Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2022 Showcase: Pitcher Analysis


By Kevin Cronin and Drew Locascio
Illinois Staff

On July 15th, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Class of 2022 Showcase at Lee Pfund Stadium in Wheaton, Ill. This annual event was open to all incoming juniors in the state and serves as an identifier for the PBR Future Games and other invite-only events.

Shortly following the event we took a deep dive into the statistical leaders from the event. Today we continue our positional analysis of the event by evaluating the day’s outfielders. We began our coverage with the catchers, outfielders, and infielders, we’re onto the day’s pitchers today.

Our first look at Grayslake North RHP/1B Sam Pritchard was a particularly good one, as his easy delivery and short, loose arm action helps him reach 86-87 mph with low effort and above-average spin. RHP Osvaldo Ballesteros Jr. (St. Laurence) is a prospect we’ve gotten a couple of live looks at this summer, and he’s impressed on both occasions. It’s a clean arm action and he maxes out effort out front, and it pushed him into the 85-86 mph range exclusively at this event.

For a look at the rest of the arms from the event, read on below.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Sam Pritchard, Grayslake North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Lean build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, lands open, finishes athletic.
Arm Action: RH. Short loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T87, 82-86 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight. Max of 2333 RPM, via TrackMan.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape.
SL: 72-74 mph. 10/4 shape, throws hard. 

2. Osvaldo Ballesteros Jr., St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, max effort, choppy rhythm, lands square, finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T86, 85-86 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight.
CB: 69-72 mph. Gradual 11/5 shape.
CH: 74-76 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade action.

3. Michael Kelly, Mt. Carmel (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, works in line, falls off.
Arm Action: LH. Short loose arm action, high ¾ slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Flashes cut action.
CB: 64-67 mph. Sweeping 2/8 shape.
CH: 69-74 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade action.

4. Adam Guazzo, Huntley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Controlled, repeatable tall and fall delivery. lands square and finishes athletically.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-82 mph. Clean out of the hand, controlled the zone, late boring action.
CB: 66-70 mph. Lands for strikes, 11/5 shape, tight spin at times. Median spin rate of 2314 RPM, via TrackMan.
CH: 74-75 mph. Maintains arm speed, late run and sink, feel for bottom of the zone.

5. Bearden Awadzi, Wheaton Warrenville South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Delivery: Stretch only, simple directional delivery, lands open, effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Heavy straight action.
CB: 69-70 mph. Late 11/5 shape. Median spin rate of 2178 RPM, via TrackMan.
CH: 77-79 mph. Sinking action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Michael Addari, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Athletic, lean, projectable frame.
Delivery: Full wind up, high-front side, works on-line, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Clean out of the hand, mostly straight, around the zone.
CB: 64-66 mph. 11/5 shape, depth, feel. Max spin rate of 2199 RPM, via TrackMan.
SL: 67-70 mph. Short wrinkle, 10/4 shape.
CH: 75-78 mph. Maintains arm speed, feel for the zone out of the stretch, mostly straight.

Braden Alfano, Rochelle Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Lean build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 77-78 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 64-66 mph. Gradual 1/5 shape.
CH: 65-66 mph. Maintains arm speed, plays straight. 

Jaylun Camper, Brooks College Prep (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds. Lanky frame, lean build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, some effort, lands in line, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-74 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight.
CB: 65-67 mph. Gradual 11/5 shape.
CH: 65-68 mph. Plays in the zone, sinking action.

Daniel Cabrales, Stevenson (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Average frame, lean build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, some effort, works in line, finishes upright.
Arm Action: LH. Long bow arm action, L 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 73-74 mph. Flashes sink and run.
CB: 61-62 mph. Gradual 1/5 shape.
CH: 66-68 mph. Maintains arm speed, sinking action.

Jonathan Ciullo, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Athletic frame with well proportioned strength.
Delivery: Works with rhythm, tucked at balance point, directional down the mound, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action plays from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Works mostly straight, flashed late arm-side-arm.
CB: 63-64 mph. Flashed depth, 11/5 shape, tight spin at times.
SL: 71-73 mph. Tighter than curveball, 10/4 shape, short wrinkle.
CH: 71-73 mph. Maintains arm speed, straight action, down in the zone.

Drew Dykstra, Fulton (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Lanky frame, athletic build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, lands close, finishes upright. 
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 77-78 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 67-68 mph. Gradual 12/6 action.
CH: 73-74 mph. Arm side movement.

Keven Fischer, Morris  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Strong build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, lands closes, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight,
CB: 66-67 mph. 11/5 shape, plays up in zone.
CH: 67-69 mph. Maintains arm speed, slight fade action.

Zachary Janes, Walter Payton College Prep (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, choppy rhythm, lands square, finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Short stab arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 72-73 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 63-66 mph. Late 11/5 shape, minimal depth.
CH: 67-69 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade action.

Will Moonan, St. Rita (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-4, 165-pounds. Lanky frame, lean build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays to run.
CB: 65-67 mph. 10/4 shape, minimal depth, works around the zone.
CH: 71-73 mph. Feel pitch, plays to fade, thrown in the zone.

Justin Nonnemann, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Small frame, strong build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, max effort, works in line, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 77-79 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight.
CB: 60-62 mph. Early 11/5 shape.
CH: 66-68 mph. Maintains arm speed, sinking action. 

Cole Parish, Minooka (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 150-pounds. Lean Build.
Delivery: Stretch only, high leg kick, works inline.
Arm Action: RH. Short stab arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T73, 70-73 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 62-65 mph. 11/5 shape, minimal depth.
CH: 69-70 mph. Plays straight, flash fade action.

Max Petry, South Elgin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Small frame, lean build
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, works in line.
Arm Action: LH. Short loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Plays mostly straight.
CB: 62-63 mph. Early 1/5 shape.
CH: 71-72 mph. Plays like a fastball, straight action. 

Riley Pollard, Lake Zurich (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-4, 193-pounds. Well-proportioned, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, works across his body at times, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw out of the glove, high 3/4 to over-the-top slot.
FB: T65, 63-65 mph. Late run and sinking action, around the zone.
CB: 53-59 mph. Depth, 12/6 shape.
CH: 56-60 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade action.
CUT: 54-60 mph. 10/4 shape, slight wrinkle.

Noah Schlup, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 130-pounds. Long, lean, projectable frame.
Delivery: Smooth, drop and drive delivery, works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long, uninterrupted arm action, plays from a high ¾ to over-the-top slot.
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Plays straight, occasional cutting action, thrown for strikes.
CB: 68-70 mph. Thrown aggressively, 11/5 shape, short wrinkle, landed for strikes.
CH: 70-72 mph. Locates down in the zone, flashed sink and fade action. Low-spinning changeup with a median spin rate of 1190 RPM, via TrackMan.

Jack Skidmore, Naperville Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only, tall and fall delivery, directional down the mound and lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Works straight, occasional finish through the zone.
CB: 65-66 mph. 12/6 shape, depth, lands for strikes.
CH: 70-73 mph. Fastball arm speed, slight fade action at times.

Kyle Thierry, Normal Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic frame, lean build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, max effort, works in line, falls off. 
Arm Action: RH. Long loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight.
CB: 67-69 mph. Gradual 12/6 shape.
CH: 69-71 mph. Maintains arm speed, plays straight.

Mason Weckler, Belvidere North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, some effort, lands squared, finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Long loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 64-65 mph. Late 11/5 shape.
CH: 66-67 mph. Arm side movement.

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