Games, and he carried that momentum into 2021 with an excellent showing at the Super 60. He repeatedly barreled line-drives from an easy right-handed swing in BP, and followed that up with an athletic round of infield defense, combined with arm strength that obviously plays on the left side of the diamond.

MAX OUTFIELD VELOCITY

Rank Name State School Class Pos OF Velo
1 Braden Montgomery MS Madison Central 2021 OF 99
2 John Rogers IN Carmel 2021 OF 94
3 Q Phillips WI Brookfield East 2021 OF 90
^ Elijah Lambros VA Fredericksburg Christian 2021 OF 90
4 Carlos Pena CT Salisbury 2021 OF 89
^ Ryan Gilbert OH Kenston 2021 OF 89
5 Josh Pearson LA West Monroe 2021 OF 88
^ Cameron Butler CA Big Valley Christian 2021 SS 88

Buzz swarmed around Braden Montgomery when it was his turn to take outfield defense reps. His tremendous arm strength was among the most interesting storylines headed into Sunday, where he’d also take the mound later on. He lived up to the demonstrable hype when he reared back to fire a 99 mph high to home, a Super 60 record, five ticks better than the next best.

John Rogers, again, made his presence felt here. More evidence of a treasure chest of tools, as his twitchy strength earned a 94 mph high to home.

A pair more prospects reached a 90 mph high at this station: Elijah Lambros (Fredericksburg Christian HS, VA; South Carolina) and Wisconsin native Q Phillips (Michigan), who enrolled early at Pima JC in Arizona to start his collegiate career a year ahead of schedule. He’ll be in Ann Arbor to fulfill his commitment to Michigan this fall.

MAX CATCHER VELOCITY

Rank Name State School Class Pos C Velo
1 Will Rogers MN Mounds View 2021 C 84
2 Ian Moller IA Dubuque Wahlert 2021 C 83
^ Ian Daugherty OK Kingfisher 2021 C 83
3 Anson Aroz CA Placer 2021 C 82
^ Matthew Garbowski CT New Fairfield 2021 C 82
4 Joey Spence WI West Bend East 2021 C 80
^ Anthony Migliaccio MI Detroit Country Day 2021 C 80
^ Carter Jensen MO Park Hill 2021 C 80
^ Max Soliz Jr. AL Bob Jones 2021 C 80
5 Austin Bode IN Columbus North 2021 C 78
6 Landon Boyd AZ Sandra Day O'Connor 2021 C 77
^ Tanner Smith AZ Basha 2021 C 77
7 Ryan Campos AZ Red Mountain 2021 C 75

TOP POP TIMES

Rank Name State School Class Pos Pop Time
1 Ian Moller IA Dubuque Wahlert 2021 C 1.82-1.92
2 Will Rogers MN Mounds View 2021 C 1.88-1.92
3 Anson Aroz CA Placer 2021 C 1.90-1.94
4 Ian Daugherty OK Kingfisher 2021 C 1.90-1.98
5 Tanner Smith AZ Basha 2021 C 1.90-2.03
6 Matthew Garbowski CT New Fairfield 2021 C 1.90-2.08
7 Ryan Campos AZ Red Mountain 2021 C 1.90-2.09
8 Joey Spence WI West Bend East 2021 C 1.94-2.02
9 Carter Jensen MO Park Hill 2021 C 1.94-2.10
10 Max Soliz Jr. AL Bob Jones 2021 C 2.00-2.15
11 Anthony Migliaccio MI Detroit Country Day 2021 C 2.01-2.25
12 Austin Bode IN Columbus North 2021 C 2.03-2.22
13 Landon Boyd AZ Sandra Day O'Connor 2021 C 2.07-2.12

Will Rogers’ unique catcher squat doesn’t prevent him from a quick and accurate release through the infield, and he even recorded an 84 mph high here to help underscore that notion. His performance defensively Sunday, combined with his top-of-the-line round of BP, should help his prospect stock rise in the build to the summer’s draft.

A pair more prospects recorded 83 mph highs to second base: Ian Moller and Ian Daugherty (Kingfisher HS, OK; Oklahoma State). Moller’s round of catcher defense was firmly among the day’s most efficient, and his big arm strength played with true accuracy to the bag. As for Daugherty, he’s a physical prospect who ranges around the crouch fluidly, as evidenced by his arm strength and average pop time.

From California, Anson Aroz (Placer HS; Oregon) was identified as a potential breakout player to follow headed into the day, and he’s headed back home as an arrow-up type. He offers a steady diet of tools with a next-level simplicity. He was 82 mph through the infield and he took one of the day’s easiest and most efficient rounds of batting practice – from both sides of the plate. His 82 mph high to second was matched by Matthew Garbowski (New Fairfield HS, CT; UConn), one of the top-ranked backstops in New England.

For a complete look at all of the statistics measured and gathered at Sunday’s Super 60, you can find them by visiting the event’s landing page by clicking here.

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