Brody
Brecht

USA CNT: A righthanded pitcher not making the cut included Brody Brecht (2024 Iowa). He possesses the highest potential of anyone, including all of those who did make the final squad. If you thought Paul Skenes was fun this past season just wait until you see this big-armed righthander. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Brecht can also bring it 102 (actually 104 vs Maryland this spring) with a 70-grade slider. He currently commands his 88-91 breaker much better than his heater which is well below average. Not his best at the trials, he showed some rust early in the first inning of his start, before tripling up on his 70-grade slider to strike out the CNT’s top hitter, Kaelyn Culpepper. Brecht settled down during his second and third innings of work, sitting 94-96 with his fastball. The command of his fastball is still below average and trails the command of his slider by a wide margin. Once he learns how to pitch which will require at least a grade of improvement with the command of his fastball, all the pieces will be in place for him to be on the short list with Skenes, Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Justin Verlander as the top college right handed pitching prospects in the past 20 years. In 77 innings this past spring for Iowa, he struck out 109 batters, but also walked 61. With that stated, any improvement he shows with his fastball control will nudge him closer and closer to consideration for 1-1 in 2024.

On the mound for Saturday’s showdown with LSU was the Hawkeyes biggest arm, Brody Brecht, who is currently ranked No. 17 in the 2024 class. The 6-foot-4 righthander is a scholarship football player (wide receiver) on the gridiron and possesses a 100+ mph fastball on the baseball diamond. He touched 101 against LSU, but his slider was best pitch. It flashed at least plus on numerous occasions and he threw it nearly 65% of the time due to scattered fastball command. His slider was responsible for five of his six punchouts to go along with eight walks, many due to Brecht himself, but also affected by an inconsistent strike zone. Brecht was tossed from the game while walking off the mound after being pulled in the fourth inning.

Dual commit for football and baseball to the U. of Iowa. In the 2020 IA High School State Tournament; Brecht came out in first inning consistently sitting 95-98 mph on the mound. Relatively held velocity throughout the game; consistently touching 95-96 mph in the later innings. Currently ranked #360 in the country; Brecht should see a significant jump upwards in the PBR Overall.

6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. One of top multi-sport athletes in Iowa 2021 class. 6.63 runner. Open stance, large leg kick trigger, slight uphill plane through contact, consistently squares baseball, shows pop in bat with lean present strength and long levers, 89 mph exit velocity. Well above avg. arm strength, simple fielding mechanics, quick release, online throws with above avg. carry to target, 92 mph arm strength from outfield. On mound; medium balance point with uncontrolled front foot outside knee, long arm action with wrapping path on back-side of body. Fastball was 89-91 mph, above avg. arm quickness, drives baseball on steep downhill plane with late running action. Slower spin with larger shape on 11/5 curveball. Good tempo and arm speed on changeup with avg. overall action at plate.

Six-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed 2-way player. Long lean athletic frame with wiry strength. One of top follows in Iowa 2021 class. 4.7 H-1B time. Open stance, body load, consistent line drive contact, even while lacking extension through contact- shows above avg. pop in bat, 89 mph exit velocity. Athletic in field, quicker release, avg. momentum through ball, online throws with carry and accuracy, 90 mph arm strength from outfield. On mound; high leg balance point with front foot outside knee, clean arm action, OT slot, minimal use of lower half, some occasional finish to plate. Fastball was 81-84 mph with late cutting action to plate. Avg. breaking ball should continue to develop with 11/5 shape. Sink and tumbling action on changeup. Mechanics lack polish but projects through the roof. As he continues to mature and develop; Brecht has a chance to be one of the better players in the state.