Tools & Intangibles, Part 2 (Pitchers)

Thu August 11, 2022
Justin Goetz
PBR Georgia Asst Scouting Director

Every arm on Team Georgia’s 2022 Future Games roster flashed brilliance in our three game audition for over 300 college baseball programs. The numbers speak for themselves, as the pitching staff averaged 8.2 K’s per 7 INN according to LakePoint Sports. They also had another eye popping stat - 7 pitchers on the staff were 6 foot 3 or taller, with only one of our ten arms below 6 foot 2. Each pitcher possesses a trio of athleticism, stuff, and intangibles, but the most career changing attribute in their arsenal is physical projection.

Yes, any thrower of baseballs can have mental projection due to baseball IQ, aptitude, experience. But nothing causes an arm to jump in velocity like physical maturity. What’s one of the easiest ways to find an elite pitching prospect? Taking notice of athletic, long levered pitchers with broad shoulders who lack physicality. If they can create easy explosiveness in a repeatable delivery with tools like arm speed, pitch movement, and control/command you’ve got an arm who will rise above the competition when they add strength to the frame. Chris Sale’s FB was anywhere from 82-89 his senior year of high school. Flamethrowers Zack Wheeler, Blake Snell, and Andrew Miller all had mid 80’s FB’s as HS Underclassmen.

The tools & intangibles needed for a pitcher to be successful are quite different from a position player, as the majority of them involve throwing a baseball. But, there's no question the art of pitching is just as detailed as its positional counterparts. Below I will explain each of the most important pitching tools & intangibles (with separators for each player), and rank the Top 5 players on our club that most exemplify these skills. These rankings are based on the MLB scouting scale, ranging from Average to Excellent (avg, solid avg, above avg, good/plus, ++ , and excellent).

Stuff is the most important tool a pitcher can have to go far in this game. Why? As I said in Part 1, baseball is about preventing runs and scoring runs. The pitcher with the nastiest stuff will always be most likely to create the most swing & misses/miss the most barrels, thus preventing the most runs. Athleticism, velocity, pitch movement (life), command, proper mechanics, angle, trajectory, and deceptiveness are all a huge part of creating a repertoire that misses barrels. Spin rates are a huge part of stuff, but will be omitted from this article. Below, I will evaluate the overall future potential of 3 different pitches (Top 5 - FB, Breaking Ball, Top 3 - CH).

Fastball

1. Dane Moehler, RHP - Good. Separators : Life (bore), Deception, Arm Speed
2. DeShawn Morgan, RHP - Good. Separators : Arm Speed, Velocity, Fearlessness
3. Gaven Smith, LHP - Good. Separators : Arm Speed, Projection, Extension, Command
3b. Trey Robbins, LHP - Good. Separators : Projection, Life (bore), Velocity
4. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Life (sink+tail), Angle+Plane, Deception
5. Montrell Christian, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Plane, Deception, Arm Strength
5b. Jackson Peavy, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Command, Life (tail), Deception
Breaking Ball

1. Jackson Peavy, LHP - ++ (CB). Separators : Life (sweep+depth), Consistency, Confidence
2. Brooks Willis, RHP - Good (SLV). Separators : Angle, Life (HZB), Tilt
3. Dane Moehler, RHP - Good (CB). Separators : Life (2 plane depth), Deception, Shape
4. Elijah Wellman, RHP - A/AVG (CB). Separators : Command, Deception, Life (HZB)
5. KJ Moon, RHP - A/AVG (SL). Separators : Spin Rate, Velocity, Aggressiveness
Changeup

1. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - Good. Separators : Life (heavy fade), Tempo, Command
2. Dane Moehler, RHP - Solid Avg. Separators : Delivery, Aptitude, Pitchability
3. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Avg. Separators : Delivery, Aptitude, Pitchability

Pitch Movement (life) is a self explanatory tool that can make a pitch successful without elite velocity or command. A pitch with exceptional life is much tougher to track to a hitter, creating swing & miss/missing barrels much more often. The life on a certain pitch can play up due to deceptiveness in the delivery/arm action, plane/angle the pitch arrives on, and of course velo/command. This tool will be evaluated on current and future potential.

Fastball

1. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - A/AVG to Plus. Separators : Low Spin, Angle+Plane, Deception
2. Elijah Wellman, RHP - A/AVG to Plus. Separators : Arm Slot, Angle, Deception
3. Dillon Stiltner, RHP - Avg to Plus. Separators : Low Spin, Arm Speed, Plane
4. Trey Robbins, LHP - Avg to Plus. Separators : Extension, Arm Speed, Cross-Fire
5. Dane Moehler, RHP - Avg to Plus. Separators : Velocity, Deception, Arm Slot
5b. Gaven Smith, LHP - Avg to Plus. Separators : Plane, Arm Slot, Command
Breaking Ball

1. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Solid Avg/Plus (flashes A/AVG). Separators : Consistency, Deception, Angle
2. Brooks Willis, RHP - Avg/Plus (flashes A/AVG). Separators : Angle, Deception, Aggressiveness
3. Dane Moehler, RHP - Avg/Plus (flashes A/AVG). Separators : Plane, Confidence, Aptitude
4. KJ Moon, RHP - Avg/Plus (flashes A/AVG). Separators : Spin Rate, Velo, Arm Slot
5. Elijah Wellman, RHP - Fringe/A/AVG. Separators : Command, Angle, Arm Slot
5b. DeShawn Morgan, RHP - Fringe/A/AVG. Separators : Spin Rate, Arm Slot, Aptitude
5c. Gaven Smith, LHP - Fringe/A/AVG. Separators : Athleticism, Arm Speed
Changeup

1. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - Avg/Plus (flashes A/AVG). Separators : Pitchablity, Command, Plane
2. Dane Moehler, RHP - Fringe/Solid Avg. Separators : Athleticism, Experience, Delivery
3. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Fringe/Avg. Separators : Experience, Delivery, Arm Slot

Command is the ability to consistently put a certain pitch wherever you want in/out of the strike zone. This is not to be confused with control, which is the ability to consistently throw the ball in the strike zone. Command is the true equalizer in amateur and pro baseball. A starting pitcher's ceiling will never be reached without being able to consistently put multiple pitches where they want, when they want. A pitcher without average or better command of two pitches is an automatic reliever at the games highest level. Elite command can allow any pitch to play up, and can turn a hurler with average stuff into a good starting pitcher. This tool will be evaluated on future potential, as very few HS arms have avg or better MLB command as Underclassmen.

Fastball

1. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Plus. Separators : Delivery, Direction, Arm Action, Ease
2. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Pitchability, Arm Action, Repeats Slot
3. Dane Moehler, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Athleticism, Delivery, Arm Action
4. Montrell Christian, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Athleticism, Balance, Confidence
5. Elijah Wellman, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Delivery, Direction, Effortlessness
5b. Gaven Smith, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Athleticism, Delivery, Arm Action
5c. Brooks Willis, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Repeatability, Patience, Arm Action
Breaking Ball

1. Elijah Wellman, RHP - Plus. Separators : Delivery, Direction, Effortlessness
2. Brooks Willis, RHP - Plus. Separators : Repeatability, Timing, Confidence
3. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Pitchability, Arm Action, Repeats Slot
4. Jackson Peavy, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Delivery, Direction, Arm Speed, Ease
5. Dane Moehler, RHP - Solid Avg. Separators : Athleticism, Delivery, Aptitude
5b. Montrell Christian, RHP - Solid Avg. Separators : Pitchability, Athleticism, Arm Speed

Changeup

1. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Pitchability, Delivery, Arm Action
2. Dane Moehler, RHP - Avg. Separators : Athleticism, Experience, Delivery
3. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Avg. Separators : Experience, Delivery, Arm Slot
Delivery is the key to consistency on the hill, and always will be. Having an athletic, mechanically clean, effortless delivery is an absolute game changing attribute and the foundation of a pitcher's game. When the delivery is good you create consistent velocity, pitch life, command, and put less pressure on the arm and body over time, leading to a longer career. A bad delivery can have the complete opposite impact on core pitching tools. While a pitcher's delivery can vastly improve as the career goes, the core mechanics often remain the same. This skill will be evaluated on current and future potential.

1. Gaven Smith, LHP - Good/Exc. Separators : Athleticism, Balance, Momentum, Direction
2. Jackson Peavy, LHP - A/AVG to Plus. Separators : Footwork, Balance, Ease of Op
3. Elijah Wellman, RHP - A/AVG to Plus. Separators : Ease of Op, Balance, Fluidity
4. Dane Moehler, RHP - Avg/Plus. Separators : Athleticism, Lower Half Mech, Ease of Op
5. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - Avg/Plus. Separators : Pace, Balance, Lower Half Mechanics
Arm Action is one of the most analyzed actions on the mound by college and pro scouts, for good reason. There’s a book's worth of terms and definitions on what makes an arm action good or bad, repeatable or unrepeatable. Is it one piece or two pieces? Is he a clean full circle or a pie thrower/dart thrower? Does he have a stab, wrap, pause that slows momentum or causes inconsistency? Hopefully he doesn’t have the dreaded inverted V. Is he more an arm speed or arm strength guy? Does he have both? I feel that both short and long arm actions can fit perfectly on a certain pitcher. For Joe Kelly, a short arm action is the perfect fit because of his athleticism, tempo, arm speed. As a fast mover that spends little time over the rubber, a long arm action takes away his ability to drive the ball downhill. For Pedro Martinez, his incredible balance & patience over the rubber gave his loose, long arm swing time to buildup momentum perfectly and gave him tons of extension. Whatever your arm action - it needs to match the tempo of delivery, height/size of the pitcher, shoulder rotation & slot, and the pace of the stride. This will be evaluated on current arm actions of our staff.

1. Gaven Smith, LHP - ++. Separators : Looseness, Fluidity, Gradual Buildup, Ease
2. DeShawn Morgan, RHP - Good. Separators : Looseness, Fluidity, Separation Timing
3. Dane Moehler, RHP - Good. Separators : Looseness, Connection, Separation Timing
4. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Good. Separators : Looseness, Connection, Pace
5. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - A/AVG. Separators : Connection, Short Circle, Pace
5b. Brooks Willis, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Looseness, Patience, Extension
Projection is by far the hardest attribute to have, because it is mostly due to age, body type and genetics. Physical projection ends when the player physically matures. If the pitcher is athletic, has a good delivery with arm speed, and is far from filling into the frame, an eventual velocity jump is likely. However, a player can be more projectable due to many of the intangibles named above or below. These 5 will be ranked solely on physical projection.

1. Gaven Smith, LHP - Excellent. Separators : Long Levers, Athleticism, Frame
2. Dane Moehler, RHP - ++. Separators : Athleticism, Bloodlines, Frame
3. Trey Robbins, LHP - ++. Separators : Age, Athleticism, Frame
4. Dillon Stiltner, RHP - ++. Separators : Age, Athleticism, Long Levers
5. Brooks Willis, RHP - Good. Separators : Height, Bloodlines, Long Levers
5b. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - Good. Separators : Long Levers, Broad Shoulders
5c. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Good. Separators : Youth, Frame, Length
5d. DeShawn Morgan, RHP - Good. Separators : Athleticism, Twitch, Strength
5e. Montrell Christian, RHP - Good. Separators : Size, Frame, Athleticism
5f. Elijah Wellman, RHP - Good. Separators : Broad Shoulders, Length
5g. KJ Moon, RHP - Good. Separators : Size, Youth, Build
Deceptiveness is easily one of the most underrated skills a pitcher can possess. Arm action, cross-fire, extension, arm slot, funky delivery, and tempo variations can all play a huge role in deceptiveness. Spin rate is a huge player in deception but I’ve already dedicated specific articles to pitching metrics. Deception enhances every single tool & intangible a pitcher needs. This intangible will be evaluated currently.

1. Elijah Wellman, RHP - ++. Separators : Arm Angle, Visibility, Life
2. Brooks Willis, RHP - ++. Separators : Cross-Fire Delivery, Spin Rates, Arm Slot
3. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - Plus. Separators : Visibility, Plane, Life
4. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Plus. Separators : Visibility, Arm Slot, Life 
5. Dane Moehler, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Visibility, Arm Action, Life
5b. Montrell Christian, RHP - A/AVG. Separators : Plane, Visibility, Life

Angle/Plane is a natural skill based on a pitcher’s delivery, direction, arm action/slot, side of the plate they work from, stride, and extension. This skill can be improved with moving the pitcher to different parts of the rubber, and some in the offseason with delivery/arm adjustments. A pitcher with a unique angle or steep/incline plane doesn’t always have the prettiest delivery. Some of the most effective pitchers in the game today have odd or funky deliveries. This is a natural skill that will be evaluated currently.

1. Brooks Willis, RHP - Good (angle+plane). Separators : Delivery, Arm Slot, Height
2. Montrell Christian, RHP - Good (plane). Separators : Release Height, Arm Slot,Short Stride
3. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - Good (angle+plane). Separators : Arm Slot, Funky Delivery
4. Dillon Stiltner, RHP - A/AVG (Plane). Separators : Lower Half Mechanics, Low Spin, Arm Slot
5. Dane Moehler, RHP - A/AVG (plane). Separators : Lower Half Mechanics
Pitchability starts with instincts and develops into a different skill. The best way to have elite pitchability on the diamond is to play an endless amount of baseball and study the game relentlessly every day. The ability to read a hitter's reactions to a certain pitch, holes in a swing to exploit, and executing a gameplan on each hitter are absolutely essential to a successful career. The constant hunger to know everything about the game leads to the highest level of preparation, and the more you know about the game the more you’ll think 1-2 pitches ahead. Arms with high pitchability are prepared for every possible scenario on each singular pitch. This intangible will be evaluated on current only, but can improve. No separators needed here.

1. Pete Jezerinac, LHP - Good.
2. Elijah Wellman, RHP - A/AVG.
3. Jackson Peavy, LHP - A/AVG.
4. Montrell Christian, RHP - Solid Avg.
5. Dane Moehler, RHP - Solid Avg.
5b. Brooks Willis, RHP - Solid Avg.

Competitiveness pretty much speaks for itself. A player who is never satisfied and has no fear of failure will always be the best competitor and eventually separate themselves from the pack. One who competes for everything in life will be the toughest to defeat. This is an intangible players need on & off the field, and are one of the biggest keys in mental makeup. If you don’t have good competitiveness now, it won’t ever be elite. Everyone on our roster has good competitiveness, so take this ranking with a grain of salt. No separators needed here.

1. Brooks Willis, RHP - Excellent.
2. Dane Moehler, RHP - Excellent.
3. Gaven Smith, LHP - Good.
4. Jackson Peavy, LHP - Good.
5. KJ Moon, RHP - Good.
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