Top Performer Spotlight - 2020 OF Tyler Keenan

QUICK TAKE

Keenan continued to catch eyes at different events throughout 2018 with steady improvement from Spring through Fall and its easy to see a big Junior season on the way. The large frame already has strength and will continue to fill out the uniform as he matures, but it’s his quick twitch attributes that really separate him as a player. In CF he uses that twitch to track down balls that would be hits and, on the base paths he can grab a bag or beat out infield hits. At the plate he’s worked on toning down the swing and being under more control, allowing his natural strength to be utilized and letting the power show up consistently in BP and games. The arm fits is RF where it’s shown consistent average while playing up when sticking in CF. A twitchy and strong CF with power/speed combo, Keenan has a lot of projection still available for the next level. 

SCOUTING REPORT

10/28/18 - NCTB Fall Classic - Physical centerfielder with tools that draw attention. Good range, strong arm, ability to drive ball in the middle of the field. Size, strength, tools, and showed usability of the tools in game action, good looking player.

7/18/18 - NCTB Upperclass Tourney - Multiple reports from two different scouts at tourney: Lanky strong with wide frame and lots of room to add bulk, major upside in a body already strong, fast, and explosive.  Drove the best ball of the day on a fastball he hit hard to the left-center gap for a triple. Home to first out of the box was 4.53 seconds on a hard grounder that made the shortstop look like a hockey goalie trying to field it.  Fast hands with lots of quick twitch and efficient hand path, barrel is short to contact and long through the contact zone. /// Good athletic frame, athletic runner with strong throwing arm that profiles well in right field, good pop at the plate, will fill out as he matures, a player with physical tools and upside.  Has the athleticism to also play centerfield.

7/14-7/15/18: Large frame with strong build showing present strength and present muscle in upper half; quick twitch athlete with long and strong legs that contribute to playing skills. Glove/Defense first currently, but bat is continuing to make improvements from viewings early in 2018 season. Rangy in OF with ability to use makeup speed (6.99 60-yd Dash) to track down balls in all 3 OF spots; RF future based on build and present strength. Arm was average in workouts with throws on a line and showing life to the bases; flashes where long arm plays up when footwork is in sync. Offensively uses a slight open with small crouch set up keeping hands away from body and having slight load back; strength in wrists/hands shows up when he is able to get turned through the ball allowing arms to extend and do damage (89mph exit velo). Swing has loft and showed pop to gaps during BP; in games doubled off LF wall.

2/23/18: Long arms and legs on 6-foot-3 180-pound frame are matched with broad shoulders and present strength. Very projectable build with likelihood to fill out jersey as he matures. Defense first centerfielder with athleticism and ability to go get balls. Can improve first step reactions, but has make up speed to catch any ball hit in vicinity. Above average arm utilizing shorter action that gets carry on throws to bases. Attacks ball in outfield coming up wanting to throw out runners. Open stance with high back elbow and bounce off shoulder. Utilizes big leg kick timing mechanism that will need to be toned down to find more consistent contact. Swing has length in it with average hand speed, but shows above average raw power in bat. Two-sport athlete plays wide receiver for his high school football team.