Chicago Preseason I.D.: Pitcher Analysis

The inaugural Chicago Preseason I.D. was held on Feb. 23 at the Pullman Community Center in Chicago, IL. The event saw 80+ players from the greater Chicagoland area ranging from all HS classes, 19' to 22'.

Shortly following the event we shared an instant analysis from the showcase with our Quick Hits and Stat Story. Throughout the week we’ve broken down each position in-depth and those reports can be found by clicking the positional hyperlink here: C, INF, OF. Today we wrap up our positional analysis with a dive into the 32 pitchers in attendance.

Freshman RHP/INF Jack Lausch (Brother Rice) has now seen his name near the top of two positional categories, this time headlining all arms in attendance. Lausch has a super quick arm action with a fastball that jumps out of his hand, which should only get better as he continues to fill out his already promising 6-foot-2 frame.

RHP Nick Gianakos (Notre Dame, 2020) was not far behind Lausch as the 6-foot-3 projectable-framed righty has just as much promise in his ‘stuff’ as he does in the frame. He sports a loose and live arm action that touched 88 mph up in the zone with progressing secondary pitches.

RHP Thomas Schafer (Loyola, 2020) rounds out the Top-3. More of an arm strength type, Schafer sat his fastball at 85-87 mph with present feel for a three pitch mix.

There was a handful of southpaws in attendance that are names to remember as they progress through their prep careers. Casey Coates (Whitney Young, 2020), Justin Valdez (St. Rita, 2020), Josh Ragusa (Joliet Catholic, 2020), Brandon Buday (St. Rita, 2021) and Adan Vega (Solorio, 2022) are all unique in their own way and showed promise with feel for the mound.

To see how the Top-3 list played out along with reports on all other pitchers at the Chicago event, continue on below. Keep an eye out over the weekend as we wrap up our post-event analysis with the Top Overall Prospects, event-wide.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Jack Lausch, Brother Rice, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP High upside on the mound for 2022 classification.
Body: 6-foot-2, 165-pounds. Athletic frame and action, room for continued added strength.
Delivery: Athletic delivery, drop on back side, short strider in-line to home, squared landing, smooth rhythm, maintains control.
Arm Action: RH. Short, loose and live arm action, high 3/4 slot, regular effort.
FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Plays straight, comes out easy.
CB: 65-68 mph. 11/5 shape, early and gradual break, still developing.
CH: 69-71 mph. Faded with slower arm speed.

2. Nick Gianikos, Notre Dame, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP Present projectability.
Body: 6-foot-3, 155-pounds. Long limbed and high-waisted, thin frame with upside.
Delivery: Quick tempo, tall and fall delivery, high front side, directionally in-line, closed toe, athletic finish with rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long and live arm action, uninterrupted swing, super loose throughout, quick arm speed, high 3/4 slot, some effort.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Lively out of the hand, late run, played up.
SL: 65-68 mph. 10/4 shape, early break, near fastball arm speed, worked to glove side of the plate, around it at times.
CH: 76-79 mph. Mostly straight with slight run to arm side, maintained arm speed, around the top of the zone.

3. Thomas Schafer, Loyola, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP Present baseball IQ.
Body: 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. Thick, strong build.
Delivery: Stretch only delivery, uptempo pace, sets up closed, sturdy balance, tilt and topple style, strides in-line, closed toe, athletic finish with rhythm, rushed at times.
Arm Action: RH. Arm action is two part, jab on back side, short over the top window, looseness out front, some effort.
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. Late run in the zone, heavy with tilt and occasional sink, comes out firm.
CB: 69-72 mph. 10/4 shape, tight spin in the zone, flashed sharp break with fastball arm speed.
CH: 76-79 mph. Played straight to his arm side of the zone, firm.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Cristiaan Aguilar, Munster (IN), 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Lanky frame.
Delivery: Sturdy balance, level shouldered, works in-line, toe strikes open, some rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action out of a short window, over the top slot, some effort involved.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Played straight, in the zone.
CB: 62-65 mph. 11/5 shape, flashed depth.
CH: 67-72 mph.

Justin Bobb, Munster (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works directionally in-line, level shoulders, toe strikes open, smooth rhythm with slower tempo.
Arm Action: RH. Arm plays long and loose, early hand break, full swing, high 3/4 slot, regular effort.
FB: T78, 75-78 mph. Played straight, up in the zone.
CB: 61-63 mph. 11/5 shape, dropped in the strike zone, early depth.
CH: 63-66 mph.

Jacob Brown, Massac County, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 145-pounds. Long and lean, projectable build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works on-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-73 mph. Straight action.
CB: 61-63 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 68-70 mph. Sinking action.

Brandon Buday, St.Rita, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 135-pounds. Thin, lanky frame.
Delivery: Athletic delivery, tall at balance, level shouldered, strides in-line to home, toe strikes squared, athletic finish with rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Arm plays long and loose, uninterrupted swing, clean high 3/4 slot, easy effort.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Slight run with finish through the zone.
CB: 60-66 mph. 1/7 shape with near fastball arm speed, flashed ability to spin it.
CH: 69-71 mph. Faded with sink in the strike zone, near fastball arm speed, feel for it.
KN: Easy delivery with upside ability on the mound. mph.

Blaze Cano, Hanover Central (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-6, 127-pounds. Wiry-frame.
Delivery: Clean, tall and fall delivery, works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and easy effort.
FB: T77, 74-77 mph. Occasional sinking action.
CB: 65-68 mph. 11/5 shape, depth.
CH: 66-69 mph. Cut action.
KN: 61-63 mph.

Josh Carroll, St. Rita , 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 172-pounds. Athletic build, well-proportioned
Delivery: Delivery works on-line, lands front-toe closed, recoiled finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean arm action from a high 3/4 window.
FB: T79, 76-77 mph. slight running action.
SL: 66-68 mph. Inconsistent action, short wrinkle 10/4 shape.
CH: 68-71 mph. Fade action.

Casey Coates, Whitney Young, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Long-limbed and athletic.
Delivery: Tall, high-knee balance, tall and fall style, squared to home, toe strikes closed, smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: LH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, regular effort, maintains arm speed on all offerings.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Plays straight with slight run, in the zone.
SL: 70-74 mph. 2/8 shape, short breaker, cutter like, occasionally pulled.
CH: 72-74 mph. Feel for it, faded to his arm side with fastball arm speed, in the zone.
KN: Arm action and body type suggests a velocity jump as he continues to fill out physically. mph.

Sam Del Valle, Mount Carmel, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletic frame with loose levers.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, uphill shoulders, short stride in-line to home, toe lands square, some rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over the top slot, windmill action, some effort.
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Played straight and up.
CB: 60-62 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual spin with near fastball arm speed.
SL: 66-67 mph. 10/4 shape.
CH: 68-70 mph. Flashed fade with near fastball arm speed.

Joshua Del Valle, Mount Carmel, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Coiled, tall balance, shoulders downhill, strides slightly closed, toe spins open, stiff at finish, regular effort.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, over the top slot, some whippy-ness out front.
FB: T68, 66-68 mph. Played straight in the strike zone.
CB: 51-56 mph. 12/6 shape, early and gradual break, in the zone.
SL: 55-57 mph. Similar spin to curve.
CH: 60-63 mph. Near fastball velocity, straight movement in the zone.

Demetrius Draper, Marian Catholic, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Side turn into a tall balance, drop and drive to home, level shouldered, extends in-line to home, toe strikes open.
Arm Action: RH. Full, long arm action, looseness out front, high 3/4 slot, some effort.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Slight run, around the zone.
CB: 61-64 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual break.
CH: 66-71 mph. Flashed fade to arm side, slows.

Justin Fine, Deerfield, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 153-pounds. High-waisted frame.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, high knee balance with coil, level/closed shouldered, jumps out into an open toe landing, some rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action with jab on back side, loose out, high 3/4 slot, regular effort.
FB: T82, 77-81 mph. Played straight, occasional same plane run.
CB: 56-58 mph. 11/5 shape, early break with depth down at times.
CH: 64-70 mph. Flashed sink with near fastball arm speed.

Jacob Furmanek, Thornton Fractional South , 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 154-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works in-line, toe strikes closed, some rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, turns over early, high 3/4 slot regular effort.
FB: T77, 74-75 mph. Worked more to arm side, flashed sink.
CB: 59-61 mph. 12/6 shape, early tumbler.
CH: 67-70 mph. Sank at the bottom of the zone with arm speed.

Jaren Jackson, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-3, 100-pounds. Athletic actions.
Delivery: Athletic delivery, high knee, coiled balance, strides in-line to home, toe lands closed, athletic finish with smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, full swing, loosenes throughout, high 3/4 slot, regular effort.
FB: T67, 65-67 mph. Mostly straight with slight run.
CB: 55-57 mph. 11/5 shape, early and gradual depth.
SL: 56-62 mph. 10/4 plane.
CH: 57-62 mph. Flashed fade with near fastball arm speed.

Tyler Johnson, Lake Zurich, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 182-pounds. Long-limbed frame with upside.
Delivery: Quick toe turn into a low hanging knee balance, tall and fall to home in-line, level shouldered, toe strikes closed, some rhythm, easy finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, full swing, some looseness out front, high 3/4 slot, regular effort.
FB: T73, 71-73 mph. Played straight, around the zone, flashed tilt.
CB: 57-59 mph. 12/6 shape, early break with depth at times, near fastball arm speed.
CH: 65-69 mph. Faded hard at times with fastball arm speed.

Tucker Kunzeman, Griggsville-Perry, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. High-waisted, lanky frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, downhill shoulders, leg kicks out in-line to home, toe twists open at landing, upright finish, some rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long, two-part arm action, jabs back, high 3/4 slot, regular effort.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. Showed sink, around the zone.
CB: 58-60 mph. 11/5 shape, early depth.
CH: 66-67 mph. Flashed sink with near fastball arm speed.

Zachary Lorentsen, Wheaton North, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build with strength.
Delivery: Stays tall, low hanging knee balance, strides in-line, swings toe open, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, speeds through a, over the top slot, regular effort.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Straight with slight run.
CB: 62-66 mph. 12/6 shape, early break with some depth.
CH: 70-73 mph. Flashed sink and fade, slower arm action.

Ryan McEvoy, Oak Forest, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 206-pounds. Strength in legs.
Delivery: Tall at balance with a sturdy and coiled balance, toe lifted, leg swings open in-line to home, toe lands closed, smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action with slight wrap, hides behind frame, high 3/4 slot
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Mostly straight with slight run and sink at times, in the zone.
CB: 64-65 mph. 12/6 downer, flashed depth, for strikes.
CH: 66-68 mph. Fades hard out of the hand, sinking action at times, maintains arm speed with plus pronation, in the zone.

Donovan McIntyre, Marian Catholic, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Wiry, thin frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, high knee balance, strides closed, toe lands square, some rhythm with pop up after release.
Arm Action: LH. Arm action has length on his back side, short high 3/4 window, regular effort.
FB: T75, 74-75 mph. Played straight, around the zone.
CB: 61-67 mph. 1/7 shape, short break, worked to arm side.
CH: 64-70 mph. Played straight with slight sink.

Luke Meister, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Long-limbed and lanky frame.
Delivery: Wide setup, tall and fall style, shoulders closed and uphill, short stride in-line to home, closed toe landing, sped up at finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm on back side, jab down, short high 3/4 window, some effort.
FB: T74, 70-74 mph. Played straight with slight run.
CB: 58-61 mph. Gradual 11/5 break, depth at times.
CH: 62-67 mph. Occasional fade, some push off the hand.

Joshua Ragusa, Joliet Catholic, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP Showed ability to fill the zone with thee.
Body: 5-foot-6, 145-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only delivery, tall and fall style, closed setup, high front side, in-line to home, toe strikes closed, smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: LH. Arm plays long and loose, full swing, high 3/4 slot, easy effort.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Played straight with slight same plane run, in the strike zone.
CB: 63-65 mph. 1/7 shape, near fastball arm speed, early depth.
CH: 70-72 mph. Fade action with fastball arm speed, in the strike zone, feel for it.

Devin Redmond, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Wiry build.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive, smooth rhythm, lands square and regular effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action from a low 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Thrown for strikes, advanced arm-side-run.
SL: 68-71 mph. Thrown for strikes, 10/4 shape, average depth.
CH: 65-68  mph. Maintains arm speed, fade action, feel.

Baylor Rowell, St. Viator, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Long-limbed, projectable build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, regular effort throughout and upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short, firm arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. Occasional sinking action.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 68-70 mph.

Sam Sanchez, Geneva, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Athletic, lean build.
Delivery: Tall and fall, linear delivery. Works on-line, lands square and finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm action out of a high 3/4 slot with regular effort through release.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Played straight, around the zone.
CB: 62-64 mph. 11/5 shape, occasional depth.
CH: 68-71 mph. Inconsistent cut and fade action.
CUT: 67-69 mph.

Justin Valdez, St. Rita, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Thin, athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall action, up/down/out to home, level shoulders swing open at foot strike, strides in line, toe squared, smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, full swing, looseness out front, 3/4 slot, some effort.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Showed run in the strike zone.
CB: 68-69 mph. Inconsistent shape, near fastball arm speed.
SL: 67-69 mph. 11/5 shape, short break, kept down.
CH: 71-73 mph. Faded with occasional sink, arm slowed at times.
KN: 66-68 mph. Flashed action to the pitch.

Adan Vega, Solorio , 2021
Positional Profile: LHP Athletic and controlled delivery, advanced arm for classification.
Body: 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Sturdy and with strength.
Delivery: High knee, sturdy balance, tall and fall style, high front side, strides in-line, toe strikes strikes closed, athletic finish with smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: LH. Arm plays long, loose through release, full swing, high 3/4 slot, easy effort.
FB: T78, 74-77 mph. Run with slight sink in the strike zone.
CB: 66-68 mph. 1/7 shape with action, maintained arm speed and showed ability to spin it with late bite.
CH: 67-70 mph. Slight fade with near fastball arm speed.

Austin Ver Wey, T.F. South, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned build. Strong lower half.
Delivery: Quiet, directional delivery, slight drop and drive, lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Thrown for strikes, slight running action at times.
CB: 66 mph. 11/5 shape, depth, feel.
CH: 71-72 mph. Works to his arm side, fade action.

Cade Walker, Hanover Central (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Thin and athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall style, leg kicks out  in-line to hometoe lands square, regular effort.
Arm Action: RH. Arm action has some length, two-part, over the top slot, occasionally created tilt.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Played straight, up in the zone.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 shape, loose action, short break.
CH: 69-72 mph. Flashed sink with near fastball arm speed.
CUT: 69-71 mph. Tighter spin, slider like.

Brady Wells, Libertyville, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Strong frame, well-proportionate.
Delivery: Tall and fall style, up/down/out to home, strides in-line, toe lands closed, some rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long, muscled arm action, short draw out of glove, high 3/4 slot, easy effort.
FB: T83, 78-82 mph. Played straight, filled up the zone.
CB: 63-65 mph. 12/6 shape, early break near the strike zone.
CH: 71-74 mph. Played straight with slight fade, in the zone.
CUT: 67-70 mph. 10/4 shape, slider-like, some feel for it.

Lukas Wenz, Neuqua Valley, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Long, athletic build, projection in frame.
Delivery: Slight drop-and-drive delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands front toe slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. Slight running action.
CB: 64-67 mph. Fastball arm speed, 10/4 shape, occasional depth.
CH: 66-69 mph. Thrown aggressively, late sink and fade action, thrown for strikes.

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