Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Senior Showcase: Pitcher Analysis



By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The annual Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior Showcase at the Max in McCook, IL took place on Sunday, October 9, 2016. The open showcase saw close to 100 unsigned seniors come out and show off their skills in front of 30 plus college coaches.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and over the next week we will break down the event position by position.We began the analysis earlier this week, looking at the catchers in attendance. Today we roll-out the pitcher analysis from the event.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Jack Marshall, RHP, Kaneland, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound, lean, athletically built right-handed pitcher. Smooth, rhythmic, tall and fall delivery, balanced throughout, stays on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Long, quick arm out of a high ¾ window. Fastball flashed sinking action and occasional life, thrown for strikes, sat 86-87 mph, touching 88. Curveball was best secondary offering on this day, 11/5 shape and sharp action, 70-74 mph. Slider sat 73-77 mph, inconsistent shape. Changeup featured cut and sink action, 75-78 mph.

2. Ryan Larsen, RHP, Vernon Hills, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound, athletically built, right-handed pitcher. Methodical, controlled windup, works across his body, shorter stride and finishes upright. Short, quick arm action from a high ¾ to over-the-top slot. Fastball, occasional arm-side-run and life, sat 84-85 mph. Changeup, firm, maintains fastball arm speed, locates down in the zone, 77-81 mph. Slider, sweeping 10/4 action, 69-73 mph.

3. Brandon Kendall, RHP, Bartlett, 2017
6-foot-4, 190-pound, physical, sturdy, right-handed pitcher. Simple, repeatable wind up, some rhythm and effort throughout, stays on-line and lands slightly closed. Short quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, strikes, mostly straight, sinking action at times, sat 84-85 mph, touching 86. Curveball, feel, thrown for strikes, 11/5 shape, sharp action with depth and sat 67-69 mph. Changeup straight action, 74-75 mph.

4. Jack Mizgalski, RHP, Sycamore, 2017
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed pitcher with a highly projectable, long and lean frame. Drop and drive delivery, stays on-line, finishes athletically with some effort throughout. Arm works long, loose, and quick out of a high ¾ slot; highly projectable arm action. Fastball works uphill some, 83-84 mph, touching 85. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph. Slider sat 73-75 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, 78-79 mph.

5. Jovanni Sanchez, RHP, Niles North, 2017
5-foot-11, 195-pound, strong bodied, right-handed pitcher. Slow, deliberate, repeatable delivery, short stride, stays on-line, lands closed, finishes athletically with some effort throughout. Arm works short and quick from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, heavy action, run and sink, pounds the bottom of the zone and clocked at 83-86 mph.  Changeup, tendency to slow arm speed, 67-70 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, occasional depth, 64-65 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nick Crowe, LHP/1B, Manteno, 2017
6-foot-2, 2105-pound right-handed hitting LHP/1B. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort and smooth rhythm. Fastball showed slight running action at 74-76 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with gradual action at 57-60 mph for strikes. Knuckleball sat 58-59 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and minimal lower half. Long, level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Clean exchange with average hands. Threw 71 mph across the infield.

Dan Cryan, RHP, Andrew, 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound, strong, wide-shouldered, right-handed pitcher. Delivery works in line, slightly closed front foot, slow paced windup with some explosiveness and effort throughout. Arm works short and quick out of an over-the-top slot. Fastball mostly straight action, sat 81-82 mph, touching 83. Curveball, thrown for strikes, 12/6 shape with sharp, tight action, 69-71 mph. Changeup firm velocity, 79-80 mph, flashed sink at times.

Billy Curtis, 1B/RHP, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Good feel around the bag at first. Threw 78 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a narrow, open stance with a barred out setup with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.54. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working exclusively from a stretch. Creates a crossfire angle, square landing. Fastball showed slight running action at 77-78 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball showed sweeping action at 71-72 mph. Changeup flashed fading action at 67-79 mph.

Breven Daugherity, RHP/OF, Joliet West, 2017
5-foot-11, 195-pound, two-way player. 6.93 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, strike thrower, pitches with some rhythm, lands closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, heavy, sat 81-83 mph. Curveball, varied between 12/6 and 11/5 shape, short break, 68-71 mph. Changeup, tendency to slow arm, mostly straight, 71-73 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tendency to find barrel, short, uphill path; exit velocity registered at 82 mph. Balanced setup, smooth pre pitch load, leg lift. Defensively, clean exchange, plays through the baseball. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, accurate throws; clocked at 85 mph from the outfield.

Tony Deluna, 1B/RHP, Morton, 2017
6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride. Collapse on backside, cuts off extension out front. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.94. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 72 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball sat 71-74 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape with short breaking action at 60-62 mph. Changeup was straight at 65-67 mph for strikes.

Daniel Fredericks, RHP, Westmont, 2017
6-foot, 148-pound, wiry, right-handed pitcher. Sidesaddle, compact delivery, low leg lift and regular effort throughout. Long arm action from a high ¾ window. Fastball clocked at 79-80 mph, touching 81. Changeup, located down in the zone, 69-70 mph. Slider sat 72-74 mph. Curveball ranged between 65-69 mph.

Martin Gonzalez, RHP, Waukesha West (WI), 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound, right-handed pitcher. Delivery works with some rhythm, quick paced, high leg-lift, slight cross body direction and square landing. Short arm action with the ability to change arm angles, anywhere from high ¾ to side-arm. Fastball flashed late run at times, sat 79 mph, touching 80. Curveball, thrown for strikes, sharp action, 11/5 shape and ranged between 62-65 mph. Drop down side-arm on his slider, sat 65-67 mph.

Clark Hendricks, LHP/1B, Kaneland, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound two-way player, lean frame. Tall and fall rotational delivery, arm action is short from a high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 73-74 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 62-66 mph. Changeup showed slight sinking action, 68-70 mph. Defensively arm worked similarly, 70 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, squared setup, lowed half collapses, long levers. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 7.36, laser timed.

Luke Hermle, 1B/LHP, De La Salle, 2017
5-foot-8, 195-pound left-handed hitting 1B/LHP. At the plate hits from a narrow, slightly open stance. Slight wrap on the load, fluid rhythm with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.33. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 64 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a low ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery, works in line with home plate. Good balance throughout delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 64-66 mph. Curveball spins at 58-61 mph. Changeup showed no differential from fastball at 63-65 mph.

Troy Jones, RHP/OF, Sandburg, 2017
5-foot-11, 190-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with feel for three pitches and smooth rhythm. Long, quick arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, throws for strikes, cut action, sat 81-83 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, late action, swing and miss pitch, 70-71 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sink action, 78-80 mph. Defensively, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, reliable hands. Accurate throws with carry; throws clocked at 81 mph from the outfield.  Long, loose arm action from an over the top slot. Offensively, right-handed hitter with a gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm; exit velocity registered at 81 mph. Balanced setup with a short stride. 7.68 runner in the laser timed 60.

Ethan Krumwiede, RHP, Batavia, 2017
6-foot, 172-pound, athletically built right-handed pitcher. Delivery works on-line, slightly open toe landin and tall at balance point. Arm works long and over-the-top/high ¾ slot. Fastball, occasional run and sink, sat 79-80 mph, touched 81. Curveball, thrown for strikes, 11/5 shape sat 65-67 mph. Changeup, feel for the zone, sinking action and clocked 74-76 mph.

John Kubacha, RHP/3B, Woodstock, 2017
6-foot-2, 225-pound right-handed hitting RHP/3B with a strong frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Fastball showed slight cutting action at 78-80 topping out at 82 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-68 mph. Changeup showed sinking action, thrown hard at 73-76 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.74. Defensively has an easy arm action from a side arm slot. Clean exchange with average arm strength. Threw 74 mph across the infield.

Justin Markiewicz, 3B/RHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2017
5-foot-7, 185-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, taller setup. Late trigger, mostly opposite field contact. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot. 73 mph across the diamond. Played best with routine ball sat him, third-base type defender, 7.77 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays from a high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 74-76 mph. Curveball has rolling action, 63-66 mph. Straight changeup ranged 59-63 mph.

Deston Martin, OF/RHP, Minooka, 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound, lanky, athletic outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, present bat speed, loose and easy swing, uphill path; exit velocity clocked at 84 mph from the tee. Balanced setup, pre pitch load with a short stride. Defensively, fluid footwork, quick exchange. Accurate throws with carry; clocked at 87 mph. Short arm action from an over the top slot. 7.12 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, long, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, mostly straight, sat 78-79 mph, touched 81. Curveball, varies between 12/6 and 11/5 shape, 67-70 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, maintained arm speed, features sink and fade action, 73-75 mph.

Kellen Mitchell, 1B/RHP, Wheaton Academy, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitting 1B/RHP. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Loose hands with an uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic fielder with a long exchange. Threw 74 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, stiff arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery, shoulders open up early. Fastball showed running action at 75-76 topping out at 77 mph for strikes. Curveball sat 58-60 mph. Gets underneath curveball, showed sinking action at 64-67 mph.

Tommy Moran, RHP/2B, Loyola Academy, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball has slight arm side run, 69-72 mph, topped at 73 mph. Curveball shaped 11/5, gradual action, 61-64 mph. Changeup is straight, slight sink, 66-68 mph. Left-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg lift stride. Sprayed contact, long path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Brent Norkus, OF/RHP, Batavia, 2017
5-foot-11, 190-pound, wide shoulder, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, showed ability to find barrel, gap-to-gap approach, long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered 89 mph. Balanced setup, pre pitch load, leg kick. Defensively, flashed a short, loose, accurate arm from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 83 mph. 7.74 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, throws from a high ¾ arm angle. Fastball, run action, sat 79-81 mph. Curveball, sharp action, 74 mph. Slider, hard, sweep action, 74-76 mph. Knuckle curveball, 74-77 mph.

Wes Pulver, RHP, Dwight, 2017
6-foot-5, 180-pound, athletically built, projectable frame, long-limbed, right-handed pitcher. Works from the stretch only, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line with some effort throughout. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, comes out by the ear. Fastball, straight action and sat 80-82 mph, touching 83. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 69-71 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, flashed sink and clocked at 75-77 mph.

Johnny Rennolds, 1B/LHP, Grayslake North, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting 1B/LHP. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Clean exchange with average hands. Threw 68 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Opposite field hitter with late rhythm. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.86. On the mound works form an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 68-70 topping out at 71 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 62-65 mph. Changeup showed fading action at 65-66 mph.

Anthony Rogers, LHP, Montini, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound, solidly built, durable framed left-handed pitcher.  Uptempo delivery, with rhythm, jumps at hitter and some effort throughout. Loose arm out of ¾ slot. Fastball, asy, natural run and sinking action, sat 77-79 mph. Threw a curveball and a slider, similar velocities; curveball works 1/7 with more depth, 62-64 mph. Slider, more lateral action, tighter shape and clocked at 63-64 mph.

Angel Sandoval, RHP, St. Laurence, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound, solidly built right-handed pitcher with pitchability. Smooth rhythm in delivery, repeats, works across his body slightly, closed landing and regular effort throughout. Clean, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, feel for the bottom of the strike zone, run and sink, heavy action, 79-81 mph. Curveball, sharp action, 11/5 shape with depth, maintains arm speed and thrown for strikes, 68-70 mph. Changeup, firm, straight action, 73-74 mph.

Mitchell Schroll, LHP, Fremd, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound, lean, left-handed pitcher. Delivery works with effort, some rhythm, stays on-line and lands square. Long arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, running action and sat 77-79 mph, touching 80. Slider, flashes sharp action, 10/4 shape, thrown near fastball arm speed, 64-66 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, straight action, 74-76 mph.

Chris Sheputis, RHP, Romeoville, 2017
5-foot-9, 255-pound, right-handed pitcher. Some rhythm in delivery, coiled leg-lift, lands square and minimal effort throughout. Short arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight and clocked at 73-74 mph, touching 76. Curveball works 11/5, gradual action and sat at 61 mph. Slider, similar 11/5 shape, slightly tighter than curveball, 62-64 mph. Changeup, fade action, 63-66 mph.

Justin Sosa, RHP, Fenwick, 2017
6-foot-2, 160-pound, long-legged, wiry, right-handed pitcher.  Delivery works with some rhythm and repeatability; stays on line, lands square on heel. Arm has length on the backside and comes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, throws 4-seam and 2-seam; similar action and velocity, mostly straight, occasional sink when down, sat 82-84 mph. Curveball works 12/6-11/5, flashed depth, 64-68 mph.

Joseph Stack, LHP, Marist, 2017
6-foot-2, 200-pound, thick bodied, broad shouldered, left-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, controlled leg-lift and some rhythm throughout. Short arm out of an over-the-top slot. Fastball, sat 70-72 mph, touching 73. Curveball worked 1/7 and sat 59-60 mph. Changeup flashed fade action and ranged between 65-68 mph.

Tyler Talbot, LHP, Minooka, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound, long and lean, left-handed pitcher. Delivery slightly coiled, drop and drive type, high front side, stays on-line, closed front foot and regular effort throughout. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball, tilt, run and sink when down in the zone, sat 79-80 mph, touched 81, thrown for strikes. Feel for off-speed, tendency to leave up in the zone. Curveball, short break, 12/6 action, thrown for strikes and ranged between 65-68 mph. Changeup, fade action, 70-72 mph.

Nick Watson, RHP/2B, Normal West, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting RHP/2B with an athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with an upright finish. Fastball flashed run at 79-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with some bite at 69-70 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup with some running action at 72-73 mph. Defensively has a short, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws showed carry across the infield throwing 82 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balance setup with a quick heel lift stride. Short, slightly uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76.

Nick Wenkus, OF/RHP, Hinsdale South, 2017
5-foot-8, 195-pound, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 89 mph. Defensively, clean exchange, short arm action from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 74 mph across the infield. 7.26 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, throws from a ¾ slot. Fastball, sink action, 64-66 mph. Curveball, 58-61 mph. Changeup, sink action, 63-65 mph.

Zach Zentz, LHP, Mundelein, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound, well-proportioned left-handed pitcher. Feel for a three-pitch mix. Smooth, repeatable, drop and drive delivery and minimal effort throughout. Stays on-line, slightly closed landing and athletic finish. Fastball, thrown for strikes, arm-side-run and sat 79-80 mph. Curveball 1/7 action, tight spin, short break, thrown for strikes, occasionally backed up out of the stretch, 65-68 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, gets underneath at times; when on top has run and sink, 73-74 mph.

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