Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Chicago: Pitcher Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

On Tuesday, June 22nd the PBR Illinois staff held an invitation only Top Prospect - Chicago event at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, IL.  The event featured 40 uncommitted prospects from the class of 2022. Since the event, 16 players have made their college commitment.

Today we conclude the analysis of the event with a look at all of the pitchers from the day. 10 of the 13 arms in attendance ran their fastball up to 84 mph, or harder, with a number of them emerging as follows for the rest of the summer. Since the event, four arms have gone on to make commitments. Of all of the quality arms still on the market, RHP Jake Kohanzo (Barrington, 2022) was towards the top. The physical, 6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-hander ran his fastball up to 87 mph, sitting 85-87 with a max spin rate of 2350 rpm. Kohanzo’s fastball seems to play up, due to his quick arm which seems to play/jump out of a short, high ¾ window. 

RHP Cole Shamhart (Oak Park-River Forest, 2022) is another uncommitted arm who put together an impressive bullpen. The 6-foot-2, 155-pound, lean, square-shouldered, upside right-hander worked with easy effort and spotted up his three-pitch mix throughout his bullpen session. Shamhart has a clean, compact arm that plays out of a high ¾ slot and works the corners of the plate with his 82-83, T84 mph fastball. Shamhart showed above-average feel for his low-70’s curveball and 75-77 mph changeup, working the bottom of the zone while seemingly playing a game of catch. Highly-intriguing look at the uncommitted 2022 arm.

Two other right-handers to follow moving forward were Evan Eberle (Oak Park-River Forest) and Bobby Lane (St. Ignatius). Eberle has a clean arm, gets angle to his fastball (T87 mph) and consistently landed all three offerings for strikes. Lane has a loose arm action from a low ¾ slot and ran his fastball up to 86 mph with what looks to be more in the tank. 

Read on below for a look at every arm from the event.

PITCHING PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ryan Ball, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2022
 Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 215-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, with some rhythm and square landing
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action from an over the top delivery
FB: T85, 81-84 mph. Straight fastball with arm-side movement Average rpm 2261, 2321 max rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. Gradual breaking curveball with 12/6 shape. Average rpm 1904, 2002 max rpm.
CH: 70-75 mph. Good change with arm-side run. Average rpm 1562, 1720 max rpm.

Christopher Bieniek, Notre Dame College Prep (IL), 2022: Benedictine commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery. Gets into his backside down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Arm action is quick, long, and loose. 
FB: T88, 82-86 mph. Fastball is heavy and down in the zone. Average rpm 2306, 2422 max rpm.
CB: 67-72 mph. Power curveball tightly thrown with a 12/6 shape. Average rpm 2354, 2468 max rpm.

Connor Dickson, Libertyville  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery with square landing. 
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action from a high 3/4 release
FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Straight fastball with arm-side sink Average rpm 2311, 2359 max rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. Late breaking with a 10/4 shape.  Potential to be a swing and miss pitch Average rpm 2048, 2171 max rpm.
CH: 69-71 mph. Straight change with arm-side run. Average rpm 2144, 2220 max rpm.

Evan Eberle, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Quick arm action from a 3/4 slot.  Arm is long and loose.
FB: T87, 83-86 mph. Two-seam fastball with run and sink. Average rpm 2050, 2185 max rpm.
CB: 66-69 mph. Tight spin with depth and 11/5 shape. Average rpm 2133, 2292 max rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Straight change with arm-side sink and fade. Average rpm 1789, 1841 max rpm.

Jack Flagg, Oak Park-River Forest  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, with a square landing, smooth delivery with square landing
Arm Action: RH. Quick arm speed with a long, loose arm action that delivers from a high 3/4 slot
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Straight fastball with arm-side run and sink Average rpm 1975, 2026 max rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. Commanded curveball with 11/5 break.  Down in the zone Average rpm 1985, 2046 max rpm.
CH: 68-71 mph. Straight change with fastball like arm speed with arm-side sink Average rpm 1483, 1670 max rpm.

Will Goldberg, Homewood-Flossmoor  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery with rhythm that stays inline and has a square landing.
Arm Action: LH. Arm is loose, and quick.  Delivers from over the top with minimal effort.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. Straight fastball with ride through the zone. Average rpm 2129, 2160 max rpm.
CB: 71-72 mph. Power breaking ball with 11/5 shape.  Sharp break with command. Average rpm 1823, 2104 max rpm.
CH: 73-75 mph. Fastball arm speed with arm-side run and sink Average rpm 2043, 2164 max rpm.

Max Hansmann, York (IL), 2022: Evansville commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Drop  and drive delivery with some rhythm. Lands square and stays inline.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action from a high 3/4 delivery.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Commanded straight fastball down in the zone. Average rpm 2396, 2446 max rpm.
SL: 72-73 mph. High-level spin rates. Tight/sharp action.  Average rpm 2787, 2841 max rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Changeup with fade action. Average rpm 1887, 1957 max rpm.

Kyle Kaempf, McHenry (IL), 2022: Missouri Southern commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Lean, loose-body.
Delivery: Smooth drop and drive delivery and square landing.
Arm Action: RH. Quick arm action from a 3/4 slot. Arm is long and loose.
FB: T87, 84-87 mph. Straight fastball with arm-side run and sink. Average rpm 2232, 2399 max rpm.
CB: 73-76 mph. Power curveball tightly thrown with 11/5 shape. Average rpm 2270, 2305 max rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Straight change with fastball arm speed. Average rpm 1386, 1630 max rpm.

Jake Kohanzo, Barrington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery with a square landing.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action from a high 3/4 release.
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. Straight fastball with arm-side run and sink. Average rpm 2006, 2194 max rpm.
CB: 73-74 mph. Tight spin, 10/4 shape, landed for strikes. Average rpm 1810, 1844 max rpm.
CH: 78-80 mph. Straight change with arm-side run and sink. Average rpm 1502, 1562 max rpm.

Ryan Kramer, The Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2022: College of Wooster commit.
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 220-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery with a smooth delivery that stays inline and lands square
Arm Action: RH. Over the top delivery, with long loose arm action. 
FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Straight fastball with some sink Average rpm 2268, 2298 max rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. Maintains arm speed, 12/6 shape, downer action with depth and feel. Average rpm 2259, 2280 max rpm.
SL: 68-69 mph. Thrown aggressively, tight 10/4 action. Average rpm 2204, 2267 max rpm.
CH: 76-77 mph. Straight change with fastball arm speed. Average rpm 1531, 1623 max rpm.

Bobby Lane, St. Ignatius (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery with rhythm and square landing.
Arm Action: RH. Short and loose arm action from a low 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 84-85 mph. Straight fastball with arm-side sink and run. Average rpm 2067, 2104 max rpm.
CB: 69-70 mph. Thrown aggressively, horizontal 10/4 action. Average rpm 2154, 2190 max rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Straight change with arm-side sink and fade. Average rpm 1780, 1847 max rpm.

Joey Schneider, West Bend West (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 230-pounds.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery with square landing. 
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action for a low 3/4 slot
FB: T85, 82-84 mph. Fastball with arm-side sink and run. Average rpm 1881, 1976 max rpm.
CB: 64-68 mph. Sweeping slurve type action, flashed sharp biting action at times. Average rpm 2230, 2339 max rpm.
CH: 76-78 mph. Straight change with arm-side run. Average rpm 1956, 2056 max rpm.

Cole Shamhart, Oak Park River Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery with square landing
Arm Action: RH.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Heavy fastball with arm-side run Average rpm 2086, 2130 max rpm.
CB: 71-72 mph. 11/5 curveball with sharp break. Commanded down in the zone Average rpm 2138, 2165 max rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Fastball like arm speed with arm-side sink.   Average rpm 1812, 1867 max rpm.

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