IA Underclass Prospect Games: Pitching Analysis

September 16, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

The Prep Baseball Report Iowa's Underclass Prospect Games took place on August 4th, 2015 at Duane Banks Field on the campus of the University of Iowa. The showcase featured prospects from the 2017 and 2018 class who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff, college coaches, and professional scouts.

Today we take a look at the pitchers that were at the event. When we create this list we evaluate the overall package of abilities along with future projection at the college level.

The top pitching prospect at this year's IA Underclass Prospect Games is........

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Top Pitching Prospects

1. Connor Van Scoyoc, RHP, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2018
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean projectable frame. Good rhythm and tempo in delivery. Front foot stays closed with positive direction to plate. Fastball has exploding ASR and routinely pounds RHH in with command. Heavy fastball is currently 84-86; touching 87 mph. Flashed above avg. breaking ball with 11/5 shape and tight rotation. Above avg. depth on pitch. Changeup is thrown with plus arm speed and shows above avg. fade with depth. Equipped with the ability to pitch and above average current stuff; Van Scoyoc has one of the highest ceilings in the 2018 class nationally.

2. Clayton Nettleton, RHP/1B, Davenport West, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Biggest climber at event. Short balance point with good direction to plate and lands closed. Arm action is clean and consistently pumped fastball in 86-88 mph range with life. Curveball has 12/6 shape with depth and sharp break 72-74 mph. Flat action on changeup and is firm. Nettleton’s performance jump-started recruiting; culminating in a commitment to the U. of Iowa. 7.66 runner. Solid athletic set-up. Lift in swing. Uses whole field. Solid contact with pop to pull-side of field. 89 mph exit velocity off tee. Usable hands and feet defensively. Makes routine plays. Will continue to improve around bag with reps. 81 mph arm strength across.

3. Ian Bedell, RHP, Davenport Central, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Good balance and tempo in delivery. Works quickly. Incorporates lower half well in mechanics creating drive and power. Fastball is downhill at 82-85 mph with solid command of zone. Slider is best breaking ball at 71-74 mph with tight rotation. Changeup has plus sinking action and is thrown at fastball arm speed. One of best 2018 arms in state. Will be highly ranked in IA 2018 class.

4. Jarred Wood, RHP/1B, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2017
6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. High leg kick with solid body control in delivery. Lands slightly across body to plate. Pie arm action. 4-seam is firm and straight; 2-seam flashes above avg. ASR. Fastball was 86-87; touching 88 mph. Slurvy breaking ball with loose spin and 10/4 shape for strikes. Split is best secondary offering. Shows late sink and run and is thrown near fastball arm speed. 7.53 runner. Athletic set-up in box. Balance in swing. Pull approach. Barrel leaves zone early. Strength in swing and pop to pull side of field. 89 mph exit velocity. Fields deep in stance. Funnels baseball to body occasionally. Shows solid hands and feet. Above avg. arm strength at 86 mph across infield. Wood has positioned himself as one of the best 2017 arms in the state and has been receiving significant recruiting interest.

High Follow (Listed Alphabetically)

Anthony Alepra, OF/RHP, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2017
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.69 runner. Square stance. Leg kick trigger to swing. Flat bat plane through zone. Mid-away approach with solid contact. 84 mph exit velocity. Solid across the board in the outfield feet and glove. Throws are accurate to target with 88 mph arm strength. Long athletic body. Good body control with up tempo delivery. Fastball is clean and fast from ¾ arm slot. Fastball shows late run with heavy action at 80-85 mph. Slider shows great depth with 10/4 shape and sharp break at 72-76 mph and is an above avg. pitch. Curveball and changeup both show avg. action and depth and are thrown for strikes. Alepra continues to develop and improve in all areas; and will be a strong follow for many college programs.

Ben Beutel, LHP/OF, Davenport North, 2017
5-foot-10. 150-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean athletic actions on mound; flashes some quick twitch. Long clean arm action. Some hitch in lower half mechanics creates deception. Fast arm. Fastball has good ASR with slight sink at finish. Fastball was 79-80 mph. Breaking ball is thrown for strikes with 1/7 shape and flashes of tight rotation and depth. Changeup is thrown with above average arm speed with quality sinking action. Pitched extremely well at event; mowed through hitters quickly. 7.75 runner. Uphill set-up. Slight crouch. Pull approach. Barrel is out and around at times. Solid pull pop in bat. 62 mph exit velocity. Lean body. Athletic actions in OF. Long arm action. Aggressive routes to ball. Avg./ok accuracy to target. 81 mph arm strength.

Jacob Bockenstedt, RHP/3B, Cedar Rapids Washington, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Good presence and tempo on mound. Lands closed with good direction to plate. Arm is clean and quick out front. Fastball flashes late life and works bottom of zone well at 77-81 mph. Breaking ball has solid shape; tends to slow arm on release. 65-69 mph. Throws changeup near fastball arm speed with quality sink at 71-73 mph. 7.38 runner. Open stance to start. Strides in-line to pitcher. Shows quick hands. Loses barrel below hands. Uses whole field. Needs increased strength. 76 mph exit velocity. Shows good hands and feet. Funnels baseball up to body. Range is good. Throws have above average carry and velocity. 83 mph across infield.

Nathan Chasey, SS/RHP, Gilbert, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.4 runner. Square stance with in-line stride. Good balance. Level to uphill swing plane with lift. Quiet head. Consistent solid contact with line drives. Uses whole field. 75 mph exit velocity. Solid feet and hands. Average quickness. Funnels baseballs into body at times. Long arm action with accuracy across diamond. 76 mph arm strength. Simple mechanics with rhythm and tempo. Some crouch and shoulder tilt in balance point. Good direction to plate with clean arm action and solid extension out front. Fastball had good life with slight ASR at 75-77 mph. Breaking ball had sharp 12/6 break with above avg. depth. Changeup showed heavy ASR with plus depth and thrown with good arm speed.

Brady Donohue, RHP/OF, Marion, 2017
6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean build. Up tempo delivery. Short hitchy arm action. Some crouch at balance point. Fastball is heavy with late sink at 78-81 mph. Slider action on breaking ball with tight rotation and 11/5 shape. Changeup is thrown at fastball arm speed; down action; and is firm at 76-77 mph. 7.41 runner. Crouched stance. Strides slightly across body locking hips occasionally. Flat swing plane through zone. Uses whole field. 77 mph exit velocity. Solid routes and actions to ball. Wants to field with 2 hands occasionally. Minimal momentum on throws with legs. Solid accuracy to target at 77 mph.

Bryce Frantz, LHP, Iowa City, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed pitcher. Sturdy build on mound. Controlled balance. Explodes out of balance point towards hitter. Short pie arm action. Hides ball from hitter. Disrupts timing. Fastball has late ASR at 81-82 mph. 2/8 breaking ball has avg. break with flashes of depth at 71-72 mph. Changeup has ASR with sinking action and is thrown near fastball arm speed. Throws strikes and competes in the zone.

Michael Henter, RHP, Waukee, 2017
6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher. Good body control and repeats very well for size. Has feel for 3 pitches. Fastball shows late sinking action at 74-78 mph. Tended to be on side of breaking ball at this event causing sideways spin with minimal action. Solid changeup feel at the bottom of zone. Considerable upside with body and feel for pitching. Will need to add additional strength and add velocity.

Ross Hingst, LHP/C, Waukee, 2017
5-foot-8, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Stronger lower half. Some tilt at balance point. Good body control in delivery. Fastball was mostly straight with occasional cutting action at 78-80 mph. 1/7 breaking ball with avg. depth and spin. Above avg. arm action on changeup with quality sinking action. All pitches thrown consistently for strikes. 7.62 runner. Active set-up and load. Shows some pop in bat to pull-side of field. Arm bar and some length to contact. Has good hand-eye coordination and gets barrel to baseball. 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Clean exchange with quick release. Good feet behind plate. Shows accuracy to bag. 72 mph arm strength with 2.03 pop time.

Mason Hook, RHP, Cedar Rapids Prairie, 2018
6-foot-5, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean projectable body. Some crouch at balance point. Body control will improve with additional strength and maturity. Short stride to plate. Uses mostly upper half mechanically. Raw arm speed. Fastball was 82-87 mph with above average sink. Flashes of sharp 11/5 breaking ball with depth at 72-73 mph. Above avg. arm action on changeup with avg. fade at plate.Showed ability to throw strikes with 3 pitches.

Alex Hoppe, RHP, Unity Christian, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean build. Good balance in delivery. Front foot lands open to plate. Loose arm action. Fastball shows life with cutting action at 81-83 mph. Curveball has varying 12/6 and 11/5 shape with sharp break and depth at 67-70 mph. Arm drags on changeup with flat action at 72-75 mph. Strong follow with good arm action and continues to develop physically.

Ben Probst, RHP, Dowling Catholic, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic build. Simple delivery with balance and control. Limited extension to plate and use of front side. Short clean arm action. Fastball was 82-85 mph with good ASR and flashes of depth. Solid depth and action on 11/5 breaking ball with flashes of it becoming an above average pitch. Changeup had plus fading action and was thrown near fastball arm speed. Athletic right-hander who could really take off with a few minor mechanical adjustments.

Evan Reifert, 3B/RHP, Wilton, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.00 runner. Tall athletic set-up. Some length to contact. Loose swing with balance. Pull approach with solid contact and strength in swing. 88 mph exit velocity. Fields deep in stance. Glove is solid with average feet. Good angles around ball creating direction to target. Above avg. arm action with accuracy to bag. 78 mph arm strength. Athletic frame on mound. Lands slightly across body with ¾ arm slot creating cross-fire delivery. Arm is fast out front. Varying action on fastball with flashes of above average arm-side sink. Fastball ranges 79-82 mph; touching 84 mph. Typically misses glove-side with slide with tight rotation at 71-72 mph. Pushes changeup with flat action at 74-75 mph.

Will Rodruck, RHP/3B, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Good body control on mound. Solid tempo and ability to repeat. Short finish on release. Fastball shows varying cut and sink at 80-83 mph. Throws an above avg. breaking ball with 12/6 shape-tight rotation- and depth. Changeup has average sinking action with fade at 73-75 mph. 7.43 runner. Has strength. Lift in swing. Spray approach. Uses whole field. Flashes pop in bat. 85 mph exit velocity off tee. Fields out front. Usable hands and feet at third base. Winds up to throw. Average accuracy to bag with above avg. arm strength. 85 mph across.

Sam Rogers, RHP/1B, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Physical presence on mound. Short arm action with hitch on back side. Slight cross-fire delivery. Heavy fastball with avg. sink at 79-82 mph. 11/5 break ball with flashes of tight rotation and depth. Good arm speed on changeup with late ASR and sink. 7.41 runner. Above avg. bat speed. Uphill swing plane. Aggressive swinger. Collapse on backside through contact. Underneath at contact. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Usable hands and feet at first base. Large target at bag. Solid actions around bag receiving baseball. 82 mph arm strength across diamond.

Mitchell Wiese, 1B/RHP, Marion, 2017
6-foot-7, 210-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.44 runner. Quiet load and level head through contact. Mid-pull approach. Shows leverage in swing. Stays on ball at contact. Flashes of pop in bat. 93 mph exit velocity. Above avg. glove and feet at first base. Footwork is solid around bag. Strong accurate arm at 79 mph. Large projectable frame on mound. Good body control and mechanics are sound. Fastball cuts through hitting zone with flat action at 79-82 mph. Curveball has early break with 10/4 shape and loose rotation for strikes. Very good arm speed on changeup with above avg. fade/ ASR. Strong follow on mound. Could see significant velocity increase with arm action and physicality.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

William Angstman, RHP/3B, Cedar Rapids Xavier, 2018
6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Good body control and tempo to delivery. Short clean arm action. Lands hard across body creating cross-fire delivery. Varying cut and run on fastball at 77-79 mph. 11/5 breaking ball with gradual break at 68-71 mph. Changeup showed cut action at 68-72 mph. 7.5 runner. No stride approach. Small hand and weight load. Solid path to contact. Limited extension through ball. Middle of field approach. 81 mph exit velocity off tee. Fields deep across body. Average range. Throws show carry across infield with accuracy to bag. 79 mph arm strength.

Drew Boffeli, LHP/OF, North Scott, 2017
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Up tempo delivery on mound. Strides across body. Cuts off lower half. Short finish on release with recoil. Fastball was 73-75 mph with slight cutting action. Breaking ball had “cutter” action with occasional sweeping break. Changeup had cut action with slight sink at the plate. 7.44 runner. Athletic build. Crouched stance. Square feet with inline stride. Pull approach with solid contact. Uphill/lift swing plane with 81 mph exit velocity off tee. Good feet and glove in outfield. Moves well. Stabbing short arm action. Elevated throws to plate. 74 mph arm strength.

Trevor Burkhart, SS/RHP, Davenport West, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.65 runner. Deep load. Uphill swing plane. Stuck on backside at contact. Uses whole field. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Above average hands and feet. Long release. Athletic at position. Raw ability. Above average arm with accuracy to bag. 84 mph arm strength. Good rhythm on mound. Slight tuck/turn delivery. Arm action is clean. Throws strikes. Fastball shows avg. ASR at 78-82 mph. Breaking ball has 10/4 shape with loose rotation and avg. depth. Average action on changeup with cut.

Owen Durham, RHP/SS, Carlisle, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Some crouch at balance point. Drop and drive delivery with good direction to plate. Shows avg. action on fastball with slight sink at 78-81 mph. Throws sharp breaking ball with 11/5 shape and tight rotation. Changeup is thrown near fastball arm speed with avg. action for strikes. 7.12 runner. High hand set-up. Creates back spin on baseball. Mid-pull approach with solid contact. 78 mph exit velocity. Above average hands and feet. Shows lateral quickness and range. Quick release. Above average accuracy across diamond at 70 mph.

Jensen Gates, SS/RHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. 6.72 runner. Square stance with in-line stride. Slight shoulder load. Short to contact with line drive swing plane. Gap to gap approach and uses whole field. Average pop in bat. 79 mph exit velocity. Flashes athleticism in field. Solid actions. Will benefit from following throws across diamond and using feet more. Clean arm action with accuracy to bag. 80 mph arm strength. Simple mechanics on mound. Tuck and turn delivery. Clean arm action. Fastball had boring run at 70-74 mph. 11/5 breaking had loose spin and gradual break. Changeup thrown near fastball arm speed with avg. fade and action.

Cade Lisk, RHP/SS, Fairfield, 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Short balance point. Slight tuck and turn delivery. Lands across body in delivery. Some wrap on back-side of arm action. Fastball showed slight ASR at 71-74 mph; touching 76 mph. 12/6 breaking ball has loose rotation and gradual break to plate. Plus arm speed on changeup with quality fade and command. 7.38 runner. Closed wide base. Pull approach with solid pop to pull side. Barrel is out and around at contact. 77 mph exit velocity. Ok feet with usable glove. Average action defensively. ¾ arm slot with tail on throws. 74 mph arm strength across.

Noah McCreary, 2B/RHP, Davenport West, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.56 runner. Open stance to start. Strides across occasionally locking off lower half. Shows solid contact to pull side of field. 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid quickness in field with avg./ok feet. Glove is solid as well. Stop and go fielding mechanics at times. Avg. carry across the diamond with above avg. accuracy to bag at 77 mph. Simple delivery on mound with clean mechanics and short balance point. Out front and falls down mound occasionally. Fastball has solid ASR with late action at 75-77 mph. 12/6 curveball has gradual break and loose rotation. Good arm action on changeup with quality run and fade.

Will Nigut, RHP, Des Moines Roosevelt, 2018
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Projectable body on mound. Good rhythm and tempo. Clean arm action. Lands far across body in delivery. Fastball is mostly straight at 77-80 mph with occasional cutting action. 12/6 breaking ball with early break. Also flashed couple sliders with avg. break and 10/4 shape. Changeup was 70-72 mph and thrown with flat action.

Chandler Poell, RHP/3B, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Projectable body on mound. Up tempo delivery with varying balance point. Arm is clean and throws consistent strikes. Fastball shows slight sinking action at 74-79 mph. 11/5 breaking ball with loose spin at 68-70 mph. Slows arm on changeup with cut action for strikes at 68-73 mph. 7.62 runner. Slightly crouched stance with hard stride to contact. Eye level changes from trigger to contact. Gap to gap approach. Flashes of pop in bat. Underneath ball at contact. 80 mph exit velocity off tee. Fields deep in stance. Makes routine plays. Glove and feet are average. 75 mph arm strength across field with solid accuracy.

Collin Rogiers, RHP/1B, Rock Island Alleman, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Physical body on mound. Strides slightly across body. Uncontrolled front leg in stride. Short arm action. Limited extension out front. Fastball had slight run with boring action at 76-80 mph. 12/6 breaking ball had loose spin and gradual break. Changeup thrown near fastball arm speed with avg. fade for strikes. 7.4 runner. Physical player. Open stance. Leg kick. Strides across. Pull approach. Drops hands in load. Flashes of pop in bat. 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows ok range with solid glove and feet. Good arm action with accuracy to bag at 78 mph.

Ryan Steffensmeier, LHP, Fort Madison, 2018
5-foot-8, 120-pound left-handed pitcher. Good balance in delivery. In-line stride to plate. Minimal use of front side. One-piece arm action with fastball at 65-67 mph. Flat action on breaking ball with 1/7 shape at 60-61 mph. Changeup was 65-66 mph.

TJ Stephenson, 2B/RHP, Saydel, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.12 runner. Active load. Arm bar. Length to contact. Middle of field approach. Line drive swing plane. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Fields low to ground and out front with soft hands. Average feet and actions. Solid accuracy to bag from ¾ slot at 75 mph. Short balance point. Uncontrolled delivery. Strides across body. Fastball has boring ASR action at 73-75 mph. Slurvy breaking ball with 10/4 shape and early break at 59-65 mph. Slows arm on changeup with cutting action to the plate at 63-64 mph.

Trevor Tallman, RHP, Dowling Catholic, 2017
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher. Wide shoulders with strong lower half. Short balance point. Lands across body. Arm is clean from high ¾ slot. Fastball was 79-81 mph with early ASR; tended to flatten out and elevate to plate. Inconsistent release point on breaking ball; flashed one with quality spin and depth. Changeup is straight and thrown at 73-75 mph.

Mateo Varese, C/RHP, Moravia, 2018
6-foot, 145-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.72 runner. Stiff legs in swing. Off-balance to contact. 67 mph exit velocity off tee. Length to exchange. Quick release from low ¾ slot with limited carry to bag. 69 mph arm strength with 2.25 pop time to second base. Short balance point. Uncontrolled delivery with one-piece arm action. Fastball was 70-74 mph with slight running action. Breaking ball was 64-68 mph with sideways spin. Avg. action on changeup with slight sink.

Bryan Verdon, RHP/OF, Davenport North, 2019
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. High leg kick with front foot far outside frame. Lands across body. Good arm strength for 2019 grad. Fastball is straight at 80-83 mph. Breaking ball has 12/6 shape with loose spin and occasional depth on break. Avg. arm speed on changeup with fading action. Interesting follow as he progresses through high school. Current raw ability. 7.32 runner. Open stance. Avg. balance in swing. Pull approach. Solid contact to pull side of field. Good strength for age. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid actions in outfield. Long arm action with restricted finish on release with limited lower half momentum. Solid accuracy to target. 77 mph arm strength.

Quinn Waterhouse, LHP/1B, Bondurant Farrar, 2018
5-foot-7, 120-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Crouch at balance point. Uncontrolled body. Lands slightly across. Recoil on release. Fastball shows avg. run at 66-67 mph. Tends to drop arm and get around breaking ball with 1/7 shape. Changeup showed flat action at 56-58 mph. 8.44 60 time. Uphill set-up. Closed stance. Low hand slot. Avg. balance in swing. Singles hitter. 65 mph exit velocity off tee. Makes routine plays at first base. Avg. around bag. 64 mph arm strength across infield.

IA Underclass Prospect Games: Pitching Analysis

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