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Southwest Suburban Prospect ID: Pitching Analysis

November 21, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

We conclude our recap of the Southwest Suburban Prospect ID with the pitching analysis. Cameron Hupe stood out as the top pitching prospect at the event. Hupe, a 2017 graduate of Mount Carmel, looked strong topping out at 84 mph and showed excellent feel for his changeup. Zack Devermann (Oswego East, 2015) also looked sharp touching 84 mph from the left side. He showed an advanced breaking ball with tight action.

Here’s a look at the top pitching prospects from the Southwest Suburban Prospect ID.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Cameron Hupe, RHP/3B, Mount Carmel, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletic two way player with very strong projectability. On the mound he works from a tall and fall delivery with easy effort, smooth rhythm, and clean direction. His arm works from a high ¾ slot, with excellent acceleration, and does a great job getting on top and throwing on two planes. His fastball sits at 82 mph out of the wind, touching 84 once. From the stretch it’s 80-82 mph. Showed above average feel already for his changeup, throwing it with fastball arm speed that creates quality arm side action, 63-68 mph. Threw his curveball with 10/4 shape, gradual break, 61-64 mph, for strikes. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, solid lower half, maintains excellent balance through contact. Swing rhythm is slightly choppy, uphill bat path, high quality extension, generates line drives with backspin and lift with consistently hard contact. Exit velocity off the tee was above average for his age at 73 mph. On the infield, his athleticism showed well, using soft hands, nimble feet, and playing through balls athletically. HIs arm works above average for his age, throwing it 78 mph across the diamond with strong carry and accuracy. He ran an 8.06 60.

2. Zak Devermann, LHP, Oswego East, 2015
6-foot-1, 190-pound left handed pitcher with three high quality pitches, solid projectability. Delivery works in fluid rhythm, with small drop and drive tendencies, clean lines. His arm works short, quick acceleration, high ¾ slot. His fastball is 82-83 mph, touching 84 mph, run and sink action, explosive finish. His breaking ball has 11/5 shape, tight, late breaking action and good depth at 68-70 mph. Throws his chageup with fastball arm speed, high grade sink and arm side run, 71-74 mph, for strikes.

3. Zack Martin, RHP, Plainfield North, 2016
6-foot-4, 200-pound athletic body pitcher who has strong projectability. Uses a drop and drive delivery, some rhythm, clean lines, and an athletic finish. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, long and quick, with very easy effort. His 4-seam fastball is an easy 81-83 mph, touching 84 mph. The 2-seam fastball is 82 mph with aggressive running action. His breaking ball has 10/4 shape, with slurvish breaking action, 66-68 mph from the windup, 64-65 mph from the stretch. Throws a straight changeup at 73-75 mph.

4. Jack Molnar, OF/RHP, Fremd, 2016
Lanky frame, 6-foot, 165-pound two-way player, projectable build. Molnar has shown exceptional improvements since last seeing him in February. Defensively shows excellent athleticism, advanced outfield actions, 7.51 runner. Traditional outfield arm action, long over the top slot, showed carry, 86 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, strong balance through contact. Bat path is short to the baseball, gets extension, advanced approach with well above average bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity. On the mound showed a quick arm action, high ¾ arm slot, regular effort. Fastball sat at 77-79 mph. Breaking ball works on 11/5 plane, occasional sharp action, near fastball arm speed, 67-69 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm action, occasional sink, 73-74 mph.

5. Alex Jones, RHP, North Scott (IA), 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound pitcher. Clean, short arm action, high ¾ slot. Delivery has regular effort, is repeatable. Threw his fastball for strikes, sitting 78-81 mph from windup and stretch. Throws a sweeping breaking ball, gradual break, 64-67 mph. Changeup was 68-70 mph, flashes of sink. Also throws a cutter with slider action, 68-70 mph.

5. Jason Stricklin, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2015
6-foot-2, 180-pound pitcher. Works out of the stretch only. Arm works long and loose, from a high ¾ slot. His fastball was 77-79 mph, touching 80 mph once, with flashes of quality running action. Breaking ball is a slurve, 64-68 mph. Throws his changeup with solid arm action, 73-75 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cole Aughenbaugh, OF/RHP, Oswego, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. Offensively, hits from balanced setup, no load, dives with his stride. Swing has choppy rhythm. Exit velocity off a tee was 59 mph. From the outfield his arm works at 71 mph with some accuracy. Ran a 7.52 60. On the mound uses a drop and drive delivery. Fastball was straight, 67-69 mph. Curveball was 57-59 mph, 12/6 shape, rolling break. Changeup was 59-62 mph with cutting action.

Parker Bogdan, RHP/SS, Lincoln Way East, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound two way player. On the mound he throws across his body with a deceptive delivery. His arm works loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball was 70-72 mph with cutting action. Showed feel for his curveball throwing it 64-66 mph, slurve tilt and action. Changeup was 67-68 mph with similar action as his breaking ball. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Swing is athletic, solid extension. Exit velocity off a tee was 71 mph. On the infield throws with same arm action as on the mound, 63 mph across the diamond with accuracy. Ran a 7.81 60.

Ray Braun, RHP/C, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound lanky, two-way player. On the mound his arm works long, ¾ arm slot. Delivery has regular effort. Fastball is straight, sitting 72-74 mph. Throws a sweeping breaking ball, loose action, 58-61 mph. Changeup was 66-69 mph. Behind the dish his arm works at 67 mph with some accuracy. Pop times were 2.22-2.43. Offensively he hits from an open, crouched stance. Upper body dominates the swing, long bat path. Exit velocity off a tee was 67 mph. Ran a 7.85 60.

Aaron Cusimano, C/RHP/INF, Harlem, 2016
5-foot-9, 145-pound two way player. Offensively, hits from a narrow stance, smooth backward loading action. Hands work well in the swing, long bat path, choppy rhythm. Exit velocity off a tee was 73 mph. From behind the plate his arm works long, high ¾ slot, 67 mph from a crouch, some accuracy. Pop times were 2.41-2.51. On the infield showed standard actions, similar arm action as behind the plate, 68 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.77 60. On the mound the delivery works with some rhythm, and above average effort. Arm works long, high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, 69-71 mph. Breaking ball has one plane action, 65-67 mph. Throws his changeup from a different arm slot, straight, 64-68 mph.

Dylan Diorio, 1B/RHP, Plainfield North, 2017
5-foot-9, 175-pound two-way player with strong legs. At the plate he hits from an even, balanced stance, no stride, fair balance through contact. Has a sit and spin style swing, solid bat speed, some barrel whip, and showed power to the pull side. Exit velocity was 70 mph off a tee. On the infield he showed solid hands. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, 68 mph across the infield. Ran an 8.56 60. On the mound his arm works short, high ¾ slot, throws across his body. Fastball was straight, sitting 70-72 mph, touching 74 mph one time. Curveball has 12/6 shape, rolling break, 51-53 mph. Changeup showed flashes of sink, 58-60 mph.

Michael Fuscaldo, OF/1B/LHP, Marist, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound, left handed hitting two-way player with solid potential. Offensively he hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, solid lower half involvement, and quality balance throughout the swing. Swing has fluid rhythm, is quiet and repeatable, hands work well. Exit velocity was 70 mph off a tee. From the outfield he showed solid actions, arm works from a ¾ slot, 69 mph. On the infield arm works at 64 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.43 60. On the mound his delivery works in rhythm, regular effort, hides the ball well. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, sitting 65-66 mph for strikes. Curveball has 10/4 shape, rolling break, 56-59 mph with some feel. Changeup was 60-63 mph.

Tyler Garrity, LHP/1B, Plainfield North, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound athletic body, right handed hitting, left handed throwing, two-way player with high projectability on the mound and at the plate. On the mound he has a strong drop and drive delivery, solid rhythm, clean lines, regular effort. Arm works long, loose, from a ¾ slot. Fastball sits 74 mph, touched 77 mph once, solid late running action, consistent strikes. Throws a sweeping breaking ball, with aggressive arm speed, 63-64 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 62-66 mph with flashes of quality sink. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, no loading action, short stride, strong lower half, quality balance through contact. Has fluid, line drive swing, flat bat path, make consistently strong contact. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. At first base he shows quality feel around the bag, throws with a long arm, 70 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.76 60.

Brett Hamilton, RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2015
5-foot-11, 150-pound right handed pitcher. Effortless delivery, long loose arm action. Four seam fastball is mostly straight, 77-78 mph. Showed a two seam fastball with slight running action, 76-77 mph. Slider showed slurve action, 72-75 mph, throws aggressively. Changeup thrown with above average arm action, 68-70 mph. Curveball showed similar action to slider, less velocity, 62-64 mph. Showed solid overall feel for his pitches, good velocity splits off of his fastball.

Garrett Hiles, 3B/RHP, Marmion, 2015
5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player. Ran one of the best 60 times at 7.21. On the mound uses a drop and drive delivery, some rhythm. Arm works from over-the-top, short action on the backside. Filled the zone up with his fastball, sitting 72-73 mph, occasional running action. Curveball was 63-66 mph with soft, slurve action. Had feel for his changeup, throwing it 65-66 mph with arm side run and sink. At the plate he hits from an even stance and short stride. Swing has choppy rhythm, some extension, solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 69 mph off a tee. On the infield arm works at 68 mph across the diamond.

Alex Jones, RHP, North Scott (IA), 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound pitcher. Clean, short arm action, high ¾ slot. Delivery has regular effort, is repeatable. Threw his fastball for strikes, sitting 78-81 mph from windup and stretch. Throws a sweeping breaking ball, gradual break, 64-67 mph. Changeup was 68-70 mph, flashes of sink. Also throws a cutter with slider action, 68-70 mph.

Jared Jones, MIF/RHP, Joliet Catholic Academy, 2016
6-foot-1, 150-pound, lanky, two-way player. At the plate he hits from a balanced, even stance, smooth loading action, short stride, strong lower half. Swing has a flat bat path, solid extension, quality barrel whip, middle to pull side approach. Exit velocity off the tee was 73 mph. On the infield he showed solid actions, quality hands and feet. Arm works at 72 mph across the diamond with strong accuracy. Ran an 8.0 60. On the mound he works out of the stretch only, easy effort. His arm works short and clean from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 77-78 mph, slight running action, for strikes. Curveball has 10/4 shape, quality breaking action at 63-65 mph. Throws a straight changeup 64-67 mph. Throws a slider at 65-66 mph.

Jack Keane, RHP/OF, Neuqua Valley, 2017
5-foot-11, 145-pound athletic body, two-way player. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, high quality balance through contact. Swing is clean, level bat path, solid bat speed for his age. Exit velocity was 76 mph of a tee. From the outfield his arm works from a high ¾ slot, 68 mph. Ran a 7.59 60. On the mound has a tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, easy effort. Arm works long, from a high ¾ slot. Had feel for the fastball, 72-73 mph, touching 75 mph, flashes of running action. Throws sweeping breaking ball, 62-63 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, 65-66 mph, quality sinking action.

Brandon Knox, MIF/OF/RHP, Plainfield North, 2016
5-foot-11, 140-pound lanky frame, two-way player with solid projectability. At the plate he hits from a slightly crouched, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, quality balance through contact. Bat path is short and level, solid extension, high quality plate coverage, above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. On the infield he works in rhythm, sound actions, quality feet. Arm action is long, over-the-top, 72 mph, accurate, above average carry. His rhythm and actions play well in the outfield, throwing with the same arm action, 74 mph. Ran a 7.35 60. On the mound has a tall and fall delivery he repeats with ease. Throws downhill with a long arm, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight arm side run, sitting 73-74 mph from wind and stretch, for strikes. Curveball has 11/5 shape, rolling break, 58-60 mph. Throws a knuckleball 57-58 mph.

Jimmy Layne, RHP/3B, Plainfield Central, 2016
5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player. On the mound he fills the zone up. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, long and loose action on the backside. Fastball sat 73-75 mph from the windup and stretch, flashing cut and sink, for strikes. Had feel for a changeup, throwing it 67-69 mph, some cutting action, for strikes. Breaking ball has 10/4 shape, gradual break, 62-64 mph. Throws a knuckle ball 63-64 mph. At the plate he hits from an even, balanced setup, uses the lower half well. Bat path is slightly uphill, producing line drives with backspin. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. On the infield he showed standard actions, arm works from a ¾ slot, with accuracy, 71 mph across the diamond with accuracy. ran a 7.93 60.

Garry Maynard, SS/RHP, Middle School, 2019
5-foot-3, 135-pound two way player. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance, diving stride to contact. Swing is repeatable. Exit velocity off a tee was 66 mph. On the infield throws with a short arm, some accuracy, 61 mph. Ran an 8.77 60. On the mound has tall and fall delivery, easy effort. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, stabbing action on the backside. Fastball was straight, 58-60 mph, for strikes. Curveball had 11/5 shape, rolling break, 50-51 mph. Changeup was straight, 51-53 mph.

Danny Miller, LHP/OF/1B, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound left handed two way player. On the mound worked from a high ¾ slot, short arm action, some effort. Fastball had occasional late arm side run, 75-76 mph. Breaking ball has slurve action, 64-66 mph. Changeup sat 67-68 mph. Offensively hits from a slightly taller setup. Occasional lift, long path, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm worked at 74 mph from the outfield and 68 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.96 60.

Tyler Mulligan, MIF/OF/RHP, Newark, 2016
5-foot-9, 130-pound lanky, multi-positional player. From the outfield he showed the ability to work downhill with quality footwork. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, 70 mph. On the infield he showed the same quality footwork, arm works at 66 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.55 60. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, quality balance through contact. Showed ability to repeat swing mechanics, solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 77 mph off a tee. On the mound his delivery is repeatable, regular effort, across his body.. Arm works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, for strikes, 65-67 mph. Throws a splitter with a stiff wrist, 52-54 mph, slight downward action. Knuckleball was 52-53 mph, consistent knuckling action.

Cameron Paladines, RHP, Oswego, 2015
5-foot-11, 145-pound right handed pitcher. Delivery shows some effort, slightly open landing, deliberate balance position. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, short arm action. Fastball sat 72-74 mph, mostly straight four seam. Slider sat at 65 mph, some sweeping action. Curveball flashed 12/6 action, 56-60 mph. Changeup sat 61-63 mph.

Nicholas Pratt, LHP/1B, Plainfield Central, 2016
5-foot-9, 130-pound left handed hitting two-way player. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance. Keeps hands inside the ball, slight uphill bat path, pull side approach. Exit velocity off the tee was 67 mph. On the mound he repeats his delivery with rhythm. Arm works long, from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 69-70 mph with flashes of arm side run, for strikes. Breaking ball has slurve tilt, rolling break, 53-55 mph. Changeup was 56-57 mph, some sink. At first base he showed sound actions around the bag. Arm works from a ¾ slot at 65 mph. Ran a 7.75 60.

Hunter Sawin, RHP, Plainfield South, 2016
6-foot, 150-pound lanky pitcher with tall and fall delivery with rhythm. Arm works long and loose, quick acceleration, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 76-77 mph, slight sinking action, for strikes. Curveball has 11/5 shape, sitting 65-66 mph, with flashes of quality depth and breaking action. Changeup was 70-71 mph with arm side run.

Andrew Stout, RHP, Oswego East, 2015
6-foot-1, 200-pound pitcher with feel. Delivery has rhythm and throws across his body. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, short and loose. Fastball was 80-82 mph with late sinking action, for strikes. Showed feel for the changeup, throwing it 69-70 mph with sink. Slider had solid depth and action, 71-72 mph. Throws a curveball 66-67 mph.

Chase Taylor, OF/1B/LHP, Harlem, 2016
Slighty lanky build, 5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a closed stance, longer bat path, 62 mph exit velocity. Defensively throws out of a high ¾ arm slot, aggressive actions toward the baseball, arm played at 71 mph from the outfield, 68 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball was mostly straight, 71-72 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 63-64 mph. Changeup has occasional arm side run, showed some control, 68-69 mph.

Nicholas Tortorici, C/3B/RHP, Lincoln Way East, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound multi positional player with solid potential. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, no stride, solid lower half, quality balance through the swing. Swing has fluid rhythm, keeps hands inside, solid bat speed for age. Exit velocity was 64 mph off a tee. Behind the dish he receives well from a solid setup. Arm works short, 68 mph from a crouch, pop times were 2.20-2.28. On the infield throws from high ¾ slot, 69 mph with accuracy. Ran an 8.37 60. On the mound his arm works from a high ¾ slot, short action. Fastball was 70-72 mph with cutting action. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, slurve breaking action, 60-63 mph, near fastball arm speed. Changeup showed sinking action, sitting 61 mph, touching 63 mph.

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