Unsigned Senior Showcase: Pitching Analysis

October 24, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior Showcase took place on Sunday October 12^th at the MAX in McCook, IL in front of over forty collegiate programs and featured 98 prospects in the class of 2015 that are still uncommitted. Last year’s same event saw over 35 collegiate commitments reported to PBR, and we expect more of the same after witnessing this year’s impressive crop.

Over the next few days we will roll out position-by-position rankings of the showcase culminating with the Top Overall Prospects from the event.

CLICK HERE to see complete statistics from the event in PDF format.

Pitching was deep in talent at the Unsigned Senior Showcase, and the first four pitchers on our list were all in consideration for the top spot. All four will see a significant rise in their Illinois Class of 2015 rankings when they roll out in the next few weeks.

St. Charles North’s Sam Hubbe took home top honors thanks to his current stuff (sitting 85-87 mph) and projectable frame.

Grayslake Central’s David Llorens touched the top velocity of the event at 88 mph, but his secondary stuff currently lags behind. Still, the projectable lefty boasts a mid-80’s fastball with late cutting action, and his 6-foot-4 frame has plenty of room to add weight and strength.

Downers Grove North’s Nic Laio is yet another projectable 6-foot-5 arm, and impressed with perhaps the cleanest arm action in our top five. Laio has a simple, repeatable delivery, and could pitch in the low 90’s at some point as he adds strength.

Lisle’s George Swedie boasts what was perhaps the best secondary offering of the event: a 73-75 mph split with late, hard, tumbling action. He pairs it with a mid-to-upper 80’s fastball that accelerates through the zone.

On Monday we will post the Top Overall Prospects from October’s Unsigned Senior Showcase, but for now, let’s take a look at the Top Overall Pitchers:

Top Overall Pitching Prospects

1.Sam Hubbe, RHP, St. Charles North, IL
6-foot-3, 190-pound lanky and athletic right-handed pitcher impressed as one of the top overall arms at the Unsigned Senior Showcase, and remains a top uncommitted prospect in the state of Illinois’ 2015 class. Currently ranked No. 216 in Illinois’ 2015 class, but is rising. Works from a long, over-the-top arm slot, slight stab in back of arm swing, leans back at balance point, slow and controlled tempo, front hip drives towards home plate before upper half, tall-and-fall type delivery, toe up at balance point lands slightly open, but finishes athletically. Leg kick stays high in the stretch as well, deliberate to the plate. Fastball sat 85-87 mph with arm side run. Aggressive with 12/6 curveball thrown from 69-71 mph. Sinking 73-76 mph changeup flashed sinking action, thrown with fastball arm action.

2. David Llorens, LHP, Grayslake Central, 2015
Recently committed to Heartland shortly after the Unsigned Senior Showcase. Projectable left-handed pitcher, tall frame, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, long limbed. Delivery works across his body, tall and fall approach, closed landing, creates tough angles. Arm action is short, quick and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, flashed occasional slight cut, ranged from 83-88 mph, sat mostly 84-86 mph. Curveball is a slow 12/6 breaker with depth, 60-62 mph, showed feel. Changeup is 68-69 mph, showed cut action with some sink, occasional feel. Llorens is a tough at bat coming from a tall left handed arm slot that works across his body. Flashing upper 80’s velocity at times will make him a strong follow in junior college at Heartland.

3. Nic Laio, RHP, Downers Grove North, 2015
Extra-large frame, 6-foot-5, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, long and athletic, good projectability. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, smooth rhythm, stays closed. Arm action is quick, high ¾ arm slot, loose arm. Fastball showed running action, sat 84-85 mph, controlled the zone well. Curveball has steep shape, flashed 12/6 action, more consistently 11/5 shape, flashed bite, 70-73 mph, fastball arm speed. Throws a splitter at 73-75 mph, occasional tumble action. Laio has a high ceiling with his long frame and loose athletic arm action, should be a strong follow his senior year.

4. George Swedie, RHP, Lisle, 2015
6-foot-1, 165-pound lanky and projectable right-handed pitcher proved to be one of the most electric arms at the Unsigned Senior Showcase with his fastball/splitter combination. Threw strikes with fastball at 85-86 mph from quick, loose, high ¾ arm slot, regular effort, toe down at balance point, points lead toe up during stride towards home plate, shoulders stay level in delivery, lands square with home plate, but hard on heel of front foot. Rushes at times in delivery, but flashes arm speed to catch up. Slider with late breaking 10/4 shape was thrown at 71-73 mph. Chokes 77-78 mph changeup thrown down in the zone. 73-75 mph splitter is a legitimate strikeout pitch, showing hard, late, downward action thrown from the same window as fastball. Swedie is also an accomplished high school golfer, and does not lack for athleticism.

5. Ty Peccioli, LHP, Warren, 2015
6-foot-3, 160-pound lanky and projectable left-handed pitcher. Looks extremely young with a high ceiling. Fastball sat 78-81 mph from quick, long, loose ¾ arm slot. Easy effort throughout delivery, toe pointed down at balance point, smooth rhythm, shoulders stay level, lower half stride directions stays in line with lower half, lands square. Lands sweeping 2/8 shaped breaking ball for strikes. 70-73 mph changeup was thrown with fastball arm speed, displaying both arm side run and cutting action. Peccioli is a prospect to watch in the spring, and is the ideal candidate to make a big velocity jump thanks to his clean mechanics and projectable frame. His best baseball is certainly ahead of him.

6. Beck Harris, RHP, Rushville/Industry, 2015
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, sturdy frame, projection remaining. Fastball sat consistently at 82 mph for strikes down in the zone, fairly straight. Works from a short, loose, high ¾ arm slot, tall-and-fall delivery, hands drop in windup, lift with leg kick creating smooth tempo and rhythm, level shoulders throughout delivery, lands square, lower half stride direction is in line with home plate. Threw two breaking balls, curveball had little action at 71-73 mph, slider showed better late action on a 10/4 plane thrown harder from 74-76 mph. Also threw a 72-75 mph split thrown consistently down in the zone, could be a put away pitch.

7. Brandon Nowak, LHP, Notre Dame, 2015
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky left-handed pitcher works from a long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, slight stab in back of arm swing, regular effort throughout delivery, toe up at balance point, lands square, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate. Fastball sat 79-81 mph thrown for strikes. Showed feel for sharp 69-72 mph breaking ball with 1/7 shape, thrown consistently for strikes. Threw 74-75 mph changeup aggressively with arm side run. Solid making of a three pitch repertoire.

8. Austin Fancher, RHP, Moline, 2015
Athletic frame at 6-foot, 175-pounds, right-handed pitcher with projection. Tall and fall delivery, worked exclusively from the stretch, stays on line and directional. Fastball has slight run, sat 82-83 mph. Throws two breaking balls. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 68-69 mph. Slider is more lateral, 74-77 mph, appeared to be the better of the two breaking balls, showed separation and identity between the two. Changeup has flashed sinking action, 71-73 mph.

9. Ben Chapman, SS/RHP, Hinsdale Central, 2015
6-foot, 150-pound two-way player, thin build, average frame, some projection. Defensively uses a short arm action across the diamond, high ¾ slot, 82 mph, arm plays athletically. Feet play through the baseball quick clean transfer, hands play well. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Works the middle of the field, level path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery is compact, tall and fall with little effort, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball flashed sink with standard feel of the zone, 80-83 mph. Slider has short action, occasionally looked more cutter, 72-74 mph. Changeup has arm side action, showed feel, 71-74 mph.

10. Kyle Schulz, OF/LHP, Bradford, WI
5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder/left-handed pitcher, right handed hitter, left handed thrower, athletic build. Quick fluid footwork make Schulz one of the best outfield defenders in the class, lockdown centerfield defender. Posted one of the top 60 times at 6.71, besting his previous time of 6.72 that he ran at the Top Prospect Showcase in June. In the outfield runs accurate and fluid routes, feet work really well, high level athleticism, plays through the ball aggressively and fluidly. Soft hands, arm works from a high ¾ slot at 84 mph. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, maintains strong balance through contact. Hands work well in swing, bat control hitter, shows the ability to find the barrel, middle of the field approach. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Delivery is athletic, tall and fall approach, works slightly across body. Arm works clean, athletic and loose. Fastball has slight run, 79-81 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 64-66 mph, shows feel for the pitch. Changeup is mostly straight, showed control of the zone, 73-74 mph.

10. Aaryn Chandler, RHP, Mount Carmel, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound athletically built right-handed pitcher works from a full overhead windup, long, high ¾ arm slot, tall-and-fall delivery, turns back/coils over the rubber at balance point, toe down; slow, smooth rhythm, shoulders stay closed, stride direction stays in line with home plate. Four seam fastball sat at 82 mph with little movement, 81-83 mph two-seam flashed arm side run. Threw two breaking balls: 66-68 mph curveball was inconsistent and backed up, 72-74 mph slider/cutter was thrown harder with little break. Lowers arm slot on sinking 73-75 mph changeup.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Riley Alvarado, 3B/RHP, Dundee Crown, 2015
5-foot-11, 195-pound left-handed hitting catcher hits from an open setup, short leg kick stride, producing line drives from gap-to-gap with 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 79 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top arm slot, showcasing average hands defensively. Ran a 7.91 60. On the mound, works from short, high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 77-79 mph for strikes. 61-64 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape. Fading changeup from a lower arm slot was 70-72 mph.

Brian Alvarez, LHP, Solorio, 2015
5-foot-8, 150-pound left-handed pitcher works from a short, over-the-top arm slot firing 75-77 mph fastballs. Mechanically, arches back/posture to achieve over-the-top slot, toe up at balance point, shoulders are uphill and closed, lower half stride direction lands in line with home plate. 12/6 curveball with depth sat 65-68 mph from the windup, 63-64 mph from the stretch. Changeup flashed cutting action at 67-70 mph. Also threw a slider in the 67-70 mph range with more horizontal break than curveball.

Ryan Andrews, RHP, Downers Grove North, 2015
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall approach, stays close. Arm works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball has running action, showed control for the zone, threw both a two seam and four seam at 79-80 mph, touching 81 mph with his four seam. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 60-64 mph, gradual action. Changeup sat 69-70 mph.

Aaron Braun, LHP, McHenry West, 2015
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed pitcher works from a short, high ¾ arm slot, tall-and-fall type delivery, regular effort, loads over rubber at balance point, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate. Fastball sat 75-78 mph. Curveball flashed 1/7 shape at 64-67 mph. 71-73 mph changeup flashed occasional cutting action.

Eric Calip, LHP, Bolingbrook, 2015
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, solid build. Tall and fall delivery, closed landing, regular effort. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run, 73-75 mph. Curveball sat 60-62 mph, tends to get around it, occasional sweep. Straight changeup sat 71-73 mph, fastball arm speed, flashed occasional cut action.

Blake Dillavou, RHP, Mercer County, 2015
5-foot-8, 175-pound right-handed pitcher works from a long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, with a slight wrap in the back of arm swing. Toe down at balance point, tall-and-fall type delivery, shoulders stay level throughout, opens lower half early, lands slightly open. Fastball sat 78-80 mph with occasional sink. 12/6 curveball was thrown 66-68 mph, and also flashed 72-73 mph changeup with sinking action.

Nicholas Donzelli, RHP/3B, Prospect, 2015
6-foot-1, 161-pound right-handed hitting right-handed pitcher/third baseman hits from a balanced setup, hands drop down and back to load, short stride, long, slightly uphill bat path, producing above average exit velocity off the tee at 82 mph. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot, while showcasing average hands defensively. Ran a 7.41 60. On the mound works exclusively from the stretch. Fastball sat 80-81 mph from long, high ¾ arm slot, breaks hands high, tall-and-fall delivery, shoulders stay level throughout, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square. Breaking ball showed lateral, slider type action in the 72-74 mph range. Changeup flashed plus sinking action thrown near fastball arm speed at 74-77 mph.

Frank Greco, MIF/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way player, excellent frame, athletic build with strength. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, short stride, excellent balance through contact, athletic setup. Showed the ability to impact the baseball, efficient bat path, well above average bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive gap to gap approach. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action, accurate across the diamond, some carry, 83 mph across. Athletic defender, hands played, could have the ability to play multiple positions. On the mound arm played from a high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 78-80 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, 62-63 mph, gradual action, showed feel. Changeup has slight sink action, 64-66 mph, decelerated arm action.

Erick Hall, RHP, Hononegah, 2015
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher works from a long, over-the-top arm slot, slight stab in back of arm swing, toe down at balance point, loads well over the rubber, elevates front side, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square. Fastball sat 74-77 mph, curveball showed gradual break at 66-68 mph, and 67-70 mph changeup showed fading action.

Brady Hansen, LHP/1B, Herscher, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting left-handed pitcher/first baseman hits from a wide, balanced setup; heel lift stride, slightly uphill, opposite field approach producing 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 74 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot. On the mound, baseball sat 75-78 mph from the same arm slot with regular effort. Shoulders stay level throughout delivery, throws across his body. Drops arm slot on slurvy 2/8 breaking ball at 64-67 mph. Threw strikes with changeup at 69-71 mph with solid arm speed.

Derek Kortemeier, LHP/OF, Freeport, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound left-handed two-way player. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, regular effort, works slightly across his body. Fastball has cut action, slight sink, 76-77 mph. Throws two breaking balls, slider/cutter is the better of the two, 72-74 mph, shorter action, thrown aggressively. Changeup has near fastball arm action, slight fade, 72-73 mph. Left-handed hitter, wide stance, backward loading action, heel lift and weight shifting loading action. Line drive approach, fluid hitter, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a loose arm action high ¾ slot, 77 mph from the outfield. 7.35 runner in the 60.

Michael Lorenzi, LHP, Mount Carmel, 2015
6-foot, 220-pound left-handed pitcher worked at 78-81 mph with fastball, displayed arm side run. Works from short, high ¾ arm slot. Coils over the rubber at balance point, leans slightly back over the rubber, shoulders work uphill, hides the baseball, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate. 66-67 mph curveball flashed 2/8 shape, with gradual break. Slowed arm slightly on 66-69 mph changeup.

Enrique Manzano, MIF/RHP, Solorio Academy, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder/right-handed pitcher hits from a wide, balanced setup, hands start high, back elbow raised, short stride, above average bat speed, barrel whips through the zone, slightly uphill bat path with pull tendencies during batting practice. 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy. Showed athletic actions, soft hands, fields through the baseball with clean exchanges. On the mound, fastball sat 76-78 mph with sinking action from long, high ¾ arm slot, toe down at balance point, coils lower half during load over the rubber, tall-and-fall delivery, some effort in delivery with head snap at finish, shoulders level throughout delivery, lands in line with home plate. 64-67 mph 11/5 breaking ball was erratic, threw more strikes with 71-72 mph split-change, thrown with fastball arm speed. Split showed occasional downward action.

Murrell Martin, OF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound two-way player, athletic build, lean strength. Raw toolsy athlete, ran one of the top 60 times at 6.87. In the outfield showed off one of the strongest arms in attendance, 89 mph with carry, over the top slot. Fields through the baseball with two hands, quick footwork. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open, short stride, quiet setup. Bat speed present, quick hands, hits off backside, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Delivery has little effort, loose arm action, works on line, high ¾ slot. Fastball has run, late action, two-seam showed excellent action at 80-82 mph, four-seam fastball topped at 83 mph. Slider has sat 71-73 mph.

Vince O’Meara, RHP/3B, Alleman, IL
6-foot-2, 155-pound lanky and athletics right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from a wide setup, hands load smoothly, no stride approach, above average bat speed with 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 74 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot with some accuracy. Ran a 7.45 60. On the mound, utilized same arm slot, tall-and-fall type delivery, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, lower half stride directions stays in line with home plate, lands square. Fastball sat 76-79 mph with sink. Slows arm action on 63-65 mph curveball with 11/5 shape, erratic location. Also threw a 69-70 mph straight change.

Brett Pyburn, RHP, Downers Grove North, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound athletically built right-handed pitcher works from a long, loose, high 3/4 to ¾ arm slot, turns at load over rubber, hiding the baseball and creating deception, tall-and-fall type delivery. Fastball sat 79-82 mph, with run to arm side, cut to glove side. Two-seam had run 79-81, four seam had cutting action at 81-82. 67-69 mph curveball flashed 11/5 shape. 73-75 mph changeup was thrown near fastball arm speed, with fading action.

Ryne Sack, RHP, Indian Trail, WI, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, average frame. Delivery shows regular effort. Arm action is short, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball was mostly down, 75-76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 sweeping action, 64-67 mph. Changeup flashes sinking action, near fastball arm speed, 67-69 mph.

John Santee, RHP, Prospect, 2015
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, large frame. Delivery has regular effort, slow leg lift, regular effort. High ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 76-78 mph, occasional sink. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 62-66 mph, gradual action. Slider has sweep action, 65-66 mph. Similar velocity between the two pitches, slightly different action. Changeup has sinking action, 71-74 mph.

Chase Scharnek, OF/RHP, Waukesha West, WI
Long projectable left handed hitting two-way player, 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, frame projects well. Displayed advanced tools at the Unsigned Senior Showcase. Posted event best 60-yard dash at 6.68 as well as event best arm strength from the outfield at 92 mph. Defensively showed the ability to play through the baseball, arm showed carry from an over the top slot, accurate to target. Left handed hitter, wide setup, drops hands at load, heel lift trigger, lower half showed some activity, good balance throughout. Found the barrel repeatedly in BP, bat speed present, slight uphill bat path. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Highly projectable left handed hitting outfielder. Works with a tall and fall style delivery, shows some effort. Arm action is short, over the top slot, quick arm. Fastball was mostly straight, occasionally heavy feel, 79-82 mph. Slider had downward action, showed some feel, showed more depth than lateral action, 72-75 mph, near fastball arm speed. Changeup is mostly straight, near fastball arm action, 71-72 mph.

David Schnettler, RHP, Zion Benton, 2015
6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, large frame. Delivery works from a full windup, slightly across his body. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 76-79 mph, touched 81 mph once. Throws two breaking balls. Curveball is 71-72 mph, 11/5 action, showed feel for the pitch. Slider sat 72-73 mph, minimal action, curveball appeared to be the best of the two. Throws a straight changeup, 70-74 mph, fastball arm speed.

Patrick Seeberger, RHP, Palatine, 2015
5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed pitcher works from a short, over-the-top arm slot pitching exclusively from the stretch. Fastball sat 76-78 mph, curveball with 12/6 shape was thrown at 65 mph. Also threw a 68-72 mph changeup.

Steven Stachyra, 1B/RHP, Marquette Catholic (IN), 2015
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting first baseman/right-handed pitcher hits from an open setup, short stride, hands move back to load, loose wrists, some barrel whip, producing short bat path with 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Hit line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice. Defensively, threw 69 mph across the diamond from long, over-the-top arm slot, also showcasing average hands fielding. On the mound sat 71-73 mph with fastball from long, over-the-top arm slot with a stab in back of arm swing. Tall-and-fall type delivery, choppy rhythm. Curveball sat in the 50-51 mph range, slider from 54-56 mph, splitter delivered with slowed arm action at 54-55 mph.

Andrew Stout, RHP, Oswego East, IL
6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed pitcher works from a long, high ¾ arm slot, regular effort, works slightly across his body, recoils at release. Fastball sat 82-84 mph. Curveball showed 11/5 shape at 66-67 mph, slider had more lateral break in the 68-70 mph range. Sinking changeup was thrown from 70-71 mph.

Jason Stricklin, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2015
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery works exclusively from the stretch, slightly across body, quick leg lift. Arm action has length, ¾ slot. Fastball sat 79-80 mph, touched 81 mph. Curveball sat 64-68 mph occasional back up action. Changeup is mostly straight, 71-72 mph.

Mike Trbovic, LHP/1B, Marist, 2015
5-foot-8, 205-pound two-way player. On the mound used a short arm action, regular effort, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball flashed slight cut action, 75-76 mph. Curveball has 1/7 action, 65-68 mph. Changeup has good action with arm speed, and arm side run, 71-73 mph. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, drops hands at load, bat rested on shoulder, short stride. Showed some infield actions around the bag, short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 73 mph across the diamond.

Matt Witkowski, LHP, Oak Lawn, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed pitcher works from long, high ¾ arm slot, overhead full windup, tall-and-fall type delivery, toe up at balance point, smooth rhythm, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate. Fastball sat 72-74 mph, curveball 61-62 mph with inconsistent shape, and 64-66 mph changeup flashed sinking action.