The Best of the Kenosha I.D.: Jacob Bimbi
January 22, 2020
On Saturday, Jan. 25, the PBR Wisconsin team will host its first showcase of the 2020 season at the Fielder’s Choice Training Facility in Kenosha, Wis., for the annual Kenosha Preseason I.D. showcase.
You can still register for Saturday’s showcase by clicking the hyperlink above.
Throughout this week, we’re highlighting some of this showcase’s top performers over the last few years. Next up in the series is LHP Jacob Bimbi, an Illinois senior from Crystal Lake South High School and a Wabash Valley JC commit. It’s not uncommon that a name from Illinois heads just over the border to participate in the Kenosha I.D. event, and Bimbi’s the latest to steal the show.
Bimbi bursted onto the prospect radar at this event last year at his first-ever PBR showcase. There, he topped 88 mph from the left side on the mound with a quick, loose arm attached to an athletic 5-foot-11 frame. Since, Bimbi’s risen way up the Illinois ranks and sits inside the top-50 of the state’s 2021 board, and he earned a commitment to Wabash Valley, one of the nation’s top JUCO programs, in September. You can find scouting reports collected over his tremendous 2019 below.
KENOSHA I.D. SPOTLIGHT: JACOB BIMBI
Scouting Report
Verbally committed to Wabash Valley JC.
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 48 in the Illinois’ 2020 class. 5-foot-11, 148-pound, lean, live-bodied, left-handed pitcher. Started on the mound for Crystal Lake South. Started out of the windup, moved to a stretch-only delivery early on. Delivery works across his body, present front side, creates deception, lands square at foot strike with upright finish. Arm works long, loose and quick from a high ¾ slot; projects for more velocity. Fastball is live, jumps through the zone at times, velocity plays up, action varied, occasional arm-side-run, mostly straight, sat 83-86 mph throughout, touched 87 a few times. Both offspeed offerings had inconsistent feel and action. Breaking ball, slurve-type, 1/7 shape, mostly missed arm-side but flashed a couple with late, short bite, 72-73 mph. Changeup, inconsistent, 73-74 mph. Gave up minimal hard contact throughout outing. Raw pitchability at this point. Final line: 4.2 IP, 2 H, R, 5 K, 5 BB. High-follow, quick-armed left-hander with more in the tank.
1.26.19 - 5-foot-11, 148-pound two-way player, lean athletic frame. Showed best on the mound, full windup delivery, in rhythm, slightly across his body, showed best feel from the stretch. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run action, showed control, 85-87 mph, touched 88 mph. Slider showed best out of the stretch, 2/8 sweeping action, 73-76 mph. Changeup fades, near fastball arm speed, feel for the zone, 71-73 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, loads hands back, short stride, good balance through contact. Flashed bat speed, line drive middle-opposite field contact. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Plus arm for age from the outfield, 91 mph, long high ¾ slot, showed carry. Plays through the baseball, crowhop to release. 4.23 runner home to first.