Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Class of 2015 Games: Pitching Analysis

September 8, 2014

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

The Kansas Class of 2015 Games took place on Wednesday, August 6th at Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kansas.  This first-ever event featured a number of the top uncommitted seniors from across the state.

There were several two-way players (pitcher + position player) at this event, but keep in mind that the evaluations below are based on the pitching side only.  We posted position player reports over these people you last week that included the two-way players as well:

+ Class of 2015 Games: Middle Infield Analysis
+ Class of 2015 Games: Corner Infield Analysis
+ Class of 2015 Games: Outfield Analysis
+ Class of 2015 Games: Catching Analysis

There were 31 pitchers that took the mound at the Class of 2015 games, including 11 left-handers. Many of the pitchers improved their stock with their performance at this event which will be reflected when we publish our next updated and expanded class of 2015 rankings later this month.

Blue Valley West LHP Davis Schwab stood out on the mound above all others.  The 6A First Team All-State performer, once again, showed why he is squarely in the discussion of the state’s top left-handed pitcher in the 2015 class.  In the game the senior lefty attacked the strike zone with three pitches from the first batter on retiring all six batters he faced, fanning four.

Below are the scouting reports on the pitchers that participated in the event. Click on the player's headline link to be directed to their profile with video from their performance.

Top Prospects

1. Davis Schwab, LHP, Blue Valley West, 2015
Schwab is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-handed pitcher.  Under control early, delivery picks up-tempo after knee lift, tucks knee at balance, hides ball, strides inline, athletic finish, excellent body control throughout, repeatable delivery.  Quick arm, three-quarters slot.  Fastball has late sinking/cutting life, 81-85 mph.  Command of 11/5 breaking ball 68-70 mph, also showed feel for 74-76 mph slider.  Maintains arm-speed on 71-72 change-up, throws at bottom of zone.  Retired six out six batters with four strikeouts, mixed all three pitches effectively.  12/17 strikes.  Polished and projectable pitching prospect.

2. Brandon Gomer, RHP, Shawnee Mission Northwest, 2015
Gomer is an athletic 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher.  Tall at balance, strides inline, athletic finish body control throughout delivery, easy motion.  Three-quarters arm slot, loose arm.  Fastball with downer sink when at bottom of the zone, 81-86 mph.  Controllable slurve type breaking ball, 74-76 mph.  Change-up 75-76.  Faced four hitters in game - two groundouts, two strikeouts.  14/19 strikes.  Loose-armed projectable right-hander.

3. Mason LeClair, RHP, Mulvane, 2015
LeClair is a thin, athletic 6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher.  Deliberate tempo early, tall balance point, strides inline, athletic finish.  Over the top arm slot.  82-85 mph fastball with late arm side running action to it, also firmed it up glove side.  Hard breaking ball, tight spin, 74-76 mph.  Keeps change-up at bottom of the zone, sinking action, fastball arm speed, 77-78 mph.  11/16 strikes.  Projectable right-hander with plenty of room to fill out.

4. Ethan Frazier, RHP, Blue Springs South (MO), 2015
Frazier is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher.  Tall and fall delivery.  Short, inline stride.  Maintains balance throughout, athletic finish.  Over the top slot  Fastball 83-87 mph  87 was the top velocity in camp.  12/6 breaking ball, sharp at times, 69-72 mph.  77-78 change-up.  Struck out two of the five batters he faced.  10/20 strikes.  Projectable right-hander that flashes plus pitches at times but has yet to put it all together. 

5. Mason Knopp, RHP, Fort Scott, 2015
Knopp is a thin, athletic 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher.  Deliberate, balanced delivery early.  Tall balance point, strides inline, athletic finish, body control throughout, repeats well.  Loose, natural three-quarters arm action, out front release point, arm works. Fastball with arm-side run, occasional late glove-side cutting action, 79-82 mph.  Controllable slurve type breaking ball, 62-65 mph.  Sinking change-up, 69-70 mph.  Athletic right-hander with easy arm, repeatable delivery, potential to develop plus command going forward.  14/21 strikes.

6. Chaz Burgess, LHP, Olathe North, 2015
Burgess is a physical 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-handed pitcher.  Delivery with aggressive tempo, high vertical knee lift, hides ball, strides inline.  Short, quick three-quarters arm action, out front release point.  Occasionally spins out, gets under ball and misses up.  Fastball in the 80-83 mph range, some arm side run.  Very effective 71-74 mph slider, sweeping action, also shortened it up for late right turn, tough pitch on left-handed hitters, potential plus pitch.  73-74 mph change up with arm side run.  Gave up one hit in one inning of work with three ground ball outs.  9/18 strikes. 

7. James Leitch, RHP, Bishop Carroll, 2015
Leitch is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher.  Under control early, tall balance point, strides slightly across body, falls off to first base some.  Quick high three-quarters arm action, some effort.  Fastball 81-84.  12/6 breaking ball, tight spin, very effective pitch in the game 66-69 mph.  70-71 mph change-up, cuts it.  Retired all six batters faced in the game, four strikeouts.  19/30 strikes.

8. Tanner Cairns, RHP, Wichita-Independent, 2015
Cairns is a sturdy 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed pitcher.  Deliberate, balanced delivery, tall balance point, strides slightly open, athletic finish, three quarters arm action.  Fastball clocked 80-84 mph, arm side run.  Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 68-72 mph.  Change-up runs arm side, 70-73.  Retired all four batters he faced in the game, three strikeouts.  10/16 strikes. 

9. Jonathan Felix, LHP, Blue Valley Northwest, 2015
Felix is a 6-foot, 200-pound left-handed pitcher.  Methodical delivery, tall balance point, leans back, strides slightly across body, athletic finish, maintains body control throughout.  Quick, high three-quarters arm action.  Arm works.  Fastball 81-84 mph, runs arm side.  Also showed glove side cutting fastball, tough pitch to right-handed hitters.  70-72 mph 12/6 breaking ball, sharp at times.  72-76 change-up.

10. Brant Millerborg, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest, 2015
Millerborg is a strong 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed pitcher.  Up-tempo delivery, tucks knee at balance, tall balance point, strides slightly across body, athletic finish.  Long, three-quarters arm action, out front release point.  Fastball has arm side run, sinking action when at bottom of zone 80-83 mph.  Short slurve type breaking ball 73-74 mph.  Fastball arm speed on change, sinking action, dies as it approach plate, potential plus pitch.  Physical right-hander that is trending up.

11. Brennon Covington, RHP, Shawnee Mission Northwest, 2015
Covington is an athletic-framed 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher.  Deliberate delivery, tall balance point, lowers during stride, strides inline, athletic finish, maintains body control throughout.  Simple, repeatable delivery.  Short, easy arm action, low three-quarters slot, gets out front on all pitches.  Fastball runs into right-handers late, 77-81 mph.  Feel for 11/5 breaking ball, 66-68 mph.  Change-up with arm-side run, 70-71 mph.  Showed command of all three pitches.  Faced six batters, one hit, one strikeout.  11/15 strikes.

12. Will March, LHP, Park Hill South (MO), 2015
March is a thin, athletic-framed 6-foo-2, 160-pound left-handed pitcher.  Under control early, tall balance point, strides across body, hides ball, athletic finish, occasionally falls off to third base side.  Easy, three-quarters arm action.  Fastball sinks away from right-hand hitters, 80-82 mph.  Controllable 12/6 breaking ball, 62-65 mph.  Feel for sinking change-up, fastball arm speed, 70-73 mph.  Retired all four batters faced in game, two strikeouts.  11/15 strikes.  Projectable lefty with present feel to pitch, plenty of room to fill out physically, trending up.

13. Jake Michalski, LHP, Washburn Rural, 2015
Michalski is a strong, athletic-framed 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed pitcher.  Deliberate delivery early.  Turns to crouch at balance, hides ball.  Strides slightly across body, athletic finish, excellent body control throughout, repeats.  Low three-quarters arm slot, easy arm.  Fastball has sinking action, can also firm it up glove side inside on right-hand hitters, 76-78 mph.  Breaking ball is sweeping slurve 62-64 mph.  Sells change-up well, fastball arm speed, sinking action, 67-68.  Very efficient, retired all eight batters he faced in the game in 20 pitches.  Attacks the zone with all three pitches, feel to pitch, keeps hitters off balance. 14/20 strikes. 

14. David Tudhope, LHP, Blue Valley Southwest, 2015
Tudhope is a 6-foot-2, 192-pound left-handed pitcher.  Deliberate, balanced early.  Drops, picks-up tempo during stride.  Strides slightly across body, athletic finish, excellent body control throughout delivery, repeats.  Easy three-quarters arm action, arm works.  Fastball cuts and sinks, 73-78 mph.  Advanced feel for slurve type breaking ball at 62-65 mph.  Command of 70-72 change-up with arm side run.  Works fast, works down in the zone.  Plus feel for pitching.  Faced six batters, six ground ball outs.  13/20 strikes. 

15. Alex Knight, RHP, Olathe Northwest, 2015
Knight is a strong 5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed pitcher.  Body control early, turns at balance, hides ball well.  Strides inline falls off slightly to first base at finish.  Fastball has hard sink when down, 80-82 mph  Breaking ball 68-69 mph.  Sells change-up with fastball arm speed, late sinking action at bottom of zone, 71-72 mph.  Retired three out of four batters faced in the game. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically) 

Sam Carver, LHP, Ottawa, 2015
Carver is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound left-handed pitcher.  Deliberate delivery, tall balance point, high knee lift, hides ball, strides slightly across body, athletic finish, high three-quarters arm slot.  Fastball 75-77 mph. 12/6 breaking ball for strikes, 63-64 mph.  Recorded five straight outs in the game, three strikeouts.  13/19 strikes.  Tall, projectable lefty with room to fill out.

Nicholas Cole, RHP, Topeka West, 2015
Cole is a 6-foot-3, 218-pound right-handed pitcher.  Up-tempo delivery, tall balance point, inline stride, some effort, short arm action, high three-quarters to over the top slot.  Fastball 74-78 mph with arm side run.  Slow 12/6 breaking ball, 63-66 mph.  Faced four batters, two hits, two strikeouts. 

Jacob Compton, RHP, Goddard, 2015
Compton is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher.  Tucks at balance, drops shoulders to throw to set-up side-arm throwing motion, inline stride, athletic finish.  Fastball has early sink, 74-76 mph.  Sweeping 11/6 breaking ball 65-67 mph.  Sinking change-up 67-68 mph.  Retired first three batters he faced in game.  14/21 strikes.

Brett Ferencz, RHP, Shawnee Mission Northwest, 2015
Ferencz is a 6-foot-3, 240-pound right-handed pitcher.  Under control early, turns and tucks knee at balance.  Strides inline, athletic finish, body control throughout.  Three-quarters arm action.  Fastball has run and sink, 78-80 mph.  Controllable 11/5 breaking ball, 68-69 mph.  Faced four batters, struck out three.

Jesse Hutmacher, LHP, Olathe Northwest, 2015
Hutmacher is a 5-foot-8, 160-pound left-handed pitcher.  Under control throughout delivery.  Turns and tucks knee at balance, hides ball, strides slightly across body, athletic finish.  Easy three-quarters throwing motion.  Fastball with early cutting action, 74-75 mph.  Slow 11/7 breaking ball, 64-67 mph.  69-70 mph sinking change, fastball arm speed.  Retired three out of four batters faced.  9/13 strikes. 

Saige Killion, LHP, Olathe Northwest, 2015
Killion is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed pitcher.  Deliberate delivery early.  Pumps knee, leans back with near pause at balance, hides ball well, strides slightly closed, falls off third base side at finish.  High three-quarters arm action.  Fastball has arm side run, 77-79 mph.  Big 11/5 knuckle-curve ball, 67-70 mph.  Feel for sinking change-up in warm-ups, 66-67 mph.  Hitters had pitch recognition issues against, faced four batters, struck out three.  9/17 strikes.

Daniel Kohl, RHP, Olathe East, 2015
Kohl is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed pitcher.  Methodical tempo, tall balance point, strides slightly across body, falls off first base side slightly on finish.  Short, quick arm action, some effort, high three-quarters arm slot.  Fastball 75-77 mph with arm side run.  Change-up runs similar to fastball.  Big, rolling 12/6 breaking ball 60-61 mph.  Retired three out of four batters faced in game action.  8/15 strikes.

Nathan McBroom, RHP, Maize South, 2015
McBroom is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed pitcher.  Deliberate tempo, tall balance point, lowers during stride, strides slightly across body, athletic finish.  Easy, low three-quarters throwing motion, arm works.  Fastball with sinking action, 79-81 mph.  Command of sweeping 10/4 breaking ball, 65-66 mph.  Feel for change-up that sinks arm-side and down.  Ground ball pitcher.  9/18 strikes.

Brandon Mitchell, LHP, Shawnee Mission West, 2015
Mitchell is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed pitcher.  Under control early, tall balance point, picks up-tempo during stride, works uphill, strides inline, repeatable, some deception.  Long, high-three quarters arm action.  Fastball sinks away from right-handers, 77-79 mph.  Breaking ball is slow 12/6 version, 60-61 mph.  Retired three out of four batters faced in game, including a strikeout.  8/14 strikes. 

Brady Nordstedt, RHP, Burlington, 2015
Nordstedt is a 5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed pitcher.  Rhythmic delivery.  Turns back, tucks knee at balance, hides ball.  Long, inline stride, body control throughout, athletic finish, three-quarters arm slot.  Fastball with early arm side run, 70-74 mph. 11/5 breaker, 72-66 mph.  Faced seven batters in game, recording five outs.  10/20 strikes.

Wyatt Reehl, RHP, Fort Scott, 2015
Reehl is a 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher.  Up-tempo delivery, breezes through balance point, strides inline, falls off first base side on finish.  High three-quarters to over the top arm slot.  Some early arm side run on fastball, 74-78 mph.  Big 12/6 breaking ball, 62-64 mph.  Near fastball arm speed on 68-70 mph change-up.  Retired four out of six batters faced in the game.  13/23 strikes.

Cody Starkel, RHP, McPherson, 2015
Starkel is a 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-handed pitcher.  Methodical early, tall balance point, strides slightly across body.  Over the top arm slot with some effort.  Straight fastball 76-78 mph.  11/5 breaking ball, 65-77 mph.  Straight change-up 69-70 mph.  Faced five batters, two strikeouts.  9/15 strikes. 

Nick Watson, LHP, Derby, 2015
Watson is a 5-foot-8, 180-pound right-hand pitcher.  Methodical delivery, rolls through balance, strides inline, upright finish.  Long, three-quarters arm action.  Fastball 72-74 mph.  Slow 11/5 breaking ball 66-67 mph.  Retired thee out of four batters faced, two strikeouts.  9/17 strikes.

Thomas Williams, RHP, Olathe East, 2015
Williams is 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher.  Deliberate delivery early, tall balance point, strides inline, athletic finish.  High three-quarters arm action, arm works.  Fastball 73-75 mph.  Slow 12/6 breaking ball 60-61 mph.  Change-up with arm side run, 68-69 mph.  Retired three out of four batters faced in game with one strikeout.  7/11 strikes.

Shade Wondra, RHP, Great Bend, 2015
Wondra is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed pitcher.  Under control early, turns at balance.  Strides slightly across body, falls off to first base side at finish.  Over the top arm slot.  Fastball 72-74.  Big 12/6 breaking ball 60-61 mph.  Change-up 63-64.  12/22 strikes.

Tripp Wright, RHP, Lawrence Free State, 2015
Wright is an athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed pitcher.  Tall balance point.  Easy, rhythmic delivery.  Strides inline, athletic finish.  Very simple, repeatable delivery.  Arm works, throws from three-quarters slot, out front release point.  Commands straight fastball, 76-78 mph.  12/6 breaking ball, 66-68, some with tight spin.  Straight change-up, 63-68 mph.  Pumped strikes with all three pitches. Faced seven batters, struck out three.  15/17 strikes.

related content