Prep Baseball Report

Winter Pitcher's Showcase: 2016 and 2017 Pitchers



Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Prep Baseball Report-Missouri held the Winter Pitcher's Showcase on February 14 at the Bud Dome in St. Louis.  Over 40 pitchers participated in the event between the classes of 2019 to 2016.

Yesterday we took a look at the pitchers in the 2018 and 2019 classes. Today we break down the pitchers in the 2016 and 2017 classes.

Pitchers are divided by class and listed alphabetically.

CLICK HERE, to see the Instant Analysis from the Winter Pitcher's Showcase

2016 Pitchers

Connor Cline, RHP, Kirkwood HS, MO (2016)
Cline is a right-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2016. Athletic 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. Attends Kirkwood HS in the St. Louis area. Methodical pace from pivot to balance point, aggressive down the mound, high three-quarters slot, quick arm, some effort. Firm fastball with late arm-side run, 86-88 mph, touched 89, high percentage of strikes. 12/6 breaking ball with sharpness at times, 75-77 mph. Feel for change-up, fastball arm speed, sinks late, 80-82 mph, strikes. Interesting uncommitted arm in the Missouri class of 2016.

2017 Pitchers

Weston Baker, RHP, Saint Louis University HS, MO (2017)
Baker is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2017 that attends Saint Louis University HS. Up-tempo, aggressive delivery, three-quarters slot, fast arm, some effort. Fastball with late life, running/cutting, nothing straight, 87-89 mph, topped out at 90 mph – top mark at the event. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, sharp at times, 70-71 mph. Showed a 77-81 split-fingered fastball below the strike zone. Physical class of 2017 right-hander with present college-level stuff.

Braden Cox, RHP, Scott City HS, MO (2017)
Cox is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed pitcher that attends Scott City HS in Scott City, MO. Class of 2017. Simple move to balance point, three-quarters slot, quick arm, some effort, repeats. Fastball with late arm-side run, firm pitch, high percentage of strikes, 83-85 mph. Feel for tight 11/5 breaking ball, 72-76 mph, good pitch. Change-up with sink, 75-76 mph. Strong pitcher’s frame, showed command of three pitches.

Conor Dryer, RHP, Rockwood Summit HS, MO (2017)
Dryer is a right-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2017. Attends Rockwood Summit HS in Fenton. Long-legged, athletic frame at 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Up-tempo, athletic delivery. Natural, loose arm action. Three-quarters slot. Fastball with arm-side run, late life at times, 84-86 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 to 12/6 shape, tight spin, 71-73 mph. Change-up 80-83 mph. Athletic class of 2017 right-hander with plenty more in the tank velocity-wise as he gains size and strength. Trending upward since last event in fall.

Daniel Flaiz, RHP, St. Charles West HS, MO (2017)
Physical 6-foor-4, 225-pound frame. Flaiz is a right-handed pitcher that attends St. Charles West HS in St. Charles, MO. Showed delivery with body control throughout, three-quarters slot, long arm action. Fastball with arm-side run and glove side cut, worked down, 79-82 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 to 10/4 shape, 66-70 mph. Feel for 73-74 mph change-up with sink. Big class of 2017 right-hander to follow.

Amexem Hamm, LHP, McCluer North HS, MO (2017)
5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2017. Attends McCluer North HS. Deliberate early movements from pivot to knee lift, tucks at balance point, hides ball, low three-quarters arm slot. Fastball 75-78 mph. Showed glove-side fastball with cutting action. Breaking ball with 2/8 shape, 67-70 mph. Change-up 75-79 mph.

Niko Marshall, RHP, Lindbergh HS, MO (2017)
Marshall is a 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2017. Attends Lindbergh HS in St. Louis. Creates rhythm with vertical hands and knee lift, long arm action with looseness, three-quarters slot, works slightly across body. Fastball with arm-side run, 81-84 mph. 11/5 Breaking ball, gradual action, 64-69 mph. Change-up 74-76 mph.

Connor Miller, RHP, St. Mary’s HS, MO (2017)
Attends St. Mary’s HS in St. Louis, MO. Miller is a 5-foot-10, 215-pound right-handed pitcher. Class of 2017. Simple move to balance point, hides ball well, three-quarters arm slot, aggressive tempo, some effort. Worked glove-side part of the plate with fastball, cutting action, 77-82 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, at times sharp, 65-69 mph. Change-up with sink, worked below the strike zone, 73-74 mph. Around the plate with all three pitches.

Matthew Perego, RHP, Parkway West HS, MO (2017)
Perego is a class of 2017 right-handed pitcher. 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame. Attends Parkway West HS in Ballwin, MO. Simple move to compact balance point, up-tempo delivery, three-quarters arm slot, some effort, finishes square. Fastball with arm side run, at times late, 84-86 mph. Short 11/5 breaking ball, 75-77 mph. Also showed a 76-81 mph cutter and 76-80 mph change.

Nathan Rohmann, RHP, Jersey Community HS, IL (2017)
Rohmann is an athletic-framed 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher that attends Jersey Community HS in Illinois. Class of 2017. Under control early working to balance point, aggressive move to plate, some effort. Long arm action, three-quarters slot. Finishes under control and square. Fastball 82-84 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, tight at times, 72-74 mph. Sinking change-up 82-83 mph.

Austin Ruesch, RHP, Edwardsville HS, IL (2017)
Ruesch is a class of 2017 right-handed pitcher that attends Edwardsville HS in Edwardsville, IL. Athletic 6-foot-4, 186-pound frame with strength. Delivery with rhythm. Tall, stacked balance point with slight tuck to hide ball, aggressive move to the plate, excellent body control throughout delivery, repeats well. Easy arm, clean arm action, throws from high three-quarters slot. Worked down in the zone with fastball, 87-89 mph, topped out at 90. 12/6 breaking ball, at times very sharp, 71-72 mph. Feel for change-up with arm side run, 80-82 mph. Impressive class of 2017 prospect with an ideal pitcher’s frame and polished delivery. Velocity trending up, was topping out at 83 mph this past August.

Bret Snider, RHP, Liberty North HS, MO (2017)
Class of 2017. Snider is a right-handed pitcher that attends Liberty North HS in Liberty, MO. 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame. Aggressive delivery, slight drop-and-drive, high three-quarters slot, some effort, maintains body control throughout. Fastball 79-82 mph, most with arm-side sinking action, strikes. Breaking ball with 11/5 to 12/6 action, short break. Feel for change-up, works below the strike zone with cutting/sinking action, 73-74 mph.

Alex Spangler, RHP, Timberland HS, MO (2017)
Spangler is a right-handed pitcher that attends Timberland HS in Wentzville, MO. Class of 2017. 5-foot-9, 140-pound frame. Efficient delivery, high three-quarters arm slot, arm works, good direction. Fastball 79-82 mph, works down, sink at times. Feel for breaking ball with 11/5 shape, gradual action, 68-70 mph.  Kept change-up down, 77-78 mph.

Noah Stone, RHP, Lutheran South HS, MO (2017)
Attends Lutheran South HS in St. Louis, MO. Stone is a physical 6-foot-7, 255-pound right-handed pitcher. Class of 2017. Aggressive delivery, three-quarters arm slot, fast arm, arm works, body control throughout. Sinking fastball 86-89 mph, strikes. Feel for tight slider, 78-81 mph, could be plus pitch. Change-up 82-85 mph with arm side running action. Big-bodied class of 2017 right-hander with impressive sinker/slider stuff.

Craig Theiss, RHP, De Soto HS, MO (2017)
Theiss is a class of 2017 right-handed pitcher that attends De Soto HS in De Soto, MO. Athletic 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame. Under control early, high knee lift while remaining tall, builds rhythm during delivery, three-quarters arm slot, long arm action. Fastball 81-84 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 to 12/6 shape, at times tight, 67-70 mph. Change-up 77-78 mph. Projectable class of 2017 right-hander.

Matthew Thorsten, RHP, Oakville HS, MO (2017)
Thorston is a right-handed pitcher that attends Oakville HS in St. Louis, MO. 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame. Simple move to tall balance point, hides ball, three-quarters arm slot, arm works. Fastball 73-77 mph. Breaking ball with 12/6 spin, raises arm slot, 58-60 mph. Change-up 69-72 mph.  Physical class of 2017 right-hander.

Brendan Vancil, RHP, Oakville HS, MO (2017)
Class of 2017. Vancil is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed pitcher that attends Oakville HS in St. Louis, MO. Worked from the stretch exclusively, high pre-set hands, low knee lift, three-quarters arm slot. Fastball 68-79 mph, early arm side run. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, gradual action, 55-56 mph. Change-up with tumbling action, 59-61 mph. Kept both off-speed offerings down.

Jake Werner, RHP, Oakville HS, MO (2017)
Werner is a right-handed pitcher that attends Oakville HS in St. Louis, MO. Class of 2017. 6-foot-3, 165-pound frame. Deliberate and controlled delivery, compact knee lift, hides ball well, low three-quarters arm slot, easy arm. Fastball runs arm side, 78-80 mph, strikes. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 63-64 mph. Change-up with early fading action, 70-74 mph. Projectable class of 2017 right-hander. 

Nick Wiley, RHP, Lindbergh HS, MO (2017)
Wiley is a class of 2017 right-handed pitcher that attends Lindbergh HS in St. Louis, MO. Lanky 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame. Delivery under control early, slight drop-and-drive, three quarters arm slot, long arm action, maintains balance throughout, finishes square. Fastball 81-83 mph, works down, predominately glove side cutting action. Command of 73-75 mph change-up with late fade away from left-hand hitters. Feel for breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 64-70 mph. Class of 2017 right-hander with some projection. 

Michael Wilson, LHP, Chaminade HS, MO (2017)
Wilson is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2017. Attends Chaminade HS in St. Louis. Simple move from pivot to balance point, three-quarters arm slot, has arm speed, aggressive delivery overall. Hitters see lots of arms and legs, tough to pick up ball out of hand. Fastball 79-83 mph. Breaking ball with late break, 2/8 shape, slurve type pitch, 68-71 mph. Change-up 75-79 mph. Class of 2017 lefty with deception and projection. 

Noah Zelko, RHP, Francis Howell North HS, MO (2017)
Class of 2017. Zelko is a 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher that attends Francis Howell North HS in St. Charles, MO. Works from the stretch exclusively, tall set up, simple knee lift with tuck at balance point, high three-quarters slot. Arm-side run on fastball, worked down, 72-74 mph. Showed feel for breaking ball with 11/5 shape, gradual action, 64-66 mph. Change-up with downer sink action, 73-75 mph.

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