Freshmen Free Showcase: Pitching Analysis
January 9, 2018
The Freshmen Free Showcase took place on December 10 at Sunrise Mountain HS in Peoria. This week we wrap up our positional analysis from the event with the pitchers. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information.
PBR's fifth-rated 2021 prospect in the country Brock Selvidge top the list after a dominant performance. He is followed by another young lefty, Max Zdimal who stood out as a two-way prospect and ran his fastball up to 83 mph. LHP Trenton Tarver, RHP Chase Valentine and LHP Frank Wierman round out the list with RHP Alex Ramirez narrowly missing out.
Top Pitching Prospects
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Brock Selvidge LHP / OF / Hamilton, AZ / 2021Athletic 6-foot-2 170-pound frame. Already rated as the top 2021 prospect in Arizona, Selvidge established himself as one of the top prospects in the country with his showing at the Freshmen Free Showcase. Posting the top 60-yard dash (7.08), outfield velo (85) and fastball veto (87), Selvidge was easily the top player in attendance and is already an elite-level national prospect. Using a leg-lift trigger and deep hand load, he showcased the same bat speed during BP that we have previously seen from him in a live game setting. When he learns to stay behind the baseball more consistently his swing will develop more consistent loft. That combined with a continued increase in physical strength will allow his elite bat speed to produce more power. In our first live look on the mound, he may have been even better. Touching 87 with his fastball while showing elite arm speed and the ability to sink it, Selvidge is a definite two-way prospect. He also mixed in a slurvy 72-74 mph breaking ball an showed feel for a 77-79 mph change, throwing all three pitches for strikes. His development will be exciting to watch over the next four years. |
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Max Zdimal LHP / OF / Notre Dame Preparatory, AZ / 20215-foot-9, 155-pound frame. Looks bigger than listed size. Two-way prospect impressed as a hitter and on the mound establishing himself as one of the top 2021 follows in Arizona. Offensively, showed off excellent bat speed with some loft, despite a somewhat crude swing, Zdimal posted the second highest exit velocity at the event (85 mph). With a slight arm bar and deep hand load, Zdimal keeps the barrel in the zone for a long time and made lots of loud contact to the pull side. On the mound the young lefty reached 83 mph with some effort, also showing off a solid mid-70’s changeup. He shows a high ¾ arm slot and on-line delivery with some head movement through release but generally pounded the zone during his bullpen. |
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Treyton Tarver LHP / OF / Shadow Ridge , AZ / 2021Thin 6-foot-1, 143-pound frame. Projects to make significant gains in all areas as his body develops and adds strength/mass. On the mound Tarver used a full wind-up and ¾ arm slot, working 73-75, T76 with his fastball that showed some movement to the arm side. Best secondary pitch was a 63-65 mph changeup with big fading action. Also mixed in a developing 59-62 mph breaking ball that tended to pop up out of his hand. Offensively Tarver looked like a guy that would hit in the future as he gets stronger. Using a leg-lift trigger, he did a good job creating separation with his load and was generally on the barrel. Shows good running form and will improve on 7.88 60-yard dash with physical development.
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Chase Valentine SS / RHP / Sandra Day O'Connor , AZ / 20215-foot-8, 125-pound frame. Valentine is a baseball player. He showed off very advanced defensive actions with good footwork, the ability to throw from multiple angles and solid carry on his throws (77 mph infield velocity). Made lots of hard contact during his round of BP with a simple swing and advanced feel for the barrel. Gathers himself with early knee-knock trigger, creating good separation. Shows enough bat speed to produce gap power as he gets bigger and continues to develop physically; 76 mph exit velocity. He also hopped on the mound and pounded the zone with three pitches, topping out at 79 mph with his mostly straight fastball. Working exclusively from the stretch, Valentine uses some effort to deliver the ball from a ¾ arm slot. 66-68 mph curveball has 11-5 shape and tight, consistent rotation. Also flashed 68-71 mph straight change in the strike zone. Valentine should be an elite high school player with a chance to develop into a very nice college prospect depending on how his tools develop.
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Frank Wierman LHP / OF / Shadow Ridge, AZ / 20215-foot-8, 140-pound frame. Two-way prospect showed best on the mound where he topped out at 78 mph from the left side, sitting 75-77. Used compact delivery and high ¾ arm slot, movements will become more athletic and explosive as he gets stronger in his lower half. 63-65 mph breaking ball showed 2-8 shape. 70-73 mph changeup is developing. Made consistent line drive contact to the pull side using leg-kick trigger with short path to the baseball; 76 mph exit velocity. Solid outfield actions, feet work well through the baseball. 72 mph outfield velocity didn’t match the eye test as he got decent carry, although he tended to put lots of air under his throws. 8.02 60-yard dash. |
Alex Demos, Cactus Shadows HS, 2021 Hunter Hays, Prescott HS, 2021 Trace Laudenschlager, Cactus Shadows HS, 2021 Alex Ramirez, Sierra Linda HS, 2021 Damien Tipton, Fairfax HS, 2021Best of the rest (Alphabetical order)