By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Today we continue the Class of 2019 Showcase event analysis the pitchers from the event. Physical 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-hander Nate Curtis takes the top spot possessing a heavy fastball at 84-86 mph. Let’s take a look at the pitcher reports.

Top PITCHING Prospects

1. Nate Curtis, RHP/OF, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a strong frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and smooth rhythm. Fastball was straight with heavy action at 84-86 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 63-66 mph. Changeup shows sinking action at 73-74 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride and short, uphill swing path. 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.41. Defensively threw 75 mph from the outfield.

2. Nick Fields, SS/RHP, Galesburg, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound switch hitting SS/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Short, uphill swing path with loose hands. 83 mph exit velocity from the right side and 79 mph exit velocity from the left side. Ran the 60 at 6.94. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Works in line with home plate, square landing and smooth rhythm. Fastball flashed cut at 83-85 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 64-67 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup with fading action at 74-76 mph. Cutter has hard slider action at 77 mph.

3. Matt Scherrman, SS/RHP, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP with a lanky, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a wide base with a long, leg kick stride and fair balance. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.26. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Athletic actions with a clean exchange. Threw 84 mph across the infield. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball flashes run at 80-84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with minimal action at 70-74 mph. Changeup has running action at 74-76 mph. Projects well on the mound.

4. Ryan Leland, 3B/RHP, Sandburg, 2019
6-foot-4, 180-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a long swing path. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.61. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 77 mph across the infield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action and slight wrap on the backside. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Smooth rhythm with a square landing. Fastball sat 80-81 mph. Slider has late, sharp breaking action at 70-73 mph. Showed feel for changeup at 69-71 mph.

5. Josiah Zamora, SS/RHP, Manteno, 2019
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP. At the plate hits from a slightly closed setup with a short stride and average balance. Short, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.66. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with slower footwork. Threw 79 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an upright finish. Fastball has running action at 80-82 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape with sharp breaking action at 64-66 mph. Showed feel for changeup with running action at 69-71 mph for strikes. Projects well on the mound.

5. Kyle Jennings, RHP/1B, Marist, 2019
6-foot-5, 195-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B with a lanky, projectable frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some effort. Works in line with home plate with a square landing. Fastball worked 81-82 topping out at 83 mph, shows occasional tilt when staying on top. Slider has short breaking action at 71-74 mph. Showed feel for changeup with fading action at 69-72 mph. At the plate hits from a wide base with a leg kick stride and average balance. Fluid rhythm with a long, uphill swing path. 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.39. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 80 mph across the infield.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cade Bibby, 3B/RHP, Harlem, 2019
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. At the plate hits from a crouched, slightly closed setup with a long toe tap stride. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.72. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 73 mph across the infield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate, short stride. Works fast on the mound. Fastball sat 76-80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 65-67 mph for strikes.

Daniel Carlson, RHP, Glenbrook South, 2019
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall slow paced delivery with a square landing. Fastball has running action at 77-80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 63-64 mph. Changeup worked 68-70 mph.

Jason Cihak, OF/2B/RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2019
5-foot-4, 125-pound left-handed hitting utility player. At the plate hits from a narrow setup with a leg kick stride and average balance. Opposite field hitter with an uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.26. Defensively in the outfield has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. Also took drills in the infield and threw 72 mph across the diamond. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Square landing, working in line with home plate. Fastball has running action at 72-74 topping out at 75 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 53-55 mph for strikes. Changeup has fading action at 62-64 mph.

Jimmy DeAngelo, 1B/RHP, Hall, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a open setup with a leg lift stride and fair balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.01. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Athletic actions with a clean exchange. Threw 73 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a low ¾ arm angle. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 78-81 topping out at 82 mph. Curveball has loose rotation at 62-65 mph. Showed feel for changeup at 68-71 mph.

Michael D’Angelo, OF/RHP/2B, Stevenson, 2019
6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting utility player with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup with a short stride and average balance. Long swing path with some looseness. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.08. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Long strides in the outfield, playing thru the ball with a long exchange. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. Also took drills in the infield throwing 76 mph across the diamond. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball has slight running action at 77-80 mph. Changeup has running action, thrown with fastball arm speed at 73-75 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 60-62 mph.

Peter Fusek, OF/RHP, Homeschool, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. Ast the plate hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path and fast bat. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Plus runner running the 60 at 6.83. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a long exchange. Showed raw arm strength from the outfield throwing 83 mph. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed toe landing, works in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 81-83 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-68 mph. Splitter sat 73-74 mph.

Nathan Garard, RHP/3B/OF, Gibson City, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing and some effort. Fastball was straight at 78-81 mph. Curveball sat 70-74 mph. Changeup was straight at 71-74 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup with a short stride and fair balance. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.23. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 81 mph from the outfield and 80 mph across the infield.

Andrew Gatland, SS/RHP, Lyons, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting shortstop with an athletic frame. Plus runner ran the 60 at 6.80. Defensively has a long arm action from a low ¾ slot. Athletic actions with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Threw 76 mph across the infield. Showed good body control on the run thru. At the plate hits from balanced, wide base with a short heel lift stride. Uphill swing path with a high one arm finish. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a loose arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing. Fastball was straight at 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 63-65 mph. Changeup sat 72-75 mph.

Patrick Jodloman, 3B/RHP, New Trier, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. At the plate hits from an open setup with a short leg lift, toe tap stride. Pull, power approach with an uphill swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.02. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 71 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Smooth tempo with good balance. Showed pitchability, filled up the zone. Fastball was straight at 78-80 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 60-62 mph for strikes. Slider sat 67-73 mph. Feel for changeup with sinking action at 67-70 mph for strikes.

Mason Kasprisin, OF/RHP, Joliet West, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup with a smooth load and short stride. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path and fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.97. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort working in line with home plate. Fastball has hard cutting action at 81-83 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 65-69 mph. Slider has minimal action at 72-75 mph.Changeup was straight at 69-73 mph.

Jason Klemm, RHP, DeKalb, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with good tempo and a closed landing. Fastball has running action at 75-77 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 63-65 mph. Also threw a slider at 63-65 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 65-68 mph.

Brady Krile, SS/RHP, Eureka, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP with a lanky, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a wide base with a toe tap stride and average balance. Pull hitter with a level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.38. Defensively has a long arm action from a low ¾ slot. Quick footwork with a long exchange. Threw 81 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with a short stride. Fastball has running action at 78-80 mph for strikes. Curveball has slurve action at 66 mph. Changeup showed run at 70-72 mph.

Cole Manley, LHP/1B/OF, Notre Dame, 2019
6-foot-3, 195-pound left-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action and wrap on the backside. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball has running action at 72-75 mph. Curveball sat 57-79 mph. Changeup has fading action at 66-67 mph. At the plate hits from a crouched setup with a leg lift stride and good balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.16. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 75 mph from the outfield and 71 mph across the infield.

Thomas McDonald, LHP, Batavia, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a slightly closed landing. Uptempo delivery. Fastball was straight at 65-67 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape at 50-53 mph for strikes. Changeup sat 56-58 mph.

Cameron Mulvihill, LHP, Evanston, 2019
6-foot, 154-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with home rhythm. Hides the ball well. Fastball flashed late running action, gets on hitter quick at 77-80 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with sharp breaking action at 66-70 mph. Changeup is mostly straight with occasional fading action at 69-70 mph.

Mitch Nieweglowski, OF/RHP, Marmion, 2019
5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short heel lift stride. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.24. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball worked up in the zone at 77-80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 60-66 mph. Changeup sat 63-64 mph.

Elijah Paplanus, RHP/3B/OF, Huntley, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from a ¾ arm a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with some rhythm. Fastball flashed running action at 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-66 mph. Changeup sat 70-73 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, closed setup with a long stride. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.23. Defensively took drills in both the infield and the outfield. Threw 81 mph across the infield and 79 mph from the outfield.  

Casey Pickering, RHP/3B, Neuqua Valley, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound left-handed hitting RHP/3B. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a high front side. Fastball was mostly straight with occasional run at 80-81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape, flashed sharp breaking action at 66-70 mph. Showed feel for changeup at 73-75 mph, while maintaining fastball arm speed. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Long, uphill swing path. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws across at 77 mph. Showed good body control.

Dean Procarione, RHP, Minooka, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works form an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Works in line with home plate. Fastball was straight, worked up in the zone at 78-81 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 61-65 mph. Changeup was straight at 68-72 mph.

Quinn Rempfer, LHP, DeKalb, 2019
5-foot-10, 130-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action and quick draw out of the glove. Works exclusively out of the stretch, tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing. Fastball showed cutting action at 65-66 mph. Throws both a curveball and a slider. Curveball worked 49-52 mph. Slider sat 53-54 mph. Changeup sat 54-56 mph.

Michael Shell, 3B/RHP, Kennedy, 2019
6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. At the plate hits from a tall setup with a short stride and early rhythm. Short, uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.66. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 73 mph across the infield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 72-74 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 50-53 mph. Also featured a splitter at 65-70 mph.

Luke Uhwat, RHP, Richmond Burton, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery, recoil finish with maximum effort. Fastball sat 80-83 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 63-66 mph. Slider has sweeping action at 67-71 mph.

Sammy Valdez, RHP/1B, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Falls to first base side on release. Fastball sat 73-76 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 61-63 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, closed setup. Short, level swing path. Pull hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.37. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 75 mph across the infield.

Kevin Walsh, RHP/OF, Sandburg, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action and wrap on the backside. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing. Fastball was straight at 73-75 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball has loose rotation at 60-65 mph. Changeup sat 66-69 mph. At the plate hits from a closed setup with a leg lift stride. Long, uphill swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.64. Defensively threw 74 mph from the outfield.

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