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Southern Wisconsin Open: Pitcher Analysis

November 17, 2016

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

The Southern Wisconsin Open took place on October 30, 2016 at STiKS Academy in Oconomowoc, WI. The open event featured over 50 players. Today we conclude our analysis with the top pitchers.

Top Prospects

1. Brandon Komar, RHP/SS, Elkhorn, 2017
Currently ranked No. 64 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. Madison College commit. 6-foot, 182-pound right-handed hitting RHP/SS with a strong, athletic frame. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with smooth rhythm and an athletic finish. Filled up the strike zone in his bullpen. Fastball sat 86-87 topping out at 88 mph. Maintained fastball arm speed on his changeup at 76-79 mph with sinking action. Curveball and Slider blend as the same pitch. Curveball has sharp breaking action with 10-4 shape at 71-74 mph. Slider shows same 10-4 shape with late breaking action at 72-73 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with smooth load and leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm and an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Rant he 60 at 7.79. Defensively has a short arm action form an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and soft hands. Throws showed carry across the infield at 86 mph.

2. Connor Langreder, LHP West De Pere, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with regular effort. Smooth rhythm with an athletic finish. Showed a live fastball with late running action at 80-82 mph for strikes. Changeup showed arm side running action up in the zone at 70-73 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape with minimal breaking action at 68-72 mph. Left handed arm to follow in the 2019 class.

3. Blake Thiesse, RHP/OF, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, 2018
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky, projectable frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with some effort and a closed toe landing. Fastball showed heavy sinking action at 80-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape with sharp, late breaking action. Curveball is thrown aggressively at 64-66 mph. Changeup flashed run and cutting action at 71-73 mph. Defensively has a long, loose arm action. Accurate throws with carry throwing 84 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a narrow, closed setup with average balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.51.

4. Jackson Brown, RHP/3B, Oconomowoc, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed hitting RHP/3B with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with closed landing and smooth rhythm. Struggles with command. Fastball showed heavy running action at 81-86 mph. Curveball has sweeping action at 70-72. Changeup has running action at 70-74 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a reverse toe tap stride and average balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Showed off arm strength throwing 83 mph across the infield.

5. Jackson Mandella, RHP, Nicolet, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed pitcher with a strong frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short stride working in line with home plate. Fastball showed slight running action at 82-83 mph. Hooks on curveball that has 10-4 shape at 66-68 mph. Fastball armspeed on changeup at 75-78 mph.

6. Teig Chase, RHP/2B, Kettle Moraine, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting RHP/2B. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive, online delivery with a square landing and smooth rhythm. Works fast and throws strikes. Fastball showed slight running action at 81-82 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with short breaking action at 68-69 mph. Showed feel for his changeup maintaining fastball arm speed at 75-76 mph with running action. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance with a smooth load and short stride. Line drive, pull hitter with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.24. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and good body control. Threw 78 mph across the infield.

7. Ryan Hayden, LHP, Watertown, 2018
6-foot-3, 170-pound left-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Works from high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall slowed paced delivery until balance point. Works in line with home plate, square landing. Shows explosion in the hips on his fastball. Fastball showed slight sinking action down armside at 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with some depth at 60-64 mph. Changeup sat 64-65 mph.

8. Jake Nitch, SS/RHP, Warren (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP. At the plate hits from a wide base with a closed setup and high back elbow. Short, leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.57. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Drop and drive, online delivery with a square landing. Fastball was firm at 80-81 mph. Maintained fastball arm speed on changeup at 70-73 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 62-66 mph.

9. Brennen Beck, 1B/RHP, Menomonee Falls, 2019
6-foot-2, 240-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP. At the plate hits from a tall setup with an arm bar load and leg lift stride. Pull, power hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.04. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Throws showed carry throwing 78 mph across the infield. Plays thru the ball with a slow exchange. On the mound works from a side arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with smooth rhythm and a square landing. Fastball sat 77-78 mph. Showed feel for spin with his curveball that has sharp sweeping action at 66-68 mph. Changeup showed running and cutting action at 70-73 mph.

10. Carson Holin, OF/LHP, Sun Prairie, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a wide base, drops back elbow on load. Short stride with good balance. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.88. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 77 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with smooth rhythm. Repeats mechanics well. Fastball was straight at 76-78 mph. Curveball shape worked between 12-6 and 1-7 at 61-63 mph with gradual action. Changeup sat 64-65 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Joshua Brockman, RHP, West Bend West, 2019
6-foot-2, 155-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and wrap on the backside. Drop and drive, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 70-73 mph. Curveball sat 58-62 mph with gradual action. Stiff wrist on changeup at 60-62 mph.

Dylan Conrad, LHP, Waukesha North, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Drop and drive, online delivery with a square landing and some rhythm. Fastball worked down glove side with occasional sinking action down in the zone at 76-69 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with occasional late breaking action at 65-68 mph. Changeup sat 69-72 mph.

Luke Follmann, LHP/OF, Madison Edgewood, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF. Defensively has a long, stiff arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, arm bar load with good balance. Level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.63. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, slowed paced delivery, works in line with home plate. Fast all worked up in the zone at 72-76 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball showed gradual action at 59-62 mph. Slowed down on changeup at 63-66 mph.

Tyler Gaecke, OF/RHP, Mukwonago, 2018
6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup. Long toe tap stride with average balance. Pull, power hitter with an uphill swing path and fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.35. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball, showed off raw arm strength throwing 79 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with easy effort. Works in line with home plate, with a square landing. Fastball was up in the zone at 74-76 topping out at 77 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape at 63-64 mph. Showed feel for changeup at 68-70 mph with cutting action for strikes.

Seth Hackbarth, RHP/3B, Oconomowoc, 2018
5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, stiff arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with choppy rhythm. Fastball sat 73-77 mph. Curveball has sweeping action at 65-68 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed on changeup at 69-72 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a leg kick stride. Uphill swing path. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.43. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 74 mph across the infield.

Ethan Kritzer, LHP, Waukesha South, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall at balance point with a high front side. Works in line with home plate with an upright finish. Fastball sat 74-76 mph. Slows arm down on offspeed pitches. Curveball has 1-7 shape at 59-61 mph dropped in for strikes. Changeup sat 62-65 mph.

Adam Loveland, RHP/3B, Edgerton, 2018
6-foot, 190-pound left-handed hitting RHP/3B with a strong frame. On the mound works from an over the top slot with a long arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with minimal effort. Fastball was straight at 74-75 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with some depth at 61-63 mph. Fastball arm speed on changeup with sinking action at 66-68 mph. At the plate hits from a wide base with a heel turn stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.88. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Threw 68 mph across the infield.  

Jake Morchinek, LHP, Cudahy, 2020
5-foot-11, 225-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed toe landing. Will continue to improve with a strong front side. Fastball sat 72-74 topping out at 75 mph. Showed feel for spin on curveball that has 2-8 shape at 60-61 mph. Changeup sat 65-67 mph.

Ben Nordloh, RHP/OF, Waunakee, 2018
6-foot, 205-pound left-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 78-79 mph for strikes. Slows on curveball, has 11-5 shape at 60-62 mph. Showed feel for changeup maintaining fastball arm speed at 70-71 mph for strikes down in the zone. Offensively hits from a balanced, closed setup with a long toe tap stride. Pull, power hitter with stiff rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.61. Took drills in the outfield and threw 79 mph.

Austin Paul, 2B/RHP, Milton, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2B/RHP. At the plate hits from an open stance with a toe tap stride. Long swing path with one arm finish. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.03. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph across the infield. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 72-74 mph. Changeup blended with fastball at 69-70 mph. Curveball showed no action at 61-62 mph.

Reno Povolo, LHP, Cudahy, 2020
5-foot-5, 120-pound left-handed pitcher, Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with an athletic finish. Good balance throughout delivery. Three pitch feel for strikes. Fastball showed slight running action at 66-67 topping out at 68 mph. Slider has short breaking action will occasionally backup at 62-65 mph. Changeup showed armside run at 65-66 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Alexander Redman, LHP, New Berlin West, 2019
5-foot-10, 140-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with a closed toe landing. Fastball sat 74-75 topping out at 76 mph. Showed some feel for the curveball with 1-7 shape at 62-66 mph for strikes. Changeup sat 69-72 mph. Also took art in hitting drills but did not work out defensively. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm and an uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.36.

Jarrad Rettler, RHP/OF, Kaukauna, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive, online delivery with a square landing. Fastball was mostly straight at 75-79 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 65-67 mph. Maintained fastball arm speed on changeup that showed slight running action at 67-71 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws showed carry throwing 80 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced, closed setup. Short, heel lift stride with a short, uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29.

Alec Strupp, RHP, Slinger, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, slowed paced delivery with a head snap on release. Fastball sat 70-72 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 50-54 mph. Slows on changeup at 52-55 mph.

Jordan VonBehren, OF/RHP, DeForest, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup. Short, linear stride with average balance. Line drive, pull hitter with a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.10. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Fields the ball deep. Throws showed carry throwing 82 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Works in line with home plate with a square landing. Works fast. Fastball showed running action at 77-79 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-73 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup that showed running action at 69-73 mph.

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