Preseason Trials: Pitching Analysis
January 25, 2018
The Preseason Trials took place on Wednesday, December 27th at Corona del Sol HS in Tempe. The event featured prospects from the 2019-2021 classes and served as an identifier for future invite-only events such as the upcoming Preseason All-State Games and next summer’s Top Prospect Games and Future Games. This week we continue our positional analysis from the event with the pitchers. Complete data, pictures, video and scouting reports from the event are posted to players' profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information.
2020 Colten Keith was clearly the top pitching prospect in attendance as he not only possessed the top fastball, but showed feel for three pitches with arm speed and athleticism. The next group of arms are similar young, projectable prospects with little to separate them. Being left-handed never hurt anybody and 2020 Bryan Webb's pitchability and physical projection earns him the next spot over 2020 righty Gillis Champagne who showed similar stuff and feel.
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Colten Keith 3B / RHP / Verrado, AZ / 2020Keith was a virtual unknown to scouts and recruiters prior to this event. That all changed in a matter of hours. The physical 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect has sloping shoulders and proportional strength. Everything he did on the day was fast twitch and Keith established himself as one of the elite 2020 prospects in Arizona if not the country. A legitimate two-way player, Keith has high-end tools as a pitcher and third basemen. Offensively, the ball flies off his bat, using a very high leg-lick and high back elbow, generating elite bat speed from the left side. His 94 mph exit velocity is the highest we have recorded in AZ for a 2020 prospect. Defensively profiles as third baseman, feet work well, putting him in position to show off a present grade 50 arm with outstanding carry; 87 mph infield velo. Also turned in 6.99 60-yard dash. On the mound he uses a compact delivery with high leg lift and relatively short stride. Throws from high ¾ slot with short arm stroke, getting on top of the ball quickly in back before showing elite arm speed. Worked 86-87 mph with his heavy fastball, touching 88. Also showed a 70-73 mph slurve that flashed tight rotation and hard, late break, if somewhat inconsistent. Best secondary offering was sinking 79-81 mph changeup thrown with great arm speed. Also mixed in a 70-72 mph knuckleball for good measure. Keith will be featured prominently when we update our 2020 rankings in February. |
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Bryan Webb 1B / LHP / Corona del Sol, AZ / 2020Young 6-foot, 160-pound frame that projects to develop significantly over the remainder of his high school career. Two-way prospect has highest ceiling on the mound where he shows advanced pitchability with the ability to manipulate the baseball and even throw from multiple arm angles. Working exclusively from the stretch, Webb throws from a high ¾ arm slot with a very low front side that at times caused his body to race ahead of his arm. Sat 74-76 mph with his fastball, touching 77 with big time sink when he dropped down. Low 70’s changeup was best pitch on the day, a legitimate out pitch right now, showing late tumbling action and absolutely disappearing through the bottom of the zone at times. 67-69 mph curveball was in the zone with somewhat inconsistent rotation and should develop into a solid third pitch. Webb also easily the top 1B defender at the event, effortlessly gloving balls in the dirt and showing advanced footwork around the bag. Posted 75 mph infield velocity. Offensively made line drive contact when at his best, using a flat path and low finish to keep his barrel in the zone. Loads back elbow high; 82 mph exit velocity. Also posted 7.50 60-yard dash. |
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Gillis Champagne OF / RHP / Verrado, AZ / 2020Narrow 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame. Two-way prospect showed best on the mound, working 76-77, T78 with good arm speed on his fastball from a high ¾ slot. Hand moves fast enough that we can project a velo increase with continued physical development. Showed advanced feel for two secondary pitches, a 67-69 mph curveball that showed consistent tight rotation and flashed hard downward break, along with a sinking 71-73 mph changeup that was a standout pitch at the event. Offensively hits from a wide, solid base with a compact stride, making plenty of line drive contact. Will drive the ball better and he gets more out of his back side in the swing; 78 mph exit velocity. Moves well in the OF, getting lots out of his lower half and turning in a 78 mph outfield velo. Also posted 7.43 60-yard dash and will be an interesting follow, especially on the mound. |
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Matthew Bohnert LHP / OF / Cactus Shadows, AZ / 20195-foot-8, 150-pound frame. Two-way prospect showed best on the mound where he worked 79-81, touching 82 with his fastball from a high ¾ arm slot. Utilized a compact delivery, raising his hands very high before they break. Showed a 62-63 mph curveball with 1-7 shape and 67-70 mph changeup that he tended to leave to the arm side. Offensively shows good rhythm in the box, using a leg-lift trigger and slight uphill bat path to make solid contact to CF and the pull side during his round of BP. Looks to lift the baseball; 82 mph exit velocity. Also threw accurately from the outfield with 84 mph velo. |
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Ismael Garcia Jr. RHP / 3B / Corona Del Sol, AZ / 20196-foot-1, 196-poud frame with very broad shoulders. Strong pitcher’s body. Compact delivery with high leg lift; shows some stiffness in hips. Worked 78-81, touching 82 with his fastball that flashed sinking action when down in the zone. 68-71 mph curveball with consistent tight rotation, good depth and 11/5 shape was best pitch on this day as he showed the ability to throw it for a strike as well as below the zone. Also threw developing 73-75 mph changeup that he holds very deep in his hand. |
Best of the Rest
Jeremey Davidson, Liberty HS, 2019
Zachariahs Johnson, Saguaro HS, 2019
Jackson Rose, Sunrise Mountain HS, 2020
Todd Stawiecki, Corona del Sol HS, 2020