Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect Games: Pitchers Analysis



Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

On Sunday, August 6, Prep Baseball Report-Missouri held the Top Prospect Games in Warrensburg, MO.  Nearly 100 uncommitted players in the 2016 and 2017 class from Kansas and Missouri attended. 

Player profiles have been update with times, velocities and videos.  Below is a look at the pitchers from the event.  All other positions have been updated and analyzed. Pitchers are listed in alphabetical order.  Players rankings will be updated in weeks to come.

In game action, pitchers started with a 1-1 count, and worked on a 20-pitch limit. 

CLICK HERE, to see the Instant Analysis from the Top Prospect Games
CLICK HERE, to see the PDF spreadsheet for the Top Prospect Games
CLICK HERE, to see game footage from the Top Prospect Games

Pitchers

John Bastarache, RHP, Staley, 2016
Bastarache is a 6-foot 160-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  Bastarache worked his fastball at 78-81 mph, 82 max fastball.  He showed an 11-to-5 breaking ball at 67-69 mph and flashed a slider at 74-75 mph with late action. Change-up at 73 mph with arm side release. Conventional delivery with glove raising with knee, clean arm action, able to repeat release point, body under control, throws with regular effort.

Michael Brown, RHP, Camdendon, 2016
Brown is a 6-foot-3 195-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Brown touched 77 mph with is fastball, working down in the zone, high three-quarters release, works hands over the head in wind up, smooth tempo.  Curveball at 61-64 mph, 12-to-6 shape. 

James Brownell, RHP, Adair County, 2016
Brownell is a 6-foot-3 185-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Brownell throws with some effort, clean arm action, strides inline, high three-quarters release, athletic finish.  Fastaball at 79-81, touching 83 mph once.  Late breaking 12-to-6 curveball, 61-66 mph.

Tyler Clark, RHP, Blue Springs South, 2016
Clark is a 6-foot-3 185-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 and has recently committed to Pitt State. Worked a good inning with a high percentage of strikes with fastball and curveball.  Touched 86 mph with fastball, sitting 83-85.  Clarkshowd power behind his breaking ball with 12-to-6 action, late movement at 71-74 mph. He has an ideal pitchers build, high three-quarters release, throws with regular effort, smooth tempo, throws downhill and stays inline.  Velocity increase since last event.

Rorey Combs, LHP, Truman, 2016
Combs is a 5-foot-9 160-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Combs worked ahead to batters and was a strike thrower mixing fastball and curveball.  Hands raise with knee in delivery, accelerated over-the-top release, repeats release point, athletic finish.  Fastball touching 80 mph, working 77-79 mph, works glove side.  1-to-7 curveball 66-69 mph, good command, gradual action.  Produced ground ball outs and struck out three in game action. 

Nathan Croner, LHP, Truman, 2016
Croner is a 6-foot-6 185-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Croner struck out three hitters and walked one during his inning. He mixed speeds with his fastball ranging from 79 to 85 mph.  Curveball at 66-70 mph, 1-to-7 action, late movement.  high three-quarters release, downhill plane, quick arm speed, throws with some effort.

Alex DeBey, RHP, Blue Valley (KS), 2016
DeBey is a 6-foot-5 180-pound right-handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2016 class. DeBey topped at 81 mph with his fastball, working at 79-81 mph.  Throws on a down hill plane, smooth rhythm and flow, over the top release.  Throws strikes and repeats release point.  Projectable pitchers build with clean arm action.  More 12-to-6 shape on breaking ball, down in zone, fastball arm speed, 61-66 mph, pitched to contact in game action allowed, challenges hitters, no hits and no runs. 

Cole Gacke, RHP, Liberty North, 2016
Gacke is a 6-foot-1 225-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Gacke gained command and velo as the inning went along, touched 86 mph with fastball, sat mainly 83-84 mph.  One of top fastball velos for the event. Over the top release, downhill plane, inline stride, aggressive down the mound, strikes at bottom of zone, 11-to-5 curveball at 68-69 mph, late/sharp action.  Change-up at 72-75 mph, near fastball arm speed, arm side sink.  Walked two and struck out three in game action. 

Matt Gastner, RHP, Liberty, 2016
Gastner is a 6-foot-3 195-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  Gastner struck out two hitters in his inning of work throwing mostly fastball and curveball.  Fastball at 77-80 mph, high three-quarters, throws with regular effort, stays inline, fields position well, athletic off the mound, 12-to-6 breaking ball, 70-73 mph, late action. 

Conner Gibson, LHP, Lee’s Summit, 2016
Gibson is a 6-foot-1 180-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Gibson throws with regular effort and has a smooth delivery, slight turn in shoulders at balance point, inline stride, fastball at 77-79 mph, some with slight run, 10-to-4 curveball 66-68 mph, recorded one strikeout and one walk during outing.

Justice Hylton, LHP, Carl Junction, 2016
Hylton is a 5-foot-10 180-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Hylton worked fastball at 77-80 mph, allowing one hit and a walk during outing.  He throws slight across body, adding some deception, high three-quarters release, 2-to-8 curveball, 66-68 mph, gradual movement, smooth rhythm, repeats release point, throwing strikes with fastball. 

Connor Jonas, RHP, Fort Osage, 2016
Jones is a 5-foot-10 170-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Jonas worked fastball at 80-82 mph, over the top release, controlled to balance point, accelerates to plate, inline stride, athletic finish, able to work both sides of plate with fastball, curveball at 68-72 mph, down in zone, 12-to-6 action, pitched to contact with one strike out during inning.  

Caleb Jonas, RHP, Fort Osage, 2016
Jones is a 5-foot-9 170-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Jonas threw strikes with fastball and curveball, over-the-top release, simple delivery, repeats release point, inline stride, arm works, athletic finish, works both sides of plate, 73-76 mph fastball, 78 max, strikes at bottom of zone, curveball at 63-65 mph, 11-to-5 shape, late action.  Walked one, struck out one and allowed one run in game action. 

Tyler Klicker, RHP, Living Word Christian, 2016
Klicker is a 6-foot-4 190-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  Klicker has a rocker step in windup, aggressive down mound, inline stride, over the top release, hands raise and lower with knee, fastball has slight run, 68-71 mph, works both sides of plate. 12-to-6 shaped curveball 56-57 mph, gradual break,

Dalton Lanpher, RHP, Rockhurst, 2016
Lanpher is a 6-foot-1 180-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class, and has recently committed to Cowley County. Lanpher throws with easy effort, fluid rhythm with an over the top release.  He works quick on the mound between pitches, throwing a high percentage of strikes with three pitches.  Fastball 84 mph max, working  mostly at 82-83.  12-to-6 breaking ball, sharp movement, 67-69 mph, down in zone.  Change up at 75 mph, near fastball arm speed, arm side sink. 

Ben Mattes, RHP, Liberty North, 2017
Mattes is a 6-foot-3 175-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class. Mattes is long-limbed with an over the top release, inline stride, and athletic finish.  Throws strikes with his fastball at 73-75 mph, touching 78 mph, some fastball on downhill plane, curveball at 60-62 mph, 12-to-6 shape, gradual action.  Fields position well, struck out one and walked one in game action. 

Logan McCall, RHP, Westminster, 2016
McCall is a 6-foot-1 205-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. McCall has a simple delivery, repeats, throws strikes, loose arm action, touched 85 mph with fastball, sat 81-83 mph, slight late run.  Breaking ball 12-to-6 action, good depth, late action, consistent bottom of zone, 68-70 mph, one of best curveballs for the event. 76 mph change-up, fastball arm speed.  Pitched to contact in game action producing several ground balls.

Ryan McMahan, RHP, Blue Springs, 2016
McMahan is a 6-foot-5 185-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class. McMahan is a strike thrower with a controlled delivery, repeats release point, hands work with knee lift, inline stride, smooth rhythm, fastball at 77-81 mph, slight late run, curveball at at 67-70 mph, good depth, late 11-to-5 action, 70 mph change up, near fastball arm speed, struck out four hitter and allowed two hits in game action. 

Hunter McMahon, RHP, Staley, 2016
McMahon is a 6-foot-1 160-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  McMahon has a smooth delivery, loose arm action, repeats delivery, body stays under control, taps glove at top of balance point. Fastball mostly 83-85 mph, some with late running action, hard 11-to-5 action on curveball 64-68 mph.  Change-up at 71-74 mph, arm side run, fastball arm speed, late movement.  Build and arm action would suggest a velocity increase over the next year.  Struck out three and walked two in outing. 

Channing Mickey, RHP, Webb City, 2016
Mickey is a 6-foot-2 210-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class. Mickey throws with some effort, controlled to balance point, accelerates rhythm down the mound, over the top release, stays inline, fastball at 77-81 mph, 12-to-6 breaking ball, fastball arm speed, down in zone, 63-67 mph, struck out one and walked one in game action. 

Kamden Miller, LHP, Blue Valley Northwest (KS), 2016
Miller is a 6-foot 195-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Miller turned in a good inning, striking out three and walking one.  He threw strikes with mostly fastballs at 80-82 mph, touching 83 mph once.  Had command of curveball at 66-67 mph, 1-to-7 shape. Threw one change-up at 73 mph, slight sink.  Controls body through out delivery, slightly across body, high-three quarters release. 

Brigham Mooney, RHP, Blue Springs South, 2016
Mooney is a 5-foot-11 155-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Mooney throws with some effort and is aggressive down the mound, works out of the stretch, quick arm speed, lands inline, over-the-top release.  Mooney is a strike thrower with both fastball and curveball, throws fastball primarily and works to contact, 79-81 mph fastball velo, curveball has 12-to-6 action, down in zone, struck out one during inning of work, allowed one hit.

Zach Murphy, RHP, Kearney, 2016
Murphy is a 6-foot-2 160-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Murphy has a slender build with loose arm action, over the top release, slightly uphill with shoulders at balance, stays inline, throws strikes with fastball and curveball, works both sides of plate, downhill tilt on fastball.  81-83 mph fastball, slight run, curveball 12-to-6 curveball gradual break.  Struck out three hitters during outing.  Murphy has room to fill out and add to his clean arm action. 

Jason Needham, RHP, Staley, 2016
Needham is a 5-foot-8 190-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Needham located fastball and pitched to contact, got mostly ground ball outs, stayed away from middle of plate, fastball at 72-74 mph, curveball at 64-65 mph,  will drop to a lower arm slot with breaking ball, 12-to-6 action. 69-70 mph change-up. Over-the-top release with fastball, arm works, lands square, repeats release point. 

Derick Newby, LHP, Webb City, 2016
Newby is a 6-foot-3 180-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Newby threw a good inning, hitters had a hard time making solid contact, three strikeouts and a walk during inning of work, worked primarily fastball and curveball.  Fastball at 78-80, touching 82 mph, has late life.  Curveball has depth with 2-to-8 shape, late movement, throws for a strike 65-67 mph.  Slender frame, repeats release point, loose/quick arm action, three quarters release.

Ryan O‘Connell, RHP, Lafayette, 2017
O’Connell is a 5-foot-11 180-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class. O’Connell pumped strikes with his fastball at 81-83 mph, touching 85 mph on pitch.  Fastball comes from a three-quarters arm slot, has run, works both sides of plate.  Breaking ball is a 10-to-4 slider, late action, 73-76 mph.  O’Connell hides the ball well throwing from a low arm slot, body is controlled throughout delivery, throws with regular effort.  Walked one and struck out one during his inning of work. 

Alex Palasz, LHP, Park Hill South, 2016
Palasz is a 5-foot-11 192-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Over-the-top delivery, throws with some effort, inline stride, finishes in athletic position.  Fastball at 68-71 mph, curveball at 60-62 mph, 1-t0-7 shape.

Owen Pyatt, RHP, CBC, 2016
Pyatt is a 6-foot-2 180-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Pyatt posted one of the top fastball velos on the day, touching 86 once and throwing several pitches at 85 mph.  He has  rhythm and flow in his delivery, loose arm, over-the-top release, repeats release point, attacks hitters with first pitch strikes, hides ball well, works both sides of plate.  Fastball had late life with run, curveball has 11-to-5 action, late movement, near fastball arm speed, change up at 75 mph, slight arm side release. Struck out two hitters in game action.   

Caleb Rogge, RHP, Rock Creek (KS), 2016
Rogge is a 6-foot-3 175-pound right-handed pitcher Kansas 2016 class. Posted one of the top velos for the event, touching 86 mph twice and working at 84-85 mph.  Delivery flows with smooth rhythm, three-quarters release, loose arm action, throw strikes with three pitches. Fastball had late life with glove-side run, 11-to-5 shape curveball, good command, fastball arm speed, 69-73 mph, late action, good depth.  Change up has arm side sink, 79-80 mph.  Pitched to contact, allowed one hit in game action, no runs. 

Austin Ross, RHP, Lee’s Summit, 2016
Ross is a 6-foot-1 195-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Hands raise and lower with knee in wind up, over the top release, works slightly across body, smooth rhythm in delivery, 77-80 mph fastball, some with downhill plane, 12-to-6 curveball, consistently down in zone, gradual break, 68-69 mph, struck-out one, walked one and allowed two hits in game action. 

Austin Ruesch, RHP, Edwardsville (IL), 2017
Ruesch is a 6-foot-3 175-pound right-handed pitcher in Illinois’ 2017 class. Ruesch has an up-tempo and aggressive delivery, works uphill in shoulders at balance, quick arm speed. Throws with some deception in an over-the-top release, hides ball well, downhill plane.  Fastball max velo at 83 mph on two pitches, sitting 81-82 mph with running action.  Curveball has 12-to-6 downward movement, fastball arm speed, most start in zone and break out of zone, late movement, 64-67 mph.  Allowed one hit and two walks in game action. 

Matt Russell, RHP, Staley, 2017
Russell is a 6-foot-2 180-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class. Russell was aggressive in the zone, working a head of hitters, and hitting both corners down in the zone.  Fastball had late life with run at 83-84 mph, hitting 85 mph one time.  Curveball had power and depth at 71-74 mph, 11-to-5 action, late.  Body is under control during delivery, quick arm speed, high three quarters release, throws with regular effort, stays inline.  Velocity increase since last events. 

Martin Schildt, RHP, Milford (NE), 2016
Schildt is a 6-foot 195-pound right-handed pitcher in Nebraska’s 2016 class. Schildt works with an over-the-top release, controlled left lift, inline stride, throws with some effort, smooth rhythm, repeats movements, fastball at 77-79 mph, 81 max fastball velo, 11-to-5 curveball, 63-64 mph, gradual break, change up at 69-74 mph fastball arm speed, slight arm side sink. 

Alex Schram, RHP, Smithville, 2016
Schram is a 5-foot-10 230-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Schram body control throughout deliver, over the top release, in line stride, athletic finish.  Repeats movements, throws strikes.  Fastball mostly at 77-80 mph, 12-to-6 breaking ball, 60-67 mph.  Pitched to contact during game action, one strike out, one hit. 

Bobby Shallenberger, RHP, Priory, 2016
Shallengerger is a 6-foot-1 185-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Shallenberger is a strike thrower, showing command of his fastball and curveball. He was mainly 83-84 mph with his fastball, touching 85 mph, late run, throwing fastball inside to RHH.  Curveball, consistently down in zone, 71-73 mph, 12-to-6 shape.  Controlled delivery, arm works, release out front, repeatable, smooth rhythm and tempo, inline stride.  Struck out two during his inning of work, mostly pitching to contact, producing ground balls.  

Gerritt Shirts, RHP, Jefferson City, 2016
Shirts is a 6-foot-1 165-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  Shirts throws with some effort, quick arm speed and an over the top release.  He is controlled to balance point and accelerates aggressively down the mound.  Throws on a downhill plane with fastball mostly at 83-84 mph, touching 85 mph.  Curveball has sharp 12-to-6 action, 66-71 mph, down in zone.  Walked one and struck-out one in game action. 

Jayce Simoncic, RHP, Smith-Cotton, 2016
Simoncic is a 6-foot-3 185-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Simoncic showed a running fastball, topping at 82 mph.  Fastball comes from high three quarters slot, works both sides of plate, late run causes swing and miss, consistent down in zone, repeats release, curveball at 70-73 mph, 11-to-5 shape, change up at 75-77 mph, slight arm side sink.  Struck out three and walked two during outing. 

Mason Smith, RHP, Lafayette, 2016
Smith is a 5-foot-11 160-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Smith throws fastball at 71-76 mph, high percentage of strikes, over the top release, accelerated rhythm, curveball has 12-to-6 movement, 60-63 mph, change-up at 64 mph, slight sink.  Allowed one hit, and one walk during outing, recorded one strike out. 

Zach Snodgrass, LHP, Carl Junction, 2016
Snodgrass is a 5-foot-9 170-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Snodgrass worked at 79-83 mph with his fastball, late running action on fastball, consistently down in zone with curveball, late 1-to-7 shape.  Simple and repeatable delivery, high three quarters release, quick and loose arm action, smooth rhythm and tempo, good feel for the zone with both pitches, struck out two and walked two in outing. 

Alex Stevenson, RHP, Lutheran South, 2016
Stevenson is a 6-foot-1 165-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class. Stevenson turned a good performance displaying command and velo.  Fastball touched 87 mph, the top velo for the event, working 84-86 mph, some with late run, both sides of plate. Curveball 70-71 mph, 11-to-5 action, late movement with depth, change up, at 68 mph, late arm side sink, fastball arm speed.  Easy delivery, accelerated arm, loose arm action, stays inline, athletic off the mound, can defend position, throws with downhill tilt, three strikeouts during inning of work.

Jacob Thigpen, RHP, Park Hill South, 2016
Thigpen is a 6-foot-1 190-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  Thigpen posted one of the top fastball velos of the event, touching 87 once and working mostly at 84-86 mph.  Had depth and power with curveball, 70-73 mph, 11-to-5 shape, late action.  He has a high three-quarters release, simple delivery, repeats, throws high number of strikes, tucks at balance point, body under control, lands square.  Two walks and one strikeout during inning of work.

Kole Watson, LHP, Kearney, 2016
Watson is a 6-foot-2 235-pound left-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  Over the top release, smooth rhythm in delivery, raises kneed and hands, good fastball command, works both sides of plate, down in zone, fastball at 75-77 mph, 80 max velo, 1-to-7 curveball gradual break, works in to RHH, struck out two hitters and walked one in outing. 

Matt Westphal, RHP, Lutheran St. Charles, 2016
Westphal is a 6-foot-3 198-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2016 class.  Westphal is controlled in delivery to balance, accelerates down the mound, short over the top release, athetlic finish.  Fastball at 76-79 mph, works both sides of plate, throws for a strike.  12-to-6 breaking ball, 59-63 mph, change-up at 62 mph.

Ronnie Wiggington, RHP, Winnetonka, 2017
Wiggington is a 6-foot 195-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class.  Wiggington was 83 mph with is fastball, sitting 81-82 mph.  Slow and controlled delivery with bit of a pause at leg drop, over the top release, athletic finish.  12-to-6 curveball 72 mph, gradual action, bottom of zone. 

Brandon Williams, RHP, Jefferson City, 2017
Williams is a 6-foot-3 180-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class. Projectable pitchers build, delivery has rhythm and flow, over the top release, in line stride, quick arm speed, lands in athletic position, downhill plane, fastball at 79-81 mph, touching 83 mph once, late run to fastball, curveball has 12-to-6 action, late movement, change-up at 71-73 mph, near fastball arm speed.

Trey Ziegenbein, RHP, Blue Springs, 2017
Ziegenbein is a 6-foot-3 155-pound right-handed pitcher in the 2017 class.  Ziegenbein has an up-tempo delivery with loose arm action and quick arm speed. He is aggressive down the mound and throws with some effort and high three-quarters release.  Fastball at 82 mph with late run, 12-to-6 curveball with some power, 69-72 mph.  Settled in as inning went along, throwing more strikes, mostly inside to RHH, struck-out two and walked one in game action.

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