Class of 2023 Showcase: Pitcher Analysis
November 30, 2021
On Wednesday, July 14, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Class of 2023 Showcase at Lee Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream. This event was open to players in the class of 2023. It also served as an identifier to select, invite events like the Future Games and Preseason All-State. Of the 60 participants in attendance, several had stand out performances.
Last week we rolled out our position player analysis and now we’re wrapping up the post-event coverage with all the pitching scouting reports from the day.
Leading this group is RHP/OF Spencer Geake, who’s performance at this event landed him a spot on our state’s 2023 rankings. He’s a live-armed 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander with advanced raw arm strength for his age, bumping his fastball up to 88 mph.
A sturdy, durable 5-foot-10, 200-pound athlete, southpaw Jacob Janisko checks in behind Geake on this list. Janisko peppered the zone with a two-seam type fastball that sat at 84-86 mph throughout his ‘pen and he featured two different breaking balls as well.
Read below for all the pitcher scouting reports from this event.
TOP PITCHERS
1. Spencer Geake, Glenbrook North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Athletic frame, lean build.
Delivery: Smooth rhythm, stretch only with easy effort, shoulders remain level, works in line, athletic, squared finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 85-88 mph. Hard action, arm-side run with sink, throws for strikes. T2236, 2031 average rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. Gradual 10/4 break. T2034, 1920 average rpm.
CH: 75-78 mph. Maintains arm speed, sinking action.
2. Jacob Janisko, Harvest Christian (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Smooth tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, works in line with home, lands square with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 84-86 mph. Two-seam type, around the zone command. T2122, 2019 average rpm.
CB: 69-73 mph. Gradual 1/7 movement. T2139, 1979 average rpm.
SL: 74-75 mph. Sharp break, 2/8 movement. T2218, 2101 average rpm.
3. Joe Richardson, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Compact tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, high balance point, shoulders close off, lands squared, falls off.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight, flashes run at times. T2024, 1927 average rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. Sharp breaking, 2/8 movement, around the zone command. T2099, 2074 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Plays straight, flashes sinking action at times.
4. Jared Lortie, Evanston (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only with some effort, high point of balance, shoulders slightly get closed, lands squared, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Easy, clean, arm-side run with some sink, around the zone command. T2180, 2121 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. Sharp, 11/5 break, ability to command in the zone. T2337, 2249 average rpm.
CH: 70-73 mph. Arm-side run action with some sink, near fastball arm speed.
5. Jared Rodriguez, Harvest Christian Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 170-pounds. Strong legs.
Delivery: Segmented tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, shoulders close off, lands squared with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Arm-side run movement. T2020, 1919 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. 10/4 with sharp action, around the zone command. T2133, 2057 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Arm-side run, down in the zone command.
5. Michael Farina, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate tall-and-fall delivery, high balance point, lands squared, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Clean out of the hands, thrown for strikes. T2148, 2024 average rpm.
CB: 73-74 mph. Sharp acting, 11/5 break, feel down in the zone. T2425, 2378 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Flashed arm-side run, maintains arm speed.
BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Alexander Bagley, Wheaton Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Tall-and-fall delivery with effort, shoulders remain level, lands squared, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 73-75 mph. Plays straight, flashed cutting action at times. T1605, 1363 average rpm.
CB: 55-57 mph. Early breaking 12/6 action. T1653, 1613 average rpm.
CH: 67-68 mph. Plays straight with some cut, around the zone command.
Jaxon Boryca, Plainfield North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo tilt-and-topple delivery with some effort, high balance point, shoulders get uphill, lands square, falls off.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 70-71 mph. Arm-side run with some sink, around the zone command. T1582, 1532 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. Sweeping, 2/8 movement. T1852, 1804 average rpm.
CH: 66-69 mph. Plays straight, flashes arm-side run.
Rylan Dorsey, Ottawa (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Compact tall-and-fall delivery, shoulders get uphill, lands square, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 73-78 mph. Flashes arm-side run. T1781, 1703 average rpm.
CB: 58-61 mph. Gradual breaking, 11/5 movement. T1904, 1884 average rpm.
CH: 66-67 mph. Plays straight.
CUT: 63-64 mph. 10/4 movement.
Kevin Geake, Glenbrook North (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Smooth drop and drive delivery with easy effort, works in line with home, lands squared with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Plays straight, flashes late arm-side run. T1654, 1484 average rpm.
CB: 66-70 mph. Gradual 11/5 break. T1811, 1725 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Arm-side run with some sink, near fastball arm speed, thrown for strikes.
Niklaus Janssen, Rock Island (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 209-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate tall-and-fall delivery, shoulder get uphill, lands square, falls off.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 77-78 mph. Plays straight, around the zone command. T1811, 1711 average rpm.
CB: 60-61 mph. Sweeping 2/8 movement, feel pitch. T2206, 2136 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Sinking action, near fastball arm speed.
Brandon Johnson, Lemont (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate drop-and-drive delivery with easy effort, uphill shoulder plane, lands squared, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Mostly straight, flashed run at times, command for the zone. T2200, 2169 average rpm.
CB: 71-73 mph. Early breaking, 12/6 movement. T2231, 2173 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Arm-side run with some sink, maintains arm speed.
Drew Koenig, Oak Park River Forest (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate tall-and-fall delivery, easy effort, level shoulders, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. T2223, 2047 average rpm.
CB: 63-65 mph. T2056, 1946 average rpm.
CH: 70-72 mph.
Ethan Looper, Jacobs (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 162-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo drop-and-drive delivery with effort, high balance point, works in line, lands square, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Plays straight, flashes run at times. T1842, 1734 average rpm.
CB: 64-66 mph. Early, gradual breaking, 11/5 movement. T1609, 1565 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Maintains arm speed, plays straight, thrown for strikes.
Carl Moland-Kovash, Rolling Meadows (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 190-pounds. Lean, long limb.
Delivery: Controlled and balanced tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, shoulder work slighly uphill, lands squared with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-81 mph. Throws both a four-seam and two-seam, around the zone command. T1897, 1858 average rpm.
CB: 66-72 mph. Sharp breaking, 11/5 action, commands down in the zone. T2030, 1895 average rpm.
CH: 71-74 mph. Sinking action.
Mario Recio, UIC College Prep (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo tall-and-fall delivery, high balance point, level shoulders, lands square, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T67, 64-67 mph. Plays straight. T1931, 1857 average rpm.
CB: 57-60 mph. Early, gradual breaking, 11/5 movement, down in the zone command. T1760, 1737 average rpm.
CH: 60-61 mph. Plays straight, thrown down in the zone.
Braden Reilly, Coal City (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Tall-and-fall delivery with easy effort, level shoulders, works in line, lands squared.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 73-76 mph. Plays straight. T1809, 1733 average rpm.
CB: 59-62 mph. Gradual 11/5 break. T1904, 1845 average rpm.
CH: 65-70 mph. Plays straight, late arm-side run at times.
Samuel Schmitt, Warren Township (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Compact, tall-and-fall delivery with smooth rhythm, works in line, lands squared with home.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-74 mph. Arm-side run, around the zone command. T1667, 1503 average rpm.
CB: 58-60 mph. Gradual 1/7 movement. T1409, 1200 average rpm.
CH: 66-69 mph. Plays straight, thrown for strikes.
Bobby Seltzer, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Segmented tall-and-fall delivery, level shoulders, long stride, lands closed, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Plays straight. T1747, 1658 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. Gradual 11/5 break. T1854, 1798 average rpm.
CUT: 66-67 mph. 10/4 movement.
SPLT: 66-68 mph.
James Stanisic, Maine South (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only, shoulder stay level, long stride, lands close, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Long, winged arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-80 mph. Plays straight. T2217, 2072 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Gradual 11/5 break. T2607, 2558 average rpm.
CH: 72-73 mph. Sinking action, down in the zone command.
Aidan Thompson, Marquette Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-4, 215-pounds.
Delivery: Tall-and-fall delivery with effort, shoulders close off, lands squared, hard finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 79-81 mph. Plays straight, flashes run at times. T1869, 1859 average rpm.
CB: 62-66 mph. Gradual 11/5 break. T1888, 1832 average rpm.
CH: 60-65 mph. Arm-side run with some sink, near fastball arm speed.
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