By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Central Illinois Open took place on August 16th at the Corn Crib in Normal, IL. Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and over the next week we will break down the event position by position.

Today we rollout the pitching analysis from the event. Leading the list of pitchers is LHP Jonah Smith, a 6-foot-2 junior from Mt. Zion HS who showed off a quick arm and a fastball in the low 80’s at the event. Smith committed to Illinois State shortly following the event.

2017 RHP Andrew Peters brought the best velocity of the day, up to 86 mph. Peters has a loose, quick arm and also flashed the ability to spin a breaking ball which flashed sharp action.

Coming in at No. 3 on the list is 2019 RHP Dalton Corcoran. Corcoran, listed at 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, has a loose, clean arm action and a fastball that sits 80-82 mph.  

Some projectable arms that just missed the cut include a 6-foot-5 2018 LHP Kyler Fox and 2020 RHP Drew Henrickson who has a clean arm out of a lower slot.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Jonah Smith, LHP, Mt. Zion, 2018
Recent Illinois State commit. 6-foot-2, 150-pound left-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. Works from a high 3/4 arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with some rhythm. Fastball is straight at 82-83 topping out at 84 mph. Features a curveball and a slider. Slider projects better with sharp breaking action and 2-8 shape at 71-73 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with gradual action at 62-63 mph. Changeup sat 68-71 mph.

2. Andrew Peters, RHP/INF, Morris, 2017

5-foot-10, 155-pound, lean, plenty of room for added strength, two-way prospect. One of the better 2017 right-handed pitchers still uncommitted. Quick, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot, projects. Delivery works with rhythm, slight tuck, coiled at balance point, creates some deception, regular effort, stays in line and closed toe landing. Fastball, thrown for strikes, arm-side-run and flashed sink, sat 85-86 mph. Curveball works 11/5 when best, backed up at times, sharp action, 69-72 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed, arm-side-run action, ranged between 76-79 mph. Also, showed a knuckleball, 71-72 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, loose, handsy swing and fluid rhythm throughout. Path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach, 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced, open setup, smooth pre-pitch load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Defensively, soft hands, athletic fielding position, clean exchange and body control on the infield. Arm works loose, high ¾ slot, throws flashed carry, clocked at 83 mph across the infield. 7.68 runner in the 60. High follow 2017 right-handed pitcher.

3. Dalton Corcoran, RHP/OF, Normal West, 2019
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with smooth rhythm. Works quick on the mound. Fastball flashed sinking action at 80-82 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape, occasionally backs up at 66-68 mph. Changeup showed fading action at 74-76 mph. Defensively has a long, loose arm action . Threw 80 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a heel lift stride and load to backside. Pull hitter with a long swing path. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.85. Future projects on the mound.

4. Mason Marquis, INF/RHP, Olympia, 2018
6-foot-4, 195-pound, strong, athletically built, projectable, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with a loose, quick arm out of a high ¾ slot. Delivery works with rhythm, stays on-line and lands square. Fastball heavy, cutting action, thrown for strikes and clocked 80-81, touching 82 mph. Curveball worked 11/5, flashed downer action at times, better action out of the stretch and sat 68-71 mph. Changeup thrown for strikes, down in the zone, straight action, 74-77 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, long, uphill path and finishes off his back side. Tall, closed setup, pre-pitch load and toe-turn stride. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, feel for first base; body control, reliable hands and clean exchange. Long, loose and quick arm, high ¾ slot, clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.44 60, laser-timed.

5. Clifton Slagel, RHP, Prairie Central, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a high front side. Works in line with home plate. Uphill shoulders with some effort. Fastball showed occasional tilt at 82-84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with some depth at 64-66 mph. Fastball arm speed on changeup that showed some arm side run at 74-75 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Shawn Burns, RHP, Plainfield North, 2017
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high 3.4 arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery. Slow paced delivery with a square landing. Fastball was straight at 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape thrown with fastball arm speed at 71-73 mph. Changeup flashed cutting action at 74-75 mph.

Austin Collinson, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound, wiry, projectable, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter. Pull approach with a long and level path; exit velocity clocked at 81 mph. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch load and short stride. Defensively, steady hands and a clean exchange on the infield. Long arm action, ¾ slot and clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. 7.65 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, regular effort, stays in line and lands slightly closed. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, thrown for strikes, varying action, occasional cut and flashed run to the arm side at times, sat 77 mph. Curveball flashed 11/5 shape and sat 62-64 mph. Changeup flashed cutting action at times, 69-73 mph.

Avery Dean, INF/RHP, Canton, 2018
6-foot-3, 220-pound, two-way prospect with a large frame. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, no load, short stride and long path into the hitting zone; 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out at first base. Throws from a ¾ slot, short arm action, clocked at 71 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in line, lands square and easy effort throughout. Arm works short and out of ¾ slot. Fastball sat 73-74 mph, touching 75. Curveball comes out of a slightly higher slot, 57-59 mph. Changeup flashed fade and sink action, 64-67 mph.

Jeremy Fischer, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2018
5-foot-9. 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, pull approach at the plate; 71 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup, hands load pre-pitch, short stride and average balance through contact. Defensively, clean exchange on the infield. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 67 mph across the diamond. 7.69 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, high ¾ slot and regular effort throughout. Fastball thrown for strikes, arm-side-run and sat 67-69 mph, touching 70. Curveball, 12/6 shape, feel, 52-53 mph. Changeup, works mainly straight and sat 59-61 mph.

Kyler Fox, LHP, Mt. Zion, 2017
6-foot-5, 170-pound left-handed pitcher with a lanky, athletic frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball showed running action at 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball showed sweeping action at 64-65 mph. Changeup is straight at 70-72 mph.

Nathan Hardman, INF/RHP, Normal University, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletically built, physically advanced, two-way prospect. Right-handed hitter, his bat is currently his best tool. Fluid rhythm in swing, present bat speed, aggressive with some looseness in hands; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup, smooth deep pre-pitch load, leg-lift timing trigger, uphill path and a gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, steady hands on the infield with some effort on throws. Arm works long and over-the-top and clocked at 75 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, uptempo delivery, high front side and some effort throughout.  Arm works out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, occasional arm-side-run and sat 75-76 mph. Curveball flashed sharp, late action at times, worked 11/5 and sat 67-68 mph. Feel for a changeup, maintains arm speed, cutting action at times, 72-74 mph. 2019 right-handed hitter to follow.

Ryan Harty, LHP/1B/OF, Plainfield South, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound left-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Features four pitches. Fastball was straight at 75-76 topping out at 78 mph. Has both a slider and a curveball. Slider is a better pitch with short breaking action at 70-71 mph. Curveball has no action at 66-67 mph. Threw a knuckleball at 63-66 mph. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride and collapse on the backside. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 74 mph from the outfield and 69 mph across the infield.

Drew Henrikson, RHP/OF, Rochester, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/OF. Projects well on the mound. Works from a low ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Will drop down to sidearm. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort and an upright finish. Fastball showed running action at 75-77 mph for strikes. Slider has sweeping frisbee action at 66 mph. Slows arm on changeup that showed occasional sinking action at 64-65 mph. Defensively has a loose arm action. Accurate throws with carry throwing 76 mph from the outfield. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride and a good lower half. Gap to gap hitter with a long swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.97.

Zack Jones, LHP, Normal West, 2018
6-foot-1, 210-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball showed slight running action at 75-76 topping out at 77 mph for strikes. Curveball has 1-7 shape with some depth at 65-66 mph. Changeup sat 68-69 mph.

Owen Martin, INF/RHP, Normal University, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound, strong, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, simple, pull approach. Balanced setup, short stride and long, uphill bat path; 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flashed a quick exchange on the infield. Arm works short, over-the-top to high ¾, accurate throws clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 7.73 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, same over-the-top short arm action as shown on the infield. Slow paced delivery and high effort throughout. Fastball, straight action clocked at 76-77 mph, touching 78 once. Curveball worked 11/5 with depth at times and sat 64-65 mph. Changeup thrown near fastball arm speed and ranged between 64-68 mph.

Kevin Noble, LHP, Marian Catholic, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Tall and fall slow paced delivery with a square landing. Fastball was straight at 68-70 topping out at 71 mph. Curveball sat 59-61 mph. Maintains arm speed on changeup at 63-66 mph.

Mark Ogden, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound, two-way prospect with a solid lower half. Offensively, pull approach and uphill path through the hitting zone. Tall setup, crouched load and leg-lift timing trigger. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick exchange on the infield. Short arm action from a ¾ slot, some accuracy clocked at 66 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.64 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, regular effort throughout. Feel for three pitches. Fastball, on top, slight tilt, straight and sat 74-75, touching 77 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 to 12/6 some depth at times, 62-63 mph. Changeup, located at the bottom of the zone, sink and fade action at times and clocked at 71-73 mph.

Sean Shook, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2020
5-foot-9, 175-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect with a strong lower half and squared shoulders. Offensively, fluid rhythm, compact with loose hands. Path works short and uphill; 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup, short leg-lift timing trigger and good balance throughout. Defensively, flashed athletic actions and body control on the infield. Clean exchange, steady hands, feet have a tendency to get flat at times. Loose arm from a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 8.35 60. On the mound right-handed pitcher with a uptempo delivery and some effort throughout. Tall and fall delivery, cross-fire delivery and open toe landing. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight and clocked at 73-75 mph. Changeup is best pitch, advanced fade action and feel for age, 65-67 mph. Curveball works 11/5, 12/6 and sat 63-64 mph.

Alex Smith, RHP/INF, Normal West, 2020
6-foot-1, 155-pound, long and lean, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works from a high ¾ slot and regular effort throughout. Fastball sat 61-62 mph, touched 63. Curveball sat 49-51 mph. Changeup, sat 53-55 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter. Balanced setup position, long stride and no load. Path works long and level at times; 67 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot on the infield, some accuracy on throws clocked at 63 mph. Also, 8.90 runner in the 60.

Spencer Smith, RHP, Olympia, 2018
6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with a closed landing and some effort. Fastball was straight at 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with occasional sharpness at 68-70 mph. Showed some feel for his changeup at 70-72 mph.

Miklo Strader, OF/RHP, Danville, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity form a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.94. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 73 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short stride and upright finish. Lacks extension out front. Fastball sat 71-74, ramping up to 79 mph on the final pitch. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-67 mph for strikes. Fastball arm speed on changeup at 72-75 mph.

Colton Strohl, OF/RHP, Prairie Central, 2017
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Pull hitter with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.50. Defensively has a long arm action form a high ¾ slot. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. On the mound works form an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a toe closed landing. Fastball flashed some cutting action at 73-76 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 59-61 mph for strikes. Changeup was straight at 66-71 mph.

Jarrett Theile, LHP, Normal Community, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and stab on the backside. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Some rhythm with a square landing. Fastball is straight at 76-78 mph. Tendency to slow down on curveball that has 1/7 shape with gradual action at 52-53 mph. Changeup sat 62-67 mph.

Kyle Werries, INF/RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound, strong, thick lower half, two-way prospect. Offensively, hits from the right side. Path works uphill with a pull approach; 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup position, slight pre-pitch load, short stride and average balance throughout. Defensively, projects as a third baseman. Athletic fielding position, steady hands and clean exchange on the infield. Loose arm from a high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. 8.11 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, flashed the ability to throw three pitches for a strike. Slow paced, drop and drive delivery with rhythm, stays in-line, lands square and finishes athletically with regular effort throughout. Arm works clean and out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, thrown for strikes, works mainly straight, sat 75-76 mph, touched 77. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth and feel, ranged between 61-64 mph. Changeup, feel, tendency to slow arm, straight action, 64-66 mph.

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