Winter Watchlist: Uncommitted 2022 Outfielders

Joey Nerat OF / Campbellsport, WI / 2022

(EDIT: Committed to Dallas Baptist shortly after publish, 2/3/21)

Represented Team Midwest Select at the PBR Future Games; scouting report from the PBR Future Games (8/2/20): Left-handed hitting outfielder, 5-foot-11, 173-pounds, athletic shape, sneaky strength. Left-handed bat carries gap-to-gap pop, compact swing, competes in the box, top of the lineup type bat. Tripled to deep centerfield, attempted to turn into an inside the park home run. Gets around the bases well, 6.92 runner in the 60. Center/left field prospect, roams well in the outfield, above average routes, arm played at 87 mph from the outfield.

(8/2/20)

Jonathan Kim OF / Brookfield Academy, WI / 2022

Represented Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games (8/2/20): 

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Strong build, carries defined muscle.
Hit: LHH. Balanced stance, leg kick trigger, subtle loading action, remains balanced through contact. Short path to the baseball, on time with strong hands that create above average bat speed, slight pull side tendency, hits in rhythm. Bat speed measured at 71.98 mph on average, per Blast Motion.
Power: 95.14 mph max exit velocity in batting practice; 85.58 average. Max batted-ball distance of 364 feet.
Arm: LH. OF - 88 mph. Long arm action out of a high 3/4 slot, occasionally showed carry.
Defense: Plays through the baseball aggressively, in stride, glove-work is out front and fields in stride.
Run: 6.59 runner in the 60. Runs with a purpose, above-average speed, effort.

(8/2/20)

DJ Kojis OF / Whitefish Bay, WI / 2022

Represented Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games (8/2/20):

Positional Profile: OF/RHP High ceiling outfield prospect in the 2022 class.
Body: 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Highly projectable frame, long lanky levers with room to fill, above average athlete.
Hit: RHH. Quiet setup, balanced and poised to attack, short stride, rhythmic loading actions. Loose levers create controlled attack of the baseball, high ceiling bat, path is short, quick to contact with athletic and loose hands, gap to gap approach, stays on plane. Per Blast Motion, average bat speed measured at 68.79 mph.
Power: 93.24 mph max exit velocity in batting practice; averaged 87.03.
Arm: RH. OF - 94 mph. Plus arm, plays true and on line, carried well out of loose over the top slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball with natural actions, feet are light and continues to move through reception, quick clean exchange.
Run: 6.84 runner in the 60. Long-strided runner.

(8/2/20)

Jaicee Foster OF / 2B / Green Bay Southwest, WI / 2022

Represented Team Midwest Select at the PBR Future Games; scouting report from the Badger State Battle (7/2/20): 6-foot, 185 pounds; thick/strong athlete. Right-handed hitter who fits the mold of an impact, middle-of-the-order run-producer. Pull-side approach, physicality and aggressiveness in swing; makes for some loud contact when he gets into one. Sneaky athlete with foot speed who can play multiple positions, though slots in best at a corner outfield spot. Among the top righty power bats in the class.

(8/2/20)

Dylan Mass OF / Franklin, WI / 2022

Scouting report from the Southern Wisconsin Open (10/17/20): 

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Thin, lean athleticism; wiry strength in build.
Hit: LH. Athletic/balanced base, slightly open. Smooth, brief load; strides to even, hands drop into proper place. At plant, simple and easy bat path with above-average bat speed. Athletic hands help meet pitches consistently on-plane. Fluid balance maintained through swings and finish.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Up-the-middle liners for batted-ball profile; steady, low-lying contact.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long, loose, quick arm action from 3/4 slot. Throws feature carry to target with consistent accuracy.
Defense: Advanced athleticism in actions; fluid, quick feet on approach. Quick and clean exchanges, while playing through the ball.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. Quick feet; efficient, quiet runner.

(10/17/20)

Christian Oppor OF / LHP / Columbus, WI / 2022

Oppor’s one of the most athletic players on this list, with some loud tools that he’s piecing together to utilize more efficiently in-game. He first stood out to us at the start of the summer, where his lean 6-foot-1, 165-pound build sticks out, and his live-wired actions and athleticism are also immediately apparent. He’s raw offensively, but he has a loose, quick left-handed arm that works in both the outfield and on the mound. Oppor’s reportedly made some strides on the bump (he’s been up to 84 mph in the past for us; 89 from the outfield), so we’ll see if that’s a more fitting future home for him, positionally. Regardless, his size and athleticism make him a worthy prospect to monitor ahead of the showcase circuit and ensuing spring season.

(8/2/20)

Landon Behringer OF / North Fond du Lac, WI / 2022

Scouting report from the All-State Games (6/30/20): 

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, short/minimal stride, subtle loading action, stays quiet pre-pitch and maintains balance. Loose athletic swing with some quick twitch, gap to gap approach, hands stay inside the baseball, line drive hitter.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat speed creates hard exit velocity off the bat.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Loose over the top arm action, plays on line.
Defense: Athletic actions, feet play through the baseball, LF/CF profile, fluid easy actions.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60.

(6/30/20)