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Senior Superlatives: Best Changeup

December 9, 2019
PBR Georgia Staff



It has been a busy few weeks for Prep Baseball Report and PBR Georgia regarding the Class of 2020 and the approaching 2020 MLB Draft. First, we had the update of the 2020 National Rankings, with Georgia being well-represented, followed by the combined High School, Junior College and College 2020 Draft Board. Extending over the next few weeks, we are going to dive into the 2020 Georgia rankings and give our take on the prospects who possess the top tools in the state. Over the past two weeks we have looked at the top position player superlatives (scroll to bottom to view links to nine different categories). Today, we move on to the pitchers of the 2020 class.

Best Changeup

Zander Sechrist LHP / Flowery Branch, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 5 OverallRank: 343 / POS: 29

The wiry LHP can really pitch and has a fastball that touches upper 80's and sits in the mid's.  He has feel for landing a soft breaking ball, but his feature pitch is a bugs bunny change-up that is a true weapon.  Sechrist has now pitchabiilty paired with projection left to his body.  Projection may not come fast enough for the 2020 draft, and if not look for Tennessee to be getting a quality pitcher with a chance to win a bunch of games at the next level.

Max DeJong RHP / OF / Hillgrove, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 7 OverallRank: 369 / POS: 122

This medium-framed righty committed to Georgia has been on fire out of the gate. He commands the ball to both side of the plate out of his high overhand slot. His fastball sits in the 86-90 range and gets good angle down in the zone. His curveball is a true 12-6 pitch because of his arm slot and DeJong shows the ability to land it for quality strikes, and finish off hitters by burying in front of the zone for swings and misses. This kid has competed well in both outings at LakePoint and is going to make Dawgs fans happy, as he has all the makings of a weekend starter early in his career.

Marquis Grissom Jr. RHP / Counterpane, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 144 / POS: 47

Grissom struck out five of the six batters he faced and was among those who stole the show on Saturday. His fastball topped 92 mph, with feel for the corners, and he made use of a swing-and-miss changeup with which he recorded most of his punch-outs. Grissom has flashed the makings of an average curveball over the past year, giving him the three-pitch arsenal that should allow him to start long-term. He still has room to add strength and already uses leverage well in his delivery, working with a stiff front side, generating advanced hand speed.

Chase Dollander RHP / Greenbrier, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 192 / POS: 65

Dollander was absolutely electric, tossing five and a third innings of perfect baseball. A calming, confident presence on the mound, Dollander was locked in. Despite having a fastball that was sitting 87-89, Dollander worked over the Pirates lineup with a legitimate four pitch mix. He came out of the gate firing with his changeup. Maintaining arm speed, the pitch showed late sink as Dollander pulled the string back time and time again. The curveball and slider at-time have similar shape, what differentiated the two was the depth of the break. Dollander’s slider was harder at 76-77 with a tight downward action, while the 11/5 curveball was a little slower at 72-74, with more downward action. Dollander would go all seven innings, scattering two runs, one earned on three hits, striking out eight and walking one.

Aaron Osada RHP / River Ridge, GA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 54 / POS: 16

Osada is a big kid at 6-foot-4 200 pounds.  He has the look of a kid that will throw a heavy ball in the future.  He has a side step delivery and uses his size for leverage.  Pitches from a overhand arm slot with a one piece arm action. He does a good job of pitching downhill with his fastball (84-86) topping put at 88. Has a beneficial slot for his curveball and will add power to the pitch as velocity comes.  Competed well and showed good composure on the mound.

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