By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The PBR Kentucky Underclass Games event took place on June 29-30 with a combination showcase/game play event at Sayre HS and the University of Kentucky. The event afforded players from around the state the opportunity to showcase their abilities and establish themselves as top players in their respective classes. The following is a look at the pitchers who took the mound for Team Maroon at the event. This is pitching analysis only. Those players who also played a position for Team Maroon will have that evaluation featured in a subsequent article.

Eddie Satisky, RHP/3B, Lafayette HS, 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound RHP uses long and loose arm action through a ¾ arm slot that produces natural arm-side run and sink to fastball, fastball sat 83-87 mph topping at 88, throws a sharp 68-70 mph curveball with 11/5 action for strikes, shows very good confidence in 73-75 mph changeup that mimics the action of his fastball, has continued to show a steady increase in velocity since last summer, allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out two (looking on FB and CB) in his two innings of work, has developed into a top class of 2017 arm.

Landon Brewer, SS/RHP, Russell HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound RHP with athletic frame, uses shorter arm action and works through a high-3/4 slot, arm shows quickness, regular effort delivery with good rhythm, showed a fastball that ranged from 80-83 mph with some late sink, shows good feel for 67-71 mph curveball with tight spin and 11/5 action that is good when down in the zone, showed a changeup in warm-ups with fading action but did not use in game action, allowed an infield single, walked one, and racked up four strikeouts (all on curveballs) in his two innings, has good arm strength with the potential to add more velocity.

Thomas Digby, RHP, Lexington Catholic HS, 2017
6-foot, 200-pound RHP with strong frame, uses long arm action through a ¾ slot, regular effort in delivery, fastball shows good arm-side run at 78-81 mph topping at 82, works inside to right-handed hitters well with the fastball, shows solid feel for 69-71 mph curveball with 10/4 action, showed a 75 mph changeup thrown with good arm action that mirrors the action of his fastball, threw two hitless innings but did walk one and hit a batter, recorded one strikeout (swinging on FB) in his outing.

Michael Griffin, 2B/RHP, Ohio County HS, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound RHP has a quick arm that works through a high-3/4 arm slot, opens front side early at times landing open, consistently throws strikes with a fastball/curveball mix, fastball sat 77-80 mph topping at 81 with occasional sink, 67-70 mph curveball shows solid 11/5 action, allowed three hits in first inning but settled down to pitch a perfect second inning, finished with no walks and one strikeout (looking on CB) in his outing, good arm strength for size with potential for additional velocity.

Bailey Sanders, RHP, Paul Laurence Dunbar HS, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound RHP uses long arm action and works through a ¾ to high-3/4 arm slot, lands open occasionally, minimal effort in delivery, fastball sat 74-77 mph topping at 78, fastball varies between occasional arm-side run (two seam) and occasional cutting action (four seam), 66-68 mph curveball shows short 11/5 action, did not show a changeup in his outing, allowed no hits, walked one, and struck out one (swinging on FB) in his two innings of work.

Reece Ison, 3B/RHP, Prestonsburg HS, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound RHP with strong lower half, uses long arm action through a high-3/4 arm slot, good rhythm in delivery with regular effort, had command issues early but settled into a solid outing, fastball sat 74-78 mph with some late sink, showed a 63-66 mph curveball with gradual 11/5 action, also flashed a 70 mph changeup thrown with good arm action, walked one and hit one in his first inning of work but pitched a perfect second inning, finished allowing no hits with two strikeouts (both looking on FB’s) in his two innings of work.

Sy Zickler, 1B/RHP, Brownstown Central HS (IN), 2017
6-foot-1, 210-pound RHP uses long arm action through a ¾ slot, regular effort in delivery, struggled to command 73-76 mph fastball walking the bases loaded in his first inning, went to throwing curveball and knuckle ball almost exclusively for strikes, curveball sat 64-68 mph with 10/4 action, knuckle ball sat 62-64 mph with sporadic dance through the zone, allowed no hits and finished with the three walks while striking out one (CB looking) in his outing.