Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Senior Showcase: Pitcher Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

On Jan. 13, PBR Illinois hosted its first showcase of 2019, the winter’s Unsigned Senior Showcase. Approximately 50 prospects came out to The MAX facility in McCook, Ill., to participate in the day’s workout in front of our staff and over 25 colleges.

We started our coverage last week with our Quick Hits post and a Statistical Analysis, and continued this week with our position-by-position breakdowns, including analysis on the day’s catchers, infielders, and outfielders in attendance. Today, we’ve examined each of the pitchers who took the mound at the Unsigned Senior Showcase.

Among them was Glenbard West’s Logan Ryan, who put together one of the top bullpens at The MAX at this showcase, sitting in the mid 80s with feel for his offspeed too. The 5-foot-10 righty showed our staff a quick arm and a feel for three, which put him atop our pitcher rankings.

This week, RHP Carter Nowak (Prairie Central) announced his commitment to Illinois Central JC after a solid performance at this event. He ranks within the top-three arms at the showcase after showing a quick and clean arm with a hard, sinking fastball that lived in the low 80s, with some complementary offspeed to make up his quality arsenal.

Continue on below for detailed reports on each of the 25 pitchers from the event. And remember, check back tomorrow when we rank the top-10 overall prospects from the showcase.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Logan Ryan, RHP/INF, Glenbard West, 2019
5-foot-10, 175-pound two-way player. Profiled best on the mound. Uptempo delivery, slight drop and drive, works from low ¾ slot with quick arm. Fastball showed run to arm side, above average feel for the strike zone, sat 85-86 mph. Curveball has sweeping action on 10/4 plane, flashed sharp, 76 mph out of the windup, 70-71 mph from the stretch. Changeup flashed sink, 77-80 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, short stride, static pre pitch at times. Path is level, creates some line drive, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 7.44. Arm played at 81 mph across the diamond from a natural low slot. Hands played out front to an efficient transfer.

2. Ethan Peterson, RHP, Grayslake Central, 2019
6-foot-1, 215-pound, right-handed pitcher, strong lower half. Simple, clean delivery, works with rhythm, stays on-line, lands slightly front-toe closed with easy effort throughout. Arm works clean and loose out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball comes out of the hand easy, thrown for strikes, late, heavy finish at times, sat 84-85 mph. Curveball, dropped in for strikes, 11/5 shape, depth, 65-68 mph. Changeup, sinking action, 73-76 mph. One of the top uncommitted arms in the state.

3. Carter Nowak, RHP, Prairie Central, 2019
Recent Illinois Central JC commit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, right-handed pitcher. Confident, calm demeanor on the mound. Repeatable delivery, works with rhythm, stays on-line and lands square. Clean, quick arm action, comes out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, run and sink action, occasional hard boring action, sat 80-82 mph, touched 83. Curveball, thrown aggressively, sharp action at times, 12/6 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, arm-side-run, 72-74 mph.

4. Jackson Nance, OF/RHP, Yorkville, 2019
6-foot-2, 195-pound, two-way prospect, projectable, highly-athletic built. Right-handed hitter, wide, slightly crouched setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Loose, quick hands, short bat path, line-drive approach and uses the middle of the field. 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick, fluid footwork, covers ground, plays through the baseball. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 85 mph. 7.28 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, side-step wind up, slight drop and drive delivery and lands square. Loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, works straight, finishes through the zone, 81-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 69-71 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed at times, 76-78 mph.

5. Grant Baker, OF/RHP, South Elgin, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. Offensively, left-handed hitter, tall, narrow setup, smooth pre-pitch load and leg-kick timing trigger. Fluid rhythm, confident look, loose hands, extension through contact, natural lift in swing and 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, in the outfield, proper routes, works around the baseball and winds up on exchange. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 82 mph. 7.72 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, calm, quiet delivery, works on-line down the mound and lands front toe slightly open. Long, quick arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball straight action, thrown for strikes, sat 80-81 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sharp at times, sat 69-72 mph. Changeup, running action at times, 75-77 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nico Bosco, LHP, Marian Catholic, 2019
5-foot-11, 190-pound, solidly-built, left-handed pitcher. Stretch-only delivery, works slightly across his body and lands front-toe closed. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, down in the zone at times, sat 72-73 mph, touched 74. Curveball, 1/7 shape, occasional late, sharp action, 64-65 mph. Changeup, feel for the bottom of the zone, arm-side-run at times, 68-70 mph.

Blake Breon, LHP, Geneva, 2019
6-foot, 185-pound, strong, durable, left-handed pitcher. Stretch-only delivery, works with rhythm, slightly across his body and lands square. Slight plunge out of the glove and comes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball slight running action, 76-77 mph, touched 78. Curveball, 1/7 plane, late action at times and thrown for strikes, 67-70 mph. Changeup, occasional sinking action, 70-72 mph.

Peyton Byerley, LHP, Dwight, 2019
6-foot-2, 240-pound, extra-large, strong, left-handed pitcher. Stretch-only delivery, works on-line and lands square with regular effort. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball straight action, thrown for strikes, 64-68 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, 59-62 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed at times, ranged between 61-64 mph.

Michael Carvatta, OF/RHP, Maine South, 2019
5-foot-10, 168-pound, lean, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load and leg lift timing trigger. Long bat path and 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, attacks the baseball and gains ground through exchange. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and accurate throws clocked at 83 mph. 7.92 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, slight drop and drive delivery and lands square. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, running action, sat 73-75 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, 66-68 mph. Changeup, straight action, sat 70-71 mph.

Austin Conrad, RHP, Kiel (WI), 2019
5-foot-10, 200-pound two-way prospect. Projects best on mound, currently. Coiled at balance point, short stride, lands slightly open. Better feel from the stretch. Stiff, sidearm action. Fastball, arm-side run, 75-77 mph. Curveball, early 10/4 break, more control of spin from stretch, 67-68 mph. Changeup, feel for run and fade, thrown at the bottom of the zone, 69-72 mph. A right-handed hitter, tall and open setup, short leg lift stride. Slight uphill bat path, looking to pull. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.97 runner in the 60. Did not take part in defense portion of the event.

Jacob Dirksen, RHP, Oswego East, 2019
Recent Kalamazoo Valley CC commit. 6-foot, 180-pound, strong, athletically-built, right-handed pitcher. Presence on the mound, slight drop-and drive, rotational delivery and strong glove side. Short, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball thrown for strikes, sat 80-81 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 11/5 shape, around the zone, 65-68 mph. Changeup, feel for the zone, fade and sinking action, 68-73 mph.

Jeremy Frankel, RHP, Highland Park, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound two-way player, lean build. Profiled best on the mound. Balanced delivery, squared foot strike, slightly open stride path, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 81-83 mph, occasional downhill plane, straight action. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 74-76 mph. Changeup was down, flashed sink action, 73-77 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, minimal stride, slight heel lift. Level path created consistent contact, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm is 78 mph across the diamond, long high ¾ slot. 7.11 runner.

Logan Fricker, 1B/LHP, Normal Community, 2019
6-foot, 195-pound left/left two-way player, lean frame. Hits from a slightly closed setup, short stride, showed balance. Path is level, short to the ball at times, gap to gap approach. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 70 mph across the diamond, loose arm action. Clean exchange, easy feel around the bag. 7.57 runner in the 60. On the mound works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 77-78 mph, mostly straight. Curveball has gradual actions, 71-72 mph. Changeup is down, sinking action, showed feel, 69-73 mph.

Seth Greenlee, LHP, Bourbon County, 2019
5-foot-11, 185-pound, strong, athletically-built, left-handed pitcher. Stretch-only delivery, works on-line, lands square with regular effort throughout. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, sat 72-74 mph, touched 75. Curveball, 1/7 shape, ranged between 64-67 mph. Changeup, 64-65 mph.

Matthew Keller, Union Grove (WI), 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, right-handed pitcher. Side-step delivery, smooth rhythm, works directionally down the mound and lands square. Short arm action from a ¾ to high ¾ slot. Fastball, run and sink, worked it to both sides of the plate, sat 75-78 mph. Curveball, thrown aggressively, late bite at times, 68-69 mph. Changeup, cutting action, 71-72 mph.

Frank Luce, OF/LHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2019
6-foot-2, 195-pound, strong, broad-shouldered, two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, slight inward turn at balance point, works on-line down the mound and lands front foot slightly closed. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, late arm-side-run, sat 75-77 mph. Curveball, gradual 1/7 shape, thrown for strikes, 61-64 mph. Changeup, feel, occasional sinking action, 62-65 mph. At the plate, left-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup, short stride, level bat path and registered an 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, plays through the baseball, clean exchange, long over-the-top arm action and throws topped at 79 mph. 7.34 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Ben Monge, 1B/LHP, Roanoke Benson, 2019
6-foot-3, 210-pound left/left two-way player. Hits from a tall setup, slightly open, short stride to even. Flashed bat strength, slight uphill path, creates occasional lifted contact. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm played 74 mph across the diamond, short loose action, high ¾ slot. Feet played natural around first base with above average feel. 8.78 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works slightly across body, closed front side, lands square. Arm plays out of high ¾ window. Fastball topped at 81 mph, sat 78-79 mph, mostly straight. Curveball played 62-65 mph, 1/7 shape. Changeup works 73-75 mph, occasional fade and sink.

Luke Olbrot, RHP/SS, Morris, 2019
5-foot-7, 162-pound two-way player. On the mound delivery works in line, lands slightly to open side. Arm action is long high ¾ slot. Fastball sinks at times, 79-80 mph, topped at 81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, consistently dropped for strikes, 66-67 mph. Changeup runs to arm side, sinks, near fastball arm speed, 67-69 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, long stride, lower half engages, solid balance. Bat path has some length, flashed line drive contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 76 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot. Hands showed playable actions at times, worked through. 7.87 runner in the 60.

Sammy Sabatello, OF/RHP, Barrington, 2019
6-foot-3, 190-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. Ran a 7.06 laser-timed 60. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, quiet load, short stride and level bat path through the hitting zone. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, directional crow hop. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws carry and topped at 87 mph from the outfield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, stays on-line down the mound and lands square. Loose arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, sat 76-78 mph, touched 79. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 67-70 mph. Changeup, arm-side-run, ranged between 70-75 mph.

Brendan Short, LHP, Normal Community, 2019
5-foot-7, 155-pound, left-handed pitcher. Confident demeanor on the mound, works fast and with intent. Athletic, repeatable delivery, works with rhythm and pounds the zone with entire arsenal. Loose arm action from a low ¾ slot. Fastball, arm-side-run and sinking action, control of the zone, sat 76-77 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, sweeping action, feel, 58-62 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade and sinking action, 65-66 mph. Pitchability left-hander.

Scotty Starovich, LHP, Indian Trail (WI), 2019
Recent Carroll University commit. 6-foot-3, 175-pound, long-limbed, projectable, left-handed pitcher; plenty of room for continued physical development. Slow paced side-step delivery, directional down the mound and lands front foot closed. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ to over-the-top slot. Fastball, works straight, ride through the zone at times, sat 77-78 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, thrown for strikes, 65-67 mph. Changeup, sinking action, 68-70 mph.

Tyler Statler, RHP, Hononegah, 2019
SEMO commit. 6-foot-6, 225-pound right-handed pitcher built with an extra-large, durable frame. Down-tempo, methodical delivery, works on line, shoulders level, square landing. Long, loose, and quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Arm slot leads to heavy, downhill fastball. Fastball, hard boring action, 88-89 mph, topped 90 mph. Changeup, mostly matched arm speed, some fade/run, 81-83 mph. Curveball, occasionally got on top, between 12/6 and 11/5 shape.

Andrew Stefaniak, LHP, Lexington Catholic (KY), 2019
6-foot-5, 239-pound left-handed pitcher with thick lower half, long limbs. Drop-and-drive type, lands open, falls toward third base. High ¾ arm slot, long and loose arm action, works with some effort. Fastball, straight, works down, 72-75 mph. Changeup, slows arm speed slightly, thrown at bottom of the zone, 68-69 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape with gradual break, 63-67 mph.

Oliver Wilson, LHP, West Aurora, 2019
6-foot, 215-pound left-handed pitching prospect with thick, durable build. Delivery works on line and with some rhythm, works quick. Over-the-top arm slot with average arm speed and short arm action. Maintains balance throughout and lands in a good position to field. Fastball showed arm-side run, occasionally late, 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, similar sink and fade, feel for the zone, 71-73 mph. Curveball, thrown with confidence, 1/7 shape with some late break, 66-69 mph.

Julian Zavala, RHP, Stagg, 2019
5-foot-8, 150-pound, wiry-strong, defined, right-handed pitcher. Athletic delivery, works on-line and lands front toe closed. Short, compact arm action, some quickness following footstrike. Fastball, occasional cutting action, sat 72-74 mph, touching 75. Curveball, feel for the zone, 11/5 shape, 65-66 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade and sinking action, located down in the zone, 70-72 mph.

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