Shimkus has been earning victories in the rugged Chicago Catholic Blue since his sophomore year. Long, loose and extremely projectable, Shimkus can command three pitches for strikes. As a junior, he posted a 5-4 record with 8 complete games. In 61 innings, he struck out 72, walked 25 and had a 4.48 ERA. Offensively, he batted .409 with 4 doubles, 1 home run and 25 RBI. ... Shimkus is an extremely projectable 6-foot-3, 150-pound two-way talent. On the mound, the right-hander has a quick, loose arm, and as he fills into his long, wiry frame, Shimkus should see a significant velocity spike on his 83-84 mph fastball. Shimkus� arm works fluidity and ease, as he showed excellent feel for all three pitches with repeatable arm action. His curveball had some late hard bite, in addition to throwing a changeup with natural arm-side sink. Shimkus also impressed as a position player. In the field, he moves with rhythm and purpose, demonstrating soft hands and a solid arm across the infield. At the plate he has a quiet approach and a mechanically sound, line-drive swing. Shimkus also ran a 7.29 60. The 6-foot-2, 155-pound Shimkus has a long, projectable frame with clean arm action. He gets on top of the ball well driving it to the bottom of the zone on a solid downhill plane. Shimkus touched 81 on the mound, but figures to add velocity once he fills out.
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