9 To Know: NJ Future Game Trials (2022s)

Zach Stichweh RHP / 1B / Seton Hall Prep, NJ / 2022

At 6-foot, 190-pounds with some noticeable strength in both the upper and lower-half, Stichweh’s presence was made known immediately upon stepping on the mound. Add to that the fact that he sat 88-90 throughout a quick preseason bullpen, and there is good reason to believe that college coaches will be making their way to see him as early as this spring. The arm stroke is more of a single-piece look, and works continuously to a ¾ slot where he stays behind the ball, and is able to drive it through the zone. The high-spin fastball had some riding life through the zone, and at times surprised the catcher as it jumped. He possesses excellent understanding of his movement patterns, comfortably completing an efficient delivery that utilizes no wasted movement, and gets the most out of a stronger lower-half when working down the mound. The slider was thrown at 75-77, and he got around it at times with some sweeping shape, though there is a chance that he is able to shorten it, or even develop a cutter in the future considering the arm strength and fluidity. Stichweh’s changeup was the more intriguing secondary offering. Thrown with fastball intent at 83-86, the pitch featured splitty-like action, and dove to the arm side when thrown at its best. Overall, Stichweh has a chance to develop into a power-arm down the line, and should he find a more consistent breaking pitch (it is still VERY early in the preseason in NJ) could blossom into a starter at the next level.