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Colorado Year In Review: 22nd Most Viewed Profile: Connor Nantkes

December 13, 2016

John Cackowski
State Director

Since our launch in April of 2014, Prep Baseball Report Colorado continues to be your No.1 source for Amateur baseball in Colorado. Over the years nationally, the Prep Baseball Report has evolved into one of the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting services, with a singular focus of providing comprehensive coverage in every state we are in, which is now up to 35 states. In 2016 our site reached over 150,000 page views and counting for the first time. The other day we began our season countdown of Top 25 most viewed profiles and stories of 2016. Coming in at the No. 22 most viewed profile in 2016 is Cherokee Trail HS LHP/OF, and Washington State commit Connor Nantkes with 694 views. Here is a look at his current profile.

 

Comments

5-20-16
You can argue that Nantkes has been the best pitcher in the state at the 5A level going down the stretch. On Friday he dominated Rocky Mountain, a team who participated in the NHSI and  had not been shut out all year. Nantkes went 7 innings and only gave up 2 hits and struck out 6. Fastball lived between 82 and 84 mph. Below is comments from our last event we had Nantkes at.

A 6-foot-2, 180-pound left hand hitting 1B/LHP who ran a 7.30 60.  Balanced at the plate with a quick stride and load.  Weight transfers forward on the swing and he shows good extension out front.  Swing stays level and he lives in the gaps.  Showcased a 92 MPH exit velocity.  Athletic in the field at first base with good feet and instincts.  He moves well on balls to his glove side and delivers from a high ¾ arm angle.  He showcased an accurate 82 MPH arm across the diamond.  On the mound he starts slightly closed and gets good balance and drive to the plate.  He lands in-line with the plate and falls off to the third base side on his finish.  He throws from a high ¾ arm slot and features an 85 MPH fastball with slight tail and a 70 MPH curve with sharp break.  He finished his showcase with a 74 MPH change that moves into the right hand hitter.  Identified as the best two way talent 2017 at this event.

4-24-16
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound left hand hitting 1B/LHP who ran a 7.49 60.  At the plate he is crouched with a slow load during the pitch.  He shows strong weight transfer and hits off a firm front side.  Swing path is slightly uphill and he hit several balls hard into the gaps during the live round.  Exit velocity was 93 MPH. At first he shows good range and footwork around the bag.  He throws from a ¾ arm slot with an arm velocity of 78 MPH. 

2-28-16
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound left hand hitting 1B/LHP who ran a 7.30 60.  Balanced at the plate with a quick stride and load.  Weight transfers forward on the swing and he shows good extension out front.  Swing stays level and he lives in the gaps.  Showcased a 92 MPH exit velocity.  Athletic in the field at first base with good feet and instincts.  He moves well on balls to his glove side and delivers from a high ¾ arm angle.  He showcased an accurate 82 MPH arm across the diamond.  On the mound he starts slightly closed and gets good balance and drive to the plate.  He lands in-line with the plate and falls off to the third base side on his finish.  He throws from a high ¾ arm slot and features an 85 MPH fastball with slight tail and a 70 MPH curve with sharp break.  He finished his showcase with a 74 MPH change that moves into the right hand hitter.  Identified as the best two way talent 2017 at this event.


8-8-15
6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Bats and throws left. Nantkes was voted most projectable arm at the event. Hands start high and has a very fluid motion to the plate. Square, in-line, and arm works real well with lower half. After delivery will slightly fall off to 3rd. Has a high 3/4 arm slot. Fastball is on you, and is thrown consistently at 81 to 82 mph but touched 84. Tails away from right handed hitters. Curveball has 1/7 shape and comes in at 68 mph with tight spin. Change has fade away from right handed hitters thrown at 70-71 mph. At the plate shows potential as a two-way player. Athletic balanced wide stance with slight crouch. Hips work good. Smooth swing off short stride. Gap to gap hitter with good bat speed. Generated 89 mph exit velocity off the tee. In the OF has solid fundamentals. Projects as a corner OF. Threw 77 from right to 3rd. Ran a 7.50 60.

4-8-15
6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Bats and throws left. Hands are set up high before he starts windup. Throws from a 3/4 arm slot and fastball was consistently between 80-82 mph. Disguises a good changeup that came in at 73 mph. Has a slow breaking 2/7 curveball that comes in at 69 mph. Slightly falls to 3B after delivery. LHP prospect to follow. At the plate hits 4-hole for the Cougars. Has fast bat speed. Hands load smooth and has short stride. Had a good day at the plate going 2-4 with 2 RBI's. Drove in game-tying run in the 7th inning.

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