Prep Baseball Report

Chicago Preseason I.D.: Pitcher Analysis


By Diego Solares and Drew Locascio
Illinois Staff

On Sunday, February 23, the PBR Illinois team hosted its second annual Chicago Preseason I.D. showcase at the Pullman Community Center, where over 80 prospects from all high school classes participated in this open event event. 

Shortly after the event’s conclusion we posted an early analysis of the event with our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis pieces. We jump started our position-by-position breakdown on Monday with a deep dive into the catchers

Today we conclude our positional breakdown with a look at the 30 arms that were in attendance. The top right-hander from the event was Nick Walczak (Maine South, 2021). Walczak, listed at 6-foot-4, 175-pounds was making his PBR debut. The projectable, well-proportioned, right-hander sat 83-85 and showed feel for both of his off-speed offerings, including a sharp slider that he ran up to 75 mph. 

The top left-handed pitcher from the day was Vince Waterman (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2023), who was also making his PBR debut. Waterman is an athletic freshman with a loose arm and he sat 80-81 mph with plenty more velocity to come in the coming years.

Read on below for reports on all of the pitchers from this event. 

TOP RHP PROSPECTS

1. Nick Walczak, Maine South, 2021
 Positional Profile: RHP Lanky right-hander with more projection to come.
Body: 6-foot-4, 175-pounds. Athletic build. Projects.
Delivery: Athletic on the mound, drop and drive delivery, level shoulders, lands square and direct to target. Easy effort throughout motion, fluid rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Lively arm.
FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Comes out clean. Flashed arm-side run. More velocity to come.
SL: 69-75 mph. Tight shape with sweeping action and feel.
CH: 73-76 mph. Thrown with near fastball arm speed. Flashed arm-side run, strikes down in the zone. Feel for pitch. 

2. Wilken Benjamin III, Mundelein, 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 175-pounds. Lean, lanky, high-waisted build. Projects.
Delivery: Steady tall and fall delivery, strong front side, creates extension downhill, front toe lands open and direct to target, athletic finish. Fluid rhythm throughout, works quick.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Plays straight. Strikes down in the zone.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 shape with sharp action, strikes. Thrown with intent, potential swing-and-miss pitch.
SPLT: 72-75 mph. Downward action, flashed arm-side run. 

3. Sava Dupor, Glenbrook South, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Athletic, wide-shouldered build.
Delivery: Steady side-step initiates athletic delivery, level shoulders, falls towards first base at times, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Plays straight. Flashed arm-side run and downward tilt.
CB: 68-69 mph. 11/5 shape with sharp, late break. Thrown with intent.
CH: 72-73 mph. Primarily played straight with occasional arm-side run. 

4. Drew Horne, Fenwick , 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS Projectable right-hander with upside on the mound.
Body: 6-foot-2, 147-pounds. Lean, lanky frame. Highly projects.
Delivery: Smooth and repeatable Tall and fall delivery, athletic balance point, strong front side, creates extension downhill, lands square, directional to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Easy out the hand. Flashed arm-side run. Strikes.
CB: 70-71 mph. 12/6 shape.
CH: 71-73 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Plays straight. Strikes.

5. Will Moonan, St. Rita, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/
Body: 6-foot-3, 158-pounds. Lean, high-waisted build. Projects.
Delivery: Side step initiates motion, sound balance point, works on line to target, upright finish, throws with easy effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Primarily played straight with occasional sink. Around the zone.
CB: 66-69 mph. 11/5 shape, breaks early.
CH: 69-72 mph. Flashed arm-side run and sink. Plays down in the zone.

TOP LHP PROSPECTS 

1. Vince Waterman, Homewood Flossmoor, 2023
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Athletic on the mound, smooth Tall and fall delivery, strong front side, lands square and direct to target, athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Quick, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. Plays with arm-side run.
CB: 66-68 mph. 1/7 shape, gradual action. Some feel to spin, strikes.
CH: 73-75 mph. Played straight with occasional fade. 

2. Marty Boyle, St. Ignatius, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Compact, athletic frame.
Delivery: Repeatable tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, open-toed landing, direct to target. Smooth rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Natural arm-side run. Strikes.
CB: 67-70 mph. 1/7 shape. Gradual action.
CH: 75-76 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Occasionally played with sink and cut. 

3. Anthony Pullano, Maine South, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame. Wide-shouldered.
Delivery: Smooth and methodical tall and fall delivery, athletic at balance point, level shoulders, lands square and works direct to target with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Plays with natural late arm-side run. Strikes.
CB: 61-64 mph. 1/7 shape. Gradual action. Slightly decelerates arm action.
CH: 68-72 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Sinking action, strikes down in the zone, best secondary pitch. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matthew Bressler, Stevenson, 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, athletic balance point, level shoulders, lands square and works direct to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T77, 73-76 mph. Flashed late arm-side run. Around the zone.
CB: 65-67 mph. 12/6 shape with gradual action. Thrown with intent.
CH: 65-67 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. 

Peyton Burgh, Prospect, 2022 
Positional Profile: SS/RHP 
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build. 
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands square, works on line with target. 
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. 
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Plays straight. Strikes. 
CB: 62-64 mph. 12/6 shape. Showed gradual action. 
CH: 66-69 mph. Primarily played straight with occasional sink. 

Joshua Del Valle, Mt. Carmel, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 168-pounds. Strong, proportional frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands square, works closed to target.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-75 mph. Plays with natural cut.
SL: 67-69 mph. 1/7 shape, gradual action.
CH: 71-72 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Plays straight. 

Draza Dupor, Glenbrook South, 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, short stride, on line to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-74 mph. Plays straight with occasional arm-side run.
CB: 67-68 mph.
CH: 68-70 mph. Plays straight. 

Avery Evans, STEM Academy, 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, lands square and works on line with target.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T73, 69-72 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 65-67 mph.
CH: 67-68 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Works down in the zone. 

Patrick Ford, Rolling Meadows, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 215-pounds. Strong, physical, proportional frame. Wide-shouldered.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, level shoulders, directional to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 77-79 mph. Clean out the hand. Plays straight towards glove-side of plate.
SL: 64-65 mph. 10/4 shape with sweeping action.
CH: 69-71 mph. Slightly decelerated arm action. Plays straight.

Nicholas Gniedziejko, Taft, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 185-pounds. Lanky, athletic build. Projects.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, short strider downhill, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Works down in the zone.
CB: 57-61 mph.  12/6 shape with some depth. Breaks early.
CH: 72-73 mph. Slight decelerated arm action. Plays straight. 

Pj Hayes, Loyola Academy, 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic frame. Highly projectable.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, short strider, closed-toe landing.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 72-73 mph. Played straight with occasional arm-side run.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape. Breaks early.
CH: 66-68 mph. Works down in the zone. 

Will Hayes, New Trier, 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Strong, proportional build. Wide-shouldered.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands square and works direct to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Played straight.
CB: 67-68 mph. 11/5 shape. Early break.
CH: 72-74 mph. Straight action with occasional sink. Around the zone. 

Ryan Koehler, Barrington, 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Delivery: Athletic drop and drive delivery, square landing, works on line to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T81, 79-81 mph. Clean out the hand. Played straight primarily towards glove-side of plate.
CB: 67-67 mph. 11/5 shape. Late break.
CH: 71-74 mph. Thrown with fastball arm speed. Sinking action with occasional cut. 

Ryan Kramer, Latin School of Chicago, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 199-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, shoulders stay level, lands square, works direct to target. Some rhythm throughout. 
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph.  Plays straight. Around the zone.
CB: 59-62 mph. 12/6 with shape. Early break. Feel to spin.
CH: 67-69 mph. Slightly decelerated arm action. Plays straight and down in the zone. 

Caden Krystofiak, Glenbard East , 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, sound balance point, level shoulders, directional to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, low 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Slight arm-side run. Strikes.
SL: 63-67 mph. Showed sweeping action with tight spin. Breaks late and plays down in the zone.
CH: 65-68 mph. Slightly decelerates arm action.

Nick Lagges, Lane tech, 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 163-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Methodical tall and fall delivery, front side stays level, lands square and works on line to target, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 62-64 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 68-70 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Flashed sink and fade. 

Ezekiel Lopez, Morton West , 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-6, 154-pounds. Compact frame. Strong lower half.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, on line with target, falls towards first base side.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 71-73 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 59-61 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual action. Some feel to spin.
CH: 67-68 mph. Thrown with near fastball arm speed. Straight action. 

Darryl Loyd III, Morgan Park, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 220-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, high front side, directional to target, athletic finish. Throws with some effort.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Primarily straight movement with slight arm-side run at times.
CB: 65-67 mph. 1/7 shape.
CH: 64-66 mph. Played with sink and occasional fade. 

Alex Maldonado, Maine South, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame. Projects.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, front foot lands closed, on line with target, aggressive motion.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 58-61 mph. 12/6 shape with early break; Around the zone. Arm slows down.
CH: 64-67 mph. Plays straight. 

Michael Mucha, Lockport, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-5, 135-pounds. Compact frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, high front side, works closed off from target.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 73-74 mph. Straight movement with occasional arm-side run.
CB: 60-64 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual action.
CH: 64-68 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Plays with arm-side run. 

Kaden Murphy, Champaign Centennial, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Lean, lanky frame.
Delivery: Athletic drop and drive delivery, strong front side, closed-toe landing, directional to target. Smooth rhythm throughout. 
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-74 mph. Occasional arm-side run.
CB: 62-66 mph. Tight 11/5 shape with some depth.
CH: 71-73 mph. Plays straight with sink at times. 

Joseph Pieper, Palatine , 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot, 150-pounds. Lean, lanky build. Projects.
Delivery: Repeatable tall and fall delivery, athletic high leg kick, level shoulders, lands square and direct to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Showed arm-side run at times.
CB: 66-68 mph. 12/6 shape with depth. Feel to spin.
CH: 73-74 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Flashes both sink and fade. 

Conner Randall, St Ignatius, 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Lanky build.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, level shoulders, works closed to target, falls towards third base side.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 73-75 mph. Flashed arm-side run.
CB: 62-65 mph. 1/7 shape.
CH: 64-67 mph. Plays down in the zone. 

Asa Waites, Morgan Park, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 200-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame. Defined lower half.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands square and works on line with target.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Works down in the zone. Around the zone.
CB: 68-71 mph. 12/6 shape with some depth. Early break.
CH: 75-78 mph. Primarily played straight with slight arm-side run at times. 

Kai Yau, Loyola Academy , 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, directional to target, athletic finish. Works in rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 73-76 mph. Plays straight. Strikes.
CB: 65-67 mph. 1/7 shape with some depth. Feel to spin.
CH: 68-70 mph. Primarily straight action with occasional sink.  

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