Bennett
Musser

Valparaiso recruit, ranked No. 68 overall in the state’s senior class. Listed at 6-foot-1, 182 pounds; slender build with long levers. Stretch-only delivery; simple and direct to tall, coiled balance point. Quick pace, continuous rhythm down mound, works slightly closed to the target, lands square to home, momentum typically swings him through toward a first base finish. Long draw from glove, fluid and clean to a high ¾ release; quick arm speed. Fastball was exclusively 85-87 mph on this day, has been up to 90 in previous looks; features some natural tail, some late arm-side finish, typically tried to steal the outside strike with it. Breaking ball is slider-like, sometimes slurve-y, 73-75 mph; enough confidence to regularly try to work backwards from it. Short, tight action off an 11/5 plane with control; flashed sharp and often started at-bats with it, wasn’t afraid to throw it on consecutive pitches early in counts. Changeup has been a go-to pitch for him in our looks, used less often on this day, but flashed swing-and-miss action beneath the zone, 76-78 mph. Deceptive arm speed, thrown aggressively, large run/sink movement at times, though inconsistent control. Threw 61 pitches, 36 strikes (59 percent); final line: 3 IP, R, 3 H, BB, HBP, 3 K.

Uncommitted, ranked No. 91 in the state of Illinois. 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, got the start for the Mustangs in a rivalry matchup. Works the strike zone with a four pitch mix, which resulted in a 10 strikeout outing in five innings of work. Mainly out of the stretch with some effort, shoulders stay level, works directionally to the plate with an athletic finish. From a long, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, throws both a four seam and two seam fastball, around the zone command, holding 86-88 mph throughout the game. Curveball with sharp slurve-like action resulting in swing and misses when thrown down in the zone, held 75-76 mph. Changeup with arm-side run with late sink at times, held 78-80 mph. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 182-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery with some effort. Works in line with target. Level shoulders. Lands with a closed front toe.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot, some effort.
FB: T89.6, 87.5-89.5 mph. Plays mostly straight. T2223, 2105 average rpm.
SL: 73.0-74.9 mph. 10/4 shape. T2329, 2305 average rpm.
CH: 76.6-78.3 mph. Sinking action, tends to cut off of fastball. T1661, 1574 average rpm.

Bennet Musser (Mundelein) is another right-handed pitcher who saw his velocity jump in between our looks. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound uncommitted junior has a long, loose arm from a ¾ slot and he was one of 10 pitchers at this event to touch 90 mph. Musser's slider plays with sweeping action and matches his arm slot at 73-75 mph (2,306 rpm on average), and his changeup, a go-to offering for him in the past, sat 77-78 mph at this event.

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only with some effort, works in line, lands squared, finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Short loose arm action, quick arm speed, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 87-88 mph. Late arm-side movement. T2287, 2169 average rpm.
CB: 73-76 mph. 11/5 break, fastball like arm speed, thrown for strikes. T2328, 2239 average rpm.
CH: 74-76 mph. Fading action, near fastball arm speed. T2166, 1628 average rpm.

5-foot-11, 150 pounds; some physicality in lean frame. Right-handed hitter who generates bat speed with athletic, twitchy hands, producing above-average bat strength for his size. Intentful, aggressive swings – went 4-for-4 against Cangelosi Sparks North on Friday and 2-for-3 against P2P Millers on Sunday.

Positional Profile: RHP 
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lean athletic frame.
Delivery: Full windup, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 window.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Jumps out of the hand at times, late run, down in the zone.
CB: 66-67 mph. Thrown aggressively, 11/5 plane, tight spin, feel for the zone.
CH: 70-72 mph. Maintains arm speed, works mostly straight.

Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride and hits off front side. Aggressive swing, present bat speed, short path, twitchy hands, line-drive approach and the ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 to low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick and clean release, secures the baseball.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds.
Defense: Active feet pre-pitch, works through the ball.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph.  Long arm action, over the top slot.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, minimal leg lift, loose hands, gap to gap approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60.