Prep Baseball Report

GPA Games: Pitcher Analysis



By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The GPA Games held at brand new Rocky and Bernice Miller Park at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL spanned the course of two days, Friday August 12 – Saturday, August 13. The roster was broken into six teams, three of which reported on August 12, the other three reported on August 13. Each day consisted of position player workouts in the morning, with game play in the afternoon.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the two days. Today we take a look at the final position analysis from the event, pitchers. Tomorrow we will rank the top overall prospects from the event.

Below is a list of the top 10 pitchers from the GPA Games.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Weston Baker, RHP, St. Louis University (MO), 2017
6-foot-4, 190-pound, lanky, right-handed pitcher. Ranked No. 20 overall in the 2017 Missouri class. Struck out five batters in his two innings of work. On the mound, tall/fall delivery, uptempo delivery. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, arm side run, late action, sat 82-85 mph, touched 88. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, sink action, thrown for strikes, 68-70 mph. Splitter, 74-76 mph. Showed well in gameplay striking out five over two innings of work.

2. Matt Perego, RHP, Parkway West (MO), 2017
6-foot-7, 255-pound, extra-large frame, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, rhythm, stays in line, lands square. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, occasional cut, 82-84 mph, touched 86. Curveball, 10/4 shape, late action, 74-76 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, arm side run, 76-79 mph. Showed well in gameplay, allowing one hit in two innings.

3. Tommy Benson, SS/RHP/OF, Andrean (IN), 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound switch hitting utility player. From the left side hits from an upright, slightly open stance with a low hand set. Line drive hitter with a short stride. 74 mph exit velocity left-handed. Form the right side showed more pop with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. 5.33 runner down the line. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 87 mph. In the infield showed solid actions with a loose arm action. Threw 84 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a collapse on the backside. Fastball showed running action at 85-86 mph. Curveball has sweeping action at 65-69 mph.

4. Westin Muir, RHP, St. Charles North (IL), 2017  
6-foot-2, 175-pound, athletic, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, high front side, easy effort, smooth rhythm, repeats well. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, arm side run, thrown for strikes, sat 80-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, shape action, thrown for strikes. Changeup, arm side run, 73 mph. Worked two scoreless innings allowing just one hit while striking out two.

5. Zachary Zentz, LHP, Mundelein (IL), 2017
6-foot, 170-pound, athletically built, left-handed pitcher. Struck out three hitters in two innings of hitless work. Fast worker, works from the extreme first base side of the rubber. Clean, loose, whippy arm out front; ¾ slot. Smooth rhythm, drop and drive delivery, stays on-line, upright finish and regular effort throughout. Fastball flashed arm-side-run and clocked at 79-81 mph. Curveball, flashed feel, sweeping action, gets on the side of it at times, 67-69 mph. Changeup, fade action, 70-71 mph. Tough left/left matchup.

6. Mason LeBreck, RHP, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound, athletically built, proportional strength, projectable, right-handed pitcher. Struck out three hitters in two innings of work. Quick arm out of a high ¾ window. Drop and drive delivery, works from the extreme third base side of the rubber, some rhythm, full leg lift, hip turn, some deception and lands square. Fastball works mainly straight, flashed life and sat 82-84 mph. Curveball flashed short, tight break, 11/5 shape, feel; 74-75 mph. Changeup clocked at 77 mph.

7. Gavin Doyle, RHP, Plainfield North (IL), 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, in line direction, lands closed. Long arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, features cut action, sat 80-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 68-71 mph. Changeup, fade movement, 76-77 mph.

8. Colin Fields, 3B/RHP, Libertyville (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth, repeatable delivery, lands slightly closed. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm side run, sat 81-83 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, sat 66-70 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, showed well in gameplay with a double and a walk in five plate appearances. line-drive approach, level path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 76 mph off a tee. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield, flashed athletic actions. Loose, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 80 mph across the infield. 5.29 home to first time.

9. Christopher Zak, RHP, Shorewood (WI), 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed pitcher. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, lands closed, repeats well. Long, loose, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, sink action, occasional run, thrown for strikes, 78-81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sharp action, thrown for strikes, swing and miss pitch, 70-74 mph. Changeup, 75 mph. Showed well in gameplay, striking out five over two innings of work.

10. Keaton Bubala, RHP, The Latin School (IL), 2018
6-foot-4, 190-pound, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, easy effort, smooth rhythm, lands square, cross fire action, repeats well. Short, loose arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, arm side run, works down in the zone, sat 78-81 mph. Curveball, short break, flashed downer action, 11/5 shape, 69-70 mph.

Best of the rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Steven Arrowsmith, RHP, Benet (IL), 2017
6-foot-3, 225-pound, broad shouldered, right-handed pitcher. Did not allow a hit and struck out two batters in two innings of work. Arm works out of an over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, uptempo, slight cross fire action, closed-toe landing and regular effort throughout. Fastball works mainly straight and ranged between 79-81 mph. Curveball, true 12/6 action when at its best, 66-69 mph. Changeup clocked at 72 mph.

Joe Bullard, LHP, New Trier (IL), 2018
6-foot, 145-pound, athletic frame, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, smooth rhythm, tendency to open early, lands slightly closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, occasional arm side run, sat 77-80 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, sat 60-63 mph.

Teig Chase, INF/RHP, Kettle Moraine (WI), 2018
6-foot, 185-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line-drive approach, fluid rhythm, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 80 mph. Tall, open setup with a short stride. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Flashed a short, loose, accurate arm from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 74 mph across the diamond. 4.69 home to first time. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in-line, lands slightly closed. Long, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 78-80 mph. Changeup, features arm side run, 75 mph.

Will Connors, OF/RHP, Waunakee (WI), 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws, throwing 80 mph from the outfield. Clean exchange with slower actions. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Opposite field hitter with an uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.68 runner down the line. On the mound works from an over the top slot with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short stride. Works in line with home plate. Fastball sat 75-77 topping out at 78 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape with loose rotation at 67-68 mph. Changeup sat 74 mph. Worked one clean inning in game.

John Dahlinger, RHP/INF, Mundelein (IL), 2017
5-foot-11, 155 pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, long, slightly uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 74 mph. Tall, balanced setup, short stride, keeps it simple. Defensively, reliable hands, fluid footwork. Long arm action from a ¾ slot, showed accuracy; throws clocked at 70 mph across the infield. 4.62 home to first time. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, lands square. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, 74-76 mph. Curveball, sweeping action, 60-62 mph.

Michael Deveikis, LHP, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound, left-handed pitchers, strong legs. On the mound, works with rhythm, in line direction, slight crossfire action, finishes upright. Long arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, thrown for strikes, mostly straight, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, thrown for strikes, 67-68 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, works mostly straight, 75 mph.

Brady Fields, SS/RHP, Badger (WI), 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line drive, pull approach, fluid rhythm, long bat path; exit velocity clocked at 83 mph. Tall, slightly open setup, short stride. Defensively, plays through the baseball, short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 68 mph across the diamond. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth rhythm, in line direction, lands slightly closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, features slight arm side run at times, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, 68-69 mph.

Tanner Fields, C/RHP, Badger (WI), 2018
6-foot, 155-pound two-way player, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch approach. Path is level from load through contact. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 72 mph out of the crouch. Gets out of the chute towards his glove side, sets tall at times, pop times ranged 2.11-2.19. On the mound arm played long and loose, high ¾ slot, occasionally drops to low ¾. Showed ability to control his fastball, slight action to arm side, pitched at 74-75 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball played with depth, 11/5 shape, 62-64 mph.

Harvey Freed, RHP/1B, Milford (MI), 2018
6-foot-2, 195-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, lands closed. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, features arm side run, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sweep action, gradual break, tendency to slow down arm, 63-66 mph. Defensively, clean exchange, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, backload, toe tap. Long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 83 mph. 5.43 home to first time.

Jack Garibaldi, RHP, Glenbrook North (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, stays in line. Long arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 74-76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 63-64 mph. Allowed just one hit over two innings during gameplay.

Andrew Golde, OF/LHP, Lake Forest (IL), 2018
5-foot-10, right-handed hitting OF/LHP. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with a quick exchange. Accurate throws, threw 81 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance. Drop load with a long stride. Uphill path with fluid rhythm. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.44 runner down the line. On the mound works form a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action and slight stab on the backside. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball showed running action at 75-77 topping out at 78 mph. Slider has 2-8 shape with loose rotation working up in the zone at 63-66 mph. Changeup has fading action at 68-70 mph.

Dylan Hauck, 3B/RHP, Crete Monee (IL), 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, line drive, pull-side approach, fluid rhythm, long, slightly uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 84 mph. Tall, open setup, leg kick. Defensively, reliable hands, flashed a short, accurate arm from a high 3/4; throws clocked at 78 mph across the infield. 4.76 home to first. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, threw one inning in game play. Arm works short and from a high 3/4 slot and some rhythm throughout delivery. Fastball, arm-side-run and sat 77-79 mph. Curveball 12/6 action, occasionally backed up, 62 mph. Threw a changeup in warmups; maintained arm speed, fade action.   

Roy Iversen, RHP/3B, Oak-Park-River Forest (IL), 2017
6-foot-3, 160-pound, lanky, two-way player. 4.43 home to first time. Offensively, right-handed hitter, pull-side approach, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 73 mph. Balanced setup, slight back load, short stride. Defensively, clean exchange, some athletic actions. Long, loose arm from a high ¾ to ¾ slot, flashed accuracy; throws clocked at 77 mph across the diamond. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 79-81 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, sweeping action, 68-70 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 72-74 mph.

Conor Johnson, LHP, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound, lanky, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, stays in line, lands square. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, arm side run, slight action, sat 73-76 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, 56-58 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, works mostly straight, 65-66 mph. Slider, sweep action, 67-71 mph.

Justin Knodl, LHP/OF, Germantown (WI), 2018
5-foot-10, 143-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery, works in line with home plate. Fastball is straight at 74-75 topping out at 76 mph for strikes. Curveball has sweeping action at 63-65 mph for strikes. Maintains arm speed on changeup that showed slight fading action at 61-65 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Athletic actions, plays thru the ball with soft hands. Threw 77 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced, open stance with a leg lift stride and average balance. Opposite field hitter with a long swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.51 runner down the line.

Colin Mack, INF/RHP, Morgan Township (IN), 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lanky, loose frame, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, compact swing, line-drive type hitter, middle of the field approach. Balanced, closed setup, slight load, short stride and good balance through contact. Registered a 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clean transfer on the infield, tendency to field the ball deep. Short, high ¾ arm slot, accurate throws clocked at 79 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.55 home-to-first. On the mound, right-handed pitcher. Short arm action, flashed quickness out of an over-the-top window with some effort throughout. Fastball flashed slight arm-side-run and sink when down in the zone, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 and was clocked at 69 mph.

Jack McCullough, LHP, Warren (IL), 2017
Recent Army commit. 6-foot-4, 185-pound, lanky, left-handed pitcher. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, stays in line, finishes athletically. Long arm action from a ¾ angle. Fastball, cut action, kept down in the zone, sat 79-81 mph, touched 83. Slider, 2/8 shape, 71-74 mph. Changeup, features cut action, 76-78 mph. Allowed one hit over two innings of gameplay.

Charlie Met, RHP, Madison West (WI), 2018
6-foot-1, 174-pound, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, works with effort, tall/fall delivery, stays in line. Long, quick arm from an over the top angle. Fastball, arm side run, 76-80 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 55 mph.

Matthew Moloney, RHP, Benet (IL), 2017
6-foot-6, 185-pound, lanky, projectable, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, slide step stretch. Long arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 79-80 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual action, 65-68 mph. Worked two scoreless innings, striking out three.

Michael Picollo, RHP/OF, Blue Valley North (KS), 2018
6-foot-1, 145-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky, projectable frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with easy effort. Smooth rhythm with good balance, repeats well. Fastball sat 79-80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 64-66 mph. Changeup sat 72 mph. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with average hands. Threw 73 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.86 runner down the line.

Wes Pulver, RHP, Dwight (IL), 2017
6-foot-5, 180-pound, projectable, long and lean right-handed pitcher. Arm works short and over-the-top, short draw out of the glove. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, closed landing and upright finish. Fastball, flashed cut action, down in the zone and sat 78-80 mph. Slider worked 10/4 and flashed late, short break, 68-70 mph. Changeup clocked at 73 mph.

Elijah Rochon, LHP, Geneva (IL), 2017   
5-foot-11, 155-pound, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, tall balance point then collapses, stays in line, long arm action from an over the top slot. Fastball, works most straight, sat 71-74 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 66-68 mph. changeup , 69-70 mph. Allowed just one hit over two innings of gameplay.

Craig Rowland, RHP, Batavia (IL), 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed pitcher. Tall/Fall delivery,works fast, lands open, finishes upright. Long, quick arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, arm side run, 81-83 mph, touched 85. Slider, varied between 11/5 shape and 10/4 shape, 66-71 mph.

Jeremiah Ruth, RHP, Rolla (MO), 2018
5-foot-8, 154-pound, small frame, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square. Short arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, mostly straight, works down in the zone, 73-75 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup, 65 mph.

Dan Sajewski, LHP, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2018
6-foot, 150-pound, lanky, left-handed pitcher. Works with easy effort, smooth rhythm, stays on line, lands square, finishes athletically. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, features run and sink action, erratic at times, sat 66-69 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, 54-59 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, 59-60 mph.

Carson Smith, RHP, McCutcheon (IN), 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound, athletic, right-handed pitcher with two pitch feel. Tall and fall delivery, works with rhythm, level shoulders, stays in line. Fastball, features sink, thrown for strikes, 77-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual action, thrown for strikes, 62-65 mph. Worked two clean innings during gameplay.

Chase Stebbing, RHP, Wahoo (NE), 2018
6-foot-3, 160-pound, right-handed pitcher. Tall/fall delivery, toe lands open, closed direction. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, works mostly straight, occasional cut action, sat 76-78 mph. Slider, sweep action, 63-66 mph. Changeup, 70 mph. Showed well in gameplay, working two scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out two.

Bobby Tilot, RHP/1B, Bay Port (WI), 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound, two-way prospect. Left-handed hitter, line drive, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm, finds barrel, uphill path; exit velocity registered at 76 mph. Wide setup, smooth load, long stride. Defensively, clean exchange, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 5.08 home to first time.  On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in line, lands square. Short arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, features cut action, sat 77-78 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 64-67 mph. Changeup, cut action, 73 mph.

Sam Treffert, LHP/OF, Pius XI (WI), 2018
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive, crossfire delivery with a closed landing. Fastball showed cutting action at 74-76 topping out at 77 mph. Changeup sat 71-72 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from a high 3.4 slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Threw 78 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from an open stance with a toe tap stride. Opposite field hitter with an uphill swing path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.62 runner down the line.

Tyler Yang, RHP, Bartlett (IL), 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed pitcher. Works with effort, tendency to open early. Short arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 79-80 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 64-67 mph.

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