Kaeson
Ernst

RHP/INF Kaeson Ernst (Geneva, 2028) is a two-way talent with upside on both sides. A projectable, high-waisted 6-foot-4, 176-pound frame. At the plate, Ernst utilizes a simple swing that is long through the zone with a line-drive approach. Ernst had an average exit velocity of 88.1 mph (95.4 mph max) and a max distance of 312 feet. On the mound, Ernst utilizes his long levers for an easy delivery with a loose, uninterrupted arm action. His fastball sat 79-81 mph while topping out at 82 mph with a two-seam shape, having an average horizontal movement of 14.6 inches and an average induced vertical break of 10.4 inches. Ernst’s changeup shows heavy movement as it has an average horizontal movement of 21.2 inches while sitting 73-75 mph. He also showed a slider that sat 70-73 mph with an average horizontal movement of -5.2 inches and an average induced vertical break of -4.5 inches.

Kaeson Ernst, Geneva (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-5, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Easy, long-levered delivery, high leg-lift.
Arm Action: RH. Loose and uninterrupted arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Plays with arm-side run, life through the zone. T2179, 2089 average rpm.
SL: 70-73 mph. Tight 10/4 shape. T2079, 1972 average rpm.
CH: 73-75 mph. Heavy arm-side fade, feel for the zone. T1865, 1736 average rpm.

Positional Profile: 3B
Hit: RHH. Wider, balanced setup, simple lift/place stride. Longer path through the zone, loose hands, line drive approach, simple, balanced, middle/pull-side approach. 67.6 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (88.1 avg.); 313-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79.00 mph. Full arm circle, whippy 3/4 arm action.
Defense: MIF: Soft two-hand funnel into body, plays through the ball, flashes fluid actions, clean double play turn, natural feel for the position. 1B: Athletic feet, some natural feel for the position.
Athletic Testing: 7.82 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.4 Edge Score.

Ernst started Cangelosi’s game at Franklin Field and put together an eye-catching out. Ernst is listed at 6-foot-1, 155 pounds with obvious physical characteristics that indicate development throughout his high school years. Our first look at Ernst was back in April at the Lockport Rising Stars ID where some of his spin and movement metrics were extremely impressive. The numbers certainly back what Ernst flashed on Friday as his two-seam fastball had well above-average movement. Ernst’s arm got around quick and loose to pair with an easy operation down the mound. The ball came cleanly out of his hand while his fastball sat in the low-70s and topped out at 75 mph. The right-hander also showcased a genuine three-pitch mix that contained a CH and a CB. Ernst’s CB showed promise as it had some movement that will continue to develop over the coming years.

Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, slightly open setup, knee-knocks into a medium stride. Relaxed hands, flat path through the zone, looks to stay middle/away.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 67.1 mph. 241’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Loose arm action, plays from multiple slots.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, clean and quick transfer, moves with ease laterally.
Run: 8.53 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: High leg-lift, coils into balance point, tall/fall lower half, long stride down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 release.
FB: T74, 71-73 mph. Plays with heavy arm-side run, true two-seam feel, has feel to spin, feel for the strike zone. T2114, 1967 average rpm.
CB: 62-63 mph. Short 11/5 bite, developing feel for the zone. T1965, 1878 average rpm.
CH: 66-68 mph. Plays with arm-side run, keeps down in the zone, developing. T2008, 1940 average rpm.