Prospect I.D. - Pitcher Analysis

July 6, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Continuing our coverage of the Prospect Identification Showcase today we highlight the pitcher's. Senior's Ricky Mondbrod and Kevin Davis both impressed on the mound. Mondbrod, a southpaw, sat 82-83 mph with minimal effort while Davis is a 6-foot-8, projectable, right-hander with a clean arm.

Here’s a look at all of the pitching prospects listed in alphabetical order:

Alex Buchanan, RHP/3B, Kaneland, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, lanky, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, uphill bat path, pull side approach. Balanced, open stance, short stride. 76 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Also, ran an 8.19 60-yard dash. Defensively, quick exchanges on the infield. High ¾ arm slot, accurate throws, clocked at 70 mph from the infield. On the mound, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, flashed cut, sat 71-72, topped at 73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, short break, sat 61-62 mph. Changeup, arm side run, clocked between 64-65 mph.

Kevin Davis, 1B/RHP. Lockport, 2017
6-foot-8, 200-pound long, lean, projectable two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, with fluid rhythm, looseness and easy pop in swing; ball jumps off the bat, creates backspin. Level, long bat path and gap-to-gap approach. Balanced setup, back-side load, long, toe-turn stride. 87 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Also, ran an 8.04 laser timed 60. Defensively, showed clean, fluid footwork, clean glove habits, and an athletic fielding position. Arm worked from an over-the-top slot, long arm action, flashed carry to throws. On the mound, over-the-top slot, stays in direction with the plate, lands square, finishes athletic. Arm works loose and quick. Tall and fall delivery style, up-tempo, tall balance point, regular effort, projectable velocity. Fastball, downhill tilt, sat 78-79 mph. Curveball 12/6 shape, clocked between 63-66 mph.

Tony Deluna, 1B/RHP, Morton, 2017
6-foot-3, 210-pound strong-bodied prospect. Defensively, displayed quick footwork and glove exchanges. High ¾ arm slot, long arm action. Clocked at 72 mph across the diamond. Offensively, right-handed hitter with a short bat path. Tall and balanced setup, leg-lift timing mechanism. Flashed looseness in his swing. 78 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Also, ran an 8.30 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot and long arm action. Drop and drive delivery, stays in line with target. Fastball, flashed arm side run, sat 70-73 mph, topped 76. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sat 62-63 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, slight sink, ranged from 69-72 mph. Knuckleball, ranged from 59-61 mph.

Ryan Gabriel, LHP, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed pitcher with a solid frame. Long arm from a high ¾ slot. Worked out of the stretch, tall and fall delivery, lands square and stays in line. Fastball, mainly straight, flashed arm side run, filled up the zone, sat 74-76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, near fastball arm speed, controlled in the zone, consistently 64 mph. Straight changeup, showed fade at times, ranged 67-69 mph.

Caleb Haddon, LHP, Libertyville, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound strong bodied left-handed pitcher. Short, quick arm, slight deception, from an over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, lands square and stays in line. Fastball, works mainly straight, pounds the zone, sat 78-79 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, short break with some feel, worked in the zone, clocked between 67-71 mph. Straight changeup, near fastball speed, thrown for strikes, worked at 73-75 mph.

Reece Harris, 1B/RHP, Minooka, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound, athletically built, two-way prospect. Offensively, left-handed hitter, fluid rhythm, loose, level bat path, extension through contact, line drive, gap-to-gap approach. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, signs of explosive lower half. Exit velocity clocked at 75 mph. Also, ran a 9.13 60 yard-dash. Defensively, high ¾ arm slot, clocked at 65 mph across the infield. On the mound, displayed the same high ¾ arm slot as shown in the infield. Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, stays in line with target and lands square. Fastball, strikes, slight run, sat 66-67 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape clocked at 52-53 mph. Changeup, slight cut, ranged between 59-62 mph. Cutter, 10/4 shape, sat 53-56 mph.

Brady Hough, 3B/RHP, Peoria Notre Dame, 2017
6-foot, 198-pound solidly built two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, quick and loose bat, flashed pull-side pop. Starts from a balanced, closed setup and short stride. Recorded a 90 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, high 3/4 arm slot, long arm action, carry, throws stay true, 80 mph across the diamond. Also, ran an 8.10 60-yard dash. On the mound, long, quick arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery style, some tempo, lands slightly close, finishes athletically to glove side. Fastball, slight cut, controlled in the zone, sat 78-81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, near fastball arm speed, sat 65-67 mph. Slider, 10/4 action, tight spin, ranged between 70-73 mph.

Nathaniel Jones, RHP, Normal Community, 2017
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Long, loose, clean arm, from a high ¾ slot. Fast pace delivery with some rhythm, lands square, stays in line and athletic finish. Fastball, slight arm side run, pounded the bottom of the zone, sat 74-76 mph, topped 79. Slider, 10/4 shape, sweeping action, showed some feel, clocked 64-67 mph. Straight changeup, near fastball arm speed, controlled in the zone, sat 69-71 mph.

Derek Lasky, OF/RHP, Valparaiso (IN), 2017
6-foot-3, 195-pound, strong, advanced frame. Offensively, right-handed hitter, fluid rhythm and looseness in swing. Short, uphill bat path, flashed bat speed and a pull approach. Balanced setup, leg-lift timing trigger, finishes on backside. Exit velocity clocked at 78 mph. Defensively, plays through the baseball, fluid footwork, clean glove transfer. Over-the-top arm slot, long arm action, throws flashed carry, true flight and clocked at 81 mph. 7.50 runner in the 60. On the mound, short, quick arm action and works out of a high ¾ arm slot. Drop and drive delivery, some rhythm, regular effort, stayed in line, landed square to the target and in an athletic defensive position. Fastball, ranged from 80-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sat 66-68 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, some sink, sat 73-76 mph.

Capo Lindsay, RHP, Rich East, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound wiry right-handed pitcher. Long, quick arm with some effort, out of a high ¾ window. Drop and drive, up tempo delivery and closed landing. Fastball, slight arm side run, clocked at 77-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, occasionally backs up, ranged between 63-66 mph. Firm changeup, worked mainly straight, fastball arm speed, sat 74-77 mph.

John McHugh, OF/LHP, St. Patrick, 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound long and lean two-way player. Defensively, worked out as an outfielder. Attacks the baseball, quick and fluid footwork, works through the baseball, quick and clean exchange. Arm works from a short, over-the-top slot. Consistent, accurate throws to the plate. Clocked at 74 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, short, uphill bat path. Crouched stance, short, subtle load. 76 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Ran a 7.63 laser timed 60. On the mound, the lefty comes out of a high ¾ arm slot. Tall and fall delivery, finishes glove side, short arm action. Fastball, slight cut, registered 68-70 mph, topped at 73. Curveball, ranged from 58-60 mph. Slider showed similar action as curveball, sat between 57-61 mph.

Kellen Mitchell, 1B/RHP, Wheaton Academy, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound athletically built two-way player. Offensively, left-handed hitter, fluid rhythm, bat speed and uphill path. Tall, open setup, low hands, long stride and good balance through contact. Exit velocity 81 mph. Also, ran a 7.71 60-yard dash. Defensively, high ¾ slot, long arm action, accurate throws clocked at 68 mph across the diamond. On the mound, showed the same high ¾ arm slot from the infield. Long arm action and regular effort. Short leg lift, stays in line, lands square towards target. Fastball, mainly straight action, slight arm side run at times, sat 72-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sat 57-59 mph. Changeup, cutting action, kept down in the zone, ranged between 64-68 mph.

Ricky Monbrod, OF/LHP, Marian Central Catholic, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound, strong bodied, two-way prospect. Upside on the mound. Short, quick arm action, out of a high ¾ slot. Delivery works with some rhythm, closed front foot and stays in line. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, tall balance point, rolls over back side, minimal leg drive. Flashed a four pitch mix. Fastball, sat 82-83 mph. Slider ranged from 67-70 mph, thrown arm side. Straight changeup, near fastball arm speed, sat 69-70 mph . Curveball, worked 58-59 mph. Interesting arm to follow, should see increase in velocity if back side develops. Defensively, attacks and works through the baseball, clean glove transfer. Arm works from a long, clean, out of a high ¾ arm slot, consistent, accurate throws, flashed some carry; clocked at 80 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, fluid rhythm and quick bat. Long, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach, displayed forearm strength by staying through the baseball; 87 mph exit velocity. Balanced, wide stance, no load, short stride, easy landing.

Tommy Moran, INF/RHP, Loyola, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, long, uphill bat path, and fluid rhythm throughout. Registered a 78 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Also, ran a 7.90 laser timed 60. Defensively, fluid footwork, attacked the baseball, quick and clean transfers. Short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot, accrurate throws, clocked at 69 mph across the diamond. On the mound, lower 3/4 slot, regular effort. Some rhythm, stayed in line with the plate, finishes square and athletic. Fastball, some arm side run, sat 67-70 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sweeping, gradual action, near fastball arm speed, controlled in the zone, registered between 65-67 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, some feel, threw strikes, sat 65-67 mph.

Thomas Murray, 2B/RHP, Joliet West. 2017
5-foot-7, 175-pound two-way player. Defensively, long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. 70 mph across the diamond. Offensively, left-handed hitter, early rhythm, short, uphill bat path. Balanced setup, backside load, shows some lower half drive. 75 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Ran an 8.16 60-yard dash. On the mound, used the same ¾ arm slot, delivery worked with some rhythm, stays on path with target, lands closed and finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, slight sink, worked 73-74, topping at 75 mph. Curveball, showed some feel, 11/5 shape, gradual action, fastball arm speed, controlled in the zone, sat 65-67 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, sat 72-73 mph. Slider, clocked 68-69 mph.

Eric Nelson, SS/RHP, DeKalb, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound two way player. Defensively, athletic, fluid footwork, quick and clean glove exchanges. Loose, easy, clean arm out of a ¾ slot. Accurate throws flashed carry at 73 mph across the diamond. Offensively, right-handed hitter, fluid rhythm and quick bat. Open, balanced setup, short leg lift. 80 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Also, ran a 7.87 laser timed 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, short and loose arm action. Some rhythm, tall and fall delivery, stayed in line, finished athletically. Fastball, sat 76-77 mph. Curveball, sweeping shape, sat 68-69 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, ranged between 71-73 mph.

Brady Smith, RHP, Rock Island, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. High ¾ arm slot and a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery, stays in line, square landing, some rhythm and regular effort throughout. Fastball, straight action, sat 72-73 mph, touched 74. Curveball, 11/5 action, near fastball arm speed, ranged between 60-61 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, maintains arm speed, straight action, sat 64-66 mph.

Brandon Van Buren, INF/OF/LHP, Burlington Central, 2017
6-foot, 160-pound, lanky, versatile prospect. Offensively, left-handed hitter, fluid rhythm, uphill bat path, present bat speed with a gap-to-gap approach. Open and tall setup, leg-lift timing trigger, good balance through contact, occasional hard contact; 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively, worked out as an infielder and outfielder. First base looks to be best position, flashed soft hands, athletic fielding position. Clean exchange, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. In the outfield, clocked at 73 mph. On the mound, the left hander showcased the same short ¾ slot as he did in the field. Tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, regular effort. Short stride, stays in line, lands slightly open with an athletic finish. Fastball, varied action, slight arm side run and cut at times. Fastball thrown for strikes, sat 75-76 mph, topped at 77. Curveball, 1/7 shape, maintained similar arm speed as fastball, ranged 61-63 mph. Changeup was best pitch, fastball arm speed, fade and sink, controlled in the zone, clocked at 69-70 mph.

Ryan Zimmer, 2B/RHP, Richmond Burton, 2017
5-foot-9, 170-pound two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, short, level bat path, early rhythm, spray approach. Balanced setup, short stride and simple approach. Exit velocity clocked at 83 mph. Also ran a 7.74 60-yard dash. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean glove transfers and athletic fielding position. High ¾ arm slot, clean, short arm action, accurate throws, flashed carry at 81 mph across the diamond. On the mound, over-the-top slot, quick, short arm action, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery style. Fastball stayed mostly straight, sat 77-79, topped 81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, up in the zone at times, sat 65-68 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, flashed sink when down, clocked at 71-73 mph.